When it comes to cruise holidays, there can sometimes be a bit of confusion surrounding what to wear. That’s because cruise holidays have such a glamorous history and we often associate cruise ships with elegant dresses and tuxedos for events as simple as dinner. However the cruise culture has changed. Whilst some cruise lines are loved for their elegant and traditional atmosphere, there are also more modern cruise lines to choose from which have a contemporary and low-key ambience.
In the chart below you can get a brief overview of the dress code onboard each of the 13 main cruise lines:
Cruise Line
Ambience
Ladies
Gents
Avoid
Azamara
Resort Casual
Sportswear, casual dresses, skirts, pants and capris, blouses and knit tops. Light fabrics such as linen, cotton, silk, and wool gabardine are always appropriate.
Sportswear, collared golf and polo shirts, shorts, pants, and a sport coat if desired (not required). Light fabrics such as linen, cotton, silk, and wool gabardine are best.
Bare feet, tank tops, baseball caps, bathing suits, shorts, and jeans are not allowed in the dining room or specialty restaurants. When dining at Windows Café, guests must wear footwear and a cover-up or shirt.
Carnival
Cruise Casual and Cruise Elegant (If you are on a 1-5 night cruise you will have one Elegant evening, if you are on a cruise for 6 nights or more you will have 2 Elegant evenings
Cruise Casual Day: Shorts and tops (short sleeved or sleeveless), sundresses, etc
Cruise Casual Evening: Casual dresses, casual skirts or pants and blouses/tops, summer dresses, Capri pants, dress shorts, Jeans (no cut-offs)
Cruise Elegant Evening: Cocktail dresses, pantsuits, elegant skirts and blouses; ladies may also wish to wear an evening gown
Cruise Casual Day: Shorts, polo shirts, t-shirts, etc
Cruise Casual Evening: Sport slacks, khakis, Jeans (no cut-offs), dress shorts (long), collared sport shirts
Cruise Elegant Evening: Dress slacks, dress shirts, and we also suggest a sport coat; men may also wish to wear a suit and tie or tuxedo
In the evening for both men and women avoid: Cut-off Jeans, men’s sleeveless shirts, gym or basketball shorts, baseball hats, flip-flops and bathing suit attire.
Celebrity
Smart Casual and Formal
Formal wear is only required in the main dining room on Formal evenings.
Smart Casual: Skirt or trousers (with no holes, rips or tears) complemented by a sweater or a blouse.
Formal: Cocktail dress, gown or dressy pant suit.
Smart Casual: Trousers (with no holes, rips or tears) coupled with a collared sports shirt or sweater for smart casual dining events. Any shirts must have sleeves.
Formal: Gentleman's attire for formal dining should comprise a tuxedo or dinner suit.
Clothing items with rips and tears, sleeveless shirts for gentlemen, denim cutoffs.
Cunard
Country Club and Formal
Day: Casual shirts, shorts, trousers and beachwear are ideal. The main restaurants require a casual wear dress code for breakfast and lunch, however you may wear shorts in either the Kings Court (Queen Mary 2) or Lido Restaurant (Queen Victoria & Queen Elizabeth).
Informal evening: Cocktail dresses or stylish separates
Formal evening: Evening or cocktail dress or smart trouser suit
Day: Casual shirts, shorts, trousers and beachwear are ideal. The main restaurants require a casual wear dress code for breakfast and lunch, however you may wear shorts in either the Kings Court (Queen Mary 2) or Lido Restaurant (Queen Victoria & Queen Elizabeth).
Informal evening: Required jacket and optional tie
Formal evening: A tuxedo, dinner jacket or dark suit with appropriate neck wear
Avoid: Denim cutoffs, tank tops, bare feet and plunging necklines
Fred. Olsen
Simple elegance
Day: shorts and a T-shirt or polo shirt while cruising in sunny climes, and a pair of light-weight trousers and a sweater or jacket for cooler daytime temperatures
Smart casual evening: Tailored trouser suits and stylish dresses to casual separates and summer dresses
Formal evening: A cocktail-style dress to a full-length ball gown.
Day: shorts and a T-shirt or polo shirt while cruising in sunny climes, and a pair of light-weight trousers and a sweater or jacket for cooler daytime temperatures
Smart casual evening: A pair of trousers, chinos or smart (dark) jeans, coupled with a polo shirt or shirt
Formal evening: A dinner jacket, or dark suit and tie
Trainers, T-shirts, shorts and tracksuits are not allowed in the restaurants for evening dining.
Holland America
Smart Casual and Gala Attire
Day: Casual and comfortable clothe
Smart casual: Skirt or trousers and sweater or blouse
Gala: Cocktail dress or gown
Day: Casual, comfortable clothes
Smart casual: Slacks and sports shirts or sweater
Gala: Jacket and tie
Avoid tank tops or low-cut tops. Baseball hats in the restaurants and trainers in the restaurant in the evening.
MSC Cruises
Smart Casual and Gala Attire
Smart casual: summer dress, stylish seperates
Gala: evening or cocktail dress
Smart casual: chinos, sports jacket, polo shirt or button down
Gala: suit and tie
Norwegian Cruise Line
Cruise casual and smart casual
Cruise casual: Summer and casual dresses, skirts, regular or capri pants, shorts, jeans and tops
Smart casual: Smart casual: Slacks or jeans, dresses, skirts and tops
Cruise casual: Khakis, jeans, shorts and casual shirts
Smart casual: Jeans or slacks with a collared shirt and closed-toed shoes.
Tank tops for men, flip flops, baseball caps, visors and jeans that are overly faded with holes or tears and worn below the hips are not permitted in main dining rooms or specialty restaurants.
P&O Cruises
Cruise casual and black tie
Day: Casual shirts, shorts, trousers, dresses, and beachwear are ideal
Evening: Stylish resort or leisurewear e.g. Smart- casual separates or dresses
Black Tie: Cocktail dresses, ball gowns or smart trouser suits
Day: Casual shirts, shorts, trousers and beachwear are ideal.
Evening: Polo shirt or shirt with smart, full-length trousers.
Black Tie: Dinner jackets or tuxedos
No shorts or ¾ length trousers for men in the restaurant in the evening. Light denim, ripped or/torn jeans , trainers, football shorts and track suits should also be avoided in the evening dining venues
Princess Cruises
Smart casual and formal
Day: beachwear and casual sports wear
Smart casual: skirts/dresses, slacks, and sweaters
Formal: evening gowns and cocktail dresses
Day: beachwear and casual sports wear
Smart casual: pants and open-neck shirts
Formal: tuxedos, dinner jackets or dark suits with a tie
Avoid trainers and sportswear in the restaurants n the evening.
Royal Caribbean
Smart casual and formal:
Day: relaxed resort wear
Smart casual: skirt or trousers (no holes, rips or tears) with a blouse.
Formal: cocktail dress or trouser-suit
Day: relaxed resort wear
Smart casual: trousers (no holes, rips or tears) with a collared shirt.
Formal: suit (black tie is optional)
Swimsuits, robes, bare feet, vest tops, baseball caps and pool wear are not allowed in the main restaurants or speciality restaurants. T-shirts, shorts and flip-flops are acceptable for lunch.
