One of the questions I'm asked a lot about in my role as an Image Consultant is what to take on a cruise - usually by clients who have never cruised and know that I have.
My first cruise was years ago, so long ago that there were still two class ships, first and second class passengers - I went on holiday on P&O's Oriana (the old one) and I was ruined for life. As a second class passenger we were confined to the back of the ship and there were certain doors we could not go through - still I didn't care - I was young and I had a wonderful time. The next year I went back on the same ship and it had become one class and I could go all over the ship - I couldn't believe how big it was and how much I hadn't seen the year before.
Since then I've cruised again and again and have probably been on well over twenty cruises. I've tried the dress down sort but my preference is for the ships that have formal evenings. To my mind the dressing up is part of the holiday and I'm prepared to put some effort into it. A ship on a warm night at sea with total darkness and just the ocean all around with all the public rooms beautifully lit and furnished, piano music tinkling, champagne flowing and every one in formal dress (even the waiters change their jackets and the crew wear formal attire) is a sight to behold.
I tend to have five requirements if I'm packing to go on a Cruise when I know the weather will be warm. They are:
Daytime on the Ship - For this I prefer lightweight jersey separates, trousers, shorts, t-shirt tops, a light cardigan/jacket. Here you also need to add in swimwear and cover-ups, flip-flops etc. I prefer trainers, or loafers - something with a rubber sole so you don't slip on newly washed decks is ideal.
Daytime in Port - In port, it depends on the weather but if hot it needs to be lightweight - and of natural fibre, whilst some prefer shorts and t-shirts or sundresses, because I burn easily I prefer lightweight baggy crepe trousers and short-sleeved tops. It's also worth considering where you are going as churches abroad generally require that your legs and shoulders are covered. Sandals or comfy shoes essential.
Casual Evening - For these evenings a pair of trousers and a skirt in a neutral colour like navy or stone are ideal and a selections of nice tops and jewellery to dress them up slightly. If you are canny about what you wear and when it's useful to wear a top for the evening and then use it on one of your days in port.
Informal Evening - I see this as a chance to wear day or cocktail dresses (just below the knee) or an evening pair of trousers and dressy top. The chaps will be wearing lounge suits so it fits together quite well. Also if you have good jersey basics you can dress plain styles with costume jewellery and then use the same thing on days in port or casual evenings without the fancy accessories. (ex. A plain black scoop neck dress worn with black patent shoes/bag and silver costume jewellery on an informal evening can easily be worn with white or red on a casual night and sandals and a scarf on a day in port - I make my basics really work for their living).
Formal Evening - This is the time I get out my long dresses and give then an outing - the fellas are all in dinner suits and it's impossible to go over the top. Chiffon and sequins abound. If you are on a two-week cruise and there are four formal evenings it's easy to wear one dress and the beginning of the cruise and again at the end (I may change the look - say that I'd worn a magenta pink dress with silver jewellery/shoes and a sequin bag - I might switch to black accessories or pink ones the next time I wore it - I'd also carry a different shawl, I always take shawls as the air-con can be quite cool in some of the public rooms).
There are no weight restrictions if travelling from this country so it's how much you can reasonable manage to take which will fulfil your needs. If travelling on a cruise for the first time don't worry about the clothes, use my guide and you won't go far wrong. Enjoy!
Find out more at ColourMeBeautiful. Book a Colour Consultation or Style Consultation with Colour Me Beautiful. Cindy Rossiter has been a Nottinghamshire award winning consultant with Colour Me Beautiful in the U.K. since 1991.  |  |
