What to wear on a Christmas cruise: pack warm-weather clothes for the days (shorts, tees, swimwear, sun hats), one or two dressier outfits for the ship's elegant or formal nights, and a light layer for cool evenings and air-conditioned dining rooms. A Caribbean December is mild, so most families dress for summer by day and add something festive for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
This guide covers what to wear on a Christmas cruise day by day, what the big cruise lines say about dress codes, and how to add a fun holiday touch with custom family cruise shirts without overpacking.
Quick answer: what to wear on a Christmas cruise
- Daytime and port days: breathable tees, shorts or skirts, swimsuits and a cover-up, sandals plus walking shoes, sunglasses and a hat.
- Casual evenings: a clean tee or polo with jeans, chinos, a sundress or tailored shorts.
- Dressy nights: one or two "nice dinner" outfits (a dress or slacks and a button-down; add a sport coat if you like).
- Christmas Eve / Christmas Day: something red, green or festive. Matching family shirts are a popular choice for photos.
- A light layer: a sweatshirt, cardigan or light jacket for breezy decks and cool restaurants.
How warm is a Christmas cruise?
It depends on where you sail. On Caribbean and Bahamas itineraries, December is warm but not hot: Nassau's average December high is about 80°F with lows around 65°F (Current Results climate data). That means beach clothes by day and a light layer at night. If your ship leaves from a northern port, or you are sailing somewhere like Europe or New England, plan real winter clothes for the drive or flight to the port and for embarkation day.
A soft crewneck works well for the cooler moments. Our Merry Cruisemas Stamp Christmas Cruise Sweatshirt and Ship Us Somewhere Warm Cruise Sweatshirt are easy to throw on for sail-away on deck or a cool dining room.
Christmas cruise dress codes by cruise line
Cruise dress codes are mostly about dinner. Here is what to expect on two of the biggest lines:
- Carnival: dressier evenings are called "Cruise Elegant." Cruises of 6 days or longer generally have two, and some shorter sailings have one or a "White Hot Night" instead. Swimwear and athletic clothing are not allowed in the main dining rooms at dinner.
- Royal Caribbean: a 7-night cruise usually has two formal ("Dress Your Best") nights. The dress codes are treated as suggestions in most venues, but the buffet still requires a shirt and shoes, so no swimsuit-only meals.
Rules change by ship and sailing, so check your cruise line's current dress code in its app or on its website before you pack.
What to wear on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day at sea
Holiday sailings usually feel festive onboard, and many families plan one "photo outfit" for Christmas Day. Matching shirts are the easiest version because everyone, from grandparents to the baby, can wear the same design in different sizes. Ideas that fit a warm-weather Christmas:
- Kids Santa Pool Day Christmas Cruise Shirt: Santa relaxing by the ship's pool, personalized with your family name and year.
- Baby Merry Cruisemas Wreath Long Sleeve Onesie: long sleeves are handy for cool cabins and evenings.
- Merry Cruisemas Stamp Sweatshirt for the adults who run cold.
Want more holiday designs? See our matching family Christmas cruise shirt ideas and the full Christmas collection.
Fun family cruise shirts for sea days and embarkation
Embarkation day and sea days are when matching tees are most practical: they are comfortable, easy to spot in a crowd, and great for the first group photo on deck. A few designs families pick for a December sailing:
- Cruise Mode Family Cruise Shirt ("No plans, just ports").
- Cruise Buffet Ship Shirt for the family that plans the trip around the food.
- Toddler Ship Us Somewhere Warm Cruise Shirt for the littlest sailor.
- Mom Cruise Director Sweatshirt and Grandma Snack Manager Sweatshirt for role-based matching.
For more role ideas for mom, dad and grandparents, read funny family cruise shirts.
Make your own: stamp your ports or add your trip photos
If you would rather design something unique to your itinerary, Stamp Your Trip lets you pick passport-style stamps (including a Beach & Cruise set) and add your own words, then we print it to order. After the trip, the World Map Stamps Travel Photo Collage Shirt turns your favorite cruise photos into a wearable souvenir.
Christmas cruise packing checklist
- Check your cruise line's dress code and count the dressy nights on your itinerary.
- Pack one swimsuit per person plus a spare, since suits may not dry overnight.
- Bring a light layer for each person for evenings and air-conditioned rooms.
- Pack comfortable walking shoes for port days and sandals for the pool deck.
- Plan one festive outfit per person for Christmas Day photos.
- Keep reef-friendly sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses in your day bag.
- Pack embarkation-day clothes and swimwear in your carry-on, since checked luggage can take hours to reach the cabin.
- If ordering custom shirts, order early so they arrive before you leave (see FAQ below).
FAQ: what to wear on a Christmas cruise
What should I wear on a Christmas cruise to the Caribbean?
Summer clothes for the day (tees, shorts, swimsuits, sandals), one or two dressier outfits for elegant or formal nights, and a light sweater or sweatshirt for cool evenings. Add one festive outfit for Christmas Day.
Do you have to dress up on a Christmas cruise?
Not every night. Most mainstream lines have one or two optional dressier evenings on a week-long cruise (Carnival calls them "Cruise Elegant"), and casual clothes are fine the rest of the time. Some specialty restaurants have stricter rules, so check before you book them.
Is it cold on a cruise in December?
On Caribbean and Bahamas routes it is usually mild; Nassau averages about 80°F by day and 65°F at night in December. Decks can be windy at night, so bring a layer. Northern departure ports can be cold, so dress warmly for travel and boarding.
Are matching family shirts a good idea for a cruise?
Yes, many families wear them on embarkation day, sea days or Christmas Day. They make kids easier to spot and give you a coordinated group photo. Just keep them for casual times rather than formal nights.
When should I order custom Christmas cruise shirts?
Every Wanderstamps shirt is personalized with your family name and year and printed to order. To get your order in time for Christmas, place it by December 3. Because each item is made just for you, customized items can't be returned or refunded for a change of mind; refunds are only for items that arrive defective.
Ready to plan your family's holiday sailing look? Browse family cruise shirts or design your own with Stamp Your Trip.