Cruise dress codes have really changed over the years, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t still some written and unwritten rules when it comes to what to wear on a cruise.
No matter what you might hear, every cruise line has some rules and expectations when it comes to what you can and can’t wear in various locations around the ship. Let’s go through some of the major lines and discuss what dress codes they have.
Carnival
Known for its fun ships, it is no surprise that Carnival doesn’t have a lot of restrictions when it comes to what you can wear. During the day it is all about casual attire from polos and sun dresses to bathing suits. While there aren’t a lot of rules when it comes to eating at the buffet or other spots on the Lido deck, cruisers will want to throw on a coverup and some shoes when they head to the buffet or other areas of the ship.
Cruise Casual is on the docket for the evening.This means no cut-off jeans, sleeveless shirts for men, t-shirts, gym or basketball shorts, exercise and athletic gear, baseball hats, flip-flops or bathing suits are allowed if you are headed to the MDR or entertainment venues. If you are hanging out on the lido or stopping by the buffet for food, you should be fine in casual clothes. As long as you have clothes on of some kind, pretty much anything goes while on the Lido deck. No matter the time of the day, swimsuits, wet clothes and bare feet are not allowed in casinos, bars, shops, lounges and theaters. There are also restrictions at all times on anything with offensive messages.
Carnival also has an elegant night on cruises 5 days or shorter and two elegant nights on cruises 6 days or longer, so feel free to bust out your formal wear, but you aren’t going to be kicked out the MDR if you are wearing Cruise Casual. Be sure to check for special dress requirements for specialty restaurants.
Royal Caribbean
Similar to Carnival, Royal Caribbean separates their dress code into three categories: Casual, Smart Casual and Formal. While they don’t specify exactly when and where various dress is expected or required, Royal asks that swimwear is kept to the pool deck and shorts are fine for breakfast and lunch. Smart Casual, which one would assume is expected for evenings in the MDR and other venues outside of the pool deck is described as collared shirts, dresses, skirts and blouses, or pantsuits. Bare feet are not allowed at any time in any venue, and tank tops are not permitted in the Main Dining Room or Specialty Dining venues for dinner.
Royal has 1-4 formal nights depending on cruise length.They list formal dress as black tie with suits and ties, tuxedos, cocktail dresses and evening gowns as acceptable options.
Norwegian
Norwegian is known for its free-style dining and that goes for what you wear as well… for the most part, but they do have some restrictions. 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.
In lieu of an elegant night, NCL has what they call a “Dress-Up or Not Night.” While they encourage cruisers to dress up or down whenever they feel like it, on this night there will be special areas around the ship for guests to get their photos taken, so if you are planning to dress up one night, this might be the night for you.
Princess
Princess recommends that cruisers dress the same way you would for any stylish land-based resort. Pool or beach attire, shorts, ball caps or jeans with fraying and/or holes are not welcomed in the dining rooms and shoes must be worn.
Instead, smart casual dress like skirts, dresses, slacks, blouses for women and pants and collared or dress shirts for men are required in the MDR and other restaurants.
Depending on the length of the cruise, Princess has anywhere from 0 to 5 formal nights where they ask guests to observe the dress code in the dining venues for the enjoyment of all guests: Evening gown, cocktail dress or elegant pant suit for women and tuxedo, dark suit or dinner jacket and slacks for men.
Celebrity
Relaxed Luxury is what Celebrity recommends for their customers. While bathing suits with coverups, T-shirts, tanks, hats, and sunglasses are fine for pool side, guests are asked to wear casual resort wear like sundresses, shorts, polos, or button-downs for the rest of the ship during the day. Swimsuits, see-through coverups, robes, bare feet, tank tops, T-shirts, and baseball caps are not allowed in the dining rooms.
In the evening, smart casual attire is required for entry to the MDR, specialty dining venues, and the Celebrity Theatre. This means dresses, skirts, long pants, or jeans, and stylish tops or button-down shirts. Shorts and flip flops are not considered Smart Casual and should not be worn for dining in the evenings.
Celebrity refers to their formal nights as Evening Chic and every itinerary has one or two of them. According to Celebrity, Evening Chic means cruisers dress to impress, with a cocktail dress, skirt, slacks, or designer jean, an elegant dress top or blazer. However, if guests do not wish to participate in Evening Chic, Smart Casual attire is acceptable for dining and theater.
Holland America
Holland America Line separates their dress code into Casual and Dressy. While Casual dress isn’t defined by the line, they do restrict shorts, pool/beachwear, distressed jeans and men’s tank tops to the daytime and they are not permitted in table service restaurants. Shorts are not allowed in the main dining room at any time as it is considered a fine dining venue.
Formerly known as “gala nights,” Holland’s formal night are now called Dressy nights. For women they recommend dresses, skirts, and slacks with a jacket and tie being the preferred attire in all fine dining restaurants, although not required. While jeans without holes, tears or embroidery are welcome on most evenings in all restaurants, on Dressy nights jeans are only allowed in casual dining restaurants.
MSC
The Italian line, MSC lends itself toward casual dress with some restrictions. Swimwear is never allowed in any formal dining venue for any meal, including breakfast and lunch. Shorts, flip flops, and tank tops are not allowed for Evening Wear or Gala Night in the Main Dining Rooms, Specialty Restaurants, or MSC Yacht Club. T-shirts are not allowed to be worn for Gala Night, and the buffet has dress code rules posted.
During the day casual wear is recommended around the ship with shorts and t-shirts permitted.
Dress codes step up a little during the evening. When dining in the Main Dining Rooms and Specialty Restaurants and in the theater, bars, and lounges, collared shirts, tailored pants, skirts, and dresses are suggested.
MSC has a gala night where they ask guests to dress to impress; however, the restrictions are not that strict as anything from a tux to nice jeans are allowed as they want guests’ attire to fit their own level of elegance. Regular restrictions still apply.
Costa
There is very little information on Costa’s website on what is or is not allowed where and when onboard their ships. On a cruise you can dress how you want: the dress is informal and casual. Garments must be suitable for the environments, season, destination and occasion: more formal for the gala dinner, more comfortable and casual for day time and trips.
Cruisers who have sailed on Costa say that passengers are not to wear swimwear or beach clothes in restaurants and shoes are required outside of the pool area. While the line may suggest dressing up for elegant nights, it doesn’t seem to be strictly enforced.
P&O
British-based P&O tells guests to come as they are. During the day they tell passengers to wear what makes them happy, but they do ask that everyone wears shoes outside of the pool deck and there is no pool wear in the ship’s lounges, inside bars, restaurants or reception. Their website also says they will not allow any clothing that features inappropriate or offensive language. Novelty clothing with printed images or slogans will not be allowed on board, and they reserve the right to deny embarkation to guests who are inappropriately dressed.
Evening ups the game. While they still say that guests can do whatever suits them when it comes to what they wear in the evenings, They recommend comfy, smart-casual clothing. It does appear that not all venues will allow shorts, but those that do require tailored shorts, so no cut offs. They also advise that no tracksuits, football shirts or trainers please (trainers is British for tennis shoes).
P&O’s formal nights, or Celebration evenings are a chance to show off your best. While their website recommends cocktail dresses, tuxedos, ball gowns, or a suit, jacket and tie, there is nothing about if formal dress is required or not in their MDR, but they do say whatever style preference, they want guests to join in the the mood and chic of the evening.
Cunard
Cunard still has that feel of traditional cruising, and of course that carries over into their dress code as well. While their website says that cruisers should wear clothes they feel comfortable in, there does seem to be a higher expectation when it comes to dressing up, especially in the evening, than the other lines we have talked about, which for some is exactly why they choose to sail on Cunard.
During the day shorts and t-shirts are fine. Swimwear is only allowed in outdoor areas.
Cunard says that evenings onboard their ships exude a sense of occasion. After 6pm they ask that passengers wear smart attire or Gala evening attire to bars, restaurants and entertainment venues. However, they still stress that they want guests to be conformation and there are areas onboard where casual dress is welcome. However, the majority of guests, according to their website, do dress up in the evenings: women in cocktail dresses and men in dress shirts with jackets. They say to choose something similar to what one would wear to a stylish restaurant or the theatre on a special occasion.
If that isn’t formal enough for you, they have Gala Evenings as well where you can go all out in a tux and ball gown. Many of their Gala evenings are themed and includes themes such as Black & White, Roaring Twenties, and Red & Gold. For women they suggest: floor-length dresses, ball gowns, and cocktail dresses. For men it is either a formal suit or a tux.
Do you prefer to stick to a casual wardrobe or do you like to get dolled up at least one night of your cruise? Do you avoid the MDR in the evenings because you prefer your shorts and t-shirt, or are you okay with tossing on a nice shirt and pants while you enjoy a three course meal? Let me know in the comments. Dressing up can be a real deal breaker for some.
Cruising From The Ozarks 