My wife and I are going on our first cruise in a few weeks. I've already been informed I'll need to pack a pair of chinos and a sports shirt or two for a couple of dinners. But other than that, I was hoping to spend my time in shorts and polo shirts (I'd prefer T-shirts but that idea was nixed). I'm not planning on bringing a suit or even a jacket. I think I can get away with boat shoes with the chinos for the dinners.

Anything else I need to know about in terms of clothing?

WHAT cruise line and ship will you be on? Some ships are far more formal than others. Last month, I cruised on the Norwegian Cruise Lines "Bliss" to Alaska. NCL touts their "Freestyle" cruising; VERY relaxed dress code.

Not sure where you're headed. You might want to pack a sweatshirt and an extra pair of pants. Friends of ours went on a Caribbean cruise one year. A cold front came through and they were a bit cold for a portion of the trip.

Sorry. Royal Caribbean (Brilliance of the Seas): Tampa –> Grand Cayman –> Cozumel (or maybe it's Cozumel then Grand Cayman)



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/12/2018 07:54PM by wurm.

If you haven't had a photo portrait taken in awhile, they will be doing them and the prices are pretty good. Bring cash to tip your staff. You will be very well fed so be prepared to be stuffed. Swimming suits if you like for the pool and exercise duds if you want. You will find Internet to be expensive so plan to do without except when on shore. Seasickness pills if you are in need.

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Saint Cloud, Minnesota, where the weather is wonderful even when it isn't.

RCCL used to have one formal night where most dress up with a suit and tie for dinner and the theater after (or before depending on your dining time )
You can always elect NOT to do formal night Dinner and eat in the buffet instead.

For Princess and even some Celebrity cruises ( caribbean has relaxed dress codes ) I've been wearing my business suit jacket with chinos on the plane rather than packing. Most cruises I pack a suit and a Tux, but that's for Cunard and Celebrity .

Most will be wearing chinos or shorts and polos or short sleeve dress shirt.
On RCCL you won't be out of place wearing a smart T and shorts during the day.

Umbrella.
Some ships have one in the closet, some don't.
Or one of those emergency rain slickers that fold up real tiny. If you're getting off the ship and it might rain.
Hat. of some sort for sun.


You don't have to tip anybody on the ship if you're paying the daily gratuity.
You can also elect to decline the daily gratuity and tip as you please.

Always check your running tab, nothing like finding an error that has to get corrected on disembarkation day.

Port side is usually odd numbered rooms and starboard even.
You'll probably find yourself on the wrong end of the ship more than once.

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Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 10/12/2018 09:58PM by billb.

Interesting. Polos and Chinos doesn’t sound like a vacation to me....no T-shirt’s? What is the fun part?

Edit: just found this: [www.cruisecritic.com]

Doubt I’ll be going on a cruise ever. I don’t find dressing up at all interesting or relaxing.

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C(-)ris
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 10/12/2018 09:59PM by C(-)ris.

Quote
C(-)ris
Interesting. Polos and Chinos doesn’t sound like a vacation to me....no T-shirt’s? What is the fun part?

For Caribbean shorts/T/ flip flops will work.

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The Phorum Wall keeps us safe from illegal characters and words
The doorstep to the temple of wisdom is the knowledge of one's own ignorance. -Benjamin Franklin
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Bring some antibiotics.

Thanks, all. I'm discovering lots of info online. I think I'll be able to pack accordingly. Sadly, a wallet may be the most important accessory.

It never turns out well
(oops, wrong cruise)

I did my first cruise this year, Princess to Alaska. Its what mom wanted.

- Cruises have turned into huge opportunities for shopping, both on board and at every port of call. All of the same stuff is for sale at every port, with many stores owned or controlled by the cruise lines.

- There will be a million photo ops with wandering photogs. New galleries got posted every day. I just got in the habit of making a ridiculous pose every time. With both of us having quality iPhones, it seemed pointless to pay for a "professional photo". Complete strangers were ready, willing and able to snap a photo of us, and they turned out better than the "pros". Save your money.

- If you don't want to play the dress up game, don't. We just dressed a bit casual for the formal dinners and they seated us way in the back of the dining room, near the kitchen. The food was still the same and we were seated with a crowd of other relaxed folk, near a window. That was far better than trying to outclass people that really enjoy dressing up.

- We spent very little on board, a drink or two a day is all and a few trinkets in the gift shop. We focused on exterior scenery, a few touristy excursions and free shows and games on board during sea days. We got to know a few folk pretty well that were doing exactly the same.

Just make the cruise experience what you want, not what you think you are supposed to do.

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If they have an upgraded the dining room, for an extra fee of 20 or $30, in our experience it was well worth it!

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Take some t shirts. on Princess they have “Formal Night”, if you plan on participating, slacks, dress shoes, button shirt and sports coat/jacket. With Tie. On our cruises, they have photography booths and photographers going around taking pictures at the tables. We buy the photo package and have them take photos at every opportunity. My FIL went on Princess to Alaska with some friend recently and he did the photo package too, he loves the photos he took.

At formal dinners it sounds like unless you're wearing dress shoes, jacket and tie, you'll be seated with the Hawaiian shirt, tank-top crowd way in the back-corner anyway. So bring those t shirts and sandals.

If you're afraid of getting "sniffed" at. Wear lots of gold chains.

Quote
3d
At formal dinners it sounds like unless you're wearing dress shoes, jacket and tie, you'll be seated with the Hawaiian shirt, tank-top crowd way in the back-corner anyway. So bring those t shirts and sandals.

If you're afraid of getting "sniffed" at. Wear lots of gold chains.

Depends on the cruise line and ship . You are seated by the maitre d'hotel on most. If he / she says you can't be seated the way you are dressed you don't get seated. All the ships have security personnel and a brig if required .
You don't have to eat in the Main or optional dining rooms, you can always eat in the buffet. Even in the buffet most guests have the decency to wear a robe if all they have on is their bathing attire.

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The Phorum Wall keeps us safe from illegal characters and words
The doorstep to the temple of wisdom is the knowledge of one's own ignorance. -Benjamin Franklin
BOYCOTT YOPLAIT [www.noyoplait.com]
[soundcloud.com]

There is always room service