Ladies - this one's for you!
Are you cruising soon and need to start packing? While some might get overwhelmed packing for a cruise, I find that the attire needed is actually very predictable!
What you will be heavily based on your itinerary. From the Caribbean, to Europe, Alaska, and even Asia, each destination requires a slightly different wardrobe. Your planned excursions and day-to-day style will also need to be considered when deciding what to pack.
With every cruise, though, there are definitely a few key pieces that women should always pack in their suitcase that are both comfortable and stylish.
Here's a guide to cruise clothes for women.
What to pack for dinner
Questions regarding what to wear for dinner onboard a cruise ship are common. Do you need to pull out a ballgown, or are a few sundresses sufficient? Let's talk about it!
If you're going on a 7-night cruise, you will need seven dinner outfits. You can, however, always re-wear some to save space in your suitcase and take the pressure off of you to actually plan out seven different outfits.
Casual dresses are perfect for dinners on a cruise ship, as they travel well and are easy to dress up or down. You can add a cute shawl, jean jacket, or sweater to switch things up if needed. Statement necklaces and earrings are perfect to complete any outfit, too!
While deciding what to pack, keep in mind that you will likely be eating and drinking more than normal. This could mean packing outfits that are not too fitted. There’s nothing worse than trying on a tight outfit on vacation and feeling self-conscious or overly bloated.
To avoid uncomfortable outfits, consider packing a few flowy and loose dresses; these are usually perfect towards the end of a cruise. If you are not a huge fan of dresses, it is common for women to wear denim shorts or jeans paired with a simple blouse when sailing on Caribbean itineraries.
It is almost important to pack for formal night, as most cruises will have at least one formal night. If you are going on a week-long cruise, expect there to be two, while longer cruises will have three or even four!
Some women will pull out their absolute best formal wear. If you are someone who loves an excuse to get dressed up in full glam, then go all out!
For the most part, cruises are a judgment free zone, and they are less formal than they used to be. You will see people wearing gorgeous ball gowns and others sporting casual sundresses on formal night. In general, most women tend to fall in between somewhere when it comes to formal night attire.
There are always other dining venues open if you want to dress super casually on formal night. You can show up to the ship's buffet in a t-shirt and shorts if you'd prefer!
Sweaters and light jackets are a must, as ships tend to be cold
One thing that is universal while cruising is that you can expect the ship to be cold. Whether that's the dining room, the theatre, or your cabin, you will probably find that you are cold inside due to the air conditioning.
For this reason, you'll want to bring a light sweater to wear at dinner every night. Even while sailing in the scorching Southeast Asian heat, it is normal to be chilly inside the ship each night, and a light sweater is very versatile and travels well during day excursions, too!
Plus, the top deck at night can get windy. It is great to be able to throw on a light jacket or sweater when you step outside for fresh sea air.
Women should pack for comfort and versatility
In addition to dinner clothes, you'll need other stuff to wear while in port and on the ship. This will take up most of the room in your suitcase, so do not overthink your packing! Comfort and versatility are key.
Pack clothes that fit your typical style back home. If you are someone who likes to be casual most of the time, plan to pack your favorite casual clothes. In my opinion, most women dress casually onboard, especially if your itinerary has a lot of sea days.
If you're cruising in warmer climates, your day outfits will consist of a variety of shorts and dresses. Tops that can be easily layered with other pieces are great, too.
For cooler climates, such as Alaska, it is imperative that you focus more on layers and pack leggings, sweaters, and multiple pairs of jeans. In the mornings and evenings, you will find that the temperature is cooler than during the afternoon, so if you're on a longer excursion, you will appreciate having the ability to adjust your layers as needed.
Packing for excursions
If you have specific excursions planned, read through the tour description and determine if you need to pack anything in particular. If you are doing something active like ATV riding, zip-lining, or hiking, then you need to pack appropriately.
This is especially true in Europe. If you are visiting any religious landmarks, you will want to adhere to the dress code. Otherwise, it is likely that you will be denied admission! Pack modest, comfortable clothing that will work for these excursions.
Read more: 11 common cruise shore excursion mistakes to avoid
1-2 pairs of workout shorts and tops can be very versatile for active excursions. These are quick to dry and easy to clean if you get dirty. Cooler climates might require a pair of workout leggings.
You will also want to pack a rain jacket if you are heading to Alaska. Due to the winds, it is not always great to carry an umbrella, and you would not want to be caught in the rain without anything to keep you dry!
It does not hurt to check the weather for any itinerary, though. You never know when a rain jacket will come in handy!
What shoes should women pack?
It can be tough to narrow it down to just a few pairs of shoes. It's great to have a simple pair of slip-on shoes, like Birkenstocks or flip-flops, to throw on when wandering around the ship.
Heels are also great for dinner and formal night. A basic nude heel usually does the trick if you don't have anything super fancy. You could also pack a pair of simple flats if you would prefer.
Tennis shoes are necessary for hiking or anything else active. You might even want them for walking around the jogging track or gym. Some cruise ship activities require them, too.
If you plan to be kayaking or doing a lot of water activities, you might want to consider packing water shoes. Plus, water shoes are easy to clean if they end up getting dirty.
If you will be enjoying cooler climates on your cruise, you might want to pack a good pair of boots. Sperry boots tend to be comfortable for walking but also great for cold, wet climates. Timberland boots are another option, too.
Women should pack for their cruise with culture in mind
Depending on your itinerary, women need to keep different cultures in mind when packing. Churches in Europe (especially Italy) expect women to have their knees and shoulders covered.
You don't want to visit the Vatican on a cruise and forget to bring something to cover your knees and/or shoulders.
This is where your light sweater can come in handy, as they're perfect for covering your shoulders when culturally necessary. A simple scarf or shawl would also work in this instance. You just need to remember to bring whatever outer layer you have off the ship with you!
Sometimes, you are able to purchase something outside of these landmarks, but you should not rely on it. Come prepared!
If you are cruising in the Middle East or Africa, women are expected to dress modestly. If going to Morocco, for instance, you will want maxi skirts and modest shirts, as well as a scarf to cover your head in certain spots, like when touring mosques.
Don't forget your swimsuits
If you are planning to be on the beach or at the pool deck everyday on your cruise, packing multiple swimsuits is a no-brainer, but you should also consider packing multiple kinds of swimsuits. You might not be in the mood to wear a bikini all the time!
Packing a variety of swimsuits is great to ensure that you always have something that you feel comfortable and confident in.
A classic one-piece swimsuit is a perfect piece to pack for your cruise. You can also wear this with cute shorts for an easy outfit when heading to the beach or pool. One piece suits are also great when you have water activities or active excursions, as they are more secure.
I would also recommend bringing some kind of cover up, whether that is a t-shirt and shorts or stylish crochet dress, to wear when navigating between the pool deck, other areas of the ship, and ports of call.
Women's accessories and miscellaneous items
If you are sailing to the Caribbean or Europe, you may want to focus on bringing some cute jewelry for the evenings. Alaska or Northern Europe may require a few more sensible items, like rain jackets, gloves, and warm hats.
Regardless of where you go, it is always a good idea to have some sunglasses on hand. Taking an expensive pair, however, could end in heartbreak, so you will want to bring a cheap pair in case you misplace them.
Of course, you shouldn't neglect toiletries. Women, make sure you pack your favorite shampoo, conditioner, and face wash in travel-sized bottles, as cruise ship bathrooms do not come stocked with products like standard hotels provide.
Moreover, cruise ships don't have full pharmacies onboard, so you will want to pack medications to have on hand, including pain relievers, cold and flu medications, band-aids, cough drops, etc.
Allie Hubers
Allie Hubers has been cruising since she was a tiny toddler. What started as a yearly vacation with family quickly turned into a passion for travel, cruising and adventure. Allie's been on nearly 30 cruises all over the world. She even studied abroad on Semester at Sea, sailing the world on a ship while taking courses for college and visiting 4 continents.
