Cruise attire and what to wear on a cruise ship….an all time favorite question. What exactly is Celebrity’s dress code? What is considered to be cruise formal night wear versus casual? On Celebrity cruises – “Chic” is the key word Smart Casual Most nights, Celebrity Cruises’ dinner dress code is smart casual. Smart Casual means you look comfortable yet tasteful in a dress, skirt, long pants, or jeans, and stylish top or button-down. Shorts and flip flops are not considered Smart Casual. Dressy jeans are also acceptable…no rips or tears regardless of how expensive they were. Shorts (including dressier shorts) and beach style flip-flops are frowned upon for evenings. The maitre’d may ask you to change into proper attire. Note: Smart Casual attire is appropriate for the Celebrity Theater. Evening Chic Depending on the length of the cruise, there will be one or two semi-formal nights called Evening Chic. You should dress to impress. What is Evening Chic? Evening Chic is dressier than smart casual but less dressy than formal attire. Each itinerary features one to two Evening Chic nights. Evening Chic means you dress to impress….be glamorous and sophisticated in your own way,. Wear a cocktail dress, skirt, slacks, or designer jeans with an elegant dress top or blazer. I’ve seen many women wear nice slacks and a sparkly top or a nice dress that could be worn to a fancy restaurant or wedding….they looked lovely! Women should feel comfortable wearing:A cocktail dress, nice skirt, dressy pants or designer jeans with an elegant top. Men should feel comfortable wearing:Pants or designer jeans with a dress shirt, button-down shirt or sweaterSport coat/blazer and tie are optional What are designer jeans? Designer jeans are dressy jeans (in the UK, they’d be referred to as “smart jeans”) with no holes, rips or tears. These are not your “let’s go hiking” jeans. You want to wear jeans that you can dress up a bit…..wear a nice top and shoes/heels for women and a dress shirt, button-down shirt, or sweater for men, with or without a jacket. Yes, there are “designers jeans” that have rips and tears, but these will not be allowed in any dining room, regardless of how expensive they were. Of course, if you want to go all out and wear a formal dress or tux, that is totally up to you. This is your night to dress up as much as you want to! Nightly Casual Option on Celebrity Cruises Prefer to wear more casual clothing throughout the day and evening? Shorts and casual clothing can be worn in the buffet in the evening. Final Thoughts: Packing for a cruise doesn’t have to be complicated—just think versatile, comfortable, and a little bit fun. From breezy daytime outfits to something a bit more polished for evenings, the right wardrobe helps you feel confident and ready for every moment onboard. At the end of the day, the best thing you can wear on a cruise is whatever makes you feel relaxed, prepared, and excited to enjoy every second of the journey and still follow the dress code onboard. 🛳️✨ Cruise Packing 101 – what not to forget! Travel Clothing Cruise Essentials Stay up-to-date on all the Cruise News: Join me and other cruisers on Facebook at Zest4Cruising, A Celebrity Cruises Forum, A Celebrity Solstice Cruise Forum, A Celebrity Reflection Cruise Forum, A Celebrity Ascent Cruisers Forum, A Celebrity RETREAT class forum, A Celebrity River Cruises Forum and Alaska Cruise Lover Forum You can also follow me at: YouTube at Travels With Mickey Pinterest at Travels with Mickey Instagram at Travels with Mickey Please visit and follow my Amazon store for more helpful items to make your cruise and travel even more enjoyable! P.S. If you found this helpful, please don’t keep it to yourself. Share on Facebook or PIN to your favorite Pinterest board (share buttons are below). Thanks so much! Disclaimer: Zest4Travel is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associate Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.
Category Archives: Packing & Planning
Must-Have Travel Gear from Amazon’s Big Spring Sale
Discount If your next trip is on the horizon, now is the perfect time to stock up on travel must-haves for less. The Amazon Big Spring Sale is packed with deals on everything from carry-on essentials and packing organizers to tech, accessories, and comfort items that make traveling so much easier. Whether you’re planning a cruise, a Disney getaway, or a quick weekend escape, this is your chance to upgrade your travel gear, stay organized, and save money before you even leave home The items below are some of the best travel-friendly finds to grab during this sale and have been carefully chosen to make your trips smoother, more organized, and a lot less stressful. From space-saving packing essentials and in-flight comfort must-haves to smart accessories that keep everything charged and within reach, each item is something you’ll actually use—not just toss in your suitcase. This post contains affiliate links, which means if you click and buy, I may make a small commission, at no cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Packing cubes are a must have item. Keep your clothing organzied while traveling! Most cruise ships provide binoculars in your cabin but they aren’t very good. We like to bring a small, travel size pair. This is jacket is waterproof, lightweight and good for hiking and travel if going somewhere cooler and wet like Alaska, the British Isles or Norway fjords. It keeps you dry and packs down small. A waterproof poncho would also be very useful. This one folds up into a small packet, is lightweight, has a front zipper and pockets and is available in several colors! The glare off boat and water can be very strong. You will be glad you have sunscreen! One of the worst sunburns of my life was from being on our family boat and lying on the white deck without suncreen! Also a must have if heading to the beach! Traveling somewhere that bugs might be a problem? These bracelets keep biting insects away and are DEET free. Traveling with kids or don’t like something on your wrist? Place these stickers on your clothes! Going on a Disney cruise or just a Disney lover? Decorate your cabin door with fun cruise magnets! Going to the beach and want to keep your phone safe and dry? These waterproof pouches are a game changer. Keep your ID, credit cards and passport safe with this RFID protected wallet. Never Lose Your Essentials Again – Easily track your Rhinokey Smartcard directly in the Apple Find My app. Whether it’s your wallet, passport, laptop, or camera bag, you can view your item’s last known location on a map. Protect your lips from the harsh sun and salt water with an overnight lip mask. Keep your jewelry safe with a travel jewelry box. This convertible 2 in 1 garment bag set has everything you need for any type of travel, from business trips to weekend getaways. Travel makeup mirror. This rechargeable travel makeup mirror has 72 led lights, 3 color lightings, and a dimmable touch screen This is only a small selection of the amazing deals available during Amazon’s Big Spring Sale. Be sure to visit my curated list of great travel products available during this sale. New items will be added throughout the event! Stay up-to-date on all the Cruise News: Join me and other cruisers on Facebook at Zest4Cruising, A Celebrity Cruises Forum, A Celebrity Solstice Cruise Forum, A Celebrity Reflection Cruise Forum, A Celebrity Ascent Cruisers Forum, A Celebrity RETREAT class forum, A Celebrity River Cruises Forum and Alaska Cruise Lover Forum You can also follow me at: YouTube at Travels With Mickey Pinterest at Travels with Mickey Instagram at Travels with Mickey Please visit and follow my Amazon store for more helpful items to make your cruise even more enjoyable! P.S. If you found this helpful, please don’t keep it to yourself. Please share on Facebook or PIN to your favorite Pinterest board (share buttons are below). Thanks so much! *Zest4Travel is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associate Program. As an Amazon Associate, I may earn from qualifying purchases.
Ultimate Packing List for Your Disney Cruise
Planning a Disney Cruise is exciting—but knowing what to pack can feel overwhelming, especially if it’s your first sailing. After cruising and learning what’s truly useful (and what’s not), this Disney Cruise packing list includes the must‑have essentials that make your cruise easier, more organized, and more magical. These are the exact items I bring every time—and many of them are Amazon finds that make a huge difference in your cabin comfort, organization, and overall experience. This post contains affiliate links, which means if you click and buy, I may make a small commission, at no cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. PASSPORT! and other important travel documents Keep these items in your carryon…you will need them to check in at the pier. I find a passport holder to be very useful. This is another option….travel wallet RFID blocking card Thieves are everywhere. Simply place your credit/debit cards or any other RFID-enabled contactless Smart Cards near a RFID Blocking Card and you’re safe and ready to go. Suitcase with spinner wheels I have a weakness for new luggage, lol. Make sure it’s lightweight and has 4 spinner wheels. This makes it so that it’s easy to board your cruise ship and disembark….especially if you do self-disembarkation. Plus….who wants to drag a heavy bag around ship terminals or airports. Why not make it Disney themed? Carry on luggage I have been using an airline approved size carry on bag for several year now. There is plenty of room for extra shoes, a change of clothes, medicine, jewelry, electronics….all the things I don’t want to check with baggage handlers AND this one fits under the seat! If you need more storage, I love this tote bag . There is a hidden strap, so you can easily slip it over your luggage handle. Trying to minimize the amount of luggage you are taking? This convertible garment bag holds a TON of items and protects your nicer clothes from wrinkles. Comes in other colors and patters also. Cruise Line Luggage Tag Holders Protect your luggage with reusable holders. Nothing worse than having your luggage go missing! Plastic reusable luggage tags holders are so practical. If you get nothing else, buy luggage tag holders! Not only are they reasonably priced, but they can be reused again and again. After having tags accidentally torn off one time and our bags go missing, I purchased some. I will never cruise without them again! Packing cubes I’m a packing cube convert. I’ve found even more ways to use packing cubes to keep organized on my cruise. My suitcase stays organized and when I unpack onboard, I just move them into the drawers or shelves. I recommend getting at least 2 packs in various sizes and in different colors. This way you can have cubes for each member of the family. Luggage Locks Lock your luggage! We always lock ours when flying or boarding a ship. These luggage locks are designed to keep thieves out but still allow TSA to check bags when they’re going through security. And because the TSA can’t take their key out without relocking, you can be assured your luggage will stay locked . Luggage Tag Many bags look identical. Make yours easy to spot with unique luggage tags. Apple Airtags No one wants to lose their luggage while traveling. Air tags can help you locate your bags if they go missing while flying or traveling. We use one in each bag, including carry ons. The piece of mind is worth the cost. I also use a AirTag holder that can attach to the inside of the bag. There are lots of colors available. Lanyard and Keycard Holder Cruise lanyards are one of the most popular cruise essentials. If you want to stay hands free or keep organized, putting your cruise key card in a plastic water-proof lanyard is super practical both on the cruise and as you get off the ship at a cruise port. Hanging Toiletry Bag I have used a bathroom organizer for years. I keep it packed all the time except for a few items which I need everyday. This way, it is grab and go! Travel Size Toiletries I like to use TSA approved containers. There are many to choose from, I find these useful. Plus….they come in a plastic bag that will protect against any leaks that might happen. (Click on the picture for a direct link to the product.) Waterproof beach bag or tote for pool This waterproof and sand proof beach bag has tons of pockets and space for your towels, swim suits, flip flops, water bottles, glasses, sunblock, toys and any other things you’d like to take with you to the beach or pool, and an interior pocket to place keys, your wallet or phone and other valuables. Disney Ears A Disney cruise is a great place to wear and show off your nautical themed ears. This cruise headband features glitter anchor and flag details on the ears, bringing a touch of magic. Accented with a life ring on the bow, this cruise ears is ready for a day of sailing for you! How do you protect them when traveling? I found this really cute portable mouse ears travel case that kees them safe and easy to find. Bag to use onboard and onshore When going ashore, it is nice to have a good bag. Bring Disney onshore with you by using a fun Steamboat Willy, Donald Duck or Minnie Mouse Loungefly backpack. Prefer a crossbody? This one has lots of storage with easy to use compartments. Or a cute fanny pack? Waterproof case for phone and ID A waterproof case is useful if you are uncomfortable leaving your valuables on the beach while you are in the water. There is also a waterproof case if you want to snorkel with your phone. Reusable shopping bags Many stores are eliminating free bags with purchases. I travel with reusable grocery bags…saves money and keeps me from using plastic bags. Refillable Water Bottles Make sure you stay hydrated both onboard and onshore! These Disney themed water bottles make itContinueContinue reading “Ultimate Packing List for Your Disney Cruise”
Top Travel Deals for Black Friday Week and CyberMonday
Don’t miss out on these great deals for travel and cruising! This post contains affiliate links, if you click and buy a product, I may make a commission, at no cost to you. Please see my disclosure policy for details. Literine PocketPaks Cool Mint Breath Strips, Portable Pocket-Sized Oral Care Mouth Freshener 43% off BAGSMART Cord Organizer Travel Cable Bag, Compact Tech Electronic Organizer Travel Case, Essentials for Charger, Cable, Phone, Flash drive, Double Layers (Pink) 20% off Travel inspira Luggage Scale, Portable Digital Hanging Baggage Scale for Travel, Suitcase Weight Scale with Rubber Paint, 110 Pounds, Battery Included 40% off BLAVOR Solar Charger Power Bank 10,000mAh, Portable Wireless Charger, 20W Fast Charging External Battery Pack with USB C for Cell Phones 43% off EACHY Travel Makeup Bag,Large Capacity Cosmetic Bags for Women,Waterproof Portable Pouch Open Flat Toiletry Bag Make up Organizer with Divider and Handle 30% off Vital Proteins Collagen Peptides Powder Supplement, Hydrolyzed Collagen Peptides Travel Pack, 20 Individual Packets 20% off Coolife Luggage 4 Piece Set Suitcase Spinner Hardshell Lightweight TSA Lock 15% off BAGSMART Underseat Carry On luggage Airline Approved, 16-inch Small Softside Underseater Travel Suitcase with Spinner Wheels Beats Studio Pro – Wireless Bluetooth Noise Cancelling Headphones 51% off Large Travel Backpack Carry on Flight Approved Laptop Work Business Backpack 15% off Baggallini The New Classic Collection Uptown Bagg 44% off Multi Plug Outlet Splitter with USB, TESSAN 4 Electrical Outlet Extender Surge Protector with 3 USB Wall Charger Blocks 26% off Clear Makeup Bags, TSA Approved 6Pcs Cosmetic Makeup Bag Set Clear PVC with Zipper Handle Portable Travel Luggage Pouch Airport Airline Vacation. Other colors available. 20% off 10×25 Binoculars for Adults and Kids, Large View Compact Binoculars with Low Light Vision, Easy Focus Small Binocular 30% off 3 Packs Foldable Pail Bucket with Shovels & Mesh Bag, Collapsible Buckets Multi Purpose for Beach, Camping Gear, Beach Party, Fishing, and Fun Summer Activities (Yellow/Blue/Green) 33% off Magnetic Hooks for Cruise Cabins, 60Lbs Swivel Magnetic Hooks Heavy Duty, Cruise Ship Essentials 15% off Small Crossbody Bags for Women Belt Bag Fanny Pack with Adjustable Strap 40% off 16 Pack Silicone Bottle Cover,Travel Essential for Women Men,Cruise Ship Essentials 2025,Beach Vacation Essentials,Travel Size Toiletries,Airplane Travels Accessories Elastic Sleeves for Leak Proofing 33% off Waterproof Bag for Beach, Sandproof Fanny Packs for Women, Waterproof Pouch for Phone Passport Purse, Floating Dry Bags for Cruise Travel Water Park Boating Fishing Diving Surfing Kayaking Accessories 35% off 276PCS First Aid Kit Home Car Camping Hiking Emergency Supplies Small Compact Lovely Bag for School Outdoor, Basic Outdoor Essentials Survival Kit for Travel 20% off AI Neck Fan, 6 Speeds Adjustable Portable Personal Fan Rechargeable, 6000 mAh Battery Faster Cooling Wearable Fan, Ultra Quiet for Home, Office, Travel, Outdoor 38% off BAGAIL 4 Set/6 Set/8 Set Compression Packing Cubes Travel Accessories Expandable Packing Organizers (Half Mesh, 6-Black) Other colors available 32% off Repel Umbrella – Windproof Travel Umbrellas for Rain – Engineered to Withstand 85MPH Winds, <1lb – Lightweight, Durable, Compact, Waterproof, Auto Open Close, Fiberglass Frame Other colors available. 49% off’ 2 Pack Floating Waterproof Phone Pouch Up to 7″, IPX8 Underwater Phone Case Dry Bag for iPhone 16 15 14 13 12 11 Pro Max Xs Max XR X 8 7 Plus SE/Galaxy S24 S23 S22 Other colors avaiable 20% off TESSAN European Travel Plug Adapter USB C 3 Pack, US to Europe Plug Adaptor with 4 AC Outlets 3 USB Charging Ports, Type C Power Adapter for USA to EU Euro Spain France Iceland Italy Germany Greece 20% off Cruise On Royal Caribbean Cruise Luggage Tag Holder (4 Pack) – Fits All Carnival & Royal Caribbean Ships, Durable Travel ID Holders for 2025-2026 Cruises, Clear Waterproof Cruise Essentials 35% off Stay up-to-date on all the Cruise News: Join me and other cruisers on Facebook at Zest4Cruising, A Celebrity Cruises Forum, A Celebrity Solstice Cruise Forum, A Celebrity Reflection Cruise Forum, A Celebrity Ascent Cruisers Forum, A Celebrity RETREAT class forum, A Celebrity River Cruises Forum and Alaska Cruise Lover Forum You can also follow me at: YouTube at Travels With Mickey Pinterest at Travels with Mickey Instagram at Travels with Mickey Please visit and follow my Amazon store for more helpful items to make your cruise and travel even more enjoyable! P.S. If you found this helpful, please don’t keep it to yourself. Please share on Facebook or PIN to your favorite Pinterest board (share buttons are below). Thanks so much! P.S. If you found this helpful, please don’t keep it to yourself. Please share on Facebook or PIN to your favorite Pinterest board (share buttons are below). Thanks so much! Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links. This means I will earn a commission – at no extra cost to you — if you click on the link and purchase anything from these trusted companies. It helps Zest4Travel, a small business, stay in business. Thanks for your support!
ETIAS vs EES: Essential Updates for Traveling to Europe
The European Union is launching the first of two new border management initiatives on October 12, 2025. These will affect travel to Europe: the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) and the Entry/Exit Systems (EES). How will travel rules change and how are these two systems different? The new Entry/Exit System (EES) will start operations on 12 October 2025. European countries using the EES will introduce the system gradually at their external borders. This means that data collection will be gradually introduced at border crossing points with full implementation by 10 April 2026. UPDATED FEBRUARY 7, 2026 Gradual Rollout: While the system officially launched on October 12, 2025, implementation is occurring in phases, with 35% of borders to be compliant by January 9, 2026, and full coverage mandated by April 10, 2026. Summer 2026 Flexibility: To prevent severe travel chaos, member states are allowed to “partially suspend” EES operations for 90 days following the April deadline, with potential extensions of 60 days to cover the peak summer season. Manual Stamping Continues: Due to these “flexibilities” and potential technical issues, passengers may still experience manual passport stamping at various EU borders during the 2026 summer period. Impact on Travel: Travelers should prepare for potential delays, as the new biometric kiosks (scanning fingerprints/photos) have caused significant queues, in some cases up to three or seven hours. ETIAS Delay: The associated European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) is now unlikely to be mandatory until the very end of 2026 or early 2027. The delay is intended to allow for better testing of the technology and to prevent massive backlogs at major travel hubs. The European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) is scheduled to launch in the last quarter of 2026, with the exact date to be announced by the European Commission several months in advance. No action is required from travelers at this stage, but those planning to visit the Schengen Area from visa-exempt countries should be prepared to apply for this new pre-authorization system before traveling once it becomes operational. This post may contain affiliate links which means if you click and buy that I may make a commission, at no cost to you. Please see my disclosure policy for details. What is the EES? Purpose: The EES is an automated system that replaces physical passport stamps for non-EU visitors to the Schengen Area. Data Collection: It will collect biometric data, such as fingerprints and facial images, of travelers at the point of entry and exit. Function: The EES tracks how long travelers stay in the Schengen zone to monitor compliance with the 90-day rule and enhance border security. What is ETIAS? Purpose: ETIAS is an electronic travel authorization for travelers from visa-exempt countries who plan short stays in the Schengen Area. Function: It’s a pre-departure approval that acts as a pre-check system, similar to the U.S. ESTA. Requirements: Travelers will need an approved ETIAS in addition to their passport to enter. Sign up for updates on the official ETIAS official website Cost: The cost of an ETIAS will be €20, however, individuals under the age of 18, or over the age of 70, will not need to pay the fee, but will still need to apply. How are they associated? Supportive Relationship: The two systems are designed to support each other. Sequential Launch: The EES is expected to launch first, and the ETIAS will become operational about six months after the EES is in place. Data Sharing: The EES can automatically access and process information from an approved ETIAS authorization, linking the two systems. How will the EES work? What is new during the border checks? If you arrive at a border crossing point for the first time since the EES started: You will have to provide your personal data. Passport control officers will scan your fingerprints or take a photo of your face. This information will be recorded in a digital file. This process can be quicker if you register some of your data in advance. You can do this by using: the dedicated equipment (“self-service system”), if available at your border crossing point; and/or a mobile application – if made available by the country of arrival or departure. In any of the instances above, you will meet a passport control officer. If you have crossed the borders of the European countries using the EES more than once since the EES started: Your fingerprints or the photo of your face will already be recorded in the EES. The passport control officers will only verify your fingerprints and photo, which will take less time. In rare cases, it may be necessary to collect and record your data again. If you hold a biometric passport, you will be able to enter more quickly using the self-service system (if available at that border crossing point). Please be aware that all the other conditions for entry or exit remain valid and passport control officers may, at any time, take measures as necessary, such as collecting again the image of your face, etc. Which data are collected by the EES? You need to provide your personal data each time you reach the external borders of the European countries using the EES. For more information – see What does progressive start of the EES mean? The EES collects, records and stores: data listed in your travel document(s) (e.g. full name, date of birth, etc.) date and place of each entry and exit facial image and fingerprints (called ‘biometric data’) whether you were refused entry. On the basis of the collected biometric data, biometric templates will be created and stored in the shared Biometric Matching Service (see footnote). If you hold a short-stay visa to enter the Schengen area, your fingerprints will already be stored in the Visa Information System (VIS) and will not be stored again in the EES. Depending on your particular situation, the system also collects your personal information from: the Visa Information System (which contains additional personal information) the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) , in particular the status of your ETIAS travel authorisation and, if applicable, whether you are a family member of an EU national.ContinueContinue reading “ETIAS vs EES: Essential Updates for Traveling to Europe”