When it comes to cruise wear, the formality and dress code rules vary per cruise line. Below we have covered the basic dress codes and requirements of the most popular cruise lines when it comes to cruise fashion but for more information, please see our blog on cruise clothing or head to your cruise line’s website.
Ambassador Dress Code
Ambassador offer a very relaxed and casual feel to their cruises, suggesting that guests dress for comfort during the day. And unless specified the evening dress code is also very casual. Some evenings are classed as smart wear. If this is the case it is acceptable for men to wear a dinner jacket with or without a tie, and for the ladies a cocktail dress or trouser suit.
Ambassador do offer formal and gala evenings, where guests are invited to dress in formal wear, such as a dinner jacket, or suits for the gentleman and evening or cocktail dresses for the ladies. On these occasions, t-shirts, jeans, and open-neck shirts are not permitted.
The cruise line will offer 2 formal/gala evenings every 7-12 nights.
Menswear | Womenswear | |
Daytime wear | Smart or casual wear | Smart or casual wear |
Special occasion evenings | Dinner jack or suit | Evening/cocktail dress |
Costa Cruises Dress Code
Costa’s on-board feel and dress code are fairly casual with most evenings incorporating an informal ‘resort wear’. Although not official, a smart jacket or shawl is recommended.
On Costa cruises in the Caribbean, there are two formal ‘gala nights’ and either one or two in Europe depending on the cruise length. For Gala nights, it’s recommended that men wear suits and women's cocktail dresses.
For those wanting to totally relax while they eat, there is also an evening buffet option.
Menswear |
Womenswear |
|
Gala Nights |
Smart suits with tie optional |
Cocktail dresses |
Resort Wear |
Smart jacket, chinos, and buttoned shirt |
Smart dress or blouse with a shawl |
Celebrity Cruises Dress Code
You’ll need to pack two types of evening attire for a Celebrity cruise. A majority of nights are smart casual but they also have “Evening Chic” nights. For sailings less than seven nights only one night is Evening Chic while up to eleven-night cruises have two, and over twelve nights three.
Menswear |
Womenswear |
|
Smart Casual |
Short-sleeve shirt with jeans or chinos |
Skirt or jeans with top |
Evening Chic |
Smart shirt with sweater or blazer |
Cocktail dress or smart jeans and blouse |
Royal Caribbean Dress Code
During the day, you can relax while on-board and dress as you please according to the weather and your activities that day.
For the evening, Royal Caribbean has 3 separate dress codes-Casual, Smart Casual, and Formal. These are only guidelines, with RCL stressing that these events are not mandatory and you are free to enjoy your holiday as you wish.
Tuxedo rentals are available on-board if you decide to celebrate a big occasion last minute.
Menswear |
Womenswear |
|
Smart Casual |
Blazer or jacket, smart jeans or chinos, shirt with optional tie |
Cruise dresses or trouser suit |
Formal |
Tuxedo or smart suit |
Ballgown |
Cunard Dress Code
Cunard is keen to maintain their reputation for glamorous evenings on-board their ships. Gala Nights occur 2 or 3 times across each 7 nights of a voyage while the other evening’s events are simply ‘Smart’. Dress codes come into effect at 6pm each evening and include no jeans..
Gentlemen |
Ladies |
|
Gala Night |
Dark suit and black tie |
Ball Gowns or smart cocktail dresses |
Smart Attire |
Jacket with optional tie |
Dress, skirt or trouser suit |
Fred. Olsen Dress Code
There are 3 formal nights on a 14-night cruise, with 2 on shorter Fred. Olsen cruises.
Many sailings over 5 nights also have a popular British theme night where you can don your best red, white, and blue outfit.
Menswear |
Womenswear |
|
Formal Evenings |
Black tie |
Cocktail or evening dress |
Smart Casual |
Shirt or polo, smart jeans, trousers or chinos. Jacket and tie optional |
Trouser suits, dresses or casual separates, and summer dresses |
P&O Cruises Dress Code
During the day, P&O is relaxed with you free to wear what you want depending on your location and day’s activities. In the evening there is a dress code in force from 6 pm in the ship's bars and restaurants from 6 pm onwards for cruisers aged over 18.
There are two dress codes – Evening Casual and Black Tie.
To help you with your packing, Cruise Personaliser will let you know how many nights of each dress code you can expect during your holiday. Please check in advance so you’re ready for each occasion.
Menswear |
Womenswear |
|
Evening Casual |
Buttoned shirt or polo |
Smart separates |
Black Tie |
Tuxedos, dinner jackets, dark suits, national dress or uniform |
Cocktail dresses or ball gowns |
MSC Cruises Dress Code
You are welcome to wear casual resort attire apart from on formal nights. These events are held once if the cruise is less than six nights, two on voyages with a duration of up to nine nights and three if up to 14 nights, and four times if 15 nights and more.
Menswear |
Womenswear |
|
Casual |
Shirt with chinos |
Summary dresses with jacket |
Formal |
Suit or jacket and tie |
Cocktail dresses |
It is also requested that you do not wear jeans, shirts, or shorts in public spaces after 6 pm. Meanwhile, MSC hosts many popular, nights on-board you are invited to take part in such as White Night, Tropical Night, 60s/70s Floral Night, or green, white & red for Little Italy night.
Marella Cruises Dress Code
There is a single Captain's Gala Reception during each cruise on Marella. You will find that most will dress up but if you do not wish to join in with the formalities on this particular evening, alternative dining arrangements are made available. Otherwise, the dress code is smart casual.
Menswear |
Womenswear |
|
Gala Night |
Tuxedo or suit and tie |
Cocktail or evening dress |
Smart Casual |
shirt/polo with trousers |
Two-piece or dress |
Princess Cruises Dress Code
Princess has both a smart casual and formal dress code depending on the occasion. The number of formal nights depends on the length of the cruise, with one every 4-6 days on average, while all other nights are simply smart casual.
Menswear |
Womenswear |
|
Smart Casual |
buttoned shirt and trousers |
Smart separates |
Formal Night |
tuxedo, dark suit, or jacket |
Evening/cocktail dress or a smart trouser suit |
Azamara Cruises Dress Code
Day or night, Azamara keep a simple resort casual feel on-board their ships with no officially formal events, although they do request no jeans, bare feet, or swimwear in the dining room. Of course, you are still invited to dress formally for dinner and dress to impress for any special occasions.
Menswear |
Womenswear |
|
Resort Casual |
Polo or buttoned shirt Trousers/chinos |
Casual dresses Blouses with trousers/skirts Knitwear |
Norwegian Cruise Line Dress Code
NCL is well known for their relaxed take on cruising holidays, letting you wear what you like during the day. The special "Dress-Up or Not Night." is very popular but it’s your choice how formal you choose to be as well as the ‘White Night” themed event. Meanwhile, most evenings and venues are simply casual dress with even swimming costumes with a shirt and footwear all you need to enjoy the buffet and outdoor venues.
Menswear |
Womenswear |
|
All Decked Out |
Jeans or chinos/trousers with a collared shirt and closed-toed shoes |
Trousers or jeans, dresses, skirts, and tops |
Cruise Casual |
Khakis, jeans, shorts, and casual shirts |
summer and casual dresses, skirts, regular or capri pants, shorts, jeans, and tops. |
Holland America Line Dress Code
HAL guests can enjoy a popular Gala night held once a week while the rest of the time smart-casual attire is required. These Gala events are optional to attend but held in all fine dining venues.
Menswear |
Womenswear |
|
Gala Nights |
Collared shirts and trousers |
Dresses, skirts or trousers |
Smart Casual |
Dark suit, tuxedo or jacket, and tie |
Cocktail dress, gown, or dressy pantsuit |
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