STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

AllieGurl · Marc Jacobs

Cruise wear - what to bring?

Mitz · BCBG

Congrats on booking your cruise! You are going to have so much fun!

First of all, how long is the cruise? The best way to find out how many "dressy" nights/dinners there will be would be to call the cruise line and inquire about your particular cruise as they vary amongst different lines.

As for outfit changes, I usually just wear my bathing suit under shorts and tee or sundress for breakfast as that's pretty casual. I'll wear that for the duration of the day depending if I'm staying on the ship or if docked and going off the ship. I then just change for dinner and shows or whatever and stay that way till I go to bed. On the dressy nights I might change out of my dress and dress more casually to go to the late night stuff.

As for a purse, that's up to you. I tend to carry one with me as I like to have lip gloss and a compact on me. Everything on the cruise is all inclusive, except for alcohol, but you get a little card to carry around with you to charge on your room if you order a drink.

Enjoy!!!

Maven · BCBG

I envy you. We were going to cruise the Mexican Riviera last February but my husband got sick and we had to cancel. (So happy we had cancellation insurance!)

The cruise line should send you a brochure that lists formal/informal nights and dress "standards." You can also get the info on the company's website. Some lines are more formal than others. On a week cruise you would probably have one formal night and two semi-formal. You will see a variety of dress on the formal nights, so don't stress on that one. Some people don't like getting dressed up and will eat in the casual places rather than the dining room.

Cruisecritic.com has a lot of information as well as discussion boards for the different lines and also a fashion board, so you can go there and ask specific questions. (There is an eternal discussion on whether you can wear white after Labor Day. In the Caribbean? They don't have Labor Day!)

I like to carry a small bag around on the ship. Some people carry their cruise cards in lanyards. Like Mitz, most days I wear casual clothes and change only once for dinner. You can stay in your swimsuit with a coverup as needed most of the day.

ILoveChoo · Hermes

I usually wear something easy to throw on but comfy- like a sundress or a loose skirt with a fitted T. The same kind of outfit works for most dinners too (there are usually no shorts/tanks rules at dinner even on casual nights). On a weeklong cruise there will be one or two dressier dinners. People really interpret this a ton of ways- some will wear evening gowns, but most will wear more of a LBD type thing. I'm usually surprised at how underdressed people seem to think they can get away with too. I'd go with a LBD o DVF type dress with nice shoes/jewelry.

In the day I'll sometimes carry a canvas tote or something with sunblock, a book/magazine, and my keycard. At night or when I didn't need to have stuff with me, I'd usually just make DH keep the key in his pocket.

Have fun! I love cruises

AllieGurl · Marc Jacobs

Thanks girls - I am taking a 7 day cruise and some of the cruising tips I have read some a little over the top.

Thank goodness I dont have to wear evening gowns - other than my bridesmaid dress from my sisters wedding I dont own any! ( and trust me I wouldnt be wearing that again anyways!)

greendiamond · Marc Jacobs

A small, casual wristlet woud be ideal for carrying on the ship. It will also fit nicely in a beach bag when out on excursions.

As for the number of outfits, I have a day outfit, a dinner outfit, and a third outfit for after dinner on the dressier nights, plus a few extra day outfits. On the excursion days I liked two day outfits. The onthe boat days I just had a bathing suit, paero and a tank top.

The cruise website will note how many formal and semi formal night their are, and the look does vary so don't worry about it too much. You can also look on the web site to help you choose which excursions you'll want to do, and will have an easier time choosing your outfits for those days.

HTH

You'll love it!