#4 When Your 'Costume' is Your Pajamas: An Animator's Unforgettable Cruise Ship Wardrobe Mishap

Working as an Animator on a cruise ship is, in itself, a Grand Adventure. My team, nestled within the vibrant Entertainment Department, is in charge of all the adult events and nightly shenanigans onboard. This means our days are a dynamic mix of themed parties, interactive games, quizzes, and so much more. Naturally, our wardrobe is as varied as our responsibilities, spanning a collection of standard uniforms and an array of incredible costumes for those themed nights. Sounds pretty straightforward, a dream for someone who loves changing outfits!

Well, my first contract threw a rather amusing curveball right at my fashion sense. Prior to embarking, I was informed that "costumes will be provided for." "Excellent!" I thought. "I'll just bring comfortable clothes for going out and sleeping." So, my perfectly curated collection of interesting, quality personal clothes – the ones I'd diligently hunted for on sale, mind you – most of it, I got rid of before I left. What a bummer, I realized later, because it turns out, not all parties were covered by provided costumes!

The full scope of this wardrobe oversight hit me hard on the very first night on the job. I needed to wear something in red and black for a Latin Party. And there I was, costume-less and utterly unprepared. My wonderful mentor, bless her heart, had to rummage through my luggage (I have two, full of items deemed useless for working onboard) to find anything appropriate. Her triumphant discovery? My black satin sleeping pants. Yes, you read that right. I was practically wearing sleepwear during my first professional night on the job.

We're a team of about 10-12. Everyone else was a vision of glamour, with colorful makeup and sticker gems adorning their faces. And then there was me, in my satin slumber pants, likely the only person onboard who looked ready for a nap rather than a party. Talk about an unexpected adventure in first impressions! In my head, I was screaming, "Nobody knows! They don't know! No, it does not look like sleepwear!" At the party, held in a theater space that also doubles as a venue for events, I didn't feel the need to be embarrassed anymore. Why? The venue was packed, and there was no way anyone would look at me from head to foot unless I was wearing something that screamed "LOOK AT ME." That's how I survived my first night at work.

That embarrassing (and very amusing) incident set off an immediate mission: a desperate shopping spree during our next stop in Abu Dhabi, a week later. My shopping list was long and specific, but this was no leisurely hunt for sale items or quality pieces. This was an adventure born of necessity. I couldn't bear the thought of constantly asking my colleagues to lend me clothes, even though they were incredibly nice and willing. I knew how busy their schedules were. So, despite my usual pickiness, I simply had to opt for whatever was nearest, available, and most affordable. There was no luxury of choice; I just needed to secure the items. It was a race against time and limited options!

( In these photos are the items I had to buy. A red top, a white top and a white pants, these were non-negotiable. Had to buy accessories, colored hair tie and makeup. These items I use most of the time in weekly interval, excluding the pants that had to endure a 4 times a week usage, until I was able to buy another one after 2 months. So imagine how useless the garments inside my luggage were. )

This whole unexpected wardrobe adventure was an unexpected insight into the realities of working life on a cruise ship. It taught me that while costumes are indeed provided, my personal wardrobe needs to be just as ready for prime time, bridging the gap between my role and my off-duty presence. It underscored the importance of preparation and never assuming what "provided" truly means. And honestly, it added a whole new layer to my appreciation for a well-rounded closet.

This style adventure continues, always with a lesson learned, a new outfit acquired, and hopefully, no more satin sleepwear making its debut on the dance floor.

Have you ever had a hilarious or embarrassing wardrobe malfunction, especially when you least expected it? Share your stories and insights in the comments below – I'd love to hear them!

ERBE