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Cruise Formal Night Explained: 10 Things to Know (What to Wear and More…)

Formal night on a cruise is a classic tradition, but for many passengers, it can also lead to lots of questions. Do I have to dress up? What can I wear? When are the formal nights?

Formal wear on a cruise ship

We’ve taken dozens of cruise and know that for those unfamiliar with formal night, it can feel a bit unnerving trying to figure out the ins and outs of dressing up. No one wants to head to dinner underdressed. At the same time, some people don’t want to dress up at all and prefer to know what other options they have.

Below, we’ve covered some of the most frequent questions about formal night on a cruise.

In This Article...

What Is a Cruise Formal Night?

Just as the name implies, formal night is the evening on the cruise when the dress code goes from the casual style that’s normal around the ship to more elegant. It’s a chance for passengers on the ship to put on their best and have an evening out that feels more special than just going to grab dinner in the dining room.

You’ll find people around the ship dressed up, having drinks, taking formal pictures, and enjoying dinner and a show. Think of it as a special event where many passengers have an elegant “date night” that’s more memorable than just another dinner on the ship.

Do I Have to Dress Up?

Absolutely not. Your cruise is your own. If you don’t want to dress up for the evening, then you certainly don’t have to do so. Many people choose to keep it casual. If you decide that shorts and a t-shirt are as formal as you want to get, you won’t be alone.

However, if you do decide to not dress up, it’s a good idea to dine outside of the main dining room or higher-end specialty restaurants. These are spots that request nicer dress during formal night.

Even if casual dress is allowed in the dining room during formal night, you might feel out of place with others wearing suits or evening gowns.

What Can I Wear to Formal Night? Do I Have to Wear a Tux or an Evening Gown?

Perhaps the biggest question around formal night on a cruise is what to wear. What’s acceptable is wide-ranging. No, you don’t have to go out and get a tuxedo or a formal evening gown unless you want to.

For instance, you can go all out and dress up in your best. And you will see some people around the cruise ship go this route. But you don’t have to wear a suit or tux to enjoy the evening.

Women can simply wear a cocktail dress or a nice blouse with pants. For men, it’s fine to wear a suit, or even a buttoned-down shirt and a pair of slacks if you don’t want to get too fancy. Nice jeans would also be ok, although we’d suggest something slightly more dressy.

That said, not everything goes. There are some clothing items to avoid if you plan to eat in the dining room on formal night. This includes shorts, tank-tops, t-shirts, and swimsuits, as well as flip-flops. If you’d wear it to the pool or the beach, you don’t want to wear it to formal night.

  • Ok to Wear for Formal Night (Women): Gowns, dresses, skirts, blouses with pants
  • Ok to Wear for Formal Night (Men): Tuxedoes, suits, button-down shirts, slacks, nice jeans
  • Avoid Wearing (Men and Women): Shorts, tank tops, t-shirts, flip-flops

Is The Dress Code Strictly Enforced?

Don’t worry, you aren’t likely to be denied entry to the dining room, even if you are dressed casually. It’s not like an exclusive nightclub that bars entry.

While the name might be “formal” or “elegant” night, you won’t be out of place as long as you dress nicer than a t-shirt and shorts. Remember, the cruise lines want you to enjoy yourself and not be worried about if you should be in a tuxedo.

For that reason, as long as you avoid wearing something very casual (e.g. flip flops, shorts, and a tank top), it’s likely to be no issue. Even so, we’d highly recommend dressing up somewhat if you plan on eating in a dining room or a nicer specialty restaurant. Not only will you feel more comfortable around others who are dressed up, but it also adds to the atmosphere of formal night for others.

Where Should I Eat If I Don’t Dress Up?

Formal dining room on a cruise ship

While the main dining room is the spot for formal eating during the evening, you won’t go hungry if you decide not to take part in dressing up. Every cruise ship offers a number of different places to eat, with many casual dining options for those who aren’t getting fancy for the evening.

For instance, instead of the main dining room you can head to the buffet or one of the 24-hour restaurants around the ship. The restaurant’s atmosphere will give you an idea of if it’s ok to eat there dressed casually or not. The fancy steakhouse? You want to go formal. The spot serving pizza? Shorts and a t-shirt are just fine.

Is Formal Night For Everywhere on the Ship?

While you’ll definitely see people dressed up all around the ship, the only place where you’ll find any sort of suggested or required dress code is in the dining room and/or specialty restaurants.

So if you are just hanging out around the ship — having a drink in a bar, playing in the casino, watching an evening show — then you are perfectly fine dressing down. You won’t be the only one. While many people participate in formal night, a considerable chunk of passengers don’t.

How Many Formal Nights Are There During the Cruise?

The number of formal nights varies based on the length of your cruise. The rule of thumb is that a week-long cruise will have two formal nights during the trip (i.e. Day 2 and Day 5). Shorter trips normally have one.

It may be that if you are on a very short cruise (e.g. three days), there might not even be one formal night. For instance, we’ve been on one short cruise with “Wear Your Best” (i.e. the nicest thing you packed) instead of formal night. 

Does Everyone on the Ship Dress Up?

No. If you decide to not dress up, then you certainly won’t be out of place. Many people choose to dress casually and just eat somewhere else other than the main dining room or higher-end restaurants. Even so, formal nights are popular and when you walk around the ship in the evening on one of these nights, there is no mistaking that it’s dressier than normal.

How Will I Know When it Is Formal Night?

Notice of formal night

Nothing would stop you in your tracks like heading down to dinner in a pair of shorts and then realizing everyone else is dressed up! Fortunately, you’ll get plenty of notice when it is formal night.

The most obvious spot will be with your daily cruise planner delivered to your cabin each day or through the cruise line’s app. There will be some mention of the dinner attire. It may be referred to as “formal” or “cruise elegant” or some other name. They all mean the same thing: Time to get dressed up!

As well, there are almost always announcements from the cruise director throughout the day sharing what is going on during the day and evening. They will usually mention it when it is formal night, so keep an ear out for announcements.

In the worst case, even if you don’t see any notice at all, you will definitely not miss the fact that many people are dressed up when you head to dinner that evening. That should give you a little time to head back to the room and dress up if you want to join in.

Do I Need to Dress Up at Any Other Time Than Formal Night?

For the most part, the only time you’ll need to dress anything other than casual is if you participate in formal night. That said, there are some spots where some nicer clothes are a good idea even if that evening’s dress code is casual.

Specifically, if you plan to visit any of the higher-end specialty restaurants on the ship, such as the steakhouse, then there may be a dress code.

Even if there is not, dressing up to fit the style of the restaurant is smart. So while it’s ok to dress casually at a burger joint on the ship, you’ll want to dress a little nicer if you go to the formal Italian or seafood spot for dinner.

Bottom Line on Cruise Formal Nights

The formal nights on a cruise are a fun way to do things a little differently. If you’re not someone that gets dressed up often, don’t worry. The rules around what’s formal and what’s not are flexible. As long as you make some sort of effort to dress a little nice, you’ll be fine. And if you want to go all out, you won’t be alone!

If you’re someone who likes to keep things casual, then that’s no issue either. While we’d suggest not eating the main dining room or nicer specialty restaurants on that night, you can wear what you want around the ship.

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I dressed up in an old maxi dress that was really oversized that I found from my daughter’s wedding 9 years ago. It was so flowing and pretty, so heck YEAH I wore it! I wore a nice outfit each night, like a skirt or dress. My embarkation outfit for the first night I modified by taking off the pants and putting on a skirt. I even kept the high boots on, which really worked! The last night I had a long ‘cover up’ dress that I gussied up with a sparkly throw and wedge high sandals.

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What to Wear on a Cruise Formal Night: Cruise Line Dress Code

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For many cruisers, cruise ship formal nights are the elegant highlight of their voyage. And yet, one of the most frequent questions we receive revolves around what to wear on a cruise formal night. You may wonder what to expect from a cruise ship’s formal night, are they mandatory, and how many formal nights are there?

The dress code for cruise formal night consists of tuxedos or suits and ties for men and evening gowns or cocktail dresses for women. Don’t worry if the formal night isn’t your style. It is usually optional, and most cruise ships have alternative dining options.

In this post, I’ll explain everything you need to know about formal nights on a cruise, how they work, and what you will need to wear. Each cruise line is different, so I will help break down the dress code of the major cruise lines. 

Table of Contents

What is a Formal Night on a Cruise Ship?

cruise formal definition

Formal nights are precisely what the name suggests: they are special evenings during the cruise where passengers dress up in formal attire. On formal nights, passengers dawn fresh-pressed dress shirts, glittering gowns, stunning jewelry, and polished shoes.

The main dining room will often serve lobster, duck a l’orange, prime rib, and other delicacies worth dressing up for to commemorate the special evenings.

The cruise formal night might also be called Captain’s Night, often with photo opportunities with the captain and a speech.

Formal nights are unique to the cruise industry, which may be a change for traditional resort vacationers. The tradition is reminiscent of the golden age of transatlantic cruises when guests were required to dress formally during the evening.

Can you Skip Formal Night?

You can skip formal nights on most mainstream cruise lines. If you’re tired after a long day of cruising or you’re just not feeling in the mood to dress up, there are always alternatives for passengers, and you won’t be alone.

While the formal night is a fun night of elegant dining, photographs with the captain, and a change of pace from the rest of the cruise, you won’t be alone if you decide to skip the occasion. Rather than dine in the main dining room, you can always eat in the buffet or on your balcony via room service.

Many cruise lines don’t extend the formal dress code to their specialty dining restaurants. Consider making a reservation if you prefer to be served and dress comfortably. Keep in mind that many specialty restaurants will cost extra.

Tip: If you skip formal dining, you may be able to find lobster and prime rib served in the buffet.

Formal Night Photographs

cruise formal definition

Cruise ship formal nights are an excellent time to get professional photos taken – when else will you look this good?

Whether you are cruising to celebrate a special occasion or cruising as a family, you won’t find a better time to get your photo taken. The ship’s photographers will set up in public areas with assorted backdrops or selected backgrounds. Scenes might include an image of the ship, black velvet, or a tropical beach. 

While you will have to pay to bring the photographs home, there is no charge to get your pictures taken. If you want to try each scene or see which photographer captures you best, try them all! The final photos cost less than a professional photographer in most cities would charge, and it’s a lot of fun to be in the spotlight, if only for a moment.

Tip: Photo sessions usually have lineups on formal nights. You can generally get in quickly, about an hour before the first dinner service when the photographer sets up.

How Many Formal Nights are on a Cruise?

Depending on the length of your cruise, there may be one or more formal nights. Each cruise line will have different guidelines on when formal nights will occur, but they will never be held on the first or last night of a cruise due to luggage handling concerns.

Most cruise lines will have one formal night on sailings of less than six days and two formal nights on cruises of 7 days and more. Keep in mind that this is a general approximation. Before sailing, you should check your cruise itinerary to see how many formal nights your cruise will have.

What is Considered Formal Wear?

Now that you know what to expect, we need to discuss what to wear on a formal cruise night. The dress code varies between cruise lines.

Some cruise lines are more relaxed than others, while some do not have formal nights. We’ve broken down the formal night requirements of the major cruise lines below. 

Formal Night Dress Code by Cruise Line

Carnival cruise line.

cruise formal definition

Dress Code on Carnival Cruise Line: Carnival Cruises’ evening dress code is typically “cruise casual.” Carnival will hold Cruise Elegant evenings with special dress requirements on one or two nights of the voyage. Cruise elegant for men means a dress shirt, dress pants, and the optional sport jacket, suit, tie, or tuxedo. Cocktail dresses, elegant skirts, pantsuits, and blouses are acceptable for women, and evening gowns are an option.

Number of Formal Nights on a Carnival Cruise:

  • 1 Day cruise: none
  • 2 Day to 5-day cruise: one Cruise Elegant evening
  • 6 Day or longer cruise: two Cruise Elegant evenings
  • Melbourne Cup cruise: one Cruise Elegant evening

Celebrity Cruises

Dress Code on Celebrity Cruises: Celebrity Cruises’ evening dress code is typically “smart casual,” meaning sport shirts and slacks or jeans for men and skirts, pants or jeans, and a casual top for women.

On “Evening Chic” nights, the suggested attire is formal wear. Men should wear pants or designer jeans with a dress shirt, button-down shirt, and the optional sport coat or blazer. Suggestions for women include a skirt, pants, cocktail dress, or designer jeans with an elegant top.

Number of Evening Chic Nights on a Celebrity Cruise:

  • Cruise length up to 6 days: one Evening Chic night
  • Cruise length of 7 or more days: two Evening Chic nights

Costa Cruises

Dress Code on Costa Cruises: Most nights aboard Costa Cruises ships are casual and allow “resort-appropriate wear.”

On formal nights Costa Cruises’ dress code allows for a dark suit or tuxedo for men, an evening gown or cocktail dress for women

Number of Formal Nights on a Costa Cruise: 

  • Most 3- and 4-night cruises have one formal night
  • Most 7-night cruises have two formal nights
  • Most 10-night cruises have three formal nights

Crystal Cruises

cruise formal definition

Dress Code on Crystal Cruises: Crystal Cruises allows casual attire on its oceangoing cruise ships during the day. After 6:00 pm every night, casual clothing, including robes, baseball hats, swimsuits, cover-ups, and denim shorts, are not appropriate. Crystal Casual attire applies on most evenings, including a collard or button-down shirt paired with dress pants for men, and skirts, blouses, sweaters, and dresses for women. Jeans are also acceptable attire only on these nights.

A Black Tie Optional Evening allows passengers to dress more formally on special evenings. This includes a dark suit and tie or tuxedo for men and a formal cocktail dress or an evening gown for women. It’s requested that men wear a jacket on Black Tie evenings.

Number of Black Tie Optional evenings on a  Crystal Cruise:

  • 7-day cruises (or less): Crystal Casual only, no Black Tie Optional evenings
  • 8– to 10–day cruises: Up to one Black Tie Optional evening
  • 11– to 13–day cruises: Two Black Tie Optional evenings
  • World Cruises, Holiday voyages, and Crossings may be scheduled differently

Cunard Line

Dress Code on Cunard Line: Most nights aboard a Cunard cruise ship, request “smart attire.” The dress code goes into effect from 6:00 pm onwards. On these nights, acceptable smart attire simply means a dress shirt and trousers, a skirt and a top, or a cocktail dress.

Gala Evenings aboard Cunard Line cruises are highly anticipated and often themed. When sailing with Cunard, you will find themes such as Roaring 20s, Red and Gold, Black and White, and Masquerade Ball. During Gala Evenings, guests are asked to observe a black-tie dress code. The requested attire is dinner jackets, tuxedos, formal dark suits for men, and cocktail or evening dresses for women.

Number of Gala Evenings on a Cunard Line Cruise:

  • Rule of thumb: One Gala Evening for every three days of sailing

Disney Cruise Line

Dress Code on Disney Cruise Line: Most onboard restaurants are “cruise casual,” so casual cruise attire, such as shorts and T-shirts, is allowed, except for swimwear and tank tops. Most cruises have special theme nights that provide opportunities to dress up for a one-of-a-kind family photo.

On some nights aboard a Disney cruise, the ship will hold a special themed night, including a pirate theme, dress-up night, or semi-formal night. During dress-up night, the cruise line recommends dress pants with a jacket or a suit for men and a dress or pantsuit for women during dress-up night.

Number of Formal Nights on a Disney Cruise: 

  • One cruise casual night
  • One pirate night-themed deck party
  • One optional “dress-up night.”
  • The first night is cruise casual
  • One optional dress-up night
  • The final night is cruise casual
  • One pirate night or another themed deck party
  • Three additional cruise casual nights—no swimwear or tank tops
  • One formal and one semi-formal night

Holland America Line

Dress Code on Holland America Line: Most nights aboard a Holland America cruise are “resort casual.” Guests visiting their fine dining restaurants must follow casual resort attire, including a collared shirt and pants for men (jacket and tie preferred) and dresses, shirts, or pants for women. Jeans are allowed on resort casual nights as long as they are not distressed but prohibited on Gala Night.

Gala Night is a time for passengers to dress up and experience fine dining aboard a Holland  America cruise. The formal Gala attire includes dress pants with a jacket or a suit for men and a dress or pantsuit for women

Number of Gala Nights on a Holland America Cruise: 

  • 7-day cruises or less: 1 Gala Night
  • 8 to 13-day cruises: 2 Gala Nights
  • 14 to 20-day cruises: 3 Gala Nights

MSC Cruises

What to Wear on a Cruise Formal Night

Dress Code on MSC Cruises: In general, casual wear is appropriate aboard an MSC Cruise, except for the formal “Gala evening,” which requires a suit or jacket and tie for men and cocktail dresses for women. The ship’s public areas don’t permit shorts, t-shirts, and swimwear after 6:00 pm. Jeans are acceptable if they are not torn, ripped, or otherwise distressed.

Number of Gala Evenings on an MSC Cruise: 

  • 4 to 6-night cruises: 1 Gala Evening
  • 7 to 9-night cruises: 2 Gala Evenings
  • 10 to 14-night cruises: 3 Gala Evenings
  • 15+ night cruises: 4 Gala Evenings 

Norwegian Cruise Line

Dress Code on Norwegian Cruise Line: “ Cruise casual” is usually acceptable aboard a Norwegian cruise. Cruise casual includes jeans, khakis, shorts, and casual shirts for men and summer, and regular or capri pants, casual dresses, skirts, shorts, and tops for women. For dinner in one of the onboard upscale restaurants or the main dining room, collared shirts and pants or “nice” jeans for men, and pants or jeans, dresses, skirts, and tops are standard for women.

Norwegian Cruise Line does not allow passengers to wear tank tops for men, baseball caps, flip-flops, or visors in the main dining room or specialty restaurants.

Number of Formal Nights on a Norwegian Cruise: 

Norwegian Cruise Line does not have an official “formal night;” however, “Norwegian’s Night Out” is the cruise line’s optional version of a ship-wide event. There is no dress code associated with “Norwegians Night Out.”

Princess Cruises

Dress Code on a Princess Cruise: Evening attire aboard Princess Cruises is typically “smart casual,” which includes dresses, skirts, or trousers with a t-shirt or blouse for ladies, trousers and shirt, or polo shirt for gentlemen. Like many cruise lines on this list, the restaurant does not allow swimwear and shorts.

For formal nights on Princess Cruises, acceptable formal wear includes an evening gown, cocktail dress, or pantsuit for ladies and a suit, combination, or dinner jacket for gentlemen.

Number of Formal Nights on a Princess Cruise: 

  • 5 to 6-night cruises: 1 formal evening
  • 7 to 13-night cruises: 2 formal evening
  • 14 to 20-night cruises: 3 formal evening
  • 21 to 28-night cruises: 4 formal evening
  • 29-night or more cruises: Minimum of 5 formal evening

Regent Seven Seas Cruises

Dress Code on a Regent Seven Seas Cruise: Daytime attire aboard a Regent Seven Seas Cruise is typically casual and consists of resort-style clothing. After 6:00 pm, the dress code is almost always “elegant casual,” except for the final evening of each cruise, which allows passengers to dress in casual attire. Elegant casual requests passengers to wear slacks and collared shirts, blouses, sweaters, pantsuits, skirts, or dresses.

After 6:00 pm, t-shirts, jeans, tennis shoes, and shorts are not permitted in public areas of the ship, except for the pool. 

Longer cruises have optional formal or semi-formal nights where passengers can wear elegant attire or a more formal look (dark suits, tuxedos, gowns, or cocktail dresses.)

Number of Formal Nights on a Regent Seven Seas Cruise: 

  • 16 or more nights: 2 or more formal nights
  • Cruises less than 16 days are always “elegant casual.”

Royal Caribbean International

Dress Code on Royal Caribbean: Most nights aboard a Royal Caribbean cruise are smart-casual, including collared shirts and slacks for men (jackets, blazers, and sports coats are recommended but optional) and skirts, dresses, and blouses or pantsuits for women.

Formal nights on Royal Caribbean consist of suits and ties or tuxedos for men and cocktail dresses and evening gowns for women.

No tank tops, caps, or bathing suits are permitted in the main dining room or specialty restaurants, and footwear is always required.

Number of Formal Nights on a Royal Caribbean Cruise: 

  • 3-5 night cruises: 1 formal night
  • 6+ night cruises: 2 formal nights

Seabourn Cruise Line

Couple at formal night on a cruise ship

Dress Code on a Seabourn Cruise: The daytime dress code for Seabourn is typically casual attire, and shorts and jeans are acceptable – even in the ship’s restaurants. However, passengers should not wear swimsuits, cover-ups, and gym wear outside the spa, fitness center, and outer decks.

Evenings are typically “elegant casual,” and recommended attire includes slacks with collared dress shirts or sweaters for men, but jackets are optional. Women should choose dresses, pantsuits or skirts, or slacks with nice tops.

On formal nights, men are asked to wear a suit, tuxedo, or slacks with a jacket, while women are requested to wear a cocktail dress, evening gown, or pantsuit.

Number of Formal Nights on a Seabourn Cruise: 

  • Cruises up to 13 nights: 1 formal night
  • Cruises of 14 to 20 nights: 2 formal nights
  • Cruises of 21 nights or more: 3 formal nights

Windstar Cruises

Dress Code on Windstar Cruises: Windstar suggests “casual elegant” attire for dinners and evenings aboard their cruise ships. Slacks and collared shirts for men and sundresses and informal cocktail dresses for women are acceptable attire. At no time are flip-flops, shorts, jeans, hats, or T-shirts prohibited throughout the ship during the evening.

Unlike most cruise lines, there are no formal nights on a Windstar Cruise.

Number of Formal Nights on a Windstar Cruises: 

  • There are no formal nights on a Windstar Cruise

Viking Ocean Cruises

Dress Code on a Viking Ocean Cruise: Viking’s daytime dress code is casual and comfortable. The daytime attire includes shorts and jeans, while shorts, swimsuits, cover-ups, and exercise attire should be limited to the poolside, the fitness center, and the sports deck.

For evenings, the recommended onboard attire is “elegant casual.” Suggested clothing for men includes trousers and collared shirts (ties and jackets are optional but not required). For women, acceptable attire includes dresses, a skirt, or slacks with a blouse or sweater.

Number of Formal Nights on a Viking Ocean Cruise:

  • There are no formal nights on a Viking Ocean Cruise.

Marcello De Lio

Marcello De Lio

Marcello's been cruising since he was 12 years old. He loves the freedom that cruising provides, meeting new people, and exploring amazing new ships. Marcello created High Seas Cruising to share his passion for cruising and travel with readers and grow a community of passionate voyagers.

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Cruises are expensive, but we are generally treated like royalty. We should therefore do our best to act like royalty. I like nothing less than two formal evenings per week. By formal, I mean tuxedo or black suit for men and corresponding attire for women. I fear that cruise lines are allowing dress code to deteriorate to the lowest common denominator. Even Cunard’s dress code is under attack since it has been taken over by Carnival.

I agree that the formal nights are what I look forward to most on the cruise. I enjoy being able to dress up and be pampered. This is why I generally choose the cruise lines that offer the most formal nights, such as Cunard Cruise Line. However, for people such as my father, who would prefer to stay in his swim shorts all day everyday I’m glad there is an option for him to choose the relaxing vacation he deserves, such as what you might find with Norwegian Cruise Lines.

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What to Wear on a Cruise – The Ultimate Guide

Planning a cruise is so exciting! You might be wondering what to pack and what to wear on a cruise, during the day, evening and even on formal nights.

In this post, we’ll go over the basics of cruise line dress codes, as well as ideas for cruise wear for sea days, shore excursions and dinners on a cruise ship. I’ve also included cruise packing checklists to help you plan your cruise outfits.

What to Wear on a Cruise Vacation

What to Wear on a Cruise – Cruise Line Dress Codes (2021 & Beyond)

You may imagine, or even remember, the days of dressing to the nines on a cruise. The reality is, as times have changed, so have the cruise line dress codes and expectations.

My first cruise was on the Royal Caribbean’s Navigator of the Seas. Can you guess what we wore on formal night ?

My husband wore a black tuxedo and I wore a floor champagne evening gown with gorgeous beading at the top.

True story – My brother got married just a month before, and these were our bride’s maid and groomsmen outfits. I was so thankful to be able to have a place to wear them again!

Yet, we weren’t out of place and certainly at that time, most men were either in a dark suit or tuxedo. Most women wore long gowns or cocktail dresses on formal nights on a cruise.

While you definitely can still wear an evening gown and tuxedo, most popular cruise lines have relaxed their dress codes over the last few years. You can still expect to dress up on a cruise , but there are more opportunities to dress less formally if you prefer this as well.

What to Wear on a Cruise Formal Night

Read more: 

Norwegian Cruise Line Dress Code: What to Wear on a Freestyle Cruise

What to Wear on a Celebrity Cruise (evening chic explained)

What to Wear on a Cruise Formal Night

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What to Wear on a Cruise Yes, dress Codes Are Changing

Cruise Line Dress Codes – What to Expect

Each cruise line has it’s own dress code, however most have a version of casual , smart casual, and formal nights . The terminology that cruise lines are using reflect subtle changes to the dress code.

A casual dress code means includes casual pants or nice jeans for men (no holes), along with a nice shirt or polo. For ladies, capri pants, nice jeans and a cute top, or a sundress are all great. Most of the time, first and last evenings of your cruise, will be a casual dress suggestion.

Cruise tip: Most cruise lines don’t allow shorts in the dining room, so men, make sure you pack at least a pair or two of pants.

Smart Casual

Casual Cruise Wear evening

The smart casual dress code may also be called resort casual. A good guideline is to dress as you would at a nice restaurant at home. For men, this can include dress pants or khakis and a nice polo, short or long sleeve buttoned shirt. For ladies, a casual dress or pants with a pretty top is perfect.

Cruise tip:   The ship’s air conditioning may be quite cool in the dining room. Bring a light shawl, scarf or cardigan to cover your shoulders.

Formal Night

Dressing up for formal night  remains a tradition on a cruise vacation. These days, the formal night dress code may be called a gala evening , evening chic or dress your best , but it is a night where people tend to put on their best cruise attire . You’ll usually have 2 formal nights during a 7 day cruise.

How formal is formal night?

How formal is formal night on a cruise? This does depend on the cruise line. Tuxedos and dark suits are always appropriate. However, in most cases men can feel comfortable wearing a suit or dress pants and a dress shirt. For ladies, an evening gown, cocktail dress, pant suit or “little black dress” are great choices.

Keep in mind, that if you’re not feeling like dressing up, you can always eat in more casual clothes in the buffet and most casual restaurants on the ship.

Read more:   What to Wear on a Cruise Formal Night (Q & A)

Read more about specific cruise line dress codes:

Celebrity Cruises – What to Wear on Chic Night (including photos)

Norwegian Cruise Line – What to Wear on a Freestyle Cruise

What to Wear on a Cruise During the Day

What to wear boarding a cruise ship.

What to Wear on a Cruise Vacation Boarding

When boarding your cruise ship, it’s a good idea to wear comfortable clothing and shoes . Cruise boarding procedures can take an hour or more.

Make sure to dress for the weather and wear warmer clothing if you’re going on a cool weather cruise. You may want to explore the cruise ship soon after you board .

On a Caribbean or other warm weather cruise, dress lightly and casually for the first day of your cruise. A light sundress or cute shorts and a top are perfect outfits for the first day of your cruise vacation. Men can wear a tshirt or polo style shirt and shorts.

If you’re cruising with kids , you can have them put a bathing suit on under their clothing. This way they can hit the pool and water slides as soon as you finish lunch on embarkation day .

It’s a good idea to bring an embarkation day bag. Here’s a list of 23 essential items to pack in your cruise carry on that will be helpful.

Cruise tip: Don’t forget to take an embarkation day photo. It will be a great memory of your amazing cruise vacation !

Cruise Day Wear for Sea Days

Cruise ship outfit

Most cruise lines are quite casual during the day. In our experience, family oriented cruise lines are understandably much more “casual” than “higher-end” cruise lines. Cruise casual, resort wear or country club casual are all terms used by the cruise lines as a recommendation.

Shorts, t-shirts, tank tops, sundresses are all appropriate day wear for sea days . If you’re by the pool, it’s important to know that bathing suits are not permitted in the buffet or inside the cruise ship, so make sure to pack a cover up.

Read more:   What Not to Wear on a Cruise; Rules and Guidelines

What to Wear on a Cruise day and evening

What to Wear on Shore Excursions

Beach and water activities.

Deciding what to wear on a cruise port day, will depend on your plans and excursions. If you’re going to the beach , you can wear a bathing suit under a light sundress or cover up. Bring some water shoes or flip flops too.

You may want to pack a change of clothing in your beach bag , along with your other beach day essentials .

Tours and Sightseeing

If you’re going on a tour or sightseeing shore excursion, there will likely be a lot of walking involved. Dress comfortably for the weather and make sure to wear comfortable shoes . A casual summer dress or shorts and a t-shirt is great.

Cruise tip: Keep in mind that if you are visiting religious buildings, such as a church or synagogue, it’s often suggested to cover your shoulders. I usually throw a very light cardigan or scarf in my handbag for these occasions.

Read more:   Cruise Wear for Ladies over 40 (flattering & affordable)

What to Wear in the Evening on a Cruise

Non-formal nights.

What to Wear on a Cruise Evening

Most evenings on a cruise will be casual, smart casual or resort casual dress code. Many cruise lines now allow wearing nice jeans to the main dining room on a cruise, a change from the past.

A casual dress for ladies, or a nice pair of pants and a stylish top is perfect. A good suggestion for men is a polo style shirt and pants or a pair of dark jeans.

Related post: 50 Useful Items to Pack for your Cruise

cruise evening wear frank and Ilana

Many first time cruisers are concerned about what to wear on formal nights on a cruise . It’s understandable, as this is quite different from a typical land vacation.

Generally, formal nights, sometimes called gala evenings or chic evenings , call for a tuxedo, suit or dress pants and a sports jacket for men. However, in our experience in recent years, this has relaxed quite a bit and tuxedos in particular are far less common. Suits and dress pants, with or without a jacket and tie, have become the norm.

For ladies, dressing in an evening gown, cocktail dress, or fancy outfit is perfect. I like to think of it as “wedding guest” attire.

Something to remember is to dress in what you enjoy. If you love the glamour of a long gown and tuxedo, go for it! If you prefer a little black dress, that works well too (plus you can wear it for years!)

Cruise tip: Check your cruise line dress code and judge accordingly, however you can also check your cruise line roll call or Facebook group to get a better idea of how people are really dressing on a cruise. In some cases, in practice, things are more or less in keeping with the dress code.

what to wear on a cruise

Cruise Line Dress Code Exceptions to Note

There are a couple of exceptions out of the mainstream cruise lines, that fall on either end of the cruise dress code spectrum.

Norwegian Cruise Line: NCL has a Freestyle concept and therefore does not impose a dress code in it’s dining rooms (however rules of decorum* are in place). You can feel comfortable either dressing up or dressing down. Think of it as “You do you” .

Cunard: On the other end of the pendulum is Cunard, which prides itself on tradition and a more formal dining experience. Therefore, jackets are required nightly by men and it is quite common to see tuxes and gowns on Formal nights. For more information on what to expect on a Cunard Cruise, you may enjoy this post (Queen Mary 2 Cunard Cruise) that details it.

What to Wear on a Cruise

Luxury Cruise Line Dress Codes

Luxury cruise line dress codes vary from one cruise line to the other, however it may surprise you to know that many luxury cruise lines don’t have formal nights, and instead are Country Club Casual.

Oceania and Azamara are elegant, but not formal, however Silversea does have formal nights. Check with your cruise line for details.

Get The Ultimate Cruise Planner

Regular price: $27 now just $17.

cruise formal definition

Cruise Outfit Packing List for Women

What to bring on a 7 day cruise.

Here’s a list of clothing to bring on a 7 day Caribbean or warm weather cruise . Please adjust the to your personal preferences and style.

Full disclosure – I like to shop, I over-pack and I bring too many shoes. 

My own cruise outfit list is larger than this, but based on feedback in my Life Well Cruised Facebook community , I think this is a sufficient base. Adjust to your own preferences, style and luggage allowance.

what to wear on a cruise

Cruise Clothing Packing List for Ladies

  • Shorts and t-shirts
  • 2-3 bathing suits
  • 1-2 cover ups
  • undergarments and sleepwear
  • pool flip flops
  • sundresses for day
  • gym clothes and sports shoes
  • Capri pants and/or nice jeans
  • Cute flowy tops to pair with pants or jeans
  • casual dresses
  • 1-2 fancy dresses (maybe one Little Black Dress)
  • shawl or light sweater
  • sweatshirt or sweater
  • evening bag or clutch (optional)
  • 1-2 evening dress shoes
  • 1-2 comfortable day shoes or wedges

Related posts:

What to Pack for a Caribbean Cruise

What to Pack for a Bermuda Cruise: The Ultimate Guide

What I Wore on a 7 Day Caribbean Cruise – Cruise Outfits

Cruise Wear over 40: Flattering Cruise Outfits for Women 

Plus Size Cruise Wear: Flattering Cruise Outfits for Curvy Women

What Shoes to Bring for a Cruise (for day, evening & shore excursions)

15 Best Beach & Tote Bags for a Cruise

Cruise Outfit Packing List for Men

  • shorts and t-shirts
  • work-out clothes
  • 1-2 pairs jeans
  • 1-2 buttoned shirts
  • 2 dress shirts
  • sweater or sweatshirt
  • running or walking shoes
  • dress shoes
  • casual shoes
  • baseball cap or hat

Related:  Cruise Wear for Men’s Packing List for a Cruise

What to wear on a cruise

What Should Children Wear on a Cruise?

If you’re going on a family cruise , you might be wondering how dress codes apply to children. Generally, dress codes are quite relaxed for kids. Most cruise lines are fine with children wearing nice shorts in the dining room and restaurants for evening dinners.

That being said, it’s not uncommon for families with children to get dressed up on formal nights. It does make a great time to take family photos and have memories that will last a lifetime.

Teenagers can dress casually on a cruise most of the time, but should follow dress codes in the main dining room.

20 Cruise Packing Tips all Cruisers Need

21 Essential Things to Pack in Your Cruise Carry-On

Cruise Outfit Tips

What to Wear on a Cruise During the Day

If you’re trying to pack light for a cruise , or even carry on only, here are a few tips:

  • Rather than bringing several dresses, you can repurpose the same one or two by changing accessories from one evening to the other.
  • Scarves, belts and jewelry can make an outfit feel new again. The reality is, no one cares or even notices if you wear the same outfit more than once.
  • You can also bring one pair of white pants or dark jeans, and bring a couple stylish tops to go with them.
  • A useful tip when planning your cruise outfits of the day is to wear your tighter dresses early on and save the looser styles for the last few days. It might sound like I’m joking, but I’m not 😉
  • I personally love shoes and have to restrain myself from bringing too many. However, you can do with 3-4 pairs of shoes on a cruise and be just fine.

Read more:  How to Pack Light for a Cruise

What to Wear on a Cruise 2020

How to Pack your Cruise Outfits

Garment bag.

If you’re bring formal wear, a garment bag (like this one on Amazon) for suits and dresses keeps things nice and neat and easy to put away when you get to your cabin.

Packing Cubes

Packing cubes are great when packing for a cruise . They’re also a helpful items to keep your cruise cabin organized .

You may also want to pack your clothing in packing cubes. The benefit to this is keeping organized, which makes unpacking so much easier, on the first day of your cruise .

I like these packing cubes , which come with a laundry bag and get 5 * reviews on Amazon.

cruise formal definition

What to Wear on a Cruise YouTube Video

In this video I share more information about how to plan your outfits for a 7 day cruise. It’s full of real tips that you can use as you’re planning what to wear on your upcoming cruise.

If you enjoy cruise content on YouTube, I’d love it if you subscribed to the channel !

Recap: What to Wear on a Cruise (Day, Evening and Formal Nights)

We’ve gone over what to wear on a cruise during the day, evening and on formal nights. I hope this post has given you some ideas of what to wear on the first day of your cruise and shore excursions as well.

Whether you prefer to dress up on a cruise or be more casual, there is something for everyone. Please keep in mind that if you would rather not eat in the main dining room on formal night, you always have great casual options on a cruise.

Do you enjoy dressing up when on a cruise or do you prefer to keep it casual? Please let me know in the comments below.

Happy cruising!

If you’ve found this helpful, please don’t keep it to yourself ;-)! Please share on Facebook or Pin and save for later on Pinterest (buttons at the top). Thanks so much!

Let’s connect:

Follow me on Facebook at Life Well Cruised

Follow me on YouTube at Life Well Cruised

Follow me on Pinterest at Life Well Cruised

Follow me on Instagram at Life Well Cruised

18 Comments

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very Impressive! good job and thanks for sharing such a unique post.

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Glad you found it helpful. Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment.

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Great advice. I’m cruising to Aruba on Friday, so I’m right in the midst of packing our suitcases right now. The formal nights completely annoy me. I feel like it’s just an income opportunity for the cruise line. I do like to dress up, but trying to fit everything into one big suitcase and a carry-on is tough. I am bringing those vacuum bags to try and squeeze in everything for our ship days, our excursions, and our dress-up dinners. It’s definitely going to take some squeezing, but I am kind of glad they’ve toned down the formal nights. I’m just bringing a maxi-skirt with a nice top and we’ll probably opt-out of the second one.

I’m so excited for you! Love Aruba! You’re right about the packing. I’m really trying to bring less these days (but I’m an over packer).I also wear items on “formal nights” that are dressy but comfortable, and ideally pack well.

Have a great cruise!

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That’s a good idea to bring some more formal clothes. I would think that would be nice to have if you are on a fancier trip. I’ll have to make sure to pack a suit and that my wife packs a nice dress if we go on a cruise.

If you enjoy dressing up a couple of nights, you’ll adore formal or chic nights on a cruise. It definitely feels elegant.

Do check the cruise line dress code before you book, just to make sure that you choose a cruise ship where you’ll have this experience.

Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment,

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I do like to dress up, but trying to fit everything into one big suitcase and a carry-on is tough. I am bringing those vacuum bags to try and squeeze in everything for our ship days, our excursions, and our dress-up dinners. It’s definitely going to take some squeezing, but I am kind of glad they’ve toned down the formal nights.

I’m a little bit like you. I love that it’s just a little less formal than years ago, but dressing up makes the evenings special. Great idea to pack with vacuum packed bags!

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I have also found that gowns are downright odd on Princess formal nights now. There are always a few of us that wear them, but to-the-floor is gawked at. Not that I mind. And, Club Class Dining people seem to dress up more than others. On our Feb 2020 Hawaii cruise there were several white tie dinner jackets. On the opposite end, if you DON’T dress on formal nights, you are gawked at and should stay out of the main dining rooms.

Thanks for sharing your experience and what things have really been like onboard. When we’ve done holiday sailings we have found people dressed a little more (more suits and even tuxes) and other sailings less. Interesting about Club Class though.

Thanks again for your comments,

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I dont see the tuxedo. You will have to point it out to me?

Each cruise has it’s own dress code, and tuxedos are definitely welcome. Some cruise lines are quite traditional and a tuxedo will be worn by many men (ie. Cunard). Other cruise lines, despite listing tuxedos among their dress suggestions, tend to have less passengers who are actually wearing them. What cruise line do you usually use?

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So glad I found your YouTube channel, then website. Although I’ve been on a number of cruises (Disney, Carnival & RC), I regularly get great tips and ideas from you. Our next cruise is on RC NEXT week, February 27, 10 day western Caribbean. Can. Not. Wait!! Thus will be the third family reunion style cruise we have done with my wife’s family – this time sans kids – who are all now 18+. With this in mind, we chose Radiance of the Seas for the simple pleasure of cruising. Peace!

Very exciting!! Enjoy your cruise!

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HI MY FIRST TIME GOING ON A CRUISE I HAVE READ A LOT OF YOUR SUGGESTIONS I WILL NOT BE GOING UNTIL 2024 SO I HAVE PLENTY OF TIME TO GET READY.. ONE THING I FEEL WOULD BE I GOOD IDEA …WHEN YOU GET THE FOLDABLE HAMPER SET IT UP AND START PUTTING YOU LIST OF TO GET ITEMS IN SIDE,, YOU WILL HAVE PLENTY OF ROOM ..I HAVE FOUND THIS OUT THANK YOU

Happy planning!

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Thank you so much! I’ve been stressing about what type of clothes to pack for our first cruise as a family (it’s a surprise 40th for my husband). Thanks to your post, I feel much more relieved and have a better idea of what we need. Again, THANK YOU!

So exciting! Enjoy!

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Should Be Cruising

What to Wear on Formal Night on a Cruise

By: Author Carrie Ann Karstunen

Posted on Published: December 15, 2021  - Last updated: November 27, 2022

What to Wear on Formal Night on a Cruise

Have you booked a cruise that has a formal night or two? Formal night on a cruise can be a highlight of your vacation! But if you don’t know what to wear on formal night, no worries—here’s everything you need to know.

cruise formal definition

Read on to find out all about cruise formal night—from how to find out how many nights will be formal, what the formal night dress codes are for the major cruise lines, and what to do if the idea of dressing up on a cruise just isn’t your thing.

I’ve even put together some cruise formal night outfit ideas for men, women, and kids to inspire you!

Be sure to read my cruise formal night FAQ at the end for quick answers to the most frequently asked questions about formal night on a cruise.

What is formal night on a cruise?

Formal night on a cruise ship is the evening when passengers don dressy clothing for dinner, photos, and special activities. The main dining rooms usually will serve an elevated menu, with fancier options like filet mignon, prime rib, or lobster tail.

Some cruise lines have the Captain’s welcome party the evening of the first formal night, with the opportunity to meet the captain and mingle with the other guests.

cruise formal definition

Your cruise line might use an alternate name for formal night, like “Evening Chic”, “Gala Evening”, or “Cruise Elegant”, but it’s essentially the same thing—a night when most passengers dress in their finest clothing for dinner and evening festivities.

Why do cruise lines have formal nights?

During the golden age of ocean liners, guests staying in first class cabins were required to wear formal attire after 6 PM in all public areas of the ship. In the early decades of modern cruise travel, women wore evening gowns and men donned white tie in the evenings.

Learn more: The Story of the First Cruise Ship: SS Prinzessin Victoria Luise

In the 1960s, when standards of dress became less formal in general, cruise lines began to alter their dress codes to appeal to a more modern aesthetic—as well as to the less well-heeled guests who were now able to afford a cruise vacation.

Today, many passengers enjoy having the opportunity to dress up once or twice during a cruise. In an increasingly casual world, this tradition is unique to the cruise industry!

Do all cruise lines have formal night?

If you really don’t like dressing up, you might want to choose one of the cruise lines that doesn’t have formal nights. These cruise lines don’t have a specific formal night with dressy attire required in the main dining rooms:

  • Norwegian Cruise Line
  • Virgin Voyages
  • Oceania Cruises
  • Paul Gauguin Cruises
  • Regent Seven Seas

However, most of these cruise lines do have “formal optional” evenings, when many passengers do dress up in the evening—but it’s not required.

What should you wear for formal night on a cruise?

When people ask me what to wear for formal night on a cruise, I usually advise them to dress like they would for an elegant evening wedding—a dark suit and tie for men, and a cocktail dress or dressy evening separates for women.

You’ll often see people dressed to both ends of the “formal” spectrum on many ships—some wear tuxedos and full-length gowns, and others will wear chinos and a dress shirt or a more casual dress.

On more traditional cruise lines like Holland America or Cunard, you’ll notice the general level of dressiness to be a bit higher. But as long as you’re within your cruise line’s dress code, feel free to be as dressy or as casual as you prefer.

Where to find the formal night dress code for your cruise line

The idea of “formal night” may conjure up different images to different people, so the cruise lines have come up with guidelines to help cruisers understand the dress code expectations before they pack for vacation.

Here are links to the formal night dress codes for many of the major cruise lines:

  • Carnival Cruise Line – look for “Cruise Elegant”
  • Celebrity Cruises – look for “Evening Chic”
  • Costa Cruises – look for “Formal”
  • Cunard Line – look for “Gala Evening”
  • Disney Cruise Line – look for “formal” and “semi-formal”
  • Holland America Line – look for “Formal”
  • MSC Cruises – click on “Gala Evenings”
  • Princess Cruises – click on Clothing Recommendations and look for “Formal”
  • Royal Caribbean – look for “Formal nights”

Where is formal night attire required on the ship?

If you’re opting out of formal night attire, you don’t need to stay in your stateroom all night! Formal night dress code is generally only required in the main dining room during dinner. (Some cruise lines also require formal attire in specialty restaurants on formal nights).

The buffet’s dress code will always be more casual, and of course no one expects you to lounge on the Lido deck in your suit or cocktail dress!

However, in the central area of the ship, especially after 5 or 6 PM, you’ll see most people dressed up for pre-dinner photos or cocktails. If I’m skipping formal night (or I’m having a late dinner and haven’t changed yet), I tend to avoid the atrium or the busiest part of the ship. You can feel a bit out of place in a t-shirt and shorts when everyone else has changed into their nighttime best!

Cruise formal night outfit ideas

Need some inspiration for your cruise formal night outfit? I’ve included ideas for men, women, and kids—with options ranging from semi-formal to black tie.

Cruise formal night outfit ideas for women

Retro sleeveless pencil dress.

You can’t go wrong with a little black dress, and this one’s extra special with a draped ruffle and flattering pleats at the waist. Add some cross-strap heels and an elegant gold bracelet to complete your evening outfit.

Shop this look on Amazon

Vintage glam v-neck gown

A floor-length gown in a stunning shade of red brings to mind old-school Hollywood glamour, just right for your elegant evening! (I’m picturing this with a peekaboo wave hairstyle, à la Veronica Lake). Pair it with vintage-style gold stilettoes and a crystal necklace and earrings set for a little sparkle.

Floral lace cocktail dress

This elbow-sleeve lace cocktail dress features eyelash lace at the scalloped hem and cuffs and an elegant v-neck at the back, making it perfect for a formal night updo. Add gold chain link earrings and kitten heel pumps for a polished evening ensemble.

Side ruffle slit tailored evening dress

An elegant yet simple long gown would be stunning for formal night, especially in this dark teal hue. A side ruffle and asymmetrical cap sleeves give it extra visual appeal. Just add metallic heels and gold bar drop earrings for a refined evening look.

Jeweled neckline halter sheath dress

This sleek charcoal sheath dress features ruching at the waist and an embellished halter neckline that adds just a hint of sparkle. Add a pair of black strappy heels and a crystal cuff bracelet to complete your formal night look.

Lace overlay fit and flare dress

This pretty knee-length fit and flare dress with lace overlay would be perfect for formal night—and it comes in burgundy and black options as well! Pair it with some neutral sandals and gold-plated drop earrings for a simple yet elegant outfit.

Plus size 3-piece evening ensemble

These lightweight georgette dressy separates make an elegant formal night option. The embellished top pairs with a matching flowy jacket and elastic waist pants—just add some strappy heels and crystal tassel earrings to finish the look!

Cruise formal night outfit ideas for men

Slim-fit classic suiting separates.

I love this classic Calvin Klein suiting in a slim fit—in lightweight wool with a little Lycra for stretch, it’s a good choice for any cruise year-round. It comes in several darker hues including navy, black, and charcoal, and the jacket and trousers are sold separately so he can choose the perfect fit.

Pair it with a classic dress shirt in any color, plus a silk tie (pocket square optional) to look dapper on formal night.

Linen two-piece vest + pant

If your cruise line’s formal night dress code is a bit on the casual side, this beige linen-cotton blend vest and trousers would look amazing for a summertime cruise. Pair it with a classic white dress shirt , fun tie , and loafers for a dressed-up but comfortable look.

Modern fit tuxedo separates

These 100% wool tuxedo separates are perfect for an elegant look on formal night. The slim-fit single-breasted tuxedo jacket and matching trousers look great with a classic tuxedo shirt and black bow tie .

Shop this look on Amazon: Jacket and Trousers

Cruise formal night outfit ideas for kids

Striped box-pleated party dress.

This adorable striped party dress in shades of pink, champagne, light blue and navy is an unfussy formal night choice for a little girl. Pair it with some ankle strap gold flats to match the included belt.

Navy three-piece suit

He’ll look ship-shape for formal night in this navy boys’ three-piece suit! It comes with a shirt and tie, so you’ll just need dress shoes and a matching belt to complete the look.

Chiffon tutu-skirt dress

She’ll feel like a princess on formal night with this long-sleeved tutu dress featuring 3D appliqué flowers. Pair it with sparkly flats and a jeweled headband to amp up the fairytale look.

Nautica Baby Boys’ 4-Piece Set

Your littlest cruiser doesn’t have to miss out on formal night! How cute would this “suit” set be for a dressy family photo? The four-piece set is comfy for fussy little ones with an elastic waistband and spandex for stretchiness.

Style it with some adorable leather dress shoes that come in the tiniest sizes!

Renting formal wear for your cruise

If you’d prefer to rent formal wear for your cruise, some cruise lines do offer tuxedo rentals. You’ll usually need to book this through the cruise line at least a couple of weeks before you sail.

Links and phone numbers for cruise line tux rentals:

  • Carnival: Call the Fun Shops at 1-800-522-7648
  • Cunard (tuxedo rental on board, no need to pre-order. Type “tuxedo” in FAQ search bar to see pricing)

Some cruise lines, including Disney and HAL, traditionally partnered with a company called Cruiseline Formalwear. Unfortunately, this company closed permanently during the pandemic. Instead, many cruisers have been renting tuxedos from local formal wear shops and carrying them on board.

For cocktail dress or gown rentals, you can check sites like Rent the Runway or Armoire (they’re especially great for maternity formal wear rentals). You’ll be able to rent a formal dress for far less than buying, and they take care of the cleaning for you.

How many formal nights will there be on my cruise?

When you’re deciding what to wear for formal night on a cruise, it’s a good idea to know how many formal nights your sailing will have.

In general, cruise lines that have formal nights will have two each week on a seven-day cruise. On short cruises (less than five days), there often isn’t a formal night.

Check with the cruise line or your travel agent to see how many formal nights are planned for your particular voyage.

Having photos taken on formal night

Once you’re all dressed up for the evening, why not plan to have some formal portraits taken to commemorate your cruise?

On most mainstream cruise lines, the roving photographers are ready to snap your pic in locations around the ship. But during formal night evenings, the photo team is out in full force!

They’ll often set up in the atrium or main public area with professional lighting and backdrops to capture your family or group in your formal night best.

Unlike a photoshoot on land, you won’t need to pay to have your pictures taken (although some cruise lines do have a portrait studio where you can book a photo session for a fee). You’ll only pay for the photos that you like, and prices are reasonable for formal shots.

A single 8″x10″ will run you about $25, and you’ll be able to purchase a discounted photo package if you want several prints to take home.

How to keep your cruise formal wear from wrinkling

Many cruisers worry about their dressy clothes for formal night wrinkling from being stuffed in a suitcase while traveling to the cruise port. You do have some options that will keep your formal wear looking good when you’re ready for that special night!

Although you can’t pack your own clothes iron or steamer (they’re a fire hazard on ships), some cruise lines do have passenger laundry rooms with an iron you can use to touch up your outfits.

But if your formal wear is too delicate for an iron, I have a few tricks you can use to get the wrinkles out:

  • Use wrinkle release spray and hang to dry
  • Use a home dry clean kit in the laundry room dryer
  • Hang your outfits in the bathroom with a hot shower running for a few minutes

Read more: How to Prevent Wrinkled Clothes on a Cruise

Can you skip formal night on a cruise?

If dressing up just isn’t your thing, you can absolutely skip formal night on a cruise! The main dining room will have a formal dress code, but you can always have dinner at the buffet or order room service.

Many cruise lines have a “smart casual” dress code in their specialty restaurants, making them a popular choice on formal nights for those who want to avoid dressing up. But double-check dress codes—some cruise lines (Carnival for example) have the same dress code in their specialty restaurants as in the MDR on formal nights.

Cruise formal night FAQ

Do you have to dress up for formal night on a cruise?

As long as you don’t have dinner in the main dining room or a specialty restaurant with a formal night dress code, you don’t need to dress up for formal night. Instead, you can eat at the buffet, a quick-service restaurant, or order room service.

Do men have to wear a jacket and tie for cruise formal night?

Some cruise lines do require a jacket and tie to enter the main dining room on formal night. Check your cruise line’s  formal night dress code  for details.

Do women have to wear a dress for cruise formal night?

Cruise lines that have formal nights don’t specify that women need to wear a dress on those evenings. Dressy evening separates, like an elegant top paired with a matching skirt or trousers are fine for formal night.

Do kids need to dress up for formal night on a cruise?

If your cruise line has formal nights, kids who are eating in the main dining room with their parents will need to adhere to the formal night dress code.

Which cruise lines don’t have formal nights?

Several cruise lines don’t have formal nights, including Norwegian Cruise Line, Virgin Voyages, Azamara, Oceania Cruises, Paul Gauguin Cruises, and Regent Seven Seas. However, there may be an optional dress-up night on your sailing.

Can you buy or rent formal wear on the cruise ship?

Many cruise lines offer tuxedo rentals, but you should reserve your tux at least several weeks before you sail.

I’d love to hear your opinions about what to wear for formal night on a cruise! Do you go all out, do the minimum, or skip it altogether? Let me know in the comments below!

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Dresses on Hangers.

Sunday 13th of March 2022

I was wondering if it would be inappropriate to wear a simple wedding dress during formal night. My fiancé and I are eloping but the cruise is our honeymoon and much of his family will be there! I thought it might be fun! Nothing too poofy, just a lace sheath dress. TIA!

Monday 14th of March 2022

Hi Darby, I think a simple white lace sheath would be perfect for formal night on most cruise lines! As long as it doesn't actually look like a wedding dress, you'll be fine. Congrats on your upcoming wedding!

Friday 17th of December 2021

I always enjoy formal night when we cruise. We don't dress up often at home so this is always special and so much fun!

Thursday 16th of December 2021

What a great idea! I feel like not many people think about needing such a formal outfit for a cruise!

Hi Alex, lots of new cruisers don't know about formal night on their first cruise! Thankfully it's optional - you just need to eat dinner on those nights in a casual-friendly environment. But hopefully lots of first-time cruisers read this post so they know how to join in on the fun! :D

I like the fact you don't have to attend a formal evening if you don't want to - i'd be the one in the buffet or getting room service ;-) Although I may be tempted to bring a cocktail dress for a long cruise!

Hi Hannah! I totally get skipping formal night (I sometimes do if I'm tired)! It's great that it's not mandatory and you're free to do your own thing :D

I love formal nights on the cruise, definitely my favorite theme night

Hi Elyse, I agree! I love a chance to get dressed up and enjoy the fancier meal choices on formal nights. Thanks for stopping by!

Protect Your Trip »

What to wear on a cruise: daytime, formal nights & more.

Experts share their top recommendations for versatile cruise clothing.

What to Wear on a Cruise

Woman listening music while traveling with ferry boat on the sea

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Know what types of clothing, shoes and accessories are best to wear on a cruise.

When it comes to cruising in style, packing the right attire for every occasion is essential. Including a few key versatile items on your cruise packing list will prevent your suitcase (and the limited closet space in your stateroom) from becoming overcrowded – and keep you looking appropriate for all events.

Although most cruise lines outline their suggested dress codes in the FAQ sections of their websites, be sure to also review the specifics of your cruise itinerary. Not only will the destination and weather factor into what you should wear on your cruise, but you'll also want to know if formal nights require black-tie attire, themed dress parties need costumes or shore excursions necessitate unique clothing or footwear.

Whether you'll be lounging by the pool or attending a glamorous dinner, our list of must-have items and suggestions from industry experts will help you navigate dressing for your next cruise vacation.

cruise formal definition

For relaxing sea days, prioritize comfort above all else. Depending on your planned activities, any of the following casual options are considered acceptable attire:

  • Skirts or skorts
  • T-shirts and tank tops
  • Breezy lounge pants
  • Bathing suits
  • Cover-ups 
  • Sun hats or baseball caps

Travel writer Jill Schildhouse always packs her VOTEPRETTY sundress . "This is my go-to cruise workhorse," says Schildhouse. "It's light and breezy, and the pockets come in very handy." She adds that the sundress can be worn to casual dinners on the ship or on shore excursions, and it can even double as a swimsuit cover-up. "I've taken it all over the world and it always arrives wrinkle-free," she says. Schildhouse has received many compliments on this classic sundress, which is available in multiple colors.

Sheri Griffiths, host of YouTube series CruiseTipsTV , suggests wearing comfortable, broken-in shoes on a cruise. She recommends avoiding brand-new footwear during your voyage to prevent blisters and daily discomfort. A basic sneaker can be worn for just about any cruise itinerary, from Alaska to the Caribbean . Griffiths says, "We love these Adidas Stan Smiths because they wear in quickly and have a timeless style."

Read: The Top Walking Shoes for Travel

Mature African American couple, standing and leaning on railing on deck of a cruise ship, looking off into the distance.

In the evening, most cruise ships adopt a dress code in their main dining rooms and specialty restaurants that incorporate smart-casual or resort-wear attire. The following clothing choices will suffice:

  • Maxi dresses
  • Elegant tops
  • Long- or short-sleeved button-down shirts
  • Polo shirts
  • Blazers and ties (typically optional, unless otherwise stated)
  • Shawls or wraps
  • Closed-toe dress shoes
  • Sandals or heels

Colleen McDaniel, editor-in-chief at Cruise Critic, shares her best advice for cruise footwear. "I always pack my Rothy's shoes for any cruise because they're infinitely comfortable, work as both a formal and [an] informal shoe and can be tossed in the laundry if they get dirty." She notes that she has several pairs, but two of her go-to styles are The Point and The Ballet Flat . McDaniel adds that the shoes work in every occasion, from strolling along the ship decks to perusing cobblestone streets on shore. "I bought both [pairs] 5 years ago, and they look as new today as they did out of the box despite literally hundreds of hours of wear," she says.

Jason Leppert, founder of YouTube channel Popular Cruising , always packs his signature Hawaiian shirts to wear day or night. He says, "I love the RSVLTS collection because they can play casually with shorts or more dressy with slacks for dinner."

Formal Nights

cruise formal definition

While more casual these days, cruise formal nights still call for a bit more sophistication and style. Appropriate options include:

  • Cocktail dresses
  • Evening gowns
  • Dress shoes

Ashley Kosciolek, senior cruise writer for The Points Guy, always packs a gown or a fancy cocktail dress for a formal night. "I work from home and don't have a reason to dress up otherwise, so I look forward to it." Still, Kosciolek is a firm believer that travelers should wear what is most comfortable for them while on vacation. She adds, "My dinner won't taste any better or worse based on what others are wearing."

Mikkel Woodruff, editor of cruise site Sometimes Sailing , always brings her Omega Sailing Bracelet on cruises. She says, "I like to bring jewelry that reminds me of the ocean and being on the sea." Woodruff appreciates the bracelet's versatility, noting how easily it can go from shore excursions to formal evenings to everyday activities.

Explore cruise deals on  GoToSea , a service of U.S. News.

Shore Excursions

cruise formal definition

When heading off the ship for a shore excursion, opt for comfortable, weather-appropriate clothing and sturdy footwear to make the most of your adventures on land. Consider packing the following items:

  • Comfortable walking shoes
  • Mesh water shoes
  • T-shirts or tank tops
  • A waterproof jacket

Freelance travel writer David Swanson shares his favorite versatile cruise shoes. He discovered a comfortable pair of Danner multitasking shoes that worked for dinners, casual events and multiple days of cycling on a recent European cruise. "I didn't think I'd find something to do dual duty, but I love this comfy pair from Danner, an outdoor brand [that is] new to me but has been around since 1932," says Swanson.

Paul Thornton, host of The Joy of Cruising Podcast , always packs his Coofandy linen shirts and shorts for hot Caribbean days and breezy cruise ship evenings. "I love Coofandy because they enable this senior to look 'youthful' on the beach and excursions," says Thornton. He adds that the brand is also his go-to retailer for White Party-themed nights on board.

Read: Beach Packing List

cruise formal definition

Tips on Trips and Expert Picks

Travel tips, vacation ideas and more to make your next vacation stellar.

Cruise Line Dress Codes

Dress codes can vary significantly from one cruise company to the next, so it's a good idea to check with your specific line before filling up your suitcase. Once you're on board, be sure to read the daily program for reminders about the dress codes required at the events and dining venues during your voyage.

Azamara Dress Code

  • Daytime: Fairly casual attire is suitable throughout Azamara 's ships during the day. However, baseball caps, distressed denim, tank tops and bathing suits cannot be worn at Discoveries, Aqualina and Prime C restaurants (and shoes are required).
  • Evening: At night, women typically wear casual dresses, skirts, pants, capris, blouses and knit tops, while men are welcome to wear collared golf and polo shirts, shorts and pants. Sport coats are optional. Note: There are no official formal nights on Azamara's voyages.
  • Themed Nights: Be sure to pack an all-white outfit for Azamara's signature White Night dinner and deck party.

Carnival Cruise Line Dress Code

  • Daytime: Pack casual, comfortable attire to sail with Carnival Cruise Line , such as T-shirts, polo shirts or relaxed tops paired with shorts, capris, khakis or jeans. Athletic wear paired with a lightweight sweater or jacket are suitable for those looking to stay active. 
  • "Cruise casual" attire for men typically suggests longer dress shorts, pants or jeans and a collared polo shirt. Women usually wear sundresses, blouses, skirts, dress shorts and capri pants.
  • "Cruise elegant" typically translates to dress slacks, dress shirts and sports coats (suggested) for men, with some wearing suits, ties or tuxedos. Women choose dresses (party or cocktail), pantsuits and elegant skirts with blouses, while some may wear evening gowns. Kids should follow the adult dress code, opting for school dance- or party-appropriate attire. Note: Jeans, men's sleeveless shirts, shorts, T-shirts, sportswear, exercise clothes, baseball hats, flip-flops and bathing suits are not permitted. The number of "cruise elegant" evenings varies based on the length of the cruise.
  • Carnival Journeys cruises feature a "Throwback Sea Day," where guests can relive the '80s by day (outfits included) and dress up for a themed Captain's Cocktail Party by night. 
  • Cruises between early December and Christmas Day feature an "Ugly Sweater Contest."
  • Costumes are suggested for Halloween cruises between the end of September and October. However, when choosing a costume, keep in mind that full masks are prohibited (masks covering half of the face are allowed).

Celebrity Cruises Dress Code

  • Daytime: During the day, smart casual resort wear is suitable throughout Celebrity Cruises ' ships. (Think: sundresses, shorts, polos and button-down shirts paired with sandals, low heels and loafers.) Bathing suits with cover-ups, T-shirts, tank tops, hats and sunglasses are only appropriate poolside. Cruisers should avoid wearing these items in the dining areas.
  • Evening: Most evenings, guests are expected to wear comfortable yet tasteful attire. This entails dresses, skirts, long pants or jeans, stylish tops and button-down shirts. Shorts and flip-flops do not meet the evening dress code. Depending on your voyage, there will be one or two formal nights that require "evening chic" wear. Passengers can dress to impress in formal gowns, tuxedos, cocktail dresses, dressy jeans or blazers.

Costa Cruises Dress Code

  • Daytime: During the day, Costa Cruises ' passengers may wear casual clothing like T-shirts, shorts and sundresses. Beach clothing and flip-flops are not permitted in ship restaurants. Depending on the itinerary, some shore excursions may have specific dress codes.
  • Evening: Most nights require resort attire; however, Costa hosts one or two Elegant Evenings per cruise, when men may wear dark suits or tuxedos and women can wear evening gowns or cocktail dresses.
  • Themed Nights: Costa recommends that guests pack white clothing for its White Night events and white, red and green clothing and accessories for its Italy-themed evenings.

Cunard Line Dress Code

  • Daytime: Shorts, T-shirts and sundresses are appropriate daytime wardrobe options on sailings with Cunard Line . Swimwear is acceptable by the pool but should not be worn in indoor dining areas.
  • Evening: In the evenings, passengers are asked to wear smart attire, which includes dress shirts and trousers for men, and cocktail dresses or sophisticated tops and skirts for women – similar to what you'd choose for dinner at a trendy restaurant or a special occasion. Voyages lasting seven nights host at least two Gala Evenings, during which guests are requested to adhere to a more formal dress code. 
  • Themed Nights: Gala Evenings employ themes ranging from specific colors (such as black and white or red and gold outfits) to the roaring '20s to masquerade balls.

Disney Cruise Line Dress Code

  • Daytime: On Disney Cruise Line sailings, cruise casual attire is acceptable during the day; outfit options include sundresses and shorts and tees. Swimwear and tank tops are not permitted in dining venues.
  • Evening: After the sun sets, polished attire like collared shirts and jeans without rips are acceptable. Bathing suits, tees, tank tops and sports attire are not allowed. Adult-exclusive dining venues on Disney ships call for elegance; formal or semiformal wear is recommended.
  • Themed Nights: On three- and four-night sailings, there is typically a pirate-themed deck party and one optional dress-up night for guests of all ages. Sailings lasting seven nights or longer add one formal and one semiformal night, when women may wear a formal dress or pantsuit and men can opt for a suit or dress pants with a jacket.

Holland America Line Dress Code

  • Daytime: Plan on wearing casual attire aboard Holland America Line 's ships during the day. When indoors, guests must wear shirts, cover-ups and footwear.
  • Evening: On most nights, smart casual clothing is acceptable. However, in table service restaurants, shorts, bathing suits, distressed jeans and tank tops are prohibited. Grand Voyages cruises host formal nights, when suits and dresses are appropriate.
  • Themed Nights: Once per cruise, Holland America hosts an Orange Party in celebration of King's Day. Pack your favorite orange clothing and accessories for this event, which honors the cruise line's Dutch heritage.

MSC Cruises Dress Code

  • Daytime: Guests of MSC Cruises dress fairly casual during the day in T-shirts and shorts.
  • Evening: Collared shirts, dresses and tailored pants are expected at night in the main dining rooms, specialty restaurants and entertainment venues. There is one optional Gala Night, when varying levels of elegance are acceptable. Guests should wear what makes them feel comfortable, ranging from tuxedos or ball gowns to dressy jeans and polo shirts.
  • Themed Nights: MSC hosts a White Night Party (where guests wear all white) and a Sunshine Party, where guests don cheerful colors.

Norwegian Cruise Line Dress Code

  • Daytime: During the day, plan to wear cruise casual attire like summer dresses, jeans, khakis, shorts and casual shirts on Norwegian Cruise Line voyages. At the buffet and outdoor restaurants, swimwear can be worn with a cover-up and footwear. In dining rooms and specialty restaurants, Norwegian does not permit tank tops for men, jeans with rips or tears, flip-flops, baseball caps or visors.
  • Evening: In Norwegian's upscale specialty restaurants, smart casual attire is the norm. Women can wear slacks, jeans, dresses, skirts and tops, while men should opt for jeans or slacks, a collared shirt and closed-toed shoes. Children ages 12 and younger may wear shorts in all restaurants. On each cruise, there is one particular "Dress-Up or Not Night," when guests can wear fancier clothing (if they choose).
  • Themed Nights: Pack an all-white outfit for the White Hot Party and formal attire for Norwegian's Night Out.

Princess Cruises Dress Code

  • Daytime: In Princess Cruises ' restaurants and public spaces, casual resort wear is required. Shoes must be worn in the dining areas, and pool or beach attire, ball caps and frayed jeans are prohibited in restaurants.
  • Evening: On most nights, smart casual attire is acceptable in restaurants. However, on formal evenings, women may wear evening gowns, cocktail dresses or elegant pantsuits; while men may opt for tuxedos, dark suits or dinner jackets with slacks. The number of formal nights per cruise depends on the length of the sailing.

Regent Seven Seas Cruises Dress Code

  • Daytime: Elevated resort wear, including jeans, shorts, T-shirts and tennis shoes, is appropriate before 6 p.m. on Regent Seven Seas Cruises ' ships.
  • Evening: At night, elegant casual attire is recommended. Women typically dresses, pantsuits or slacks paired with blouses or sweaters; a collared shirt and dress pants for men is the norm, with the option for sport jackets and ties. On cruises lasting 16 nights or longer, there are two evenings when guests can choose to wear formal or semiformal attire. Wardrobe choices include dark suits and cocktail dresses or tuxedos and gowns. Note: On the last night of every voyage, the dinner dress code is "relaxed casual" to accommodate guests packing for early morning flights.

Royal Caribbean International Dress Code

  • Daytime: A relaxed, casual style is acceptable during the day on cruises with Royal Caribbean International . However, swimwear should be limited to the pool deck. 
  • Evening: On most nights, guests wear smart casual attire, which includes collared or button-up shirts, dresses, skirts, blouses and pantsuits. Jackets, sports coats and blazers are encouraged but not required. On formal evenings and for the Chef's Table dining experience, cruisers are expected to wear black-tie attire, which includes tuxedos, suits with ties, cocktail dresses and evening gowns. The number of formal nights per cruise depends on the length of the sailing.
  • Themed Nights: Offered on cruises lasting four nights or longer, themed nights may include toga parties, masquerade balls, decade themes and black and white nights.

Silversea Cruises Dress Code

  • Daytime: Casual attire akin to what you'd wear at a five-star resort is suitable during the day aboard Silversea Cruises ' ships.
  • Evening: Evening attire is categorized into three groups: casual, informal and formal. On casual evenings, women wear pants, blouses, skirts, and casual dresses, while men wear open-neck shirts and slacks. On informal evenings, ladies often choose dresses or pantsuits, and gentlemen typically wear jackets (ties are optional). Formal night is always optional; if you choose to participate, outfits may include cocktail dresses, gowns, tuxedos and suits. The number of formal nights per cruise varies by voyage length.

Seabourn Cruise Line Dress Code

  • Daytime: Casual resort wear like jeans and shorts are welcome in all lounges and dining venues on Seabourn Cruise Lines ' ships. Athletic apparel and swimwear should only be worn in the pool area, on the deck or at the spa and fitness center.
  • Evening: After 6 p.m., the dress code is "elegant casual." Men are expected to wear slacks with collared shirts or sweaters (jackets are optional), while women can choose pants, skirts, pantsuits or dresses. Elegant jeans are allowed in all dining venues except The Restaurant. On formal evenings in The Restaurant, men may wear tuxedos, suits or slacks and jackets, while women can opt for evening gowns and cocktail dresses.

Viking Ocean Cruises Dress Code

  • Daytime: On Viking Ocean Cruises ' ships, casual daytime clothing such as shorts, pants, jeans and comfortable walking shoes are acceptable. Athletic wear including exercise clothing, swimsuits and cover-ups may only be worn in the fitness center, pool zones and sports deck.
  • Evening: While there are no dedicated formal nights, the dress code after 6 p.m. calls for elegant casual attire for all dining venues, lounges, bars and theaters. Jeans are not permitted (with the exception of the World Cafe, where the dress code remains casual in the evenings). For women, wardrobe options include dresses, jumpsuits, skirts or slacks paired with elegant tops. Jackets and ties are optional for men, but trousers and collared shirts should be worn in the evenings.

Virgin Voyages Dress Code

  • Day or night, cruisers on Virgin Voyages ' ships are encouraged to wear attire that expresses their personal style. Just note: In restaurants, bathing suits are not permitted, and shoes are necessary. There are no formal nights; guests can dress up or down, depending on what makes them feel their best.
  • Themed Nights: Pack something scarlet red for the Scarlet Night Party, which occurs once per voyage.

Why Trust U.S. News

Dana Freeman is a highly experienced cruise writer who embarked on her first cruise with her grandmother when she was just 12 years old, and she hasn't stopped since. Having sailed on more than 20 different cruise lines and completed over 30 voyages, Freeman's cruise expertise spans from small ships accommodating only eight passengers to massive ones accommodating over 5,000. To curate this article, she leveraged her extensive knowledge of the cruise ship industry, combined with her strong research skills.

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What to Wear on a Cruise: The Ultimate Guide

Last updated: November 7th, 2023

Guests hanging out for drinks in smart casual attire onboard Celebrity Cruises

  • Find a Cruise

If you’re having trouble figuring out what to wear on a cruise, don’t worry, we’re here to help. Packing a suitcase for your upcoming vacation onboard shouldn’t be difficult—in fact, it’s all part of the fun.

The key is to know exactly what to expect onboard and to familiarize yourself with Celebrity Cruises’ “Relaxed Luxury”. Here are some tips that will help you decide what to wear on a cruise to get ready for smooth, stylish sailing.

What clothes should you wear on a cruise?

What to wear on a cruise depends on where you’re sailing. While many of our cruises sail to warm beach destinations such as The Bahamas and the Caribbean , we do offer cooler weather cruises to places like Alaska and the Mediterranean during shoulder season that require warmer clothes like jackets and waterproof wear.

If you’re traveling to a warm and sunny destination, here are some things you should wear on your cruise:

Couple drinking cocktails by the pool

While onboard, you’ll be spending a lot of your time in the pool or lounging nearby on the sun deck. You’ll also be sporting swimwear at many of the ports you visit  during your trip. Therefore, it’s a good idea to pack a handful of swimsuits in your bag. Aim to bring at least three if you’re going on a seven-day cruise.

Swim coverups

While it’s perfectly acceptable to stay in your swimsuit while lounging beside the pool, you’ll need a cover-up to walk from your stateroom to the pool, and vice-versa. Keep in mind, depending on where your stateroom or suite is located, you may go through other common areas of the ship (in addition to the elevators) on your way to the pool. Make sure your swim cover-up is something you will feel comfortable in while walking around others.

Read: What to Pack for a Mediterranean Cruise

People on a beach

Sweater or fleece

Even if you’re taking a cruise around the Caribbean , it’s smart to take a light sweater or fleece to wear at night when the temperature tends to cool down. After all, you won’t want to get chilly while enjoying the starry sky from your stateroom veranda or on one of the ship’s decks.

Scarf or pashmina

This is an easy clothing item you can drape over your shoulders to dress up an outfit, or to warm you up if you’re outside and there is a chill in the air. You may also be required to cover your head and shoulders if entering a mosque, or bare arms if visiting a church, so pack something that enables you to respect the local culture.

Bring some fun pieces to accessorize your outfit. You may also want to buy some new items while shopping in the ship’s boutiques, so remember to leave a little extra room in your suitcase just in case.

Woman smiling while wearing a sun hat

Sunglasses and sun hats

Aside from lathering up on the SPF, protect yourself from all that sunshine by bringing a sun visor, baseball cap, or wide-brimmed straw hat on your cruise—ideally, one that won’t blow away in a sea breeze. You should also bring at least one pair of sunglasses on board.

Read: What to Pack for a Caribbean Cruise

Even if you typically use your phone as a clock, bringing a watch on board will help you keep a more accurate eye on the time throughout the day. You’ll want to get to all of the ship’s daily activities on time, and a watch can be extra helpful during your port stops to make sure you get back to the ship on time before it departs.

Couple using binocular while sightseeing on a cruise

Casual, comfortable attire

T-shirts, tank tops, shorts, sundresses, and skirts are all perfectly fine clothes to wear on a cruise ship to have lunch in the Oceanview Cafe and other restaurants with a casual dress code. You can also dine in casual pool clothes at the snack bar located next to the pool deck.

What to wear on a cruise - smart casual

Dinner or “smart casual” attire

If you’re having dinner in the main restaurant or any meal at one of the specialty restaurants , you’ll follow a “smart casual” dress code on most nights. This means long pants, jeans, a dress or skirt, a stylish top, or a button-down.

We want our guests to feel comfortable, so Celebrity Cruises’ dress code for smart casual is fairly flexible, though there are some restrictions. T-shirts, swimsuits, robes, bare feet, tank tops, baseball caps, and pool wear are not allowed in the main restaurant or specialty restaurants at any time. In addition, shorts and flip-flops are not permitted during the evening hours.

The smart casual dress code works for all areas of the ship in the evening, including in bars and lounges and during shows and events at the ship’s theater.

If you’re headed for Alaska or northern Europe, or the Mediterranean in the cooler months, think about packing these items:

Wicking tops, lightweight fleeces, and even pants that zip off into shorts are all a good idea for Alaska, especially if you’re out hiking.

Waterproofs

Some of the world’s most beautiful scenery gets that lush shade of green for a reason; the occasional rain shower. Bring a waterproof that folds down small, and a waterproof cover for your camera.

Read: Expert Cruise Packing Tips

What kind of shoes should you wear on a cruise?

What to wear on a cruise - comfortable shoes

Footwear should not be an afterthought when packing your suitcase for a cruise. While you might have the urge to throw in a pair of flip flops and call it a day, there are a few other essential shoes you’ll need to bring along on your trip.

Flip flops, sandals, or waterproof slides

These shoes will take you back and forth from your stateroom to the pool and vice versa. They also come in handy if you choose to visit the onboard spa . Lightweight water shoes are great for some ports in the Mediterranean, where beaches tend to be pebbly.

Sneakers or comfortable walking shoes

If you’re planning on doing a lot of walking around the ship during days at sea, it’s a good idea to pack a pair of sneakers or other comfortable walking shoes. Sneakers will also be useful if you try out a fitness class or use the gym equipment in the ship’s state-of-the-art fitness center.

If you’re headed somewhere like Norway or Alaska where hiking is one of the most popular activities, it’s worth packing a good pair of walking boots.

Shoes or sandals for dinner

Since flip flops are not allowed in the evening, make sure to bring comfortable shoes or sandals to wear during dinner in the main room.

Do you have to dress up on a cruise?

People in smart casual attire following Celebrity Cruises dress code for dinner

While of course you’re welcome to stay in your swimsuit almost all day long on a cruise, there are certain occasions when Celebrity Cruises dress code requests otherwise.

If you’re wondering what to wear on a cruise during dinner in the main dining room, meals at specialty restaurants, or shows in the theater, the Celebrity Cruises dress code for these occasions is usually “smart casual”. This means a dress or skirt, stylish pants, smart jeans, a stylish top or button-down. We’d prefer that shorts, tank tops and flip flops were kept for the pool.

What do you wear on a dressier night on a cruise?

Lovely couple in Evening Chic outfit following Celebrity Cruises dress code

Our more formal nights are called “Evening Chic” nights because they’re all about guests looking their absolute best—and loving it. These are the nights when you want to dress up in your most fashion-forward and stylish clothes, while also being elegant and sophisticated.

The Celebrity Cruises dress code for Evening Chic nights is cocktail dresses, skirts, pants, or designer jeans with an elegant top, or dress shirt, button-down shirt, or sweater, and an optional blazer. There’s no need to wear a tie unless you want to.

Couple in Eden restaurant

Our Evening Chic dress code leaves a lot of room for you to show off your personal style, although we’d ask you to leave your ripped jeans or favorite college sweatshirt in your stateroom. You can wear anything from designer denim paired with a blazer to a cocktail dress with a killer set of heels.

If you were looking forward to wearing a tuxedo or formal gown on Evening Chic nights, you can absolutely do that as well. There is no such thing as being overdressed on Evening Chic nights.

All cruises that are seven nights or longer will feature two Evening Chic nights. Shorter cruises feature one Evening Chic night. On all other nights of the cruise, guests are asked to wear smart casual attire.

If for whatever reason you choose to skip Evening Chic nights, you can always dine in one of the specialty restaurants (in smart casual attire) or at the snack bar located next to the pool deck.

What do you wear on cruises during the day?

Women wearing casual outfit

On Celebrity Cruises, we want you to feel as comfortable as possible while onboard. During the day, we encourage you to wear casual attire such as t-shirts, tank tops, shorts, sundresses, and skirts.

If you’re spending the day at the pool, you can also have lunch or dine in casual pool clothes at the Mast Grill located next to the pool deck.

Just remember that while walking from your stateroom to the pool and vice versa, you’ll need to wear a swim cover up.

People doing yoga on a cruise

You’ll also be required to wear appropriate clothing in the Fitness Center; suitable shoes for the treadmills and exercise bikes, for example, just as you would in the gym at home.

If you plan to use the spa, which we would encourage, don’t worry about bringing a robe; these are provided for you.

What to wear on a cruise

Now that you know how effortless and stress-free it is to choose what to wear on a cruise, book your cruise and start planning out your perfect cruise vacation outfits. Browse itineraries on our website and book your next luxury getaway with Celebrity Cruises.

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The Ultimate Guide To Cruise Ship Formal Nights

Get ready to make a grand entrance on your next cruise with “The Ultimate Guide to Cruise Ship Formal Nights.” Whether you’re a first-time cruiser or a seasoned traveler, this guide is packed with valuable tips and recommendations to help you make the most out of these special evenings at sea. From what to wear and how to style your hair, to navigating the dining options and capturing the perfect photo, this article has got you covered. With clear subheadings, visual aids, and even personal anecdotes, we’ll guide you step-by-step through everything you need to know to make your next formal night a memorable one. So sit back, relax, and let’s dive into the world of cruise ship formal nights.

Table of Contents

Understanding Cruise Ship Formal Nights

Cruise ship formal nights are specific evenings during a cruise where passengers are expected to dress up in formal attire for dinner and other evening activities. These formal nights have become an integral part of cruise ship culture and offer a unique experience for passengers to indulge in elegance and glamour. In this article, we will explore the definition and importance of formal nights, the typical timeline of a formal night, and the varying formal night policies of different cruise lines.

Definition of Cruise Ship Formal Nights

Cruise ship formal nights are designated evenings during a cruise where passengers are encouraged to dress in formal attire. This typically includes suits, tuxedos, dresses, and gowns. The purpose of formal nights is to provide an opportunity for passengers to dress up, enjoy a more upscale dining experience, and partake in elegant entertainment options. It adds a touch of sophistication and glamour to the overall cruise experience.

Importance of Formal Nights in Cruise Ship Culture

Formal nights play a significant role in cruise ship culture as they offer passengers a chance to embrace luxury and elegance. These nights create a sense of occasion and celebration onboard, allowing passengers to feel special and glamorous. It provides an opportunity to mingle with other guests, take memorable photos, and enjoy formal dining and entertainment experiences. Formal nights add a unique element of tradition and romance to the cruise experience.

Typical Timeline of a Formal Night

A typical formal night on a cruise ship follows a specific timeline. The evening usually begins with pre-dinner activities such as cocktail parties or galas where passengers can socialize and enjoy drinks and hors d’oeuvres. Following the pre-dinner events, guests proceed to the main dining room for a formal dinner experience. The dining room is often decorated to reflect the elegance of the evening, with exquisite table settings and attentive service. After dinner, passengers can attend special shows or performances tailored for formal nights, such as Broadway-style productions or live music events.

The Ultimate Guide To Cruise Ship Formal Nights

Cruise Lines and their Formal Night Policies

Different cruise lines have varying formal night policies, which dictate the specific dress code and requirements for these evenings. It is essential for passengers to be familiar with the formal night policies of their chosen cruise line to ensure compliance and avoid any disappointment.

Comparison of Different Cruise Lines Formal Night Policies

Each cruise line has its own set of guidelines and expectations regarding formal nights. Some cruise lines have multiple formal nights during a cruise, while others have specific dress codes such as “elegant casual” or “black tie optional.” It is crucial to research and understand the policies of the chosen cruise line to pack the appropriate attire and make the most of the formal night experience.

Changes in Formal Night Policies Over the Years

Formal night policies have evolved over the years, reflecting changing trends and passenger preferences. In the past, formal nights were strictly black-tie affairs, with passengers expected to wear tuxedos and gowns. However, many cruise lines have now introduced more relaxed dress codes, allowing for greater flexibility and personal style. This shift accommodates a broader range of passengers, making formal nights more accessible and enjoyable for everyone.

Understanding ‘Elegant Casual’ and ‘Black Tie Optional’ Nights

Cruise lines often include evenings with dress codes such as “elegant casual” or “black tie optional” to provide flexibility for passengers. Elegant casual attire typically includes dress slacks, blouses or dress shirts, and dresses or skirts. Black tie optional attire allows passengers to choose between formal options like tuxedos and gowns or slightly more relaxed outfits such as suits and cocktail dresses. Understanding these dress code terms helps passengers navigate the formal night experience with ease.

The Ultimate Guide To Cruise Ship Formal Nights

Appropriate Attire for Men on Formal Nights

Choosing the right attire for men on formal nights is crucial to adhere to the dress code and fit in with the elegant atmosphere.

Overview: What to Wear

Men should aim to dress in formal attire, which generally includes suits or tuxedos. It is essential to check the specific guidelines of the cruise line to determine whether a tuxedo is required or if a suit is acceptable. A well-fitted, tailored suit in black, navy, or charcoal gray is a safe and classic choice for a formal night.

Suggestions for Suits and Tuxedos

When selecting a suit for formal nights, opt for darker colors such as black, navy, or charcoal gray. A suit should be well-tailored and fit the wearer perfectly. Tuxedos are generally reserved for more formal cruises, and they offer a timeless and sophisticated look. Pair the suit or tuxedo with a crisp white dress shirt, a colorful tie or bowtie, and formal shoes.

Choosing the Right Accessories

Accessories can elevate a man’s formal night attire. Consider adding a pocket square, cufflinks, and a formal watch to enhance the overall aesthetic. These small details can make a significant impact on the overall look and contribute to a polished appearance.

The Ultimate Guide To Cruise Ship Formal Nights

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Home » Cruise Tips » Top 6 Reasons You Should Dress for Your Cruise Formal Night

Top 6 Reasons You Should Dress for Your Cruise Formal Night

Cruise Formal Nights- a night to don your suit and tie, cocktail dress, and all that shines. Many traditional cruisers, myself included, love formal nights and consider them a staple of cruising; however many new

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Cruise Formal Nights – a night to don your suit and tie, cocktail dress, and all that shines. Many traditional cruisers, myself included, love formal nights and consider them a staple of cruising; however many new age cruisers and freestylers think they should be a thing of the past.

With Celebrity Cruises’ recent announcement that formal nights will be replaced by “evening chic”, it stands to reason that other cruise lines might begin to follow suit to meet the needs of the ever-changing cruiser market. In this week’s post, I aim to play the devil’s advocate and give my Top 6 Reasons You Should Dress up for Your Cruise Formal Night.

Top 6 Reasons You Should Dress up for Your Cruise Formal Night

Pamper yourself.

On one night of your cruise, leave your worries behind and make yourself feel special. Visit the spa during the day for a relaxing massage, get your hair or nails done, and just enjoy the “you” time . After that pampering, you’ll certainly be in the mood to break out that formal dress, jewelry, heels, and make-up when evening rolls around. Even if you don’t visit the spa, spend a little extra time getting ready and really WOW your significant other. After seeing you dressed to the nines, your significant other won’t mind donning his/her formal attire either. Not only will you feel pretty, but the two of you will be ready to make your red carpet debut.

Cruise Formal Night

Make it a Date Night

Now that you are all dressed up, why not make it a date night? Even if you are traveling with children, a cruise formal night is a great time to take advantage of the on-ship babysitting services. Leave the kids in good hands while you enjoy time to yourselves. Whether you decide to sip a few fancy pre-dinner cocktails, make it a dinner and a show kind of night, pretend to be high-rollers in the casino, or let loose on the dance floor in one of the many bars and lounges, a little romance and quality time with your significant other is definitely one of the Reasons You Should Dress up for Your Cruise Formal Night.

drinks at Martini Bar on Celebrity Solstice

An Elegant Dining Experience

Speaking of quality time with your significant other, a fine dining experience makes for a great date and is another one of the Reasons You Should Dress up for Your Cruise Formal Night. Although many cruise lines are becoming more lax on the dress code policies, “formal attire” (or the new “evening chic”) is suggested in the main dining room on formal nights on most cruise lines. So, if you want to indulge in a lobster tail or two, get fancied up and head to the main dining room with your hunny. If you don’t like lobster, you might want to use this opportunity to book a specialty restaurant reservation. Either way, you are sure to enjoy your elegant dining experience.

lobster on Independence of the Seas

Hob Nob with the Captain

After dinner, take the opportunity to schmooze with the Captain and other crew members at the Captain’s Reception. On most major cruise lines, one of the formal nights includes a welcome reception held in the atrium or promenade of the ship where the Captain addresses passengers with a speech and introduces the staff that are in charge of helping make your cruise memorable. This reception often includes complimentary champagne too! You may even be able to meet and greet and take photos with the Captain.

Captain's Reception on Independence of the Seas

Celebrate your Special Occasion

A cruise vacation is a great way to celebrate a special occasion. Celebrating a birthday, an anniversary, a holiday, or even a family reunion is another one of the Reasons You Should Dress up for Your Cruise Formal Night. Get dressed up, splurge on an expensive bottle of wine, and enjoy an evening of fun. On most cruise lines, you can pre-register your special occasion for a little something special during dinner and maybe even a surprise in your stateroom. Whether you are a party of 2 or 20, your cruise formal night celebration is sure to be a lasting memory!

anniversary flowers

Family Photo Opportunities

And what better way to create a lasting memory than with photos! When else does the whole family get the opportunity to get dressed up and spend some time together? Whether it is just you and your spouse, the kids, or the extended family, family photos are another one of the  Reasons You Should Dress up for Your Cruise Formal Night. Cruise lines offer several portrait stations with a variety of backdrops on formal nights. You can pose for as few or as many as you like with no obligation to buy. The options are endless- you can buy one photo or one of many photo packages, you even have the option to buy prints or digital photos. Cruise photos can be an inexpensive and low stakes photo shoot option for your travel party.

Formal photo on Quantum of the Seas

Have I convinced you yet? Even if you don’t like to dress up, you should give formal nights a chance- you never know, you might end up falling head over heels (hopefully not literally!). Formal nights are one of the many features that set cruise vacations apart from all other vacations, and in my opinion, they are a cruise staple. Hopefully, even if cruise lines become more lax in their definition of “formal” nights, cruisers will continue the tradition of dressing up and making these nights special.

Do you get dressed up for formal nights on a cruise? What do you think of the recent changes on Celebrity Cruises? Drop us an anchor below to share your thoughts on formal nights. We would love to know what you like and dislike about them.

Top 6 Reasons You Should Dress up for Formal Night on Your Next Cruise

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1) With airfare related costs going through the roof, it’s really hard for me to justify shelling out tother $50 for another piece of luggage for my formal ware that I will only be wearing for a few hours each cruise.

2) Just because YOU want to “dress up”, why do *I* have to do the same? When you go out on the town dressed up, you don’t/can’t require everyone around you to be dressed the same as well – why do you feel you have the right to force that on the cruise ship with you? Want to feel like you’re dining in a country club? Then sail on the high end cruise lines – not floating Applebee’s like NCL/Carnival. (I noted your Quantum photo and didn’t include RCL since they are a better class then the two I mentioned).

Thanks Bcarney for the comment. Totally understand not wanting to over-pack for a cruise. Formal nights may not be for everybody and I think cruises accommodate all guest on those nights with plenty to do for those who decide not to participate. We loved Quantum of the Seas and can’t wait to get back on that class of ship. Appreciate you reading the post.

Well said! Anyone or everyone (or NOT) can dress up and feel like their on the top of the World, cruising in style. Why not? It’s why you cruise, to enjoy! I don’t get where the formal wear takes up anymore or any less space in the luggage. It’s all about what makes you happy. My family loves the opportunity to dress to the nines and get our photos done. We love to go walking bare foot on the beach too; there’s a time and a place for everything and one of the best for us is Formal Nights. It makes people smile. It’s a Ship! You do things up big on a Ship. If you want to stay casual, stay on the boats by the bay and leave the Ocean to the Big Ships. (no pun intended, just having some fun with it, so please chill-lax and enjoy the trip). It’s all good!

Formal wear takes up a lot more space than any other type of clothing. And for one night! With limits on luggage, no way am I packing something for one night. Just because I don’t want to wear formal wear doesn’t mean I should be shunned from the dining room. I paid for that meal! And it doesn’t mean I should be limited to the beach as you suggest because I don’t want to spend my vacation time dressing up and applying make up and heels.

What specific nights are the formal chic nights on a 7 night cruise? I assume they are at sea evenings? If not want to be sure to clean up after an adventure in port!

We are cruising In May 2023 and look forward to formal nights! Please don’t do away with them! I haven’t cruised since 2002 so very excited! LOVE formal nights! I feel very pretty and special!

Viking Jupiter Docked in Tallinn, Estonia

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Welcome Aboard! We are Don and Heidi, the husband and wife travel team behind EatSleepCruise.com. We took our first cruise vacation together 13 years ago and have been hooked ever since. Follow along as we share our travel tips, cruise reviews, information on ports of call, and the latest cruise news to help you plan the ultimate cruise vacation. Are you ready to embark on your journey to “sea the world, one port at a time”?

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Why Casual Cruises Are On The Rise

cruise formal definition

What do you picture when you think about a cruise?

Glistening chandeliers and ball gowns? Or long lazy days by the pool in your robe? Or maybe you see a little bit of both!

While cruises have traditionally been quite formal, requiring you to carefully pack your finest formalwear and jewelry for anything from glamorous dining rooms to balls, galas and auctions, many cruise lines have eased up on formality requirements.

Why Are Many Cruise Lines Becoming Less Formal?

In the past, cruises were considered to be a luxury vacation where people would prepare for days or even weeks to present themselves as elegantly as possible. But as cruises became more accessible and family-friendly, so did their dress codes.

Many cruise lines are discovering that a large amount of today’s cruisers prefer to be a bit more casual. The focus for cruise passengers seems to be changing from formalwear and elegance to adventure and comfort — and the less bags required the better.

This division in preferences has been made clear on many formal cruises. When formalwear is required, it can cause tension when some people have a different definition of what formal should look like.

Giving cruise passengers the choice of casual or formal environments is an attempt to help ease this tension and allow for everyone to be happy with their experience, regardless of clothing preference.

The Alternatives

This shift in formalities doesn’t mean all dress codes are eliminated and people can start dining in their wet swimsuits. It simply means the options have been expanded.

Many cruises have gone from having a formal attire night to having a less strict version , like “elegant casual,” where women often opt for pantsuits or skirts, and men go for slacks or jeans with collared shirts and no tie.

Other ships go for “resort casual,” where any gender can wear nice jeans or slacks, sundresses, or casual skirts. Again, no ties or other formalities are required.

  View this post on Instagram   Make yourself at home aboard #CrystalCruises, where the style is easy and elegant, the choices are endless and your favorite things are our specialty. A post shared by Crystal Cruises (@crystalcruises) on Jan 23, 2020 at 12:28pm PST

How To Be Prepared

While you should always look into the dress code for your cruise before setting sail, there are a few staple items you can pack in order to help you cover all the bases:

  • Nice jeans with no tears
  • A skirt that can easily be dressed up or down depending on the shirt and accessories you pair it with
  • Casual shoes that can work for the beach or at dinner (faux leather is good for this), or one pair of formal shoes to be safe
  • Small accessories like a nice clutch or watch that can help dress up any outfit

Casual Cruising Options

If you’re on the same boat as many other cruise passengers and you’d like to enjoy your trip without worrying about violating a dress code or being judged for dressing casually, there are plenty of options for you.

If the idea of no formal night whatsoever sounds like your way to relax, opt for a cruise line that has eliminated them completely . These include:

  • Azamara Club Cruises
  • Royal Caribbean
  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Royal Caribbean International (@royalcaribbean) on Dec 26, 2019 at 10:07am PST

If you’d prefer something where you have the option of dressing up now and then, you can book a cruise on a ship that has various attire options . These cruises offer optional formal nights, as well as access to dining rooms that allow for casual wear:

Formal Cruising Options

For some cruisers, the chance to show up in your finery and enjoy a night of elegance is part of the appeal of cruising. Plenty of cruise lines still provide high-class formal nights and a glamorous setting.

Cunard , for example, asks for formalwear in all bars , and hosts two to three gala nights where you can go all out on your attire.

Crystal Cruises offers several options for dining and entertainment, but most lean toward formal attire. In fact, after 6pm, no casual attire is allowed!

On Crystal Cruises, dress code options have evolved from “formal only” to what they call Crystal Casual. Women are asked to wear dresses or blouses with dressy slacks and skirts, and men are asked to wear collared shirts with dress pants and a sport coat. The other option, “black tie optional,” means women wear a cocktail dress or evening gown and men are required to wear a jacket and tie.

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Cunard (@cunardline) on Nov 6, 2019 at 3:34am PST

The fantastic thing about the attire rules shifting for cruises is everyone gets more options! Casual travelers have plenty of trips to choose from where they don’t even need to pack dressy slacks. And fashionistas can flaunt their finest attire on glamorous cruises. People who like a little taste of both worlds can switch as they please.

And while the desire for casual wear or formalwear can differ, there’s one thing that seems to unite us all: a love for wine.

Take a peek at the best wine cruises in the world >

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  • Princess Cruises

My first Princess Cruise - How Formal is Formal Night ?

By downundermatt , August 12, 2021 in Princess Cruises

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downundermatt

After many cruises on Celebrity and Royal looking forward to 54 nights on Diamond Princess next year.

This is part of a much bigger (round the world trip celebrating retirement).

How strict is the formal night dress code, I don't really want to cart around a suit or tux for the longer trip ?

Coming from Celebrity I know they have relaxed the dress to 'Evening Chic'

Just enquiring what would be the minimum required on Princess.

What other dining options are available if I can't go to the Main Dining ?

Gonna miss my Celebrity Perks - anything I can look forward to on Princess ?

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You can get by in a button down shirt with a tie. No need to pack heavy suits or tux. There will be a mix of everything, tux, suits, polo shirts and anything short of shorts!

Torfamm

If you choose not to pack a tuxedo or suit you will not be alone. As I recall there were many men without jackets on formal night on our last cruise. One positive of Princess for a longer cruise is self-service laundry!

Thanks

Evening Chic is fine on formal nights. Its all that is required.  I bring along a sport coat if my wife wants pictures.  

MishelleMcc

MishelleMcc

I love to dress up!  But you may not think so if you see me...  Wearing a dress or skirt & jewlery is "glam" for me and cruising is the only time I get to do it...  That said, Some folks really like to dress up and I admire them!  I love the term 'Evening Chic' because that is what I've observed...  Dress up or not, enjoy your cruise!!!

Thrak

35 minutes ago, cruzsnooze said: You can get by in a button down shirt with a tie. No need to pack heavy suits or tux. There will be a mix of everything, tux, suits, polo shirts and anything short of shorts!

This was a reasonable and non-proselytizing answer. Some will tell you to "dress however you like and screw the guidelines". Others may tell you to adhere to the guidelines. My experience has been what was posted above. It holds true for Alaska, Caribbean, Trans Atlantic, Norway, Barcelona... Some will tell you that "Alaska cruises" or "Caribbean cruises" are more lax.  The truth is that all Princess cruises are the same guidelines. You will see various forms of dress in the dining room. However, as far as I can tell (I only have 14 Princess cruises so not the most experienced by any means) the vast majority of those who mingle on the inner decks after dinner are dressed "smart casual" at the very least. Most are more dressed up than that.

If you mosey on up to the Lido deck you will find folks in any kind of garb you might imagine for a cruise ship. Heck, if I put on a suit for formal night in the dining room I'm not going to keep wearing it up on Lido deck for Movies Under The Stars. No... Freaking... Way!  However, if I'm down in the Atrium area after dinner (where the champagne waterfall and social gathering would be in non-COVID times) I will still be wearing the suit. Mostly. I may have removed the jacket or the tie or both. It really depends. (Actually I'm a "fuddy duddy" and will likely still be wearing both.)

Bottom line is that the generalizations in the post above by @cruzsnooze is correct. Maintain decorum and you will be fine. Show up in shorts and flip flops and and a tank top (wife beater, singlet, whatever) and you will not fit in and "may" be denied seating in the dining room. We did sail on a cruise where a gentleman in shorts was denied seating in the main dining room and it wasn't on a formal night. There are "official" guidelines posted. Some feel free to ignore them. Others adhere.

Over the years this has been one of the most hotly contested subjects on Cruise Critic and I cringe every time someone brings up the subject.

Haha

I've seen everything between pajamas and a speedo on formal night.  We just try to look civilized like maybe going to a church wedding.

satxdiver

For men collared shirt (short/long sleeve) and pants or black jeans.  Ties and coats not required.  Leather shoes or athletic shoes will suffice.  For women about anything will suffice including flip flops on the feet.  

trishh

4 hours ago, downundermatt said: After many cruises on Celebrity and Royal looking forward to 54 nights on Diamond Princess next year. This is part of a much bigger (round the world trip celebrating retirement).   How strict is the formal night dress code, I don't really want to cart around a suit or tux for the longer trip ?   Coming from Celebrity I know they have relaxed the dress to 'Evening Chic' Just enquiring what would be the minimum required on Princess.   What other dining options are available if I can't go to the Main Dining ?   Gonna miss my Celebrity Perks - anything I can look forward to on Princess ?

My husband and I also cruise out of Australia and really don't like to get too dressy any more-just our choice. On formal nights we make that that is the night we go to the speciality restaurants for dinner, enjoy Movies under the stars and just snack on food from the buffet, or just eat pizza and burgers on deck. We all pay a fortune to cruise so we should enjoy it however we choose to. I hope you enjoy your Princess cruise. I've done 25 with them but I'm looking forward to trying Celebrity one day.

K.T.B.

On 8/12/2021 at 12:49 AM, satxdiver said: For men collared shirt (short/long sleeve) and pants or black jeans.  Ties and coats not required.  Leather shoes or athletic shoes will suffice.  For women about anything will suffice including flip flops on the feet.  

That'll be a problem for me if the require a collar, I have dress banded collared shirts that I wear with a jacket.  I have not worn a tie in over 10 years.

On the non-formal nights on Celebrity, I do tend to wear jeans (mainly black or dark blue) and collared shirts.  Though my shirts tend to be of the Hawaiian variety.  Acceptable on Princess?

43 minutes ago, K.T.B. said:   That'll be a problem for me if the require a collar, I have dress banded collared shirts that I wear with a jacket.  I have not worn a tie in over 10 years.   On the non-formal nights on Celebrity, I do tend to wear jeans (mainly black or dark blue) and collared shirts.  Though my shirts tend to be of the Hawaiian variety.  Acceptable on Princess?

I think the "collared" idea is to suggest a button up dress shirt rather than a "collarless" tee shirt.  You should be fine.  On Hawaiian cruises, you see a lot of Hawaiian shirts because that can be formal dress in the islands.  

1 hour ago, K.T.B. said:   That'll be a problem for me if the require a collar, I have dress banded collared shirts that I wear with a jacket.  I have not worn a tie in over 10 years.   On the non-formal nights on Celebrity, I do tend to wear jeans (mainly black or dark blue) and collared shirts.  Though my shirts tend to be of the Hawaiian variety.  Acceptable on Princess?

Just because you wear a collared shirt doesn't mean you have to add a tie, but that would be fine to do. 

Your Celebrity comment... my understanding is Celebrity got rid of formal night a long time ago.  They have Evening Chic.  Whatever you wear for that is fine for Princess.

Do Princess observe the tradition that white tuxedos should only be worn on warm weather cruises? 

1 hour ago, Steelers36 said: 13 minutes ago, wowzz said: Do Princess observe the tradition that white tuxedos should only be worn on warm weather cruises? 

There are very few tux wearing men net alone a white or black one.  So feel free to wear your tux white or black anytime you want. 

1 hour ago, Steelers36 said: Just because you wear a collared shirt doesn't mean you have to add a tie, but that would be fine to do.    Your Celebrity comment... my understanding is Celebrity got rid of formal night a long time ago.  They have Evening Chic.  Whatever you wear for that is fine for Princess.

RCCL, Carnival and from what I have read X changed formal night to a less formal evening attire with each calling it something different.  Princess is the only holdout insisting on calling it formal night that is no longer enforced.  Carnival calls it elegant night and loosely enforces it. 

Esprit

2 hours ago, satxdiver said:   RCCL, Carnival and from what I have read X changed formal night to a less formal evening attire with each calling it something different.  Princess is the only holdout insisting on calling it formal night that is no longer enforced.  Carnival calls it elegant night and loosely enforces it. 

Celebrity have chic nights. On our Silhouette cruise the other week around the UK people dressed up so it was no less formal compared with Princess.

Regardless of what people may claim on CC about percentages wearing Tux's it will never stop me. It's not that difficult surely to dress smartly for a change to compliment your wife/partner's attire!

SargassoPirate

I usually pack one black sport coat for land tours and cruises.  When some decorum is required, I wear black slacks, a black or red T-shirt, and slip on the sport coat.  When I wear the red T-shirt, I slip a red pocket square into the breast pocket of the sport coat.

This has worked on dress up nights on Cunard, Celebrity, Royal Caribbean, Viking, HAL, and Princess so far.  

The sport coat adds about 20 ounces to what I am already packing.

10 hours ago, Kay S said: I think the "collared" idea is to suggest a button up dress shirt rather than a "collarless" tee shirt.  You should be fine.  On Hawaiian cruises, you see a lot of Hawaiian shirts because that can be formal dress in the islands.  
9 hours ago, Steelers36 said: Just because you wear a collared shirt doesn't mean you have to add a tie, but that would be fine to do.    Your Celebrity comment... my understanding is Celebrity got rid of formal night a long time ago.  They have Evening Chic.  Whatever you wear for that is fine for Princess.

Celebrity did, but I still got dressed up.  For Alaska I wore the jacket, for the Caribbean I did not.  For my upcoming cruise, I definitely plan on getting dressed up.  Unlike many, I actually enjoy getting dress up on occasion.

8 hours ago, Esprit said: Celebrity have chic nights. On our Silhouette cruise the other week around the UK people dressed up so it was no less formal compared with Princess. Regardless of what people may claim on CC about percentages wearing Tux's it will never stop me. It's not that difficult surely to dress smartly for a change to compliment your wife/partner's attire!
4 hours ago, K.T.B. said:   Celebrity did, but I still got dressed up.  For Alaska I wore the jacket, for the Caribbean I did not.  For my upcoming cruise, I definitely plan on getting dressed up.  Unlike many, I actually enjoy getting dress up on occasion.

And that's just great that for you guys to get dressed up if you enjoy doing that.  The beauty of the "elegant" or "chic" evenings - and the way Princess does it in practice - is there is a range of flexibility to go from the 9's to something less, and hopefully not the bottom of the barrel, LOL.

I stopped packing a tux many years ago.  For formal nights just wear slacks, long sleeve shirt and sports coat no tie

scottca075

After many cruises on Princess, I'd say you see fewer and fewer tuxedos and suits all the time.

Not sure the term in Australia, but I take a "sport coat" with me, which is an unmatched dress jacket. It is usually Navy Blue and rather than pack it and take up room, I wear it for boarding and hang it up as soon as we get into the room

I wear it on formal nights with a dress shirt (usually Brooks Bros or Ralph Lauren Polo), long pants and no tie. On a 54 day cruise I might pack a tie in case there is some place onshore I want to eat that requires one.

jennybenny

Princess has an official policy on formal nights, but they don't do much in terms of requiring it to be formal, in my opinion. It's as formal as you want to be, as long as it's not bathing suits, jeans, t shirts, etc. 🙂  My husband and children still pack their tuxedos regardless of weather of the cruise. Depending on the itinerary you will find more or less people "formally" dressed. I feel like woman have it easier, a dress or a nice top and pants are usually acceptable. I've even seen fancy sandals  that look like flip flops be allowed on women. As long as you aren't in jeans and a t shirt they don 't usually send you away. I've not seen the coat or tie requirement ever enforced for men, but I've only cruised from a USA port with Princess. You don't need a suit or tux. I have on one occasion seen jeans on formal night in the dining room, but I've heard many people share on this board that jeans have been sent away, and I've also seen some MDR's ask people to change and come back when in jeans and a Tommy Bahama shirt on formal night (maybe twice in my life). I suspect Dockers and that same shirt would have been acceptable on formal night.

If you don't want to dress up, save the luggage space and don't bring the suit or tux, and if you don't want to deal with the possibility of an issue, book specialty dining or go the buffet for dinner where the formal requirement is not enforced. 

My husband wears a nice Cuban guayabera shirt on formal nights with dockers.  No need to wear a tie if you do not want to.  Many cultures do not view a tie as formal wear.  Love those guayabera shirts.  

Does Princess still have a tux rental service?  I haven't see that sign in the shops for a long time.

1 hour ago, scottca075 said: After many cruises on Princess, I'd say you see fewer and fewer tuxedos and suits all the time.   Not sure the term in Australia, but I take a "sport coat" with me, which is an unmatched dress jacket. It is usually Navy Blue and rather than pack it and take up room, I wear it for boarding and hang it up as soon as we get into the room   I wear it on formal nights with a dress shirt (usually Brooks Bros or Ralph Lauren Polo), long pants and no tie. On a 54 day cruise I might pack a tie in case there is some place onshore I want to eat that requires one.

I can't imagine a restaurant I would want to eat in that required a tie.  Here in Oregon we say the only times you can't dress in jeans and t-shirts are weddings and funerals

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Inside the main dining room Silhouette on Celebrity Equinox.

Tom Mascardo / CC BY-SA

Inside the main dining room Silhouette on Celebrity Equinox.

Beginner's guide to dining on a cruise

Anytime dining is on the upswing as diners look for casual experiences.

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On a cruise ship

CruiseClout score: 95.0

In the old days, cruise ship dining was an elegant affair taking place three meals a day plus an option for an afternoon snack served during tea time. No more.

Today, modern ships offer a wide array of dining options, from basic meal service all the way up to luxury specialty dining experiences. And, unlike land vacations, your meals are included in your fare. 

If you're new to cruising, here's a Beginner's   guide to dining options on a cruise , with eight key takeaways.

Sheri from CruiseTipsTV offers some helpful tips about dining on a cruise. 

Where you will eat

Main restaurant:  Nearly all cruise lines have a main dining room available for sit-down service during breakfast, lunch and dinner. Typically, you'll find that the venue offers a range of traditional American and Continental dishes served in a large, banquet-style room where you may have to share a table with other passengers.

Look for local cuisine and an innovative menu of gourmet specialties at AmphorA Restaurant, the main dining room aboard Windstar Cruises' Star Pride.

Satellite restaurants: Many ships offer less formal dining venues that serve casual fare. On board you might find a self-service buffet, pizzeria, poolside grill or even a New York style hot dog cart.

In your room: Most cruise lines offer complimentary room service (although this is not an option on some river cruise ships), though Norwegian and Royal Caribbean charge a small service fee for orders delivered between midnight and 5 am. In our experience, the menu is often limited and the food often so-so. 

Specialty restaurants: A new trend in the cruise industry is the addition of specialty restaurants , also known as alternative restaurants. Specialty restaurants generally provide superior service, better food and sometimes dazzling decor. Examples include Carnival's steakhouses, Holland America's Pinnacle Grill, Princess's Crown Grill and Sabatini's, and Disney's Remy and Palo. Tip : Dine at a specialty restaurant on the first night, when it tends to be less crowded. 

150 Central Park on Oasis of the Seas offers a six-course tasting menu featuring distinctive  ingredients paired with wines from around the world.

$$$: How much it costs to dine

For the vast majority of luxury and premium cruise lines — Crystal Cruises, Oceania , Seabourn , Regent Seven Seas , Windstar — the cost of the main restaurant and s pecialty restaurants is included in your fare. (See All about specialty restaurants  and our roundup of the best cruise ship restaurants .)

For mainstream (mass market) cruise lines like Royal Caribbean and Holland America, dining in the main restaurants on board is included in your fare, while it costs extra to dine in a specialty restaurant (although Royal in particular sometimes adds surcharges to certain items on the menu in the main dining room). 

Also, remember that the mainstream cruise lines charge for bottles of water, soda and specialty coffee drinks that you order outside of the main dining room. 

Assigned seating vs. open seating

A lot of first-time cruisers wonder, Will I be forced to eat with a lot of strangers? In general, no. Here's how it works: 

Traditional assigned seating

Can a dessert be a work of art? The Blu Chocolate Floating Island with Orange Blossom Crème Anglaise at Celebrity's Blu restaurant.

Many larger cruise lines maintain the tradition of two dinner seatings each evening: at 6 pm and 8 or 8:30 pm. When booking, you'll be asked which you prefer. You may want to choose the earlier seating if you plan to go to a lot of shows, and you can request a small or large table or a seat near a window, but there's no guarantee it will be honored. Early seating is often fa­vored by those cruising with kids and some se­niors.

You generally don't get to choose your table mates with assigned seating. Upon embarkation , the first thing many veteran cruisers do is to check out their table assignment; sometimes you can make changes once on board. One upside of assigned seating is that your server gets to know your tastes and preferences when you return on subsequent nights. Cruise lines offering assigned seating in the main dining room for dinner include Carnival, Celebrity, Costa, Crystal, Disney, Holland America, MSC Cruises, Princess and Royal Caribbean.

Open seating

A big trend on cruise ships is the prevalence of Anytime dining or what Norwegian calls Freestyle Cruising . This is the rule, rather than the exception, on nearly all luxury cruise lines and it's becoming the norm on some mainstream cruise lines.

Head to La Cucina, a casual Italian trattoria on your Norwegian Cruise Line ship, for meals with large portions, perfect for sharing with family or friends.

Open seating — an option that lets you eat when you want and with whom you want — has been around for a long time on luxury and smaller ships (including Star Clippers ). Several years ago Norwegian Cruise Line introduced Freestyle Dining to its ships, to positive results. More recently, Royal Caribbean introduced the concept of dynamic dining — no set dining times, no assigned seats, no required formal nights — to mixed results on its Quantum class of ships. Note that with open seating, you sometimes have to wait for a ta­ble or make a reser­va­tion each night. 

Our advice: Go ahead and socialize, at least on some nights! Part of the excitement of cruising is the potential to meet interesting new people — perhaps even people with diverse backgrounds, cultural identities or political beliefs. You can scurry off with your companion to a specialty restaurant or a casual satellite dining spot on one or two nights while mingling with strangers at a table for 6, 8, or 10 people on other nights. 

Cruise lines that offer open seating in the main dining room include Azamara, Carnival, Celebrity, Holland America, Hurtigruten, Norwegian, Oceania, Paul Gauguin, Princess, Regent, Royal Caribbean, SeaDream, Star Clippers, Uniworld, Viking, Windstar and the luxury lines. Note that some cruise lines offer both assigned seating and open seating.

Breakfast and lunch are usually open seating. Note that several of the cruise lines listed above — Carnival, Celebrity, Holland America, Princess and Royal Caribbean — offer both assigned seating and open seating. 

Making reservations

If you opt for open seating, in some cases you'll need to make a reservation to reserve your spot. Check with your travel agent or the cruise line. 

Head to La Terrazza on your Silversea cruise for authentic Italian cuisine prepared with flair and passion.

There's a certain amount of decorum expected on cruise ships during dinner. That means, no swimsuits, tank tops, flip-flops, casual shorts and sleeveless tops. If you're in the mood for casual, head to the smaller informal restaurant near the pool. 

Dress codes on cruise ships vary by cruise line and by evening – many cruises feature one or more formal nights. Some cruise lines enforce the dress code and may offer to bring out a suit jacket for the gentleman. Others apply the dress code only sporadically, though some upscale cruise lines will turn you away from dinner if your attire is not up to snuff .  On most nights, "resort casual" is the rule. (See Cruise outfits: What to wear on each cruise line .)

Diners and waiter at the Princess Grill aboard Queen Elizabeth.

Formal dining 

Formal dining has given way to casual dining on most cruise lines in recent years. Traditionally, cruise lines set aside one evening on a 7-night cruise for a formal night, when people dress in evening wear. On lines such as Princess, Cunard, Crystal, Seabourn and Silversea, you'll see quite a few men don tuxedoes on formal night, while most wear dress slacks and a sport coat. If you wear slacks and a dress shirt you'll be OK. 

Dine al fresco and watch the sun set over shimmering waters during your SeaDream sailing.

Al fresco dining  

If you've ever enjoyed al fresco dining on a cruise ship — having breakfast, lunch or dinner on deck on a sunny day — you know what a glorious treat it is. On cruise lines such as SeaDream , Silversea ,  Viking , Ponant , Seabourn , Azamara and Windstar , you'll likely have a chance to indulge. 

Dining options you'll find on board

The dining options below are available on most of the mainstream cruise lines. So check to see which of these are included on the cruise you're considering: 

Signs aboard Queen Elizabeth let guests know about the dress code and when formal nights take place.

  • Sit-down meals served by wait staff in the main dining room
  • Formal dining, often on one night of the cruise on many ships (but you have the option to skip it)
  • 24-hour dining venue (available on some ships)
  • Room service (note that some ships charge a fee for delivery after midnight)
  • Outdoor dining at night around the pool deck during poolside parties (Azamara and Holland America Line, for example)
  • Dining under the stars (Silversea's Hot Rocks or Tastes on Crystal Cruises, for example)
  • Balcony dining (a hallmark on Princess Cruises especially)
  • Special dining with the chef events (Princess, Seabourn, etc.)
  • Special wine-pairing dinners in "vintage rooms" (Celebrity Cruises, Crystal Cruises, MSC Cruises)
  • Rotational dining, where the room literally moves, as on Disney Cruise Line
  • Alternative dining venues (Norwegian, Royal Caribbean, et al.)
  • Coffee bar (regular coffee and pastries included, specialty coffees at nominal extra charge) 

What's not included 

Here are some items that are typically not included with the cruise fare: alcoholic drinks, soft drinks (on some cruise lines — soda is included in the price on Disney sailings) and dining at specialty restaurants. Special packages are often available for guests to purchase that include alcoholic drinks, soft drinks or specialty restaurants. This will vary by cruise line, so check for your cruise line’s policy or ask your travel agent.

For Bahamian and Caribbean cruises that stop at the cruise line’s private island, such as Disney Cruise Line’s Castaway Cay, dining on the island is also included in the cruise fare.

Jog or speed-walk on a dedicated track during your Explorer of the Seas sailing.

Do everything in moderation

Don't forget: Even though you can order two entrees and three desserts or help yourself to a midnight buffet or wolf down double cheese bacon burgers, resist the temptation (but go ahead and order a couple of decadent desserts). We know friends who put on 5 pounds during a weeklong cruise — because they don't pace themselves and they don't exercise. Stay active on your cruise: Go on long walks on shore. Hit the gym or spa. And show some restraint. 

In our series: Cruise Food & Drink

  • 10 best cruise ship restaurants

All about specialty restaurants

5 favorite cruise ship bars, 5 favorite cruise ship grills, 5 best cruise ship bars for beer lovers, 5 caribbean shore tours for food lovers.

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TheStreet

Carnival Cruise Line makes a controversial dress code decision

People who cruise love to debate dress codes. 

Some folks get outraged at what people wear to the pools as there seems to be a wide definition as to what type of bathing suit counts as appropriate for family-friendly pools.

In other cases, people like to get worked up over what people wear in the various dining rooms. Both Carnival and Royal Caribbean have pretty loose rules and sometimes they don't even enforce the ones they do have.

Related: Virgin makes a cruise move to take down Royal Caribbean and Carnival

The hottest debate topic may be the dress code for dinner in the main dining room and at the various specialty restaurants. Carnival Cruise Line and Royal Caribbean both require that men wear long pants, and closed-toe shoes, and they do not allow hats.

Shorts and sandals are theoretically banned, but on a practical level, neither cruise line enforces the rules which seem to outrage some passengers. That same group of people that get angered by what other people wear also tend to get mad when people don't observe formal nights, a tradition fewer people now abide by as bringing suits and cocktail dresses on a ship is no longer something many passengers consider a vacation.

There are a number of other dress code rules that Carnival and Royal Caribbean have on the books but only sometimes enforce. One of those rules, and Carnival's decision to enforce it, became a bit contentious on Carnival Brand Ambassador John Heald's Facebook page.

Carnival explains a difficult dress code decision

Heald often shares emails he gets from passengers who are angry about something it does not seem worth getting angry about. In this case, he posted an email to his Facebook page about what one passenger considered a dress code violation.

Message: I know you are not responding to people because of your fan cruise but something needs to be done NOW! I am on the Carnival ------- with my 12-year-old son. Look at this photo and tell me why Carnival thinks it is OK to allow this “ lady” to wear this T-shirt?! If you were confronted with an offensive T-shirt like this what would you do if your daughter was with you? I have reported this to guest services front desk. I showed them the photo on my phone. I was told they would inform security. I saw the lady two hours later wearing the same shirt. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE. If nothing is done I will tell her to remove the shirt myself.

Heald shared Carnival's official policy.

"Let me start by saying that we do have the following policy that is clearly stated in the FAQs," he posted.

All guests are expected to ensure their clothing and accessories are respectful to fellow guests. Specifically, items worn during the cruise should not contain any message that may be considered offensive or contain nudity, profanity, sexual innuendos/suggestions. In addition, clothing and accessories should not promote negative ethnic or racial, commentary, hatred, or violence in any form.

"And we are enforcing this, we really are," he wrote. "The reason I am highlighting this post is that it was confirmed by the ship that the lady was asked to please not wear the T-shirt. It did indeed contain a swear word. Her shirt said 'F*** Cancer.'"

Carnival's passengers speak up

Heald clearly shared the exchange to show that not every situation where someone gets offended is the same. His followers agreed as over 1,300 people commented on the post.

Some supported the cruise line following the letter of its laws.

"While I agree with the text on the shirt, we still have to respect and support Carnival’s rules at all times," Robert Patricia Leija wrote.

Many people, however, supported the sentiment of the shirt and thought that the complaining mom was being ridiculous.

"My mother passed away from cancer as well as many relatives from both sides of the family and friends so I understand the meaning behind that lady's t-shirt. The mom missed a teachable moment with her 12-year-old and instead chose to bring a lot of attention to something she wanted to keep out of sight. I am sure her 12-year-old has heard just about every swear word under the sun by now," posted Pam De Marco.

That seemed to be a common sentiment.

"My dad passed away from cancer and they had these shirts at the clinic he went to. Most patients took one and wore it proudly! It's how they felt! It's not the best word and I understand that but that's where mom explains the situation," wrote Kendra Browder Morgan.

A Carnival Cruise Line ship docked in port.

Ellie's Travel Tips

The Ultimate Guide to Princess Cruise Formal Nights!

Posted on Last updated: February 9, 2024

Embarking on a Princess Cruise is a ticket to a world filled with majestic experiences, a realm where elegance meets the endless horizon.

Among the bouquet of cherished memories you’ll collect, the cruise formal nights stand as glittering jewels, reflecting an ambiance laced with sophistication and celebratory spirit.

This guide aims to be your companion, unraveling the tapestry of Princess Cruise formal nights. So grab your free cruise planner and let’s go!

princess cruise formal nights

Princess Cruises Formal Night Dress Code

Sailing through the gentle waves under a starlit sky, the Princess Cruises formal nights invite you to a realm where elegance is the dress code.

Stepping into this grand affair requires a finesse adorned in attire that resonates with the night’s royal essence. This section aims to unfurl the fabric of dress code etiquette, ensuring you glide through the evening with grace and ease.

Overview of Princess Cruise Dress Code

Princess Cruises advocates a dress code that balances sophistication with comfort.

The atmosphere on formal nights is one of refined elegance, where every guest is a jewel in the crown of the night. Here’s a glimpse into the attire guidelines:

  • Men : Traditionally, a suit or tuxedo encapsulates the desired look. A dark suit paired with a crisp dress shirt and a tie or bow tie is a classic choice.
  • Women : Evening gowns, cocktail dresses, or elegant pantsuits echo the night’s elegance. The length of dresses can vary, though a knee-length or longer is often preferred.
  • Children : While there’s a touch of leniency for the younger guests, dressing them in formal or semi-formal attire complements the evening’s atmosphere.

clothes for formal night male

Men’s Dress Code

Dressing for a formal night is an ode to elegance. Here’s a more detailed insight into men’s attire:

  • Suits and Tuxedos : A well-fitted suit or a tuxedo is a timeless choice. While black is a classic, feel free to explore navy or charcoal grey for a touch of uniqueness.
  • Dress Shirts and Ties : A crisp dress shirt, coupled with a tie or bow tie, polishes the look. A light-colored shirt contrasting with a dark suit often creates a sharp ensemble.
  • Footwear : Leather dress shoes or other formal footwear complete the outfit. Remember, comfort is key as you may find yourself dancing the night away!

formal cruise night on Princess

Women’s Dress Code

The night beckons women to flaunt their style with an array of attire choices of dresses for cruise formal night :

  • Evening Gowns : An evening gown is a quintessential choice for a royal soiree. The flow of the fabric, a tasteful neckline, and a flattering silhouette are elements to consider.
  • Cocktail Dresses : For those who prefer a shorter length, cocktail dresses offer a blend of formal with a dash of playful.
  • Elegant Pantsuits : A well-tailored, elegant pantsuit is also a fitting choice, embodying a modern yet refined look.
  • Accessories : Complement your outfit with subtle accessories. A string of pearls, a delicate bracelet, or a pair of chandelier earrings can be the perfect finishing touches.

cruise formal night for kids

Children’s Dress Code

The younger royals are not left behind in this grandiose affair:

  • Boys : A suit or a dress shirt with formal trousers reflects the evening’s formal tone. A tie can be a whimsical addition.
  • Girls : Dresses or formal skirts paired with a nice top can be delightful choices. The attire can range from semi-formal to formal, allowing room for comfort and movement.

Where to Shop

Preparation for the formal night can commence well before you set sail:

  • Online Retailers : Websites like Amazon , Nordstrom , or specialized formal wear outlets are great platforms to explore.
  • Rental Services : Consider rental services like The Black Tux or Rent the Runway for a budget-friendly alternative.
  • Onboard Shops : Once onboard, the cruise shops also offer a selection of formal wear, though it’s advisable to have your attire sorted out beforehand to avoid last-minute rushes.

Dressing for Princess Cruises formal nights is an invitation to partake in a tradition of elegance. As you prepare to honor the dress code, remember, the essence of the night is to celebrate together the splendid journey across the seas.

princess cruise formal nights

Schedule of Princess Formal Nights

Amidst the tranquil days and gentle evenings of your journey, the Princess Cruise Formal Nights shimmer on the horizon as events steeped in elegance.

Knowing when these special nights occur aids in shaping your cruise experience to its fullest. Let’s delve into how these nights are scheduled and how you can uncover the details specific to your voyage.

Typical Schedule

The formal nights are thoughtfully interspersed through your cruise itinerary. Though the schedule may vary based on the length and nature of your voyage, here’s a general outline:

  • Short Cruises (1-4 days) : Typically, one formal night is scheduled.
  • Medium Cruises (5-9 days) : Usually, two formal nights are featured.
  • Long Cruises (10+ days) : Expect at least two, and possibly more formal nights, spaced out throughout the voyage.

princess cruise formal nights

How to Find the Schedule

Being privy to the schedule beforehand allows for impeccable planning. Here’s how you can ascertain the formal night schedule for your cruise:

  • Cruise Personalizer : By logging into the Cruise Personalizer on the Princess Cruises website, you can access a detailed itinerary, which includes the schedule for formal nights.
  • Daily Patter : Once onboard, the ‘Daily Patter’, a newsletter delivered to your stateroom, will have the schedule for each day’s events, including the formal nights.
  • Guest Services : You can also inquire at the guest services desk onboard for the formal night schedule.

Special Themed Formal Nights

Sometimes, Princess Cruises infuses a thematic essence into the formal nights. Here’s a peek into these special editions:

  • Themes : Themes such as ‘Black and White Ball’ or ‘Captain’s Gala’ bring a vibrant layer to the formal evenings.
  • Attire : While the base dress code remains elegant, the theme may invite additional color schemes or accessories.
  • Activities : Themed nights may feature special activities, dance routines, or contests that echo the theme’s spirit.

These themed formal nights are a mélange of creativity and elegance, where tradition waltzes with whimsical fun.

cruise formal night attire

Preparing for Princess Formal Nights

The allure of Princess Cruise Formal Nights blossoms with a touch of preparation. As the stars align to light up your evenings at sea, a few orchestrated steps can escort you into the heart of these majestic nights with ease and elegance.

Let’s set sail through the pre-cruise and onboard preparations that frame your formal nights in a glow of seamless enjoyment.

Pre-Cruise Preparations

A stitch in time, as they say, here’s how you can weave your preparations into the fabric of an unforgettable formal night:

  • Explore sales or rentals for formal attire well ahead of your cruise.
  • Pack a blend of options to suit your mood and the potential themes.
  • Include comfortable formal shoes, as the night holds promises of dance and delightful wanderings.
  • Pre-book hair and makeup appointments if you prefer a professional touch.
  • Alternatively, consider packing your favorite beauty products to style yourself.
  • Browse through forums, blogs, and Princess Cruises’ official guidelines to gather insights on what to expect.
  • Engage with past cruisers to glean tips and recommendations.

princess cruise formal nights

Onboard Preparations

As the cruise sails towards the horizon of formal nights, here’s how you can prepare on board:

  • The ship’s salon offers hair, makeup, and nail services. It’s advisable to book your appointments early to secure your preferred time slot.
  • Check the spa/salon’s opening hours and services offered to plan your day.
  • Ensure your formal wear is pressed and ready. The onboard laundry services include pressing services to have your attire looking pristine.
  • Assemble your accessories, shoes, and any other items you’ll need.
  • Formal nights are photo-worthy moments. Booking a session with the onboard professional photographers ensures you have timeless mementos of the evening.

Your preparation, both pre-cruise and onboard, lays down a red carpet, leading you into the glamour and cheer of Princess Formal Nights. It’s a voyage through a starlit evening, where every detail you’ve orchestrated plays a note in the melody of unforgettable memories.

princess cruise formal nights

The Formal Night Experience

The aura of elegance, a gentle breeze, the subtle murmur of waves kissing the hull – the scene is set for a night of majestic experiences.

As the sun casts a golden farewell to the day, the allure of the formal night unfolds, sweeping you into a realm of high-class dining, soulful music, and congenial company.

Let’s voyage through the facets that craft the essence of Princess Cruise Formal Nights.

The Dinner Affair

A culinary voyage lies at the heart of the formal night:

  • Your table awaits at the ship’s sophisticated dining rooms. Reserved seating ensures a place amidst the evening’s elegance.
  • A menu curated for the formal night promises a gourmet journey through appetizers, entrées, and desserts.
  • For a touch of flexibility, Anytime Dining allows you to dine at your leisure between the designated hours.
  • Advance reservations at the specialty restaurants usher you into a realm of culinary artistry.

Formal Night on Princess Cruises

Dancing and Entertainment

As dinner fades into a memory, the night blooms with music and laughter:

  • The gentle strains of a live orchestra invite you to the dance floor. Whether a seasoned dancer or stepping to the tune for the first time, the ballroom beckons.
  • A schedule of live entertainment ranging from musical shows to magic acts enlivens the night.
  • Engage in theme-specific contests or activities, amplifying the joy of the night.

Socializing and Networking

Amidst the sparkle, connections blossom:

  • Formal nights often host Captain’s welcome parties or other meet-and-greet events, opening doors to mingle with fellow cruisers and the ship’s crew.
  • The professional photographers capture moments as you socialize, leaving you with memories framed in elegance.
  • Retire to the sophisticated lounges or bars to continue the conversations over fine wines or crafted cocktails.

The Night’s Closure

As the night matures, the gentle return to your stateroom:

  • A stroll on the deck under a starlit sky is a serene closure to the formal night.
  • Your stateroom awaits to cocoon you in comfort as you reminisce about the night’s splendors, perhaps with a nightcap delivered via room service.

The orchestrated blend of gourmet dining, engaging entertainment, and congenial company shape the tapestry of Princess Formal Nights.

As the soft strains of music fade into the ocean’s lullaby, the memory of a majestic night at sea finds a harbor in your heart.

dresses for cruise formal night-6

Common Mishaps and How to Avoid Them

A voyage into the regal realms of Princess Formal Nights is often smooth sailing. However, unforeseen ripples could attempt to cloud the elegance of your evening.

Awareness and a dash of preparation are your compass and anchor through these minor mishaps. Let’s navigate through common misadventures and how to steer clear of them.

Dress Code Missteps

A misinterpretation of the dress code can lead to discomfort. Here’s how to avoid such a situation:

  • Thoroughly read through the dress code guidelines provided by Princess Cruises.
  • Seek insights from seasoned cruisers on forums or social media groups.
  • Confirm the dress code with guest services once onboard.
  • If in doubt, opt for a slightly more formal attire to blend well with the evening’s tone.

Overbooking

A Princess cruise formal night can turn hectic if overbooked with reservations and activities. Balance is key:

  • Choose the experiences that matter most to you – be it a special dinner, a show, or dancing.
  • Avoid back-to-back reservations to ensure you have enough time to relish each experience.

Princess formal night-2

Missed Reservations

Missing a dining or spa reservation can be disappointing:

  • Ensure you check the timings and arrive a bit earlier to avoid any mishaps.
  • Use your smartphone or the stateroom’s alarm clock to set reminders for your reservations.

Photographic Faux Pas

An unflattering or missed photo op can be a small regret:

  • Have a brief consultation with the onboard photographers about your preferred poses or settings.
  • Schedule your photo sessions at a comfortable time, ensuring you are not rushed.

Dietary Restrictions

A smooth dining experience hinges on addressing dietary needs:

  • Notify Princess Cruises of any dietary restrictions or allergies before embarking.
  • Confirm with the dining staff to ensure your dietary needs are well-addressed.

The voyage through possible mishaps prepares you to circumvent minor bumps, ensuring your evening sails smoothly into the horizon of memorable experiences.

As our guide sails towards the conclusion, the upcoming section encapsulates the quintessence of Princess Formal Nights, rounding off your preparation for an elegant and enjoyable experience under the starlit canopy of the open sea.

With this conclusion, we wrap up the folds of preparation and insight, opening the gateway to the awaiting elegance of Princess Cruise Formal Nights.

This guide aims to be your companion in ensuring that the experience resonates with splendor, joy, and smooth sailing, shaping your cruise into a narrative of unforgettable evenings under the starlit canopy of the vast, tranquil sea.

FAQs on Princess Cruise Formal Nights

In the crescendo towards the elegant evenings of Princess Cruise Formal Nights, several queries may dance across your mind.

This section is tailored to waltz through some of the commonly asked questions, providing a soft landing into the realm of clarity as you prepare for your voyage into elegance.

1. What Exactly Constitutes Formal Attire?

  • Formal attire typically refers to suits with ties, or tuxedos for men, and evening dresses or elegant pantsuits for women. It’s the attire you would wear to a very upscale event or a high-end restaurant.

2. How Strict is the Dress Code?

  • While Princess Cruises encourages adherence to the dress code to maintain the elegant ambiance, a modest degree of flexibility is often observed. It’s always a good idea to check with guest services for the specific expectations on your cruise.

3. Can I Rent Formal Wear Onboard?

  • Yes, Princess Cruises often offers formal wear rental services onboard. It’s advisable to inquire about this service and make your selections early on in the cruise.

4. Are Children Expected to Adhere to the Formal Dress Code?

  • While children are welcome to dress formally, the dress code is often more relaxed for young cruisers. Nice, clean, smart casual attire is generally accepted.

5. What if I Prefer Not to Participate in Formal Nights?

  • If formal nights aren’t your cup of tea, there are alternative dining venues like the buffet or casual eateries where the dress code is relaxed.

6. Are There Professional Photographers Available?

  • Absolutely! Professional photographers are available to capture your elegant moments. It’s a wonderful opportunity for a portrait against the ship’s stunning backdrops.

7. Can I Book a Specialty Restaurant for Formal Night?

  • Yes, you can! It’s advisable to make your reservations well in advance as specialty restaurants are quite popular, especially on formal nights.

8. Is There Any Extra Cost Associated with Formal Nights?

  • The cost of the formal nights is usually included in your cruise fare. However, certain extras like professional photos, specialty dining, or spa and beauty services would incur additional charges.

9. What Kind of Entertainment Can I Expect?

  • Expect a bouquet of entertainment from live orchestral music, ballroom dancing, live shows, to themed activities that resonate with the elegance of the evening.

10. How Can I Find Out About the Theme of Formal Nights?

  • Information about themed formal nights can often be found in the daily planner delivered to your stateroom, or by checking with guest services.

11. Are Special Diets Catered For During Formal Nights?

  • Absolutely! Princess Cruises takes pride in accommodating a variety of dietary requirements. It’s advisable to notify the cruise line of any special dietary needs before embarking, and confirm with the dining staff once onboard.

12. Will There Be Dance Lessons Available Prior to Formal Nights?

  • Often, there are dance lessons available on board in the days leading up to formal nights. It’s a fun way to prepare for the ballroom dancing in the evening.

13. Can I Choose My Dining Companions on Formal Nights?

  • While seating arrangements vary, you can certainly request to be seated with particular guests. It’s advisable to speak with the maitre d’ early on to make any special seating arrangements.

14. Is There a Formal Night Every Night?

  • No, formal nights are special evenings that occur once or twice during a cruise, depending on the length of the voyage.

15. What is the Typical Schedule for Formal Nights?

  • The schedule for formal nights can vary, but it often includes a formal dinner, followed by dancing, live shows, and other themed activities. Check the daily planner delivered to your stateroom for the schedule on your cruise.

16. Are There Any Age Restrictions on Formal Nights?

  • Formal nights are a celebration for all ages. However, certain venues or events during the evening may have age restrictions, so it’s always a good idea to check in advance.

17. What Kind of Music Can I Expect?

  • The music on formal nights often includes a blend of classic ballroom tunes, contemporary hits, and live orchestral performances, catering to a variety of musical tastes.

18. Is There an Opportunity to Meet the Captain During Formal Nights?

  • Indeed, formal nights often include a Captain’s welcome party where you have the opportunity to meet the captain and some other senior officers.

19. Do I Need to Make Reservations for Dinner on Formal Nights?

  • It’s a good practice to make dinner reservations especially if you prefer to dine at a specific time or at a specialty restaurant.

20. Where Can I Find More Information About Princess Formal Nights Once Onboard?

  • More information can be found in the daily planner, through the interactive TV system in your stateroom, or by checking with guest services.

IMAGES

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COMMENTS

  1. Cruise Formal Night Explained: 10 Things to Know (What to Wear and More…)

    If you'd wear it to the pool or the beach, you don't want to wear it to formal night. Ok to Wear for Formal Night (Women): Gowns, dresses, skirts, blouses with pants. Ok to Wear for Formal Night (Men): Tuxedoes, suits, button-down shirts, slacks, nice jeans. Avoid Wearing (Men and Women): Shorts, tank tops, t-shirts, flip-flops.

  2. What Should I Wear on a Cruise? A Guide to Cruise Line Dress Codes

    Cruise casual is the dress code on Norwegian. That includes khakis, jeans, shorts and casual shirts for men and summer and casual dresses, skirts, regular or capri pants, shorts, jeans and tops ...

  3. Cracking The Cruise Dress Code: Casual Formal Explained

    Casual/Smart Casual. Cruise ships tend to have more casual nights in the dining room, but according to the cruise dress code this doesn't mean sloppy. Choose pretty sundresses, flowy skirts, or lightweight pants for these evenings. Sophisticated sandals are appropriate, if you'd prefer, in lieu of heels.

  4. To Dress Up or Not: Guide to What to Wear on Cruise Formal Night

    Carnival: "If you want to attend 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.".

  5. What to Wear on a Cruise Formal Night (and frequently asked questions

    On most cruise lines, a tuxedo or suit for men, and an evening gown or cocktail dress for ladies is appropriate formal wear for a cruise. In practice, there will be a wide variety of "formal wear" seen on a cruise. Simply put, some people dress up more, and some less. Men can feel comfortable wearing a suit or dress pants and a dress shirt.

  6. What to Wear on a Cruise Formal Night: Cruise Line Dress Code

    The cruise formal night might also be called Captain's Night, often with photo opportunities with the captain and a speech. Formal nights are unique to the cruise industry, which may be a change for traditional resort vacationers. The tradition is reminiscent of the golden age of transatlantic cruises when guests were required to dress ...

  7. What To Wear on a Cruise Vacation (day, evening & formal night)

    This does depend on the cruise line. Tuxedos and dark suits are always appropriate. However, in most cases men can feel comfortable wearing a suit or dress pants and a dress shirt. For ladies, an evening gown, cocktail dress, pant suit or "little black dress" are great choices.

  8. Cruise Rules: A Guide to Etiquette, Dress Codes, Tipping, and More

    Norwegian Cruise charges more: $13.99/day per person, and $16.99/day per person for passengers in suites. These funds are pooled and distributed to staff. Waiters are not the only people who may ...

  9. Formal or Casual: Which Is The Future of Cruise Dress Codes?

    Attitudes toward cruise ship dress codes are both changing and remaining the same all at once, it would seem. The extremes of formal and casual wear are in question while most lines lean away from formality save for the likes of Cunard Line.

  10. What to Wear on Formal Night on a Cruise

    Formal night on a cruise ship is the evening when passengers don dressy clothing for dinner, photos, and special activities. The main dining rooms usually will serve an elevated menu, with fancier options like filet mignon, prime rib, or lobster tail. Some cruise lines have the Captain's welcome party the evening of the first formal night ...

  11. Is Cruising's Formal Dress Code a Thing of the Past?

    Crystal's current dress code is indicative of many cruise lines' policies. While "daytime casual" (jeans, shorts, T-shirts and the like) is acceptable until 6 p.m., "evening resort casual" kicks in thereafter, requiring pants (sometimes jeans are still acceptable), blouses, collared shirts and polos and so on. So-called formal ...

  12. The Ultimate Guide to Cruise Formal Night Attire!

    Suits and Dress Shirts. Suits: A well-fitting suit or blazer with dress pants can be a great choice for a formal night, paired with a comfortable dress shirt. Dress Shirts: A nice dress shirt paired with dress slacks can also meet the formal night dress code while keeping your young gent comfortable. Accessories.

  13. What to Wear on a Cruise: Daytime, Formal Nights & More

    When indoors, guests must wear shirts, cover-ups and footwear. Evening: On most nights, smart casual clothing is acceptable. However, in table service restaurants, shorts, bathing suits ...

  14. What to Wear on a Cruise: The Ultimate Guide

    On Celebrity Cruises, we want you to feel as comfortable as possible while onboard. During the day, we encourage you to wear casual attire such as t-shirts, tank tops, shorts, sundresses, and skirts. If you're spending the day at the pool, you can also have lunch or dine in casual pool clothes at the Mast Grill located next to the pool deck.

  15. The Ultimate Guide To Cruise Ship Formal Nights

    Make your next formal night a memorable one! Discover everything you need to know about cruise ship formal nights. From attire to dining options, this guide has got you covered.

  16. Royal Caribbean formal night: What to wear

    The most "casual" yet acceptable outfit for men on formal night is a polo shirt and slacks. A dress shirt and slacks is the most common option. Suit jackets and ties are not required, although many guests will choose to wear them. Guests looking to dress up even more can wear a tuxedo, but again, this is relatively uncommon.

  17. Cruise Formal Night

    An Elegant Dining Experience. Speaking of quality time with your significant other, a fine dining experience makes for a great date and is another one of the Reasons You Should Dress up for Your Cruise Formal Night. Although many cruise lines are becoming more lax on the dress code policies, "formal attire" (or the new "evening chic") is suggested in the main dining room on formal ...

  18. definition of formal wear for women

    Sure it is fine for cruise ships but cruise ships certainly do not define formal these days. Years ago formal was long gown and informal was the tux in the evening and during the day a morning coat and striped pants for the men and always a dress for the ladies.

  19. Why Cruises Are Becoming More Casual

    The focus for cruise passengers seems to be changing from formalwear and elegance to adventure and comfort — and the less bags required the better. This division in preferences has been made clear on many formal cruises. When formalwear is required, it can cause tension when some people have a different definition of what formal should look like.

  20. My first Princess Cruise

    On formal nights we make that that is the night we go to the speciality restaurants for dinner, enjoy Movies under the stars and just snack on food from the buffet, or just eat pizza and burgers on deck. We all pay a fortune to cruise so we should enjoy it however we choose to. I hope you enjoy your Princess cruise.

  21. Beginner's guide to dining on a cruise

    Satellite restaurants: Many ships offer less formal dining venues that serve casual fare.On board you might find a self-service buffet, pizzeria, poolside grill or even a New York style hot dog cart. In your room: Most cruise lines offer complimentary room service (although this is not an option on some river cruise ships), though Norwegian and Royal Caribbean charge a small service fee for ...

  22. Carnival Cruise Line makes a controversial dress code decision

    Related: Virgin makes a cruise move to take down Royal Caribbean and Carnival. The hottest debate topic may be the dress code for dinner in the main dining room and at the various specialty ...

  23. Princess Cruise Dress Code: Your Complete Guide!

    The Definition of Smart Casual on Princess Cruises. To demystify, 'smart casual' is all about striking the right chord between sophistication and comfort. It's the attire you'd choose for a dinner at a chic restaurant in town or a cocktail party with close friends. ... Significance of Formal Nights on Princess Cruises. Princess cruise ...

  24. The Ultimate Guide to Princess Cruise Formal Nights!

    The formal nights are thoughtfully interspersed through your cruise itinerary. Though the schedule may vary based on the length and nature of your voyage, here's a general outline: Short Cruises (1-4 days): Typically, one formal night is scheduled. Medium Cruises (5-9 days): Usually, two formal nights are featured.

  25. I've been smeared for trying to speak out about Islamist extremists

    Keir Starmer's silence on this threat is an abdication of leadership. If he were to legislate for Labour's definition of Islamophobia as part of his proposed new race equality act, it would be ...