What To Wear on a Cruise: Dressing for the Vacation
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They provide coverage when you’re away from the water and can be a fashionable accessory for your poolside or beachside looks. If your sailing is five nights or less, you may board to find that there isn't a designated formal night. Of course, you'll still have an opportunity to dress up if you wish, but you won't find any special menus. Usually, you will see people wearing anything from tuxedos and ballgowns to slacks and a button-up shirt and sundress. When preparing for your upcoming cruise, you will want to make sure that you have an outfit for formal night.
Long Sleeve Cut-Out Maxi Dress
As for Holland America formal nights, on sailings shorter than a week, there will be one "gala night," where travelers don evening or ball gowns, suits or tuxedos. Voyages of eight to 13 nights will see two gala nights, while any cruises of two weeks or longer will have three chances to dress to the nines. I recommend using your time wisely and trying to see as much as you can. For example, a two-night Cyprus cruise is all about beaches, history and incredible cuisine. Pack outfits that you'll be comfortable in even when the sun is scorching hot, so you don't have to worry about going back to the ship to get changed midday.
Long Sleeve Faux Wrap Dress
Perfect for Christmas and New Year cruises, this is the perfect dress to stand out from the crowd. Around the top, it feels like slightly sticky rubber, so it doesn’t fall down at all, even when dancing. Of course, you could wear a strapless if you like some extra support. However, I love a deep blue dress when I’m cruising, so I always pack at least one of this color. Please note that this dress runs a little small, so you may want to size up.
Halter Style Maxi Dress with Side Slit
The ultimate cruise vibe can be defined by fun, flowy designs and outfits that can easily transition from the pool or beach to lunch and the cocktail lounge later. If you’re wanting to step it up with your shoes at night but aren’t into the idea of a heel, go for a comfy wedge! They’re dressy and stylish but will keep your feet much more comfortable than a regular high heel. Because the sun will be shining on you all day long, some readers suggest bringing a shirt option with a bit more coverage. This long cardigan style swimsuit cover up looks both casual and elegant.
What To Wear On A Cruise – FAQ
This short white dress has a flattering flowing style for ladies of every age. Remember that cruise dress codes are intended to enhance the overall experience and atmosphere on board. Cruise dress codes can vary from one cruise line to another and even between different ships within the same cruise line. One of the exciting aspects of a cruise vacation is dressing up for different occasions on board. Welcome to our comprehensive guide to selecting the perfect cruise dresses!
Off the Shoulder Puffy Sleeve Dress
Norwegian Cruise Line dress code: what to wear on a cruise - Cruise Blog
Norwegian Cruise Line dress code: what to wear on a cruise.
Posted: Wed, 20 Mar 2024 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Embarking on a cruise means stepping into a world of both relaxation and elegance. Beyond the fact that they’re usually a good price, I love to be able to read many reviews and see photos of real people wearing the outfits. Here are some suggestions for cruise fashion accessories for women, that can go along with the dresses and outfits. I wore this halter style dress on my recent Sun Princess cruise and received so many compliments. If you want a formal dress that’s fun and flirty, check out this one.
Sleeveless Long Cocktail Dress
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. You’ll want to put on a bathing suit cover up when heading indoors on your cruise or to eat at one of the restaurants. Make sure to pack 2 cover ups, so you can change your look and always have a clean, dry one available. Women of every age will look elegantly casual in a romper jumpsuit. I’ve also included photos of some of my own cruise outfits from past cruises.
Pretty White Dresses to Wear on a Cruise

This cover-up is an essential addition to your cruise wardrobe, made from soft and breathable lightweight fabric that’s easy to wear. Whether you’re heading to the beach, pool, honeymoon, or water park during your cruise, this cover-up is a must-have for your wonderful vacation. This formal dress is an excellent choice for cruise occasions, featuring one shoulder with a sleeveless design, ruffle detail, and an elegant empire waist. The soft and stretchy material ensures a perfect fit, highlighting your body curves beautifully. This elegant formal cruise dress is designed for women who want to make a statement.

There’s the Captain's dinner, dinner in the main dining room, and other snazzy cruise events you want to stand out for. With a cocktail dress like this, you would be sure to fit in on even the most formal of cruise ships. Simple yet elegant, this off-the-shoulder evening gown is light and floaty, making it ideal for a summer evening. The empire waist is flattering for ladies of all shapes and sizes and the fabric is chiffon, so it won’t crease in your suitcase. This knee length short sleeve dress looks great in different colors and patterns. This dress is always great to pack, as it stays pretty wrinkle free.
However, if you're cruising through a colder region like Canada, you'll want a jacket and some warm layers, so you can stay comfortable on deck. Make sure your cruise packing list includes a lightweight bag for your book, sun protection, wallet, camera, phone and a foldable dry bag tucked inside. When you're done swimming, you can stow your swimwear away in the dry bag without getting the rest of your items wet.
The number of formal nights on a cruise varies by ship length and cruise line. Shorter sailings will usually have only one formal night, whereas longer sailings can have 2, 3, or even 4 formal nights. Even on cruises with a formal night, guests' attitudes towards it may be more relaxed. Norwegian, for instance, you may see a night with a dress code "dress up or not" or "Norwegian's Night Out." A day bag is clutch on a cruise, too, whether you’re toting books and baby snacks for a few hours poolside or hopping ship for a shore excursion for the day.
This formal dress is totally unlike the gowns shown above and works well for both formal night and day-to-day work back home. It’s classy and perfect as formal wear, but also a little sexy… for after dinner. The sequin detailing is simply beautiful, making this dress a great choice for the formal night on your cruise.
Navy, white, and lighter colors are the perfect tones to choose for your nautical voyage. When it comes to patterns and styles, off-the-shoulder dresses, halter tops, spaghetti straps, and sequins can add beauty to your sophisticated look. For spring or summer colors, the trending tones seem to be pastel colors, specifically soft pink and blue tones. Colors to stay away from onboard a cruise ship are brown or warm tones relating to this color. If you’re going on your first cruise, figuring out what to wear for the formal events can feel like a daunting task.
While some cruise lines may allow jeans in specific dining venues, it’s best to avoid them on formal nights. Please check with your cruise line’s specific dress code to make sure you follow their guidelines. As your voyage draws near, remember that the key to a seamless and enjoyable cruise experience is finding that perfect balance between practicality and sophistication in your wardrobe. Thoughtfully curated cruise ship outfits ensure adherence to the cruise line dress code and give you the confidence to partake in every activity easily.
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