Cruise ship dress codes can spark a heated debate
I love dressing up. I'm very lucky, my husband does too. This isn't always the case with all couples.
Most main stream cruise lines have a fairly relaxed dress code. A few luxury brands require coat and tie particularly on formal nights.
The Cunard line is known for the strictest dress code, requiring men to wear a jacket or sport coat in the evening for dining and most events and a dress to impress dress code on formal or Gala nights. This article speaks to the various dress codes and some tips on what to wear, or what restrictions you might face.
Daytime Dress Codes
In my journeys across many different brands of ships, I've never encountered a day time dress code. There may be a prohibition to wear your swimsuit, or cover-up in the dining room or buffet, but that makes sense. Who wants to sit in a sopping wet chair from a recent swimmer?
Typically anything goes during the day. Shorts, tank tops, sun dresses, denim, workout wear, all of those are fine. Dress comfortably, for the weather, for the day, no rules to break.
When evening rolls around, you might want to know what the schedule for attire is. Most ships will announce their dress code for the evening in their daily agenda, or publish on displays throughout the ship.
Evenings (Not Formal)
With the exception of Cunard and perhaps P & O (UK), Cruise ship dress codes are not very strict for dinner and evening venues. However, you should always review your cruise lines dress code for what is acceptable for dining in the main dining room or specialty restaurants.
Some lines restrict shorts, t-shirts, jeans (particularly torn/worn) and tank tops. The degree to which these restrictions are enforced varies by line. You'll find a lot of complaints on social media about how dress codes are NOT enforced by lines more than complaints about the normal evening dress code.
However, the buffet, even on Cunard, has no dress code. If your not wanting to change your attire from the day, this is always an option. So it's safe to say you can travel on any cruise without formal wear and not starve!
Most passengers will change for the dinner and evening events, similarly to when they go out to do something special at home.
For men, you'll see a variety of Khaki's and button ups, the occassional sport coat, nice denim or trousers with a polo shirt, sweaters, jumpers and a few even sport a suit or tie.
Women, well we can get away with nearly anything in the name of fashion. But similarly, trousers with a nice top, a short dress or pantsuit are all good options.
Formal or Gala Nights
Some cruise lines like Viking, do not have formal nights at all. I will say, most folks on Viking tend to dress reasonably well, similar to the guidelines stated above for non-formal nights.
Formal nights on mainstream cruise lines are an opportunity to shine. You can use this as a reason to take a group photo, or just to make use of those clothes and jewelry you don't often get to wear.
Most men will at minimum wear a button up. I've not seen a man turned away from dinner due to jacket required outside Cunard or perhaps P & O (UK).
You will see dark suits, three piece suits, tuxedos, dinner jackets and the sport jacket used for these evenings. When traveling in Europe, I saw several formal Kilts with all the trimmings.
Gentlemen who've served in the military may also use these occasions to sport their campaign medals from their service. This is a great conversation starter when meeting new folks at a shared table. I've also seen a few active and retired military wear their dress uniforms!
On Cunard, you may find a top hat and dovetail tuxedo (make sure to take the hat off when you enter a venue!). This is not required to cruise Cunard, but you will probably find a larger proportion of Tuxedo's on their line.
Women may opt for a sparkly pantsuit, short dress but many take the opportunity to wear a full length dress or ballgown.
The people watching on Formal Night is fun. I usually take the opportunity to chat with the other ladies about how lovely they look in their formal wear.
Special Events
Many lines offer special events. Holidays, Halloween or themed nights such as Black and White, or Red and Gold, or Roaring 20's can make a cruise special. Having a themed event doesn't always inspire folks to participate, but you will see quite a few folks having some fun!
Packing & Costs
One of the biggest complaints from cruisers about dress code is the packing. If you are packing light, it's really hard to take all the extra trimmings of a formal night.
Some ways to add some quick elegance to even a short trip are to;
Wear your sportcoat onboard (weather permitting). I've often heard gentlmen saying their sportcoat is like a ladies purse. Lots of stoage and pockets.
Ladies may bring an easily packable knit dress, or top and dress that up with a scarf or fancy jewelry that can be paired with a comfortable but snazzy pair of sandals.
However, if your traveling on a long journey and plan to dress up for formal nights, you often can't get away with just a carry on. I will say it, when Mr. and I travel Cunard, we actually take an additional suitcase, at a premium cost, for our evening attire.
Mr. needs at least 3 different jackets for a Cunard cruise along with a variety of button downs, ties and other man-jewelry. I need three gowns and four dresses (I don't want to repeat during the evenings).
There are also costs of garnering formal wear. A typical evening gown may cost $100 or more new. My husband and I shop thrift stores and online resale. Right after Proms, Wedding season, there is an abundance of formal wear for sale. During Covid, when tuxedo rentals stores shut down, there were an abundance of rental tuxedo's for sale. Once we had my husband measurements, we've been able to find quite a variety of evening wear.
Similarly I've purchased half a dozen used dresses, with fantastic results and savings of thousands of new gowns.
If you don't like to dress up, well that's ok too. There's plenty to do on most cruise ships without having to get the fancy digs out. Be mindful though, that many people love the tradition of dressing up and find it dissapointing that folks may attend dinner in less than desirable attire. Dressing up in the evenings is a nautical tradition spawned by luxury lines crossing the ocean in years gone by.
In closing, thank you for reading and thank you to my husband, who told me I could include photos of him in this blog!
Like dressing up? Lets discuss how to include in your Travel Story!
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