Cruise dress codes: formal nights and what to wear by line

What is the dress code on a cruise?

On most cruises, the dress code is casual during the day and smart casual in the evening, with one or two dressier nights on a typical week-long sailing. You'll see shorts, T-shirts and swimsuit cover-ups around the ship by day, and slacks, collared shirts, sundresses and nice jeans at dinner.

Formal nights today are much more relaxed than the tuxedo-and-ballgown image many people have. On mainstream lines, a man in a suit or a sport jacket with slacks and a woman in a cocktail dress or dressy separates will fit right in. And if you don't want to dress up at all, the buffet and casual restaurants are open as usual.

What to wear during the day on a cruise

Daytime is fully casual on every line. Think what you'd wear at a beach resort: shorts, T-shirts, sundresses, sandals and a hat. On sea days, many people live in swimwear around the pool.

The main rule is to cover up when you head indoors. Most lines ask that you wear a cover-up and shoes in indoor public areas, and swimwear isn't allowed in the main dining room. Bare feet are fine on the pool deck but not in restaurants or shops.

• A swimsuit cover-up or light shirt to throw on between the pool and the buffet.
• Sandals or slides for the pool deck, plus walking shoes for port days.
• A light layer for air-conditioned theaters and restaurants, which can feel cool.
• Sun protection: a hat, sunglasses and a lightweight long-sleeve top for the hottest ports.

What does smart casual mean on a cruise?

Smart casual, sometimes called cruise casual, is the evening dress code on most nights. It means what you'd wear to a nice but relaxed restaurant at home. You don't need a jacket or tie, but beachwear doesn't cut it in the main dining room.

On many lines, tank tops for men, swimwear and baseball caps aren't allowed in the main dining room at dinner, and some ask men not to wear shorts in the evening, especially on dressy nights. Specialty restaurants follow similar rules, sometimes a notch dressier.

• Men: chinos, slacks or dark jeans with a polo, button-down or smart short-sleeve shirt; loafers, boat shoes or clean sneakers.
• Women: sundresses, skirts, nice trousers or jeans with a blouse, jumpsuits; sandals or flats.
• Kids: tidy versions of what they wear by day; dining rooms are relaxed about children.

What do you wear on formal night on a cruise?

On mainstream lines, formal night usually means a step up from smart casual rather than black tie. A suit, or a sport jacket and slacks with or without a tie, is the norm for men. Women typically wear a cocktail dress, a dressy jumpsuit or an elegant pantsuit, and a long gown is welcome but not expected.

Some guests do go all out with tuxedos and evening gowns, especially on longer cruises and on lines with a traditional feel such as Cunard, Princess and Holland America. Others wear smart casual and nobody minds. Formal nights are also when the ship's photographers set up portrait backdrops, which is why many couples and families like to dress up.

• Men: a dark suit or blazer and slacks, a dress shirt, dress shoes; a tie is optional on many lines.
• Women: a cocktail or maxi dress, dressy separates or a pantsuit, with heels, flats or dressy sandals.
• Children: a collared shirt or a party dress is plenty; many kids wear their holiday best.
• Not into it? Eat at the buffet or a casual venue, where regular clothes are fine.

Cruise dress codes by line

Every line sets its own rules and names for its dressier evenings, and they change from time to time, so check the line's website before you pack. As a general guide, here's how the major lines compare, from the most relaxed to the most traditional.

• Virgin Voyages: no formal nights. Its signature Scarlet Night party invites guests to wear red.
• Norwegian Cruise Line: no required formal nights under its Freestyle approach; many sailings of a week or more have an optional dress-up night.
• Viking and Oceania: no formal nights. Viking describes its style as elegant casual; Oceania calls it country club casual.
• Carnival: Cruise Elegant nights replace formal nights, usually one on shorter sailings and two on cruises of about a week or longer; a dress shirt and slacks is plenty for men.
• Royal Caribbean: typically schedules formal nights, commonly two on a seven-night cruise; suits and cocktail dresses are common, tuxedos are rare.
• Celebrity: Evening Chic nights call for stylish, dressy outfits rather than strict formalwear.
• Disney: dress-up nights, with formal and semi-formal evenings on longer sailings, plus the much-loved Pirate Night, when families wear pirate gear.
• MSC: gala nights where many guests, especially Europeans, dress up with enthusiasm.
• Princess and Holland America: traditional dressy nights on most sailings; plenty of jackets and cocktail dresses.
• Cunard: the most formal. Gala evenings see many tuxedos and gowns, especially on Queen Mary 2 transatlantic crossings, though a dark suit is acceptable.

Luxury and small-ship dress codes

Luxury lines are more polished but not necessarily more formal. Regent Seven Seas, Silversea and Seabourn are generally elegant casual most nights, meaning collared shirts and slacks for men and dresses or smart separates for women. Some longer voyages add optional formal evenings.

Small-ship and sailing lines such as Windstar and Star Clippers lean relaxed, with no formal requirement. Expedition voyages to Antarctica, the Arctic or Galápagos are the most casual of all: practical outdoor clothing by day and clean, comfortable clothes at dinner.

How to pack for a cruise dress code

Pack a small capsule wardrobe in colors that mix and match. For a seven-night cruise, plan one outfit per formal night and rotate a few smart casual pieces through the other evenings with different accessories.

Clothes irons and steamers aren't allowed in cabins on most lines because they're a fire risk, so choose fabrics that resist wrinkles and pack a travel-size wrinkle-release spray. Ships offer pressing and laundry for a fee, and some lines, including Princess, Carnival, Disney and Holland America, have self-service launderettes on many ships.

• A blazer is the single most useful item for men: it dresses up chinos for formal night and jeans for a specialty dinner.
• A wrap dress or dressy jumpsuit packs small and works for both smart casual and formal nights.
• Bring a light sweater or wrap; dining rooms and theaters are air-conditioned.
• A few lines let you arrange formalwear rental before you sail; check your line's website if you don't want to pack a suit.

What to wear for the destination, not just the ship

Your itinerary matters as much as the ship's dress code. An Alaska cruise calls for layers, a waterproof jacket and warm accessories for glacier viewing, and many cruisers find dinner attire a little more relaxed. Caribbean and Mexico sailings need light, breathable fabrics and serious sun protection.

In Europe, many churches, including St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City, ask visitors to cover shoulders and knees. Carry a light scarf or wear knee-length shorts or skirts on port days with church visits. Comfortable, broken-in walking shoes are essential for cobblestones in places like Dubrovnik, Lisbon and Rome.

Frequently asked questions