What to Wear on a Cruise: Real Outfits for Sea Days, Dinners, and Everything In Between
Photo Credit: ajailawalker
Packing for a cruise sounds easy in theory. You’re on vacation. There’s a ship. There’s the ocean. How hard can it be?
In reality, cruise packing is confusing because you’re dressing for multiple lives in one trip. Pool days, port excursions, casual dinners, formal nights, wildly different climates, and a ship that somehow manages to be hot on deck and freezing indoors at the same time. Most people either overpack “just in case” or underpack and end up panic-shopping onboard.
I’ve been on multiple cruises across different destinations, and this guide is built from real outfits that actually worked for me
This guide breaks it down simply. These are real outfit ideas that work for how cruises actually feel day to day: relaxed, casual, and occasionally dressed up. Everything here is easy to wear, easy to pack, and easy to rewear throughout your trip, with Amazon-friendly pieces you can grab without overplanning. Think outfits that make sense, feel good, and still look intentional from morning to night.
Ready to start packing? Don't forget to grab your copy of my 70 Things To Add To Your Carry On Packing List.
Quick Answer: What Should You Wear on a Cruise?
Daytime: relaxed, breathable pieces you can walk in without thinking twice
Evenings: smart casual most nights, with formalwear fully optional
Shoes matter more than outfits (this is where people usually get it wrong)
Layers are non-negotiable, even on warm-weather cruises
What to Wear on a Cruise During the Day
Cruise days are built around movement walking decks, grabbing coffee, drifting between the pool and lunch so daytime outfits should feel easy without slipping into sloppy. Lightweight tops, relaxed bottoms, and shoes you can actually stand in for a few hours matter more than looking “vacation styled.” The goal is comfort that still looks intentional, especially when you realize you’ll run into the same people multiple times before dinner.
Amazon
Crochet Tank Top
$19.99
Amazon
Linen Blouse
$24.99
Amazon
Tie Front Tank Top
$19.99
Amazon
Summer Crewneck Loose Fit Tank Tops
$9.99
Amazon
Cotton Linen Pants
$32.99
Amazon
2 Pack Women's Linen Shorts Elastic
$52.99
What to Wear on a Cruise for Port Days & Excursions
Port days demand more from your clothes than ship days. You’re walking longer distances, dealing with uneven streets, heat, or sudden weather changes, and carrying your essentials with you. Outfits should prioritize mobility and security nothing that needs constant adjusting or limits how far you can go. If something only works for photos, it’s probably the wrong choice for an excursion.
Amazon
Tennis Dress With Built in Shorts
$36.99
While linen sets are great for walking the ship, you're definitely going to spend time by the pool. I’ve already done the digging for you—check out my curated list of the Best Amazon Swimsuits to find a flattering, budget-friendly suit that looks like a high-end boutique find.
Amazon
Strapless Tube Top Sleeveless Skort
$39.99
Amazon
Distressed Denim Shorts
$25.59
Amazon
Matching Gym Set
$32.99
What to Wear on a Cruise at Night
Evenings on a cruise feel dressier by default, but not formal in the traditional sense. Think elevated versions of what you’d wear to a nice dinner at home polished silhouettes, better fabrics, and shoes that look refined without punishing your feet. Air-conditioned dining rooms and breezy decks also mean layers matter more than people expect.
Amazon
Short Sleeve V Neck Jumpsuit
$39.89
Amazon
One Piece Jumpsuit
$39.99
Amazon
Bodycon Maxi Tube Dress
$49.99
Amazon
Sleeveless V Neck Summer Cutout Spaghetti Dress
$59.99
What to Wear on a Cruise for Dinner
Dinner outfits depend less on trends and more on understanding the setting. Main dining rooms lean toward smart casual, while specialty restaurants quietly expect a step up. The safest approach is choosing outfits that read polished without being restrictive pieces that hold their shape, fit well, and don’t rely on rules you’ll end up questioning at the host stand.
Amazon
Sleeveless Blazer and High Waist Shorts Set
$55.89
Amazon
Summer Mini Halter Dress
$40.99
Amazon
Long Sleeve Button Down Shirt + Flare Pleated Wide Leg Pants Sets
$41.99
What to Wear on Formal Night (If You Choose to Participate)
Formal night on modern cruises is far more flexible than the name suggests. You’ll see everything from cocktail dresses to jumpsuits to tailored separates, and opting out entirely is more common than people admit. The key is choosing something that feels special to you, not something you’ll resent wearing halfway through the night.
Amazon
Off Shoulder Lace Trim Jumpsuit
$43.99
Amazon
Ruched Bodycon Dress
$39.99
Formal night is the best time to lean into silhouettes that highlight your favorite features. If you're still narrowing down your options, check out my breakdown on how to find the perfect dress for your body to ensure you feel like the best-dressed person on the ship.
Shoes to Pack for a Cruise (This Is Where Most People Get It Wrong)
Shoes make or break a cruise wardrobe, and most overpacking happens here. You need pairs that can handle long walks, casual ship days, and evenings without overlap that wastes space. Anything that only works with one outfit or hurts after twenty minutes will end up untouched at the bottom of your suitcase.
Amazon
adidas Women's X_PLR Path Running Shoes
$65
Amazon
Memory Foam Sandals
$69.99
Amazon
Project Cloud 100% Genuine Leather Sandals
$49
What NOT to Wear on a Cruise
Cruise style mistakes usually come down to optimism. Shoes that feel fine for dinner rarely survive a full day of walking decks, ports, and stairs. Fabrics that wrinkle, trap heat, or show sweat lose quickly in warm, humid climates. And overly formal pieces tend to live in the closet the entire trip, especially if you opt out of formal night. The biggest offender, though, is overpacking “just in case” outfits. Cruises are repetitive by nature. If something doesn’t work for multiple settings, it’s probably not earning its space.
Cruise Packing Tips That Actually Save Space
The easiest way to pack lighter is to think in outfit formulas rather than standalone looks.
When most of your pieces live in the same color family, you can rotate tops, bottoms, and layers without planning separate outfits for every moment. In reality, you’ll repeat silhouettes more than you expect.
A cruise week doesn’t require seven completely different wardrobes. It requires a small, flexible set that works for daytime, evenings, and excursions, whether you’re carrying on or checking a bag.
Amazon
Luggage Sets 5 Piece
$129.99
Packing Pro-Tip: Having the right luggage is only half the battle—knowing what goes inside it is where the real stress happens. To make sure you don’t leave the essentials behind, I put together a free 70 Things To Add To Your Carry On Packing List guide. Download it, print it out, and check things off as you go so you can head to the pier with total peace of mind!"
Amazon
20in Carry On Luggage with Cup Holder and USB Port
$105.99
FAQs: What to Wear on a Cruise
-
Most days on a cruise are casual. Think: breathable basics you can move in—T-shirts or tanks, linen or denim shorts, sundresses, relaxed pants, and comfy sandals or sneakers. If you’re doing a port day, wear walkable shoes and bring a light layer (ships can be cold inside).
-
No. Most cruises have a mix of casual nights and a few dressier dinners. You can usually keep it “smart casual” (a midi dress, jumpsuit, skirt + top, or nice pants + blouse). Some cruise lines have a formal night, but participation is optional on many ships—if you skip it, there’s often a more relaxed dining option.
-
Yes jeans are fine on most cruises, especially for evenings or cooler sailings (like Alaska). Go for lighter-weight denim and avoid super stiff pairs if it’s hot. The only time jeans might feel out of place is at the pool, beach ports, or very warm Caribbean days then you’ll want linen, cotton, or shorts instead.
-
Pack three pairs max that cover everything:
Walking sneakers (port days/excursions)
Flat sandals or slides (pool deck + casual days)
A dressier shoe (low heel, wedge, or polished flat for dinner/formal night)
Skip brand-new shoes (blisters) and anything that’s slippery—ship decks can get slick.
-
A simple “cruise capsule” works best:
Daytime: sundresses, matching sets, tanks + shorts, breezy pants
Port days: comfy top + breathable bottoms + sneakers + hat
Evening: midi/maxi dress, jumpsuit, or trousers + elevated top
Extras: swimsuit + cover-up, light cardigan/denim jacket, sun protection
The key is comfort + easy outfit repeats—re-wear the same sandals, rotate 2–3 bottoms, and swap tops to create new looks without overpacking.
Creator Images used for editorial purposes only. All rights belong to their respective creators. We always link and give credit.
