What to Wear on Cruise Excursions (+ What to Pack in Your Day Bag)

When you’re planning your cruise packing list, working out your cruise excursion outfits is key. By the time you’re packing you should know which cruise ship excursions you’re doing in each port. This makes it so much easier to plan what to wear on cruise excursions as it really depends on the type of activity you’re doing on shore.

In this post we cover what to wear on cruise shore excursions and what to pack in your bag when you venture off the ship. We have a guide on cruise excursions bags here and we’ve also noted suggestions below. One of our best cruise excursion tips is to make sure you have the right bag and the right things packed for your day off the ship. Sun protection is key!

What to Wear on Cruise Excursions

 

 

Swimsuit / Swimsuit coverup / Flip flops / Sunhat / Sunglasses 

Beach Excursions

If you’re headed straight from the ship to a beach excursion, you can simply wear your swimsuit, a coverup and flip flops. Don’t forget a hat and a cheap pair sunglasses that you don’t mind wearing in the ocean. Throw a pair of shorts into your beach bag in case you want to wander around some shops or eat in a restaurant.

Recommended bag: Tote bag or mesh beach bag

What to pack in your excursion bag: Waterproof phone case, ship card, cash, sunscreen, sunhat, sunglasses, beach towel, water bottle

 

 

UV Tank Top / Workout Shorts /Sneakers / Aqua Shoes / Cap / Sunglasses 

Active Excursions

Workout gear is ideal for active excursions like zip-lining, tubing, caving and hiking. Shorts and a t-shirt or vest top are idea. You may even need to bring your swim suit along or wear it underneath.  Many of these types of excursions require you to wear closed toe sneakers for safety reasons. For things like caving you might even need slip on aqua shoes.

Recommended bag: Lightweight backpack or dry bag

What to pack in your excursion bag: Waterproof phone case, ship card, cash, sunscreen, cap, sunglasses, beach towel, swimsuit, water bottle, dry clothes, flip flops

 

 

Striped T-Shirt / Shorts / Swimsuit /Flip flops / Sunglasses 

Sailing or Water Excursions

For sailing or other water based excursions like snorkeling or scuba trips, the ideal outfit is shorts and a t-shirt, vest top or short sleeved shirt with your swimsuit underneath. If it’s a relaxing excursion, then flip flops are fine. Some sailing excursions are a bit more active and might require a pair of sneakers. Aqua shoes might be useful if you’re snorkeling at a reef. Throw your swimsuit coverup in your bag to pop on after you come out of the water from snorkeling or swimming.

Recommended bag: Lightweight backpack or dry bag

What to pack in your excursion bag: Waterproof phone case, ship card, cash, sunscreen, cap, sunglasses, beach towel, swimsuit cover up, water bottle, seasickness medication/seabands

 

Vest top / Capri pants / Sunhat / Sunglasses / Sandals

Shopping or Sightseeing Excursions

For shopping or sightseeing excursions when you won’t be hitting the beach or getting wet, go for casual cruise attire. Shorts, a polo shirt or short sleeved shirt and sneakers, sandals or flip flops for men. A cute sundress, maxidress or a vest top or tunic and shorts or capris are ideal for the ladies. Bring along sunglasses and a sunhat too. A light scarf is also useful if you’re visiting churches or sacred sites as you may need to cover your shoulders (if you’re wearing a sleeveless top).

Recommended bag: Tote bag, lightweight backpack or travel purse

What to pack in your excursion bag: Ship card, cash, sunscreen, sunhat, sunglasses, water bottle, light scarf

 

Sundress / Lightweight scarf / Sunhat / Sunglasses / Sandals

Mediterranean Shore Excusions

If you’re cruising in the Mediterranean then your shore excursions might be city sightseeing, visiting ruins or sailing trips. For sailing trips, see the information above. If you’re wandering the streets in cities like Rome, Monaco or Nice you might find that you want to dress slightly nicer. Still go for casual but a sundress and sandals looks a lot better than shorts. If you’re doing a lot of walking on your tour, make sure you go for comfortable walking shoes. Don’t forget a light scarf to cover up for visiting churches – one of our best Mediterranean cruise excursions tips!

Recommended bag: Tote bag, lightweight backpack or travel purse

What to pack in your excursion bag: Ship card, cash, sunscreen, sunhat, sunglasses, water bottle, light scarf

 

 

Fleece jacket / Active pants / Gloves / Beanie / Sneakers

Alaska Shore Excursions

There are a few different types of shore excursions on Alaska cruises. They key with Alaska cruise excursion outfits is to dress in layers as temperatures can vary and change quickly. You could find yourself doing something very active like kayaking, fishing, dogsledding or ziplining. For these types of excursions you’ll need active pants like these or full length workout pants, a warm baselayer, a fleece and a waterproof jacket. For the more lightly active excursions like whale watching, city sightseeing or riding a historic train line, you should wear jeans, shorts, active pants, a t-shirt or warmer baselayer and a jacket or fleece. It really depends on the weather on that day. For a full list of what to pack for an Alaskan cruise read this post.

Recommended bag: Lightweight backpack or travel purse

What to pack in your excursion bag: Ship card, cash, sunscreen, cap, sunglasses, water bottle, gloves, warm hat, warm scarf, seasickness medication/seabands

 

 

If you’ve got any further questions about what to wear on shore excursions, let use know in the comments below. For more cruise shore excursions tips on what to pack you can also join our Facebook group and chat with other cruisers. Also, don’t forget to read our post on the best bags for cruise excursions here.