Clothes to Pack on a Luxury Cruise

Modern trends towards more casual cruising, airline weight restrictions and limited wardrobe space in cabins suggest that you pack as light as possible - unless you are travelling first class and have a suite booked onboard. However you will need more clothes for a cruise than any other type of holiday. We summarise the dress code for each ship on our Ship Details page, so take a look there as well as reading the general comments below.

Daytime Onboard
The daytime dress code onboard is always casual:

• For the men, shorts, jeans, slacks, T-shirts and sports shirts go everywhere.
• For the ladies, shorts, slacks, casual skirts and sundresses.
• Around the pool swimsuits of course but you will need footwear and a cover up if you want to take lunch in the lido buffet.

Ashore

• Some destinations are more formal than others and smart casual is more appropriate in Bermuda, Europe or the Far East than in the more relaxed Caribbean, Hawaii and Mexican Riviera.
• Some countries have strict dress codes and ladies may need clothes that will cover both legs and shoulders .
• You'll generally be more warmly welcomed in restaurants and shops if you're dressed tidely.
• On active shore excursions ultra-casual is OK.

Evening
There is now a trend towards more casual cruising and a choice of dining options with different dress options.

• Cruise ships assign daily dress codes -- casual, informal (smart casual) and formal - that take effect in public rooms and restaurants from 6 pm onward.
• On traditional cruise ships, you can expect two formal nights, a couple of casual evenings, and the rest informal on a weeks' cruise.
• Black tie is the usual form for men on formal nights, though increasingly a smart suit will suffice. Women can wear anything from a classic little black dress to a ball gown. On some ships you can rent formal attire.
• Don't forget your smart shoes.
• For men a sports jacket and slacks, worn with shirt and tie or polo shirt, will meet the informal evening requirements.
• For the ladies smart casual is the common dress code for evenings other than formal - dresses, trousers and separates but not shorts.
• If formal evenings are not your bag then try the buffet dining or one of the alternative dining spots where the dress code does not apply.

General

• Pack clothes and accessories you can mix and match.
• Pack shoes for walking ashore and a wrap even for a cruise in the sun as air conditioning onboard can be quite cold.
• You will be povided with a bathrobe for the duration of the cruise on most luxury lines and in suites on the bigger ships.
• Most ships have laundries so you can have your clothes washed or dry cleaned as you go, but this can be costly. Some ships have self-service launderettes.
• Save some room in your suitcase for your shopping and souvenirs.