Dress Codes Explained

Going on your first cruise or with a different cruise line than you would normally cruise with can be daunting when you just dont know what clothes are acceptable. I cruised for the first time in May on board the Celebrity Eclipse which is of a 5 star standard. For the past 6 years i have always traveled to 5 star hotels in Turkey where the dress code is pretty relaxed as most holiday resorts are. Cruise lines have different dress codes and they are enforced unlike holiday resorts. I was messaging my colleague who i was sharing a cabin with in a panic about what was appropriate to wear.

So for anyone who isn’t too sure read this guide.

Casual

To most of us Brits, casual means one thing and one thing only – jeans!

The good news is that denim in the form of jeans, jackets, shorts and skirts – or even a combination of the above if you feel like rocking this year’s double denim trend – is generally a perfectly acceptable daytime casual cruise look, often combined with that other wardrobe staple – a T-shirt but check before you go for lunch – those designer jeans may cut it for a promenade on deck but some lines such as Crystal, Swan Hellenic and Thomson don’t allow jeans in their restaurants, however expensive they might have been!

Casual can be harder to get right for an evening look as it’s all about looking as if you haven’t tried too hard (which usually takes loads of effort!) but in general the rule is to ditch the denim and T-shirts in favour of casual shirts and trousers/smart shorts for men and laid back skirts, sundresses and ‘dressy’ tops for ladies.

For him: A casual polo shirt with that cruise classic – a freshly pressed pair of lightweight trousers.

For her: A maxi dress is your perfect casual cruise companion as it looks as good with flip flops by the pool as it does with a statement necklace and wedges in the evening.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ON CRUISE DRESS CODES…..