Cruise Line Dress Codes

Carnival

Mainstream

Select cruises of 5 days or shorter have one Cruise Elegant evening, and cruises of 6 days or longer have two.

Celebrity

Premium

Every seven-night Celebrity cruise has one Evening Chic night, and longer voyages have two. Exact nights are announced in the daily program delivered to your stateroom.

Cunard

Luxury

On voyages of three nights or more, at least one Gala Evening has an elevated dress code and is entirely optional. Gala Evenings are often themed, including Black and White, Red and Gold, Roaring 20s, and Masquerade Ball. Themes are posted in advance in the calendar on My Cunard.

Disney

Premium

On longer sailings, guests have one formal night and one semiformal night, and both are optional. Shorter sailings may have an optional dress-up night instead, where dressy attire such as a jacket or suit, dress or pantsuit is suggested. Most cruises also have a pirate or other themed deck party, which on some itineraries is a show instead.

Holland America

Premium

Holland America designates Dressy Nights by voyage length: under 4 days none; 4-6 days one; 7-13 days two; 14-20 days three; 21-28 days four; 29-38 days five; 39-48 days six, continuing up to eleven for 89-98 day voyages. Grand World Voyages vary by length. Most other evenings are smart casual. On a typical 7-day cruise Dressy Nights usually fall on the first full day and the second-to-last evening. They are never scheduled on embarkation day or the final night, and ship staff may adjust their placement. The line uses the term Dressy rather than Formal, and black tie or tuxedos have never been required.

MSC

Mainstream

Formal nights designated by sailing length.

Princess

Premium

Princess calls its formal evenings Dress to Impress. Shorter cruises typically include one formal night, while longer voyages may include two or more.

Royal Caribbean

Mainstream

Royal Caribbean's formal nights are called Dress Your Best. Five-night cruises include one, 6 to 10-night cruises include two, 11 to 14-night cruises include three, and cruises of 15 nights or more include three to four. The number is at the ship's discretion and can vary by itinerary.

Norwegian

Mainstream

Norwegian describes its dining dress approach as relaxed resort style. Guests wear everything from shorts with a collared shirt to easy dresses and button-downs, and some dress up for the more elevated specialty restaurants. Norwegian asks that attire feel put-together and suited to the setting, with shirts and footwear required, respectful graphics, and appropriate coverage for a dining environment. Swimwear is for the pool, and extremely short shorts are for other activities. Smart casual is the dress code in the upscale specialty restaurants.

Oceania

Premium

Daytime dress is relaxed: sundresses, polo shirts, tailored shorts, and lightweight slacks, with a cover-up over swimwear in dining areas. In the evening, think dresses, jumpsuits, or blouses with slacks or skirts for women, and collared shirts or dressy polos with tailored pants or dressy jeans for men. Shorts and T-shirts are fine only in the Terrace Cafe and Waves Grill after dark. Athletic shoes and flip-flops are not allowed in restaurants or public areas after 6 pm, and faded, torn, or distressed jeans are not evening wear.

Regent

Ultra-Luxury

Until 6 p.m., resort wear including shorts, jeans, and sneakers is fine in all social spaces, and bathing suits belong at the Pool Bar and Grill, not indoors. After 6 p.m., Elegant Casual means skirts, slacks, or refined denim that is not torn or distressed, with a blouse, sweater, or dress for women and a collared shirt for men; jackets are optional and clean dress sneakers are allowed. T-shirts, baseball caps, shorts, athletic shoes, and flip-flops are not worn in social spaces after 6 p.m.

Viking

Premium

Daytime dress is casual, including shorts, slacks or jeans, and comfortable shoes for walking tours. In the evening, elegant casual applies: for women a dress, skirt or slacks with a sweater or blouse; for men trousers and a collared shirt, with a tie and jacket optional. Jeans are not permitted for evening dress. World Cafe stays casual after 6:00 PM.

Virgin

Adults-Only

Virgin Voyages asks only that guests keep fellow Sailors' comfort in mind. Sailors are encouraged to wear more than a bathing suit when dining in restaurants and to wear footwear in indoor spaces. Private groups or themed events in designated venues may have bolder attire that the line asks to stay within those spaces. Scarlet Night is the signature celebration where the ship turns red, and the only suggestion is to wear something red.