Dressing up for dinner is something that’s always been special about cruising. Ships are their own floating worlds and every night can be a party where people are dressed in their best.
Now, even the most upscale ships are relaxing dress codes into “suggestions.” Formal has been replaced by vague phrases like country club evening, casual elegance or “effortless sophistication,” however you define that. That may be liberating, but it can also be very confusing.
While the party vibe remains, the formality has faded on many ships, as generations who have grown up in jeans take to cruising. And with airlines charging for checked baggage and cracking down on luggage weight, there’s more incentive than ever to leave gala outfits and dancing shoes off the packing lists.
That’s led even the staunchest upholders of the formal tradition to loosen their ties, and many lines have now declared all their evenings casual. But that still means thinking of evenings on a cruise as special events and dressing up accordingly. Even the most fashion-savvy can be at a loss for what to pack for non-formal nights.
The easy answer: ladies can lift up their casual look with interesting jewelry, higher heels, glittering sandals or an evening handbag and a bit of attitude. Gentlemen can never go wrong with a sports jacket or blazer over an open-collared shirt or polo. Generally speaking, save the T-shirts, shorts and beachwear for daytime.
Here’s a guide to decoding the new cruise line dress codes:
THE FORMAL SET
Cunard Line
The Grande Dame of cruising remains the head of the fashion class. And even it is trimming rules that required jackets for men and elegant dresses for women each evening. Cunard still has formal Gala Evenings requiring men to wear dinner jackets, tuxedos, or dark suits or a kilt , with women encouraged to wear floor-length gowns, cocktail dresses, or smart trouser suits. Casual dining options like the buffet are always available for those who prefer not to dress up, the line notes.
Other evenings are called “smart attire” which Cunard defines as a dress shirt and trousers for gents and a skirt or stylish pants and a top, or a cocktail dress for ladies. These dress codes apply to the main restaurants as well as many of the public venues throughout the ship after 6:00 pm.
Crystal Cruises
Crystal’s code is that after 6 in the evening guests “step up from Day Casual” and “adopt the more refined Evening Resort dress code.” The suggested Resort look is skirts or pants with blouses or sweaters. Dark jeans with no rips are acceptable. For men, a collared shirt with slacks or chinos. Jeans used to be a no-no, but dark jeans are now allowed “but only when accented by a jacket.” The website does add a note: Please avoid flip-flops, swimwear and hats.
The ships do still have two formal evenings a week and for those going to the dining rooms, women are urged to wear cocktail dress or or gowns or evening skirts or pants with an elegant top and evening shoes. For men, it’s suits or tuxedos (although on a recent Crystal cruise, the look included a lot of sport coats or blazers with slacks. Ties are always optional.
Seabourn Cruise Line
While Seabourn’s expedition ships are casual at all times, its larger ships still have a dress standard in the evening. On elegant casual nights, men wear slacks with a collared shirt or sweater; with jacket optional. Ladies can wear slacks or skirt with blouse, pant suit or dress. Jeans are welcome as long as they are “elegant.” On the formal nights men can opt for tuxedo, suit or slacks and jacket. The suggestion for ladies is “ evening gown or other formal apparel.”
Dressed up on deck aboard Silversea–Courtesy Silversea Cruises
Silversea Cruises
One of the most dressy cruise lines, Silversea is allowing less formality for those dining in its casual restaurants on formal evenings, but even then, jackets are required.
Sailings of nine days or less typically feature one formal night, while longer voyages usually have two or three formal nights. Appropriate formal evening wear for ladies is an evening gown or cocktail dress; gentlemen wear tuxedos, dinner jackets or dark suits, with tie required. Most other evenings are informal, defined as pants, blouses, skirts and casual dresses for ladies; open-neck collared shirts and slacks for gentlemen. On casual evenings, pants, blouses, skirts and casual dresses for ladies; open-neck shirts and slacks for gentlemen are appropriate.
Things are more relaxed on Silversea’s seven-day sailings in the Baltic, Mediterranean and Alaska, where formal night is optional. Guests may choose to dress informally instead, though a jacket is still required for gentlemen.
For Silversea Expeditions guests, casual resort wear is appropriate at all times when on board, but there are two informal evenings that for men require a jacket, with tie optional.
GET AS DRESSY AS YOU LIKE
Celebrity Cruises
Most nights on Celebrity are Smart Casual. “That means you look comfortable yet tasteful in a dress, skirt, long pants, or jeans, and a stylish top or button-down. Shorts and flip flops are not considered Smart Casual,” Celebrity notes.
Each itinerary features one to two more formal Evening Chic nights. “Evening Chic means you dress to impress, glamorous and sophisticated in your own way, with a cocktail dress, skirt, slacks, or designer jeans, an elegant dress top or blazer—some guests even pack a tuxedo or gown for onboard photo.” And many guests on recent Celebrity cruises I’ve been on do really love to go the extra yard on dress-up evenings.
Oceania Cruises
Think effortless sophistication, Oceania says. That’s translated as “polished, upscale and comfortable. Lightweight linens, cottons, silks and breathable blends are ideal. Evenings can be cool due to air conditioning, so we recommend packing a light sweater or wrap. Gentlemen may also consider bringing a lightweight sport coat, though it is not required. Oceania’s rule on jeans indicates only the acid-washed, torn, or distressed jeans are not suitable for evening wear. And baseball caps are a no on in the Grand Dining Room. Shorts, T-shirts and tennis shoes aren’t considerd t appropriate in the evening. And, Oceania does try to keep up the sartorial level.
Costa Cruises
Two gala Formal Nights are standard on seven-night cruises and ladies are advised to wear evening gowns or cocktail dresses and men are encouraged to wear tuxedos or dark suits with ties. All other evenings are Resort Casual, with Costa saying “gentlemen generally wear sport coats and slacks, while ladies wear resort attire.”
Disney Cruise Line
Most onboard dining locations are “cruise casual,” so casual attire, such as shorts and T-shirts, is permitted, There are nights designated dresss-up or formal and while they are optional Disney recommends dress pants with a jacket or a suit for men, and dress or pantsuit for women
However, the line says “adult-exclusive restaurants are elegant dining experiences. Guests are requested to dress in a manner consistent with the restaurant’s atmosphere.” That means dress-up attire or “dress-casual attire with a polished look, such as dress pants, jeans in good condition, collared shirts, dressy tops and lifestyle shoes.” (Does that mean heels?)
Dress recommendations outside a Holland America restaurant–Photo by Wallace Immen
Holland America Line
The line has a couple of Dressy Nights per cruise, but has relaxed its recommendations. Tuxedos and gowns are still welcomed, but there’s much less emphasis on them in the dress recommendations.
HAL now says: “Most evenings smart casual attire is appropriate. Shorts, pool and beachwear, distressed jeans and tank tops are not permitted in table service restaurants.”On Dressy Nights, “We take it up a notch and recommend slacks, skirts, dresses, blouses, collared shirts and jackets. Jeans, shorts and T-shirts are only allowed in the casual dining restaurants.
On Grand Voyages when suggested attire is Formal, suits or dresses are recommended.
MSC Cruises
The European line is still encouraging dressiness. For informal evenings, “we recommend dresses for women and a lightweight jacket for men.” Jeans are discouraged and shorts are not allowed after 6 p.m.
For two Gala evenings a week, the dress code is more formal. “We suggest a tuxedo, dinner jacket, or dark suit and tie for men and a dressy outfit, formal gown, or cocktail dress for women.” There are also evening theme parties on board. “You may wish to bring bright, fun clothes for the Sunshine Party and something white for the White Party.”
Details of a mural in Royal Princess dining room–Photo by Wallace Immen
Royal Caribbean International
There was a great deal of confusion in the spring of 2017 when Royal Caribbean eased its dress restrictions and seemed to say shorts were acceptable for dinner on casual evenings. The line did a turnaround after guest protests and the new rules set more elegant standards and a once a week Formal Night recommending “suits and ties, tuxedos, cocktail dresses or evening gowns.”
But formal is disappearing. According to the Royal Caribbean Blog a “Wear Your Best” night with a suggestion to “get glamorous” is replacing formal on an increasing number of ships, including Harmony, Mariner, Navigator, Anthem, and Enchantment of the Seas.
Other nights are Smart Casual, “think of this as a step up from your typical dinner wear and wear collared shirts, dresses, skirts and blouses, or pantsuits.” And early and late in the cruise Casual Nights, have a recommendation that “jeans, polos, sundresses and blouses” are fine, but guests are asked to “keep swimwear to the Pool Deck. Shorts and tanks will be accepted for breakfast and lunch, but not in the main dining rooms at dinner.”
Princess Cruises
You should dress for a cruise with Princess the same way you would for any stylish land-based resort, the line recommends. There’s one Formal Evening per week and the recommendation is evening gown, cocktail dress or elegant pantsuits for ladies; suit, jacket and slacks or dinner jackets for gentlemen. Princess Cruises offers formal wear rental on all cruises.
For Smart Casual Evenings, “Dress the same way you would do for a visit to a restaurant at home.” Skirts, dresses or trousers with t-shirt or blouse for ladies, trousers and shirt or polo shirt for gentlemen. Shorts and swimwear are not allowed in the restaurant.
ALWAYS CASUAL, BUT HAVE FUN
Azamara
There are no set formal nights, but “In keeping with our friendly yet sophisticated onboard environment, we encourage guests to follow a Resort Casual dress code,” the line recommends.
For women that means: “sportswear, casual dresses, skirts, pants and capris, blouses and knit tops. Light fabrics such as linen, cotton, silk, and wool gabardine are always appropriate.” For men:” sportswear, collared golf and polo shirts, shorts, pants, and a sport coat if desired (not required). Light fabrics such as linen, cotton, silk, and wool gabardine are best.”
It’s casual, but not too casual. “Out of respect for others, bare feet, tank tops, baseball caps, bathing suits, shorts, and torn/distressed jeans are not allowed in the dining room or specialty restaurants. When dining at Windows Café, guests must wear footwear and a cover-up or shirt.”
Formal evening wear is not expected nor required, but “If you prefer to dress more formally, you are welcome to do so.”
Carnival Cruise Lines
“Some of our restaurants enforce dress codes,” Carnival’s website advises. In the evenings, “some of our ships enforce a cruise casual dress code. For men this means longer dress shorts or pants (jeans are OK too) and a collared polo shirt. For women, the dress code suggests sundresses, skirts and blouses, dress shorts and capri pants are acceptable. Don’t wear sleeveless shirts (for men), cut-off jeans, T-shirts or gym shorts.”
If you want to dine in a restaurant on a “cruise elegant” evening, bring a fancier, more formal outfit. Men can wear suits or dress slacks with a sport coat and dress shirt. For women, cocktail dresses, pantsuits or elegant skirts and blouses are appropriate. Some guests like to go all out with a tuxedo or ball gown.
Hurtigruten
The dress code aboard the Norwegian line’s expedition ships is relaxed and casual, and you are not expected to dress formally for meals. Sportswear and sweaters are good options for evenings.
Norwegian Cruise Line
The line calls its recommendations Freestyle. While casual attire, such as shorts, jeans, and tops, is fine during the day and in most restaurants, “smart casual” dress is recommended for some upscale specialty restaurants and the main dining room. That means slacks or jeans with a collared shirt for men, and dresses, skirts, or “nice” jeans and tops for women. Robes, “short shorts,” caps and hats are no-nos in the dining room. Other than that, you’re free to go.
Paul Gauguin Cruises
Country club casual or Elegant Resort wear is appropriate dress for all evenings and consists of dresses, or skirts or slacks with blouses or sweaters for women, and slacks and collared shirts for men. No ties are required at any time, although men may opt to wear jackets to the Captain’s Welcome Reception. There’s one Polynesian Theme night where tropical wear is encouraged.
Regent Seven Seas Cruises
There’s only one dress code every evening: Elegant Casual. But even here, the line has recently relaxed its restrictions. Jeans without rips and sneakers are now acceptable in dining rooms.
“In recent years, we’ve noticed a shift in what guests expect when it comes to dressing for the evening — not just on our ships, but in fine dining and other upscale settings around the world,” Wes D’Silva, the cruise line’s chief commercial officer., told Travel Weekly in explaining the change. “People are leaning toward a style that’s polished and sophisticated but also comfortable.”
On longer cruises, there are two Formal Optional evenings. Men tend to wear sport jackets and collared shirts in the evening and women dresses, skirts or slacks and blouses or sweaters. You’ll want to get dressiest in the alternative Chartreuse and Prime 7 restaurants.
Star Clippers
It’s all casual all the time, but the folks who book these sailing ships also like to clean up after a day of play ashore. No shorts or t-shirts is the evening dress code and it makes sense since the dining rooms are air conditioned. Evening wardrobes tend to be long pants and collared shirts for men and sweaters or blouses for women.
Sea Dream Yacht Club
Yacht Casual is the dress code around the ship. Evening dress for gentlemen includes slacks or pants, closed-toe shoes, collared shirt, with or without jacket. For ladies, dress or skirt, blouse or casually elegant top, and pants are appropriate. “Guests are requested to refrain from wearing jeans/denim, shorts, skorts, t-shirts, flip-flops, tattered/torn clothing, or bathing suits to dinner or evening activities.”
Viking Ocean Cruises
There are no formal nights; evening dress is elegant casual for all dining venues, performances and special events. Required attire for ladies includes a dress, skirt or slacks with a sweater or blouse; for gentlemen, trousers and a collared shirt. A tie and jacket are optional; jeans are not permitted. The evening dress excludes World Café where the dress remains casual after 6 pm.
Virgin Voyages
“Dress Up. Dress Down. Just Dress.” That translates basically into shorts and T-shirts but there are always fashionistas on board. “We encourage you to wear more than a bathing suit if you go to a restaurant, and to kindly wear footwear when you’re inside the ship. Your style is your style.” Got it, sailor?
Scarlet Night is supposedly a mandatory event where everyone is encouraged to wear something red. Some events or parties might have a specific theme or a “daring” attire requirement, but only for that party.
Windstar Cruises
After 6 pm when dining in Amphora, Stella Bistro or Cuadro 44 by Anthony Sasso, the dress code is country club-type clothing. For men – nice slacks, polo shirts, button-down shirts, shoes other than athletic shoes. Designer denim jeans without rips or holes or are multi-colored are also acceptable. Sport coats are optional. Ties are not needed. For women – nice pants, skirts, tops, casual dresses, sundresses, nice sandals or casual shoes and designer denim dress jeans not ripped or multi-colored or having holes. Blazers are optional.
Story by Wallace Immen, The Cruisington Times
