When it's hurricane season in Florida, my eyes turn to...cruise season!
My husband Marv and I love to cruise. Since we retired to Florida a few years ago, we've gone on three cruises per year – and I've become an expert at what to pack for a cruise.
The good news is, the same Florida fashion wardrobe I've built for my colorful, casual lifestyle works well on land or sea. Thanks to Anthony's, the leader in women's resort wear, I can pack for a cruise in 15 minutes and look totally pulled together for a week on a ship.
I never leave home for a cruise without these five things:
My Kristin Crenshaw ankle pants in white and black.
My Coconut Row Bermuda shorts in white.
A festive sundress that can be dressed up or dressed down, like the breezy tie-front dress by Mlle Gabrielle from Anthony's. This V-neck dress is extremely flattering, with an asymmetrical hemline that's semi-sheer. I dress it up with a bejeweled belt and gold sandals and dress it down with turquoise jewelry and flats.
A colorful mesh shrug, like my lightweight coral shrug (just $12.99 on sale!) by Elegant Essence.
Here's why: For a great cruise wardrobe, build from the bottom.
Paired with sparkling rhinestone earrings and bracelet and a flowing top – like a flyaway Milano top from Anthony's – the ankle pants are dressy enough to wear to the captain's table. Paired with a sporty top – like a tropical-print tee by Alfred Dunner – they're right for a poolside lunch or shore excursion.
My Bermuda shorts provide a casual option, and the Coconut Row shorts are so stretchy I can even wear them to work out (if I remember to pack my sneakers). I also wear the shorts over my bathing suit – a quick, pretty and practical coverup. The coral shrug works as a swimsuit coverup, too.
Also, have a color scheme. My color scheme is always black and white bottoms with turquoise and coral as accent colors in my tops. I take matte gold sandals with a kitten heel to wear at all the dressy functions on the ship, and a slip-on sandal or shoe with arch support for shore excursions or strolling the decks.
If you're wondering what to pack for a cruise, check out Anthony's ladies apparel stores, where you'll always find what's first in Florida fashion – and first in chic cruisewear.
Val's cruise tip of the week: How about a cruise on land and sea?
Pull on your Coconut Row Bermudas and take a ride on Diva Duck, an amphibious craft that provides 75-minute, narrated tours. Tours begin at CityPlace in downtown West Palm Beach, then you ride this funky craft through historic neighborhoods, see some Palm Beach landmarks, then splash into the water for a relaxing cruise on the Intracoastal Waterway.
2 comments
Mary Schaefer
Knowing what clothes to take on a cruise is a good subject as I tend to overpack for anywhere.
Like to know what colors to blend together for a cruise and what shoes too.
Knowing what clothes to take on a cruise is a good subject as I tend to overpack for anywhere.
Like to know what colors to blend together for a cruise and what shoes too.
ANNA MARIE BLACKWOOD-MUENCH
HI, YOU ARE RIGHT ON RE COLOR FROM THE
BOTTOM – UP!
YOU DID LEAVE OUT 2 VERY IMPORTANT NOTES:
1. WEDGE SHOES ARE BEST FOR HIKING AROUND THE SHIP AND WALKING THE STAIRS AND THERE ARE SO MANY VARIETIES OF HEIGHTS AND COLORS.
2. MOST IMPORTANT: A STOLE OR 2 THAT TAKES NO
SPACE IN THE SUITCASE BECAUSE MANY AREAS ON
THE SHIP ARE VERY COOL AND ESPECIALLY IN THE
THEATER AS IT IS USUALLY FREEZING, and more classy than a sweater.
Warm regards from a Cruiser in The Villages !
HI, YOU ARE RIGHT ON RE COLOR FROM THE
BOTTOM – UP!
YOU DID LEAVE OUT 2 VERY IMPORTANT NOTES:
1. WEDGE SHOES ARE BEST FOR HIKING AROUND THE SHIP AND WALKING THE STAIRS AND THERE ARE SO MANY VARIETIES OF HEIGHTS AND COLORS.
2. MOST IMPORTANT: A STOLE OR 2 THAT TAKES NO
SPACE IN THE SUITCASE BECAUSE MANY AREAS ON
THE SHIP ARE VERY COOL AND ESPECIALLY IN THE
THEATER AS IT IS USUALLY FREEZING, and more classy than a sweater.
Warm regards from a Cruiser in The Villages !