Packing light for a cruise vacation has always been a challenge.  And considering most cruise lines now offer a greater mix of formal, informal and casual evenings at sea, it has become that much harder to choose the right clothes for a voyage.

What exactly does “resort casual” mean?  How formal is “formal” dress?  Does one really have to bring an evening gown or tuxedo on a cruise?  Is there anyplace on board where one can dine wearing shorts, t-shirts and bathing suits?

“Proper dining attire varies from ship-to-ship, depending on the itinerary and length of the voyage,” said Bob Levinstein, president of CruiseCompete.com.  “The typical one-week cruise usually has 1-2 formal nights. All major cruise ships issue a daily briefing to update their guests on what to wear during the evening hours.

“During the day, ships have more dining options than ever, from poolside snack bars to casual buffets to more traditional, sit-down meals in the dining room – all designed to meet a variety of lifestyles and tastes.”

The following summarizes the dress codes and suggestions for a number of the most popular cruise lines:

Carnival Cruises
Formal dress or resort wear is required in the dining room.  Proper formal attire includes a tuxedo, suit and tie, or sport coat, tie and slacks.  For women, evening gowns, cocktail dresses and pantsuits are appropriate.  Casual resort wear includes sport shirts and slacks, dresses, skirts and pantsuits.  Shorts, t-shirts and bathing attire are not permitted in the dining room during dinner.  Dress requirements for children in the dining room are the same.  For those guests who do not want to dress up, the Lido restaurants are open nightly, with the exception of the last evening of the cruise, and have a more casual dress code.

Princess Cruises
During “smart casual” dining evenings, guests should dress as they would for a fine restaurant at home.  This includes pants and open-neck shirts for mean, and skirts/dresses, slacks and sweaters for ladies.  T-shirts, shorts, halter tops and jeans are not permitted in the dining room and shoes must be worn at all times.  Formal evenings in the dining room require a tuxedo, slacks with dinner jacket, or suit for men.  Women should wear evening gowns and cocktail dresses.

Holland America
Comfortable, relaxed clothing is appropriate for designated “casual” evenings.  This includes jackets and optional ties for men, and dresses or pantsuits for women.  T-shirts, swimsuits, tank tops and shorts are not allowed in the dining room, Pinnacle Grill, Lido Restaurant or public areas during evening hours.  Swimwear is suitable for dining at the Terrance Grill near the pool.  On formal evenings, suits and tuxedos are suggested for men, although jackets
and ties are welcome; women wear cocktail dresses and gowns.

Crystal Cruises
The Crystal dress code applies to all public areas of the ship after 6 p.m. Proper attire for formal evenings includes dresses and gowns of fashionable length for ladies, and a tuxedo, dinner jacket or dark suit and tie for gentlemen.  Infomal attire is appropriate for most nights on board the ship.
For ladies, evening dresses, cocktail dresses or pantsuits are fine.  Men should wear sport coats and slacks, with ties optional.  Casual nights are based on days in port and the time of departure.  On casual evenings, more relaxed attire is appropriate, including casual dresses and pantsuits for women, sport shirts and slacks for men.  Jackets and ties are not required.

Celebrity Cruises
Whether an intimate table for two or an elaborate table for many, appropriate attire is part of the overall evening dining experience on Celebrity cruises.
Formal night attire includes a tuxedo, dinner or dark suit for men and evening gown or fancy dress for ladies.  Informal nights feature a jacket and tie with slacks for guys and informal dress or pants and blouse for ladies.  Gentlemen are welcome to wear a sport shirt and slacks, while ladies can wear a pantsuit or sporty outfit, on casual nights.  Specialty restaurant dining requires a jacket and tie for men and dress or pants and blouse for women every night.  Jeans, shorts and casual daywear are allowed in all dining venues before 6 p.m.

Regent Seven Seas Cruises
Shipboard attire on Regent Seven Seas Cruises ranges from informal wear to “Country Club” casual to formal attire.  Country club casual (resort-style attire) is fine for daytime on board the ship and ashore, but shorts are not appropriate after 6 p.m. in any of the public rooms or lounges.  Depending on the itinerary, evening attire also can be country club casual, informal (sport coat and tie recommended for men), or formal (black tie optional).  The dress code for Alaska, Bermuda and Tahiti sailings is always country club casual.  Bathing suits and beachwear is not allowed in the restaurants at any time.

The Yachts of Seabourn
Guests aboard the luxury ships of Seabourn experience the special atmosphere of formal evenings and the more informal ambiance of other nights.  On formal nights, tuxedos and dark suits are appropriate for men; evening gowns or other formal attire are recommended for women.  Elegant casual evenings feature slacks with a jacket over a sweater or shirt for men; sundresses, skirts or pants with a sweater or blouse for women.  Casual wear is welcomed in the Veranda Café on evenings when dinner is served there.  This includes slacks and a sweater or shirt for gentlemen; skirts or slacks with a sweater or blouse for women.

Cruise Compete
“Dining on a cruise ship is unlike any other vacation experience,” said Steven Gelfuso, president of CruiseBrothers.com.  “During a typical cruise, people have many choices and can dress accordingly.  Most guests relish the idea of dressing up on formal nights for an evening or two of world-class food and entertainment at sea, while other nights they may feel more comfortable in a more casual dining setting.    Either way, each night of a cruise is  memorable.”

As with any vacation planning, cruise travelers should check with their Cruise Compete agent to determine the specific dining attire requirements for the ships they are traveling on.  The daily news bulletin posted by most cruise ships during voyages also includes the appropriate dress code for the evening’s events.

In 2006, Cruise Compete was named as one of the “25 Best Value Travel Sites” on the Internet by Kiplinger’s Personal Finance magazine.  In addition, Washington Post Online listed CruiseCompete.com as one of the 36 Web sites that consumers “should know of” when planning a vacation.  Cruise Compete can save consumers time by finding the agent with the best deal for them.  Consumers secure quotes for cruise deals from multiple travel agencies without having to contact each one separately.  To date, more than 350,000 customers have accessed yhe site to request cruise quotes from more than 200 member travel agencies around the country, and agents have provided more than 1.5 million quotes to consumers.  CruiseCompete, LLC, is an independent company not owned by or affiliated with any travel agency.

During this time of year the popularity and ship occupancy rates of cruise travel is at an all-time high, and many people call a cruise lines or travel agents only to be told that accommodations on the cruise they want is “sold out”.

So you’re dying to take that specific Carnival ship to the Caribbean next month, and your agent tells you it’s “sold out”. It may be, and then again, it may NOT be sold out. Check SoldOutShips.com to find out if there is still room for you.

“Just because a cruise line is showing a ship or cabin category as sold out, it doesn’t necessarily mean there are no cabins available,” said CruiseCompete CEO Bob Levinstein. “The trick, however, is in knowing where to look next.”

Bob has just launched a new on line service to help frustrated travelers find cabins on seemingly sold-out sailings.

Travel agencies which specialize in cruises commonly buy blocks of cabins on the most popular excursions, often at a discount.

Don’t believe that “SOLD OUT” sign

Even when a ship is listed as sold out, there may still be some agencies that has group cabin space available. But finding the agency that has the cabin you want on the ship you want, can be like searching for a needle in a haystack. In such situations this new web service, SoldOutShips.com may be a solution.

Consumers simply review the listings, and then request a custom quote on any sailing

At any given time, this on line service lists dozens of cruise sailings that appear to be sold out, giving travelers the opportunity to find cabins no one else has. Consumers simply review the listings, and then request a custom quote on any sailing. The process is free, quick and anonymous.

Then, if there are questions or a person wants to book the cruise, they can speak directly to the agency offering the hard-to-find cabin. More than 100 top cruise aggregators have teamed with CruiseCompete to list scarce cabin inventory on this new Web site.

They booked over a half million cruises last year

Since agencies only pay CruiseCompete based on the cabins they actually book, the site provides a no-risk way for agencies to sell more cruises. “We buy blocks of cabins on hundreds of cruises,” said Steven Gelfuso, president of CruiseBrothers.com, one of the nation’s leading cruise aggregators, having booked its 500,000 th cruise last year. “Many of this year’s most popular sailings are already listed as sold out.

Travelers typically receive three to six quotes from which to select with no obligation to buy

CruiseCompete.com allows consumers to select a specific cruise, and then receive competing offers from any of the more than 100 travel agencies that are CruiseCompete members. Travelers typically receive as many as 3-6 quotes from which to select with no obligation to buy.

“Whether you are a first-timer or an experienced cruise traveler, CruiseCompete.com is an essential planning tool,” Levinstein said. “In just a few minutes you can be sure that you’re getting the best possible deal on your cruise vacation. Nobody else offers this type of on line service….. we save consumers time and money by enabling them to secure price quotes for cruises from multiple travel agencies without having to contact each one separately.” He added that CruiseCompete, LLC, is an independent company not owned by or affiliated with any travel agency.

Are you thinking about taking a cruise vacation to get away from all this snow, but you’re just not sure if it will be the right vacation for you and your family? With new ships and record occupancy rates, cruise travel is more popular than ever. Not surprisingly, cruises have become the fastest-growing segment of the travel market during the past five years.

This can make it difficult for you to find the right ship at the right price. To sway those still blowing in the (cold February) wind, it is time to dispel a number of popular myths about travel on the high seas:

Myth No. 1: You have to fly to Miami or Ft. Lauderdale to get on a cruise ship.
Reality: Cruises depart from most major cities; New England in particular has a vast number of cruise line voyages departing from Boston New London, Portland as well as nearby New York City or Philadelphia, all within a reasonable drive from here with no added air fare or airport security hassles.

Lines to consider are Carnival Cruise Lines, Clipper, Crystal, Cunard, Holland America Cruises, Norwegian, Princess Cruises, Radisson Seven Seas, Royal Caribbean, Seabourn and Silversea. Most offer voyages to exotic from Boston to Bermuda, the Caribbean, New England / Canada, and Transatlantic voyagers which connect in Europe to other types of cruises including a World Cruise leave right out of your own backyard.

Myth No. 2: People only take cruises when the weather turns cold.
Reality: Cruise travel is a year-round pastime. Sure, it is a great way to beat the cold, but families also take cruises during the summer months when children are out of school. It also offers a good way to get away from the cape during our crowded tourist season. Cruises to the Caribbean and Bahamas run year-round. The Alaska cruising season runs May through September; Europe between April and November; Bermuda, April through October; and Panama Canal, between September and April.

Myth No. 3: Cruises are too long.
Reality: Cruise lengths actually vary significantly to meet personal tastes. According to the Cruise Lines International Association, during 2004 itineraries of 1-5 days accounted for 31% of the cruise market; itineraries of 6-8 days made up 57%of the market; and 9-17 day sailings accounted for 11%. Less than 1% of all cruises booked lasted longer.

Myth No. 4: There’s nothing for men to do on a cruise.
Reality: Cruise ships are floating resorts, with plenty of fun for men as well as women. The flurry of activities on board a cruise ship is amazing and most men will be dazzled with too many entertainment choices. Typical activities include shore excursions, water sports, pool activities, fitness centers, live entertainment, casinos, bingo, dance lessons, talent contests, karaoke, wine tasting, rock wall climbing, spas, movies and much more. Most days are spent in exotic ports with plenty to see and do. Golfers can play challenging, top-ranked island courses (extra fees may apply); gourmets love the dining; explorers find adventure in every port.

Myth No. 5: Kids are bored on a cruise.
Reality: All of the major cruise lines offer organized programs and camps for children and they usually have a blast. They can participate all day or only in specific activities. This provides for both fun family time and a chance for parents to relax on their own. Daycare and babysitting services also are available, usually at no charge.

Myth No. 6: There are no medical personnel on board a cruise ship.
Reality: Virtually every cruise ship has a fully equipped medical facility and staff on board to handle almost any emergency. The cruise lines also have precautions in place if a person has to be evacuated to a hospital on land (be sure to purchase trip insurance, most cover these types of medical emergencies). Prescription medication should be kept close at hand in a purse or carry-on, rather than in checked luggage. It also is a good idea to carry a written list of medications with dosages in case they are lost.

Myth No. 7: Cruise ships spend all their time at sea.
Reality: Cruise vacationers actually have the opportunity to spend quite a bit of time on land. Virtually every cruise features multiple ports of call, giving travelers a chance to visit beautiful, secluded beaches, vibrant cities and popular tourist sites, as well as enjoy breathtaking scenery. Every port offers a unique experience. Ships usually arrive in port early in the morning, allowing plenty of time for shopping, dining, visiting historical sites and exploring the area. Planned excursions, arranged by the ship’s staff or local sightseeing companies, also are available for an extra cost.

Myth No. 8: Everyone gains weight on a cruise.
Reality: While cruises are known for having plenty of food available, cruise lines are very aware of the healthy-eating lifestyles of a growing number of cruisers. Every meal offers healthy choices as part of their already extensive food selections prepared under the direction of some of the greatest chefs in the world. Plus, there are plenty of activities on board and off to help people burn away any extra calories during their vacations.

Myth No. 9: A cruise ship cabin is claustrophobic.
Reality: An inside economy cabin does tend to be small and by definition lacks a window but, in actuality, people spend very little time in their cabin except to sleep. An outside cabin (ocean view) has a window or porthole, while a balcony (veranda) cabin has a glass door leading to a balcony usually equipped with a small table and chairs. Most ships feature larger suites for those who truly need more space.

A seven night cruise costs about 35% less than seven nights at a comparable resort.

Myth No. 10: Some people become seasick on cruises.
Reality: Even if you suffer from motion sickness during car rides or on airplanes, it is still unlikely you will become seasick on a cruise ship. Due to their immense size and stabilizers that all ships are equipped with, you probably will not notice any motion at all. Some parts of the ocean, however, are rougher than others. If you do get seasick, medications are available on board to get you back on your feet quickly.

Myth No. 11: You lose touch with the world on a cruise.
Reality: While some people relish the thought of getting away from it all, the cruise industry realizes many folks like to stay in touch. Many of the newer ships have business centers with fax capabilities and Internet access. Cruise ships also publish a daily newsletter with major news, sports scores and stock quotes. Most cabins have televisions and telephones enabling you to call someone on shore through the ship’s radio operator while at sea. Calls can be made from most ports too. Cell phones, however, will not work at sea.

Myth No. 12: Cruises are expensive.
Reality: A cruise is actually one of the best travel values out there. Where else could you find a shine, new and classy resort, on the ocean, with all meals and entertainment included for the price? Children’s programs also are generally included at no extra charge.

Airfare and transfers may also be available for an additional fee, but usually at group rates arranged by the cruise line.

A seven night cruise costs about 35% less than seven nights at a comparable resort.

Sites like CruiseCompete.com – where travel agents compete to offer the best deal – help consumers save even more. CruiseCompete.com was launched in 2003, and it enables consumers to secure cruise quotes from multiple travel agencies without having to contact each one separately. More than 100,000 customers have used CruiseCompete.com to request cruise prices from over 100 member travel agencies.