5 Cute Cruise Dresses from Casual to Cocktail

One of the hardest things about packing for a cruise is knowing what kind of dresses to take. How casual or how fancy should they be? Here are 5  cute cruise dresses that won’t let you down.

1. Casual Cruise Dresses

Cruises have become a  lot more casual than they’ve ever been, which means you can’t go wrong, bringing along a cute, casual, cheery sundress.  If you are headed to the tropics, choose something summery in a light fabric and happy color. Stripes, tropical prints, or playful patterns are also perfect for vacation mode.

This darling palm leaf twist print sundress in two-tone blue is relaxed, comfy, and feminine.  Wear it with white sandals and some island-themed jewelry to complete the look.

Where to Wear it: Cruise dresses, like this, are great by day when you are walking around the ship or shopping in port.  It’s also fine for visiting the buffet or dining room dinners with the dress code is casual.

2.  Cruise Dinner Dresses

You’ll need a couple of dresses for dinner, and since it is natural to want to take something white, a pretty lace dress, like this one, is a sure winner. This shift style dress is slightly loose through the middle( so go ahead and have that key lime pie), and the shorter length makes it sporty and flirty too.  Pair a dress like this with flat sandals or a small rope wedge, a straw bag, and some pretty earrings for an upscale-casual look.

When to Wear it? Smart Casual or Elegant Casual Nights as they are often called take place 3- or 4 nights of a cruise. This type of cruise dinner dress would be perfect for that, a little dressy, but not formal. This is my favorite type of dress to bring on a cruise.

3. Cocktail Dresses for Cruiseships

There are times when you may feel like getting a little more dressed up. In this case, pack a cute cocktail dress. This peacock green shift dress with the eye catching gold trim looks party-ready with the addition of gold sandals and a matching metallic bag.

Where to wear it: On a date at one of the ship’s fancy restaurants, dancing at an onboard club, at the ship’s casino, or on a formal night that calls for cocktail attire.

4.  Cruise Formal Night Dresses

If you look forward to cruising because you get to dress up to the nines and wear something you wouldn’t normally wear at home, then you will love formal nights. Many cruise lines have reduced these to just one night, if any, since they don’t want their guests they have to dress up when they are on holiday.  The dress code for formal nights is cocktail dresses and long gowns.  It’s the same type of thing you would wear to a beautiful wedding.

This lovely pink off the shoulder dress is an excellent example of something you’d see at the formal dinner night. If you love glitz and glam, then a dress with some sparkle or shine is very appropriate too.

Where to wear it? – Formal nights. Don’t show up at the buffet line in a special dress like this.

5. Cruise Maxi Dresses

You may not wear a lot of maxis back home, but cruise maxi dresses are ideal for this type of vacation. This comfortable, breezy maxi dress is a great example. It’s loose and flowy, relaxed and summery. Pair it with straw accessories for a super cute cruisewear look.

Where to wear it? This is a great casual dress to wear when strolling the decks, having a casual drink by the pool, or going ashore to have a bite at a local cafe.  It’s cute and colorful and would fit right in at the outdoor dinner buffet outdoor buffet that all ships throw at least once a cruise. More maxi dresses for a cruise in this post.

Do you have a better idea of what cruise dresses to pack now? Think casually elegant and you can’t go wrong. I have linked a few more, above, that would be perfect too. Happy Cruising!