What Should You Not Wear On A Cruise?

On a cruise, it is important to avoid certain clothing items that could lead to being turned away from dinner or even arrested. Collared shirts or long-sleeved button-downs are acceptable for men, while slacks with a blouse or dress are acceptable for women. For formal nights, which are optional, keep shorts, jeans, and pants to a minimum and focus on fresh shirts, tank tops, polos, and other appropriate attire.

Cruising is a judgment-free experience, and some people dress to impress, while others dress casually. Casual resort wear, sundresses, shorts, polos, or button-downs are appropriate, paired with sandals, low heels, and loafers. Active cruise fashion includes speedos, string bikinis, unusual swim accessories, bunny slippers at dinnertime, and dress restrictions such as shorts, flip flops, and tank tops for evening wear or gala nights in the main dining rooms, specialty restaurants, or MSC.

When off the cruise ship, avoid wearing expensive jewelry or watches, flashy diamond rings, and gold jewelry. Avoid shirts or accessories with offensive language and graphics, as many cruises are family-friendly. Swimsuits, swim coverups, sweaters, scarves, sunglasses, and sun hats are acceptable attire.

For more formal settings, men should bring a dinner jacket, slacks, or a dark suit and a nice pair of shoes, while women may want to bring an evening gown. Remember to follow dress codes and avoid wearing offensive clothing that could breach your cruise’s rules.


📹 10 Things NOT To Wear on a Cruise in 2024

Cruise line dress codes have changed in recent year. However, there are still some things you’ll want to avoid wearing on a cruise …


What should you not wear on a cruise woman
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What do most people wear on a cruise ship?

What should I wear during the day?. On warm-weather cruises, loungewear and beachwear are suitable both onboard and off the ship. Pack T-shirts, tank tops and other clothes that are easy to mix and match. In cooler weather, passengers will wear hiking pants, jeans and some loungewear. Luxury ships tend to be a little more formal (i.e. smart casual during the day). On expedition ships, rugged wear is more acceptable. In general, be mindful of any shore excursions and any country-specific dress codes when packing. For example, you might need clothes that cover your shoulders and knees to visit a mosque, or a hat, durable shoes and socks for a rainforest hike.

Is there a dress code I have to follow at night?. Each cruise line has its own dress code for evening attire. Nights are typically either casual or formal, but vary by line and dining venue. Some cruise lines use their own dress code terms that might be a bit confusing. For example, “smart casual,” “casual elegance,” “cruise casual” or “resort casual” all mean the same thing: Dress like you’re going on a dinner date not too sloppy, but not uber-fancy either. Cruise lines will usually list outfit recommendations and restrictions for both men and women, but you’ll see a variety of interpretations on your cruise ship.

Radiance of the Seas Formal Dining (Photo: Royal Caribbean)

What to wear on a cruise during the day
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What is the best color to wear on a cruise?

The quintessential cruise style consists of chic but relaxed pieces. Think breezy fabrics, loose silhouettes, light neutrals, bright colors and beachy accessories. Lean into tropical prints, red and coral hues that pop against aquamarine waters, woven hats and classic sunglasses.

T\nhough it’s tempting to pack everything, cruise outfits are meant to be laid-back, so plan to wear a few items of clothing more than once — no one will judge you, promise. Pack a few key staple pieces that can be paired together in several different mix and match styles — this is called a capsule wardrobe. To ensure you can put together a great outfit each day, pack mindfully in one color palette or scheme — colors like red, coral and yellow will pop in pictures when photographed in front of a turquoise sea. If you’re wondering what to pack for a five-day cruise, bring along six shirts, six sets of underwear, and three to four bottoms. Then, throw in at least two swimsuits, so you always have one dry. Finally, pajamas, a jacket or sweater, athleisure wear, a hat, sunglasses, sandals, athletic shoes, and dress shoes round out a perfect cruise outfit packing list.

Breezy fabrics like cotton and linen in a loose silhouette keep you cool and covered under the sun during the daytime, and with a few adaptable accessories, you can transition seamlessly into a polished evening look. No matter if you’re spending your day sipping an ice-cold cocktail on deck, strolling along a sandy beach, adventuring on jungle trails or searching for local treats, these five versatile day-to-night cruise outfit ideas will make packing easy, getting you on island time, in no time.

If you’ll be spending your port days shopping, dining, and exploring new cities and towns, you’ll need cruise outfit ideas that are both stylish and practical. A flowy top or polo shirt, bright-colored capris or khaki shorts, comfortable shoes, sunglasses and a wide-brimmed hat will keep you cool during the day. When the sun goes down, dress it up with a button-down shirt, shawl or cardigan.

What should you not wear on a cruise female
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What is the 3:1:1 rule on Royal Caribbean?

3-1-1 Liquids Rule. You are allowed to bring a quart-size, zip-lock bag of liquids, aerosols, gels, creams and pastes though the checkpoint in carryon luggage.

  • These combined items need to be less than 3 ounces.
  • More information from the TSA.
  • So the 3-1-1 rule is the TSA’s quick reminder: 3 ounces, 1 quart bag and 1 bag per traveler.
  • Note that food items, such as peanut butter, sauces or beverages need to fit within this 1 bag and larger items will be confiscated and discarded. If you are buying food items as gifts or to eat at your destination, then pack them in your checked suitcase.

Medications / Travel Challenges. The TSA does allow travelers to carry medications with them while traveling and these medications do not need to be packed in you 3-1-1 bag.

  • Medications in pill or other solid form must undergo security screening.
  • It is recommended that medication be clearly labeled to facilitate the screening process.
  • Bring evidence verifying a medial implant or device if it is likely to set off an alarm while being screened. This is not a TSA requirement, but it may ease the process.TSA has extensive guidanceon this topic.
Cruise outfits for ladies over 50
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What do most people wear on a cruise?

What should I wear during the day?. On warm-weather cruises, loungewear and beachwear are suitable both onboard and off the ship. Pack T-shirts, tank tops and other clothes that are easy to mix and match. In cooler weather, passengers will wear hiking pants, jeans and some loungewear. Luxury ships tend to be a little more formal (i.e. smart casual during the day). On expedition ships, rugged wear is more acceptable. In general, be mindful of any shore excursions and any country-specific dress codes when packing. For example, you might need clothes that cover your shoulders and knees to visit a mosque, or a hat, durable shoes and socks for a rainforest hike.

Is there a dress code I have to follow at night?. Each cruise line has its own dress code for evening attire. Nights are typically either casual or formal, but vary by line and dining venue. Some cruise lines use their own dress code terms that might be a bit confusing. For example, “smart casual,” “casual elegance,” “cruise casual” or “resort casual” all mean the same thing: Dress like you’re going on a dinner date not too sloppy, but not uber-fancy either. Cruise lines will usually list outfit recommendations and restrictions for both men and women, but you’ll see a variety of interpretations on your cruise ship.

Radiance of the Seas Formal Dining (Photo: Royal Caribbean)

What to wear on a cruise Royal Caribbean
(Image Source: Pixabay.com)

Can you wear flip flops on a cruise?

Pack comfortable shoes for every occasion; you might find that you need to pack several pairs. Flip flops and boat shoes are great daytime options for warm-weather cruises, but flip flops aren’t allowed in the main dining room or specialty restaurants for dinner. Also, avoid wearing heeled sandals on the pool deck. For touring and active excursions in port, sneakers, sturdy walking shoes or hiking boots are suitable. You may also want sneakers for the onboard gym. At night, women should wear comfortable heals, sandals or flats; boat and dress shoes are good choices for men.

Can I buy clothing on the cruise if I accidentally leave something at home?. Most cruise ships have shops onboard, where you can purchase clothing, shoes (typically sandals and flip flops) or accessories you forgot to bring. The options are limited, so if you’re picky, wait until you’re in port to shop around.

Can I do laundry onboard so I don’t have to bring as many clothes?. If you’re a light packer or want to reuse some of your clothing items during the cruise, most cruise lines including luxury and river offer laundry services onboard. Prices are typically based on single articles of clothing and fluctuate depending on the cruise line. Expect to pay roughly between $2 to $8 per shirt or blouse, unless you’re in a suite or loyalty program that includes laundry service. Some cruise lines even put self-serve launderettes on their cruise ships, if you want to save money and wash your own clothes a cheaper but more time-consuming option.

What to wear on a cruise in the evening
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Can I wear whatever I want on a cruise?

In the evenings, some of our ships enforce a “cruise casual” dress code. For men this dress code can call for longer dress shorts or pants (jeans are OK too) and a collared polo shirt. For women, the dress code may ask for sundresses, skirts and blouses, dress shorts and capri pants are acceptable.

Don’t wear sleeveless shirts (for men), cut-off jeans, T-shirts or gym shorts.

If you want to attend a “cruise elegant” evening, bring a fancier, more formal outfit. Men can wear suits or dress slacks with a sport coat and dress shirt. For women, cocktail dresses, pantsuits or elegant skirts and blouses are appropriate. Some guests like to go all out with a tuxedo or ball gown.

When packing for a cruise, it’s important to dress for the occasion. The great thing about cruising is that so many different “occasions” are packed in to one vacation, from formal dining to snorkeling and sipping cool drinks by the pool or trekking through a rainforest.

Spend some time planning your outfits and we’re sure you’ll find room in your suitcase for everything you need. Remember to save a little space for souvenirs!

What to wear in cruise for ladies
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Is it okay to wear jeans on a cruise?

Casual. To most of us Brits, casual means one thing and one thing only– jeans! The good news is that denim in the form of jeans, jackets, shorts and skirts is generally a perfectly acceptable daytime casual cruise look, often combined with a T-shirt but check before you go for lunch – those designer jeans may cut it for a promenade on deck but some lines don’t allow jeans in their restaurants, however expensive they might have been!

Fitness freaks can feel free to lounge around in lycra during the day, and of course, no cruise suitcase is packed until it contains at least two swimsuits and cover-ups. Bear in mind swimwear and flip flops are almost always a big no-no at mealtimes unless you’re having a relaxed poolside snack.

Casual can be harder to get right for an evening look as it’s all about looking as if you haven’t tried too hard, but in general, the rule is to ditch the denim and t-shirts in favour of casual shirts and trousers/smart shorts for men and laid back skirts, sundresses and ‘dressy’ tops for ladies.

How strict is Celebrity Cruises dress code
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How many outfits for a 7 day cruise?

Here’s what to pack for a 7-day cruise to the Caribbean. No matter where you sail to, clothing is going to take up the bulk of your suitcase. You should average two outfits per day, as you’ll wear one during the day and one at night for dinner.

I find that I like to re-wear at least two or three outfits at night to save space. Plus, I just don’t like having to plan seven different outfits for each night. This, however, is a personal preference.

In the Caribbean, daytime wear is equivalent to what you’d wear to the beach or when partaking in an active activity at home. On some days, a bathing suit and cover-up might be sufficient, especially if you’re going on an excursion and spending all day on the beach or by the ship’s pool while at sea.

On other days, you might opt for an excursion with a specific dress code. You cannot, for instance, go zip-lining through Jamaica wearing flip-flops and swim trunks.


📹 10 THINGS YOU SHOULDN’T WEAR ON A CRUISE

Are you going on a cruise and wondering what to wear? Some of you may not know that there are actually cruise line dress codes …


What Should You Not Wear On A Cruise
(Image Source: Pixabay.com)

Debbie Green

I am a school teacher who was bitten by the travel bug many decades ago. My husband Billy has come along for the ride and now shares my dream to travel the world with our three children.The kids Pollyanna, 13, Cooper, 12 and Tommy 9 are in love with plane trips (thank goodness) and discovering new places, experiences and of course Disneyland.

About me

2 comments

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  • Very good advice. I haven’t cruised in 22 years and I’m looking for to Scarlet Lady this year. I 🙏 no one has exception to the mo pajamas and no bonnets. I cringe every time I see them in the street. Let them stay in your cabin until (maybe) there is a pj night but they are a definite NO while eating out! Thanks Addy.

  • Flip-flops: It kind of depends. While it’s smart not to wear flip-flops due to them causing injuries in some cases, there are situations where they are acceptable, such as travelling to and from the pool deck via elevators. However, attempting to use stairs or taking them into any dining areas is a bit of a no-no in nearly all cases. Pajamas: If you’re talking about obvious pajamas, then yeah. But a lot of people wear loungewear (t-shirt and loose-fitting shorts/sweatpants) as their pajamas, and those are generally acceptable in most areas of the ship (except when dining during dinner time) as long as you have shoes on. One thing that was probably missed: People that walk around nearly everywhere barefoot. Generally fine on the pool decks and parts of the spa, but everywhere else shoes should be worn.