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Some cruisers go all out, as if they'd stepped off a luxury liner from the 1920s. If this appeals, you can't go wrong with a tuxedo (black or white) or gown. "Smart casual and above?" "Casual elegance?" Cruises tend to have more styles of dress than your average vacation. It’s definitely a good idea to pack a rain jacket or shell for inclement weather while cruising or on shore. Are you even on a cruise if you’re not wearing nautical stripes? Do so in style with Long Wharf Supply ethically made sweaters.
Best swimwear for cruises
It’s a good idea to pack a clutch or small evening bag to wear to the dining room at night. Pack your cruise card, lipstick, pills and anything else you might need when out of your cabin. If you prefer a little more coverage, this halter top swimdress bathing suit is very flattering. I’ve also included a few bathing suits and cover ups, shawls, tote bags and evening bags – accessories often complete the look, but are also really useful on a cruise. On my first cruise with RCL I did note that Royal Caribbean cruise attire was slightly dressier in my experience than what we observed on our second cruise with Norwegian. As mentioned above, we just went on a Carnival cruise too so I have put together a packing list for that also.
Resort Wear is the Name of the Game
For a casual cruise think about what you’d wear to a resort. Cruise wear should consist of classy casuals that are comfortable and cool (for hot weather cruises), which can be layered for cold nights (and inside where there’s air conditioning). For instance, I bought a couple of stripey nautical tops and a sweatshirt for AUD$24.99 reduced from around AUD$60 which I thought was pretty good.
Swim Suit Cover Ups:

If you’re spending the day at the pool, you can also have lunch or dine in casual pool clothes at the Mast Grill located next to the pool deck. If you were looking forward to wearing a tuxedo or formal gown on Evening Chic nights, you can absolutely do that as well. There is no such thing as being overdressed on Evening Chic nights.
All Aboard the Most Extravagant Fashion Cruise - The New York Times
All Aboard the Most Extravagant Fashion Cruise.
Posted: Tue, 06 Jun 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Do you need cruise packing lists, to-do checklists, shore excursion forms and more? Over the last year, I put together a 47 page cruise travel planner that has everything you need as you plan and get ready for your cruise. This casual spaghetti strap sundress is comfortable and cute, and would make a great embarkation day outfit. If you want to pack light for a cruise, you could even wear this dress in the evening with accessories.
What To Wear On A Cruise: Dressing For The Vacation Of Your Dreams
You could wear the shirt with your shorts or as a swimsuit cover-up too. Make sure to have a wide brim sun hat on your Caribbean cruise packing list! Make sure to bring a cute sandal, a closed toe walking or running shoe, and a pair of dress shoes.
So you've booked your dream vacation sailing on the open seas, but you're not sure what to wear on a cruise. Don't worry — cruise vacations take the stress out of travel, and your wardrobe should reflect the laid-back vibes you'll feel as you sail through paradise. The quintessential cruise style is easy to pull off; think vibrant colors, tropical prints and lightweight fabrics. From daytime wear to packing pointers for a more sophisticated night, here is our curated list of tips on what to pack for your first cruise. Casual by day, chic resort wear in evenings to dressy duds on formal nights. If you’re sailing in the Caribbean then chances are that you’re going to the beach.
Casual Cruisin'
Easy, Printable Cruise Vacation Packing Checklist [2023] - Upgraded Points
Easy, Printable Cruise Vacation Packing Checklist .
Posted: Mon, 11 Dec 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]
Others enjoy the chance to "clean up" without going crazy; a dark suit and a little black dress will do nicely. If you want to have fun with formal night, pack your favorite cocktail dress, dapper hat or fascinator, playful ties, jewels and cuff links. Cruisers also can rock formal military uniforms or the custom formal attire of other countries -- such as the Barong Tagalog (pictured) or a dress kilt from Scotland. If you feel confused or uninspired about what to pack for your next cruise, we're here to decipher the dress codes with photos of stylish examples of acceptable cruisewear. Keep in mind that cruise ship cabins tend to be far less roomy than hotel rooms. Nisolo’s woven huarache sandals come in numerous neutral shades that make them easy to mix and match with cruise outfits.

Excursion bag
The look is still informal in the day in public rooms and casual on deck, slightly formal at restaurants at lunch and more dressy at dinner. Don't think that the Fashionista Police are on the lookout for violators at every turn — you're on vacation, after all! And some ships are more rigorous about enforcing the dress guidelines than others. But nobody wants to be tapped on the shoulder by a maître d' with a gentle suggestion to slip on a more appropriate sport coat. A maxi dress is an ideal choice for many warm weather destinations. They’re comfortable and cool and perfect for a range of activities, from shopping to dining at a nice restaurant.
Cruise lines do ask that you don’t wear bathing suits into the eating areas without covering up, so if you are headed to or from the pool, be sure that you are wearing a shirt and/or a cover-up. If you just want to grab a bite without worrying about what to wear, then head to the buffet or one of the casual restaurants on board. Here it’s perfectly fine to wear flip-flops, shorts, t-shirts and the like.
You’ll notice that all the accessories I’ve picked to go with this cruise dress attire have been repeated throughout the outfits. I’ve included plus-size alternatives to the key basic pieces and of course the accessories are all plus-size friendly. I have also tried to pick affordable pieces with many items coming in under $35. Note that this is all Caribbean cruise attire but almost all these outfits would work for a Mediterranean cruise also. For sea days when traveling in a warmer climate, you'll definitely want a swimsuit if you plan to take advantage of the onboard water park.
A pair of white sneakers go with everything and are comfortable to put on after wearing sandals for so many days. These are great to have for strenuous activities, adventurous excursions, and exploring ports of call. You can bring heels, but keep in mind that you’ll be doing plenty of walking on cruise ships, and most of the time they are carpeted. If your heels are uncomfortable on land, they will be uncomfortable at sea. I find that a lot more cruises are ditching formal dinners and instead have an “evening chic” dress code which can mean dressing elegant and sophisticated in your way.
The wide brim offers extra coverage and gives the hat a cool and classic look. I pack at least one pretty blouse and a button down shirt and this red blouse is fabulous for evenings. I also ove these ponte pant styled trousers in the image below. I love ponte pants and I’ve written a whole post explaining what they are and how to wear ponte pants, here. I’d also be thinking about packing a black pair of pants for more formal evenings, and a more funky pair for casual evenings, as well as cut-offs or capri pants for on shore excursions.