Taking a cruise is like living on a floating resort...

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Taking a cruise is like living on a floating resort with all the amenities, entertainment, boutiques, swimming pool, spa, great food, the works!  You settle into your cabin and everything is taken care of  for you  the entire time. You have endless hours of enjoyment and it's one of the most relaxing vacations you can imagine.

Inhale the fresh sea air, feel the warm breeze through your hair, soak up the sun, relish the cuisine, enjoy the entertainment. And, once you arrive at your destination, you'll step into a world of exotic pleasures that'll stick with your memory like the white powdery sand between your toes.

Whether you fancy stretching out on a deck chair with a cool drink, exploring quaint harbour towns, discovering historic sites, sailing between steep mountains on fjords, swinging in a hammock between two palm trees, or floating on your back in the warm waters in some paradise, you'll find it's easy to realise your dream vacation on a cruise.

A cruise is the ultimate voyage to your vacation dream. And now, it's never been easier or more affordable to take a cruise because these days there are numerous cruise ships with fleets offering different styles of cruising for beautiful experiences to delight everyone at any budget.

Here are some common considerations and tips for the first-time cruise passenger.

 

Will I save money if I book at the last minute?

Not necessarily. In fact, cruise lines are more likely to offer lower prices, attractive cabin upgrades and other benefits for people who plan and book their cruise early...months earlier, and the earlier the better. 

Note:  The cheapest price with the lowest cost cabin will usually get you a less enjoyable experience.  Cruise pricing reflects supply and demand.  The more demand there is, the higher the price. For example, if you are planning a family cruise for Christmas in the tropics, you'll need to book it early and will probably pay the full (brochure) price.  On the other hand, cruises in the Caribbean during other times of the year can be a big bargain, like during the official 'hurricane season' ... don't worry...you're in for a surprise...read on for more about safe sailing.

Cabins: Inside Or Outside?

The outside facing cabin has a porthole or a picture window. In addition, you can get a cabin with a balcony.

The inside cabins do not have a window and are less expensive.  In addition, the inside cabins might have bunk beds.

Decks: Upper, Mid Ship Or Lower?...

Location on the ship is something else to consider. Even though the modern ships are well stabilized and you'll probably not notice you're moving, there tends to be less motion felt towards the lower levels, and this could be important if you are prone to motion sickness.

 

What documents do I need?

Check with the cruise line you'll be sailing with, but as a standard guideline...

In addition to your cruise documents that you’ll receive in advance of the voyage,  you should have with you 2 proofs of citizenship if you are from the USA if you don't have a passport. A photo ID such as a drivers license, USA State ID card, U.S. military ID, birth certificate (with the raised seal for it to be authentic) would work. Again, check with the cruise line well in advance if you don't have a passport! With all the security hoopla these days, the regulations may change and you may have to get yourself a passport!

Beware...guests arriving for embarkation without proper identification / documentation may not join the voyage and the cruise lines will not grant you a refund!

For US and Canadian Citizens: United States and Canadian citizens are required to carry a valid passport and necessary visas when they travel outside their countries. Expired passports are not accepted as proof of citizenship. If you don’t have a passport, contact your cruise line immediately.

NOTE:  for USA citizens, a drivers license alone is not sufficient proof of citizenship, nor is a USA voter’s registration card accepted as proof of citizenship.

For non US citizens: if you are booking your cruise from within the USA, please consult with the department of immigration for proper identification requirements in connection with the cruise... or the consular offices in your country when planning your trip from home. The minimum ID you will need is your national passport, and any visas required for the USA. But note: if  the cruise is taking you outside the USA, for example to the Caribbean, Mexico, Canada, you will also need a re-entry visa to get back into the USA, aboard the ship.

Children under 18 years of age...

Check with the authorities about regulations for children younger than 18 years of age who plan to travel to a foreign country. For a few countries, children must be accompanied by both parents, or when both parents are not present, have a notarized letter of consent signed by the parent(s) not travelling. Check the requirements especially for children travelling to Mexico and Canada.

 

When I arrive at the airport of the city the ship will sail from, what happens to my luggage if I leave it at the airport with a cruise porter?

If the cruise line you are using has an airfare program that takes care of transporting your luggage from the airport to the ship, you’ll need to remember to affix the luggage ID tags that were sent to you with your cruise documents so the cruise porter can manage your  bags once they've cleared customs. The rest happens automatically, and the next time you see your luggage will be in your cabin! If you sign on to an airfare program, you'll get all the instructions with your cruise documents.

If you are flying into the ship's port city but are NOT using a cruise line’s airfare program, you still need to affix your cruise line ID tags to your bags, but you will be taking your luggage to the ship yourself.

If you are driving to the ship's port city instead of flying in, affix your cruise line ID tags to your bags, you'll proceed to the port, and check in your luggage at the ship. 

You got the message...don't forget to attach your cruise line's luggage ID tags!

 

What happens when I arrive at the ship for departure?

You’ll take your luggage through the ship’s security before proceeding to the check-in where your travel documents and tickets will be processed.

 

Do I have to carry my own luggage to my cabin?

After you take your luggage through the ship's security check, the porters will see that your luggage is delivered to your cabin.

In all cases, because of the quantity of luggage, it can take a few hours before your luggage is put into your cabin, so remember to keep whatever it is that you really need with you packed separately in a smaller, carry on bag (e.g. bathing suit, makeup, change of cloths/shoes, medications, baby articles, a child’s favourite toy…)

The ship porters have thousands of bags to deliver to cabins and it does take a while. The most important thing is your cruise luggage ID tags so don’t forget to attach one to every bag. Failing to do so will create a logistic problem and delays in getting your luggage…how will the porters know where to find you and your cabin?

 On the last night of your cruise…

Your bags will be TAKEN  from your room so, have them packed in advance. You will be asked to put your luggage (except your carry-on bags) outside your cabin before you go to sleep so that they can be taken to the holding area, and then off loaded early the next morning. Everything is handled professionally. You will claim your bags in the customs area. Don’t worry all this will be explained on the ship.

Keep with you in your smaller carry on bag whatever you need that final night on board the ship (pajamas, toothbrush, valuables…) …AND DON’T FORGET A CHANGE OF CLOTHING FOR THE NEXT MORNING…because you will not get your main luggage back until you are actually getting off the ship!  So, remember to plan for the day you disembark at the end of your vacation.

What is included in the cruise price?

Included in your cruise would be your accommodation, all of your meals for the length of your cruise, endless entertainment and activities, and all of the amenities of a floating resort and more! Some cruise lines have introduced alternative dining venues, such as special restaurants on board, that charge a nominal cover charge but they are well worth it and only an option for you.  All cruise lines offer the traditional dining rooms with no cover charges.  

Note: Alcoholic beverages, souvenirs, and your gambling charges are at your own cost.  

Meals on board…

Hunger isn’t an issue on board a cruise ship. You can eat 24 hours a day with the around-the-clock room service. On some voyages, there may be as many as 8 meals served in the dining areas every day depending on the type and style of cruise ship.

Cruise ships are notorious for their excellent cuisine.

Special diets can be accommodated and it's best to order these in advance. Kosher, gluten-free, diabetic, salt or fat-free foods and other special dietary needs can be arranged, so make sure that you state this when making your reservation.

How will I know where to sit?

Your meal time and table assignment will be made for you, and you will be informed.  Depending on the type of cruise and the line you are using, there are usually two seatings for dinner; the main seating and the late seating.  Usually the main seating starts around 6:00  PM and the late seating around 8:00  PM.  Your table assignment is made for the entire cruise. If you are travelling with children you might want to select the earlier seating for dinner. 

Is There A Midnight Buffet?

As if eating all day wasn't enough, most cruise ships put on a lavish midnight feast for passengers at least once during a cruise, sometimes every night.  Many cruise lines serve snacks in certain areas between 11 pm and midnight rather than a full meal.  If you enjoy food, many folks have chosen the early (or main) seating for dinner so that they can be ready to eat again when the midnight buffet rolls around (whew)!  You'll be glad there's a gym on board.  

Special Occasions...

Cruise lines will treat you to a complimentary cake and a chorus of Happy 'whatever' to honor the occasion.  Speak to your booking agent about special occasions if you would like champagne, flowers or to even arrange a special private party on board.

 

Will there be a safety demonstration on board?

When you get to your cabin, the first thing you should do is find your life jacket(s) which are stored in all cabins. Then, check the information in your cabin about the location of your MUSTER STATION and the time you should meet there for the standard emergency exercise every cruise carries out, once everyone is boarded. In a nutshell, passengers will be directed to specific parts of the ship wearing their life jackets, as a dress rehearsal to prepare everyone about what to do in the event of a serious emergency. 

What weather conditions can I expect?

You can expect mostly calm and enjoyable weather. Within regions, weather conditions vary from port to port, at different times of the year. It is advisable to look up the weather for the destination you are headed for. There are varying sources of this information, especially on line, where you can find typical weather conditions and monthly averages for high and low temperatures, precipitation and humidity. http://www.weather.com .  Read on about cruises and storms...

Low season – best prices – but low season ‘tis the hurricane season!

An ‘average’ hurricane season can mean up to about 11 tropical storms. Of these, five to seven could develop into full-fledged hurricanes, according to weather statistics. However, not all hurricanes ever strike land, or interfere with cruises, and the cruise lines do have an effective strategy for avoiding the storms altogether.

The advantage of sailing during hurricane season is that prices are at their lowest. The best deals are during the months from late August to mid December, so it’s an attractive time to buy a nice cruise and save.

Hurricane season technically runs from June 1 - November 30 and although such storms are not predictable, their peak season varies by geographic location. For example, in the Eastern Caribbean and the east coast of the U.S., the busiest storm time tends to be in the mid August to mid September period.  In the Western Caribbean, it’s a bit later, from mid September stretching into early November. Early and late season hurricanes (from June and mid to late November) are rare, but it can happen.

All things considered, statistically, the chances that your particular voyage is going to be affected by a hurricane are very slim. But that's not to say that it won't happen, and it's been known to happen.

Are Cruise Ships Safe During Hurricanes?

All cruise lines have one strategy and that is to AVOID rather than confront a storm. Cruise lines have been operating for years and have very specific hurricane and tropical storm emergency plans. The weather is constantly monitored especially during the storm season, all the ships have state-of-the-art satellites and they use back up monitoring from their headquarter locations.

When a storm threatens, cruise ships can out run them because storms tend to move at about 8 - 10 knots, while ships can attain speeds of up to 22 knots! And, the ship can be put on a different course.

A scenario would be...when a storm threatens a ship's scheduled ports of call, the Captain will order the ship to head for alternate places to anchor away from the storm- affected area. For example, a cruise line with an Eastern Caribbean schedule of stops which needs altering will just re-route and switch over to a Western Caribbean port schedule (and vice versa). If a ship can’t find a port that’s available to dock in, it will head to calmer waters where the alternate schedule could include a couple of extra days at sea to wait it out. Most likely, you'll be having a good time on board during this additional time at sea, just waiting it out.

Would I get a refund?

If your ship is re-routed, you will NOT get a refund for the ports that were missed. So, be aware….the fine print in your ticket (which is actually a contract), gives cruise lines the right to substitute ports if and when, at the Captain's discretion. Generally, this happens to avoid the path of a storm to spare passengers discomfort, and preserve a good vacation experience.

2 Golden Tips...

#1    Buy insurance, whether through the cruise line or through an independent provider; make sure the policy covers weather-related disruption.

#2    Start monitoring tropical storm conditions a week before you leave on your voyage by watching The Weather Channel, or by visiting the website at http://www.weather.com .

 

Is Motion Sickness Common? What would be the best remedy?

Ships today are so well stabilized that most of the time you won’t notice you are even moving! It’s a good idea though to take along some prescribed Dramamine. If you do have a problem on board, all ships have a medical team.   

What about seasickness?

Cruises today and seasickness do not really go hand in hand with the modern ships. The ship’s stabilizers are designed for maximum passenger comfort should the seas get a bit choppy. And, in today’s technologically savvy world, it is easy for the captain’s bridge to know well in advance if the seas will be rough. They are able to make the necessary routing changes to offer the passengers the most comfort.

And for other ailments...

All ships have qualified medical staff on board.

 

Once on board the ship, do I need to carry cash or may I pay with credit cards and travel checks when purchasing items?

 

Depending on the cruise line…

For your convenience, the cruise lines open on-board accounts for bar purchases, soft drinks, souvenirs, to pay for any tour shore excursions, etc, which you would settle at the end of the cruise.

For example:  On Carnival Cruise Line, there is a “cashless society” which means everyone gets a special  card  to use to pay for anything onboard, e.g. facials, massages, casino gambling, gift shops, booking tours ….the things not included in the price of the cruise.

Carnival’s ‘Sail and Sign Card’  application  will be among the forms you get in advance.  Whatever you spend will be transferred to your credit cards and one of the last things you will do before leaving the ship on the final day will be to sign the bill that will arrive in your cabin. 

Other cruise lines have a similar cashless society system on board. 

In the ports of call...

In the destination ports, most shops will accept major credit cards and travellers checks. Some may even accept American dollars in cash. The street vendors require cash, usually.

 

How much money should I expect to spend on board the ship?

It depends on your personal needs and desire. You might need between $50 – $100 a day on board for items you may want to buy...or not!  Basically, all of your food and entertainment is included in the price of the cruise, so you may not even spend that much while on board the ship. The point is, YOU set your limit. 

Is tipping necessary on board, and how much is appropriate?

 

Yes it is but it's not customary to tip the waiter or other servers during your cruise. Instead, it's common practice that envelopes for this purpose are placed in your cabins on the last day of the cruise. You can also pick up the envelopes and instructions on the appropriate tipping allowances at the purser’s desk on board.  Some cruise lines have a no-tipping policy, which  means that the servers are being compensated in their pay for service and you are not expected to tip - so remember to ask about the tipping policy. In any case, if you get exemplary service from a server, you should offer them a token of your appreciation at the end of the cruise.

       

You will receive information on board the ship about this, but it is generally suggested that you tip from $2.50 to $3.00 per day  to your cabin steward and waiter, and $1.50 to $2.00 per day  to your bus boy (both figures are per person in your party). If you use the services of the wine steward or ask the maitre’d to help you plan a birthday or other special occasion in the dining room, it is appropriate to tip him whatever you think appropriate.

      

Cruise staff aim to please. They are all trained to give an excellent service, always friendly and helpful, and they work very hard, so they deserve to get gratuity.

 

Small change for on shore for excursions, shopping...

It’s a good thing to have single dollar bills with you if you're visiting, for example the Caribbean islands. This is useful for tips,  for cab rides, for tour guides, and to make change with the locals.  They often don’t have change of larger bills if you pay for something in cash. 

 

What is the difference between traditional cruising and freestyle cruising?

Traditional cruises feature two seatings for meals (main and late) with fixed dining times in the same restaurant.

Freestyle cruises offer numerous different restaurants and a "dine when you want" philosophy.  It is kind of like going to a resort with several different dining venues where you decide when and where you want to dine.

The entertainment:  Traditional cruising generally offers two shows with bars and entertainment after the shows.

Freestyle has various entertainment venues available and you decide what you want to experience.   

 

What should I pack? Do I need to pack formal dresses, a  tuxedo?

        

Mostly, dress for comfort. Although most cruise lines have a dress code for the dining areas, not all of them require very formal evening wear.  Daily life on board and in the ports of call is casual. You'll need sportswear, shorts, slacks, sundresses. Pack what you would wear to a nice resort. During the day, especially in tropical areas, you will probably spend a lot of time in your bathing suit. For walking around port or daytime indoor activities you'll want shorts, jeans, t-shirts, light blouses and walking shoes. Rubber soled shoes are good for on deck. Don't forget your work-out clothes for the on-board fitness center. 

Some days and evenings you may need a light jacket. An umbrella is good to have along as it can be used for both rain and sun protection.

For evenings, the cruise lines have a dress code which you can find out about when you arrange your cruise.  This varies from cruise line to cruise line.

On the really upscale ships passengers will dress very formally on the designated "formal" nights: men in tuxedos and women in evening dresses.

For a traditional cruise, you are expected to dress conservatively for the formal nights. 

If you are going to be "freestyle cruising"  very formal wear is not common. A suit and tie for the men and for women a cocktail dress or pantsuit are appropriate for the “Captain’s Welcome Dinner”. On other evenings neat sport shirts and casual dresses or pants outfits will do. 

Generally speaking a 3 day cruise will have one formal evening and a 7 day cruise will have at least two formal evenings. The remaining evenings would likely be casual. Some cruise lines will feature a theme night for the casual evenings, like a country western, a 1950s theme, or even costume evening in October for Halloween.

         

Taboo: No shorts in the dining room for dinner. Flip flops, beach attire, and especially bathing suits are absolutely not allowed in the dining rooms of cruise ships.

Do I need to pack my own  toiletries?

Most cruise lines stock the cabins with toiletries such as shampoo, conditioner, body creams, shower gels and even toothbrushes and razors, and hair dryers. Some lines provide bath robes for use on board which come in handy for pool side. 

Always ask your cruise line operators.
 

What do I do about laundry on the cruise?

Laundry, cleaning and pressing services are available. Each cabin will have a laundry list and bag to use if you should want to use their services.  Additionally, many ships have self-service laundry facilities for passenger use. They are equipped with washers, dryers, ironing boards, irons and detergent. The washers and dryers are generally coin operated, as are the detergent dispensers.

What about electric appliances?

Most staterooms are equipped with standard 110 AC outlets. Additionally, there may be 220 AC outlets. Hairdryers are often available on cruise lines in certain cabins.

No need to pack a travel iron when you could use the ship's laundry facility if you want to iron your clothing yourself.

You can easily check the ship's features when planning your voyage. 

 

Will I be briefed about the activities on board the ship? How can I get information about the shore activities and excursions at the destination?

You simply can’t get bored because cruise ships are full of things to do. Morning, noon and evening, there's every kind of activity - on the house - no cover - no minimum charge. The shows are live and very professional.

There is plenty of both daytime activity and night life on board a cruise ship from swimming, sports, games, entertainment, clubs, dancing, classes, more. Perhaps you want to just stretch out on a lounge chair on deck, read, play cards, dip in the pool, eat fine food, soak in a jacuzzi, work out. There's always a casino on board, and cinemas are common on the ships.

You may just want to take as many shore excursions as you possibly can fit into the time, party, disco, eat at the buffets, and try out all the dance floors. The shore activities and tours that are available will be provided in the program.

  

You will find all kinds of information in your cabin for the daily program of ship activities, entertainment, and the shore excursions. Once on board, prior to the ship leaving port is a good time to explore and get your bearings to discover where the dining room, gym, pool, clubs and lounges are located. Also, cast your eye on the shore tours and reserve them early.

What kind of live entertainment will there be?

Every evening there is a major show to attend.  They run the range from comedians, magicians, acrobatic and juggling acts to Las Vegas style reviews, musical productions and known or other entertainers. Regardless, the entertainment is high standard.  The shows are an excellent way to relax and spend an evening after the good meals served on board. All of the entertainment on board the ship is included in the cruise fare.

However, your gambling is at your own expense.

 

 What if shows are not my thing?

 

In addition to the shows there are many other things to do in the evenings.  There are several lounges for music, karaoke, comedy bars, game rooms, card rooms, cafes, discos, dancing, gambling and more.  Many ships offer cinemas with current full feature movies.

Reservations for special services...

Make appointments soon after boarding if you want your hair done, a facial, massage, manicure, or any other special spa treatments.   

You don't, otherwise, need to book time to visit the gym to work out.             

 

Book your shore excursions in good time...

It is recommended that the shore tours and excursions for the ports of destination be booked soon after you arrive on the ship. So, check them out early because they tend to sell out the more popular ones first.  Depending on the cruise line, it may be possible to book shore excursions yourself directly from within your cabin (tv / intranet).  

Most cruise lines include their own program for shore excursions. You’ll find this information with your cruise documents, or in your cabin when you board the ship.

Some of the islands or other ports are easy to explore on your own by taxi or on foot. If you’re not the adventurous type, consider a bus tour or a private chaperoned shore excursion.

It is recommended that you book your shore excursions with the cruise line that you are sailing on, just to be on the safe side.

 

Children on board...

        

There are many supervised activities for children such as swimming, sports, music, games, movies, contests, play acting, costume days. They have special playground areas and there are babysitters, and even kindergardens... you name it.

 

What about singles on board?

 

Cruising can be ideal for people travelling alone because it's easy to meet other people on board. There are special cruises tailored for singles. Other ships have singles parties, so you can get to know other singles right away. Many ships offer hosts as dance partners, dinner companions or a fourth player for card games.

 

Are there special requirements for pregnant women?

Enquire when making reservations, but most cruise lines want a medical certificate with your due date and fitness verification from your physician that you may travel by ship. Remember to inform your agent so that you will be made aware of all conditions or restrictions that may apply by each cruise line.

 

What about guests with disabilities?

Cruise lines have a no-discrimination policy. There are cabins designed for wheelchair accessibility. State your needs when booking. On the other hand, be aware that shore excursion facilities in different countries could be a challenge as some may not have come up to standard for wheelchair accessibility. Best to speak to the excursion desk on board when considering booking a tour. They will do whatever they can to help you. Ás well, there could be problems with embarking or disembarking the ship at certain ports due to steep gangways or steps at the destination port. For example, at some ports, a ship may be unable to dock and guests would otherwise be taken ashore on small boats called tenders. This could become a problem for some guests with physical handicaps. In such cases, the decision to carry a guest and/or the wheelchair up or down a gangway, or on or off a tender, will be left to the ship's Captain, who'll evaluate the safety of the situation.

 

Special equipment

Wheelchairs: If you should need one onboard, ships have a limited number, so you should bring one.

Oxygen: If you have a condition that requires oxygen, you must make your own arrangements prior to your trip.  

 

May I  bring my pet along?

       

You'll  have to leave your pets at home.

There is an exception made for special dogs for guests with disabilities. A vetinerary health certificate would be required for the dog. Otherwise pets are not allowed on board a cruise ship.

 

How do I stay in touch with the outside world?

Most ships have a newsletter with headlines. Many staterooms are equipped with televisions and have satellite telephones.

        

You can also call someone on shore through the ship's radio officer while at sea. And, you can make phone calls from most ports.

 

In addition most ships these days have fax capabilities and many now have  computer cafes with Internet access for e-mail communication. Phone and Internet services are at your own expense.      

 

Kick back, relax and enjoy your journey...

Wishing you calm seas and smooth sailing….always!

   Bon voyage! 

     

Ideas For Packing  

Many of the cruise lines have a fleet of ships with varying passenger demographics, cruise styles and dress codes. Check yours.

Pack To Color Coordinate For Mix & Match

Ladies	Gents
sun dress/ cocktail dress/ long gown/ skirt	shorts/ long slacks/ t-shirts/ polo shirt
blouse/ tunic top/ silk scarf/ shawl/ jacket	suit/ shirt/ tie/ tuxedo/ sports jacket/
pants suit/ wind breaker/ bathing suit/ shorts	wind breaker/ bathing suit/ sandels/
sandels/ dress shoes/ stockings/ underwear	dress shoes/ socks/ underwear/ sun cap/
sun hat/ night gown/ gym clothes/	pajamas/ gym clothes/ tie clip/ watch
sneakers/ purse (day/evening) / jewelry	sneakers/ belt/ fanny pack/ back pack/
tote bag/ back pack/ prescription medicine/	prescription medicine/
cosmetics/ tooth brush/ hair brush/ comb	shaving articles/ tooth brush/ comb/brush
shampoo/ conditioner/ deo/ sun screen	shampoo/ conditioner/ deo/ sun screen

Travel Gear

camera / video camera / film / cassettes / batteries / binoculars / walkman / Cds / tape novel /  umbrella / makeup mirror / travel clock / swiss army knife / travel flash light/ eye glasses/ sun glasses/ pen + notepad/ extension cord/ travel lock / address book / first aid kit.

Travel Docs + Miscellaneous

passport/ plane-train tickets/ cruise docs + tickets/ keys/ money/ credit card/ traveller checks/ itinerary

Don't Forget...

Take 2 photocopies of your passport(s) and credit cards. Leave one copy at home with someone you trust, and take one photocopy with you (keep separately from the originals).  

 J

~ Cruise Line Dressing Overview ~

Carnival Cruise Line:  Day: laid back, casual.  ~  Evening: neat attire, sports jackets, dresses/slacks. 

Celebrity Cruises:   Day: nice resort wear, casual.  ~  Evening: nice resort wear. Tuxedos for men and evening dresses or gowns for women are common on the formal evenings. 

Costa Cruises:  Day: casual.  ~   Evening: Well dressed; suits, dresses.

Crystal Cruises: Day: nice resort wear.  ~   Evening: elegant, tuxedos and gowns on the formal evenings. 

Disney Cruise Line: Day: laid back, casual.  ~  Evening: neat, casual resort wear. 

Princess Cruises: Day: casual resort wear.  ~  Evening: well dressed;  tuxedos or nice suits and evening dresses on formal evenings. 

Renaissance Cruises: Day: casual resort wear, sporty  ~  Evening: nice resort wear; suits and dresses. 

Royal Caribbean International: Day: casual resort wear  ~  Evening: suits and dresses.

Seabourn Cruise Line: Day: casual but fashionably chic  ~  Evening: chic, well dressed. 

Silversea Cruises: Day: fashionably casual  ~  Evening: more dressed up; suits and cocktail dresses.

Windstar Cruises:  Casual upscale country club elegance by day and evening. 

Contact the cruise agent for up-to-date dress code and more

 information about the voyage and the ship you're interested in.