I'm going on a cruise in a couple of weeks. I need to pick a swim cover appropriate for my age 46. My body type is a petite B with short legs. I don't want to look frumpy nor like a teenager. I am wearing a one piece suit with tummy control. Any suggestions?

How about something in a open-weave crocheted look? Look for something around the knee. That way you will feel covered up-yet still show some skin (in a pleasing way). Just a suggestion...of course next month I'll do a post on travel and packing (including a few swimsuit and cover-up suggestions).

My husband and I love cruising. I am a few years older than you and definitely not a petite B but I feel comfortable in the cover ups I have to wear over my one piece swimsuits. One is a navy blue kimono style "jacket" that has a fringed edge, a waist tie and hits about mid thigh on me. Another style I have is the short pop-over dress, one in a sort of lacy white cotton broderie anglaise and another in blue and white cotton lawn. These have v necks and again they are shorter than I usually wear in dresses but perfect as a swimsuit cover up. They are natural fibres, lightweight and dry quickly. I feel comfortable walking around the ship or relaxing on a sunbed in these, rather than having to rush back to our cabin to get dressed straight after a swim. I hope you enjoy your cruise.

Lands end has a number of long knit tops that can also be used as dresses. They are made to cover up a swimsuit and come in many different colors. The prices are reasonable. You will have a wonderful time and people wear all sorts of clothes on cruises so whatever you pack will be fine as long as you like it. Don't forget sandals and dark glasses and have fun!

I once had a cute short pink summer dress as a cover-up, but when I put it on and the bathing suit was still damp, it showed dark wet patches through at the butt and bust. What kind of material would avoid this issue, or does one wear a bathing suit coverup only over dry bathing suits? The open weave crochet look suggested by MSP is the only one I think would work.

Sandy, I've seen, in the shops, swimsuit cover-ups (long or short) in gauzy, quick-drying material. I expect that even if the suit was damp, everything would soon dry out.