What To Pack For a Cruise

If you’re reading this post, I have high hopes that you have a cruise booked for the near future. And if you don’t, I suggest you do so stat. We just returned from sailing the high seas with our friends aboard the Virgin Scarlet Lady and to say we had fun is an understatement [more on that in an upcoming blog post soon]! Before I share all of the details on the cruise itself, I figured we should tackle the biggest question of all — what to pack. Below you will see 20+ outfit ideas [yes, we were on a 5-day cruise, no, I didn’t wear all of these 😉] From swimsuits to formal outfits, there are looks for it all!

A few tips:

• Pack comfortable shoes for evening time — you will most likely do a decent amount of walking going to and from dinner, shows, and wherever else the night may lead [if you’re lucky it will involve a casino and a dance floor]. I found that this pair of heels was by far the most comfortable in my bag and had no problem wearing [and dancing] in these all evening long!
• If you plan to work out while aboard the ship, don’t forget workout clothes! I walked the track every morning and always turned to these Amazon shorts to get the job done!
• Pack 1-2 jackets for layering! It can get cooler in the evenings, thanks to being in the middle of the ocean with a breeze! You’ll see a few options as you scroll!
• If you are concerned with motion sickness, bring a tube or two of these! We took them every day just for precautionary purposes and were totally fine!
• When it comes to packing your bags, I would highly recommend using your beach/pool bag as your personal item on the plane! I love these straw tote bags – they hold a lot in flight and are super cute by the pool!

ZAFUL Women’s High Waisted Bikini Scoop Neck Swimsuit Two Pieces Bathing Suit [size up if in between, wearing in medium] // Crochet Trim Wide Leg Cover-Up Pants [true to size, wearing in small] // Lanzom Women Wide Brim Straw Panama Roll up Hat // Ray-Ban RB4105 Wayfarer Folding 50mm

Line & Sand Halter Bikini Top • Becca [true to size, wearing in D] // Line & Sand Hipster Bikini Bottoms • Becca [size up if in between, wearing in medium] // Wrap Maxi Cover-Up Dress • Elan International [true to size, wearing in small] // Ray-Ban RB4105 Wayfarer Folding 50mm

Slouchy Hooded Sweater Cover-Up Tunic • La Blanca [true to size, wearing in small]

Color Code O-Ring Bikini Top • Becca [true to size, wearing in D] // Color Code Hipster Bikini Bottoms • Becca [size up if in between, wearing in medium] // Breezy Basics Cover-Up Dress • Becca [true to size, wearing in small] // Lanzom Women Wide Brim Straw Panama Roll up Hat // Ray-Ban RB4105 Wayfarer Folding 50mm

Albertine Eliza Top [size up, wearing in XL] // Albertine Eliza Bottom [true to size, wearing in medium] // Beach Cotton Cover-Up Shorts • La Blanca [true to size, wearing in small] // Lanzom Women Wide Brim Straw Panama Roll up Hat // Ray-Ban RB4105 Wayfarer Folding 50mm

The Ruched Backflip -Summersalt [size up one, wearing in 6] // The Short Effortless Shirtdress Cover-Up [true to size, wearing in small] // Ray-Ban RB4105 Wayfarer Folding 50mm

Shein One-Piece Cutout Swimsuit [true to size, wearing in medium] // The Crochet High-Neck Dress – Natural • Summersalt [true to size, wearing in small] // Lanzom Women Wide Brim Straw Panama Roll up Hat // Ray-Ban RB4105 Wayfarer Folding 50mm

The Ruched Backflip -Summersalt [size up one, wearing in 6] // Painted Beach Cover-Up Shorts • La Blanca [true to size, wearing in small] // Ray-Ban RB4105 Wayfarer Folding 50mm

Miraclesuit Women’s Slimming Swimwear [size up, wearing in 8] // Crochet Trim Wide Leg Cover-Up Pants [true to size, wearing in small] // Ray-Ban RB4105 Wayfarer Folding 50mm

Scoop Neck Tank [true to size, wearing in small] // Aerie Daydream Denim Short [true to size, wearing in small] // Miller Leather Sandal • Tory Burch [size up .5]

Vintage slub cotton V-neck tee • J.Crew [true to size, wearing in small] // Aerie Daydream Denim Short [true to size, wearing in small] // Miller Leather Sandal • Tory Burch [size up .5] // Ray-Ban RB4105 Wayfarer Folding 50mm

Daybreak Hoodie • Faherty [true to size, wearing in small] // Aerie Daydream Denim Short [true to size, wearing in small] // Miller Leather Sandal • Tory Burch [size up .5]

Tulip Hem Romper • Fraiche by J [size up if in between, wearing in medium] // Paily Braided Sandal • Dolce Vita [true to size, wearing in cafe] // Straw Clutch

Note: If you do sail on a Virgin Cruise, you will want to pack a red outfit for their “Scarlet Night” — everybody on the ship wears red!

Juliana Dress [true to size, wearing in small] // Paily Braided Sandal • Dolce Vita [true to size, wearing in cafe] // Straw Clutch

Romper coming soon to Shop LIY! // Paily Braided Sandal • Dolce Vita [true to size, wearing in cafe] // Straw Clutch

Colette Sweater Tee – Calf • Faherty [true to size, wearing in small] // Crop Straight With Cut Hem • Liverpool Los Angeles [size down if in between, wearing in 2] // Paily Braided Sandal • Dolce Vita [true to size, wearing in cafe] // Ray-Ban RB4105 Wayfarer Folding 50mm

Bubble Sleeve Top [true to size, wearing in small] // Kennedy Crop Straight • Liverpool Los Angeles [size down if in between, wearing in 2] // Sam Edelman Kia [true to size]

Textured Ruffle Sleeve Top [true to size, wearing in small] // Crop Straight With Cut Hem • Liverpool Los Angeles [size down if in between, wearing in 2] // Paily Braided Sandal • Dolce Vita [true to size, wearing in cafe] // Ray-Ban RB4105 Wayfarer Folding 50mm // Straw Clutch

Halter Chambray Dress [true to size, wearing in small] // Paily Braided Sandal • Dolce Vita [true to size, wearing in cafe] // Straw Clutch

Summer Dress for Women [true to size, wearing in small] // Straw Clutch // Paily Braided Sandal • Dolce Vita [true to size, wearing in cafe]

Relaxed Vivienne Jacket [true to size, wearing in small] // Scoop Neck Tank [true to size, wearing in small] // Crop Straight With Cut Hem • Liverpool Los Angeles [size down if in between, wearing in 2] // Straw Clutch // Dolce Vita Iman • Dolce Vita [size up .5]

Lightweight Bomber Jacket [true to size, wearing in small] // Scoop Neck Tank [true to size, wearing in small] // Kennedy Crop Straight • Liverpool Los Angeles [size down if in between, wearing in 2] // Paily Braided Sandal • Dolce Vita [true to size, wearing in cafe]

Straw Clutch // Eunice Bracelet Set // Heart Bracelet // Paige Bracelet // Natalia Bracelet Set // Maddi Bracelet Set

See all similar bags

Shop everything in one spot below — bon voyage!

Founder and creator of LIY, Erin turned her dream of a hobby blog into a full-time career which she now runs alongside the LIY team! When not in front of her computer screen [with a La Croix or wine in hand] or in front of a mirror taking mirror selfies, you can find Erin spending time on the water, cuddled up with her two pups and husband most likely watching the latest Shark Tank episode, or getting lost in an easy beach read.