What to Wear on a Cruise: Cruise Outfits for a Cute & Comfy Look 

If you’re looking for cruise outfit ideas, keep reading! I recently went on my first cruise and wanted to share some of the outfits I wore. I hope they inspire your looks too. When planning my outfits, I focused on pieces I could easily mix and match so I could pack light. My goal was to go for that casual, beachy, nautical “grandma on a cruise” aesthetic.

Cruise Outfits for Women

1. Keep it Cute and Comfy for Embarkation Day

For day one, embarkation day; I wore black shorts, a black and white floral shirt, and a pair of sandals. I wanted to keep things casual and super chill for boarding day, which is why I went with shorts. The floral shirt added those beachy, Caribbean vibes that felt on theme since our cruise was headed to tropical destinations.

2. Match With Whoever You’re Cruising With 

I went on this trip with one of my good friends, and our outfits in this picture are a great example of how you can coordinate with whoever you’re cruising with. 

I wore beige trousers with a simple white t-shirt, a skinny belt, and my go-to black sandals to complete the look. My friend opted for a neutral beige jumpsuit. I’m honestly obsessed with how our outfits turned out. Each one looks cute on its own, but together they’re double the cuteness!

3. Lean Into Your Personal Style and Comfort

Here are some cruise outfit ideas you can wear to a dinner reservation. As you can see, my friend and I went for two totally different looks. I went for a beachy, laid-back look with a green striped shirt and beige pants. While my friend went for a more glamorous vibe with her little black dress. 

It just goes to show that when it comes to your cruise outfits, you should always lean into your personal style. Wear what makes you feel comfortable, confident, and beautiful.

4. Consider Local Dress Codes

One of the stops on our cruise was the British Virgin Islands. For my outfit, I wanted something comfortable, cool, and a little modest in case I needed extra coverage while exploring the island.

Since we were planning to walk around both touristy and local spots, I chose a look that was casual yet put together. I wore my white bodysuit with black shorts. And layered on the striped button down shirt. I really love this shirt because it gave off that nautical, beachy, “dad on a boat” vibe that I was going for.

5. Pack Multi-Functional Outfits

Continuing with the stripes… on a casual sea day, I wore this striped midi dress. One thing I loved about it is how easily it took me from day to night. I wore it to a salsa class, and it was light and breezy enough for me to do my dance moves without feeling constricted, and later I wore it to dinner.

Cruise Outfits

6. Wear a Bathing Suit Cover Up

Another beautiful stop on our cruise was St. Maarten. For this port, my friend and I were just heading to the beach. I wore a one piece bathing suit with black shorts, as a cute cover-up; paired with some plastic Birkenstock dupes.

7.  Wear a Cute Outfit to Watch the Shows

One of my favorite things to do on the cruise, besides hitting up the restaurants, was watching the different shows. For the shows, you can go as casual or as dressy as you’d like. In this outfit, I wore stretchy denim jeans with a loose blouse, while my friend went for a black and white midi dress.

8. Wear a Fancy Outfit to a Dinner Reservation

One of the things that got me most excited for dinner reservations was dressing up a little fancier for the evening and enjoying the nighttime ambiance. For one of my dinners, I wore a mid length green dress with an abstract floral pattern. 

The floral details gave it a casual and tropical feel. While the deep green color and silhouette made it look a bit more polished and put together than my casual daytime outfits.

What to Wear on a Cruise

So, when it comes to what to wear on a cruise, here are some of my overall thoughts and things to consider when planning your cruise outfits:

9. Dress for Your Voyage Destination

Depending on where your cruise is headed. Whether it’s Alaska, the Caribbean, Europe, or somewhere else, be sure to dress for both the weather and the overall vibe of your trip. Each destination has its own atmosphere, so choose outfits that fit the climate and match the tone of your voyage.

10. Pack Clothes for Your Excursions

If you’re planning to do any excursions at your port stops, make sure to pack outfits that fit those activities. Whether it’s hiking, snorkeling, or exploring local towns, bring comfortable and practical clothes suited for each adventure.

11. Bring a Bathing Suit Cover Up

Cruises are super relaxed and laid back. So if you’re planning to spend time poolside soaking up the sun, definitely bring a swimsuit cover-up. It’s perfect for when you want to lounge by the pool; grab a bite to eat at a nearby dining area; or walk around the ship comfortably without having to change out of your swimsuit.

12. Pack Clothes for Special Themed Party Nights

Don’t forget to pack outfits for any themed parties your cruise line might be hosting! For example, the cruise that I went on, had a pajama night.

13. Pack Clothes That You Don’t Mind Getting Wrinkled

Since most cruises don’t allow irons on board and rooms typically don’t come with one, it’s a good idea to pack clothes that you don’t mind wearing even if they get a little wrinkled. 

14. Sandals

Depending on your cruise, sandals can quickly become your best friend. For me, I brought my trusty pair and wore them with almost every outfit. They were easy to slip on, comfortable, and perfectly matched that casual, beachy, “on the water” vibe.

15. Gym Clothes

If you plan on hitting the gym or joining any exercise classes while on board, don’t forget to pack workout clothes and a pair of sneakers.