What to Wear on a Cruise: Day by Day Outfits for Women

For a cruise, plan on soft, comfortable day clothes, a swimsuit and cover-up, a light layer for cool evenings, and one or two dressier outfits for dinner. The easiest way to pack is to plan your outfits by the type of day, so here is what to wear on a cruise from boarding day to the last night at sea.

Most cruises follow the same rhythm. You board, you have a few relaxed sea days, you step off the ship in different ports, and you dress up a little for dinner. Once you know which kind of day is coming, choosing clothes gets simple.

What to Wear on a Cruise: The Short Answer

• Daytime on the ship: knit dresses, tunics, skorts, capris and soft tops.
• Pool and deck: a swimsuit, a cover-up, a sun hat, sunglasses and sandals.
• Port days: comfortable walking shoes, a skort or capri, a cool top and a day bag.
• Dinner: a nice dress, or a matching top and pants with jewelry.
• Evenings and indoor spaces: a light jacket or vest, since ship air conditioning can feel cool.

Day 1: Embarkation Day

Boarding day is a long day. You may stand in line at the port, walk long hallways, and wait a few hours before your suitcase reaches your cabin. Many people find their bags arrive later in the afternoon, so wear something you will be happy to have on until dinner. Keep a swimsuit and any medicine in your carry-on bag too.

A matching two piece outfit is a smart pick here. It looks put together, it is comfortable for travel, and you do not have to think about what goes with what.

Knit Top & Palazzo Pants 2 Piece Set Style 920 105 B15 Navy Seafoam, $66

This set pairs a 3/4 sleeve V-neck top with wide palazzo pants in the same navy and seafoam print. It is cotton knit, 95% Supra Cotton and 5% Spandex, so it has a soft stretch that feels good on a travel day. You pick the top size and the pant size on their own, which helps if you wear one size on top and another on the bottom. Later, wear each piece on its own. You can see more matching outfits in our 2 piece sets.

Sea Days: Relaxing on Deck

Sea days are the slow days. You may read by the pool, try a class, have a long lunch, or walk the deck. You will go in and out of the sun and the air conditioning many times, so pick easy pieces you can pull on over a swimsuit or wear on their own.

A simple knit dress with pockets does a lot of work on these days. Slip it on over your swimsuit, add flat sandals, and you are ready for lunch. Pockets hold your cabin card and lip balm, so you can leave your bag in the room.

Solid Dyed Knit Dress Pocket Style 295C00 N, $45

This navy dress is cotton knit with a gentle stretch and an easy shape. Solid navy goes with any scarf, hat or sandal you bring. It works on sea days, and with wedges and earrings it is nice enough for a relaxed dinner too.

Port Days: Walking and Excursions

On port days you may walk old streets, ride a tour bus, shop at a market, or go to the beach. Comfort comes first. Choose clothes that let you move, sit and climb steps without fuss, and wear shoes you have already broken in.

A skort is a great port day piece. It looks like a skirt, but it has shorts built in, so you can climb into a tour van or sit on a low wall and feel covered. Pair it with a solid tee or tank in a color from the print.

Printed Knit Skort with Pockets 279E18 PO, $35

This cotton knit skort has a cheerful pink and orange floral print on a white background, a pull-on waist, and pockets. Wear it with a white or coral top and walking sandals. Find more prints and solids in our skorts collection.

Tips for Port Days

• If your tour visits a church or religious site, bring a scarf or light layer to cover your shoulders, and choose a longer hem.
• Carry a small bag that closes, and keep your ID and cabin card in an inside pocket.
• Bring a refillable water bottle, sunscreen and a hat.
• Check the weather for each port before you pack.

Dinner Nights: Smart Casual

Most evenings on a cruise are smart casual. For women, that usually means a nice dress, a skirt and top, or pants with a pretty blouse. Think of what you would wear to a good local restaurant at home. Swimsuits, cover-ups and very casual shorts are often not allowed in the main dining room in the evening, so plan to change after a day at the pool.

Engineered Knit Dress V-Neck Style 220B15 TL, $39

This dress has a turquoise and lime diamond print, a V-neck, 3/4 sleeves and an above the knee length. The sleeves give a little coverage, which helps in a cool dining room. Add wedges, a bracelet and a small clutch, and you are dressed for dinner. Browse all of our dresses to plan a different look for each night.

Dressy or Formal Nights

Many cruise lines have one or two dressy nights on a weeklong cruise. The rules differ from line to line. Some ask for cocktail dresses, and many are now relaxed and simply say "dress your best." Check your cruise line's dress code before you pack so you are not carrying a gown you will not need.

If the line is relaxed, a printed dress or matching set with nice jewelry, a clutch and dressy sandals is often enough. If you want to go a step further, bring one dark solid dress and style it with a bright scarf or statement earrings. That one dress can work for a dressy night and a regular dinner.

Cool Evenings and Chilly Ships

This is the one item people forget most. Even on a warm weather cruise, the deck can be windy at night, and the theater, dining room and spa can feel cold. A light jacket solves this in seconds, and it does not take much room in your bag.

French Terry Jacket Long Sleeve Style 248E01-SF, $37

This long sleeve jacket is soft French terry, 95% Supra Cotton and 5% Spandex, with a full front zipper and pockets. The seafoam and flamingo print adds color over solid dresses and tops. Wear it for sail away, a late show, or a walk on deck after dinner.

Your Day Bag

You will want one bag that goes from the pool to the port. Look for something roomy and light, with a closure to keep things safe on tours.

Tropical Pineapple Resort Tote Bag C75 TL, $30

This canvas tote has a soft rayon lining, a small inside zip pocket, and padded handles. The bright pineapple print is easy to spot on a busy pool deck. It holds a towel, sunscreen, a book and a water bottle with room to spare.

A Sample 7 Day Cruise Outfit Plan

Here is a simple plan for a weeklong cruise with three sea days and three port days. Mix and match pieces from the same color family and you can pack fewer items.

• Day 1, boarding: matching top and palazzo pants, flat shoes, light jacket in your carry-on.
• Day 2, sea day: swimsuit and cover-up by day, a knit dress with sandals at night.
• Day 3, port day: printed skort, solid tee, walking shoes, hat, tote.
• Day 4, sea day and dressy night: pool day, then a dark dress with jewelry.
• Day 5, port day: capri pants and a light top, scarf for church visits.
• Day 6, port day: knit dress with pockets and sneakers, jacket for the evening.
• Day 7, sea day and last night: your favorite outfit again, plus a printed dress for dinner.

Remember that most cruise lines ask you to put your big suitcase outside your cabin on the last night. Set aside your outfit for the trip home, plus your medicine and documents, before you pack it away.

Best Fabrics for a Cruise

• Cotton knit: soft, stretchy and comfortable. Ours is 95% Supra Cotton and 5% Spandex, so it moves with you on long days.
• Nylon: our nylon pieces are 92% Nylon and 8% Spandex. They resist wrinkles and dry quickly, which helps in a small cabin.
• French terry: a light, cozy layer for windy decks and cold dining rooms.

For more ideas on what to bring and how to put looks together, visit our cruise wear guide. U.S. orders over $75 ship free, so it is easy to fill in the gaps before you sail.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should a woman wear on a cruise during the day?

During the day, most women wear soft, casual clothes such as knit dresses, skorts, capris, tunics and tops, with a swimsuit and cover-up for the pool. Add a hat, sunglasses and flat sandals with good grip.

What do you wear to dinner on a cruise?

Most cruise dinners are smart casual. A nice dress, a skirt and blouse, or matching top and pants with jewelry is a good choice. Many lines also have one or two dressier nights, so check your cruise line's dress code before you pack.

How many outfits do I need for a 7 day cruise?

Plan on one outfit for each day and one for each evening, but repeat pieces. With mix and match colors, about four or five bottoms, six to seven tops or dresses, one or two dressy outfits and a light jacket will cover a week.

Is it cold on a cruise ship at night?

It often is. Decks can be windy after dark, and the theater and dining room are usually air conditioned. Pack a light jacket, vest or wrap even on a warm weather cruise.

Can you wear shorts or a swimsuit in the cruise dining room?

Swimsuits and cover-ups are usually not allowed in the main dining room at dinner, and many lines ask for something nicer than shorts in the evening. Rules vary, so check your cruise line's dress code.