Packing for your Disney Cruise Pt 2. - Clothing

What to and not to pack to wear!

Clothing. This should be easy. Nope. It's not.

At home how many outfits do you go through in a day? One, Two, Three at most right? And that is if you could pajamas as an outfit, which I really don't. I might come home from work and change into casual clothing, especially if I am going to be mowing the lawn or cooking something that will splatter on me, but most days I just stay in my school clothes....because, who wants more laundry to do? At any rate, packing for a cruise add many more outfits for some reason. I have done 3, 4, and 7 day cruises, and they all have a different set of needs. So let's look at this and I'll give you some of my favorites!

2) Bathing Suit

At some point every day, you’ll want to hit the pool, splash pad, or AquaDuck—so a bathing suit is a must. And not just one: I highly recommend bringing at least two per person. Why? Because nothing feels worse than pulling on a cold, damp bathing suit. Having a backup means you can rotate and always have a dry option ready to go.

Don’t forget a cover-up. Guys usually get away with throwing on a t-shirt over their trunks, but ladies, let’s be real—you’ll feel more comfortable having a cover-up dress, wrap, or even a breezy romper to slip on before and after swimming. It makes walking around the ship or grabbing a snack a lot easier than running around in just your suit.

3) Dinner Outfit

Most nights on a Disney Cruise aren’t overly formal, but the dining rooms do have an elegant feel—and it’s fun to lean into that. Technically, you’ll see a wide range: some guests stay in their day clothes, some go all out in cocktail attire, but most fall somewhere in the middle.

For our family, dinner is a chance to dress up a bit. We usually go business casual:

• For me, it’s the same outfits I’d wear for parent-teacher conferences or a nice evening out.

• For my husband, it’s a polo or button-down shirt with khakis or black pants.

It’s not required, but it makes dinner feel more special—plus, this is prime time for family photos. Disney photographers are everywhere before and after dinner, and it’s so nice to have pictures of everyone looking put together.

Later, we’ll talk about the theme nights (like Pirate Night or optional dress-up evenings) where you might want to take it up a notch—but for now, just know that having a separate dinner outfit for each night is a good idea.

👕 First Question: How Many Outfits Do I Need Per Day?

The answer: it depends on your family and your dinner plans. Everyone’s routine is a little different, but I’ll share what works for us—and honestly, it’s pretty close to what I see most families doing on a Disney Cruise.

1) Day Wear- cruise casual

This is what you’ll wear around the ship during the day or while out on excursions. Depending on where you’re sailing, this can vary a bit, but for most itineraries, a simple shorts + t-shirt (or tank top) combo is the go-to. Add shoes (and socks, if you insist), and you’re set.

Day wear is usually what you’ll have on for breakfast, lunch, lounging, and casual activities around the ship. For excursions, you may need something specific (like water shoes, athletic wear, or long sleeves for sun protection), so plan accordingly.

And let’s not forget the basics: underwear. Always pack it, and like any seasoned traveler will tell you, bring at least one extra pair per person. You never regret the extra, but you might regret not having it!

✨ Pro Tip: For kids (and honestly, adults too), spills, sweat, and sea breezes can mean outfit changes. If you’re not sure how much to pack, lean toward extra day wear—you’ll use it.

Clothing Math So Far 🧮

For a 4-night cruise, per person you’re looking at:

• Day wear: 4 outfits

• Swimwear: 2 bathing suits + 1 cover-up

• Dinner outfits: 4 outfits

• Pajamas: 2–3 sets

• Shoes: 3 pairs

• Underwear: 6 pairs (4 + 2 extra)

That’s easily 20+ clothing items per person.
Multiply by 4 people = 80+ pieces of clothing to pack. 😳

And we haven’t even gotten to accessories or theme nights yet!

🎭 Theme Nights on a Disney Cruise

One of the things that makes a Disney Cruise extra magical is the themed nights! While they’re totally optional, they’re also a ton of fun and give you the chance to do something a little different from your regular routine. Think of it as part of the Disney “extra pixie dust.” Let’s break down the main ones and what to pack.

✨ Semi-Formal Night

This one is exactly what it sounds like—dress up a little fancier than usual for dinner. On my last cruise, I’d say about half the ship participated. Honestly, the only reason I even knew about it beforehand was because people in my cruise Facebook group mentioned it!

We decided to join in since it happened to be our anniversary, and it was a blast. For us, that meant:

• Me: the trusty little black dress

• Husband: button-down shirt and slacks

• Daughter: a chic jumpsuit

Meanwhile, the table next to us rocked shorts and t-shirts. So, yes, it’s 100% optional. But if you’ve got a reason to celebrate—or just want to feel extra special—it’s worth packing one “dressier” outfit.

💃 Formal Night

Formal Night is the “big sibling” of Semi-Formal Night. Again, optional, but a lot more people seemed to dress up for this one. We went all out and used it as an excuse for family photos.

Here’s what we wore:

• Me: a floor-length gown (when else do I get the chance?)

• Husband: dinner jacket and tie

• Daughter: a formal gown she already had from a college event

It felt special, memorable, and honestly, a little glamorous. Most people were at least somewhat dressed up, even if not in full black-tie. My tip? Treat it as a fun excuse to pull out the outfits you never get to wear. And yes, I totally changed into something more comfortable before heading to the adult club later that night. 😉

👟 A Note About Shoes

One thing you don’t want to overlook when packing for a cruise is shoes. This is a large ship, and if you’ve never cruised before, let me tell you—waves happen. The floors can be slick, the hallways are long, and you’ll be doing a lot more walking than you expect.

Now, I’ll be honest: I was the girl wearing heels long before I probably should have, and I’m pretty skilled in them. But even I draw the line at heels on a cruise. If you’re brave and love the look, go for it at dinner—but for me, a stylish sandal is the way to go. I’ll sometimes pull out a wedge, but when it comes to walking the ship comfortably, the flatter the better.

For excursions that involve a lot of walking, I swear by my Jambu walking shoes. They’re supportive, cute, and versatile enough that I even wear them for work. Pro tip: break them in before the trip. I made the mistake of taking brand-new shoes once, and let’s just say my feet never forgave me.

Around the ship during the day, I usually stick to a casual sandal or flip-flop, depending on my plans. The key is to have options so you’re never stuck in uncomfortable shoes, especially when you’ve got a long day of exploring ahead.

🏴‍☠️ Pirate Night

Now this one is classic Disney—Pirate Night happens on virtually every cruise. It’s hands-down one of the most fun evenings, complete with themed menus, deck parties, and fireworks at sea (yes, fireworks!).

The best part? You can participate at any level you want. Disney helps by giving everyone a pirate bandana, which is surprisingly versatile. Beyond that, you’ll see everything from:

• Full pirate costumes (we’ve done this!)

• Simple pirate-themed tees (we’ve done this, too!)

• Or just rocking the bandana and calling it good

No matter what you wear, you’ll fit right in and have a great time. It’s a night you don’t want to miss, whether you’re decked out like Jack Sparrow or just keeping it casual.

A whole page with more ideas about Pirate Night is coming soon!

Other Theme Nights

Depending on the cruise you’re on, you may encounter additional theme nights that are unique to special sailings. For example, Halloween on the High Seas features a costume night where guests—kids and adults alike—can dress up and join in spooky fun. The Very Merrytime Cruises have in the past included a pajama night, which is always a favorite. It’s not only cozy and fun, but also the perfect chance for some adorable family or kid photos. On some sailings, kids may also get to participate in pajama-themed parties in the kids’ clubs, making it extra special for them.

Since schedules and events can change, it’s a good idea to check your specific cruise’s Facebook group. There’s almost always someone in the know who can share exactly what theme nights are planned and when they’ll happen.

🍷 Palo & Remy Dress Codes

If you’re planning to dine at Palo or Remy, Disney’s adult-exclusive, fine dining restaurants, it’s important to know that both venues do enforce their dress codes. While the vibe at Palo is a touch more relaxed than Remy, both expect guests to look polished and well-dressed.

For Men:

• Collared shirt (button-up or polo)

• Dress pants or nice jeans (in good condition)

• Closed-toe shoes

• Jackets are optional, but many guests wear them at Remy to match the upscale atmosphere

For Women:

• Dresses, skirts, or dress pants with a blouse or elegant top

• Dress shoes (heels, flats, or sandals—open toe is fine)

• Jumpsuits are also a great choice, especially for Remy brunch

Not Permitted:

• T-shirts or tank tops

• Swimwear or cover-ups

• Athletic wear or sports attire

• Shorts and flip-flops (with one exception: dress shorts are now allowed at Palo brunch)

✨ Insider Tip: On Pirate Night, Disney Cruise Line makes an exception—so yes, you can wear your pirate gear to Palo and still be welcomed!

👗 How It All Adds Up

When you look at each clothing category by itself, it doesn’t seem like much. But multiply it out over several days, add in theme nights, shoes, and extras, and suddenly you’ve got a mountain of outfits. Let’s do the math for a 7-night cruise (just as an example):

Per Person, Per Day Basics:

1. Day Outfit – shorts/tee/underwear = 7

2. Bathing Suit – 2 total (to rotate)

3. Dinner Outfit – 7

4. Pajamas – 2–3 (rotated)

5. Shoes – 3 pairs minimum (walking shoes, casual sandals/flip-flops, dinner shoes)

6. Undergarments – at least 8–9 pairs (1 per day + extras, because laundry is limited)

Theme Nights & Special Dining:

• Semi-Formal Night: 1 outfit

• Formal Night: 1 outfit

• Pirate Night: 1 themed shirt or outfit

• Palo/Remy (optional): 1 extra nicer dinner outfit

Tally for a 7-Night Cruise (per person):

• Day Outfits: 7

• Dinner Outfits: 7 (plus theme night variations)

• Bathing Suits: 2

• Pajamas: 2–3

• Shoes: 3 pairs

• Undergarments: 8–9

• Theme Night Add-Ons: 3–4 extra outfits depending on participation

👉 That’s close to 20+ clothing items per person, not counting accessories (hats, belts, jewelry, covers, etc.) or extras like workout clothes or excursion-specific gear. Multiply this by every family member, and suddenly you understand why everyone ends up with a large suitcase plus a carry-on.

✨ Wrapping Up: Luggage & Packing Basics

Packing for a Disney Cruise can feel overwhelming at first—trust me, I’ve been there. Between day outfits, dinner clothes, swimsuits, theme nights, shoes, and all the extras, the math adds up fast. But here’s the good news: with a little planning, it’s totally manageable.

Think of your luggage as the foundation of your trip. The right suitcase, a versatile carry-on backpack, and a couple of smart extras (like a waterproof cinch bag or a sturdy beach bag) make a huge difference. Once everything is unpacked, your luggage tucks neatly under the bed, giving you space to enjoy your stateroom without tripping over bags.

And remember: packing isn’t about perfection—it’s about being prepared. Everyone’s needs are different, so adjust these suggestions to fit your family, your travel style, and your cruise plans.

👉 In the next part of this series, we’ll dive into what actually goes inside all these bags—from clothing must-haves to cruise-specific essentials you might not think of until you’re onboard.

So take a deep breath, grab your packing list, and get ready—the fun part is just beginning! 🌊✨