Are you heading on a cruise soon? Lately, we’ve received tons of requests for cruise outfits, and it’s no wonder why! Cruises have surged in popularity, and it’s easy to see the appeal. There’s something truly magical about the endless ocean views, the variety of on-board activities, and the thrill of exploring new destinations. But let’s be honest…planning your outfits for a cruise can feel overwhelming! While cruise lines often provide a list of suggested attire, deciding what to pack can still be a bit tricky. You want to look stylish, feel comfortable, and be ready for anything, from a sunny day by the pool to a chic evening dinner. Luckily, a few Team Busbee members have been on cruises and are eager to share their expertise. Keep scrolling for 10 versatile outfits that will take you seamlessly from day to night on your cruise adventure. Whether you’re lounging on deck or dancing the night away, these outfits will ensure you look your best for every occasion. Let’s dive in!

If you’re looking for some beach vacation outfits, make sure you check out this post next!

What To Wear On A Cruise

What you wear on a cruise really depends on what kind of cruise you’re going on and where you’re headed. For example, what you’ll wear on a European cruise will be very different than what you’ll wear on a Caribbean cruise. Depending on what you’re doing on port days will also impact what you pack. Your port days could include anything from an adventure (like ziplining, hiking, snorkeling, etc.) to shopping and exploring, to sightseeing. What you wear sightseeing in Europe is different than what you’ll wear to explore the Caribbean. Cruise lines typically send dress code guidelines to follow, which makes it a little easier. The outfits below include versatile basics that should give you ideas and help plan your outfits for each of the days on your upcoming cruise…

10 Best Outfits To Wear On A Cruise

What To Wear On A Cruise During The Day

#1) Embarkment Day

When boarding the ship, expect lots of walking, standing, and exploring the ship. You’ll want to be comfortable but still look stylish, so finding an outfit that walks the line of casual and comfy is key. A great option for embarkment day is a casual dress, comfortable shoes, and minimal accessories. Throw on a crossbody bag for easy access to your essentials too.
By the way, if you’re looking for white resort wear dresses, you can find outfit ideas here.

#2) Sea Days

On sea days, you’ll spend your entire day on the ship as it travels to the next destination. You may spend your day lounging, exploring the ship, and/or maybe a few activities. Treat sea days like you would a beach day. Wear a swimsuit, comfortable sandals or flip flops, and either a swim coverup or shorts and a breezy top. You could also do a shirt and shorts in a lightweight cotton fabric, a tank top and shorts, or a cotton dress as a coverup. And make sure to add a hat and glasses for added sun protection!

#3) Port Days

Again, depending on the type of cruise you’re on and where you’re stopping, your port day outfits may be a little different. But you really can’t go wrong with a chic dress and comfy sneakers or sandals whether you’re sightseeing, shopping, or dining. If your day includes visiting sights where you’ll need to cover your shoulders (like religious sites), make sure you bring either a scarf to wrap around your shoulders or a lighter jacket. Having that lightweight jacket will also keep you cool on the ship at night (weather dependent).

#4) Sightseeing Days

Sightseeing days and port days go hand-in-hand but we wanted to give you a second outfit option for those days of exploring new destinations. If dresses aren’t your style, you could also try a pair of cotton pants, an elevated top or tee, and sneakers or sandals. Elevate it even more with a lightweight jacket like a casual blazer or denim jacket.

#5) On-Shore Excursions

On most cruise vacations, you can do some sort of excursion on your port days. Your onshore excursion will dictate what you’ll need to wear. But whether you’re ziplining, hiking, kayaking, doing a jeep ride, etc., some chic activewear will most likely do the trick. We love a cute activewear set or exercise dress and linked both options below.

What To Wear At Night On A Cruise

#1) Casual Dinner Outfit

What to wear on a cruise at night can be tricky. Attire can be drastically different depending on the cruise’s dress codes. If you’re on a more casual cruise line, or heading to a casual dinner, you’ll want to look stylish and pulled together, but you don’t have to pull out all the stops! For a casual dinner, a pair of jeans, a nice blouse, a top, or a button-down, and sandals will do!

#2) Elevated Casual Dinner Outfit

If you want to do a slightly more elevated look or what some cruises call “smart casual”, consider wearing slightly more elevated, high-quality dark-wash jeans, a dressier blouse, and heeled sandals. You could go with a blouse, cotton top, button-down shirt, tank, or cami. For a dressier feel, consider adding a blazer or lightweight jacket to elevate it a bit more.

#3) Dressy Dinner Outfit

If the dining room has a dressier feel, ditch the jeans and opt for a nice skirt, a blouse, and heels. We love the idea of a neutral silky skirt with a blouse or cami and some sleek sandals or heels! Getting dressed up for these dinners is a wonderful chance to play around with outfits and put together something that really aligns with your personal style.

#4) Cocktail Attire Dinner Outfit

Some cruises have 1-2 nights where they request that guests dress up a bit more. Sometimes they are called formal or cocktail nights. On those nights, you’ll want to consider wearing cocktail dresses, midi dresses, or a smart matching set. Men will typically wear a dress shirt and slacks while women wear what they would wear to a cocktail attire wedding.

What To Wear On A Cruise Formal Night

Formal Night Evening Gown Outfit

If the cruise packing list you were sent specifically notes a formal night, it’s best to follow the guidelines that are shared. Often that means a floor-length gown and elevated accessories. Hopefully, you already have something in your closet, but if not, this dress is a gorgeous, classic option that you can wear for future formal events like weddings and galas.

Quick note regarding theme nights. If there are themed nights on your cruise, that’s often communicated ahead of time after you’ve booked your trip. We didn’t include any specific themed outfits because they can be incredibly specific…but if you have questions or need ideas, leave a comment at the bottom of this blog post!

Can You Buy Clothes On A Cruise Ship

Yes, you can buy clothing on a cruise ship…but most cruise ship stores have more resort wear and unfortunately it can be a bit overpriced. A team member shared that the selection usually isn’t great, but that all ships have some kind of store, and you might be able to find what you’re looking for. The mass market ships like Royal Caribbean will have multiple stores, but again, you probably won’t be blown away by the selection.

Do you have any cruise packing tips? Make sure you share the knowledge in the comments below for everyone else to learn from!

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