What to wear on a Virgin Voyages cruise?

Here is a link to the Virgin Voyages official dress code.  Spoiler, there isn’t a dress code.

But you still want to know what to pack, and I totally get that. Short and simple: Pack what makes you feel fabulous. Be prepared for selfies and group pictures, so if you FEEL like your best self, you’ll look like your best self.  Ergo, Wear what makes you feel amazing. 

While Virgin is a very come-as-you-are type of cruise line, they encourage you to take risks and go a little extra in your look (if you’re comfortable with it). Think flowing satin, adding a hint (or a LOT) of sparkle and sequin, billowing fabrics that look gorgeous as you’re descending the grand staircase to The Wake. 

My Pink Agave look!

I’m a casual human, a high-functioning nerd, and a professional yoga-pant wearer. I love loose tops, and soft, stretchy fabrics. If it’s anything tagless, seamless or without zippers - that’s usually my office dress code.  I work from home, so I get some liberty away from the leg prisons (pants with zippers). Taking my casual nature into context, let me assure you - I bring it on a Virgin Voyages cruise.

Some kind of Fabulous switch turns on once I step on board and I become more comfortable with being me, more confident to take social and outfit risks.  

By comparison, I’m almost always in a pair of shorts and a t-shirt on a Disney cruise (and i’ll switch to jeans and a nicer top for dinner). It’s not just me, though.  A lot of friends and clients talk about the fabulous factor with Virgin, and we just do it up a little more on those sailings. 

I would say that the sailors get a little more business casual in the evenings.  Don’t be afraid to glam up, if that’s what you want to do! I often wear dresses to The Wake, and sometimes “spicy” but dressy to Pink Agave. Razzle Dazzle is probably the most casual of all the restaurants because its so funky but I’ve seen people dress up there for date nights when they wanted to.  My style is usually a pair of black skinny pants, a glitzy top and a blazer for dinner - or a dress.  And for lunch, I’m often wearing nice shorts or flowy Halara pants with a comfortable but nice top.

During the day, I’ll be more casual (jeans and t shirt, often a Beatles t shirt!). 

Basically, the day look can start casual and get nice as you go into the evening.  If you have brunch at The Wake (and I fully intend to book all my clients there), that’s a fun one to get Brunch fancy.  Men can wear slacks if they want, suits if they want, but my husband often wears a pair of nice Allen Edmond shoes, Express or Lucky jeans and a crisp button up shirt most evenings. 

They do have one “formal” night called Scarlet Night, and that’s when you’re encouraged to glam to the max (if that’s your style) and wear a splash of Scarlet or wear a whole outfit of Scarlet! I usually wear all black and red lips, or mostly black and a red sequin top. Dustin usually sports a bright red blazer with an ironed Express t-shirt (with some kind of trendy graphic that goes well with red), and nice Express jeans.  The man loves Express, what can I say. 

But what about Port days, you may ask?

Your destination is going to kind of guide your style. If you’re in the Caribbean, I wouldn’t romp off the boat in a turtle neck. If you’re in Greece, bring something billowing and comfortable! If you’re going out on an excursion, think about what you’ll be doing and let that determine what you wear. It’s totally possible to be cute and comfy at the same time. Comfortable shoes and a hat are always a must for me, and beyond that I try to remember that I’ll be in pictures so I don’t wear sweat shorts and t shirts (even though that’s totally fine if it’s your vibe!).

Are we noticing a trend here? Yes.

Virgin Voyages is a place for you to come as you are, to be brave and confident in your fabulous self and to wear whatever celebrates that self.

But if you are stumped onw hat to pack, don’t worry - I have stylists for that! The girls at Once Upon A Wardrobe are styling wizards and have helped me plan just about every outfit that ever ends up in a picture. Whether you’re going on a Disney Cruise, a Harry Potter adventure, or sailing around with my favorite Virgin Voyages crew - they have your packing stress handled.