What to wear on a cruise that works for all dress codes

Table Of Content

• What do you wear on cruises during the day?
• What Can I Wear to Formal Night? Do I Have to Wear a Tux or an Evening Gown?
• How Many Formal Nights Are There During the Cruise?
• More from The Times and The Sunday Times
• Carnival Cruise Dress Code for dinner, formal night, breakfast, for kids
• DON’T BRING uncomfortable shoes

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. Disney Cruise​ – Disney really understands what parents and small children need on vacation, from entertainment and dining to childcare. If you’re headed on a Disney Cruise, check out this packing list for all our tips. While many cruise lines offer complimentary shampoo and conditioner in stateroom bathrooms, they aren’t likely to be the products you use at home. I always bring my own shampoo, conditioner and of course, my hair care products. While you’re cruising to a Caribbean island, you might not think you will get chilly, but it can get downright cold on the open water at night.

What do you wear on cruises during the day?

Some cruise lines still embrace formal evenings, simply because their passengers love the razzmatazz. So don’t worry, there’s a cruise line for every taste, whether you want to dress to the nines or keep it casual. 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.

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

Cruise formal wear still embraces the relaxed energy of sailing, so outfits like a lightweight sport coat, chinos, a colorful dress or a jumpsuit will fit right in. You'll also want to include some smart casual looks, which means something that's a step up from sneakers and sweatpants for your other evening meals. Yes, there's one on every sailing of six nights or fewer and two on voyages of a week or more, but they have a different name. "Evening chic" nights encourage passengers to go all out with tuxes and evening gowns. However, most men choose slacks with collared or button-down shirts and jackets, sans ties.

How Many Formal Nights Are There During the Cruise?

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. 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. Now that you’re familiar with the various dress codes and dining etiquette, it’s time to pack your suitcase accordingly. Mix-and-match outfits are a great way to maximize your outfit options without overpacking.

There’s still the option to go full black tie and a few diehards do, but it’s not necessary. In the evening, the casual dress code still applies, but with a slightly more refined touch. You can opt for a dress or a skirt paired with a blouse for women, and slacks or khakis with a collared shirt for men. This relaxed yet polished look is perfect for enjoying the ship’s various casual dining options, such as buffet-style restaurants or casual eateries. So go ahead and dine in style while maintaining the casual and friendly vibe of the cruise experience. Casual dining aboard a cruise ship is all about comfort and relaxation.

Carnival Cruise Dress Code for dinner, formal night, breakfast, for kids

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. Additionally, don’t forget to pack dressy accessories to elevate your outfits and add that extra touch of elegance. Accessories like statement necklaces, bow ties, or a stylish belt can instantly transform a simple outfit into a sophisticated ensemble.

Shorts and T-shirts are popular for men and women, providing a relaxed and breezy look. Sundresses are also an excellent option for women, offering a stylish yet comfortable outfit. To keep cool under the sun, opt for lightweight and breathable fabrics. As on other lines, you may find that the official dress code may be lightly enforced on some ships, often in relation to destination and even size of the ship. The larger the ship, the more casual options there are throughout the evening.

DON’T BRING uncomfortable shoes

Biggest Packing Regret on My First Cruise: Formal Dress - Business Insider

Biggest Packing Regret on My First Cruise: Formal Dress.

Posted: Tue, 18 Jul 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]

Perhaps the biggest question around formal night on a cruise is what to wear. No, you don’t have to go out and get a tuxedo or a formal evening gown unless you want to. If you don’t want to dress up for the evening, then you certainly don’t have to do so. If you decide that shorts and a t-shirt are as formal as you want to get, you won’t be alone. The Carnival dress code - what to wear on Carnival cruise, "dress code for dinner" review.

Casual

They will usually mention it when it is formal night, so keep an ear out for announcements. 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. These items are essential as well for glacier excursions like Dog Sledding on Mendenhall Glacier via Helicopter. If you’re cruising to a destination with a cold climate, such as Alaska or parts of Europe, it’s important to pack clothing that will keep you warm on the ship as well as on shore. Even if you’re cruising to Alaska in the middle of summer, expect temperatures to range from the mid-50s to mid-60s (degrees Fahrenheit) during the day.

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. 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. 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.

On those nights, the main dining room requires men to wear suits or jackets and ties, and cocktail dresses for women. In the evenings, T-shirts and shorts are not permitted in the ships' public areas. Jeans are allowed on casual resort wear nights, as long as they aren't torn or ripped.

Cruise lines are steering away from formal dress codes. Not everyone is thrilled. - The Washington Post

Cruise lines are steering away from formal dress codes. Not everyone is thrilled..

Posted: Tue, 17 Dec 2019 08:00:00 GMT [source]

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 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. I recommend bringing at least one bottle of sunscreen/sunblock per person in your party.

These shoes will take you back and forth from your stateroom to the pool and vice versa. Lightweight water shoes are great for some ports in the Mediterranean, where beaches tend to be pebbly. 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. No matter where you’re going, get ready to pack your bags, hop on board, and set sail.

This dress code allows you to enjoy a refined dining experience while keeping a relaxed and comfortable atmosphere. Perhaps when you learned there would be formal nights onboard, you had nightmarish flashbacks to ill-fitting prom tuxes and figure skater-style sequin dresses. Similarly for men, consider packing dress pants with a long sleeve collared shirt for the Formal Nights on your Alaska cruise.

For women, pantsuits and dressy pants outfits are a great choice, as are party dresses or even ball gowns. The best outfits for a cruise are the ones you can wear all day long. If you have a list of adventure activities planned for your shore excursions, or if you'll be braving the ship's RipCord® by iFly® skydive simulator and Zip Line, pack accordingly.

Knowing what to pack for your upcoming cruise can be stressful, especially if you’re a first-time cruiser with Royal Caribbean. From beach days to formal night, there’s a lot to consider when you're packing for your cruise vacation. The key to perfecting your cruise wardrobe is anticipating your needs for the day ahead.