You just booked your lifetime dream (dance) cruise? Now what do you think you should pack? Sure, dance shoes, exercise gear for classes, and fancy dresses for the dance floor. But what do you need to look ageless and stylish and stay in thermal comfort on board and onshore? Plus, space is limited as cabin closets are small. Furthermore, when going on a cruise your biggest fear is a baggage mishap when you have to fly to the port destination. Don’t stress out about these challenges! You are lucky! Here are the major points to consider what to pack for a cruise for ageless style, thermal comfort, and peace of mind with the limited cabin closet space and carry-on luggage in mind. Read this post to have the right clothes for your cruise, save you money, and feel your best from the very first day on board.
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Fascination of Cruises
Ever since the German TV series “Traumschiff” (Dream Ship) in the 1970s, I was fascinated by cruise-ships. Cruise-ships often permit to reach places you can’t reach by car like Glacier Bay, for instance, or adventures like an Arctic cruise thru the Northwest Passage.
Back in the 1970s, cruises were for the Rich only. Lately, some cruises have become affordable for middle class people who saved for a once-in-a-lifetime memorable cruise. No matter whether you booked your cruise to celebrate your wedding anniversary, turning 50, entering retirement or whether you are an environmentally concerned citizen going on a last chance tourism tour, what to pack for a cruise isn’t something you picked up in childhood.
It’s a Vacation, not a Move, Limit What You Pack
But don’t stress out about what to pack! It’s a cruise ship. This means there are shops. Moreover, the cruise-ship will berth here and there. Consequently, you can buy what you didn’t think of when packing for your vacation.
From my experience on the Queen Mary, I know that cabin closet space is small. You best bet is to pick items from your closet that can do double duty, i.e. serve for more than one purpose. Go for color coordinated pieces. Plan outfits ahead and pack accordingly.
Tip: For a cruise pack clothes you can wear for more than one purpose.
Style-wise, it is best when you pack what you wear for sightseeing. In addition, one or two fancy cocktail or party-style dresses.
How to Avoid a Baggage Mishap When Going on a Cruise
When you fly a leg of your cruise vacation take into account that airlines limit the weight and number of free baggage pieces. Delays or erroneously shipping your baggage on another trip can ruin your vacation when you have to spend the first hours on board finding some suitable essential items. You may end up with non-flattering, non-fitting clothes in not your best colors, that you most likely will never wear again.
Thus, wear essential clothes on your travel to the port-of-call and/or have them in your carry-on baggage.
In case of a dance cruise, pack a wrinkle-free dress, swimwear, a coverup for your poolside entrance, extra socks, bra, and a set of underwear in your carry-on. When it comes to what to wear on the travel to the port, wear jeans or casual pants, T-shirt or sweater and a jacket.
Outfit Inspirations for a Cruise Vacation
What to Consider when Packing for a Cruise
On the ocean or sea, there is always a breeze. This fact translates into the need of a wind jacket. The splashes from waves ask for one that is permeable for moisture from the inside, but not from the outside. Also what to pack depends on the region of the cruise. The best fabrics for a fjord cruise differ from those for a caribic cruise.
Pack Clothes for Exercise/Dancing
When you plan to take dance lessons, go for casual dance attire. To test the new moves in the evening on the dance floor, pack upscale social dance attire. If there is a final dance or even ball, you need a party or cocktail dress.
Wrinkle-free fit-and-flare skirts and dresses twirl nicely, and you can style them up with accessories for social dances. Furthermore, they can do multiple-duty on land from browsing the malls to a museum visit, and casual dinners on and off-shore alike.
Plan for Attire for Events on Board
What will you do on board? When you like to exercise, visit the spa, swim in the pool, tan or read at the pool. Pack what you need for whatever activities you intend to spend some of your cruise time. Therefore, ask yourself whether you need gym wear, a robe and flip-flops for a spa visit, swimwear coverup for your poolside entrance, you get the idea.
Tip: Think about for what you like to wear on weekends.
What Is the Itinerary and Medium Range Weather Forecast?
Google what kind of attire the cruise-line company recommends for your destination. Check the medium range forecast, and pack with the weather in mind. On an Alaska cruise for glacier-viewing destinations like Tracy Arm, you need cold weather gear (sturdy shoes, jeans, sweater, waterproof windbreaker, hat, sunglasses as glaciers may glare) for glacier and wildlife viewing from board. Southeast Alaska is often humid, windy and rainy even in summer. Therefore, what to wear in the Pacific Northwest at that time of the year would fit the bill.
Don’t Forget What You Need for Your Health and Well Being
Make sure you pack sunscreen, sunglasses, reading glasses, a first aid kit, pain killer, nausea medication, antihistamines when you are allergic, and your prescription medicine.
Caribbean and Tropical Cruises
When you are on a Caribbean Cruise, swimwear, sunglasses, sundresses, a coverup for chilly evenings on board and at land, sandals, and flip-flops are on your list. Think Resort style for these cruises.
Your List of Essential Items What to Pack for a Cruise
Don’t forget these pieces:
- Casual clothes like preppy style pants, jeans, or Bermuda shorts suitable for the destination
- A pair of chic comfortable walking shoes, dance shoes, and/or sandals for on shore and onboard activities
- Two bikinis or bathing suits or a bikini and bathing suit. Over the ocean, items take longer to dry than in Interior Alaska or the Utah desert because of the high humidity.
- Casual and fancy tops for exploring on land and dancing, respectively.
- Fit-and-flare dresses for dance lessons and social dances, party dress or festive attire for the ball at the end of the cruise. Check the journey description whether there is a dress code or suggestion.
- Stockings, socks, lingerie, (multi-function adjustable) bras
- Cover-ups like a jacket, coat depending on the destination
- Sunglasses, hats, scarf, a clutch for dances in the evening and dinner, a cross-body bag for sightseeing on land, accessories to style a fit-and-flare dress from casual to feminine to glam.
- Sunscreen, beauty items, medicine, reading glasses
Are you interested in such tips for other dressing situations? If your answer is yes, you may also want to get my book “How to Dress for Success in Midlife”. Buy your copy now.
Photos of me: G. Kramm
Photo of cruise ship: matfron. Source: Depositphotos.com
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