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Be sure to bring a dark pair of pants or jeans if you don’t want to wear dresses to dinner. Dark pant goes with any dressy top, and it’s a basic you can wear more than once on your cruise. Keep in mind that I like to dress up no matter what the dress code is. I find that a lot more cruises are ditching formal dinners and instead have an “evening chic” dress code which can mean dressing elegant and sophisticated in your way. If you are not headed on a water excursion, wear casual clothing like sundresses, shirts, and shorts in light breathable materials like linen, cotton, or jersey. In this post, I’ll share cruise outfits for women that I’ve worn on my past cruises as a Millennial cruiser, and give you inspiration on your cruise wardrobe.
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Yes, there's one on every sailing of six nights or fewer and two on voyages of a week or more, but they have a different name. "Evening chic" nights encourage passengers to go all out with tuxes and evening gowns. However, most men choose slacks with collared or button-down shirts and jackets, sans ties. Most women choose slacks and nice blouses, sundresses or party dresses.
Ladies Cruise Formal Dresses
Cocktail dresses, evening gowns, tuxedos, or suits are appropriate for these occasions. It’s a chance to showcase more elegant and sophisticated attire while enjoying a special evening onboard. Dressing up on a cruise is not mandatory, but it can enhance the overall experience and add to the festive atmosphere onboard. Whether you embrace formal nights or opt for a more relaxed dress code, the key is to feel comfortable and confident in what you wear. Before you buy clothes to wear, it’s best to look at the dress code your particular cruise line has set.
Pleated Halter Neck Maxi Dress
I would pack two outfits per day on a cruise- something to wear during the day either on board or at a port of call, and something a bit dressier for the evening. Now you can wear a swimsuit & coverup more than once on your vacation, so keep that in mind when you’re packing. To be honest, I think that the ladies have an easier time with evening cruise outfits because mostly anything goes as long as it’s dressy. Darker-colored sundresses, cocktail dresses, or even pants with a dressy top will work. Packing a formal gown for a cruise is recommended if you plan to attend formal nights. However, a cocktail dress or dressy outfit will also be good enough to avoid bringing a gown.
This ensemble can be a lovely and stylish choice for formal evenings on the cruise. Maxi dresses can even serve as chic or formal night attire, offering a convenient dual purpose. If you have one that fits the formal night criteria, pack it—eliminating one less worry from your cruise checklist. If you prefer a little more coverage, this halter top swimdress bathing suit is very flattering.
I like to wear lightweight breathable dresses and comfortable walking shoes with a larger day bag to keep all my essentials inside. Now in the early evening after lounging on the resort deck, I like to wear a nice sundress or something a little dressy to have a sunset cocktail in. Thankfully for us ladies, I can usually wear the same dress to dinner without a problem.
Please check with your specific cruise line to see if they have formal night requirements. When the sun dips below the horizon and the evening lights begin to twinkle on deck, cruise guests delight in the opportunity to showcase their style with cruise evening wear. As the ambiance onboard shifts to a more elegant setting, passengers are faced with the delightful decision of what to wear to encapsulate the sophistication of the sea at night. Don’t forget to pack your favorite swimsuits for fun-filled days by the pool or at the beach.
It’s also available in a few slightly different styles and colors. Make sure to pack at least 2 bathing suits for your cruise, so when one is wet the other is dry. You’ll want to put on a bathing suit cover up when heading indoors on your cruise or to eat at one of the restaurants. Make sure to pack 2 cover ups, so you can change your look and always have a clean, dry one available. Pair a pretty top with a pair of white capri pants or jeans for a casual evening on a cruise. This off the shoulder top comes in different color stripes as well as solids and other patterns.

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Make sure to bring a cute sandal, a closed toe walking or running shoe, and a pair of dress shoes. If you’re planning on hanging by the pool or beach, flip flops are a must as well. One piece rompers are very popular and are perfect when you’re hanging out by the pool or doing activities on the cruise ship. If the excursion involves long walks, prioritize comfortable sneakers or tennis shoes.
These dressier nights allow you to celebrate and showcase your sophisticated style while enjoying a special evening onboard. If you’re going on a Caribbean, Bermuda or Bahamas cruise, plan on packing light sundresses, shorts and tops, bathing suits and cover ups. Add a couple formal night outfits and some dress shoes, and you’re all set. For port days, consider your shore excursion plans and decide what to wear.
When preparing for your cruise attire, ladies, bring versatile tops like cotton t-shirts, button-ups, and blouses—ideal for mixing and matching with shorts, pants, and skirts. Neutral colors like black or white are practical choices for easy coordination. Cotton t-shirts or tanks are light and budget-friendly, perfect for dressing up or down with shorts, jeans, or wide-leg pants. Cruise wear doesn’t have to be a dress, even in the main dining room. Unless it’s a formal night, dark jeans and a top, capri pants or a jumpsuit are great outfits that feel chic and modern. Let’s start with what cruise wear you’ll need for your cruise vacation.
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Exceptions are the line's "dress-up" nights — two on sailings of a week or more and one on shorter voyages. Khaki pants or shorts with loose-fitting, short-sleeve, button-down shirts or even nice, plain T-shirts work well for men. Women might opt for khaki shorts or palazzo pants with a nice top or a sundress. In most cases, nice jeans (dark wash with no holes) will work well also.
This pencil dress is perfect for formal night or smart casual evenings on a cruise, but isn’t too fancy that it can’t be worn at home. This casual spaghetti strap sundress is comfortable and cute, and would make a great embarkation day outfit. If you want to pack light for a cruise, you could even wear this dress in the evening with accessories. All other nights are listed as "smart casual," which means sundresses or pants with flowy tops for women and nice jeans or slacks with collared shirts for men will suffice. Although the dress code on Holland America Line ships is technically "cruise casual," you'll rarely spot anyone looking disheveled or like they just rolled out of bed. Most passengers tend toward resort wear or, at the bare minimum, nice jeans with pressed T-shirts.
This long cocktail dress with a slit will look great on formal or elegant nights on a cruise. Pair it with a light shawl if your shoulders tend to feel cool in the main dining room. This off the shoulder maxi dress is perfect for both casual and dressy evenings on a cruise.
I am obsessed with these Adidas—they’re incredibly comfortable and served me well all over Italy. Pack at least two covers—they’re versatile for ship activities and outings in port. Easily washable in the cabin stateroom sink and quick to dry, they’re practical for on-the-go maintenance.
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