What to wear on a cruise is one of the first things people ask us once their holiday is booked, especially when it comes to formal nights. Will you need a dinner jacket? Are jeans allowed at dinner? Does every line still dress up? The good news is that cruise dress codes are far more relaxed than they used to be, but they do still vary a lot from one cruise line to another.
This guide explains what to wear on a cruise during the day, in the evening and on formal nights, and how the dress codes compare across the cruise lines our customers sail with most.
What to wear on a cruise during the day
Daytime on a cruise ship is casual on every line. Think of what you would wear on a resort holiday:
- Shorts, T-shirts, summer dresses and light trousers
- Swimwear and a cover-up for the pool deck
- Comfortable walking shoes or trainers for days ashore
- A light jacket or jumper, as it can be breezy on deck and cool indoors with the air conditioning
The one rule that applies almost everywhere is that swimwear stays by the pool. Cover up and wear shoes before heading into the buffet, bars or any indoor area.
If you are visiting religious sites ashore, such as churches in Italy or Greece, pack something that covers your shoulders and knees. On cooler itineraries like the Norwegian fjords, layers and a waterproof jacket are far more useful than shorts.
What to wear on a cruise in the evening
Most evenings on most cruise lines are smart casual. In practice that means:
- For men: chinos or smart trousers with a collared shirt or polo shirt. A jacket is optional on most lines
- For women: a dress, skirt or smart trousers with a nice top
- Smart dark jeans are fine on many lines, but not all, so check yours
- Shorts, vests, flip-flops and sportswear are generally not allowed in the main dining room at dinner
If you do not fancy changing for dinner, the buffet is the relaxed option on almost every ship, and it stays casual even on formal nights.
What to wear on a cruise formal night
Formal nights go by different names depending on the line: gala nights, Celebration Nights, Evening Chic or Dress Your Best. On a typical 7 Night cruise there are usually one or two, with more on longer voyages. They are a chance to dress up, enjoy a special dinner and have your photo taken, and many people say they are a highlight of the cruise.
- For men: a dinner suit or tuxedo, or a dark suit and tie, which is accepted on most lines
- For women: an evening gown, cocktail dress or smart trouser suit
- National dress and military uniform are welcome on many lines
Formal nights are almost always optional. If you would rather not dress up, you can usually eat in the buffet or a casual venue instead. If you want to dress up but would rather not pack a dinner suit, ask whether formalwear hire is available, as some ships offer it onboard or before you sail.
Cruise dress codes by cruise line
Here is how the cruise dress code compares across the main lines. Dress codes do change from time to time, so it is always worth checking the latest guidance before you pack.
P&O Cruises
Most evenings are Evening Casual, where smart dark jeans and polo shirts are fine but football shirts, sportswear and vests are not. P&O’s formal nights are now called Celebration Nights and have a black tie dress code, with usually one on a 7 Night cruise and more on longer cruises. See our P&O Cruises page for more on the line.
Cunard
Cunard is the most formal of the mainstream lines. From 6pm, Smart Attire applies in most venues, with no jeans, shorts or casual sportswear, and men in collared shirts and trousers. Gala Evenings call for a dinner jacket or dark suit and tie, and an evening gown or cocktail dress, with themes such as Roaring Twenties or Masquerade. Our Cunard Britannia vs Grills guide covers more of the Cunard experience.
MSC Cruises
Evenings are smart casual, with no shorts, flip-flops or vest tops in the main restaurants after dark. MSC’s gala nights are a chance to dress to impress, and many sailings also have a White Party, so pack something white. In the MSC Yacht Club, evenings are smart casual with a more elegant feel on gala nights.
Celebrity Cruises
Smart casual is the norm, and jeans with a stylish top are acceptable. Celebrity’s dressier evenings are called Evening Chic, with one or two on most sailings. Think cocktail dresses, smart trousers and blazers rather than black tie.
Royal Caribbean and Princess Cruises
Both lines are smart casual most evenings. Royal Caribbean’s formal evenings are called Dress Your Best nights, while Princess holds formal nights, with the number depending on cruise length. On both, the formal nights are relaxed by traditional standards and a suit or smart dress is plenty.
Fred. Olsen and Ambassador
Both are popular with British cruisers who enjoy a traditional feel. Evenings are smart casual, with formal nights on most cruises and plenty of theme nights, from 1920s glamour to British Night. Ambassador describes its dress codes as advisory rather than compulsory.
Explora Journeys, Virgin Voyages and Norwegian Cruise Line
These lines have no formal nights at all. Explora Journeys is elegant casual from 6pm, Virgin Voyages has no dress code beyond its famous Scarlet Night, when guests are encouraged to wear red, and Norwegian Cruise Line is resort casual throughout. See our guide to what’s included with Explora Journeys for more on the luxury side.
Packing tips for cruise dress codes
- Check how many formal nights your cruise has before you pack, so you are not carrying outfits you will not wear
- Pack pieces that mix and match: one smart jacket can work across several evenings
- Use the launderette if your ship has one, as many British-favourite lines do, and pack less
- Bring a pashmina or light layer for cool theatres and dining rooms
- On a no-fly cruise from Southampton there are no airline baggage limits, so you have more room for evening wear
For the full checklist, from adapters to medication, see our what to pack for a cruise guide. If it is your first cruise, our first-time cruiser guide covers everything else you need to know.
What to wear on a cruise: FAQs
Do you have to dress up on a cruise?
No. Formal nights are optional on almost every line, and the buffet stays casual. Most evenings are smart casual, and some lines have no formal nights at all.
Can you wear jeans on a cruise in the evening?
On many lines, yes, as long as they are smart and not ripped. Cunard is the main exception, with no jeans after 6pm in most venues, and jeans are not allowed on formal nights on most lines.
How many formal nights are there on a 7 Night cruise?
Usually one or two, depending on the line. Longer cruises have more, and some lines, such as Virgin Voyages and Explora Journeys, have none.
Do men need a tuxedo on a cruise?
Not usually. A dark suit and tie is accepted on formal nights on most lines. A dinner suit is more common on Cunard and on P&O’s black tie Celebration Nights, but it is still optional.
Can you wear shorts to dinner on a cruise?
Not in the main dining room on most lines. Shorts are fine during the day and in the buffet, but trousers or a skirt are expected at dinner in the main restaurants.
Ask us about your cruise line’s dress code
Knowing what to wear on a cruise is much easier once you know your ship, and our team has sailed with most of these lines. If you are unsure what to pack, or you are still choosing a cruise and would prefer a more relaxed or more formal style, we are happy to help. Call us on 01724 808800, contact us here, or use our live chat to message the team directly.
