What to pack for a Princess Cruise: Dress code guide

The most critical thing in your carry-on bag is a folder full of all the important documents related to your trip. This includes airline tickets to the port of embarkation, cruise reservation documents, passports and necessary visas, medical insurance cards and credit cards. Having these pieces of paper hand ensures you’ll be properly taken care of if an emergency arises and that you'll have no problems getting off the boat during a shore excursion in a new country. Keep copies of these documents in both your luggage and at home, in case the original is lost, stolen or damaged.

Your cruise ship will provide basic toiletries for the shower, so there’s no reason to waste precious luggage space on shampoo and conditioner. Check the bathroom before you leave to make sure you haven't left behind contact lenses, contact solution, glasses, medications, deodorant, mouthwash and hair gel. If you do forget anything, the ship has a convenience store where you can pick up any toiletries or sundries that you left behind at home.

The Princess Cruises dress code is generally Smart Casual, so pack clothing that follows that guideline. During the day, attire is typically relaxed resort wear such as shorts, T-shirts, sundresses and swimwear with cover-ups. Both men and women may want to pack breezy shirts, comfortable sandals and shorts for the day, plus a sweatshirt or windbreaker for cooler temperatures. A rain jacket and compact umbrella are also useful in case the weather interrupts a scheduled shore excursion.

Most evenings on board follow a Smart Casual dress code in the main dining rooms and specialty restaurants. For men, this typically means trousers and a collared shirt; for women, dresses, blouses with skirts or trousers, or a polished casual outfit. Smart Casual venues are where the dress code is enforced most consistently, so save your dressier looks for these spaces.

Princess Cruises also hosts formal evenings, often called "Dress to Impress" nights. Men can wear tuxedos, dark suits or dinner jackets with slacks; women may opt for an evening gown, cocktail dress or elegant pantsuit. Shorter cruises typically include one formal night, while longer voyages may include two or more. If formal wear isn't your thing, you're not locked in. The buffet, casual restaurants and poolside dining stay open every evening with relaxed dress codes — so you can still enjoy dinner without changing into a tuxedo or gown.

For dinner in the main dining rooms, the Princess Cruises dress code asks guests to avoid swimwear, gym shorts, ripped jeans and ball caps. Dress code enforcement varies by venue: the main dining room and specialty restaurants are the strictest, while the pool deck and casual venues are far more relaxed.

When packing, choose wrinkle-free items or try rolling your clothes — folding can create creases, and staterooms aren't equipped with irons (though irons are available in the ship's self-service laundry rooms).

A few smart packing choices upfront and you're set for both poolside afternoons and dinners under the chandeliers. View Princess cruises and start planning your next voyage.