Congratulations — you are off on a cruise! But now you realise that you are not totally sure what to wear and if you open your suitcase in the middle of the ocean and you have the wrong clothes, then there are not really any options apart from making the best of what you have got. To avoid making these mistakes, we will take you through what you need for your cruise ship shirts.
On all cruises ships, the dress code is elegant casual – this means that throughout the cruise, you should not wear clothes with rips or tears and there should be a level of tidiness. Smart casual is also fine but the more style you have the better.
When thinking about the types of shirts that you need it is important to consider the places that, you will be visiting whilst on the cruise. If you will be travelling through places that are very hot and humid then it is sensible to make sure that your shirts are made from material that will absorb moisture so that you are able to stay dry and comfortable throughout the day.
During the day it is fine to wear polo shirts, however in the evenings (on a cruise ship shirts an evening is defined as after 6 pm) there is a need for more formal attire.
Typically, on a cruise, there are formal dinners in addition to the normal dinners. The number of these will vary according to the cruise line but expect about three formal dinners within a ten-day period.
For normal dinners, a long-sleeved shirt is required as well as a jacket. It is important to check how your shirt feels with the jacket so that it blends together and is comfortable. Ties are usually a requirement, although not for all cruises. To be on the safe side it is best to make sure that the shirt will suit a tie as well.
For formal dinners, there is a need to wear a tuxedo. As with the jacket, try the long-sleeved shirt with the tuxedo to make sure that the cuffs are not extending too far out and that the collar is lying well, complementing rather than distracting from the tuxedo.
Overall, a cruise is truly a wonderful experience — make sure you pack well and with confidence and soon you will be gracing the decks in the perfect cruise attire.
