Hey everyone! While packing for my upcoming cruise, I realized I’ve never shared a list of things you shouldn’t bring on a cruise.
Some people think you can bring anything, and it’s more or less true. But there are some clothes and accessories that you should leave at home, either because they are forbidden or because they would be uncomfortable to wear during a cruise.
So, I grabbed a pen and paper and started making a list of the most common packing mistakes cruisers make.
Flashy Jewelry
The first thing you should definitely avoid wearing is expensive, flashy jewelry.
As you probably already know, some cruise ports are not exactly safe, and many thieves wait for tourists because they are easy targets.
I’ve heard plenty of stories about cruise passengers getting their jewelry ripped off in seconds. To stay safe, it’s best to leave your valuables locked in the ship’s safe and only wear them for formal nights.
Camouflage Prints
A few years ago, I was gifted a backpack. I immediately loved it; it was comfortable, spacious, and perfect for travel. But there was one big problem: it had a camouflage print, and I had to leave it at home.
Why did I make this choice? Camouflage-print clothes and accessories are banned in many countries, especially the ones you visit on Caribbean cruises.
In these places, according to the law, military-type prints can only be worn by members of the army.
This is the updated list of countries where wearing camouflage clothing is illegal for civilians:
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Bahamas
- Barbados
- Dominica
- Grenada
- Jamaica
- Nigeria
- Oman
- Philippines
- Saint Lucia
- Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
- Saudi Arabia
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Uganda
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
As you can see, the Bahamas, Barbados, and Jamaica are very popular cruise destinations, so be particularly careful.
Sacrifice Comfort to Look Good
Let’s get one thing straight: you’ll be doing a lot of walking on a cruise! Whether it’s getting off the ship, exploring ports, or sightseeing in different cities, you’ll be on your feet more than you think.
For this reason, never wear shoes or clothing solely because you think it’s pretty. Choose practical, comfy outfits over something that just looks good.
For example, shoes are very important. Bring a pair of sneakers that you know are comfortable and that you’ve used before. Don’t bring only sandals or heels!
Wearing Only a Swimsuit in Some Cities
Here’s something you might not know: in some cities, walking around in just a swimsuit is actually against the law.
I know this well because it is a common law in many Italian coastal cities.
Until a few years ago, many tourists would walk around the city shirtless or in swimsuits while returning from the beach.
To crack down on this, many mayors introduced fines (sometimes up to €500) for anyone not wearing a t-shirt or cover-up in public areas outside the beach.
It’s considered a rule of “public decency.” I know it may seem strange to some people, but Italians care a lot about how they dress and look, especially in some cities.
Designer Clothes or Bags
Another thing you should avoid is designer clothes, especially luxury handbags.
Similarly to jewelry, high-end brands can make you a target for thieves.
Muggings are common in several cruise ports, and they are even more common for high-value bags. Here, you can see the list of the most dangerous cruise ports.
In many cases, thieves don’t just want what’s inside the bag, they know they can resell the bag itself for a good profit.
If you want to stay low-key, opt for a simple backpack or a plain functional bag. On my last Royal Caribbean cruise, I even found some great ones for sale in the ship’s stores (pic below).
Clothes for Religious Places
If you are planning to visit sacred or religious sites, avoid wearing clothes that leave your legs or shoulders too exposed.
On a European cruise, chances are you’ll visit some of the continent’s stunning churches. But since these are holy places, there’s often a dress code to enter.
That means no swimsuits, hats, miniskirts, or shorts that end above the knee. In stricter churches, you must also cover your shoulders and not wear tank tops.
To be safe, pack a light scarf or shawl to cover up if needed!
Do not wear clothes that do not adhere to the dress code
Cruises have changed a lot in recent years. They used to have a much more formal dress code, while nowadays, everyone dresses a little more casually.
However, a certain way of dressing is still required, especially when going to restaurants or on formal nights.
Many cruise lines, especially in the evening, have guidelines that prohibit swimwear, ripped or overly casual clothing, bare feet, and even gym wear or loungewear.
While casual attire is often fine for breakfast and lunch, dinner in the main dining room or specialty restaurants usually requires a bit more effort.
In addition, remember that there are a few things that can get you banned from a cruise and 10 things that are completely illegal on cruise ships.
I have tried several of them but these are the most durable and sturdy.
