Whats the Dress Code?

When planning a cruise something that crops up is the question of “Dress Code” and most people have varying thoughts on this subject. Recently the standard has changed with the likes of Cunard, P&O etc so i thought it may be a good idea to look at this subject. With so many different Cruise Lines on various STAR ratings it does sometimes feel like a minefield to clients, and what do the dress codes mean anyway ? here is my quick guide for you….

CASUAL….This to most people is probably jeans & a nice shirt for the blokes and pretty similar for the ladies or a skirt & blouse- this is fine for daytime wear, with the likes of P&O, Royal Caribbean etc but probably not what is expected with the 6* Cruise Lines, and you also have to think are jeans ok for going into dining rooms? The evening time the casual look would be Trousers and a shirt for the chaps and again similar for the ladies or perhaps a nice dress instead.

RESORT CASUAL…. This is an American term which is more of an upmarket classic look with Polo Shirts and Chino Slacks, so jeans are fine but not the ones with cut off knees baggy old and tatty looking jeans. Nice tailored shorts for the daytime and nice top NO SOCKS WITH SANDALS.

FORMAL….Now this is what the ladies love and most men hate. For the blokes its the Penguin suit with quite a lot of variations on it, white jacket or black jacket etc etc. If you do not have a Penguin suit dont worry, dark coloured suits with a black tie is fine as long as it fits. For the ladies its a whole day affair – make sure you book the on board hairdresser appointment as soon as you know the formal night, also get your nails done at the same time if possible. Put on your favourite dress, some lippy and add some sparkle and “knock em dead”

Not all cruise lines will have formal nights in particular River Cruise Lines dont,  but they will have a welcome night and farewell night so something a bit special for this might be an idea.

NCL dont have formal nights and Oceania have Country Club  Casual!, Azamara have the Resort Casual

The idea is to do your homework and find out the dress code on each particular cruise line and you wont go far wrong.