Bolsover Cruise Club Blog

What to Pack for a World Cruise: Expert Tips

Knowing what to pack for a world cruise can be both exciting and stressful. Clothes, shoes, devices, packing for a world cruise can be a lot to handle! If you’ve got a world cruise coming up, this guide will make sure you’ve got everything you need to stay comfortable and entertained. Come rain or shine, Bolsover Cruise Club will ensure you’re covered!

Day vs. Night

Cruising the world involves long stretches at sea, so guests should pack for both daytime and evening activities.

During the day, cruisers must be prepared for a wide range of weather conditions and situations, spending their days both at sea and ashore. One of the most important things to remember is to pack clothing that covers your arms and legs, as these are required to enter many sacred sites. A sun hat and sunglasses are also a must, especially in consistently hot and sunny locations like the Mediterranean and the Caribbean.

Evenings are naturally cooler, allowing for more comfortable clothing to be worn. Guests can usually expect three formal nights each week on a world cruise, requiring smarter attire such as blazers, shirts, and dresses. With the remaining evenings working to an ‘elegant casual’ dress code, guests are advised to pack skirts, casual dresses, polo shirts, and trousers.

Clothing: Men & Women

Packing for a world cruise differs between men and women. In days gone by, every night on board a cruise ship was one of formal dress and tradition, but today it is only on select nights.

For women, cocktail dresses are a terrific option for formal nights, as they take up less space in a suitcase. It’s also advisable to pack at least one full-length gown. A black dress is always a cruise wear favourite thanks to its ability to be transformed with jewellery, as can a simple maxi dress.

Aside from formal nights, trousers and skirts can be dressed up for evenings with glitzy tops. Chiffon blouses fold up easily and weigh barely anything, so bear this in mind when deciding what to pack for a world cruise. Simple dresses that work well with flats for the day can be transformed with a clutch bag and heels for the night.

For men, formal nights are rather elaborate affairs, offering the perfect opportunity to dust off your tux or kilt. Taking a couple of tuxedos is ideal, with several bow ties to mix things up throughout the journey. A sharp black or navy dinner jacket can be paired with trousers, a shirt, and a tie for semi-formal evenings or with dark jeans and a shirt for casual evenings. A lighter cotton or linen jacket can work well on hot evenings, whilst soft, thin knits can be layered over open-neck shirts for a relaxed look that works well on overnights in port.

Footwear

When it comes to packing for a world cruise, the right shoes are key. You’ll need flip-flops or sandals for days on the beach or around the pool, as well as a pair of supportive trainers or walking boots for exploring ashore. Slip-on pumps are a versatile option for those looking to pack light, as they work great for smartening up in city destinations and for more relaxed evenings on board.

For smarter evenings, dress shoes are ideal for men. For women, we recommend selecting three or four pairs of heels that complement all outfits, supplementing them with a couple of mid-height pairs.

Essentials, Entertainment, and Everything Else

Packing for a world cruise requires that extra bit of planning, as while you’re sure to have relaxing downtime on any cruise, the length of time it takes to cross the Atlantic or sail to the distant Pacific Islands means more time than usual at sea. 

On board facilities will be sure to keep you busy, but here are our top suggestions for ensuring you’re always equipped for fun:

  • Take a Kindle or tablet computer and download some books to help save on suitcase space.
  • Pack memory cards if you’re taking a camera. Over the course of a 120-night world cruise, you can take thousands of photographs, so don’t lose them due to a lack of memory.
  • Many cruise lines offer binoculars for animal and scenery spotting, but always ask the question beforehand so that you can take your own if this isn’t the case.
  • Slip any accessories between or inside other items to save space.
  • For cooler nights or chilly air conditioning on board a fly cruise, take a cotton scarf to keep you warm.
  • World cruises take you to some of the world’s biggest and most developed cities, so pack minimal toiletries as you will come across shampoo, toothpaste, and deodorant along the way.

Expert Tips for Packing for a World Cruise

You can never get enough advice on what to pack for a world cruise, so here are Bolsover Cruise Club’s essential expert tips for how to approach the fun yet daunting task of packing for a world cruise.

Outfit Planning

Planning outfits that can be layered is a great way to begin the packing process. Pick out thinner layers that are easy to slip on and off in ports of frequent temperature changes, like Far East Asia or North America.

Casual Separates

By coordinating colours, you can mix and match the same garments throughout your cruise. Shorts, trousers, and skirts can be paired with simple vest tops, t-shirts, and lightweight shirts to get more looks from fewer items of clothing. A pair of dark jeans can also be casual during the day and dressed up with a smart dinner jacket for the evening.

Laundry Services

Many cruise lines offer reduced or complimentary laundry services as a loyalty benefit, so look into this to potentially save suitcase space.

Discover Your Perfect Cruise Getaway with Bolsover Cruise Club


Get ready to book your next world cruise getaway with all of the major cruise lines available here at Bolsover Cruise Club. If you need help booking a cruise, please don’t hesitate to contact us. One of our Cruise Experts will be happy to assist you.

Emma

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