Are you a newly married couple? Then, I believe you must be planning your honeymoon destination. Don’t tell me you are going to Bali, Maldives, Europe, Alaska, or the Mediterranean Sea. Yes?? Then, I bet that cruise vacation would be on your go-to list. If so, then I would like to add something else. You would need clarification about what to wear on a cruise. Say yes if that’s the case. This guide is perfect for you as it will teach you how to pack your bags for your cruise vacation.
What to Wear On Cruise Vacation: During Daytime
Comfort is the key. During the day you should wear something very comfortable as you will be exploring or doing some activities that require such clothes. Here, I would recommend you to wear normal resort wear. You can divide cruise daytime wear into two types:
1. Sea Days Outfits:
These are the days you will spend mainly on the boat. You will be going from one port to another, so these days will be the most relaxed and casual. If you are planning to spend some time in the pool, pack your favourite swimsuit with you. A hat, flip-flops, and sunscreen are a must to add charm to your sea day look.
Sea days would be chill days. There is no need to dress up because these are the most fun-loving days when you are not going to do anything important worth getting dressed up. Casual wear like shorts with plain t-shirts or tank tops, short jumpsuits, or mini floral dresses would work best. As you would be spending all day taking part in inside activities such as cooking or singing, painting, etc.… Cruises with casual dress codes are rare to find. However, you can put 1-2 casual wear clothes for such scenarios.
2. Port Stop & Shore Excursion Outfits:
When we say beach, the first thing that comes to mind is swimsuits. I suggest you repurpose the same outfit you wore around the pool on your sea day. However, if you are planning to walk through the town, I recommend wearing something more covering.
A maxi dress is suitable for warm-weather places. It is comfortable and cool for different activities. Maxis are a go-to option whether you are getting ready for a romantic dinner or a shopping date. And, anyway, who doesn’t like maxi dresses, right?
I recommend you check whether your package includes any outdoor activities such as tracking or fire camping. Because of that, you’ll also need a nice pair of walking shoes so that you can walk or run without worrying. Packing a scarf along with other necessary things would be a great thing as it will help you to protect your hair from outside damage.
| Poolside | Swimsuit with cover-up, sandals, hat, sunglasses |
|---|---|
| Activewear | Athletic wear, sneakers |
| Shore Excursions (depending on location) | Comfortable walking shoes, pants or shorts, hat, sunglasses, light jacket (optional) |
| Lunch Buffets | Swimwear with cover-up (some lines allow, some don’t) or casual clothing |
What to Wear on a Cruise: During Evenings
The type of cruise will decide how much to dress and what to pack. Some cruise packages offer theme parties, and you are expected to wear the theme accordingly. Also, on your cruise vacation, you only need to bring formal wear if you want to.
| Occasion | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|
| Smart Casual (Most Evenings) | Collared shirts, slacks, dress shorts, winter sweaters, jackets (optional required) | Dresses, skirts, pantsuits, women’s blouses |
| Formal Night (Varies by Cruise Length) | Tuxedos, suits with ties | Cocktail dresses, evening gowns |
Coming back to our main topic, what to wear on a cruise in the evening. Evenings are the most fun time of the entire vacation. Some people enjoy dressing up. If you are that person, then remember not to bring a cocktail dress with high heels. But if you like to keep it casual, get a pair of dark black jeans with a pretty blouse.
You can bring one or two white or solid-coloured blouses and a variety of scarves and necklaces to make different combinations each night. No one will even notice you’re wearing the same thing. You can pair your favourite outfit with flat ballets or colourful sandals.
1. Casual Dinner Outfit:
On most of the ships, ladies are allowed to wear resort wear or summer dresses for casual dinners. You can even make it dressier by adding a dressy scarf or necklace to your look.
2. Formal Dinner Outfit:
Both cocktail dresses and floor-length gowns are suitable for a cruise. When made of dressier materials, formal pants or skirt suits are also acceptable options for cruise clothing. This is it. I hope this guide will be helpful to you while packing for your next cruise vacation.
FAQs for Wear on Cruise Vacation
What to wear on a cruise during the day?
You can dress casually during the day wearing T-shirts, tank tops, shorts, sundresses, and skirts.
What to wear for dinner on a cruise?
You want to look fashionable, trendy, and sophisticated while being elegant and refined on these dinner dates. Ladies should wear cocktail dresses, skirts, pants, or designer jeans with a classy top for dinner dates.
What to wear for a formal night on a cruise?
During formal dinners, loose tops with denim jeans are appropriate. Floral dresses also work well.
What to wear on a sunset cruise?
For the sunset cruise, we advise layering your clothing so you can take it off when the sun sets and put it back on when it becomes chilly.
What to wear on a boat cruise party?
Flowing dresses and ruffled skirts are favoured for a boat cruise party because of their sophisticated appeal and comfort. These go well with a matching wrap or a sparkly jacket. At all costs, choose elegant flat-boating shoes above heels.
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