Essential Cruise Wardrobe Pieces

It’s summer, and if you’re anything like me, you might be thinking about a cruise again. Now, I always think about going on a cruise and then somehow talk myself out of it, but I am a person who likes to set  up a home base and then explore a city for an entire week. We’ve been debating on a Mediterranean cruise though, so we’ll see if we actually go through with it. I’d love to see a lot of Greece and Turkey in one go, but I’m also really thinking I might just spend a week in Malta. 

Anyway, if you are actually planning a cruise, and you’ve whittled down what sort of ship you want to go on, where you want to go, and have gathered your cabin accessories, then let’s talk what to put in your luggage. We’ll talk about how to pack your luggage in a different post.

You’re going to need things other than just clothing staples, so let’s talk about those things: 

A great bathing suit for all those trips to the pool and possibly the beaches of whatever city you’ve docked at. I love this cutie ruffle tankini set. It has more coverage and comes in a bunch of different colors/patterns, so it can work for just about everyone. 

Shoes. You probably want to bring a pair of flip flops or water shoes. They take up almost no space. Aside from those, I always suggest two pair of walking shoes, one traditional and one nicer. I wear sneakers on the plane and on excursions, and then I bring a nice pair of sandals, like these Dr. Scholls ones to wear with dresses or exploring a city.

An outer layer for when it’s cooler in the evenings or you’re inside with the a/c blasting. This open weave cardigan is nice and loose, not too warm, and looks great with shorts or a dress. 

Sunglasses are the first thing to always go in my bag. This two-pack of classic shades have colors that go with everything in your wardrobe and if you lose or break a pair (this has happened to me more often than I want to admit), you have a backup pair.

Towels for when you aren’t on the ship or have access to beach towels. Turkish towels are great travel companions, because they can be used as bath towels, beach blankets, picnic blankets, a sarong, or even a shawl. They are super absorbent and dry quickly. This two-pack is perfect and affordable and you can buy more than one set if you’re traveling as a family or group. And if you’re worried about your towel flying away on windy days, grab a set of towel bands. They’re really helpful for identifying your chair at the pool when everyone has the same towels.

A tote bag for day trips and bringing items with you to the pool. I love one that can handle wet items, for when you’re done at the beach and change into regular clothes. These insulated totes from Travelon can take your chilled drinks and sunscreen with you and then your soggy suits and towels back. They pack smaller into their own pouch. It comes in a small size and a larger size for when you travel with more people or also want to use it for grocery store runs. (You buy these directly from Travelon and use code SHEREENTRAVELS20% for an exclusive discount.)

Pajamas are something most of us wear. I like lounge-y sets that I could wear down to the laundry, hang out on the balcony in the morning with my coffee,  or to wear to pajama night events on some ships. These come in a set of two, so you can always have a spare.

Next up, how to pack all these things for your ultimate cruise trip, because, not only do you want to look great, but you also want to pack small and conveniently, as cruises are a whole different kind of vacation than any other you’ll take. Packing needs to be strategic. 

What are your favorite things to bring on a cruise or a great tip you have for cruising?

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