What to pack for a cruise

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I recently received this lovely email –

Hi Kirralee, Loved your site. Found it through facebook. I would love to read an article on packing for a cruise. We are booked on our first ever cruise in November 2015 to Fiji for 7 nights. I usually dress very casually as a busy mum of 3. But would love to see some examples of how to dress casually but with STYLE!
Cheers, Deb

Sounds fantastic Deb! Thanks so much for your email. We are taking our first ever cruise soon too, so stylish cruise outfits are very much on my mind right now.

Contents

Bathers & cover-up
Casual outfits
Casual dresses
Accessories
Evening outfits
Outfit ideas

Bathers & cover-up

The great thing about a cruise, especially a lovely warm summery one like yours, is that casual is king! You will live in your bathers, so make sure you take at least two pairs so you can wear one while the other’s drying. Many days all you will need are your bathers and a cover-up! Have a look at Top 5 packing essentials for staying well on holiday for rashies and sunscreen.

1 Isola by Megan Gale Shibori maillot
2 Isola by Megan Gale Blushed balconnet bra and hipster
3 Jets Charade one piece
4 Seafolly Riviera halter bikini top and hipster
5 Kalypso Stevie dress
6 Blue Bungalow Lagoon kaftan
7 Country Road Embroidery kaftan

Check this out: Streamline your suitcase with a travel capsule wardrobe

Casual outfits

Shore excursions might see you exploring on foot, so you’ll need some casual practical clothes. I like to include some shoulder coverage so you don’t need to worry about the sun as much. Either sandals or sandshoes will work with these outfits.

1 Country Road Linen t-shirt
2 French Connection Fringe tank
3 Blue Bungalow Tully top
4 French Connection Sparkle leopard tee
5 Country Road Vintage denim short
6 French Connection Karli cotton short

Casual dresses

For those heavenly days lounging by the pool, relaxing with a spa treatment or sipping a cocktail at the bar, then a dress is so easy to throw on with a pair of sandals.

1 Minkpink Tallons maxi dress
2 Katies Lattice back maxi dress
3 Sportsgirl Mid pocket midi dress
4 Katies Kaftan maxi dress
5 Minkpink Mirror Mirror maxi dress

Accessories

Make sure you pack some comfortable shoes for exploring while in port, plus a hat to protect from the sun. See this post for a huge selection to choose from.

1 Sportsgirl New Day floppy hat
2 Sportsgirl Alakazam sunglasses
3 Walnut Euro plimsoles
4 Saltwater sandals
5 Sportsgirl Stripe canvas shopper

Evening outfits

For dinner on the ship you can wear whatever you had on that day. Generally the only thing you can’t wear is bathers. Tank tops are discouraged, but that’s mainly for men. For women, a nice sleeveless top is fine. But after a day in the heat I think a shower and change is nice to freshen up.

Check this out: What to pack for Paris in autumn

Check whether your cruise has any theme nights. On ours we have a formal night, a semi-formal night, a pirate party and a Halloween party! You can still wear whatever you like, but there are often professional photographers available, so it is a great opportunity to get a lovely family shot. There also may be kids clubs or babysitters available, so after dinner you and your husband might like to see a show, go dancing or have a drink at the bar together in your fancy clothes.

Formal night

Most women will wear a cocktail dress (knee length) or full length gown, although you won’t feel too out of place in a smart sundress or pants with a sparkly top.

Most men will wear a suit with tie or tuxedo (rare on family-focussed cruises), although non-jean pants and a collared shirt will fit in ok too.

Semi-formal night

This is slightly less formal than Formal night. No full length gowns or tuxedos. A cocktail dress for women and a suit without the tie for men (or the other suggestions above).

Theme night

Most people will get into the spirit and wear something to suit the theme, even if it’s just a token effort like a pirate hat, feather boa, Hawaiian lei, etc, depending on the theme.

1 Table Eight Bianca print dress
2 Country Road Halterneck pleat dress
3 Katies High neck maxi dress
4 Seed Peek-a-boo dress
5 Katies Sleeveless ribbon dress
6 Katies Back detail shift dress