Help with picking outfits for Mom! : )

[tbserena]

I need help! I am not good at all with wardrobes. To be honest I am overwhelmed at what types of outfits to pack for myself for the cruise! I know to take something formal, but I need advice on other outfits....evening, around the deck, theme nights! What do other women take??? (this is sad, I know! LOL)

 

[Mickeyhugger]

How are you going to know if you don't ask? That's one of the reasons these boards are here.

If you're going on 7-day, most people wear the same outfit for semi-formal and formal. During the day, dress as comfortably as you can. (Shorts, t-shirts, flip-flops, SWIMSUITS!) Dinners are casual for most nights. (Capris, sundresses.) Mexicali/Tropicali night is fun where most wear 'island wear,' (tropical floral print tops or dresses.)

You might also want to pack a good pair of walking shoes if your going to shop at any ports.

I'm sure many others here have suggestions too!

 

[thebets57]

Don't get too crazy about it - you won't believe how LITTLE you need!! Think about your itenerary...you will probably be spending most of your time in bathing suits/cover-ups....A few shorts/tops here and there, but these can be worn a couple of times....For evening, I pack non-wrinkling fabric black slacks, with MANY matching tops - after all, who's looking??????? Maybe one nice long dress for formal night - something that doesn't wrinkle, or bring a portable steamer!!!!!!!!!!Relax and enjoy, don't get caught up in the clothes worry....basicallly, the cruise is casual....

 

[KaitlinsMom]

Capri's, Capri's. Capri's!!!! They are so versatile and comfortable! I loved having them for my cruise!

Don't forget - Comfortable shoes!!!!

 

[wildcatwmn]

1 pair black pants
3 dressy tops
1 black spaghetti strap dress (you can wear this twice, once with one of the sheer tops over, and once without for more formal look)

the rest is all shorts/bathing suits/sandals or sneakers

 

[Tandyc]

I was wondering the same thing. There are no bad questions. I'm sure many others were helped, like I was, by your question.

Thanks for asking!

Tandy

 

[Michelemouse]

We purchased tropical-wear in Cozumel last year and plan to do the same in Antigua this year (we're not going to St. Maarten). It was a lot of fun, put us in the right "tropical" frame of mind and we each have a great souvenir of our trip.

If you want to get tropical-wear before you leave you can usually find nice dresses and shirts in the stores this time of year. Also, somebody mentioned that www.disneystore.com has some great tropical print clothes with a Disney theme.

As far as formal nights, I was stressed too. I wear jeans and comfy clothing most every day and was dreading the whole formal thing. I went to www.chadwicks.com and got a great floor-length dress for $50! No more stress! Once I knew I had something nice to wear I was fine. We bought DH a tuxedo on eBay (less than $100 for everything!) and did the same for DS9. We'll bring all of that again this year. We got Katharine some nice dresses during one of the big sales at The Limited Too so she's all set as well.

Other than those nights I wouldn't stress about it. I bring 2 pair of nicer pants or capris and some different tops. Then I mix and match them for the remaining 4 dinners. During the day you'll be in casual clothes or bathing suits.

 

[NYDisneyMom]

What do the women wear on the island days?! I bought two new bathing suits with wraps...is it okay to wear that? Should I carry something in the beach bag to throw over the bathing suit if we go shopping after the beach?

I guess on the St. Martin day, since we don't have to board until later we could go back to the ship, maybe take a quick shower, change and then go back out to shop and stroll around town.

Can you tell I'm thinking out loud here?!!

 

[tkd lisa]

Unless you are on the beach,you should have "real clothes" on the islands. I take a pair of pull-on shorts (light weight nylon) and a tshirt, and just pull them over my suit. You could also bring a knit sun dress, and throw that over top of your suit.

Overall, for the 7 day, I agree with the suggestions for evening wear as a minimum. For me, I took a pair of white slacks and several summer sweaters to pair with it (I really don't like black, but you do have to worry about spilling something on the white). Add maybe 2 pair of regular shorts, 1 pair of light weight shorts, a couple of t shirts, and you're set. There are laundry rooms on board if you run short of clothes. For me, I lived in my Tevas, and never wore my tennis shoes. I had a pair of slide sandals that I wore for dinner most nights, and a pair of heels for formal/semi-formal night.

Enjoy!

 

[NYDisneyMom]

Originally posted by tkd lisa
Unless you are on the beach,you should have "real clothes" on the islands. I take a pair of pull-on shorts (light weight nylon) and a tshirt, and just pull them over my suit. You could also bring a knit sun dress, and throw that over top of your suit.

Enjoy!

Thanks...I bought a little t-shirt dress cover-up that I'll wear getting off the boat and while strolling around town, over my bath suit.

Love this board -- there's an answer for every question!!

 

[CACruiser]

What time are you going?

 

[chrissyt27]

After you pack go back and take some clothes out. I took way too many clothes for my family. We had enough room but it was hard to repack everyhthing. Nothing ever fits in the bag the same way plus you can leave room for souviners.
Mostly we wore our suits then with a pool dress. I was hoping to buy a new on on the ship but they didn't sell them. I bought it a few years ago. The lable says Fresh Produce, I got it at Downtown Disney. It has Mickey heads all over it. I love it.
I also wore my jogging suit a lot. It was great for the late night movies or early morning walks along the decks since it has a jacket. I didn't wear my jeans or 4 of the shirts i took. I also second the capris. Defintley take some of them.

chrissy

 

[Nysie]

I went to Ross, it's like a TJ max, and bought a long black spaghetti strap gown(ankle length) for $26.99! I also bought a cute black and white dress with a swirly bottom for $7.99! I now have formal and semi-formal covered!!

 

[LindaBabe]

I can't remember the last time I wore a dress, and I hate to spend money on clothes i would only wear once. That being said, I think I just got the deal of the century at Burlington Coat Factory - a long packable black dress with sparkles on it for $14! Of course I need to lose about 15 pounds to wear it comfortably, but surely - that's do-able by December?

 

[tbserena]

I would LOVE for DH to wear a tux!!! Can you rent them onboard? Is that something that you would do first thing on arrival? I can't imagine how much that would be...BUT, I don't know if we'll cruise every year, so I can't see purchasing one. We don't do any "black tie" events at home!

 

[Michelemouse]

Originally posted by tbserena
I would LOVE for DH to wear a tux!!! Can you rent them onboard? Is that something that you would do first thing on arrival? I can't imagine how much that would be...BUT, I don't know if we'll cruise every year, so I can't see purchasing one. We don't do any "black tie" events at home!

I believe it costs $100+ to rent a tux for the week and if you choose to rent you can arrange for this now. You definitely shouldn't wait until you get onboard because the tuxes come from an independent formalwear company not from DCL directly and are brought to the ship (for those that have reserved) the morning of your sailing.

Having said that, however, we found that purchasing a tux on eBay was cheaper than renting one for the week. We also do not do any black tie events at home, but should we ever need to dress for one he'll have this tux. We paid $70 for the tux, cummerbund and bow tie and then added a new tux shirt for about $20 more. He had black shoes to wear so he was all set.

 

[tbserena]

Hmmm....tough decision on the tux. I hate just throwing the money away on rental for the week, IF I can find a deal like you did. I don't do ebay much., but I'll check around there.
Wonder if there are any stores I could luck up on a second hand one here at home?
We have some bridal type consignment shops but I had only thought about dresses!

 

[Michelemouse]

I've only had good luck with eBay. Do a search for Men's Tux and your husband's jacket size. You should get lots of options. I've purchased 2 tuxes (one for DH, one for my dad) and 2 tail coats for DS. They've all been great. DDad's tux is a Ralph Lauren that he got for $49 + shipping!

Just be aware that some auctions are only for the tux coat, some are for coat/pants and some are for coat/pants/accessories. You'll also have to purchase a shirt separately. If you keep your eyes open over the next few months I'm sure you'll find something.

 

[tbserena]

Michele

I tried to email you and it came back undeliverable?? I copied and pasted it here:

Hi!
Just got this Tuesday morning. Yes, as of right now we are driving. My
husband travels alot and we have sky miles, but there's something telling me
that I need to have my own car down there! We are trying to do around 3
quickie days after the cruise to let our 6 year old see MK for the first
time, and all of us see AK. (Olivia and her older sister have been to MK a
couple of times)
We will be arriving sometime Friday early afternoon. My kids LOVE to swim,
so I'm presently scouting a hotel for the night before. I saw your thread
about you all staying at the Holiday Inn..Which one?
I alslo like your suggestion about parking your car at the airport.....I
invisioned us getting off the ship and having to wait on my husband to be
transported to the car then back to get us,etc. When we get ready to go
we're READY TO GO!
Also, what was I reading on one of the threads about immigration paperwork
in St Thomas? People were saying there were hour long waits for this??
What is this?
THANKS
Teresa

 

[webray]

I way over packed.

make sure you take 2/3 swimsuits so you have a dry one each day. With all the humidity, they take a while to dry. I also got a litle terry cloth short outfit to put over my swimsuit when going back/forth to the spa. (from pennys spa collection..came in very handy..wore it every day)

Comfy walking shoes for your ports of call. I always where capris and my couple favorite t shirts.

If you are on the 7 day...then a dress for formal night, and one for semi-formal night (I used this same dress for palo night).

For dinner...pack light...pair of black pants/capris/shorts and tops to mix and match. One pair of shoes that goes with all.

Around the deck, swimsuit/cover up...or shorts/top.

Swim shoes are a must for castaway cay.

What everyone says is true..pack, then open your suitcase back up and take out 1/2 of what you packed. First cruise I didn't use 1/2 of what I took. This last one...worked out just right.

Have fun!