24 Outfits Worth Packing for Your Next Cruise

Packing for a cruise seems glamorous until you’re staring at your open suitcase trying to decide if your sequined dress and orthopedic sandals would get along.

There are the ships themselves which are like their own tiny countries with slippery floors, super cold air conditioning, semi-formal dinners, mornings by the pool, and days where you go to ports that will require more from your shoes than your calendar wants to admit.

I have overpacked for cruises, I have underpacked for cruises, and one time I brought a dress that wrinkled if you even looked at it.

This list provides actual outfit formulas for the parts of the trip that you know will happen such as getting on the ship, days at sea, off-board adventures, dinner time, shows, breezy nighttime, and that last breakfast when everyone looks like they have become one with their suitcases.

1. Embarkation Day Jumpsuit

A utility jumpsuit works great for boarding because it looks purposeful yet still functions as comfy travel attire. The bright color pops and will keep your outfit happy for all the first-day photos, and the pockets will help with the things your bag won’t.

You can wear this while boarding the ship, having lunch, and strolling around the ship before your suitcase comes! Style it with sleek slide shoes, small hoop earrings, and a cardigan for when it gets chilly indoors.

2. Navy Sailaway Striped Sweater and Shorts

There is a reason people consider this a cruise outfit, but the coral shorts prevent it from being costume-like. A cotton striped sweater will deal with the wind better than some flimsy blouse, and will have you feeling like you properly earned that first drink on deck.

Wear it for sailaway, casual lunch, or a late-afternoon lap around the ship. Finish off the look with white sneakers and a canvas tote. Don’t forget to grab a pair of shades that you don’t mind getting thrown into a cup holder.

3. Emerald Wrap Dress for First-Night Dinner

A special dinner deserves a special dress, and we’re loving this emerald green wrap dress! It adjusts to your body, or gives you a little extra room to enjoy that bread basket. Emerald is classy and elegant without looking like a bridesmaid dress.

Looking put together, but not overly businesslike is an art form. Seasoned travelers get it. This dress is perfect to pair with metallic block heels and your cutest little clutch. To complete the look, add a bracelet that won’t clank against the table like cutlery.

4. Terracotta Linen Shirt and Printed Skirt

The combination of a linen shirt and a printed skirt gives you coverage and an easy outfit. The terracotta will warm up in the sun. The navy print will conceal your travel crimes (gelato drips, bus dust, mystery railing). Good for sightseeing, and market wandering or lunch near the harbor. Pair with espadrilles or cushioned sandals, a crossbody, and a packable sun hat.

5. Lavender Swim Cover-Up Set

The lavender gauze cover-up set allows for easy and stylish transitions from cabin to pool. Lavender is soft and vacation-ready. It is also more adventurous than white. It also looks great with your swimsuit for those pool mornings, spa appointments, and buffet runs.

Just keep in mind that towels do not count as clothing. Some people may think otherwise. For the ultimate combo, add some waterproof slides, simple studs, and a straw visor.

6. Chocolate Satin Slip Skirt and Knit Tank

This chocolate satin slip skirt is going to become your new travel essential. Not only does it take up minimal space, but it’s going to look even nicer than the price tag suggests!

Chocolate is a great neutral as it’s a perfect in-between of black and khaki. You can dress it up for evenings out, cocktails, and lounge music but also for casual dinners when wearing sweatshorts would be a little too informal. Wear it with a sage knit tank and low sandals, and throw on a cropped cardigan if the air conditioning is blasting!

7. Turquoise Maxi Dress for Sea Day Lunch

A cotton maxi dress gives you the airflow you want while you look out at the sea. No beach towel dress here! The turquoise color is bright and watery in the best possible way. You’ll love it against the ship railings and blue skies.

You’ll find it’s perfect for an outdoor lunch and the onboard trivia game. It’s also great for that time you plan to read three chapters of a book and instead take a nap. For optimal wind protection, wear it with a denim jacket, raffia sandals, and a stack of bangles.

8. Aqua Rash Guard and Printed Swim Shorts

A rash guard will not only give you protection but will give you peace of mind with sleeves. The aqua rash guard also has a sporty design so you will look good as well. If you have printed swim shorts on, then you will have coverage to climb on boats, sit on wet benches, and fake graceful exits from the ladder.

This outfit is also perfect for snorkeling, catamaran trips, kayaking, or any excursion you will be taking that involves sun and water. Wear water shoes with this and bring a dry bag and a cap that clips to something.

9. Fuchsia One-Shoulder Top and Black Wide-Leg Pants

A one-shoulder top adds the drama of an evening gown without the hassle of dealing with full gowns. This comes in especially handy on cruises where the dress code is a bit of a mystery!

The top’s fuchsia color will look nice in photos taken in dim light, so it’s perfect for cocktails, comedy shows, or a specialty restaurant reservation. Black wide-leg pants and strappy sandals will look nice with it, and you can go for one statement earring instead of overdoing it with accessories.

10. Kelly Green Tee Dress for Disembarkation

Disembarkation outfits should be decent enough to be in public and comfortable enough to endure the humiliation of managing luggage before breakfast. A Kelly green tee dress is simple and happy. It’s also not as depressing as travel sweats.

It can be worn for the last morning, airport transfers, or a post-cruise hotel check-in. Combine it with some slip-on sneakers, a denim jacket, and a tote for all the extra things you promised would fit back in your suitcase.

11. Coral Halter Dress for Sunset Photos

The halter midi dress is perfect for evening sunsets and softens the look while framing the shoulders. The coral color will match the warm ambient light of the evening and gives a vacation feel without tipping into costume territory.

We suggest wearing it for dinner, anniversary photos, or any time there is a dreamy sky that you want to join in with. Team it up with some gold flat sandals, a clutch, and, if the breeze gets too cheeky, a wrap.

12. Burgundy Knit Polo and Cream Trousers

This outfit is perfect for a daytime look that says ‘I’m civilized’ before the coffee kicks in. The burgundy knit polo is soft and grown-up, while the cream trousers are ready for a resort. Take this outfit to breakfast, on an onboard shopping excursion, or an informal wine tasting. Add some brown sandals and a leather tote for a complete look. Sunglasses tucked into the straps are a nice touch!

13. Lemon Yellow Sundress and Denim Jacket

Yellow sundresses are a definite mood booster, and on days at sea when all the corridors are starting to seem like a carpeted maze, it’s even more important! The denim jacket helps keep the outfit from feeling overly sweet and will also help with the wind on the decks.

This will be perfect for brunch, daytime shows, or photos with the ship behind you. Tan espadrilles, small hoop earrings, and a tote big enough for sunscreen and a paperback will complete the look.

14. Copper Slip Dress and Lightweight Shawl

You will shine in this dreamy dress and be the envy of all as you light up the room. And don’t forget to pack your thin, lightweight shawl (the ocean can get chilly!). This is the perfect dress for date night, fine dining, or a stroll on the deck under the stars. Pair with some modest heels, a stylish small purse, along with dressy earrings to take the place of a necklace.

15. Teal Shirtdress for Shore Excursions

The shirtdress is great for cruising, as it can be modest, breathable, and look neat all at the same time. The color teal adds personality compared to basic neutrals, and the adjustable belt is great for post-lunch comfort.

Use this dress for city tours, visits to the museums, or even relaxed lunches at the ports. For a complete look, wear white sneakers, and add a canvas crossbody bag. If you need shoulder coverage, a scarf will do.

16. Rust Knit Set for Cool-Weather Cruising

Not all cruises are warm destinations, and just because warm-weather cruises call for shorts, swimsuits, and sundresses does not mean cooler ones (Alaska, the Baltic Sea) do not exist. For colder weather cruises, a rust knit set provides the warmth, flexibility, and polish that work even for more formal dinners.

The set works for sitting on deck with a warm cup of coffee and for evening meals. For an ultimate look with the set, you can wear it with ankle boots and a puffer vest, plus an extra wool scarf that is super warm and definitely worth the space in your suitcase.

17. Wine Satin Blouse and Dark Jeans

Most casual cruise night events allow dark jeans, and they do have a chance to shine when they’re matched with something a little more polished. A wine satin blouse adds some shine without requiring you to put on a dress. Take this to the piano bar, casual dining room, or late night dessert run that becomes a whole event. Team with some pointed flats, a small clutch, and a jacket for those cold interiors.

18. Black Swimsuit and Ruby Sarong

A solid black one-piece bathing suit paired with a bright, colorful sarong is a traditional pairing because it always works, not because anyone ran out of ideas. The ruby sarong brings some additional color, and coverage to the outfit, and gives you the ability to walk to lunch without doing the towel shuffle.

Use this for pool days, beach club stops, or just lounging when you’d like to have the sensation of being dressed. Combine this look with some flat sandals and oversized sunnies and be sure to grab a waterproof pouch for your key card.

19. Seafoam Pants and Striped Tank

When you want to enjoy comfort on the balcony but don’t want to wear pajamas while waiting in the breakfast line, these loose-fitting linen trousers are perfect for you! The seafoam color is soft, quiet, and coastal, while the raspberry stripe adds a fun accent to the look.

Room-service coffee, wandering the ship, and casual lunches are all great occasions to wear this outfit. For the perfect ensemble, grab your woven slides and soft tote, and throw your hair up in a ponytail scarf if it’s humid!

20. Mustard Cardigan and Floral Midi Dress

Theater nights can be so chilly you might find yourself wondering how the ship can be so good friends with air conditioning! A cropped mustard cardigan over a floral midi dress is warm without swallowing the dress.

You can wear this for shows, piano bar evenings, dinners, and even walks around the ship. You could also match this with ankle-strap flats, a small shoulder bag, and earrings that catch a little light.

21. Slate Blue Blazer and Soft Shorts

A cruise is the perfect time to rock a light blazer since it turns basic pieces into a full outfit as well as saves you from chilly dining rooms. Slate blue is a softer choice than navy, but still looks polished.

Slip this blazer on with shorts for an easy ensemble for embarkation drinks, a casual dinner, or any time you want a bit of structure without the risk of heatstroke. Pair the blazer with blush soft shorts, loafers, and a tank or other top tucked in.

22. Indigo Denim Dress and Red Sandals

Denim dresses are durable and easy to wear. When you’re doing a lot of walking and eating, a denim dress can save the day. Indigo denim hides wrinkles and keeps a polished look. Red sandals add a pop of color to complete the look.

This outfit is perfect for pier towns, dinner, or travel days. You can also add a crossbody bag, tortoiseshell sunglasses, and a lightweight scarf to keep warm if the evening gets chilly.

23. Forest Green Wide-Leg Jumpsuit

If thinking about formal night already has you exhausted, a wide-leg jumpsuit is your escape. This one is a classy deep green hue that will look stunning in pictures. Plus, you won’t have to deal with sequin messes, shapewear battles, or a dress that will just take up space in your suitcase.

You can wear this to formal night, the captain’s dinner, or take it up a notch at an upscale lounge. Simply add black wedge shoes, a satin purse and some statement cuff bracelets.

24. Hot Pink Shirt and White Denim Skirt

Pairing white denim with another strong color is a good option for a cruise. Opt for a hot pink linen shirt with the white denim skirt to add some energy and fun to the look, as well as break up the color block.

This is great for market shopping, casual port photos, or even a lunch out if the weather is warm. Finish the look with a straw bag, chunky platform sandals, and roll up your sleeves for a relaxed market vibe.