Don’t Know What to Wear On a Cruise? I’m an Experienced Cruiser—Here Are 9 Chic and Easy Outfit Ideas

Whether you’re sailing on a weekend cruise or a seven-day trip, you’re bound to spend some time at sea as the ship makes its way to the next port. It all depends on what you have planned, but try to keep it casual. I like to use sea days to explore what the ship has to offer. Go for a nice T-shirt, shorts (or lounge pants) and some sandals. The key here is to be comfortable for a game of trivia, laying by the pool or snacking at the buffet. 

A port day is a great opportunity to casually stroll and visit a new place. When I went on a Mediterranean cruise, it was nice just to walk the streets and take in the bustling neighborhoods. It’s important to know not every port is the same, especially comparing a Caribbean cruise to an Alaskan one. But one of my original points stands: Dress comfortably with a pair of sneakers and keep a dad cap (or sun hat) in your bag. 

If you’re on a Caribbean cruise, packing a few swimsuits is essential. The ship will often have a pool or two, or even stop at a few ports that have gorgeous beaches. Have fun in the sun and show off your favorite swimwear. Just don’t forget to pack your cover-up and protective products (aka sunscreen) in your beach bag. Seriously, the Caribbean sun is no joke.  

No matter how warm it is during the day, once it hits nighttime things can get a bit chilly outside and inside the theaters. You always want to be mindful of any temperature changes, so have a cozy sweater or light jacket handy to enjoy any after-dark entertainment without shivering in your seat. Some ships even show movies under the stars by the pool and I found a sweater kept me nice and toasty. 

If you’re not spending time at the buffet, a specialty restaurant calls for a stricter dress code. Now, you don’t have to get overly fancy, but consider more smart casual attire. Think: a stylish blouse and slacks, a flowy maxi dress or a chic midi skirt with kitten heels. Each specialty restaurant will be different, so make sure to check out their dress code ahead of time. (You’ll find a steakhouse might be different from an American diner.) The most common restrictions are usually no shorts, swimwear or flip flops, so just keep those items in your stateroom. 

There are plenty of excursions for every type of traveler. Of course a day at a vineyard might call for a sunhat and a sundress, but if you opt for a more adventurous expedition, athleisure staples like a tank top, leggings and comfortable sneakers are essential. Again, excursion outfits will depend on what kind of adventure you’re embarking on and what the weather is looking like. 

A cruise will usually have at least one formal night, where you’ll find passengers dress to the nines. I like to think of it as the Met Gala of cruising, but you don’t have to go to extreme measures to feel like you’re attending an awards show. I’d opt for a silk or satin dress and heels, or a jazzy pantsuit. Most of the time there are photo ops all over the ship to show off your black tie best, so it’s fun to dress to impress. 

Some cruise lines have fun theme nights for all passengers to participate in. For example, Disney Cruise Line has a pirate night, while Royal Caribbean has a ‘70s party. Meanwhile Virgin Voyages has a huge pajama party and Carnival throws an all-white party. Research your ship to see what fun celebrations they have in store. And if there isn’t a theme night, you can always create your own with your friends and family. (I remember going on a cruise with a bunch of friends and we all wore yellow. We definitely stood out amongst the crowd and it was so fun to see what everyone came up with.)

It’s time to put on your dancing shoes. Swap out your flip flops for some heels (or comfortable flats if you’re a big dancer like me) and a cute outfit you can move in. You can settle for a cocktail dress, a stylish jumpsuit or a simple two piece set that works for the “Cha Cha Slide.”