We are off on our first cruise in March and have read a lot about mens clothing at meal times but not a lot about ladies.

Can anyone give us ideas?

The buffets and casual dining locations have no dress codes at all.

The dining room for men and women is usually smart casual on non-formal nights. Formal nights are just as implied; suits for men, gowns or dresses for the ladies.

I've taken 7-day cruises with nothing more formal than shorts and polo shirts. Enjoy!

Congratulations on your first cruise!

My wardrobe for the evenings usually consists of the following. For formal nights, I'll wear a gown, old bridesmaid dress, or cocktail dress. For casual or informal evenings, I'll wear a pantsuit or a dress -- similar to what I'd wear to my job in an office. In warmer climates, I'll wear a sundress, but have a shawl with me in case the air conditioning is too cool.

I tend to be on the dressier side, though. Pants are fine on any evening, and I have seen capris on the casual nights. Also, the longer the cruise, the more formal the dress tends to be. We women have a lot more leeway.