What to wear on a cruise: Cruise attire and dress codes

Table Of Content

• Understanding Cruise Dress Codes
• What is the dress code for formal nights on a cruise?
• MSC Cruises dress code
• Disney Cruise Line Dress Code: Making Dress-Up Nights Fun
• Packing For Your Vacation Plans
• Holland America Line dress code
• Let’s Sum it up on Cruise Outfits
• Paul Gauguin Cruises Dress Code: A Bit Dressier, But Be Ready for Polynesian Night

Choose pretty sundresses, flowy skirts, or lightweight pants for these evenings. Sophisticated sandals are appropriate, if you’d prefer, in lieu of heels. That being said, it’s not uncommon for families with children to get dressed up on formal nights.

Understanding Cruise Dress Codes

For the women, think of the breezy women’s cruise wear, such as flowy dresses and lightweight tops perfect for strolling the ship or a local market. Men can opt for casual cruise wear for men, including relaxed button-up shirts and breathable shorts, making transitions from onboard leisure to shore excursions seamless. Remember comfortable footwear; supportive sneakers are ideal for daytime exploration, while sandals work well for casual hangouts. The dress code on a cruise ship can vary depending on the cruise line and specific sailing. While some cruise lines have formal nights where dressing up is recommended, others have more relaxed dress codes. You must check the dress code guidelines provided by your cruise line and plan your attire accordingly.

What is the dress code for formal nights on a cruise?

Men can also start with a base layer, such as a thermal shirt, and layer it with a sweater or a fleece jacket. Pair it with jeans or trousers and wear insulated boots for added warmth. A stylish wool coat or a waterproof jacket will provide the necessary protection against the cold weather. Layering is critical if your destination is a bit cooler or you’re planning what to wear on a cruise to Hawaii in the breezier months.

MSC Cruises dress code

Full disclosure – I like to shop, I over-pack and I bring too many shoes. If you plan to use the spa, which we would encourage, don’t worry about bringing a robe; these are provided for you. Remember, when choosing accessories, it’s important to strike a balance between style and practicality. Avoid overly cumbersome or delicate pieces that may hinder your movement or be easily damaged during the cruise.

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Norwegian prides itself on allowing cruisers to dress as they please, providing a "come as you are" atmosphere during the day and at night. The most popular clothing is cruise casual, and passengers are free to wear whatever they'd like with an emphasis on comfort. Poolside, bathing suits with coverups, T-shirts, tanks, hats, and sunglasses are welcomed. For cooler climates, bring clothing with long sleeves, sweaters, and pants that can be layered. In areas prone to snow or rain, waterproof jackets, hats, gloves, and umbrellas are recommended. Popular theme nights are wide-ranging, though the most recurring are tropical parties (Hawaiian shirts encouraged), '80s nights and white nights (all-white attire).

This can range from attire for formal or themed nights to the right outfits for a range of activities in port. Be sure to bring a dark pair of pants or jeans if you don’t want to wear dresses to dinner. Dark pant goes with any dressy top, and it’s a basic you can wear more than once on your cruise.

In this article, we will guide you through the various dining dress codes you may encounter on a cruise ship, ensuring that you always dress appropriately for each occasion. Paul Gauguin cruises encourage the country club casual or elegant resort wear. They allow you to avoid ties and opt for jackets with collared shirts and pants for gentlemen, and for women blouses with pants or skirts or else dresses. MSC cruises generally organize two gala nights on cruises, in which men are requested to wear a jacket or suit with a tie and women in a cocktail dress. The standard dress code for the rest of the evening is casual resort wear. Sometimes they throw theme parties where you have to gear up your 60s and 70s floral dresses or white clothing for a white party.

It's not "anything goes," but you'll find more flexibility than ever when it comes to cruise line dress codes. When in doubt, it's better to be overdressed than underdressed, especially when arriving for a seated dinner. What you can't wear, according to the dinner dress code on most lines, are bathing suits, cutoff jeans, sleeveless shirts and baseball hats.

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Princess Cruises still uses the “formal night” moniker, suggesting tuxedos or dark suits, gowns, elegant pantsuits, or cocktail dresses. Windstar Cruises dinner dress code suggests a casual elegant approach -- slacks and collared shirts for men and sundresses, slacks and informal cocktail dresses for women. Shorts, jeans, flip-flops, hats and T-shirts are prohibited throughout the ship during the evening. As with other lines, cruises in tropical waters tend to make dressing down more acceptable, as do voyages on the line's sailing vessels.

Now that you’re familiar with the various dress codes and dining etiquette, it’s time to pack your suitcase accordingly. Mix-and-match outfits are a great way to maximize your outfit options without overpacking. Choose versatile pieces that can be dressed up or down, creating different looks for every dining occasion. For women, smart casual might include a stylish dress, a skirt or pants paired with a blouse, or a blouse and slacks combination. Men can choose from a well-tailored jacket or blazer with slacks, a dress shirt with slacks and a tie, or a stylish sweater with khakis.

For embarkation day I would plan on wearing a casual outfit with lighter materials with layers- or even your airplane outfit. Something lightweight, yet appropriate to wear wandering around the ship. In the past few years, I’ve been on 8+ cruises, and each time I’ve perfected all the outfits you’d need to pack for your cruise. The line also has at least two Gala evenings over seven days of a sailing, when passengers are invited to dress up more. As well, there are almost always announcements from the cruise director throughout the day sharing what is going on during the day and evening. They will usually mention it when it is formal night, so keep an ear out for announcements.

For evenings, the recommended onboard dress is elegant casual for most ship venues. Suggested attire for men includes trousers and collared shirts (ties and jackets are optional but not required). For women, dresses, or skirts or slacks with sweaters or blouses are recommended. Jeans are not permitted in dining venues, apart from the World Cafe. Men may wear slacks with collared dress shirts or sweaters, but jackets are optional.

Remember, while dressing up is part of the fun, comfort shouldn’t take a backseat. Opt for themed cruise attire that allows you to enjoy the party from dusk till dawn. No matter what type of cruise you're looking for, you're sure to have a blast when you pack the perfect cruise wardrobe. Whether you're interested in history and want to explore ruins or would rather relax on the beach with a cold beverage in hand, there's a cruise getaway waiting for you. "Smart casual and above?" "Casual elegance?" Cruises tend to have more styles of dress than your average vacation. Each Disney sailing features a Pirate Night; cruisers wishing to participate should pack their best swashbuckling gear.

If you feel confused or uninspired about what to pack for your next cruise, we're here to decipher the dress codes with photos of stylish examples of acceptable cruisewear. Princess' casual daytime mindset means you can wear the same types of clothing on board as you would during a day ashore — activewear, beachwear and jeans or T-shirts are totally fine. If you're planning for any water-based adventures on your cruise, a high-quality pair of water shoes will help protect your feet. Merrell Men's Wildwood Aerosport Water Shoes are light, comfortable and breathable.