Cruise Packing List and Rundown on Cruise Line Dress Codes

What to pack for a cruise vacation: rundown of cruise line dress codes and cruise packing list.

I confess. I am a reformed over-packer. There have been many cruise vacations where I have brought clothes (and shoes) home that never saw the light of day. Now that I have a system (pack in advance and bring mostly clothes that can be used more than once), I have extra room in my suitcase for souvenirs.

Know the code: Making sense of cruise line dress codes

Besides making sure that your passport, money, and tickets are secure, the biggest challenge for most cruisers is what to wear on a cruise (including how to dress for formal night.)

Know the code

Resort Casual; Country Club Casual; Cruise Casual
Acceptable clothing options …For men, bring sportswear, sports slacks, khakis, golf shirts, shorts, pants, and a sport coat (not required). Women can wear dresses, skirts, shorts, capri pants, shorts, blouses.

Informal
Anything goes. Keep in mind that most cruise lines don’t allow bare feet, tanks tops, or jeans in the dining room during dinner.

Semi formal or Elegant casual
Men can wear a jacket; Women may opt for a cocktail dress, pants suit, or dress.

Formal
For men, this means black tie/tuxedo or formal dark suit for men. For ladies, formal means a long evening gown (could include a long skirt). On some cruise lines a cocktail dress can be substituted for the longer hem line.

For those that want to remain casual, keep in mind that the buffet usually serves the same food found in the main dining room in the evening.

What to expect on the ships: dress codes by cruise lines

• Azamara Club Cruises: Resort casual. There are not any “formal nights.”
• Carnival Cruise Line:  Cruise Casual, Cruise Elegant, and formal nights.
• Celebrity Cruises:  Mostly casual or informal nights with a few formal evenings during a 7-day cruise.
• Costa Cruises:  Resort casual and a couple formal nights.
• Crystal Cruises: Casual, informal or formal dress codes. Prepare for 3 formal nights if you are sailing on a 10 to 14 night cruise.
• Cunard Line: Casual, elegant casual, semi-formal, and formal.
• Disney Cruise Line: Casual, semi-formal, formal, and “pirate.”
• Holland America: Smart-casual and formal nights are offered.
• Norwegian Cruise Line: NCL does not have a “formal” dress code.
• Oceania Cruises: Resort casual.
• Princess Cruises: Smart-casual is the norm with a couple formal evenings.
• Regent Seven Seas Cruises: Elegant-casual after 6 pm.
• Royal Caribbean International: guests can prepare for formal, smart-casual and casual nights. For cruises that are three, four or five-night cruises plan for one formal night A 7-night cruise will have 2 formal nights.
• Seabourn Cruise Line: Formal, elegant-casual and casual evenings.
• Silversea Cruises: Casual resort wear is appropriate during the day. Evenings call for casual, informal or formal attire.
• Windstar: Although there are is no formal dress code, Windstar suggests slacks and collared shirts or polos for men and sundresses, slacks and informal cocktail dresses for women.

Pre-cruise planning tips

• Verify that your passport is current and has enough blank pages for your destination
• Renew your passport six months in advance or plan to pay an expedited fee
• Check the expiration date on your passport
• Check with your travel advisor or cruise line about Visa requirements
• Make a copy of your passport to take with you
• Check your monthly bill payment schedule and make arrangements for payment if necessary
• Check exchange rates and know how much money you want to bring
• Try to get some local currency from your bank ahead of times; be aware of the exchange rate and hidden fees
• When traveling with credit cards, notify the credit card company that you are traveling outside the country, and make sure you have sufficient credit line for your trip at upon embarkation to cover the cost of your on-board expenses
• Notify bank if you plan to use your ATM/Debit card in a foreign country, note any fees
• Double check all travel documents for the correct spelling of your name as it appears on your proof of citizenship
• Book or recheck your air tickets. Is the flight schedule correct? Is your name correct? Are you ticketed to fly on the right dates and at the right times?
• Check your seat assignment; don’t assume that you have a good seat
• Complete the cruise line’s online pre-boarding forms
• Check airline fees and luggage restrictions: dimensions and overweight bag charges
• Did you get trip insurance? It’s never to late
• Make arrangement to have your mail/newspaper stopped or held
• Notify your home security system of your out of town status
• Schedule newspaper cancellation
• Place a vacation hold on your mail
• Prepare a list of important numbers to take with you, i.e., credit card numbers in case they are lost, phone your physician, phone numbers of family members in case of emergency
• Prepare peal/stick labels if you like to send postcards while you are away
• Notify neighbors and relatives. Leave them an itinerary with how to contact you. Be sure they will pick up any unexpected flyers placed on your door or in the driveway
• Place your valuables in your bank safe deposit box
• Set timers in your house

Pack like a pro – packing tips

When you arrive on the ship, you will give your bags to porters who will deliver your bags to your stateroom during the day and early evening. If you are traveling with kids that will want to get in the pool, make sure to bring their bathing suits in your carry-on bags.

Packing List

• Passports with visas (if necessary) or proof of citizenship (check with your cruise line for requirements)
• Vaccination certificate (if required)
• Driver’s license and auto insurance card – in case you decide to rent a car when on shore
• Medical insurance cards and medical history (especially if traveling alone)
• Copy of prescriptions and list of all medicines you are taking
• Another picture id – if you don’t take driver’s license
• Credit cards – be sure to call credit card companies before traveling to alert them you are traveling outside your normal area
• ATM card – make sure to activate for international use if traveling abroad
• Pre-paid phone card or Skype credit
• Cash or traveler’s checks (be sure to keep traveler’s checks receipt in separate location)
• Photocopies of airline tickets, cruise tickets, passports/visas, and itinerary – leave one copy with someone at home
• Contact numbers to report lost/stolen credit cards or traveler’s checks
• Emergency numbers at home
• Currency conversion chart
• Wallet and/or waist pack
• Watch

Meds

• Check prescription meds to be sure you will have enough for your trip
• If you get seasick or carsick easily, talk to your physician about remedies or use of “the patch.” Also, you might want to buy sea bands — small, elasticized bands that cover both wrists and have proven helpful in preventing nausea. You’ll find these in most drugstores
• Medical Records. If you have significant medical problems, take along a copy of your records and tests

Reading Material and Necessities

• glasses, contacts, contact cleaner
• extra reading glasses
• sunglasses
• reading sunglasses
• guidebooks and other ports of call information
• foreign language phrase book or dictionary
• maps
• reading material – books to read while on the plane or lounging by the pool
• journal or notebook and pen & pencil
• business cards with email address to give out to new friends
• home and email addresses of friends/relatives back home – for sending postcards, emails, or gifts

Technology Matters

Will your cell phone work on the ship? Call your provider and familiarize yourself with the fees. Contact your cell phone provider for destination packages, activate international plan if applicable. Make sure to include a stop date if you are adding an additional international plan.

Taking your laptop? check wireless plan and learn how to stay connected at sea, including the fees.

• batteries and charges
• digital camera(s) and extra memory cards
• video equipment
• plug adaptor and converter
• cell phone and charger
• ipad or e-reader with charger
• laptop computer
• extra memory cards for photos
• disposable underwater camera – for snorkeling or beach days
• batteries for digital camera
• battery charger
• extension cord/power strip with multiple plug-ins
• headphones and music player
• small travel alarm clock – battery operated
• lighted dial clock for cruise ship cabin
• small flashlight

Other “Necessities

• medicine kit
• prescription drugs and any other essential
• ear plugs or “ear planes”
• small first aid kit (bandages, q-tips, Vaseline, Dramamine, antibiotic cream)
• aspirin, Tylenol, Advil
• anti-germicidal hand cleaner
• handi-wipes (for cleaning hands when ashore)
• hand lotion
• rubbing alcohol or foot lotion
• bug spray
• sunscreen
• duct tape or strapping tape
• extra plastic cable-lock ties for securing luggage for return
• extra luggage name tags (in case yours are lost on the outbound trip)
• zip bags of all sizes and garbage/laundry bags
• corkscrew (be sure to put in checked luggage)
• small umbrella
• collapsible travel pillow for long airplane flights
• playing cards
• sports gear snorkeling gear
• shoe horn
• sewing kit
• travel-sized Woolite
• clothes pins
• empty folding tote bag – for souvenirs or the beach
• hats/caps/visors
• insulated large coffee mugs

Women’s Cruise Clothing Packing List

• undergarmets
• lingerie/night gown/pajamas/robe
• compression stockings (for airplane flight to prevent swollen ankles)
• exercise/walking socks
• pantyhose, tights, or leggings
• purses (day and evening)
• belts
• scarves
• gloves and cap
• walking shoes
• walking sandals
• rubber sandals
• evening shoes
• jewelry and extra watch
• swim suit
• swim suit cover-up
• work out clothes
• dress/outfit for informal nights on ship
• dress/outfit for formal nights
• dress/outfit for casual nights
• shorts
• tops of all types (sleeveless, short-sleeved, long-sleeved)
• capri pants
• slacks
• windbreaker jacket
• sweatshirt
• evening sweater
• raincoat with hood

Women’s Sundries and Miscellaneous

• hair iron, curling iron or curlers comb/brush
• hair gel
• hair spray (non-aerosol)
• shampoo/conditioner
• shower cap
• bar soap in container
• deodorant
• toothbrush/toothpaste
• dental floss
• mouthwash
• tweezers
• make-up/make-up remover
• cleanser
• moisturizer
• nail polish and remover
• nail clippers and file (be sure to pack in checked luggage)
• razor and shaving cream

Men’s Cruise Clothing Packing List

• underwear
• undershirts
• pajamas and robe
• compression socks
• exercise/walking socks
• black dress socks
• belts
• gloves and cap stocking cap
• walking shoes
• walking sandals
• rubber sandals
• evening or dress shoes
• casual shoes
• tuxedo jacket and pants (or dark suit)
• tuxedo tie, suspenders, cummerbund
• tuxedo cufflinks/studs
• sport jacket
• regular ties
• tuxedo shirt, dress shirts
• suit swim
• work out clothes
• t shirts
• shorts
• casual shirts
• slacks (casual and dress)
• windbreaker or raincoat with hood
• sweatshirt

Men’s Sundries and Miscellaneous

• comb/brush
• shampoo and hair products
• bar soap in plastic container
• deodorant
• toothbrush/toothpaste , dental floss mouthwash
• tweezers
• nail clippers and file (be sure to pack in checked luggage)
• razor and shaving supplies