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While many cruise lines have relaxed their dress codes over the years, most still give passengers the chance to get all decked out. Among the bouquet of cherished memories you’ll collect, the cruise formal nights stand as glittering jewels, reflecting an ambiance laced with sophistication and celebratory spirit. Although the dress code on Holland America Line ships is technically "cruise casual," you'll rarely spot anyone looking disheveled or like they just rolled out of bed. Most passengers tend toward resort wear or, at the bare minimum, nice jeans with pressed T-shirts.
Bottom Line on Cruise Formal Nights
If you’re cruising with kids, you can have them put a bathing suit on under their clothing. This way they can hit the pool and water slides as soon as you finish lunch on embarkation day. My husband wore a black tuxedo and I wore a floor champagne evening gown with gorgeous beading at the top. Whether you are cruising to celebrate a special occasion or cruising as a family, you won’t find a better time to get your photo taken.
Suits and Tuxedos
Depending on the cruise line, the formal night might be known by another name. On your cruise schedule, you may see it called Captain’s Night, Gala Evening, Black Tie Night or Elegant Night. Simple yet elegant, this off-the-shoulder evening gown is light and floaty, making it ideal for a summer evening.
Do I Need to Dress Up at Any Other Time Than Formal Night?
For women, pantsuits and dressy pants outfits are a great choice, as are party dresses or even ball gowns. Oceania's dress code is simple and casual, which may come as a welcome surprise to those who know the line as a luxury option. Country club and resort-style attire are generally appropriate, like button-down shirts and slacks for men or dresses, nice pants or skirts and tops for women.
At the core of it, formal nights on a cruise ship are not about strict rules but celebrating special occasions in style. Women typically shine in cocktail dresses, evening gowns, or sophisticated pant suits, while men don refined options like tuxedos, suits, or smart blazers with trousers. The key is to aim for attire that's a notch above the usual day wear, aligning with the ship's transformed ambiance. Carnival and Royal Caribbean, for instance, opt for a more relaxed atmosphere during their formal nights. They suggest cocktail dresses for women and dress shirts with slacks for men.
Hip-Hugging Royal Blue Gown
Create magical moments, make lifelong memories, and bask in the elegance of this special evening. It’s classy and perfect as formal wear, but also a little sexy… for after dinner. This fun dress just screams “cruise” while also being perfect for formal night.
On short cruises (less than five days), there often isn’t a formal night. When you’re deciding what to wear for formal night on a cruise, it’s a good idea to know how many formal nights your sailing will have. You’ll often see people dressed to both ends of the “formal” spectrum on many ships—some wear tuxedos and full-length gowns, and others will wear chinos and a dress shirt or a more casual dress. However, most of these cruise lines do have “formal optional” evenings, when many passengers do dress up in the evening—but it’s not required. Cruise ship formal nights are a great time to get professional photos taken.
Black and White
Since formal night is so flexible, though, it’s easy to participate even by wearing an outfit as casual as khakis and a polo shirt. Formal night only applies only to the Main Dining Room on a Royal Caribbean cruise. Specialty dining and other venues have their own separate dress codes, although they are usually pretty similar to a formal night dress code. Cruise ship formal nights are often a cause for concern for many first time cruisers. Worries over what to pack and what clothing is and is not allowed can be stressful.
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Here are a few examples and recommendations for formal night cruise wear, to give you a idea. We’ve gone over what to wear on a cruise during the day, evening and on formal nights. I hope this post has given you some ideas of what to wear on the first day of your cruise and shore excursions as well. Many first time cruisers are concerned about what to wear on formal nights on a cruise. It’s understandable, as this is quite different from a typical land vacation.
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For men, it’s fine to wear a suit, or even a buttoned-down shirt and a pair of slacks if you don’t want to get too fancy. Nice jeans would also be ok, although we’d suggest something slightly more dressy. We’ve taken dozens of cruise and know that for those unfamiliar with formal night, it can feel a bit unnerving trying to figure out the ins and outs of dressing up. At the same time, some people don’t want to dress up at all and prefer to know what other options they have. If you don’t like long dresses, a cocktail dress can be a good option for a cruise formal evening, and this A-Line off-the-shoulder gown would be ideal.
You might be wondering what to pack and what to wear on a cruise, during the day, evening and even on formal nights. Evening chic attire on a cruise is a step below formal wear but still requires guests to dress up. This may include a dressy skirt or pants with a nice blouse for women and a jacket with dress pants for men.
Royal Caribbean cruise ships do not have irons in each stateroom because of the fire hazard they create. However, guests are able to have clothing pressed or dry cleaned prior to formal night. When you arrive in your stateroom on the first day of the cruise there should be a paper there with information about laundry, dry cleaning, and pressing services. Collared shirts, slacks, and dress shirts are typical options for men on formal night. The most “casual” yet acceptable outfit for men on formal night is a polo shirt and slacks.
Don’t be afraid to experiment and have fun with accessories, as they can truly elevate your look and make you stand out on the special evening. A bit of embellishment is always gorgeous on a formal night at sea. Choose a lace dress, or a dress with sequins, or maybe one with a bit of both.
Packing acceptable attire for a cruise is simple if you remember a few general rules. Here, I'll break down some safe options if you're unsure, and I'll give an overview of the cruise dress codes for each of the "big eight" cruise lines. If you're wondering what you should wear on a cruise, especially at night, here's how each major cruise line would like you to dress.
Remember that daytime cruise attire should suit the diverse activities available onboard and ashore. By packing smartly, you blend in with the cruising culture while prioritizing your comfort and readiness for any adventure that calls your name. Selecting the right cruise ship clothes transforms your daytime experiences into comfortable, memorable adventures. Whether lounging poolside or exploring exotic locales, understanding what to wear on a cruise during the day is essential to enjoy every moment. On dressier nights, you can embrace a more glamorous and refined look.
Few issues create as much confusion among cruisers as what they are allowed to wear onboard, especially the when and where of it all. A good dinner option for those who aren’t interested in dressing up for formal night is the Windjammer, as casual clothing is always permitted there. Passengers should not wear casual clothing such as shorts, casual t-shirts, flip-flops, swimsuits, and tank tops.
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