Karen’s sailed with themWhat to wear on Marella Cruises
Beachwear, Casual and Smart dress codes, and one Dress to Impress night a week instead of a formal night.
Dress codes and baggage taken from Marella’s own website, checked 20 October 2026. Lines update these, so check your booking before you pack.
Marella’s dress codes
- Beachwear
- Come as you are: swimwear is fine, but wear something on your feet.
- Casual
- Tops and shorts or a sundress. No swimwear, footwear and tops required, and shirts buttoned up.
- Smart
- Shirts or polo shirts, trousers or tailored shorts, skirts or dresses, with smart trainers, shoes or sandals. No sportswear, flip-flops or non-tailored shorts. Speciality restaurants are Smart in the evening.
- Dress to Impress
- Marella has replaced the formal night with a Dress to Impress night: a chance to dress up, but how dressy you go is up to you.
How many dressy nights? One Dress to Impress night a week, usually on the evening of the sea day.
The rules
- Swimwear only where the dress code is Beachwear.
- Cover knees and shoulders for religious sites on excursions, and wear flat, comfortable walking shoes.
Day, pool and evening
Pool and sea day
On deck, by the pool, lunch at the buffet
- Swimsuit + cover-up
- Flat sandals
- Sun hat and sunglasses
Throw the cover-up on whenever you head inside: swimwear stays by the pool on all six lines.
Port day ashore
Exploring a port town or an excursion
- Linen shirt
- Shorts or a midi skirt
- Trainers
- Crossbody bag
- Light scarf
A light scarf covers your shoulders for churches and other religious sites.
Smart-casual evening
Most nights: dinner, the theatre, a bar
- Midi dress or silky top + tailored trousers
- Block-heel sandals
- Light knit for the deck
One dress and one pair of trousers with two or three tops will cover most evenings.
Dress to Impress
The dressy night(s)
- Slip dress or co-ord
- Block-heel sandals
- Earrings
One glam outfit you love, re-styled with different earrings, is plenty for a week.
The key pieces for each formula
Already got something similar? Pack that. If you're missing a piece for Marella, pick a shop you like: the links open each shop’s own search, so you can browse their take on it.
01 Pool and sea day
-
Swimsuit Takes up hardly any room, so pack two and there's always a dry one. -
Beach cover-up or kaftan Beach to lunch in seconds, no trip back to your room needed. -
Comfy flat sandals Comfy all day and light enough to pack a second pair. -
Packable sun hat A crushable one doesn't mind being squashed in your bag. Shop at Amazon UK ↗Check price -
Sunglasses Easy on your eyes all day, and they finish off any outfit.
02 Port day ashore
-
Linen shirt Throw it over a swimsuit or a tee, and it keeps the sun off your shoulders. -
Shorts Light, quick to dry and easy to roll. -
Cushioned trainers Wear them to travel and they'll carry you through long sightseeing days. -
Small crossbody bag Keeps your phone and cards close and your hands free. -
Lightweight scarf Covers your shoulders for churches and mosques, and keeps the sun off your neck.
03 Smart-casual evening
-
Easy midi dress One easy dress takes you from sightseeing to dinner with a quick shoe swap. -
Block-heel sandals A little height for the evening that you can actually walk in. -
Light cardigan Handy for air-con, cooler evenings and covering shoulders.
04 Dress to Impress
-
Satin slip dress Dresses up for dinner and rolls up to almost nothing in your bag. - Block-heel sandals A little height for the evening that you can actually walk in.
-
Statement earrings The easiest way to turn a day outfit into an evening one.
Karen’s tip“I use SHEIN and Temu all the time, and I read every review first, especially ones with photos on real people. They show the true quality and material; model shots can mislead. Check the size reviews too. My returns have always been free and easy, so if you’re unsure, order two sizes (check the returns policy first). And order early: delivery can take a while.”
Just so you know: we may earn a small commission if you buy through these links, at no extra cost to you. How our links work. Photos are from Unsplash to show the style, not the exact item (credits).
Karen’s tip Book your shore trips yourself
“On a cruise, I book my trips with Viator and GetYourGuide. The same trips the ship sells are often half the price, and some guarantee to get you back on time, which is most guests’ number one worry. But in 20 years of cruising and booking my own trips and itineraries, an independent tour has never let me down or made me miss the ship. The savings pay for treats! Take your passport and credit card, just in case.”
Check each tour's own return-to-ship terms before you book.
Karen’s tip Getting from the ship into town
“I use Rome2Rio to get from the ship into town: it shows walking, local transport and taxi routes. Basic cruise packages don’t include the shuttles, which can be pricey, so with four of you a taxi might work out cheaper. I always ‘do the maths’!”
Your baggage allowance
Marella fly-cruises include a 20 kg hold allowance when you fly with TUI Airways. If you fly with one of its partner airlines, baggage is still included but the allowance may differ, so check before you book.
Print and attach Marella’s luggage labels before you fly: your cases then go straight from the transfer to your cabin.
Sailing from Southampton instead? There’s no flight allowance to worry about, but bags still need to be easy for the crew to carry, and cabin storage is never huge.
Where this comes from
- TUI: Is there a dress code onboard my Marella Cruise?
- TUI: What evening is the dress to impress night on?
- Marella Cruises: Fly cruise packages
Outfit ideas are ours; dress codes and rules are Marella’s own. All cruise lines →