Table Of Content
- The surprising takeaway from a recent study on the best time to cruise to Alaska
- Sun Hat & Pair of Sunglasses
- What to Wear Boarding a Cruise Ship
- Casual T-shirt Dress Tank Style
- Cruise Clothes For Spa and Relaxation Time
- Paul Gauguin Cruises Dress Code: A Bit Dressier, But Be Ready for Polynesian Night
- Consider Destination & Seasonality

Most onshore excursions require reservations, so discuss with your family or travel buddies what kind of activities you cannot miss on your trip ahead of time. If you have whale-watching on your agenda, pack a jacket in case it's cold or misty, a hat so you don't get sunburnt, and binoculars. Packing outfits for vacation can be overwhelming, especially if you're one to overpack for a trip. If that's you, a weekend getaway can be the perfect challenge for you to curb your bad habits and stick to packing for versatility. The best advice I can give is to pack for the vacation you want to have.
The surprising takeaway from a recent study on the best time to cruise to Alaska
This one piece romper is casual, but looks a little bit cruisey just the same. It’s available in this nautical stripe, as well as solid colors and is very affordable (shhhh). On most cruises you can dress casually during the day, in shorts and a t-shirt, or a sundress.
Sun Hat & Pair of Sunglasses
Even if you’re not a gym-goer, comfortable sneakers or walking shoes are a must. These are ideal for walks around the ship, activities and exploring in ports of call. Now unfortunately for the men, the evening cruise line dress code applies mostly to men. A pair of sandals that you can easily slip on and off are a must. Ideally, bring a pair that you don’t mind getting wet– especially if you plan on going to the resort pool deck or any water excursion. Like I previously mentioned, after lounging at the pool deck, I like to get dressed up in a nice sundress to have a sunset cocktail before dinner.

What to Wear Boarding a Cruise Ship
Men may wear slacks with collared dress shirts or sweaters, but jackets are optional. Women should choose dresses, pantsuits or skirts or slacks with nice tops. Oceania's dress code is simple and casual, which may come as a welcome surprise to those who know the line as a luxury option. Country club and resort-style attire are generally appropriate, like button-down shirts and slacks for men or dresses, nice pants or skirts and tops for women. In all evening dining venues, passengers are requested to adhere to a more elegant interpretation of country club casual dress code.
Casual T-shirt Dress Tank Style
Before showtime at the onboard theater, change into a skirt or trousers, dress shoes and an airy scarf for a polished look. Be ready for all of the fun cruise ship adventures, from the skydive simulator to the waterpark. Meet Kathy Ava, a food, travel, and cruise writer based in Los Angeles/Pasadena, and the owner and main writer of Tasty Itinerary. With over 20 years of experience planning trips and logistics at her full-time job and for herself, she's become a pro at crafting unforgettable tasty itineraries. She's always on the hunt for delicious, fun travel destinations and cruise itineraries.
Since shorter sailings are typically the most casual, Royal Caribbean tries to use more laid-back nomenclature. It’s up each ship’s discretion to determine how many Formal Nights will take place onboard. Each Disney sailing features a Pirate Night; cruisers wishing to participate should pack their best swashbuckling gear. As is standard at Disney parks, you're also likely to see large numbers of costumes and mouse ears at all hours of the day. Voyages of six nights or longer will have two "cruise elegant" nights, while those five nights or shorter will see only one. When it's time to hit the town at night, add some accessories to soften this look like dainty jewelry, colorful slip-on shoes, a Panama hat and a handbag.
Keeping with our theme of packing for cool weather, we’ve selected a few outfits that would be perfect for Formal Night on your cruise. On voyages of less than a week, passengers should plan for one formal night, while sailings of a week to 13 days will have two, and cruises two weeks or longer will have three. Alternatives like a jumpsuit or maxi dress can be perfect for a formal night. Aiming for a slightly more dressed-up look than your everyday attire is key. Each section is a tribute to the vibrant, adventurous, and elegant essence of cruise vacations, providing a compass to steer your style voyage.
Paul Gauguin Cruises Dress Code: A Bit Dressier, But Be Ready for Polynesian Night
Make sure to pack 2 cover ups, so you can change your look and always have a clean, dry one available. I love this long black evening dress, that is both simple and elegant (look at the side detail). It’s available in other colors as well, even red, if you want to stand out. If you will be enjoying cooler climates on your cruise, you might want to pack a good pair of boots. Sperry boots tend to be comfortable for walking but also great for cold, wet climates.
Consider Destination & Seasonality
However, in our experience in recent years, this has relaxed quite a bit and tuxedos in particular are far less common. Suits and dress pants, with or without a jacket and tie, have become the norm. Deciding what to wear on a cruise port day, will depend on your plans and excursions.
Whether you're packing cruisewear for women, men or non-binary people, I recommend getting creative. My favorite part of going on a vacation is that I get to wear things I wouldn't normally wear in my day-to-day. I love putting together patterns and colors that may feel a little funky and wearing sunglasses the size of my face. For women, you can look at wearing long sleeve dresses; even a sweater dress would be perfect for Alaska. Women can also pack dress pants with a long-sleeve blouse for dinner.
Here is a great example of a casual dinner outfit that doesn’t involve a dress. A pair of nice dark pants and a dressy top and flats will do the job for casual nights. A typical sea day on a cruise begins with breakfast, you can wear casual items like t-shirts, jean shorts, etc. While it’s perfectly acceptable to stay in your swimsuit while lounging beside the pool, you’ll need a cover-up to walk from your stateroom to the pool, and vice-versa. Keep in mind, depending on where your stateroom or suite is located, you may go through other common areas of the ship (in addition to the elevators) on your way to the pool.
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Cruise elegant on Carnival Cruises means dress slacks, dress shirts and optional sport coatsfor men and cocktail dresses, pantsuits and elegant skirts and blouses for women. On elegant nights, Carnival's dress code leans a bit more formal. You'll see suits and ties, tuxedos or evening gowns, but don't have to go so formal yourself. No bare feet, tank tops, caps, bathing suits or shorts are allowed in the dining room or specialty restaurants. In the casual Windows Cafe buffet, the only requirements are footwear and a cover-up or shirt. Though not part of the official Azamara dress code, conservative clothing for port activities that involve museums, restaurants, and religious sites is recommended.
If you’re going to the beach, you can wear a bathing suit under a light sundress or cover up. A good guideline is to dress as you would at a nice restaurant at home. For men, this can include dress pants or khakis and a nice polo, short or long sleeve buttoned shirt. For ladies, a casual dress or pants with a pretty top is perfect. If cooler climes and rugged mountains call to you, consider a cruise to Canada. Of course, British Columbia requires a different packing strategy than a trip to The Bahamas or the Mediterranean.
Women should choose swimwear that offers the desired level of coverage and support, and a cover-up that complements the overall look. A well-tailored formal dress can flatter any figure, and luxurious fabrics like silk or satin add a touch of glamour. For these occasions, a floor-length gown can make a dramatic statement as one enters the room. Women can choose from a myriad of styles to fit their body type and personal style, ensuring they look and feel fabulous.
I even climbed a mountain in Kotor Montenegro in them and they were still comfortable afterward. I wore a casual top and shorts and everyone else wore something similar. I find a lot of Caribbean shore excursions involve lots of water activities like swimming & snorkeling, or boat excursions. I wouldn’t worry too much about what to wear on Embarkation day, but having a swimsuit ready to go is a great idea.