This is a collaborative post.
Packing for a cruise often feels a little more glamorous and exciting than when you’re prepping to head off on your typical overseas trip, especially if it’s your first cruise. You may find yourself wondering what to wear to dinner, during daytime shore excursions, while entertaining yourself in the on-board casino, and on formal evenings, for example.
However, while many of us still think dressing to the nines is the norm on a cruise, in reality, most cruise lines have relaxed their dress codes over the years. While tuxedos and floor-length gowns still make occasional appearances at formal nights, for instance, they’re rarely mandatory.
Should you choose to sail with a popular company that offers cruises from Liverpool on a nearly daily basis, you’ll likely have the chance to dress up a few nights that you’re away to feel like some kind of royalty from days gone by.
If you’ve been wondering what to pack for your next cruise vacation, read on to discover the meaning behind some of the terminology used in cruise dress codes, alongside a few versatile cruise outfit ideas to inspire your travel wardrobe.
Casual attire
Casual attire is typically recommended for daytime exploration aboard the ship, or ashore to see the sights at one of your cruise destinations. T-shirts, tank tops, shorts, jeans, and chinos are all examples of casual pieces you can comfortably wear on a cruise. Skirts and dresses are also great for a more feminine touch, but for cruises in colder regions, you may want to pull on some tights and a cute sweater to stay comfortable.
You can definitely wear flip-flops under this relaxed dress code too, especially if you’ll be hanging out by the pool a lot. However, you’ll probably want to pack a few other pairs of shoes too; a pair of comfortable sneakers is a must, for example, as no doubt you’ll be walking around a lot both on-board the ship, and on shore.
Swimsuits and cover-ups
If you’re anything like me, you’ll probably spend a big chunk of your time on board swimming in the pool, or relaxing on the sun deck. You’ll probably have the chance to hit the beach at some of the ports you visit during your cruise, too. So, don’t forget to pack your favourite swimwear!
It’s not acceptable to walk back and forth between your stateroom and the pool area in just a swimsuit, so it helps to pack a cover-up that you can throw on over your swimming costume or bikini. This could take the form of a light dress or a kimono-style top and shorts, for example.
Smart casual or dinner attire
Dinnertime on a cruise ship is usually a much dressier affair than daytime dining, so evening meals will often require a smart casual dress code. A good rule to follow is to dress as you would for a meal at a pleasant restaurant, which usually means making just a little bit more effort than you might normally do. For ladies, casual dresses, jumpsuits, pants, or skirts paired with pretty tops all make great outfit choices. Want to turn heads? Choose pieces from brands that balance elegance and comfort. Ellae Lisque offers a range of sophisticated dresses perfect for cruise dinners, ensuring you look chic while feeling at ease. However, bear in mind that dining rooms on-board cruise hops are usually cool and can even get somewhat chilly, so you may want to bring a cardigan, scarf, or shawl to cover up with.
Observing smart casual dress is usually appropriate in all parts of the ship in the evening, including lounges, bars, and the ship’s theater. While this particular dress code is usually pretty flexible, most cruise lines will impose some restrictions. T-shirts, tank tops, baseball caps, shorts, and anything you’d wear by the pool are probably going to be prohibited in the main dining room and any specialty restaurants on your ship, for example. And, while not all cruise staff will turn you away at the door for minor dress code violations, it’s respectful to comply with the stipulated regulations.
Attire for formal nights
A multi-day cruise experience will traditionally include one or two formal nights to give guests the chance to dress their absolute best. These are nights when you’ll want to break out your most elegant, sophisticated outfits. Depending on your cruise line, the formal night dress code may be referred to as “dress your best,” “gala evening,” “evening chic,” or something similar.
Exactly how formal is formal night, though? This will often depend on your chosen cruise line. Full-length evening gowns and tuxedos are the height of formality, but ladies can scale it back a notch with cocktail dresses or tailored trouser-suits. If you do feel like going the whole nine yards and donning a formal gown, however, you probably won’t look out of place.
However, there’s absolutely no need to dress up for formal nights if you’d rather not; guests who prefer to dress more casually will usually have alternative dining options to choose from, like specialty restaurants and poolside snack bars.
Though cruise dress codes may seem complicated at first, they’re usually a whole lot more flexible than they initially appear. As long as you try to respect the rules wherever possible and choose outfits you feel comfortable in, you can’t go far wrong.
What do you wear when you go on a cruise holiday? Let me know in the comments below.
This is a collaborative post.