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What do you wear on an Italian cruise?

What to Pack for a Mediterranean Cruise
  • Casual clothes. During a Mediterranean cruise, you'll be doing a lot of walking. ...
  • Swimsuits. What to pack for a Mediterranean cruise will always include swimwear. ...
  • Swim cover-ups. ...
  • Sun hat. ...
  • Sunglasses. ...
  • Comfortable walking shoes. ...
  • Sweater or light jacket. ...
  • Scarf or pashmina.




Dressing for an Italian or Mediterranean cruise requires a blend of "resort casual" and "European chic." During the day, lightweight and breathable fabrics like linen and cotton are essential for exploring ports like Rome or Florence. Comfortable walking shoes are a must for cobblestone streets. When visiting cathedrals, ensure your shoulders and knees are covered; a light pashmina or scarf is a versatile accessory for this. In the evenings, the vibe shifts to "Smart Casual"—think sundresses or tailored trousers for women and chinos with a collared shirt for men. Most cruises also feature a "Gala" or "Elegant" night where cocktail dresses and suits or blazers are encouraged. Avoid wearing swimwear, flip-flops, or tank tops in the main dining rooms, as Italian hospitality culture generally values a more polished presentation for evening meals.

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Casual, comfortable attire T-shirts, tank tops, shorts, sundresses, and skirts are all perfectly fine clothes to wear on a cruise ship to have lunch in the Oceanview Cafe and other restaurants with a casual dress code. You can also dine in casual pool clothes at the snack bar located next to the pool deck.

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“Even on warm itineraries in season in the Caribbean and Mediterranean, it can get chilly at night on deck or in the mornings on excursions. Plan to wear layers that you can easily peel off and always include a layer to cope with downpours even if a small folding umbrella or lightweight rain poncho.”

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Overall: Casual before 6 p.m., elegant casual after that. Casual wear is permitted on the final evening of the cruise. On sailings of 16 nights or longer, formal and semi-formal are optional on two evenings. Recommended for Women: Slacks or skirt with blouse or sweater, pantsuit, dress.

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7-8 Daytime Outfits On your 7 day cruise, you'll need a casual daytime outfit for each day, plus at least one backup outfit in case you get wet.

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For optimal weather and adventures aplenty, the best time to cruise the Mediterranean is in the spring, summer or fall season, from early April through late November. During the winter, many locals close up shop, making it difficult for travelers to enjoy the full Mediterranean experience.

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The biggest offender is the Mediterranean, which tends to be roughest in the fall and winter, due to winds and storms. However, avid cruisers have experienced rough seas in the spring and summer, so be prepared for anything.

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Sneakers or comfortable walking shoes If you're planning on doing a lot of walking around the ship during days at sea, it's a good idea to pack a pair of sneakers or other comfortable walking shoes.

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Day: Casual shirts, shorts, trousers and beachwear are ideal. The main restaurants require a casual wear dress code for breakfast and lunch, however you may wear shorts in either the Kings Court (Queen Mary 2) or Lido Restaurant (Queen Victoria & Queen Elizabeth).

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DO dress a little nicer than you would in America. There is no dress code when going to most restaurants but you might receive some funny looks if you show up in sweats. Dressing well is respectful and you'll want to try to blend in with the locals.

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The 5 Most Dangerous Parts of a Ship for Passengers
  • Watertight Doors. Never try to outrun a closing watertight door. ...
  • Wet/Slippery Surfaces. ...
  • Ferries & Lifeboats. ...
  • Dining Facilities & Fast-Spreading Illnesses. ...
  • Balconies. ...
  • Talking to a Florida Cruise Ship Injury Attorney.


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April to June offers the best weather Often considered the best time to visit, spring offers the ideal mix of good climate and bearable tourism flows. Nature blooms as the snow melts in the mountains and the rolling hills of the central Italian countryside come to life after the chilly winter.

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You'll see suits and ties, tuxedos or evening gowns, but don't have to go so formal yourself. Shorts (including cutoff jeans), T-shirts, sportswear, flip-flops, bathing suits, caps and men's sleeveless shirts are never permitted in the main dining room or specialty restaurants during dinner.

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Jeans and baseball caps are not allowed in the restaurants for dinner. On informal nights, jackets (ties optional) for men are recommended, while women can opt for dresses or pantsuits. Tuxedos, dinner jackets or dark suits for men and gowns or cocktail dresses for women are suggested for formal nights.

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The first day of a cruise is pretty casual, so dress comfortably. T-shirts and shorts are fine, as are light sundresses or rompers. If you're going on a Caribbean cruise you may want to wear a bathing suit under your clothes or pack a change of clothes in your cruise carry on bag.

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