Stressing on what to wear on a cruise? Wondering what to wear on a cruise can be quite overwhelming for a first time cruiser. We all have different preferences and a lot will depend on a lot of different factors like itinerary, the weather and how active you are during the day.

Some of the quick rules to remember:

• The rugged look is never acknowledged or suitable
• Bikinis and swim suits are never accepted in the main dining rooms
• Casual items like flip-flops, or tank tops are also not welcomed in main dining area
• Dress code is more relaxed and open on the pool deck

First time cruisers are most concerned about three terms: formal, informal and casual.

Formal

Most of the cruises have at least one formal evening, some have a couple of occasions. Formal night is a great time for women and a misery for men. I've always dreaded wearing a suit in formal gatherings! For men, this means a dark suit with a tie unless he wants to buy or rent out a tuxedo. Keep in mind that tuxedos are not normally expected. For women, a formal attire is a gown or a cocktail dress, but if you've been to a wedding lately, chances are that your wedding outfit would be perfect.

Informal

Some cruise liners have informal dress codes in the evening except for formal night. This can be a little trickier because it can mean a lot of things, depending on the ship. For men, you can wear a jacket and a collared shirt and an attractive evening dress would be appropriate for women.

Casual

Also known as smart casual, many cruise liners generally implements this dress code except on formal nights. Important thing to remember is try to wear comfortable clothes. For men, you can wear collared shirts, sport shirts and slacks. For women, sporty dresses, skirts and tops and pants outfits will work.