Dress codes on a cruise: what to plan for
Learn the common cruise dress code categories, where to find a sailing's formal nights before you pack, and how to plan outfits for evenings, port days and cool indoor areas.
Most cruise dress codes fall into four categories: casual, smart casual, cocktail or semi-formal, and formal or elegant. Each one applies to particular evenings and venues, and the daily program states which applies that night. Plan outfits by category before you pack, and keep a flexible option for the evenings with the strictest rules.
The strictest evening sets the packing list. A sailing with one formal night needs far less formal clothing than one with several, so the first task is to find out how many formal or elegant evenings the sailing has. Category names and details vary between cruise lines, so check the line's pre-cruise information or dress-code page rather than relying on memory.
The common dress code categories
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| Category | What is generally expected | Where it usually applies |
|---|---|---|
| Casual | Shorts, t-shirts, sundresses and sandals are fine in most venues | Daytime and many early evenings |
| Smart casual | Collared shirts, blouses, slacks, skirts or dresses; no beachwear or athletic wear | Some evenings in the main dining room and lounges |
| Cocktail or semi-formal | Dresses, skirts and dress shirts; a jacket is optional for men | A few evenings, depending on the itinerary |
| Formal or elegant | Suits, dark jackets, dresses or gowns; a tuxedo is optional | A small number of evenings on many itineraries |
The labels are guidelines more than strict tests in most venues. In practice, the main dining room may turn away guests in beachwear or swimwear, while a buffet or casual venue usually stays open on formal nights. Specialty restaurants and the theater on formal evenings may expect more effort than a casual outfit.
Reading each night's program
The daily program states the dress code for each evening, usually listed alongside the evening's entertainment. It is normally issued on board, so use it to confirm the night's dress code rather than to plan your wardrobe. If it is missing, ask guest services rather than guessing. A dress code can apply to some venues but not others on the same evening, so check each venue you plan to visit. A specialty restaurant may have its own expectations even on a casual night, so look at its details before you go.
A useful habit is to read the next day's program the evening before. That gives you time to check the dress code, lay out a suitable outfit and change in time for dinner, rather than finding out at the dining room door.
If you prefer not to dress up on a formal night, plan the evening around venues that keep a casual or smart casual standard. A buffet, a casual dining room or a pool-side grill may suit you better than the main dining room or a specialty restaurant.
Planning outfits before you pack
Find the sailing's dress code policy before you pack. The cruise line's pre-cruise information or dress-code page usually states the policy and the number of formal or elegant nights for the sailing. Shorter sailings often have one formal night and week-long sailings often have two, but this varies by line, and some lines have no formal nights at all. Count the evenings that call for cocktail or formal dress, then plan at least one outfit for each.
Add one spare for the most formal night in case something is stained, damaged or delayed. Choose pieces that mix, since a dark jacket, a neutral dress and two shirts can cover several evenings. A formal outfit that also works as smart casual, such as a dark tailored dress with a cardigan or dark trousers with a dress shirt and no tie, covers the evenings that fall between categories.
Use garment bags or fold formal clothing carefully to limit creasing. Clothes irons and steamers are generally not allowed in cabins because of the fire risk, so the ship's pressing service is usually the practical option for any item that must be pressed. Check what the service offers and what it costs before you sail. Crease-resistant fabrics, and hanging clothes as soon as you unpack, reduce the need for pressing at all.
Shoes need planning too. Pack dress shoes that you can walk in, because ship decks, gangways and stairs can be slippery, and high heels can be difficult on wet or uneven surfaces.
Dressing for port days
Shore days are usually casual, but dress for the destination. Many churches and temples ask visitors to cover shoulders and knees, so carry a light layer in your day bag to meet the rule without buying something new. Sun protection matters on most excursions. A hat, sunglasses and a light sun-protective layer are reasonable choices for a day in strong sun. Comfortable walking shoes are worth packing too, because cobbled streets and long walks are common in many port cities.
Most ships expect guests to be fully dressed, with a shirt and shoes, when they leave the ship and when they return to it. Keep a dry layer and shoes in your day bag so that you can meet that rule after a wet excursion, rather than walking back through public areas in damp clothes.
Dressing for indoor cool and open-deck wind
Indoor venues are often air-conditioned to a cooler temperature than the deck, and an evening on an open deck can be windy even in warm weather. Carry a light sweater, wrap or jacket for the theater, lounges and dining room, and a windproof layer if you plan to watch sail-away or the sunset from an outside deck. Layers let you make the most of the outfits you already packed.
A last check before you pack is to lay out each formal outfit with the shoes, jewelry and accessories you plan to wear, and try the whole set on at home, including any new shoes or garments. A piece that looks right on a hanger does not always fit the evening, and any repair, new button or pressing is far easier to arrange before you sail.