fabrics for clothing choices, caribbean cruise
 

I am planning to go on a 7 day Eastern Caribbean cruise on Carnival in late March/early April with a couple days before and after spent in Florida. This will be my first cruise. Are there any fabrics that I should avoid. I already have my tuxedos(I am dressing these down a bit while still showing my unique style) picked out, but am looking for a sport coat or two that I could wear during the day or evening. Also, I need some advice on casual wear. I typically wear polos and golf shirts, as well as a few hawaiian shirts here and there, during the day, but advice on other options for both shirts and shorts/pants would be helpful. Quantities needed of both shirts and pants/shorts would also be appreciated.

brad - FYI Carnival is probably the most casual of the mainstream cruise lines, with that being said for daytime wear shorts with a polo or golf shirt will be perfect, a nice plain cotton t-shirt would also work very well, for casual evening wear, dockers type pants with the golf, hawaiian or polo shirts will be perfect. You could probably get away with out a sportsjacket, but if you want to wear it then go for it, you would only need one. As for quantity i plan for my DH two days on a pair of shorts, fresh shirt daily, same for casual pants, two evenings on a pair of pants with a fresh shirt each evening. 1 pair of swim trunks, good walking sneakers, water sandals, 1 pair casual shoes, 1 pair dress shoes.
Fabrics - go with natural fabrics, cotton, linen, silk, summer weigh wools.
hope this helps.

The only sport coat my DH ever takes is silk. Wool is way too warm. Depending on where you live, it may be a surprise just how warm, even hot, the islands can be. Have fun.
Marty

Re: fabrics for clothing choices, Caribbean cruise
 

Brad,

You won't need the sport coat during the day, unless it's how you normally dress.

Day wear can range anywhere from a golf/polo type shirt and shorts to swimming trunks and a t-shirt. A Hawaiian shirt, golf/polo shirt are fine for both day and casual evening wear. If you do go for the sport jacket make sure it is a lightweight wool blend or silk. Heavy wool will be too hot, especially if you wear it outdoors.

A good idea is to reuse shorts and casual pants. You should be able to get two days out of each. Pack a casual shirt for each day. I also suggest shirts to be light colors. Dark colors, especially black, are hot in the hot Caribbean sun.

Take care and have a wonderful cruise.
Mike

Thanks, I was leaning torwards silk, and right now they are inexpensive with the seasonal clearance sales. I was thinking probably a light shade of tan for the jacket. I typically wear jackets cause it is my personal style. I was planning to stick to black slacks, khakis, and chinos for pants and shorts for during the day.

Cotton . . . 100%

after some thought
 

After some thought and reading up on appropriate Warm Weather Black Tie, I have ultimately decided to take a style tip from Bogey go with the "Casablanca" style Single Button Shawl Collar Ivory Dinner Jacket.