WHAT TO WEAR AROUND THE POOL ON YOUR UPCOMING CRUISE

Planning a luxury cruise vacation with family, friends or your romantic partner? You better be prepared! You'll need to pack all the essentials to make the most out of your cruise experience. Most luxury cruise ships have at least one pool, and as time goes on, ships and their pool decks are getting larger and more luxurious! Make sure to bring plenty of swimwear and accessories that are both functional and fashion-forward.

As a general rule of thumb, always pack enough swimwear so you don't have to do wash on vacation! If you're a bikini-wearer, look for stylish two-piece swimwear styles that will match the luxurious nature of the cruise ship. Think fringe bandeaus, bikinis with ruffle detailing, flattering smocked bottoms and colored animal print bikinis, all of which are right on-trend for 2012. But if you're into one-piece swimwear styles, go for monokinis with side cutouts or classic one-pieces with plunging necklines and figure-flattering ruching. Not only are these styles fashion-forward, but they're sure to have jaws dropping to the floor!

In addition to swimwear, you'll need a few cover-ups. When you're walking to and from the pool areas, it's customary to cover yourself up. Furthermore when the sun starts to set, it gets noticeably cooler by the pools. For an easy-to-wear cover-up, try v-neck tunics that simply slip on over the head. For a more fashionable look, go for ponchos, drapey jumpers and long maxi dresses.

Finally, you can't forget about the swimwear accessories! Depending on where you're cruising to, the sun can be a lot stronger than what you're used to. Make sure to bring a hat of your choice to help protect your face. Try a dramatic floppy hat, casual-chic fedora or a western-inspired cowboy hat. In addition, bring a few pairs of flip-flops that match your swimwear ensembles. Whether you prefer casual rubber flip-flops or chic leather sandals, footwear is a must when walking around the ship.

Peak cruise season is just around the corner, so get ready to stock up on swimwear, cover-ups and accessories to ensure nothing but smooth sailing! Happy cruising!

Susan Bodack is a blogger for InStyleSwimwear.com, a luxury online swimwear boutique specializing in fashion-forward designer swimwear, cover-ups and accessories.