Cruises are a slow and timeless mode of travel that makes the process of getting from point A to point B a lot more fun. Instead of sitting in sweatpants and a hoodie on a 10-hour flight, you could be dancing in a gown to live music while you make your way across the Atlantic. 

The dress code for cruise travel is much different than for air travel. I should know; before I was a travel writer, I spent a career living aboard cruise ships as an onboard entertainer. As a crew member with the privilege of enjoying guest areas, I learned how to dress comfortably and with style for various cruise ship events and experiences, such as formal nights, specialty dinner reservations, sail-away parties, and more. 

Whether you’re lounging on deck, exploring ports of call (i.e. stops along the way), or enjoying elegant dinners, choosing the right dress can make you feel more comfortable and create great memories (and incredible photos). Here’s a curated selection of 15 cruise dresses that blend fashion with functionality for your next cruise adventure.

Hount Casual Summer Sleeveless Dress

Lean into the joyfulness of tropical islands you’re cruising to by wearing playful prints you might not otherwise sport at home. A dress with a hibiscus or plumeria print will feel fun and thematic for a cruise to Hawaii. (In fact, one shopper going on a Hawaii cruise said it’s “worth every penny.”) Palm fronds or orchids will be fitting for itineraries to St. Lucia or the BVI’s. This maxi dress comes in all of these prints and more (plus pockets).

With 5,000+ five-star ratings, you can’t go wrong. One cruise goer wrote, “Great for cruise vacation! Packs nice, wrinkle-free.” Others raved that the dress has a comfortable amount of stretch, and the fabric is so soft you could sleep in it.

Nautica Striped Polo Dress

This nautical striped dress by Nautica is classic maritime fashion. Wear this to the breakfast buffet, which typically requests a casual resort wear dress code. Afterward, head to the library and curl up with a book, or kick back on the loungers around the promenade deck while you people watch.

One shopper said it is “perfect” for their Caribbean cruise, since it “fits well” and is “flattering, comfortable, and cool.” Another called it the “perfect outfit” for embarkation day of cruise, so you have a no-fuss, polished look ready to go (one less thing to stress about before your trip).

Qinsen Square-Neck Tennis Dress

Some large cruise ships have onboard tennis courts, basketball courts, squash, or pickleball courts, which make staying fit more fun than trudging away on the treadmill in the gym. Even if you don’t play sports, you can still get a workout with a brisk walk around the promenade deck or in a Zumba class. Bring a cute dress to wear for exercise (you never know who you’ll meet on a cruise). Still, there’s no rule saying you couldn’t wear this out in port too. This one earns points for built-in pockets where you can keep your room card and other essentials. 

(Psst, if you’re looking for something slightly sportier, check out Amazon’s best-selling activewear dress while it’s on sale. One reviewer shared that it was “perfect for going to and from the beach” during their cruise, and it’s so popular, more than 4,000 were bought last month.

Amazhiyu 100% Linen High-Low Midi Dress

Linen is a fantastic fabric to wear if you’re cruising to hot climates. You’ll find the breathable material commonly worn throughout the Mediterranean, such as France, Italy, and Spain. This high-low style is a simple but strategic design that makes it so the back of your legs are covered when sitting down on hot benches; plus, it has pockets.

One buyer raved, “Of all my many dresses which are much more expensive, this $32 linen dress is my absolute favorite everyday dress. The linen is great quality and keeps me cool.” Another shopper, who was thrilled that this dress is actually 100 percent linen, pointed out that this dress would be “a hit on a cruise.”

Prettygarden Summer Wrap Maxi Dress

This wrap dress can feel casual or elevated, depending on whether you wear sandals or heels. It’s also universally flattering for all body types as it cinches at the waist, hugs curves to your liking, and has a flirty, ruffle hem and split skirt to give movement. Reviewers mentioned how it’s a great option for cruise dinners, while others who ordered this for a cruise vacation noted that it was perfect, comfortable, and very nice material.

The Drop Fiona Relaxed Linen Midi Shirt Dress

You won’t regret packing a dress with sleeves on a cruise. Some interior areas of the ship can be chilly (like the theatre), and even in warm destinations a windy sail away at night will feel cold. This linen shirt dress can be worn with or without a belt.

If you’re cruising in Europe, this dress will fit right in as one buyer said, “it definitely gives Italian style vibes and I get numerous compliments every time I wear it.” 

Zesica Summer Puff-Sleeve Maxi Dress

Almost all luxury cruise lines offer afternoon high tea in the dining room. This is a longstanding tradition where guests can enjoy light sandwiches and pastries at around 3 or 4 in the afternoon, to tide you over until dinner service. It’s also a lot of fun to sit and chat with fellow guests. Just like a royal tea service you’d find in London, expect to dress in attire that is considered upscale daytime resort wear.

Merokeety Wrap Velvet Maxi Dress

I often saw guests dressing too casually on formal nights wearing knee-length cocktail dresses. But going all out on an elegant floor-length gown is part of the fun of this sea-day sailing tradition. On ship formal nights you’ll see the bridge officers wearing their formal ship whites, and many crew members wear elevated staff attire as well. As a guest, lean into the tradition and don your glitziest gown.

This one is made of an elegant velvet material, covers your shoulders, and has a flattering wrap design. One cruise goer wrote: “I tried so many black dress for a formal dinner in our girl vacation cruise and nothing screams classy and elegant like this dress. I wanted to look sophisticated so this dress delivered it.”

Hanpceirs Boat-Neck Sleeveless Swing Dress

As a cruise ship dancer, I was tasked with teaching daytime dance classes such as salsa, waltz, and swing. These classes were a lot of fun as the guests eagerly soaked up the instruction and really got moving. Later that evening, I’d often find my students hitting the floor in the piano lounge, confidently showing off their new moves to live music. If you have visions of dancing all night as you cruise the open sea, then you’ll want a good dancing dress like this one that allows for movement around your legs. 

Dokotoo Casual Short-Sleeve Cover-Up Dress

This button-down dress makes an excellent cover-up for hanging by the pool or wearing ashore to the beach. You could also style this fully buttoned up and belted for a simple day dress look. One reviewer said they bought this explicitly for a cruise and it performed well, “I bought this as a cover for a cruise in February. It was the perfect cover up but I could use it as just a cute outfit.”

Grace Karin Strapless Ruched Maxi Dress

Wear this strapless style for a day of spa appointments. No zippers, buttons, or closures make it easy to take off as you prep for a massage. The style also keeps your neck and chest exposed should you get a facial steam or shoulder massage. Unlike many slip-on maxi dresses, this one has pockets. Shoppers call it a “great cruising dress,” saying they “can’t wait to wear it to dinner” aboard the ship.

Chouyatou Long-Sleeve Button-Down Maxi Shirt Dress

Another “perfect cruising dress,” according to reviewers, this lightweight and soft cotton dress is breathable and comfy thanks to its wide dolman sleeves and naturally slouchy fit. If you’re going out in port for a long day of exploring, be it walking or sitting on a tour bus, then you’ll want to prioritize comfort. This dress will protect you from sun on your chest, arms, and shoulders while still feeling lightweight and breezy. Unbutton it at the bottom to create more airflow and leg room. Four different stripe colorways work with any pair of shoes, but I recommend comfortable white walking sneakers or blister-free supportive sandals.

Bsubseach Printed Kaftan Dress

If you’re lounging at the pool and want to grab a quick bite at the buffet, there’s usually a dress code to go through the line, which requires shoes and a shirt. A kaftan is an easy fix that instantly feels like an outfit, even if you’ve slipped it on over a bathing suit.

This kaftan dress has racked up tons of reviews from cruise goers calling it “perfect cruise wear” and that they “plan to wear it for casual dining and on deck relaxing.” Plus, it “packs down small,” making it perfect for cruise carry-on bags.

Merokeety Short-Sleeve T-Shirt Dress

A shirt dress is a versatile item to through in your luggage that you could end up wearing more often than anything else. On sea days and afternoons on board, attire is typically resort casual, and this dress in any of its 23 different colors fits the bill. With over 20,000 five-star ratings, this crew neck shirt dress has a flattering belt tie that makes it tailored to any body type. Pockets make it convenient to travel light around the ship with just your room key and your phone. You could wear this dress to grab a coffee, read in the library, watch a lecture, or just head to the top deck for an afternoon drink. 

One customer wrote, “we cruise a lot and it is easy to pack and dress up or down,” while another shared that they bought two of these dresses for their cruise, and when they returned home from their trip, they purchased another two — it’s just that good.

Grace Karin Sequin Cocktail Dress

Some cruises have themed nights depending on when they sail and where they’re going. If you’re embarking on a New Year’s cruise or an exclusive itinerary (like a river cruise through Paris during the Olympics), you’ll want something flashy to celebrate the occasion.

Opt for sequins instead of fabric with sparkles unless you want glitter all over the contents of your suitcase. And trust us, you’re bound to get all of the compliments — and shoppers agree. One customer said, “I bought this dress for elegant night on a recent cruise. I received so many compliments all over the ship!”

Love a great deal? Sign up for our T+L Recommends newsletter and we’ll send you our favorite travel products each week.