Allie HubersFiguring out what to pack for a cruise can be more difficult than you might expect. You’ll need outfits for sea days, dinners onboard, time by the pool, and exploring each port of call. If you have active excursions planned, you’ll also need comfortable clothing and shoes that can handle a full day of walking, hiking, or whatever else is on your itinerary.
After more than 55 sailings and decades of traveling around the world, I’ve become pretty efficient at packing for a cruise. Of course, what I bring depends heavily on where I’m going and how long I’ll be traveling.
For instance, packing for a warm Caribbean cruise looks very different from packing for Alaska or the Norwegian fjords. Your outfits should also depend on the cruise line you’re sailing with, as some have stricter dress codes than others.
Regardless of where I’m cruising, I have some must-bring outfits that I pack for nearly every sailing. Whether you’re preparing for your first cruise or just looking for outfit inspiration, these are some of my favorite cruise outfit ideas for every part of the trip.
And just a warning: I am absolutely not a fashionista! These are just the outfits I’ve worn and felt comfortable in during my cruises. Consider this a source of ideas and inspiration as you decide what to pack for your next cruise.
What to consider before packing your cruise outfits
Before choosing your outfits and packing your suitcase, there are a few important things you’ll want to consider. Your destination, the time of year, the length of your cruise, and the activities you have planned can all influence what belongs in your suitcase.
Taking a few minutes to think through your itinerary ahead of time will help you pack more intentionally and avoid bringing items you won’t actually wear.
Here are some considerations:
- Destination: If you’re sailing to colder destinations, such as Alaska, Norway, Iceland, New Zealand or South America, you’ll need to prioritize warmer layers. Even summer cruises to these destinations can be chilly, especially on deck or during early morning excursions.
- Cruise Line Dress Code: Every cruise line has its own dress code and overall onboard atmosphere. Some cruise lines are very casual, while others host formal nights or encourage guests to dress up for dinner. Be sure to check the dress code before packing so you don’t arrive onboard without the proper attire!
- Length of Sailing: Naturally, longer cruises require more clothing, although you don’t necessarily need a completely different outfit for every day. Most cruise ships offer laundry services, and some have self-service laundry rooms, making it easier to pack fewer items. And in a pinch, you can also do laundry in your cabin bathroom!
- Planned Excursions: Your excursions will also influence your packing list. It’s essential to pack comfortable walking shoes for exploring ports, while hiking, snorkeling, or active excursions may require specialized clothing or gear.
- Onboard Activities: Think about how you plan to spend your time onboard before packing. If you want to use the fitness center or enjoy the pool deck, you’ll need to pack appropriate athletic outfits, walking shoes, and swimwear.
- Luggage and Cabin Space: Cruise cabins are often smaller than hotel rooms, so it’s important not to overpack. I recommend choosing versatile clothing that can be mixed and matched throughout the cruise. Planning outfits ahead of time can also help prevent you from bringing items you never wear.
Embarkation Day Outfits
For embarkation day, I always prioritize comfort and practicality. You’ll be going through boarding and security, possibly hauling your luggage around the ship, waiting for your room to be ready, and exploring before you’re fully settled.
More often than not, I find myself sweating on embarkation day because I am moving from one thing to the next!
A good embarkation day outfit could include the following options:
- Shorts with a lightweight, casual top
- A matching set
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Athletic dress or skort with T-shirt
For hot Caribbean sailings, I’ll normally wear a lightweight matching set or an athleisure outfit. This might be an athletic skort, comfortable walking shorts, or a casual tank top. If I want to look a little more put together, I’ll wear jean shorts with a basic T-shirt. Honestly, it’s nothing too fancy unless you want a nicer outfit in your “Welcome Aboard” photo!
I also pack a few extra outfits in my carry-on, just in case my checked luggage takes a while to arrive. This usually includes a dinner outfit, another casual outfit, a swimsuit, pajamas, and other essentials (like medication). This makes it much easier to start enjoying your vacation immediately without waiting around for your bag!
A crossbody bag or small backpack is also helpful for embarkation. I like to keep my wallet, passport, phone, sunglasses, lip balm, and embarkation documents close to me while boarding.
If you’re traveling with a group, you might even consider matching shirts! These are very popular right now and can make it easier to find everyone in a crowd. It also makes for an awesome embarkation-day photo!
Sea Day Outfits
Personally, I prioritize comfort above everything else on sea days. When I have nowhere to be besides maybe an afternoon nap, I’m not getting dressed up! Whether I’m sitting by the pool, reading inside or grabbing a meal onboard, I’m keeping things casual and comfortable.
If you plan to walk on the ship’s track or visit the gym, you’ll also want to pack a few workout outfits. For lounging around the ship, I usually like lightweight athletic shorts with a casual T-shirt.
For a pool day, you’ll definitely want to pack:
- A swimsuit
- A cover-up
- Sandals
- Sunglasses
- Sunscreen
Also, indoor areas can feel unexpectedly cool because of the blasting air conditioning, so I always recommend packing a light jacket or cardigan. On cooler-weather cruises, I’ll wear leggings with a sweater or cozy pants paired with a sweatshirt.
I should mention that some women prefer to dress a little nicer on sea days, and that’s perfectly fine. In my experience, the overall atmosphere is really casual and comfort is key!
Cruise Dinner Outfits for Women
When I first started cruising about 20 years ago, everyone seemed to dress up for dinner, especially on formal nights. That’s not really the case anymore, as most people wear more practical, relaxed outfits in the evenings.
For most cruises, I only bring a few outfits specifically for dinner. If I’m trying to save space in my luggage, I’ll bring even fewer dinner outfits and prioritize packing outfits that can be worn during the day or dressed up in the evening.
I personally love wearing sundresses to dinner while cruising. I also prefer relaxed-fitting outfits because cruise food always leaves me feeling a little bloated. After enjoying a big meal, the last thing I want to wear is something super fitted when I feel like I’m about to bust at the seams!
For cooler itineraries, such as Alaska or Norway, I’ll pack long-sleeve dresses and warm cardigans to layer. Even when it’s cold outside, these outfits are comfortable once you’re indoors on the ship.
If you don’t like dresses, then casual pants, slacks or capris are perfectly fine. Almost every night of a cruise, you’ll find my mom (who is in her mid-60s) wearing pants with a dressy top. If you’re looking to save space, you could consider bringing a few dressy tops and bottoms that can be mixed and matched.
I also recommend packing a light cardigan or sweater for dinner. As I mentioned earlier, the ship’s air conditioning can feel intense, especially in the dining room. In this way, it’s nice to have an extra layer for the evenings if you get cold easily.
However, some cruise lines do enforce stricter dress codes in certain restaurants or on formal nights. For example, Cunard is known for enforcing more traditional formal-night dress codes while Celebrity Cruises doesn’t allow shorts in the dining room. Ultimately, it’s always a good idea to check your cruise line’s dress code before you start packing.
What to Wear on Formal or Elegant Night
Most cruise lines host a formal evening, while longer itineraries might include a couple of elegant nights. These evenings may be called “elegant night” or “dress your best,” but they’re all pretty much the same thing.
For these occasions, I’ll usually wear a slightly nicer dress that’s longer or midi-length. I’ll also spend a little more time on my makeup and hair, but honestly, I don’t stress too much about what I wear on formal nights.
When it comes to formal night, the atmosphere can vary quite a bit from sailing to sailing. Some guests go all out in full-length ballgowns, while others wear something basic, like a sundress.
For shoes, I really like to keep things basic. I’ll usually pack flats or cute sandals that don’t take up much room but are still comfortable enough to wear around the ship in the evenings. Truly, you won’t find me packing heels just for dinner because I’d rather save the space for something else.
This isn’t the case for everyone, though! For instance, my mom will happily bring a couple of pairs of shoes for dinner in her suitcase, even if she doesn’t wear them all. Everyone has their own packing style, and there’s no single right way to do it.
One thing to keep in mind: at the end of many cruises, the outfits I didn’t wear were usually the ones I packed specifically for dinner. If you’re short on luggage space, you may want to limit the number of dinner-only outfits you bring and focus on versatile pieces you can wear more than once.
What to Wear in Port
As I mentioned earlier, your port day outfits will depend heavily on your itinerary and daily plans. Whale watching in Alaska is very different from spending the day on a Caribbean beach or exploring historic sites in Europe!
No matter what you’re doing, prioritize sturdy, weather-appropriate clothing and shoes. This is especially important if you’ll be walking for several hours!
You should also consider whether you’ll be visiting churches or religious sites. Some locations require more modest clothing to tour certain sites, which is especially common on European and Mediterranean itineraries.
When heading ashore, I always bring a crossbody or backpack for carrying my essentials. A small black crossbody works with most of my outfits and is usually all I need for a day ashore. For longer days or excursions where I need to carry more, I’ll bring my small leather backpack to hold additional things.
Here are a few examples of outfits I’ve worn in different climates and for different types of port days.
Caribbean Beach Day
For a Caribbean beach day, I would usually consider wearing one of these outfits:
- A swimsuit with a cover-up
- Linen shorts
- Matching set with breathable fabric
- Athletic dress
- Rubber sandals
- Sunglasses
If I’m heading to the beach in the Caribbean, I’ll usually wear a swimsuit with linen shorts and a lightweight cover-up. This is easy to throw on, comfortable in the heat, and practical for the beach. On the other hand, if I’m spending the day exploring instead, I’ll opt for something casual, like an athletic dress or a lightweight matching set.
Cold-Weather Excursion Day
I’ve worn this type of outfit in Alaska, Norway, Iceland, and New Zealand:
- Leggings
- Waterproof boots
- A tunic sweater
- A black rain jacket
- A hat, scarf, and gloves
If we’re doing a lot of walking and rain isn’t in the forecast, I might wear white sneakers instead. For more active days, waterproof rain boots are the better choice, especially when hiking in Iceland or exploring Alaska.
European City Exploration
For exploring a European city, I love wearing a breezy sundress with white sneakers. It’s cute for photos, appropriate for visiting cultural sites, and comfortable enough for walking around all day.
If the weather is cooler, especially in the spring or fall, I’ll wear linen pants with a light cardigan and white sneakers. This is still practical for walking around but provides a little extra warmth.
Active Excursion Day
For an active excursion day, I usually choose something athletic and suited to the climate. While kayaking in New Zealand, I wore a quick-dry skort with a tank top and a lightweight white long-sleeve shirt for sun protection.
Whatever you wear, make sure your shoes are broken in and have good traction. The right shoes can make a huge difference when you’re hiking, walking on uneven ground, or spending an entire day outdoors.
Don’t overthink your cruise outfits, but come prepared
After more than 55 cruises, I’ve learned that you really don’t need a completely different outfit for every day, activity, and meal onboard.
I recommend choosing versatile pieces that can be worn more than once. For instance, a sundress can work for a day in port and dinner that evening, while a lightweight cardigan can come in handy for chilly dining rooms, cool-weather destinations, and air-conditioned areas around the ship.
At the same time, it’s important to come prepared for the activities on your itinerary. Pack supportive walking shoes for port days, weather-appropriate layers for cooler destinations, and a few nicer outfits if your cruise includes formal or elegant nights. If you have an active excursion planned, make sure you bring clothing and shoes that can handle a full day outdoors.
You probably won’t wear everything you pack, so focus on bringing outfits that make you feel comfortable and confident. There’s nothing wrong with repeating a favorite dress, wearing the same sneakers in multiple ports, or skipping the heels altogether.
The best cruise wardrobe is one that gives you plenty of options without leaving your suitcase completely stuffed!
Comments
Do you agree with these suggestions on cruise outfits for women? Do you have any other cruise outfit ideas? Drop us an anchor below to share what you usually wear on a cruise.
