How to Pack for a Cruise

From what staple clothes you should take on a cruise so you’ve got outfits for all weather and occasions, to the different types of shoes and number of dresses you need, use our cruise packing tips to feel stylish and comfortable, no matter how many days you’re set to spend at sea.

How many cases you can take on your cruise depends on your cruise provider. Make sure you check your cruiseliner’s luggage limits so you only turn up with the right amount of bags. There’s nothing more frustrating than having to pay for extra luggage, or worse, having bags turned away because they exceed the allowance!

As a rule, cruises aren’t as strict as other means of travel, like aeroplanes. They tend to have recommendations rather than exact rules, with many allowing two pieces of luggage per person alongside a smaller ‘carry-on’ bag. However, check these details with your cruiseliner before you start packing so you know what you’re allowed to take on board (and what you need to leave at home).

Celebrity stylist Lynne McKenna recommends you pack ‘smart, light, and clever’.

“I always recommend styling your cruise core wardrobe beforehand and avoid wasted luggage space. Avoid heavier fabrics, such as denim, that will more than likely go unworn and take up too much space, opting for minimal fuss fabrics such as plisse, clever co-ords and layers that can be worn on repeat.”

So, what to take for your holiday on the seas? Whether you’re sailing for days, weeks, or months, check out our advice for what needs to be in your suitcase to have a ship-shape packing list in no time.

Luggage for 7-day cruises

Heading away for six nights, seven days? You should be able to fit everything you need for your cruise into one suitcase, with plenty of room to pack different outfits for different times of the day. Layers are always one of the best ways of creating several looks using the same piece, so make sure you’ve got a couple of cardigans or cover up in your bag to make dressing up or down simpler, and keep you warm in any weather.

One of the top tips from our expert, Lynne, is to ‘choose lightweight pieces that are easily mixed and matched, sticking to a colour palette you love and that can be worked into multiple looks with minimal effort’.

Luggage for cruises over a week

If you’re packing for a cruise that’s longer than a week, then lucky you! Again, you’ll need to know the number of cases you’re allowed on your particular holiday, but most liners allow a couple of bags per passenger. Whether you’re heading away for a fortnight or you’re set to be sailing for a few months, the capsule holiday wardrobe really comes into its own.

Go to the holiday shop.

Onto the fun part, the packing itself. Wherever you’re jetting off on holiday, we always recommend writing down what you need to take to make packing as straightforward as possible. (And to minimise the chance of forgetting something!)

What to take on a cruise to warm destinations

Are you sailing somewhere that’s sunny and hot? You’ll need to pack in a similar way to that of a classic summer holiday. Think linen shorts and cotton t-shirts for comfy daytime exploring, strappy summer dresses for afternoons on the sand, and a lightweight cardigan or pair of cropped trousers for casual evenings ashore.

You’ll also need a dress or occasionwear for formal evenings on the ship. Whether you’re only away for a few nights or you’re travelling for longer, your cruise will have ‘formal nights’. These give you the perfect chance to dress up in your gladrags for an evening of fine food and fabulous entertainment. Over to Lynne for more advice!

“Many cruises offer one or two formal nights, which are the perfect chance to get dressed up and feel glamorous. It’s important to check with the cruise you have booked to see if there are themed evenings and how many dressier occasions you will need to pack for.”

Soft, flowing fabrics, like chiffon, exude style and glamour while keeping you cool in the warm evening sun. Or, you could opt for a little black dress for a simple but sophisticated look that you can accessorise to your heart’s content.

Capsule Wardrobe Packing List for a Cruise

If your ship is set to sail in cooler weather, you need to pack clothes that are going to keep you warm - but that doesn’t mean compromising style.

Travelling to somewhere cold but breathtaking, like the Norwegian Fjords? Cosy knits are your best friend because you can layer under and over them, depending on the temperature that day. Pair a jumper with fitted jeans or tucked into a long skirt for a contemporary twist on a classic style.

Remember to pack the right style of coat for your trip, too. If there’s a chance of rain, one of our hooded jackets will keep you dry, without ruining your look. For cool weather where the sun still shines, a quilted jacket offers an ideal amount of padding, while stitching details provide a trendy finish.

For cocktail hour in the evening, you can’t go wrong with a velvet dress. Add a patterned scarf for more low-key affairs or bring the glam with a faux fur cover up, and you’re all set to feel snug during a crisp evening.

Wherever you’re heading and however long for, packing a capusle wardrobe is key to making new outfits every day of your cruise. Staples you can’t be without include:

• Versatile bottoms (think shorts, skirts, and trousers) that work well with casual tops and t-shirts, but can also be accentuated with a party top for effortless glam.
• Neutral basics, from cami vests to maxi skirts, which you can rewear multiple times with different tops for different occasions, be that a daytime excursion or evening cocktail hour.
• A cover up or cardigan to keep you cosy during cooler days or nights after the sun has gone down.
• Your favourite accessories, because you can’t afford to waste valuable packing space on three necklaces or five scarves you might use - you need to make sure you’ve got room for what you’ll actually wear!
• An appropriate hat (or two). Make sure you’re prepped with the right headwear to keep the sun off your face or ears warm. Straw hats are a classic look for beach days, keeping you cool and collected, whereas knitted bobble hats are a fun but sure way of staying snug in the wind or snow.

Can you wear the same dress multiple times on a cruise?

Yes! There’s nothing wrong with rewearing the same dress on your cruise holiday, particularly if you’re away for several months. Most cruises will have a laundry facility, too, so no matter how many times you wear a piece, you can make sure it’s looking and smelling fresh for its next time out of the wardrobe.

While summer holiday dresses tend to be worn on sunny days, they’re also perfect for warm evenings, too. Pairing them with heeled sandals and jazzy accessories will instantly lift them for drinks or dinner plans, and adding a fedora and staple white trainers will give your day look a modern finish, perfect for off-board adventures.

It’s harder to rewear an evening gown in the daytime, but that doesn’t mean you can’t rewear your occasion dress! Why not pack a cover up that complements your frock? Pull out one of its colours and choose your accessories around this to give your evening dress a new lease of life.

Or if you’re tight on suitcase space, many maxi dresses can be dressed up with the right heels or embellished sandals, statement earrings, and slick of lipstick for an outfit you’ll feel fab and comfy in all night long.