cruise embarkation outfit

What Should You Wear on Embarkation Day on a Cruise?

By: Author Carrie Ann Karstunen

Posted on Published: July 5, 2021  - Last updated: March 13, 2023

If you’re new to cruising, you’re probably wondering what to wear on embarkation day – the first day of your cruise. Here’s how to plan your embarkation day outfit.

If you’re anything like me, you always want to make sure you have the right outfit for any occasion. There’s nothing worse than showing up to an event and realizing that you’re way underdressed. Or you assume an event is formal, but when you show up everyone’s in shorts!

For many first-time cruisers , figuring out what you should wear on embarkation day can be confusing.

But once you experience your first embarkation day on a cruise , you’ll see that people wear a wide range of casual outfits on the first day—from basic tees and shorts to pretty sundresses or a golf shirt with chinos.

You don’t need to dress up! In fact, I can’t remember ever seeing anyone decked out in formalwear at embarkation. So if you were worried that you needed an elegant outfit to get on the ship, don’t stress. You’ll have plenty of opportunities to break out your dressiest clothes later on in the cruise if you want to.

Embarkation day is all about having fun, so wearing what you’re comfortable in is key. Just think about what you want to do on your first day aboard, and plan your embarkation day outfit with that in mind.

How to plan what to wear on embarkation day

With the wide range of casual clothes that cruisers wear on the first day, you won’t feel out of place wearing whatever feels comfortable to you, within reason of course!

On most cruise lines, attire has become a lot less dressy than it used to be. Of course on very traditional lines like Cunard, or on ultra-luxury ships (think Regent Seven Seas or Seabourn), you might see passengers a bit more dressed up on embarkation day. But even on these cruises, dress will be more “elegant casual” as opposed to formal.

If you’re sailing on a mainstream cruise line, casual resort wear is just fine. Here are some examples of what I usually see cruisers wear when boarding the ship:

• Short sleeve or sleeveless tops
• Golf shirts or polos
• Casual button-up shirts or blouses
• Casual pants
• Casual rubber-soled shoes
• Tennis shoes

So it’s really up to you what end of the resort-casual spectrum you’d like to wear on the first day of your cruise. But if you’ve already researched all the fun things you’d like to see and do soon after you board, you might want to consider your outfit a bit more carefully.

Here are some important questions to ask yourself before you choose what to wear on embarkation day.

What’s the weather going to be like on deck?

If you’re sailing from a tropical destination, odds are you’ll be fine wearing your lightweight summer clothes to board the ship. But cruises that depart from cooler climates (or if there’s nasty weather) call for just a little more planning.

If the weather’s been unpredictable in your cruise port, be sure to dress in layers or pack some warmer clothes in your carry on bag.

For cruises leaving from cooler climates, you’ll probably see people wearing more practical clothes that fit the weather at the port. Depending on the temperature, you might not be spending much time outside on the first day!

Do you have a photo package (or are you planning on taking lots of pics the first day)?

Most mainstream cruise lines (and some luxury ones) employ photographers to take pictures of guests enjoying their vacations. Sometime after you check in and before you embark the ship, you’ll likely be called over by some very enthusiastic crew members! They’ll want to take your group’s embarkation day photo in front of a festive backdrop.

It’s free to pose for any of these pics, and you’ll be able to see them later in the ship’s photo gallery. Then you can decide if you’d like to buy a print of the photo, or even purchase a package with a certain amount of photo prints to remember your cruise.

If you already know that you’ll want to buy a package, consider dressing up a bit more for embarkation day so you’ll have pics you’ll be proud to show to friends or on social media.

Of course, you can always take your own embarkation day photos , or ask another guest to snap a pic of your group. If documenting every day of your cruise vacation is important to you, consider dressing the way you’d like to be seen in these photos.

Are you planning to swim, sunbathe, or relax in the hot tub soon after embarkation?

If you’re dreaming of hitting the Lido deck right away to enjoy the pool, sunbathe on a lounger, or soothe your achy muscles in the hot tub, remember that having your swimsuit when you board is key to having fun on embarkation day!

Staterooms usually aren’t ready to use until mid-afternoon, and your checked luggage might take hours to arrive at your stateroom.

I like to wear my swimsuit under my clothes on embarkation day every time I take a warm-weather cruise. If the urge hits me to take a dip (or if a miracle occurs and there’s an open hot tub), I won’t have to worry about changing in a cramped public restroom stall.

Cruise pro tip: pack a change of underwear in a gallon ziploc bag and put it in your embarkation day carry-on bag . You can swap it out for your wet suit after you enjoy the pool, without getting everything else in your bag damp.

Where are you planning to enjoy your embarkation day lunch?

If you know you just want to have a super-casual lunch on embarkation day, like at the buffet or the outdoor grill on the Lido deck, you can confidently wear your most casual outfit when you board the ship. You’ll be able to walk up and order from the grill in a bikini or swim trunks, then enjoy your meal at your sun lounger or a nearby table.

Visiting the buffet (usually located indoors just steps away from the pool) requires you to cover up a little more than you’d need to at the poolside eatery. Cruise buffets are famously casual, but be sure to put on your shorts and tee (or a cover up) before entering the buffet.

Cruise pro tip: pack a casual swim cover-up if you’ll be eating inside at the buffet—you’ll be turned away if you show up in just your swimsuit! Check my 20+ Cute Swim Coverups for Cruises & Beach Travel for some stylish but inexpensive options for all ages and body types.

Seasoned cruisers know that there’s often one main dining restaurant open on embarkation day. Would you prefer a lovely three-course meal with white tablecloths and personalized service for your embarkation day lunch?

I always do! Although odds are you won’t be turned away from the MDR at lunch for wearing shorts and a casual tee, I like dressing up a tiny bit more for an elegant embarkation day meal.

Are you traveling with a larger family or other group?

Something I’ve noticed over the past few years is the popularity of themed t-shirts for groups of cruisers on embarkation day. Whether you’re doing a huge family reunion or just a small get-together on a cruise vacation, themed tees are definitely a trend.

Wearing custom-printed t-shirts for embarkation day, especially in a bright color, makes it easy to spot other members of your group as you explore the ship.

Do you have plans for an early dinner?

Usually, checked luggage arrives at your stateroom well before dinner time. That will often give you plenty of time to shower, do your hair and makeup, and dress up before your meal.

But if you have plans to dress for a main dining room or specialty dinner on embarkation day, you might not have access to your luggage in time to get ready if you’re not already wearing the right clothes.

If you prefer to start your evening meal between 4:30 and 5:30 PM, this is considered “early dining”. Be aware that there’s a chance your checked luggage won’t make it to your stateroom in time to dress for an early dinner.

You may also like: What New Cruisers Don’t Know About Cruise Food & Drinks

Do you really not feel like changing your clothes later?

Maybe it’s just me, but I really don’t like changing my clothes multiple times a day! OK, I do enjoy the novelty of occasionally dressing for dinner on a cruise that has a formal night or two. But embarkation day is so busy and exciting that I’m rarely in the mood to think about planning more than one ensemble for the day.

Generally, I’d rather wear something that can take me from poolside to an elegant meal, and any situation in between. After that, I might want to enjoy a cocktail in the lounge, try my hand at the casino, see a show—and maybe even dance the night away at the club.

On warm-weather sailings, I always embark wearing a comfortable sundress and flat, neutral sandals. This kind of outfit works well with whatever I want to do on that first day! If I want to dress it up for dinner and post-dinner activities, I’ll change out my jewelry, add a simple pair of heels, and carry a light cardigan or wrap because of the chilly air conditioning indoors.

But do you want to look a little more elegant on embarkation day, and you don’t like wearing dresses? I’ve got you. Consider a short or long romper in an airy, woven material. Or a pair of lightweight cropped pants with your favorite summery top.

Mr. SBC likes his comfort (but also enjoys putting on a suit and tie on formal nights). When we cruise together, he usually wears a golf shirt and shorts or lightweight chinos on embarkation day, with sandals, boat shoes, or slip-on Vans.

You may also like: How to Prevent Wrinkled Clothes on a Cruise

How to dress the kids for embarkation day

If you’re cruising with your kids or grandkids , casual comfy outfits are key. For warm-weather cruises, shorts and tees are just fine for anyone, especially the younger passengers.

Depending on the age of your kids, they might have certain activities they’re most excited about. You might dress them up before boarding for photos or in anticipation of an elegant dinner, but they just want to stay in the kids’ club with their new friends!

Other kids might want nothing more than to swim in the pool. Even if you’ve dressed your whole family in adorable matching outfits for embarkation pics, pack swimsuits and a casual change of clothes in your day bag so everyone can have fun.

You may also like: Cruising with Kids: 19 Essential Tips

What do you like to wear on embarkation day? Or is your first sailing coming up and you still have questions about what to wear on the first day of a cruise? Let me know in the comments below!

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Lisa at Following the Rivera

Friday 30th of July 2021

I’ve never been on a cruise so these tips are useful. I'd also wear a swimsuit beneath my sundress in case I want to swim. It's good to know dressing is casual too.

Hi Lisa, I hope you're able to experience a cruise - it's such a fun way to travel! I'm happy you enjoyed reading my tips on what to wear.

Sophie Batista

Thursday 29th of July 2021

Such a great and beneficial post! I always tend to dress on the comfier side so I am comfortable when traveling so I 100% agree with this post! Thanks for sharing

Hi Sophie, I love to be comfy when I travel, too! Glad you found my tips on what to wear on embarkation day helpful :)

Renata Green

This is such a helpful post. You would think that embarkation is a bit on the fancy side, hence, it's good to know that you can keep it comfortable and casual. Nevertheless, I assume, it's still an exciting event ;-)

Hi Renata, you're right, embarkation day is an exciting event :D Thankfully we can dress casually - it's usually a very busy day!

Wednesday 28th of July 2021

I’ve never been on a cruise, but I think what I have in mind for an embarkation day is right: casual. Good tip also on putting clean underwear in a ziplock if you want to go swimming that day.

Hi Umiko, you've got the right idea for embarkation day! I'm glad you liked my tip :D

Linda (LD Holland)

Tuesday 27th of July 2021

We often travel from cold Canada to warmer destinations. So dressing for embarkation is often a challenge. But we do like to pack lighter clothes and swimwear to relax by the pool. As you said, it is sometimes a delay before you can get to your cabin and get your bags.

Hi Linda, I hear you! We often cruise from Boston, and in spring or fall it can be chilly on deck at embarkation. I still always wear my swimsuit under my clothes in case a miracle happens and there's a hot tub free! :D :D

Tips and information to help you get excited about your next cruise vacation

What to Wear When Boarding a Cruise Ship {Embarkation outfits}

What to wear when boarding a cruise ship is a common question of first-time cruisers. You have probably spent months waiting for and planning for embarkation day, now you want to make sure you have the perfect embarkation day outfit to start your cruise off right.

We will look at all the key considerations when determining what to wear on embarkation day as well as some embarkation day outfit ideas .

This article contains  affiliate links . If you click a link and make a purchase I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. For more information please see the  Disclosure page.

What to wear when boarding a cruise ship?

The short answer is, the outfit you wear on the first day of your cruise should be :

• Comfortable
• Resort casual – I’ll explain below
• Inline with the weather forecast
• Something you want to wear for your embarkation photo
• Adhere to the cruise line’s dress code
• Restaurant approved

You will also want to either wear your bathing suit under your clothes (and pack a change of undies in your cruise carry on bag ), or pack your swimsuit in your cruise embarkation day bag . This is if you plan on checking out the waterslides, cooling off in the pool, soaking in the hot tub or sun tanning on the pool deck.

It is important to remember that you won’t have access to your stateroom until the early afternoon (often around 2pm). Your checked luggage won’t arrive to your cabin until the afternoon or early evening.

Choose an embarkation day outfit that you can wear at least until evening or pack a change of clothes in your cruise carry-on bag.

Let’s look at the answer to what to wear when boarding a cruise ship in more detail.

Resort casual attire – What is this?

Resort casual attire is clothing that is a little step up from casual wear and is what is often accepted at vacation resorts and on cruise ships.

Examples of resort casual attire for women are:

• Shorts (appropriate length)
• Summer skirts

Examples of resort casual attire for men are:

• Polo or golf shirts
• Short-sleeved button up shirt

Resort casual is sometimes referred to as smart casual, but it pretty much the same thing.

If you are looking for all white cruise outfits , this article has 21 of the best.

My daughter’s cute skirt, tank top and sunhat make a great embarkation day cruise outfit.

Things to consider when choosing what to wear when boarding a cruise ship.

1. weather conditions.

It is always a good idea to check the temperature and forecast of your cruise departure port. This will help you determine how warm you need to dress.

Layers can be a good idea, especially for Alaska cruises. A light jacket or cardigan is a good choice.

2. Embarkation day plans

If your plans include any of water activities or sunbathing on the first day of your cruise you will want to wear a bathing suit under your clothes or pack one in your cruise carry on bag .

If you are wearing your swimsuit, don’t forget to pack a pair of undies in your cruise carry-on bag.

Keep in mind that if you pack your swimsuit in your bag, you, in most cases won’t have access to your stateroom until the afternoon. You will have to change in a washroom.

When boarding a cruise ship, kids should definitely wear their bathing suit.

3. Embarkation photo

Most cruise lines have a photo station set up as you board the ship along with professional photographers to capture your first day cruise memories.

There is no obligation to purchase the photo, but it does make a great keepsake and something many cruisers like to collect.

Consider your embarkation photo, is your embarkation outfit one you would want in your photo if you do decide to purchase it?

3. Adhere to the cruise line dress code

Cruise lines can have slightly different rules as far as dress codes. But, for the daytime they are similar. You can read about what NOT to wear on a cruise here.

It is basically something that is respectful, especially in the common areas. No offensive t-shirts, things like that.

The buffet restaurant and other casual dining venues don’t allow swimsuits. You must be covered up. This is often enforced. So basically don’t board the cruise ship wearing nothing but a bikini. Add some cute swim coverups to your cruise packing list.

The main dining room and other specialty restaurants usually have stricter dress code policies. If you aren’t planning on changing your clothes before dinner, be sure your cruise outfit is suitable for your restaurant of choice.

The main restaurant often has a casual dress code for the first night (often still no short shorts, flip flops, baseball caps, etc.) This is because not everyone may have had their luggage delivered to their cabin yet, especially if you have an early dining time.

Each cruise line lists their dress code on their website. You can read what to wear on a Carnival cruise here.

4. Cruise shirts

Cruise shirts with funny sayings are all the rage right now. If you are traveling with a group, consider matching cruise shirts . These make for great photos and are great conversation starters.

Cruise embarkation outfit ideas

For warm-weather cruises, my go to outfit for wearing on the first day of a cruise is a sundress . They are comfortable, can be worn easily over a bathing suit, and are suitable for the restaurants.

This is one of the ones I have. I love that it has pockets . All the summer dresses I buy now have pockets. This one comes in several different colors and patterns.

This is another sundress I have. It too has pockets. This is actually what I wore on embarkation day on our recent Carnival Radiance cruise.

A romper is a cute cruise embarkation outfit idea. Don’t forget your sun hat and sunglasses.

Or go with the cruise casual look of a cute t-shirt and shorts.

You can lots of other great cruise shirt ideas here.

While these embarkation day outfit ideas are a great choice for a Caribbean cruise or a Mediterranean cruise, you will want warmer clothes for Alaskan cruises .  In that case choose nice jeans or pants and a top .  This will depend on the temperature of your departing cruise port.

This classy top with a black cardigan would be a nice cruise outfit for cooler temperatures.

Any of these cruise outfits can be worn on sea days or on shore excursions as well.

Dresslily has some cute sundresses as well.

Embarkation day outfit ideas for men

Here are a few examples of what men might want to wear on the first day of a cruise.

For men who like to wear golf shirts (polo shirts) there is a nice vacation themed one.

Comfortable travel pants like these is a good choice for Alaska or cooler temperature cruises.

The first day of your cruise you don’t have to worry about any of the formal wear you may have brought.  Those cocktail dresses or little black dress and dark suit you packed will look amazing on the formal nights.  But, cruise line dress codes the first night will likely be a casual night.

What to wear when boarding a cruise ship summary

In summary, preparing for embarkation day on a cruise ship is all about finding the balance between comfort and style. Whether you are planning to lounge by the pool, explore the ship’s amenities, or just soak in the excitement, choosing the right embarkation outfit sets the tone for your cruise adventure.

Remember to check your cruise line’s specific dress code guidelines, pack smartly in your cruise carry-on, and don’t forget those essential items like sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat.

Embarkation day is exciting, enjoy every minute of it. These embarkation day tips can help you make the most out of your first day on the ship.

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15 Cruise Embarkation Day Tips Every Cruiser Should Know

Are you nervous about the challenges of Cruise Embarkation Day? Worry not because you’re not alone.

I’m Zoe, and on my early cruises, I used to be highly nervous about the departure day and its entire process.

The major stress inducers for me were customs and security checks, along with waiting in long lines during peak embarkation times.

Well, after gaining some experience, I started following some tips that enhanced my departure day experience, and now it’s a favorite for me.

So welcome to this guide, fellas! I’m excited to share my personal tips with you that will make your embarkation process a smoother ride. My tips will cover everything from planning ahead to organizing essential documents and much more.

So, without any further ado, let’s jump into it.

Table of Contents

1- Check-In Online

Pre-cruise online check-in is one of the most important tips to reduce the time spent waiting in long lines during the embarkation process.

Every cruise line allows you to check in well before your cruise, most often a month beforehand. So go ahead, provide information and documents in advance, and streamline the check-in process.

This is a great opportunity to see what is required and get a boarding time. Usually, you’ll have to submit personal details, travel documentation, and preferences for a smoother departure.

So make sure to perform pre-cruise online check-in to save time.

2- Complete Pre-Cruise Health Requirements

In addition to checking in, you may need to complete a health questionnaire closer to your sailing date.

The pre-cruise h ealth requirements form is necessary for maintaining a healthy and safe environment on cruise ships, complying with international regulations, and ensuring the overall well-being of passengers and crew.

Along with this, pre-cruise health information is very helpful in case of emergencies onboard. Cruise lines can be better prepared to respond quickly and effectively to any medical situations that may arise during the cruise vacations.

So make sure to complete pre-cruise health requirements to save your time and ensure a smoother embarkation process.

3- Fly In The Day Before Your Cruise

What’s more frustrating than missing your cruise departure due to unexpected flight delays? I always suggest flying in the day before your cruise to overcome this issue.

Genuinely speaking, it’s the best strategy for relaxing and unwinding before embarking on your journey.

So, if you don’t want a stressful start to your cruise vacation, panicking about missing the ship, get ahead of the stress by arranging to arrive in your port city the evening before your cruise leaves.

4- Plan Your Transfer In Advance

Not only is early arrival important, but making transportation arrangements ahead of time is also crucial for a smooth and stress-free experience.

No matter the plan, make sure you have it in place before you go. Whether you book through a cruise line, hire a private transfer, get a hotel shuttle, or use public transit or a local cab.

So, make your reservation in advance for booking through the cruise line. And for the rest of the plans, at least know which bus line will take you to the port or the approximate taxi fare from the airport to the cruise port if you’re on a budget.

5- Know Your Ship’s Embarkation Window and Departure Time

These two things are the most important part of the whole embarkation process. Although these are two separate things, they share the same importance.

Embarkation refers to the window of time people check-in and board the vessel, while departure time refers to when the cruise officially leaves port and starts its journey.

Your ship’s departure time is usually later than the check-in cutoff time. 

As I already mentioned, when you complete your pre-cruise online check-in, you’ll be able to choose an arrival time. Having your specific timings means less crowding in the cruise terminal.

So make sure you check in online before the departure day so you can board your cruise ship as soon as possible without long lines.

6- Print All Your Documents

Printing the cruise documents is crucial to proof your booking and reservation details.

Usually, these documents include boarding passes, cruise tickets, luggage tags , transfer confirmations, shore excursion confirmations, and any other required travel documentation.

You can also have a copy of these documents on your phone, but I still suggest printing everything in case your phone’s battery dies and you fail to board. So it’s always better to prepare yourself to avoid hassle.

Related Post: Best Luggage Bags

• Transfer confirmations
• Cruise boarding pass
• Any other required travel documentation
• Shore excursion confirmations

7- Drop Off Your Luggage

Once you arrive at the cruise terminal, drop your luggage off with the porters. It will be sent to the cruise ship and delivered to your cabin a few hours after you board.

Just attach one luggage tag to your belongings to avoid any hassle.

8- Look Out For Your Lines 

Since guests with certain loyal status tiers , suites , or other categories may have different embarkation lines, this is something to look for when heading into a terminal.

If you’re a special guest, you’ll be sent to priority lanes, which tend to move faster, which is always a plus.

So ensure you’re not standing in the wrong line if you’re a special guest. Take benefit of your specialty.

9- Plan Wearing a Cruise Embarkation outfit

Frequent cruisers know the importance of wearing a comfortable cruise embarkation outfit. It’s just like the long-haul flight essentials.

So be careful in choosing your embarkation day outfit . 

Make sure to wear something comfortable with layers (in case you’re dealing with indoor and outdoor lines) and preferably has pockets for easy access to important documents, your phone, Chapstick, etc.

10- Bring an Embarkation Day Bag

And that’s what I was eager to share with you. Please bring a small, lightweight carry-on, as the embarkation process can be lengthy.

So if you are a muscle man, no worries, bring what you want. But for women, always carry a small bag with a change of clothes, swimsuit, important medications, and anything else essentials to have for the first afternoon onboard.

Having medication and essentials in your carry-on bag is important since your checked luggage will take time to arrive in the cabin. 

However, don’t make the carry-on too heavy, as it will tire your shoulders and burden you during the embarkation process.

So, keep it simple and lightweight.

Convertible Garment Bags

11- Bring Proper Identification

One of a hundred things: bring proper identification (Correct ID) for your cruise vacations.

This means that the name on reservations should match the name on the ID. In a few cases, a birth certificate may be sufficient, but for some cruise lines, a passport is required.

So it’s always better to check the policies of the cruise line you’re sailing with and pay full attention to them to avoid surprises while you board.

12- Have Documents On Hand

Having a printout of documents is nice, so you’re not wasting time searching in your carry-on or scrolling through your phone.

Not only can this delay your boarding process, but it can also be a headache for those behind you.

So keep printouts of important documents in your hand.

13- Make Reservations

It’s always better to make reservations online before the cruise.

Sign up for reservations for specialty restaurants, adult-only areas, spa appointments , and shows if you’ve not done so online before the cruise.

I also suggest you purchase soda and drink packages .

14- Welcome Abroad Photos

Almost every cruise line takes your photo on embarkation day. So be ready, or politely skip it.

15- Meet Your Room Attendant

A cabin steward or attendant will clean your stateroom daily and assist you in every aspect you need.

Upon embarkation day, your cabin attendants will introduce themselves. Take a minute or two to chat with them as it’s a very busy time, so make them feel friendly.

And if you forget essential items, you can ask your cabin attendant to bring hangers, etc.

Things To Consider On Your Embarkation Day

An embarkation day is a thrilling experience, but it can also be a headache if you do something naughty.

Speaking of banned items, there’s a whole list of things you’re not allowed to bring on board. And if you bring them, they’ll be confiscated and will be returned to you on the last day.

Also, such actions can delay your embarkation process, so avoid them.

Final Words

Hopefully, you will all be familiar with the cruise departure day tips.

If you follow these tips, your embarkation process will be smoother and hassle-free.

So, try these tips and have a safe and enjoyable cruise vacation.

I am Zoe Grace, a passionate enthusiast of cruise ships. With a decade of firsthand experience in the cruising industry, I have developed a deep understanding of the intricacies and wonders that these majestic vessels hold.

Now, I am excited to embark on a new journey as an author, sharing my knowledge and insights with readers who share my fascination for the world of cruising.

Join me as we explore the captivating world of cruise ships together.

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Everything You Need to Know About Embarkation Day

Last updated: June 4th, 2024

• Find a Cruise

Embarkation day for your cruise vacation is an exciting day. You get to board the ship and check into your stateroom. You’ll likely have a glass of Champagne or other drink in your hand within moments of boarding, activating vacation mode.

Before you board, it’s good to know what to expect so you can maximize the first day of your cruise and not miss out on anything exciting. Being prepared for embarkation day also means your cruise will start off on the right foot, so it’s smooth sailing (figuratively speaking; we’ll take care of that in the literal sense!) for your entire time on board.

What is embarkation day?

Embarkation day is the first day of your cruise. It’s the day you arrive at the cruise terminal to embark on your vacation.

Disembarkation , similarly, is the last day of your cruise, when you disembark from the ship, whether you’re staying an extra day in port or catching a flight back home.

What time can you board your cruise?

The time you can board your cruise varies depending on what kind of stateroom you have and what time your cruise departs.

You can always check the Celebrity Cruises mobile app to confirm what time your ship sets sail on embarkation day. Be prepared for an initial rush when boarding begins and another rush right after lunch.

To avoid long lines at security and the check-in desk, plan on getting there right when boarding begins. Lines also tend to be much shorter during the last hour of boarding, but then you’ll be missing out on a few hours on board on embarkation day!

If you’re planning to arrive later, make sure you know when embarkation check-in ends, as this is usually before your ship sets sail. For coast guard purposes, the check-in time ends earlier, and if you get there after that cut-off time you won’t be able to board, even if the ship hasn’t pulled away from port yet.

What do you wear on embarkation day?

Comfort is key on embarkation day, and it’s okay to keep it casual on the first day of your cruise.

Many people wear bathing suits underneath their clothes or pack their suit in their carry-on so they can head to the pool right away. Others prefer to dress up so they can have nice photographs taken of the entire family as you board the ship.

Because you may be waiting for your luggage to be returned to you, some people pack an extra outfit in their carry-on to change into for lunch or dinner. It really depends on your preferences. We recommend bringing a sweater or light jacket in case you get chilly in colder climates, or a hat and shorts if you’re cruising to a tropical destination.

Find out more about what to wear on a cruise .

How do you check in for a Celebrity cruise?

One of the best ways to start your vacation and get onto the ship quickly and easily is to use the Celebrity Cruises online check-in before you arrive at your embarkation port .

While checking in online, you can provide all the information needed to expedite your time at the port so you can get on your ship faster. You’ll receive a handy Xpress Pass, which indicates that you’ve completed check-in.

Keep in mind that checking in for cruises isn’t the same as checking in for a flight. While you may be used to checking in for your flight no more than 24 hours before it takes off, with Celebrity Cruises, online check-in time is cut off a few days before embarkation day, so don’t leave checking in until the last minute.

Government regulations require cruise lines to submit their final list of departures at least an hour prior to sailing, so don’t procrastinate on getting to the cruise terminal if you didn’t complete the check-in process online.

Another way to avoid lines on embarkation day is to book The Retreat , which comes with priority check-in and a host of other benefits that will make your vacation unforgettable.

If you’re sailing on Celebrity Edge, you can upload a photo of yourself using the check-in app. Then, when you arrive at the state-of-the-art terminal, your face will be recognized and you’ll be whisked inside in mere minutes.

Make sure you arrive with the proper documents in hand, like a passport (if you need one for your cruise). You’ll also want to have any applicable visas with you if required for international ports you’ll be visiting.

When planning your pre-embarkation day to-do list and schedule, it’s also wise to book a flight that gets to the embarkation port a day before. That way, you have time to spare to account for any flight delays and still get to your ship on time. In fact, Flights by CelebritySM can even help you out with that. Flights by CelebritySM gives you competitive rates for airfare, flexibility so you can personalize flight plans, and 24/7 assistance available with any of our specialists. Leave the details to us for a seamless vacation from start to finish.

What do you do with your luggage on embarkation day?

As soon as you arrive at the port, you’ll be met at the vehicle drop-off area by couriers who will take your luggage and put it onto racks. From that point it will be brought onto the ship and delivered to your stateroom.

To make this process easier, you can print off luggage tags at home from your cruise account at the same time you check in. These luggage tags have your name and stateroom number on them and can be stapled around your luggage handle.

With Celebrity Cruises Open Access, you’ll have access to your stateroom as soon as you board, so be sure to pack your essentials in your carry-on so you can freshen up before exploring the ship.

What should you put in your cruise carry-on bag?

Not all of your luggage should go with the couriers, however. Keeping a carry-on, duffel bag, or even a backpack with some key essentials in it is wise to have with you while boarding the ship.

Just like on an airplane, keep important items with you that aren’t easily replaceable on vacation, such as laptops, prescription eyeglasses, medication, and special jewelry.

In your carry-on luggage, you’ll also want to pack a swimsuit or spa clothes. Your luggage may not be delivered to your room right away, even if you do have access to your stateroom.

If you’re cruising from Miami (or another sun-soaked embarkation port), you don’t want to miss out on pool time because you don’t have your suit with you.

Another cruise embarkation tip if you want to get to your room as quickly as possible is to pack a handheld that you can carry on the stairs. The elevators on embarkation day have a longer wait, since more people are utilizing them to get to their room or first point of interest after boarding.

Don’t worry–wait time for an elevator usually decreases drastically after embarkation day.

What do you do when you first board a cruise ship?

When you arrive, it’s officially the start of your vacation. If you’re hungry, you can head to one of the onboard restaurants for lunch or scope out the bars and lounges. Grab some al-fresco bites by the pool, or head to the buffet for a variety of options. The Retreat guests can dine in Luminae for lunch on embarkation day as well.

Get to know the ship and discover all of the exciting things to do on a cruise . Go beyond your stateroom to worlds unknown, whether it’s your first time watching the skyline fade behind you from a cruise ship or first time exploring a gym at sea.

Watch: What To Do On A Cruise Ship

Post up in a sunny deck chair, or be one of the first to hit the pool. Stop in at the Destination Concierge desk to continue planning the day-to-day details of your trip, or get to know more about the destinations you’re sailing to.

It’s also okay to unwind and do nothing! After all, this is vacation, and you have plenty of time to unpack.

Cruise Embarkation Tips

If you haven’t cruised with Celebrity before, embarkation day can be filled with little unknowns and frequently asked questions. If it’s been a while since your last cruise vacation, you might need a refresher on what you can do on embarkation day that can benefit you for your entire cruise, from special offers at the spa and little known dining tips to ways make vacation even more fun for the kids.

We’ve put together seven tips to help you make the most of Embarkation Day:

Check for Special Embarkation Day Offers in the Spa

Persian Garden

If this is your first time cruising, you might not know this savvy spa secret: spa treatments are often discounted on embarkation day.

You can get a great offer on a massage, facial, body wrap, and other spa treatments on embarkation day at the onboard spa. Sometimes these offers even extend to the next morning.

Embarkation day is also a good time to ask for a tour of the cruise ship’s spa facilities and ask any questions at the front desk to learn more about your options for pampering during the cruise.

In addition, there may be seminars you can attend that are led by spa technicians. At these seminars, you’ll learn wellness tips and more about treatments that will help your body and mind feel rejuvenated.

Make Restaurant Reservations

You can often find special embarkation day offers for the ship’s specialty restaurants. On the first night of the cruise, others are excited to check out their table in the Main Restaurant. However, if you can wait until the next night, you could benefit.

Even if you don’t want to dine in a specialty restaurant your first night, embarkation day is a good time to make reservations for later on in the cruise if you haven’t already done so online.

Specialty restaurants do fill up, especially on days at sea or early departure port days, so don’t delay and miss out on the chance of dining at the restaurant of your choice.

If you think you’ll want to reserve numerous specialty restaurants, embarkation day is also a good time to review available dining packages.

If you have any concerns about seating, dietary concerns, or your scheduled dining time in the Main Restaurant, embarkation day is a good time to talk to the maître d’. They can help make sure your dining experience on board is as easy as possible.

Go to the Fun Factory Open House

If you’re cruising with your family , you’ll want to explore the kids club, Fun Factory, on board. Embarkation day typically has an open house for the kids club rooms, during which you can stop by to tour the facility together as a family.

This gets your children comfortable in the space while having you there. It also gives you a chance to speak with the caregivers who will be interacting with your child and ask any questions you may have about the schedule or activities of the kids club.

During the open house, you can get your kids registered and sign any necessary paperwork so they’re ready to have an exciting and fun-filled cruise—and give you some much-needed adult time!

Take Time to Unpack on Embarkation Day

Once your luggage arrives at your stateroom, it’s a smart idea to take some time to unpack before dinner. While you’re at dinner, your stateroom attendant will come in to freshen up your room, turn down your sheets, and leave information for the following day of the cruise. It’s always nice to come back from dinner to a tidy room.

You can then kick off your shoes and relax on the bed or couch with Celebrity Today, the daily itinerary you’ll receive each evening during your cruise that tells you what to expect on board or in port the following day. It comes with a comprehensive schedule that lists when and where every activity, seminar, and show is taking place, plus the opening hours for restaurants, lounges, the spa, and the Fun Factory.

To enjoy this relaxing ambiance, take some time out from exploring the ship to unpack. Maybe get a glass of wine from the Sunset Bar or one of the other bars and lounges on board to enjoy before you do so to make the unpacking process more fun—after all, it’s embarkation day and you’re officially on vacation!

Don’t want to spend any time unpacking? Consider booking The Retreat experience, which comes with a dedicated team of attendants, concierges, and butlers who will unpack for you, giving you even more time to enjoy your vacation.

Introduce Yourself to Your Stateroom Attendant

Your stateroom attendant will likely end up being a highlight of your cruise. Our stateroom attendants are friendly and provide top-notch service. They want to make your accommodations as comfortable and as relaxing as possible.

You’ll likely see them in the hallways outside your stateroom, and they’ll be quick to say hello. This is a good time to introduce yourself and make any initial requests you may have, such as only stocking the mini fridge with red wine and not white wine, or changing the bed configuration if it’s not already to your preference (you can have the beds pushed together to make a king size bed, or split up to make two separate beds).

Head to the Sail Away Party

When your ship pulls away from port, it’s a fun time to be outside on one of the decks and watching your embarkation port get further and further away as you sail off into the horizon.

A fun way to celebrate this is at a sail away party, where you can order a glass of champagne to celebrate the start of your cruise and mingle with other guests who will be on board with you during the cruise.

Check the schedule in your stateroom for embarkation day to see if your ship has a party on board to celebrate the ship setting sail. These parties are often on the sunset deck or pool deck and have live music.

Visit the Shore Excursion Desk

ShoreX Service

If you’re not sure what you want to do during days in port, stop by the shore excursion desk for help.

The most popular shore excursions fill up quickly—sometimes even in advance of the ship sail date since you can reserve them online. Top excursions that are still available on embarkation day will likely fill up soon after the ship sets sail as cruisers learn more about the different ports of call in informational seminars that are conducted the first couple days of the cruise.

Beat those guests to booking by having your own one-on-one consultation with the shore excursion desk, who will answer any questions you have about different excursions and the best fit for you and your interests in each destination.

Ziplining in Talkeetna, Alaska

Book Your Cruise and Get Ready for Embarkation Day Fun

A cruise is a special type of vacation since you get to start relaxing and having fun the second you get on board. All those other pesky vacation logistics like transportation, figuring out where to eat, and finding entertainment is all done for you. Browse itineraries on our website and get ready to sail on an incredible cruise.

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Understanding Embarkation Day

Embarkation day is your gateway to the cruise experience, a day filled with anticipation, excitement, and the official start of your holiday. It’s the day you check in, take that first step onto the ship, and perhaps snap a photo that’ll adorn your mantle for years to come. But it’s also a day of practicalities—lugging your carry-on, navigating through crowds, and finding your way around a new, floating home. Your choice of outfit can play a pivotal role in how smoothly your day goes.

Climate and Weather Considerations

Before you zip up that suitcase, consider the climate of your departure port and the weather forecast for the day. If you’re setting sail from a tropical locale, lightweight and breathable fabrics will keep you cool and comfortable. However, departures from cooler regions or during shoulder seasons may necessitate layers that can easily be added or removed as needed. Remember, the weather can be a fickle friend, so it’s wise to prepare for a range of temperatures, especially if you’ll be spending part of the day outside or if your itinerary includes an outdoor muster drill.

Comfort is Key

On embarkation day, you’ll be doing quite a bit of walking—be it at the port, during check-in, or while exploring the ship. Comfortable, non-restrictive clothing and footwear are crucial. Think about wearing soft, stretchable fabrics that allow for easy movement. Footwear should be practical: closed-toe shoes or comfortable sandals that offer stability and support are ideal choices. And while it’s tempting to don your most stylish outfit, remember that embarkation day can involve a bit of waiting around. Opt for attire that won’t have you wishing for a wardrobe change two hours in.

Activities on Embarkation Day

Your embarkation day outfit should also reflect the activities you plan to dive into as soon as you’re aboard. If your first stop is the buffet or a leisurely exploration of the ship, casual attire might be your best bet. Planning to hit the pool straight away? Wear your swimsuit under your clothes or pack it in your carry-on for easy access. For those eyeing the specialty restaurants or welcome events, a smart-casual outfit could be more appropriate, ensuring you’re dressed for any occasion without needing to wait for your luggage to arrive at your cabin.

Luggage Logistics

Speaking of luggage, it might take a while for your bags to be delivered to your stateroom. To avoid any sartorial stress, pack a carry-on with essential items, including a change of clothes, basic toiletries, and any immediate necessities. This way, you’re prepared for any eventuality, from an impromptu dip in the pool to a more formal first-night dinner, without needing to rummage through your suitcase.

In essence, your embarkation day attire should be a blend of comfort, practicality, and personal style. It’s about feeling good, looking good, and starting your cruise adventure on the right foot. With a bit of forethought and consideration for the day’s demands, you can ensure your holiday begins without a hitch, dressed perfectly for the occasion.

Robert Grant

Loves cruise tips and cruise ships. Shares his personal opinion about cruise deals and cruise tips that might help other travellers. Do let me know if you'd like to read more about certain cruise related topics.

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14 day cruise packing list

In this 14 day Cruise packing list we cover the staples you need for every cruise no matter the destination whether you are cruising the Mediterranean, Caribbean or somewhere further afield. It covers what to pack for 2 week cruise both clothing and non clothing as well as gives information on cruise dress codes.

Important Note : This post may contain affiliate links which means if you click through and make a purchase I will make a small commission at no extra cost to you. 

Note : It is worth pointing out that while this 14 day cruise packing list covers ALL your cruise staples that should be on any packing list, it is worth also checking out some of our destination specific packing lists as these will cover temperature and location specific dress codes.

Our specific location packing lists for cruises include:

• Transatlantic Cruise packing list
• What to wear on a South Pacific Cruise
• What to wear on a European River Cruise
• How to make a river cruise capsule wardrobe
• World Cruise Packing List.

And if you want a cruise packing list for men check out this post.

Table of Contents

How many outfits should I pack for a 14 day cruise?

Before we create our 14 day cruise packing list we thought it would be worth talking you through how many outfits your should pack for a two week cruise.

Firstly you will obviously need an outfit a day, or create a cruise capsule wardrobe where you can use items multiple times.

However the difficulty is that a fresh outfit every day for 14 days and some formal outfits will soon add up in your suitcase. We try and use the sudoku packing method. Essentially this uses 9 key pieces to create a series of outfits.

Otherwise the 54321 packing method is another good way to try and put your outfits together.

However it is also worth checking if your ship has laundry facilities if you are happy to do laundry as this will help you not overpack .

The next thing that affects how many outfits you need for a cruise is how often you intend to use the main dining room and how many formal nights there are on your cruise.

Cruise dining rooms usually have a smart casual dress code and you will find most people usually change for dinner.

I usually try and have lots of day to night transition pieces such as a smart casual blouse or nice Maxi dress, that I can wear to dinner one night and then use during the day the next day. This helps reduce the amount of clothes you take with you.

Now depending on the cruise line you are on will depend on how many formal nights you will have (Formal nights are where you Dress for dinner in formal attire think cocktail dresses for ladies and tuxedos for men). On most lines, with Norwegian being the main exception there are around 3 formal nights on a 14 day cruise.

Therefore you need to decide if you are happy to have 1 formal outfit which you are happy to dress up with different accessories for different looks. Or if you want a fresh outfit for each formal night.

Going on a 7 night cruise? Check out our 7 night cruise packing list . And for a shorter cruise check out our 4 day cruise packing list and 5 day cruise packing list s.

What to wear on a 14 Day Cruise / What to wear on a 2 week cruise

Now we have looked at the things that will affect how many outfits you should take on a 2 week cruise, we will now give you an overview of the types of outfits we pack. This includes the number of formal outfits as well as what to wear on a 2 week cruise for excursions, pool time and more.

Formal Outfits (2 outfits)

If you are traveling on a line other than Norwegian Cruise line you can usually expect 3 formal nights. Personally I find it too bulky to pack 3 formal night outfits. Instead I pack 2 formal night outfits as well as accessories that can style it differently.

For me a formal night outfit is a cocktail dress or maxi dress. However if this is not your style then a pant suit is also a great idea.

My husband tends to take chinos and jacket and then dresses them with different shirts and ties to reduce what he needs to pack. A Tux is also suitable on most line for men, but my husband just doesn’t lie wearing these.

Smart Casual Outfits (3- 4 outfits )

I usually pack 3-4 smart casual outfits. All items in this category will be interchangeable as a capsule wardrobe and I may partner a top from a dinner with different bottoms for a casual shore excursion look.

Casual Outfits (3-4 outfits )

Again, I pack a cruise capsule wardrobe where everything is interchangeable. This will normally be 3-4 t shirts and 2 bottoms i.e. shorts, jeans or chinos depending on the weather.

Whenever I get on a cruise ship I first like to head to the main dining room for lunch, and then I like to have either a dip in the pool or a soak in the hot tub. I do this whether I am a hot weather or cold weather cruise.

If you are going to a hot weather destination however you will want to pack at least 2 swimsuits with you so you can wear one and dry one.

Beach cover

Great for in port and on deck. I would pack 2 if you are in hot weather destinations.

Sunglasses 

Useful for in ports but also on sea days when the sun can be dazzling.

An essential whenever you are cruising as the air conditioning on ships can be fierce. For more travel essentials for women check out this post.

One set for a week

Shoes (3 Pairs)

For me there a couple of essential pairs of shoes to pack for a cruise no matter the destination. These are:

• Sneakers – these work on cities and more tropical locations. If you are traveling to a hot weather location we recommend getting a light weight pair. Otherwise a white pair of sneakers are very versatile.
• Sandals – I like a pair that can be good for walking and that can also be used in the main dining room

And the optional shoes I take depending on the itinerary and destination are:

• Flip Flips – useful if you plan to spend a lot of time on the pool deck but not good for European cities when walking.
• Water Shoes – useful if you are going on a Caribbean or cruise to the South Pacific where you will be snorkelling and where there can be hazards such as lion fish and coral.
• Heels – if you want them for formal night.

Underwear (7 plus spares)

I will also have underwear enough for the cruise and a few spares.

What do I need to pack for a 14 day cruise (non clothing)?

So now you know roughly how many outfits you will need on a 14 day cruise we turn our attention to everything you need to pack for a cruise no matter the destination

Passport   and identification

A Passport and identification is always required regardless of the length of cruise and destination (ID can be used in some cases of closed loop cruises).

It is important to remember that you need this to be in your embarkation day carry on as is required for boarding. For more information on how to pack for embarkation day on a cruise check out this post .

Documentation including Covid 19 related paperwork

This includes visas and any vaccination documentation that you may need for your cruise and destination. Again this needs to be in your cruise carry on .

Many people find a lanyard is the best way to keep their cabin key safe and on them at all times on a cruise. You should keep your cruise card with you at all time as this acts as identification on board the ship and also as your payment method.

When looking for a cruise lanyard we think that the best ones are waterproof so can be used on shore excursions where you will be spending a lot of time in the water and can also be used to keep small amounts of cash and a government issued id. 

Click here to shop the best lanyards for cruise travel.

Pack any meds you need in your carry on and be sure to have prescriptions with you.

As well as prescription medication some other medications you may like to travel with include:

• pain medications such as Advil, paracetamol, Tylenol and Ibuprofen 
• Reflux Meds such as Gaviscon, Tums etc. 
• Birth Control

Sea sickness medication or bands

I personally have never gotten sea sick on a cruise ship and I have cruised on some very rough seas. However I would never say that no one will ever experience seasickness on a cruise. If you are concerned about sea sickness be sure to pack some meds with you just in case.

There are lots of different methods to combat sickness from tablets, wristbands, ginger and more so pick the method that you think will work best for you.

Click here to shop sea sickness medication

Although most ships provide toiletries I will always pack some on my own as I think they are better quality than those you get on board most cruise ships.

For more information on the best toiletries to bring on a cruise check out this post. But generally speaking I tend to always pack

Conditioner

Some conditioner that can help your hair cope with heat and seawater.

Toothbrush and toothpaste

Although toiletries are usually provided you will need to bring your own tooth brush and toothpaste.

It is important to be sun safe whereever in the world you are cruising. This is usually available onboard but will cost you a premium if you wait and buy on board.

If you plan on spending time in water we recommend buying sunscreen that is reef safe. Our current favorite brand is Sunbum. Click here to shop reef safe sunscreen.

The contrast between the nice weather on a warm weather cruise with the cruise ship air conditioning is the perfect recipe for getting dry lips. 

We always recommend packing lip balm that has an SPF so your lips are protected when on beach excursions etc. Again my favorite brand is Sun Bum. Click here to shop lip balm for cruise ships.

Now I don’t like to bring too much jewelry with me on cruises as I don’t wear it on shore excursions. But I do like to have some with me as it is a great way to style a formal night outfit differently without having to take up too much room in your case.

If you decide to wear real rather than costume jewellery we recommend putting it in your room safe when you are not wearing it.

And for more information on how to pack jewelry for travel check out this post.

The best thing about cruises are the ports you get to visit. You definitely will want to capture your memories with a camera.

If you are traveling on a cruise with lots of water excursions and plan on snorkelling it might be worth getting a GoPro to capture your underwater memories. Click here to shop underwater cameras .

Most new ships will have USB charging ports next to the bed however this is by no means on all ships. Don’t get caught out and take a charger with you and a spare cable.

• Travel Adaptor

Depending on where you are from, who you are sailing with and where you may need to take a travel adaptor with you to ensure that all your electronics will work.

I personally never travel anywhere without my trusty Universal travel adaptor that works in pretty much all locations.

Click here to shop universal travel adaptors.

What to pack for a 14 day cruise (Optional)

This is only needed if you plan to use the gym on board your cruise ship. If you don’t plan to then leave this behind.

Depending on the line you are on, you will be permitted to Bring on board a small amount of alcohol – usually just champagne or wine.

If you are allowed to bring alcohol on board we recommend using your allowance as this will be cheaper than drinks on the ship. But be sure to check your cruise ship rules before travel so it meets current requirements.

Note  – wondering if you  can bring a corkscrew on a cruise ship  – check out this post for more information.

14 Day Cruise Ship Packing List Checklist

• Passport and Identification
• Documentation (including Covid 19 paperwork, test results and insurance to name but a few)
• Sea Sickness Remedies
• Lip Balm with SPF
• 2 Formal Outfits
• 3-4 Smart Casual Outfits (can be made up of repeat pieces that make 4 looks).
• 3-4 Casual Outfits (can be made up of repeat pieces that make 4 looks).
• 2 items of Swimwear
• Shoes – we recommend packing sneakers, one pair of sandals and then depending on your itinerary and destination water shoes, flip flops or heels.

Have you been on a 14 day cruise? What did you pack for a 14 day cruise let us know in the comments.

• Cruise Fashions & Beauty

What is your embarkation day outfit?

By bluetardis , January 11, 2023 in Cruise Fashions & Beauty

Recommended Posts

With embarkation day being busy and with lots of photos being taken, what is your outfit of choice?

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I pass on the photo's. Jeans and a polo shirt are my comfy wear.

I generally wear a dress or shorts and a blouse.

Nice pants and a nice blouse.

The Count-consort (sometimes known as the commoner 😉 ) and I like to dress vacation chic for a fun, yet sharp, first impression. 

The Countess 😘

LACruiser88

Too many trips, too many photos, now we pass on the photo ops!  

I don't think I own "outfits".   

Same thing I’ve been wearing casually for the last 25 years, baggy cargo shorts and a polo.

I have a tradition of wearing a Steelers shirt for embarkation. I then have new friends for the rest of the cruise!

Remember, there are Steelers fans and there are those who are wrong 😉

The most comfortable shoes, shirts, and shorts I can find.

6 hours ago, andlep said:

I need that shirt  A former coworker gave me a Love Boat shirt that I think is an unlicensed knock off because it mostly looks like the love boat logo, but kind of not.

3 hours ago, Guindalf said: I have a tradition of wearing a Steelers shirt for embarkation. I then have new friends for the rest of the cruise!   Remember, there are Steelers fans and there are those who are wrong 😉

Tennessee Vols hat or shirt, but yeah

we unknowingly went on a Legends of the Steelers cruise a few/many years ago. An excellent crowd of people.

latebloomer56

I favor jeans and a simple shirt or sweatshirt depending the time of year. I like to travel comfy and not a fan of more boarding pictures to stick in a draw or book and forget about them.

22 minutes ago, voljeep said: Tennessee Vols hat or shirt, but yeah

Excellent suggestion.  Until I read this, I was planning Speedo and a crop top. 😆

Neat comfortable slacks with matching top and jacket . Extra comfortable shoes. Absolutely NO boarding pictures!

3 hours ago, jeromep said: I need that shirt  A former coworker gave me a Love Boat shirt that I think is an unlicensed knock off because it mostly looks like the love boat logo, but kind of not.

I bought it off ebay Australia  

Serious Cruisers

I have a wall with every boarding photo (I like them as they have the date of sailing info usually printed on them). Currently have 35 on the wall!  Only one I purchase

I have my travel shorts, which are more patches than original material, a tank and my crocs.  No more pictures for us.  EVER!

Goes by the weather that day. Warm weather = shorts & "T." Rain = rain jackets, and so on. Never worry about photos. Always walk around the annoying photographers. 

6 hours ago, Guindalf said: I have a tradition of wearing a Steelers shirt for embarkation. I then have new friends for the rest of the cruise!   Remember, there are Steelers fans and there are those who are wrong 😉

Hmmm... good idea! I think we may start wearing our Bengals gear onboard! Love our rivalry though!

13 hours ago, bluetardis said: With embarkation day being busy and with lots of photos being taken, what is your outfit of choice?

No photos for us! 

Off topic, but I have to ask. Who's your favorite Doctor? I'm a 10 and 14 fan.

@Sea Hag  I have two favorite doctors Tom Baker and David Tennant. I think it’s great that David is coming back to doctor Who again.

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• Cruise Fashions & Beauty

Embarkation outfit!

By Cool Cowie , February 7, 2012 in Cruise Fashions & Beauty

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Any good ideas for an outfit for embarkation? Might want to do the pool;maybe not?

Plus I'm worried about not receiving my luggage by dinner. Help :). Pics are more than welcome.

Thanks all!

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Hi there,   Any good ideas for an outfit for embarkation? Might want to do the pool;maybe not?   Plus I'm worried about not receiving my luggage by dinner. Help :). Pics are more than welcome.   Thanks all!   Cowie

I'm extremely lazy, so I think a comfy sundress and a cardigan with some flips or sandals is good. :) Comfort is key...for me anyway.

We're boarding in NJ in early March, so I'm probably going to wear jeans and a sweater for the 5hr drive to the port and embarkation. Depending on the temp that night, nice slacks and a blouse with a wrap if needed. Otherwise, if it's too cold for some reason or we didn't get our bags in time, I will stay in my jeans and sweater.

We have usually flown in the morning of the cruise (I know that was risky), so wear khakis, layers on top (including a short sleeve shirt) and shoes & sox on the plane. In my carry-on, I have sandals, some toiletries, a bathing suit (I'm happier waiting for my luggage if I can sit by the pool) and a clean shirt for dinner. There have definitely been times when we didn't get our luggage until after dinner.

Li'lImp

I plan to wear casual clothing for embarkation, but will be carrying a knit dress and sandals in my bag along with my toiletries so that I can change for dinner even if my luggage is delayed. I don't plan to swim, but if I did, my suit would be in the bag as well.

Many people, especially early diners, will stay in their boarding clothes for the first night dinner. Some don't get their luggage in time, some are just too busy having fun to spend the time changing clothes.

I always board in clothing I wouldn't mind wearing to dinner the first night, but have always ended up changing...never have gotten our luggage too late.

Some people will board wearing their bathing suits under their clothing..the thought of doing that give me the willies since I wear only a one piece. But if it doesn't bother you it's an option.

I think the main thing to remember is that it is not a fashion show (especially if you are cruising a mainstream line) and what you see around home is what others will be wearing. Cruising is casual and boarding day can be extremely so for some. Many people have flown red eye flights or have been in an auto for hours on end, they can be a bit bedraggled from travel. There are others who look as though they dressed to clean out the garage. The majority are just regular everyday people.

The point is...don't fret too much over it.

I anticipate our cruise in April to be slightly cool on boarding day, I will probably wear this top (I have this one!) with a khaki colored pair of crops:

If it were warmer out, I'd probably wear something more like this:

If you're a younger woman, you would probably prefer a more youthful look.

If it's warm., I'll wear my bathing suit under a sundress or shorts....so I don't have to find somewhere to change if the cabin isn't ready!

The 1st evening is VERY casual....so don't worry too much about your boarding clothes!

I was all set on being very casual, but I heard they take pictures of you boarding so now I might want something a little more put together?

Same here. Comfy, and goes from day to night if my luggage doesn't arrive before dinner :)

Yes they do take photos, but if you're quick you can avoid that one. It's the last photo I would purchase and, if I can't pass them I look for the shot and put it quickly into the discard bin.

There are multiple opportunities for ship photography. Take advantage of them and decide on the last night if any are worth the price to buy.

After cruising for 8.5 years now I pretty much have everything down

pat......I bring a carry on bag on every cruise and inside that bag?

There is always an outfit for dinner the first evening. I guess I am

in the minority but that is ok with me;) I prefer to take a shower and

change my clothes for dinner and I do that every night including sail

day. After being in the same clothing all day? I enjoy putting on something

else for dinner.

So depending on where I am cruising (Caribbean, Alaska, etc) I still

dress comfortably and try and look decent for sailday:D Alaska would

be long pants and long sleeves....Caribbean would be shorts/capris

and short sleeves.....

I am going to the Med in May and haven't decided on what I will

wear yet...sailing out of Rome:D

I like to look nice for the picture so I usually wear a cute sundress or skirt/top. But that's my summer casual wardrobe and what I wear most days on the cruise anyway.

Thanks gals! I think I will wear a maxi dress and flip flops and just wing it.

On a side note has anyone found a petite maxi dress that has good proportions? The one I have I had altered.

I plan on wearing a maxi dress, a sundress, sandals and a pair of oversized sunglasses!

I know a few websites that carry petite sized clothing but I'm not sure if I can post the site (I'm new to CC so idk if that would be considered advertising or not)

As far as fun boarding photo - forget it for me! Usually been harried traveling -- only bought them once because we were newbies

can tolerate the headshot for Sign and Sail card

I saw some at Kohls the other day....Target on line

and I think you could google it and find some brand name stores

or sites that cater to petites.

I always check the weather the day before - maybe day of port.... usually layer, usually on outside decks for at least 3 hours.

I plan on wearing a maxi dress, a sundress, sandals and a pair of oversized sunglasses!   I know a few websites that carry petite sized clothing but I'm not sure if I can post the site (I'm new to CC so idk if that would be considered advertising or not)

exactly waht i will be wearing!

Thanks gals! I think I will wear a maxi dress and flip flops and just wing it.   On a side note has anyone found a petite maxi dress that has good proportions? The one I have I had altered.

I just bought like 4 from Kohls, they're awesome. They run big I think, I'm normally an XL, I ordered L cause I'm loosing weight, but they fit perfect.

Hi, welcome to Cruise Critic:) the only websites not allowed are

travel agencies.

If you have a clothing website? Post it for us...that is AOK:D

I like the Maxi dress idea also! I do like to look cute starting my vacation!

They do, but with your planned outfits you'll do well. My family sometimes coordinate attire for the first photo opportunity. But what ever makes you comfortable... Do it!

Can anyone suggest great websites for sundress, maxi. A website that will sent to Canada. Thank you.

I was thinking of jeans, a sweater, and Ugg boots as casual. And I saw I think on my roll call to expect the next day to be chilly since we're sailing early March out of NJ. So I might need to bring another sweater with me for that day as well. I don't really have casual slacks that aren't jeans, everything else is 'business office' attire which means another set of shoes, different tops, etc. I'm just not going there, dressing for office work on my vacation LOL! So I'll just break out the nicer jeans and sweaters, I guess. :)

I never guessed to look at Kohls for maxi dresses. Thanks all. Also going to check out Nordstrom too.

Also try Marshall's/TJ Maxx/Ross...they already started putting out summer clothes so I'm sure you can find a nice one for a great price!

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• Ireland - UK - British Isles Cruise Ports

Newcastle upon Tyne (England)

Cruise port schedule, live map, terminals, news.

Region Ireland - UK - British Isles

Local Time 2024-07-04 16:32

Port Newcastle upon Tyne cruise ship schedule shows timetable calendars of all arrival and departure dates by month. The port's schedule lists all ships (in links) with cruises going to or leaving from Newcastle upon Tyne, England. To see the full itineraries (ports of call dates and arrival / departure times) and their lowest rates – just follow the corresponding ship-link.

Newcastle upon Tyne is a large port city in Tyne and Wear (metro county in North East England), located approx 165 km (103 mi) south of Edinburgh (Scotland) and approx 446 km (277 mi) north of London . Port of Tyne is on River Tyne and approx 14 km (9 mi) from North Sea. By urban population (around 300,000), Newcastle is North East England's largest city. By metro population (around 1,65 million) Tyneside (conurbation/metro region) is ranked UK's 8th largest - following London, Manchester, West Midlands, West Yorkshire, Glasgow, Liverpool, and South Hampshire.

Port Tyne (locode GBTYN) is the gateway to England's northernmost region Northumbria. The city attracts tourists with its modern infrastructure, architecture, entertainment options, classy atmosphere. The city is served by Newcastle Airport, located approx 10 km (6 mi) from downtown (near Ponteland). The main airport-city connection is the Tyne and Wear Metro (railway system) with travel time ~20 min. By annual passenger traffic (around 10 million) the airport is ranked UK's 10th largest and connects Newcastle to over 90 global destinations.

Port of Tyne

Port Newcastle as facilities comprises all the commercial docks on River Tyne (total area ~250 hectares / 2,5 km2 / 1 mi2). Its Gross Value Added for 2018 was GBP 690 million. Port's shipping operations support around 14,000 North East England jobs.

Port's cruising season is May through September. Most popular itineraries are Norwegian Fjords and Russia-Scandinavia.

Port's growth started in the 13th century. Back then, Newcastle was ranked England's 6th largest export port, with the country's principal exports at that time being wool, timber, coal, dairy products, fish, salt, hides. Much of the shipping trade was with countries in the Baltic Sea (mainly with Germany). From the 16th-century onward, the port's growth was mainly based on coal export.

In the late-19th century, the Port's river channel was deepened to 10 m (32 ft). Then were also built the two main piers (North and South), Tyne and Albert Edward Docks, and Northumberland county was formed. In 1928 was opened Tyne Commission Quay (now Northumbrian Quay) at North Shields, where was handled the cargo shipping trade with Bergen Norway .

Port of Tyne Authority manages the port since 1968. Port's current-day trade is based mainly on UK-made cars export. The port has 2x car terminals, 1x cruise terminal (Northumbrian Quay) and 1x ferry terminal (North Shields). Regularly scheduled cruiseferries connect Newcastle with Amsterdam (Holland). Currently, the company  DFDS Seaways offers 7 weekly crossings to Amsterdam , with travel time 16 hours. As alternatives to this route are offered crossings between  Harwich and Hook of Holland, as well as Hull - Rotterdam and Hull- Zeebrugge (Belgium) ,

Port of Tyne's cruising business started on August 30, 1999, with the arrival of the Cunard 's liner Royal Viking Sun (now Amera) . For 20 years (1999-2019), the cruise port has been invested ~GBP 8 million in passenger facilities, including GBP 5 million in Northumbrian Quay's redevelopment/extension into a dedicated cruise ship dock/berth. In the period 1999-2019, the cruise port handled a total of 450 ship calls and 700,000+ tourists from 60 different companies . For season 2019, Port Tyne's International Passenger Terminal had scheduled 59 cruise ship calls (berth bookings), including 10 turnarounds/roundtrips by the homeported here  MS Marella Explorer  ( Marella Cruises) .

All cruise vessels dock at the North Shields ferry terminal's pier (adjacent to Royal Quays Marina). Port's cruising business adds approx GBP 55-60 million and creates over 1700 related jobs for UK's North East economy. The cruise port's 2017 schedule had the all-time highest number of ship calls - 50. For comparison, in 2016 this number was 44.

Season 2017's scheduled cruise ship calls were 52, including 19 port-transit itineraries and 33 turnarounds (roundtrips) to Baltic and Mediterranean destinations, like Iberia, German waterways, Russia ( St Petersburg ) and various UK-based itineraries (around Britain and Ireland). Among the port's largest customers in 2017 were the companies Fred Olsen , CMV UK ,  AIDA ,  DCL-Disney . Newcomers docking in the region were NCL Norwegian and TUI . In 2017, the port handled around 120,000 cruise passengers and 600,000 ferry passengers ( DFDS SEAWAYS ).  Containership trade volumes increased by 8% (mainly manufacturing parts, recycled materials, raw tea export to Canada). The port now handles over 40% of UK’s total raw tea import.

In June 2018 was announced port business growth, following the completion of investment projects at South Shields (started in 2017) of over GBP 100 million. South Shields' new facilities can handle now larger volumes of wood pellets. Also updated were the port's infrastructure and equipment. By automotive trade (number of cars exported from here) Port’ of Tyne is ranked UK’s 2nd largest (after Southampton).

In early-March 2019, the Port received GBP 60 million (~EUR 70 million) refinancing from Lloyds Bank (British commercial bank) to support port's infrastructure development program. The 5-year deal comprised GBP 30 million revolving credit plus GBP 30 million term loan. By this program was also upgraded the port's container terminal (1991-opened, sized 20 acres / 81,000 m2). The GBP 2 million investment resulted in the terminal's extension (by 40%) and reconfiguration, repositioning the heavy-duty weighbridge. Terminal's new annual TEU capacity is ~100,000. here are handled containerized cargoes like tea (~1/3rd of UK’s import), clothing, consumer goods, furniture, machinery, recovered (by-products and waste) materials.

On May 13, 2020, was announced the plan for the construction of an Operations and Maintenance Base at Port of Tyne. The facility (office space and a warehouse) will serve the Dogger Bank Wind Farm in the North Sea. The offshore wind farm complex (currently the world’s biggest) is located approx 120-290 km (80-180 mi) off England's (Yorkshire) coast.

• Dogger Bank Wind Farm is currently under construction, being developed by the Forewind consortium that includes the companies SSE plc (Scottish and Southern Energy / Scotland), RWE AG (Germany), Equinor ASA (Norway / fka StatoilHydro) and Statkraft AS (Norway).
• Dogger Bank Wind Farm will generate ~5% of the UK’s electricity. The offshore complex is a 50:50 joint venture of Equinor and SSE Renewables (subsidiary of SSE plc). Offshore construction works started in January 2020.
• Planned to become fully operational in 2023, Dogger Bank Wind Farm's expected lifespan is ~25 years. The energy project has an estimated capital cost of ~GBP 9 billion (~USD 11 B / ~EUR 10,2 B) with investments in the period 2020-2026.

Newcastle upon Tyne cruise terminal

Newcastle upon Tyne cruise port terminal is located in North Shields, adjacent to Royal Quays Marina. The facility has 2 berths and can handle liners with LOA length up to 300 m (985 ft). Terminal's max passenger capacity is 2000.

Port Tyne's annual cruise shipping traffic is ~800,000 passengers. The terminal building has 700 seats, 6 check-ins, luggage handling facilities, Wi-Fi, cafe, shop, tourist information, ATMs (cash machines), short-term and long-term parking. Taxi and bus shuttle services to downtown and Metro are also available.

Newcastle cruise terminal is located approx 13 km (8 mi) from downtown. Newcastle Airport is approx 24 km (15 mi) from the cruise terminal (30-min drive distance). The airport serves direct flights from Southampton , Bristol ,  London (Heathrow, Stansed, Gatwick), Birmingham,  Aberdeen (Scotland) ,  Belfast (Ireland) . Central Station is approx 15 km (9 mi) from the terminal. Near the cruise port are located a beach, Tynemouth Castle (overlooking Tynemouth Pier), cafes, shops. Parking costs GBP 9,50 per night.

In July 2019 was completed the reconfiguration of International Passenger Terminal (North Shields) with which was created a new baggage handling facility exclusively for Marella Cruises (UK-based brand/subsidiary company of TUI AG). By this project were converted 300 m2 (3230 ft2) of space at the North Shields terminal and created additional capacity for 1000 bags, 382 new parking lots and a 10x30 m (33x98 ft) marquee/tent serving as a covered outdoor baggage handling facility. Here tourists can drop off their bags (which are quickly security-checked and loaded onto the cruise ship) then proceed to dedicated parking before boarding/embarkation.

• Tyne Bridges: there are six, best known are three of them. The High Level Bridge is the oldest one and dates from the 1850s and was designed by Robert Stephenson. The second oldest, Swing Bridge, dates from 1876 and its designer is Sir W. G. Armstrong. The bridge that is the symbol of Newcastle is Tyne Bridge. Its official opening was in 1928 by King George V. It used to be the bridge with the largest arch until it was surpassed by the Australian Sydney Harbour Bridge.
• Quayside/Sandhill: great place to wander among old small houses, interesting shops and welcoming restaurants. The district is near High Level and Tyne Bridges. You can also find several historic buildings (for example – the Merchants’ Court and Guildhall).
• St Nicholas Cathedral: located on Mosley Street. The cathedral was built in the period 14th -15th century. It gained it cathedral status (of parish church) in 1882. The building impresses both by architecture and interior.
• Queen Victoria Memorial: located on St Nicholas Square. Its author is Sir Alfred Gilbert and it dates from 1900.
• Chares: the Old City is to the Tyne Bridge’s east. Most popular attractions are the Trinity House and the Custom House.
• Trinity Maritime Centre: located on Broad Chare. Explore the history of the city and its port.
• Church of All Saints: dates from the 18th century. It is neo-Clasical  work of David Stephenson.

Newcastle upon Tyne tours, shore excursions, hotels

City tours and shore excursions.

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Newcastle upon Tyne - user reviews and comments

What to Wear on a Royal Caribbean Cruise (dress code & outfit photos)

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Are you going on a Royal Caribbean cruise and wondering what to wear? Don’t worry, I’ve got your covered!

Since it had been a few years since I’d gone on a Royal Caribbean cruise, I did a lot of research as I packed and planned my cruise outfits for a recent cruise.

In this post I share what to wear on a Royal Caribbean cruise, for days on the pool deck to dinners in the main dinning room. I also answer some questions about how to dress on a Royal Caribbean cruise, including for formal nights.

I’ve also included real photos from the cruise ship and the cruise outfits we wore, to give you some cruise outfit inspiration. However, If you’re a first time cruiser with Royal Caribbean, I hope this can be helpful!

This post contains affiliate links which means if you click and buy that I may make a commission, at no cost to you. Please see my disclosure policy for details.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

What to Wear on a Royal Caribbean Cruise

Embarkation day.

It’s a good idea to plan what to wear on your cruise embarkation day. You can pick a cute outfit for embarkation day photos, but more importantly, consider your plans for the first day of the cruise.

If you plan on using the pools, hot tubs or waterslides, consider wearing a bathing suit under your clothes.

Something unique on many Royal Caribbean cruise ships, are the activities like the zipline, rock wall and Ultimate Abyss dry slide . If you think you might want to take advantage of all the amazing things to do on your cruise ship on first day of your cruise, make sure to wear comfortable clothing and sneakers or other closed toe shoes.

Don’t forget to pack a cruise carry on bag for embarkation day with all your essentials!

During the day, Royal Caribbean cruise ships are quite relaxed and you can wear casual clothing. Resort wear and swimsuits are perfect for the pool deck. Comfortable, sporty clothing is useful as well for playing mini golf and participating in the variety of onboard activities.

Be sure to pack shorts, tanks tops and t-shirts or light sundresses for sea days if you’re on a warm weather cruise.

Like all major cruise lines, bare feet and pool wear are not permitted in restaurants. Remember to pack a swimsuit cover up for when you go and eat, or for walking inside the cruise ship’s public areas.

Don’t forget flip flops for the pool and sneakers for some of the onboard activities.

Warm Clothing for Ice Skating

Something that many people forget to pack for a cruise , are long pants and a sweatshirt. While these are always good to have for potential cooler weather, this is especially important when going on a Royal Caribbean cruise.

Be sure to pack warmer, comfortable clothing if you sign up for a free ice skating session in Studio B. Even if you don’t plan on going ice skating yourself, you’ll want to pack a light sweater or cover up to see the ice skating show, which is always amazing!

Related: What to Pack for a Caribbean Cruise

Port Days and Shore Excursions

When planning what to pack for a Royal Caribbean cruise , it’s a good idea to plan your clothing for days in port based on what activity or shore excursion you’re planning in your port of call.

Swimsuits with a cover up are just fine if you’re heading straight to a beach or a catamaran snorkeling excursion. If you’re sightseeing or taking a tour, casual clothing is perfect.

Some important things to pack are comfortable shoes for walking and a light scarf or cover up for shoulders (ladies), if you are entering religious buildings.

Something to be careful of and not wear on a cruise for certain ports, is camouflage clothing. In some Caribbean islands, wearing camouflage clothing is actually illegal and you can be asked to go back to the cruise ship to change or even face a fine.

Tip: Don’t forget to pack a beach bag , your government ID (or any recommended identification), a credit card and some small bills for tips on tours.

Related: What to Pack in Your Shore Excursion Day Bag

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Royal Caribbean Dress Code

Royal Caribbean has 3 dress codes in the Main Dining Room for dinner; casual, smart casual and formal attire.

According to the cruise line website, the Royal Caribbean dress code is as follows:

On casual nights nice jeans, polo shirts, casual dresses and nice tops are suggested for the main dining room in the evening. For lunch and breakfast, you can wear shorts, however pool wear is best kept for the Lido deck.

Smart Casual:

Smart casual nights are a bit fancier than the casual dress code. Smart casual attire includes wearing pants and a collared shirt, dresses, skirts and blouses, or pantsuits. Jackets, sports coats and blazers are included in suggested attire.

On formal nights formal wear is welcome. The formal night dress code includes suits and ties, tuxedos, cocktail dresses and evening gowns. Dress pants and a dress shirt are also worn by many men on a cruise .

Remember to pack dress shoes, as well as a shawl and evening bag or clutch.

Related: Can I Wear Jeans on a Cruise?

How Many Formal Nights on Royal Caribbean

To plan your outfits, here are the number of formal nights on Royal Caribbean cruises.There can be 1 to 4 formal nights during a sailing and is at the ship’s discretion. Our Chef’s Table dining experience also enforces a formal dress code policy.

• 3-5 night cruises – 1 formal night (1-4 night cruises may or may not have a formal night)
• 6-7 night cruises – 2 formal nights
• 8-10 night cruises – 2 formal nights
• 11-14 night cruises – 3 formal nights
• 15 + night cruises – 3 or 4 formal nights

Tip: Our own personal experience, and that of many others, is that in practice many cruise passengers are dressing more casually than Royal Caribbean’s official dress code suggests. Keep this in mind as you plan what to wear on your cruise .

Related: What’s Included on Oasis of the Seas (Entertainment, Activities, Food & Drink)

Dress Code in Specialty Restaurants

The dinner dress code is applicable in the Main Dining Room and specialty restaurants. The Chef’s Table has a formal dress code.

Windjammer Buffet

If you really want to keep it casual, the Windjammer buffet is a great idea. The food is good and the buffet is self serve.

Make sure to check the opening and closing hours, as the Windjammer is not open 24 hours. Other casual alternative eateries include the Cafe Promenade, Sorrento’s Pizza and room service are all good casual options.

Related: The Ultimate Cruise Lingo Glossary – 85 Terms You Need to Know

How formal is formal night on a Royal Caribbean Cruise?

You might be asking, how formal is formal night on Royal Caribbean? Royal Caribbean has a formal dress code on 1-3 nights during a cruise, which includes black tie formal wear as a dress suggestion. However, in our experience there is a wide range of clothing that cruise passengers actually wear and most people are not in a tuxedo or long evening gown.

Although Royal Caribbean describes the formal night dress code as night “your best black-tie look”, with suits and ties, tuxedos, cocktail dresses or evening gowns suggested as options, in reality it’s not as formal in practice. Royal Caribbean’s dress codes are loosely enforced, with most cruise passengers dressing less formally than this.

On a Royal Caribbean cruise formal night, you may see a few tuxedos and evening or cocktail gowns. However it’s far more common to see men in suits, or even a nice pair or pants and a dress shirt. Ladies can often be seen wearing a cocktail dress, little black dress, sundress or pants and a top.

Tip: Royal Caribbean’s formal night is a nice occasion for family members to dress up and even take a some photos with the ship’s photographer.

Related: 50 Best-Selling Amazon Cruise Essentials

Royal Caribbean Theme Nights

While there is no official dress suggestion for theme nights, it can be fun to bring a few special outfits for the occasion. On our cruise there was a 70’s Night Party, which is pretty common on many Royal Caribbean sailings.

To know about theme nights for your cruise, it’s a good idea to join cruise roll calls, facebook groups and take a look at the Cruise Compass from recent past sailings on your cruise ship.

Tip: Check out past cruise compasses and menus, is a great way to prepare for your cruise vacation.

Related: Royal Caribbean Cruise Compass Oasis of the Seas

Packing for Your Cruise Based on Cruise Destinations

This guide on what to wear for a Royal Caribbean cruise is general, so it’s a good idea to now tailor your cruise packing list to your itinerary and cruise destination.

Here are cruise packing lists to read, save and share:

• What to Pack for a Royal Caribbean Cruise (detailed)
• What to Pack for an Alaska Cruise: The Ultimate Guide
• What to Pack for a Caribbean Cruise (packing list included)
• What to Pack for a Bahamas Cruise: The Ultimate Guide
• What to Pack for a Bermuda Cruise: The Ultimate Guide
• Cruise Wear for Men: Men’s Packing List for a Cruise
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Final Thoughts on What to Wear on a Royal Caribbean Cruise

Planning what to wear on a Royal Caribbean cruise isn’t as hard as it seems. On the most part, you can pack casual and smart casual attire, and the dress policy on Royal Caribbean is pretty relaxed.

That said, Royal Caribbean has beautiful, elegant main dining rooms and specialty restaurants, and it’s fun to dress up a bit on a cruise vacation, so don’t be shy!

Have you cruised with Royal Caribbean or are you planning to? Please let me know in the comments below.

Happy Cruising!

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