Middle Aged Mama

Blogging about my Midlife Adventures

Summer Cruise Style

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Got a cruise booked? Wondering what to pack?

Let me inspire your Summer Cruise Style with #fashionfromtherealworld … last month I went on a one week South Pacific cruise with my girlfriends.

Part of the fun was dressing up for the various theme nights (pirates, cowboy, island and formal nights).

Island Night

You’ve seen me wear this dress before, when I was pretending to be a retro pinup girl … now here it is, perfect for an island theme night.

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 Formal Night

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Unfortunately I missed the first formal night due to seasickness! But I did get the chance to wear this glamourous beaded number later in the week. I scored it at a clothes swap at least 5 years ago, yet this is only the second time I’ve actually had a chance to wear it!

A Nautical Day Look

During the day however, casual reigned supreme …

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What could be more perfect for a cruise than a nautical look? Dress is from Suzanne Grae ($39.95 at the beginning of Summer) – doesn’t it look stylish, accessorised with the obligatory cruise card around my neck 😉 ?!

Swimmers & a Cover Up

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In this pic I’m standing on the jetty at Lifou, wearing my swimmers with a lovely loose trapeze dress from Katies over the top. However I actually wore this quite a bit throughout the cruise.

I’m also wearing thongs (Havianas that were given to Miss 18 but I scored them as she doesn’t wear thongs!), a hat (don’t forget to slip-slop-slap), and a beach bag from Crossroads.

Sightseeing

At Cascades

I knew I’d be doing a lot of walking and exploring in Vanuatu, so I opted for my old denim pants and a Jeans West t-shirt ($20).

My poor old hat looks a bit the worse for wear – it got wet when I was swimming the previous day. I had to use a bobby pin to keep the brim out of my eyes, making it look more like a typical Aussie slouch hat!

As a three-time cruise veteran, I recommend that your Summer cruise style should include:

  • a hat;
  • thongs;
  • a cardy or jacket (even in the middle of Summer, it can get quite cool at times);
  • swimsuit/s and cover ups;
  • items for the various theme nights;
  • and comfortable day clothes, whether it be dresses, shorts or whatever.

Hubster and I will be going on a Mediterranean cruise later this year – it won’t quite be the European Summer so I will have to re-think my cruise style before then!

Do you have any tips for me on what to wear on a Mediterranean cruise?!

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Comments

  1. Isn’t cruising so much fun and I bet you’re so excited about your Mediterranean Cruise … how many more sleeps? My tip would be to pack mix and match as much as possible and that will help you reduce the amount you need to pack.

    • They are actually a surprisingly affordable holiday – some of the Aussie cruises are cheaper than a week at the beach AND it includes food!

    • All you have to tell hubby is that all the food is included … that usually does the trick! 😉

    • Yes I love that one too, perfect for bumming around on holidays

  5. You looked great!!! And how jealo I am of your cruising it up! I daydream about the day I get to duck off for a bit of a Mediterranean cruise with my gf’s. The wardrobe selection would be of utmost importance. You did well, but then again you’re a pro at this by the sound of it!

  6. This makes me want to go on a holiday!
    I love a good excuse to wear floaty dresses. I don’t do it a lot because I find it’s not practical with kids, but I do love them.

    • Yes I went through years of only wearing shorts and jeans too. Hard to believe those days are well and truly over now that Miss 18 has moved out 🙁

  7. My husband was looking at cruises a few days ago. I’ve never thought about what I would wear on one but you’ve just given me inspiration. I’m yet to go on a cruise and here you are off on another one. Lucky you!

  8. Great selection there, Janet. That’s awful about the seasickness. I hope it was short lived. The European cruise sounds amazing. I can’t wait to get back over to Europe.

    • Just the first 24 hours Renee. It was really rough, Force 8 gale force winds 🙁

    • I’d done this cruise before with family, it was fun to do it with friends for something different x

  12. We are 75 days from our first cruise. We are doing a 14 day South Pacific and Fiji in May. Wardrobe is just one stress i have, but after reading your article i am not so stressed now. One other worry/concern is the beverage card………..Can you advise me, did you pre purchase a beverage card or did you buy one on board or pay for your drinks each time you had drinks??? Also, did you pre organise your day trips when you docked at the islands or did you use locals to show you around the sights?

    • We’ve only come across beverage cards when we cruised in Europe – and as we don’t really drink alcohol didn’t see the point in buying one, I’m just as happy with a cup of tea (which is free). In Vanuatu, we hired a taxi driver to take us around to see the sights (I recommend the Cascades and the Secret Garden) – there will be heaps waiting for you at the port when you get off the ship, so you can bargain them down. In Noumea we did a bus tour the second time I went; the first time we just walked around, either is good!