£500 to update wardrobe for spring cruise

[1721sunset]

As per title, cruise is to Norway so I’m sorted mostly for day wear. It will be fairly cool I suspect. But I don’t have a lot of evening clothes. I have two formal dresses I’m happy with but need more non formal nice evening clothes. I’m 5’3 42 around size 10/12 (hoping to be more 10 for April) and a busty Apple shape. Oh and very fair so don’t suit anything too dark.

I like dresses or trouser tops combo. Not a bit fan of skirts.

1 week cruise so I’m needing 4 or 5 outfit ideas and I’m really struggling to know where to start. Help would be much appreciated.

Sounds lovely! Are the evenings dressy uppy? A camel or black colour cashmere shawl and a smartish blazer/jacket could be useful for the cold evenings. I've never been on a cruise so I don't know if they have a dress code but on land I usually get away with jeans, shirt and smart jacket combo. Or jeans, shirt and big shawl combo for any occasion on a colder day.

Really fine knit polo neck jumpers are great for layering. But they are super difficult to find when you're specifically looking for them.

This sort of thing but with a really thin polo neck jumper and some jewellery and flat shoes.

i’ve been cruising for 12 years or so and they have definitely got less dressy

don’t buy things you will never wear elsewhere.

you can definitely wear your two dresses for two evenings each

I’d get some good wide-leg trousers in black and a couple of silk blouses (boden do decent ones which go into the sale). You could certainly get wear out of those in normal life

What cruise line is it? Do you need many non formal outfits? Try Vinted for ideas of what you'd like to buy even if you buy elsewhere. Take waterproofs -I have never been so wet as I got in Norway - and I'm from Scotland!

What's the cruise line? Varies greatly, p and o for example one formal night and more casual rest of the time Cunard much dressier.
I brought from vinted for our next cruise as much easier to justify a tenner a dress for a night when I normally don't get dressed up at home.