Going on a cruise this season? Lucky you! It’s a great way to visit several destinations in one trip. But that can also make it tricky to decide what to pack. Below, we will show you what to wear on a cruise and which cruise clothing essentials you will need, This will ensure that you have everything you need for shore excursions and fun aboard the ship.
Rooms on board ships tend to be small with limited space. Although, the big advantage is that, even though you are traveling to multiple destinations, you only need to unpack once! Your accommodation is also your mode of transportation.
But, you will still want to plan your outfits carefully and pack pieces that you can wear in multiple ways so you don’t take up vital cabin space.
Below, you will find our list of what to wear on cruise and what to pack to set sail for sunny destinations in style. But first, some general tips when thinking about what to pack for your cruise vacation.
Is it okay to wear jeans on a cruise?
Should you take your trusty jeans on your cruise? Yes, denim is definitely acceptable in most situations, although think about how much room it will take up in your case. You can wear denim shorts during the day, and you’ll probably be able to wear your jeans in the evening. Just check the dress code for your cruise line as some don’t allow jeans in the dining room at night.
What colors should you wear on a cruise?
Anything goes when it comes to your choice of colors. Make sure that you think about how your clothes will go together to create different choices. Have fun with your color combinations. And, we’d avoid too many dark colors as they go ‘against’ the fun element of a cruise.
Do you still have to dress up on cruises?
Some cruise lines do still have a dress code for diner, so be sure to check. Plus, dressing up is one of the fun things about a cruise. It’s a great excuse to make an effort with your evening outfits.
what to wear on a cruise – Your cruise packing list
Below is what we recommend taking along for a cruise trip. Take a look for your what to wear on a cruise packing essentials.
Cruise dresses for day and night
Dresses don’t take up much space in your luggage, and are vacation workhorses.
A dress can take you from brunches and lunches on board and can easily be dressed up or down with a change of shoes.
If the weather is warm or humid, a dress can be worn alone or paired with a jacket or lightweight sweater when it turns cooler at night.
Wear your dress with comfortable gladiator sandals or stylish slip on sneakers in a metallic hue.
Pack at least one stylish maxi dress and a sundress in a shorter length.
Cruise essential – Maxi dress or jumpsuit
A maxi dress or jumpsuit can be perfectly laidback, or more formal, depending on the cruise you are going on.
Choose one which you can sling over your swimsuit after a day at the pool so that you can head to the bar for cocktails.
You can pop a cardigan or wrap over for evenings.
What to wear on a cruise – a Versatile sundress
As well as a maxi dress, you will want an easy-breezy knee-length or midi style that you can wear for days on board as well as for sightseeing excursions.
Choose a dress that you can easily pop over your swimwear, but which will also take you from day to night.
A dress in a light fabric will be perfect. You can wear over your swimsuit, or for sightseeing with sandals. Or you can dress up with heels for evening. You can also wear over pants for a different look.
Polo Ralph Lauren Ivara Floral Puff-Sleeve Midi-Dress
Evening dress for cruise formal night
If you’re thinking about what to wear on cruise and what to pack, consider that most cruise have formal nights. Depending on the cruise line, it can be anywhere from an elegant dressy affair to a more casual dinner and cocktails.
Pack two dinner outfits if your cruise is a week, so you’ll be prepared. As well as a cocktail dress, We’d be tempted to pack a jumpsuit as these can easily be dressed up or down. A black dress will go with everything and you can easily change it up with accessories to create different looks.
I’d keep the tops you choose, like the rest of your cruise outfits, very versatile.
Opt for tops you can either dress down for day, or dress up with jewelry and heels for evening. Also, choose tops which you can wear either with pants or shorts, or over your swimwear as cover-ups.
t-shirt
A T-shirt (or more) is essential no matter where you are going. The Caslon T-shirt (below), will add interest to your daytime outfits, and could be dressed up with wide leg pants or a midi skirt for evening.
Tunic
A tunic top is the ideal choice as you can pop over your swimsuit for days onboard, but you can also wear over your shorts or pants for days spent ashore sightseeing. You can leave loose or tuck it in to create different looks.
Natori Barong Gradient Tunic
shirt
When thinking about what to pack for a cruise, a shirt is so useful for your trip. You can wear over your shirts or pants, you can tuck into jeans or a skirt, or you can wear over your swimsuit as a cover-up.
120% Lino Linen Buttoned Shirt
tank top
If you’re cruising somewhere warm, you may want to opt for some sleeveless tops. Tank tops can be worn with your shorts, pants or skirts, or are useful for layering under your shirts, or you can always wear as pajama tops. The J.Crew tank top (below) features a bra shelf for extra support.
Choose a top that will go with your shorts during the day and that you can elevate at night with a statement necklace. If you choose a top in a beautiful material or with some draping, you can easily dress it up or down.
Ramy Brook Sabrina Surplice Tie Top
What to wear on a cruise – pants and shorts
When considering what to wear on a cruise, think about the weather. If you’re going for sunny locations, it’s highly recommended you bring shorts. On most cruises, you’ll be going ashore to explore ports of call. Pack a pair of stylish crop pants or shorts to wear for sightseeing.
Choose pants or shorts you can move comfortably in. You probably want to avoid denim as this isn’t the coolest fabric in hot weather.
cropped pants
A pair of pants will also be a hardworking staple of your cruise wardrobe. Choose a cropped pair to keep your ankles cool. You can wear it with your t-shirt and sandals or sneakers for the day, or you can dress up with a silky top and heeled sandals for the evening.
Theory Crop Straight-Leg Trousers
Packing for a cruise – Swimsuits & cover-ups
Pack at least two swimsuits for your trip, so you can rotate them in case the other is wet. There’s nothing worse than having to put on a wet swimsuit.
Choose cover-ups which you can wear not just over your swimwear, but also as tops and dresses.
Swimsuit
You will want more than one swimsuit as you will want to be in a position where you can rinse one out and leave it to dry, and wear the other one.
We’d make one of your swimsuits a classic black or one color style as you can wear it under any cover-up you choose, or you can wear it with shorts or pants instead of a top.
You could also opt for a tankini. That way you can wear the bikini bottoms with the rashvest below or the tankini top.
4 pairs of cruise shoes to pack
It may seem like a lot, and we agree as usually we’d recommend only packing 3 pairs of shoes for most vacations.
However, for a cruise, it’s useful to have a pair of pool shoes you don’t mind getting wet, some smarter flat sandals, a pair of comfy sneakers for walking on excursions, and a pair of low heels to go with your evening dress. And, your flat shoes won’t take up much room.
Sandals
Choose a pair of stylish, yet comfy sandals which you can wear for walking around your ship and for days offshore which don’t require too much strenuous walking.
Flip flops
Flip flops are always handy to have, and they don’t take up very much room in your luggage at all. Slip on after your swims on the ship.
You may find that some excursions require more walking than others. Perhaps you are hiking to a waterfall, or walking up steps to get to a fabulous view. I’d pack either some comfortable canvas slip-ons or walking shoes.
Dolce Vita Zina Sneakers
Low heels for evening
Even if you don’t tend to take heels on vacation with you, when you are cruising, you are likely to find that there is an eveningwear dress code. Your heels will go well with your formal evening dress.
Make sure to opt for block heels because these are much easier to walk in while you’re at sea than thinner heels like stilettos or kitten heels and they won’t damage the deck.
Opt for a lower or block heel. Really high heels on a swaying boat can be difficult to walk in or dance the night away in.
