What To Wear On A Cruise: A First Timer's Guide

When you think ‘stylish holidays’, a cruise is probably one of the first trips you think of. And you’d be right to, as the kind of clothing you wear on a cruise ship can be very different to the normal, casual wardrobe you wear in everyday life.

After all, the cruise ship itself is more of a high class arena. Even if you see people in casual wear getting on the boat, you can more than believe they’ll have floor length gowns and dinner jackets in their bags too!

So let’s make sure you don’t stick out like a sore thumb when you’re going on a cruise for the very first time. If you want to know what to wear while you’re on board, here are the kind of tips to keep in mind.

a cruise ship out at sea

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A Good Pair of Walking Shoes

No cruise should be done without a proper good pair of walking shoes packed in your bag! Without these, you’re going to be on very unsteady footing both on the boat and when you go on a shore excursion.

If you want to get off your floating resort and explore the destinations you pull into, you need either a pair of comfortable and resilient trainers to slip on, or a pair of actual hiking boots made for the conditions you’re walking in. You need grip, you need soft soles, and you need some ankle support!

Something You Can Easily Slip Over Swimwear

Planning to make full use of the onboard pool and open water facilities? Then make sure you pack plenty of clothes that can be easily slipped over the top of a swimming costume or two piece.

Swimsuit cover-ups are a good choice, as are wrap gowns that just need tying up at the side. The same goes for your footwear. You need something easy to get on and off, but you also need to be able to walk in them. A pair of weighty sandals should do the trick.

Something Casually Elegant for Dinner

Cruise ship dinners are for dressing up! Old timers might choose to go a bit more casual, as the novelty has worn off, but when it’s your first cruise, aim for elegance!

Nice clothes, nice shoes, your hair done up - the whole nine yards. Make sure you’ve got some clothes in the suitcase that would be suitable for a higher end restaurant date night. If you need to, shop around for SACHA DRAKE Evening Dresses and the like, as these make for great cruise ship fits.

They’re the kind of dress you can wear more than once, based on the way you style and accessorise, but they’re not too over the top for a cruise liner environment either.

If you’re going on a cruise for the first time, make sure you pack your cases with the right kind of fashion for the trip. You’re going to need comfortable casual wear and dressy evening wear in equal amounts when at sea!