Table Of Content
The dress code on a cruise ship can vary depending on the cruise line and specific sailing. While some cruise lines have formal nights where dressing up is recommended, others have more relaxed dress codes. You must check the dress code guidelines provided by your cruise line and plan your attire accordingly. 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. On informal nights, jackets (ties optional) for men are recommended, while women can opt for dresses or pantsuits.
Should I pack a formal gown for a cruise?
What Paul Gauguin Cruises calls elegant resort wear is essentially a country club casual dress code and is requested for most evenings. Men should wear slacks and collared shirts, while women should don dresses, skirts or slacks with blouses or sweaters. Come evenings, the Cunard dress code is smart attire on Queen Mary 2, Queen Elizabeth, and Queen Victoria. Semiformal smart attire includes slacks, shirts with ties or open collars, crewneck sweaters and jackets or blazers for men, and dresses, skirts and blouses or pantsuits for women. When it comes to packing dinner attire for your cruise, don't panic. You can normally count on two formal nights on a seven-night cruise, with the remaining evenings more relaxed.
How many outfits to pack per day on a cruise?
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. Most Alaska sailings will be 7-nights long, so you can expect to have two Formal Nights during your Royal Caribbean cruise. Keeping with our theme of packing for cool weather, we’ve selected a few outfits that would be perfect for Formal Night on your cruise.
Sundresses
For a Hawaiian luau theme, men can wear colorful Hawaiian shirts paired with khaki shorts or linen pants. Women can opt for a flowy tropical dress or a grass skirt with a floral top. If you’re going hiking, biking or ATV riding, especially in a rainforest or glacial region, don’t forget a rain jacket with a hood and comfortable, waterproof hiking boots or shoes.
What to wear on a cruise that works for all dress codes
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. For evenings, the recommended onboard dress is elegant casual for most ship venues.
Formal Cunard Dress Code Still a Great Fit on Cruises - Cruise Critic
Formal Cunard Dress Code Still a Great Fit on Cruises.
Posted: Sun, 12 Jun 2022 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Thankfully for us ladies, I can usually wear the same dress to dinner without a problem. For embarkation day I would plan on wearing a casual outfit with lighter materials with layers- or even your airplane outfit. Something lightweight, yet appropriate to wear wandering around the ship. You’ll need to consider what you’ll wear on the ship during the day, what you’ll wear on port days, and evening attire- which I’ll cover in this post.
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. 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.
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. The answer is that it is far more likely to be enforced in specialty restaurants than in other venues. You may also find that the shorter the cruise, the less formal even formal night becomes onboard.
Get The Ultimate Cruise Planner
At night, you'll be fine with nice jeans and a collared shirt or a sundress, although you might want to dress up a bit more to match the ship's ambiance. Great flavor isn’t the only thing that has we earned a reputation as one of the best cruise lines for delicious food. It’s also the incredible diversity of dining options you’ll find on every ship. You can even treat yourself to breakfast in bed or a date night dinner in with delicious dishes delivered straight to your stateroom by our staff via room service. Daytime dress can be a bit more elevated on Europe cruises, as well as ships with older or wealthier clientele. This more refined style can best be described as resort casual, where you'll find mostly polos and collared shirts during the day.
From breakfast on the balcony to exploring exotic destinations, choosing the right day wear is essential. This section will guide you through the essentials for comfort and style, ensuring your cruise wardrobe is on point from dawn to dusk. Selecting the right cruise ship clothes transforms your daytime experiences into comfortable, memorable adventures. Whether lounging poolside or exploring exotic locales, understanding what to wear on a cruise during the day is essential to enjoy every moment. Flip-flops, sandals, or waterproof slides are a must for pool days and beach excursions.
The minimum requirement for kids is nice slacks and a collared shirt. Teens should opt for dress shoes, but younger boys can get away with sneakers. Across all cruise lines, table service dinners will always feel more elevated, often the only time of day when a dress code is clearly communicated. That said, casual evenings have become more casual, especially on the big-ship lines – which can be a relief to men who don't want to schlep their workweek suits on vacation with them. 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.
Most of the time, men can wear a variety of button-down shirts for Smart Casual nights on European cruises with Royal Caribbean, especially breezy shirts made of linen for warmer sailings. Linen pants are great to pack for warmer months because it's very breathable. For women, mid-length dresses are perfect for Smart Casual evenings onboard, along with summery skirts or capris.
They also feature a commendable 10,000mm waterproof rating, great for coverage if you get stuck exploring in the rain. If you're sailing on a tropical itinerary, you're going to want to make sure you pack at least one Hawaiian floral shirt. The Columbia Men's Tamiami Short-sleeve Shirt is a top choice, with SPF 40 sun protection and nice ventilation. If you would like to dress these outfits a bit more but keep them casual, you can add a blazer. For shoes, these outfits can be paired with leather dress shoes or even sneakers. Packing for a cruise can be a bit overwhelming, especially when you do not know about the cruise line’s dress code.
Take your time and put some thought into packing for a Carnival Cruise and you’ll be ready to dress perfectly for every cruise occasion. Remember, while dressing up is part of the fun, comfort shouldn’t take a backseat. Opt for themed cruise attire that allows you to enjoy the party from dusk till dawn. This practical accessory ensures you won’t miss any planned activities or dining reservations. Many cruisers might use a phone, which can be tricky when traveling. So a standard watch can help you stay on “ships time” throughout your cruise easier.
If the dinner cruise has a casual dress code, you have more flexibility in your outfit choices. However, it’s still important to dress neatly and avoid wearing anything too casual or sloppy. For men, a pair of khaki pants or dress slacks paired with a button-down shirt is a great option. You can also add a blazer or a sports coat for a more polished look.
