Setting sail on a cruise is a thrilling adventure, filled with the promise of breathtaking views, delicious food, exciting shore excursions, and a touch of glamour. But, to truly make the most of your time at sea (or river depending on what type of cruise you’ve chosen), careful planning and packing are essential. Whether you’re a seasoned cruiser or a first-timer, our comprehensive cruise packing list has everything you need to put together your cruise outfits for women.
What to think about when packing for your cruise
Before we delve into your essentials, a few things to think about
1. Your shore excursions
What do you have planned? Do you need any special clothing or footwear? Make sure your cruise outfits for women reflect your activities.
2. The formality of your cruise
When thinking about what to pack for a cruise, a lot will depend on how formal your cruise is. Most cruises will have a formal night, so it’s a great excuse to dress up.
3. Sea days and shore days
What is the ratio of days at sea and days on the shore? That will have an impact on your cruise outfits. Sea days will mean lazy days, swimsuits and then changing for dinner, while shore days will mean dressing to suit your destination.
4. Dresscode
Many cruiselines will give you a dresscode or ideas of what to wear so check out their website.
5. Is there a laundry service?
When thinking about what to wear on a cruise, it’s not just about what to pack, but also how much to pack. If you intend to take advantage of the laundry service, you can wear things again rather than just once.
6. Does it all work as a capsule wardrobe?
This is super important. Do your cruise wear ideas all go together. Lay everything out as you’re packing and see if it goes together so you can create different outfits.
Your cruise packing list
Now let’s get onto your cruise packing check list
Daytime Attire
- Lightweight sundresses, skirts and shorts
- Tops you can mix and match for casual days and sightseeing
- Comfortable flattering swimwear and poolside cover-ups
Maxi dress – Cupshe swimsuit – wrap skirt – rolled sleeve t-shirt – shorts with pockets
Evening glamour
- Elegant dresses for formal nights
- Chic cocktail dresses for semi-formal events
- Dressy separates to keep your wardrobe versatile
Two-tone dress – jumpsuit – cocktail dress – Maxi dress
Footwear
- Comfy sandals for daytime excursions
- Stylish heels or wedges for evening (or flats if you prefer)
- Sneakers or walking shoes for more strenuous excursions
- Flip flops for round the pool
Cushionaire sandals – logo sneakers – Haviana flip flops – block heel sandals
Accessories
- Statement jewelry to elevate your outfits
- Scarves you can wear over your shoulders
- A wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses for sun protection
- A clutch bag for evening
- A backpack or crossbody for sightseeing
- A beachbag for excursions
Sun hat – multistrand necklace – rattan clutch bag – crossbody travel bag – beach bag – pashmina – catseye sunglasses
Nightwear
- Pajamas
- Robe and slippers (if you prefer your own – most cruiselines will give you some to wear during your trip)
satin pajamas – short pajamas – nightgown – lightweight robe
Beauty essentials
- Sunscreen
- Moisturizer
- Make-up essentials
- Travel-sized perfume
- Hair tools
toiletries bag – moisturizer – hair straightener – perfume – sunscreen – make-up set
Entertainment and electronics
- Your smartphone and charger
- e-reader
- Headphones
Noise cancelling headphones – Kindle Oasis – iPhone – travel adapter
Don’t forget
- Your travel documentation
- Any medication and vitamins you take
Passport holder – pill and vitamin organizer
Is there anything you would add to our cruise packing list? What would you pack when putting together your cruise outfits for women?
Leave a Reply