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I wore tan sandal heels with most of my dresses in the evenings on my cruise. Another dress I wore for the evening on our cruise was this light strappy mid length dress. I tried to choose clothing that would stay pretty wrinkle free and that I wouldn’t need to iron. This rose purple summer dress ended up being one of my favorites! Since I’m only 5.2 it’s a bit longer than a true mid length dress, but I still loved it.
Water Shoes
If you’re sailing in the Caribbean then chances are that you’re going to the beach. In that case, wearing your swimsuit with a cover-up or simply wearing something casual into the port is ideal. So while you will see people dressed up around the ship, don’t feel obligated to do so if you’re eating somewhere else. Formal night is a big deal to some people on the ship, and if it’s not important to you, it’s good to keep the atmosphere nice for others who do enjoy dressing up.
Smart Casual for Most Evenings
While packing your Caribbean cruise outfits, consider whether your ship has laundry. If your ship includes free laundry as an amenity, you may get away with packing less. For dinner, shorts, jeans, and flip-flops were strictly off-limits in all restaurants except for the auxiliary buffet restaurant. Men needed to be in a collared shirt and slacks, while women could wear a nice blouse with trousers or a skirt, or a dress.
How do I choose the right bag to bring with me?
The best outfits for a cruise are the ones you can wear all day long. If you have a list of adventure activities planned for your shore excursions, or if you'll be braving the ship's RipCord® by iFly® skydive simulator and Zip Line, pack accordingly. During the day, wear athletic shorts, a neutral-colored tank top, and sneakers or sandals. Don't forget a hat, sunglasses and a long-sleeved sun shirt in your day bag. Pack extra clothes in a tote bag in case you don't have time to go back to your stateroom. Swap your athletic shorts for a flowy skirt or trousers, and trade your sneakers for a more formal pair of shoes, like chunky heels or loafers for a put-together look.
The quintessential cruise style consists of chic but relaxed pieces. Think breezy fabrics, loose silhouettes, light neutrals, bright colors and beachy accessories. Packing doesn't have to be a stressful experience — it can actually be fun if you know what to do before you get started.
How to Plan Caribbean Cruise Outfits
For the most part, cruising on mainstream lines like Royal Caribbean, Carnival and Norwegian (NCL) has become an almost entirely casual affair. That makes packing simpler than the days of stuffing full suits and elegant dresses into your suitcase. You'll also want to consider the destination of your itinerary and how connected you'll need to be on your cruise to gauge your non-clothing packing needs. If you head to the main dining room or a higher-end restaurant like the steakhouse, then we suggest dressing up a little bit — even if it’s not formal night. In general terms, however, the dress on a Caribbean cruise at sea is decidedly casual. Swimsuits are appropriate on the top decks around the pool, and it’s not unusual to see people wearing them around the ship while covered up.
What should I wear at sea? Here's what to know about cruise line dress codes - USA TODAY
What should I wear at sea? Here's what to know about cruise line dress codes.
Posted: Sun, 26 Mar 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Caribbean Cruise Outfits: FAQ
Men should consider wearing a suit and tie on Formal Night, according to Royal Caribbean’s guide. A long-sleeve collared shirt with a tie, paired with nice dress pants, can also work well on Formal Night. Of all the destinations you can cruise with Royal Caribbean, you can expect the most participation on Formal Night if you’re sailing on a European itinerary. This has been consistent across all of my European cruises and continues to be the trend. Again, in my experience, Europeans dress more polished and on-trend than anywhere else I’ve cruised.
If you enjoy a good party, you'll want to pack some special outfits for Norwegian's themed nights. The number of events will vary based on the length of your cruise. This evening is Norwegian's answer to formal nights you find with other cruise lines. Dress up and enjoy an evening of fun, including a meet and greet with the captain. Norwegian Freestyle Cruising allows you to dress more casually than you might be able to with other cruise lines. That means you can be more casual in the buffet and regular specialty restaurants.
I packed for a 7-night cruise with just a carry-on and personal item - Royal Caribbean Blog
I packed for a 7-night cruise with just a carry-on and personal item.
Posted: Fri, 27 Jan 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]
That’s right, I felt the need to bring all the footwear options, and I don’t regret it in the slightest. As I learned the hard way, the rainforests in the Caribbean are havens for bugs. If you’re venturing into the rainforest on an active excursion, pack longer clothing, such as full-length leggings, rather than running shorts or bike shorts to minimize bug bites. Snorkeling, scuba diving, catamaran sailing, island tours, hiking, cooking classes, and visits to beach clubs at large resorts are among the most popular Caribbean cruise excursions.
If you are visiting any jungle environments, watch out for mosquitos. Wearing long pants or skirts can help you avoid some uncomfortable itching later. Overly faded jeans or ones with tears and holes are also not permitted in the dining rooms. If you prefer to stay very casual throughout your evening meals, you'll need to stick to the buffet and outdoor casual dining spots. If so, kids who are 12 and younger can wear nice shorts to any of Norwegian's onboard restaurants.
Of course, British Columbia requires a different packing strategy than a trip to The Bahamas or the Mediterranean. Even when cruising in the summer months, be sure to dress for the destination, not the season — layers are your friend here. Don't forget a hat and gloves and some wool socks to keep your toes warm, too! When you're hanging out onboard, a thin, packable windbreaker or jacket will come in handy, so you can sit out on the deck with a cup of coffee, admiring the breathtaking scenery. Similarly for men, consider packing dress pants with a long sleeve collared shirt for the Formal Nights on your Alaska cruise. Suits and tuxedos are also welcomed during these nights onboard.
For instance, sailing from Galveston in February is much different than sailing from Miami in July. The excitement really starts the instant you see the ship in the distance. Then you realize that the day you’ve been looking forward to for months is finally at hand. It’s understandable that you might be wondering exactly what to wear when visiting the Caribbean on a cruise.
That’s why we suggest warmer dress, including pants and a long-sleeve shirt or even a light jacket. As well, if you’re headed inside to the theater for an evening show, it’s nice to dress a little warmer as the air conditioning can be chilly. If you’ve been wondering what to wear on your Caribbean cruise, I hope this post gave you some cruise outfit ideas and inspiration. Of course, we’re all different and everyone should wear what feels comfortable on a cruise vacation.
During the day, we encourage you to wear casual attire such as t-shirts, tank tops, shorts, sundresses, and skirts. Our more formal nights are called “Evening Chic” nights because they’re all about guests looking their absolute best—and loving it. These are the nights when you want to dress up in your most fashion-forward and stylish clothes, while also being elegant and sophisticated. Since flip flops are not allowed in the evening, make sure to bring comfortable shoes or sandals to wear during dinner in the main room. Footwear should not be an afterthought when packing your suitcase for a cruise. While you might have the urge to throw in a pair of flip flops and call it a day, there are a few other essential shoes you’ll need to bring along on your trip.
Keep in mind that many countries in the Caribbean can be conservative, so it’s best to be respectful and not wear anything too revealing unless you’re at the beach. As well, some countries have laws against civilians wearing camouflage patterns, so leave that at home as well. Finally, rude or offensive clothing (such as shirts with foul language) should be avoided.
Keep in mind that cruise line dress codes apply in the main dining room, and not the buffet and casual restaurants. If you’re planning a Caribbean cruise in 2024, you’re probably wondering what to pack for your cruise vacation. You’ll want to be prepared for fun sea days, beautiful days in port and elegant evenings on the cruise ship. For women, this means a dress most night for dinner and a gown for formal night. For a day of sightseeing or shopping in town, jeans or shorts and a shirt or a casual dress is a great way to be comfortable and fashionable. The next step in planning for your trip is deciding what to wear and what to pack.
