What to Pack for a Summer Cruise

The pieces:
1) Cute tops. Burnout tees or deep v-necks in black, gray and white will go from day to night with ease. Or, opt for colorful wash-and-wear tops that make a statement on their own. The gorgeous lace detail back on this tank top makes extra accessories unnecessary.
2) Sharp shorts. These cotton sateen bermudas in black are comfy enough for a full day of activities, yet dressy enough for a night out on the town.
3) Perfect pants. This will depend on personal preferences but one pair of perfect chinos or jeans that you can dress up or down should suffice.
3) Jersey maxi-dress in a solid color. Layer over a tank top for a day of shopping and sightseeing, then dress up with fun accessories for evening.
4) Comfortable and cute sandals. Check out this list for ideas. An embellished or metallic leather flat sandal can carry you from day to night. Tell your guy to pack some nice shoes, too, as many clubs in cities like Barcelona have a no-sneaker policy.
5) More dresses in cotton, cotton blends or rayon. These will pack well, and keep you cool for day or night.
6) Layering pieces. Temps can drop on a boat, in museums and at night, so you will need some cardigans and a jean jacket for layering. I'd also pack leggings and a shawl or large scarf as they take up hardly any room in your suitcase, and they're perfect for adding warmth and style to those sundresses you're taking.
7) If you can find one perfect cross body bag in say, black leather, this bag will be all you need to go from the boat to the bar and beyond. You will party all night. You will see the sun rise. You won't be able to keep track of a clutch.
8) A slim Passport pouch that fits under clothing will keep your cash and I.D. (your most valuable possessions when traveling abroad) safe, secure and always on your person.
9) Bathing essentials. For the pool or beach, pack that bikini, flip-flops, tote, sunglasses and sarong. A chic tunic can double as a cover-up.
10) Toiletries. Consider a good ol' waxing before the trip so you won't have to worry about shaving. Try to simplify your beauty routine with a gentle cleanser that you can use on your body and face; ditto with the moisturizer; bronzer, lip balm, mascara, and leave the rest at home. Anything you miss terribly you can always buy over there. Find out what ammenities will be included on your cruise so you don't have to pack, say, a blow dryer (which may not work anyways without an adapter, I'm not sure).
11) Accessories. I'm a fan of day-to-night accessories that I can wear everyday. Right now that means a gold pendant necklace (I sleep and shower with it), dark wooden bead bracelets (casual yet sophisticated), and diamond studs. I'd probably toss my gold bangles and a long gold disc necklace into the mix for night. The point is, don't pack your whole jewelry box, keep it simple.

Avoid:
Denim cut-offs, rubber flip-flops and a skimpy top. This look screams tourist and it won't be appropriate in cosmopolitan cities or parts of countries which are traditionally more conservative, such as Turkey. Sure, you'll see everything in a large city like Istanbul, but your itinerary may take you to smaller, more rural towns where showing a lot of skin is just not a good idea.
Irreplaceable items. Don't pack expensive jewelry or handbags that can be stolen or lost on a trip like this.
Heat stroke. Be smart and drink plenty of water and slather on that sunscreen.

Don't miss:
Outdoor markets, the Grand Bazaar, local crafts and jewelry, Spanish clothing chains like Zara and Mango...the list goes on and on! Keep your eyes peeled on what the locals are wearing and see if you can pick up some pieces to bring back home (and something for me, hint hint!).

Bon voyage!!