Cruise Shopping on a $100 Budget

Am I the only one who enjoys picking up something new to wear while on vacation? I don’t believe it’s essential to shop before traveling, but there’s something delightful about showcasing a fresh outfit in a new place!

As I prepare for my upcoming Caribbean cruise with Dinogo, I decided to set myself a fun challenge. I allotted myself a budget of $100 and only a few hours to gather everything I needed for the trip. My shopping list included:

• denim shorts
• fedora or sun hat
• swim cover-up
• a dress for dinner
• those comfy, printed pants that resemble pajamas

Honestly, I was skeptical about finding all the items on my list. Shopping for summer attire in October feels completely off-season, so I wasn't very confident that I'd find much. Plus, getting 5 items for under $100 seemed like a huge challenge. I thought I might only snag a couple of things, but to my surprise, I found everything on my list, and my total came to just $88! (What a win!)

Here’s what I picked up:

• Jean shorts (photo 2): American Eagle, $18
• Fedora/sun hat (photo 2): Francesca’s, $10
• Swim cover-up (photo 4): Forever 21, $22
• Dinner dress (photo 3): Forever 21, $18
• Comfy printed pants (photo 1): TJ Maxx, $20

I tried on multiple pairs of printed pants before discovering the pair from TJ Maxx (photo 1) that I ultimately bought. Photo 2 showcases a pair from Macy’s, while photo 3 features a pair from American Eagle.

I had been hunting for denim shorts all summer without luck, so finding this pair at American Eagle was a delightful surprise! These shorts were on clearance, tucked away at the bottom of a table in the back of the store. I must have tried on 15 different pairs. I ended up choosing the ones on the left, which are a Boyfriend fit, while the ones on the right are Boy Midi fit.

Forever 21 is a retailer that keeps summer vibes alive all year long. I tried on a multitude of dresses for the trip and selected the first one for dinner. (Bonus: It’s versatile enough to pair with tights and boots for fall!)

Here are more adorable dresses I tried on at Forever 21. The last one was ideal as a swim cover-up! If it’s possible, having a few new items for the trip has only heightened my excitement for this cruise.

The biggest challenge now is resisting the urge to wear everything before the trip! Check out my shopping tips for a cruise or vacation below and let me know – do you enjoy purchasing something new for your getaway, or do you prefer sticking to your trusted favorites? What are your top vacation shopping tips or finds?

Here are my tips for shopping for a cruise or vacation:

• Think through every possible scenario for your trip. What activities do you plan to do, and do you have suitable outfits for each? Additionally, consider what you might need for unexpected or inclement weather.
• Allow yourself ample time. For my trip to Europe three years ago, I dedicated several months to planning outfits and researching climates and activities. Don’t leave it until the night before to check your closet and ensure you have everything needed for your journey.
• Fashion should also be functional. While on vacation, you might spend hours sightseeing, snorkeling, or trying activities you don’t usually do. Consider the practicality of your clothing – opt for shoes that can endure a lot of wear, and swim cover-ups that you can easily throw on right after swimming.
• Consider beach brands. If you’re heading for a beach vacation out of season, visit stores like Pac Sun, Hollister, American Eagle, and Victoria’s Secret, which offer swimsuits, shorts, cover-ups, and flip-flops throughout the year.
• Choose items you can wear beyond your vacation. I’ll definitely use the swim cover-up and denim shorts after my trip. Plus, the fedora, printed pants, and dinner dress will be perfect for the current season (fall). Don’t buy something just for the vacation; buy items that you can continue to enjoy afterward!
• Watch your budget. If you’re establishing a vacation budget, keep things in perspective. Vacations are special, but they only last 1-2 weeks a year, so I recommend reserving most of your budget for your regular daily activities.

This post was crafted for Away We Go with Dinogo, your go-to destination for getting into the vacation mindset.