Clothes To Take On A First Time Cruise

[thistles]

I am thinking of taking my first cruise (alone and 73 year old female) but I would like to buy new clothes that I can wear afterwards, what type of clothes would I need, the cruise is to Spain then on to Portugal and the caribbean, any help would be most helpful form either male or female.

[Zacs-Master]

Time of year?

[thistles]

October

[Prudie]

And type of cruise? I've never done it but a friend goes on the type where you hope to dine at the captain's table and takes loads of cocktail, full-length and generally dressy stuff plus loads of shoes. As for getting off in the Caribbean then very laid back summery stuff. Nothing too dressy

[andy-hughes]

If you are travelling with P & O, or Cunard, check their dress code.

Both lines have specific 'formal nights' when evening wear is required for passengers.

Of course, there are those who don't adhere to the codes, but they are seriously in the minority, so don't be left feeling uncomfortable!

Obviously the weather is warm, so pack as you would for a Med land holiday - but take a few light cardies - the air-conditioning can sometimes be a bit fierce on board!

There are laundries on board, and a laundry service, so don't worry about washing.

Pack sensible lightweight walking shoes, terrain varies different places, so make sure you are equipped for occasional rough ground.

The rule is, be comfortable.

Have a great time!

[Zacs-Master]

I suspect your not entering the Med, so some very warm clothes for that 'leg' and 'summer' things for the Caribbean.

[thistles]

I am not looking to sit at the captains table, just nice an easy, I am rather a shy person, but decided to take the bull by the horns, I have some nice Summer tops,and sandles, but there are three "formal" evenings, would a long skirt and then add several tops eac evening do, do you think??

[andy-hughes]

Sorry thistles - we cross-posted, so I didn't see your 'October' post.

You will need some warmer clothes to get past the European bits, but the Carribean should be nice and warm for you.

[Zacs-Master]

October across the bay of biscay on a boat will be cold.

[andy-hughes]

thistles - 'formal' usually denotes evening wear, so I would include what you would wear to a black tie event here - that's the measure you need.

Gentlemen will be in evening dress, so if you match that style, you'll fit in just fine.

[thistles]

Thank you everyone, I will take all of your information in to my small brain, always come up trumps on here, I love being an Abber XXX

[-Talbot-]

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=EVENING+DRESS+ON+p%26o+cruise&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&;ved=0ahUKEwiSzs2ZlqrUAhXqBsAKHXPSBKIQ_AUICigB&biw=1242&;bih=580#tbm=isch&;q=formal+night+p%26o+cruise

[mazie]

Take a couple of nice Pashminas with you for the Europe leg of the trip thistles. They go with most things. You'll love cruising. We did 3 when the kids were younger. We always dressed for dinner but casual in the day (take comfy shoes). Just be comfortable and enjoy every minute xx

Some of these are nice but a bit pricey....https://www.mypashmina.co.uk/product-category/pashminas/swarovski-crystal-pashminas/

[-Talbot-]

Remember your case gets delivered to your cabin door so you don't be shy with amount of clothes you take.

[andy-hughes]

It does, but you still have to get it in and out of the terminal and in and out of your transport!

[Zacs-Master]

And cross the bay of Biscay in October.

[jno]

generally, there's more than one restaurant on ships of any size, but formal nights are observed only in the main one; so if you don't want to overload your case you can always just try the other restaurants (which are usually pretty good) on formal nights.

But have a look at the website of the line to see what they expect for formal nights. You can also search by the ship's name for questions like yours, and reviews, here

http://www.cruise.co.uk/

[-Talbot-]

Not many taxi drivers leave a lady of a certain age to lug her own case, they normally stick it on a trolley.

[andy-hughes]

jno - // generally, there's more than one restaurant on ships of any size, but formal nights are observed only in the main one; so if you don't want to overload your case you can always just try the other restaurants (which are usually pretty good) on formal nights. //

That's true, but formal dress is still expected around the ship.

[andy-hughes]

It is not a condition of dining in the main restaurants, but as I said earlier, thistles may feel uncomfortable moving around the ship if she is less formally dressed than the vast majority of the other ladies on board.

[jno]

not on any cruise I've been on, andy