Cruises are a great option for travelling and are often a more relaxing and convenient way of getting around. Depending on how long you’re staying on board, there’s more often than not a chance that some formal events, and even themed dinners, will be part of the itinerary. 

Packing the appropriate clothes is crucial to any holiday, and cruises are no exception. In fact, cruises can often enforce a more strict dress code on certain nights, and failure to meet this could result in you being turned away from dinner. Making sure you have formal attire packed for your cruise is essential and almost as important as remembering your passport and toothbrush. To help passengers achieve a comfortable yet elegant wardrobe for their cruise, the award-winning celebrity styling expert Lynne McKenna has shared her tips for packing.

With so much on offer both onboard and off, it’s important to be prepared. Spending the morning on the cruise and the afternoon exploring a city, you don’t want to waste any time having to change outfits. 

“Cruise dress codes tend to be relaxed but polished,” said Lynne. “An elegant kimono worn over a stylish camisole teamed with wide-leg trousers or a lightweight jumpsuit worn with metallic sandals and sequin bag” can easily transform your outfit “without having to overthink it after a day of sightseeing.”

It’s always important to check with the cruise what the itinerary is and whether there are any themed evenings planned, as you can dress up more for these, with evening gowns often being a popular choice of attire. 

Lynne recommends that you “go all out” for those “extra special occasions” with a “sequin detailed evening dress or a jumpsuit.” 

But it’s important to consider your choice of footwear, as anything too uncomfortable could ruin your evening. There’s no need for anything too fancy, and sticking to “embellished kitten heels or a minimal block heel will elevate your look.” 

During the day, “comfort is key” said Lynne, especially if you’re out and about during the day on excursions or sightseeing. Stick to practical shoes like trainers or flat sandals that offer support. 

You also want to consider packing “smart, light and clever” and there’s some pieces Lynne advised not bringing onboard with you. “Avoid heavier fabrics such as denim that will more than likely go unworn and take up too much space.” 

Lightweight fabrics like cotton, linen and plisse take up less space and are easier to style, especially if your destination is somewhere hot. 

These can also be easily “layered during the day, worn separately throughout the holiday and dressed up with metallic or brightly coloured accessories for the evenings”, giving you “the peace of mind that you’ll have something to wear for every occasion.”