What to Wear on a Cruise: Days Ashore and Evenings on Board
Written by Artemis Clo
Working out what to wear on a cruise is really three questions in one: what you'll wear lazing on deck, what you'll wear exploring ashore, and what you'll wear to dinner. Pack for those three moments, in colours that mix and match, and you'll have everything you need in one suitcase.
What to wear on a cruise: sea days and evenings
By day on board, life is relaxed. Swimwear by the pool, a cover-up or a loose dress over the top for lunch, sandals and a hat. Easy, floaty dresses are perfect here: a loose V-neck midi dress with a bold abstract print goes from deck to café without a second thought, and a loose V-neck dress with pockets is just as easy. Browse our dresses for light, packable shapes.
Evenings are a step smarter. Most ships expect smart-casual dress in the main restaurant: a pretty dress, a co-ord, or dressy trousers with a nice top. Many cruises also include one or two formal or "dress-up" nights. Each line sets its own rules, and they vary a great deal, so check the information that came with your booking before you pack.
Formal and dress-up nights
On a formal night, think wedding guest rather than red carpet. A midi or maxi dress in a richer colour or a bit of shine, an elegant co-ord with wide trousers, or a dressy top with smart trousers will look right on most ships. A tiered smock dress with bell sleeves dresses up beautifully with a heel and statement earrings. Add a wrap for the walk along the open deck after dinner, and a small bag for your cabin card and lipstick. If your cruise has a themed night, such as a white party or a tropical evening, the details are usually announced on board, so a single colourful piece and a white top cover most of them.
Dresses to start with
A few pieces that fit what you have just read.
Loose V-Neck Midi Dress with Bold Abstract Print
Loose V-Neck Dress with Pockets, Painterly Print
Tiered Smock Dress with Bell Sleeves
What to wear on shore excursions
Days ashore usually mean walking, often on cobbles, steps and uneven paths, in warm sun. Comfort first:
- Light, breathable layers you can add or take off as you go.
- A co-ord or loose trousers, which are easier than a dress on steps and in the wind. Our co-ords and matching sets pack flat and look put-together with no effort.
- Walking sandals or flat shoes you have already worn in. Walking sandals with touch straps adjust as your feet warm up through the day.
- Something for your shoulders and knees. Many churches, temples and other religious sites ask visitors to keep them covered. A light scarf or wrap in your bag solves it in seconds.
- A hat and sunglasses, and a crossbody bag that keeps your things close in busy streets.
Our guide on which shoes to pack for a holiday goes into footwear in more detail.
Swimwear and deck essentials
Pack at least two swimsuits, so one can dry while you wear the other. A one-piece with a little shaping at the front, such as a wrap front one-piece swimsuit with a ruched side, feels secure for the pool and the shore. Browse our swimwear for one-pieces, tankinis and sets with matching cover-ups.
Then the deck kit: a cover-up or kaftan for walking to the buffet, a wide-brimmed hat, and sandals with some grip. Decks get wet and can be slippery, so smooth-soled shoes are best left for the evening. Our sandals include flat, cushioned styles that cope well with a day around the pool.
One thing people forget: it can be cool on board. The wind on deck at sea is stronger than you expect, even in the Mediterranean sunshine, and the restaurants and theatres are often air-conditioned. Always have a cardigan, wrap or light jacket within reach.
Packing tips for a cruise
Cabin wardrobes are small, so pack clothes that work hard:
- Pick a colour story. Two or three base colours and a couple of accents mean everything goes with everything.
- Choose fabrics that travel. Look for knits and prints that shrug off creases. A small travel steamer, if your cruise line allows it, is handy too.
- Let pieces work twice. A day dress with sandals becomes an evening outfit with a heel and earrings.
- Plan the dressy nights. One or two special outfits are usually plenty, unless your itinerary says otherwise.
- Keep the first night in your hand luggage. Suitcases can take a while to reach your cabin on embarkation day.
If you're travelling light before or after the cruise, our guide on how to pack a carry-on for a week has more space-saving ideas. Bon voyage.
Next, from our swimwear
Something from a neighbouring rail, for the same moment.
Wrap Front One-Piece Swimsuit with Ruched Side
Retro Square Neck Swimsuit with Ruched Front
Swim Dress Tankini Set with Shorts
Your questions, answered
Do I need a ball gown for a cruise formal night?
Usually not. Many cruise lines have relaxed their formal nights, and a smart dress, an elegant co-ord or dressy trousers with a pretty top are generally fine. Each line sets its own dress code, so check the information sent with your booking.
How many outfits should I pack for a week's cruise?
Plan by days rather than by items: a day outfit for each sea or shore day and an evening outfit for each night, then see how many pieces can do double duty. A capsule of mix-and-match colours means far fewer clothes than you would expect.
Can I wear jeans in the evening on a cruise?
On many ships, smart dark jeans are fine in the buffet and casual venues, and some main restaurants accept them on ordinary nights with a dressy top. Other lines ask for something smarter after six. Check your cruise line's dress code before you pack.
What should I wear on a cold-weather cruise, such as the fjords?
Think layers rather than resort wear: a hooded waterproof jacket, warm knits, trousers, a hat and gloves for the deck, and comfortable boots for excursions. Evenings on board follow the same dress codes as warmer cruises, so you still need one or two smarter outfits.
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