What Are The Dress Codes For Popular Cruise Lines?

If you’ve booked a cruise holiday for the first time, you’re in for the most amazing experience. It’s the ultimate way to seamlessly combine relaxation, adventure and the opportunity to discover diverse cultures all in one trip.

The question is, what do you wear? And more specifically, is there a cruise ship dress code? Perhaps you have enjoyed several cruise holidays, but you're trying a new cruise line this year and want to understand the dress code on different cruise lines.

In this blog, we share all you need to know about cruise line dress codes. As well as looking at the dress codes on popular cruise lines, we'll also explore how these guidelines may differ from day to night and what activities you are doing. 

So, if you're staring at a blank suitcase, wondering what to pack, take a break for a few minutes and read on as we help ensure you're appropriately dressed for every occasion.

What Is The Dress Code On Princess Cruises?

If you are sailing with Princess Cruises, you can enjoy a mix of both formal and smart/casual evenings. Meanwhile, during the day, you can dress as you would for any typical holiday. Here are a few guidelines for the dress code on Princess Cruises:

Evening Attire

• Smart casual: Most evenings are designated as smart casual, with the general advice to wear what you would when going out to a restaurant at home. Trousers and open-neck shirts are fine, along with skirts or dresses.

• Formal nights: If you’re attending a formal night, get ready to don your glad rags. Princess Cruises’ dress code for a cruise formal night is typically tuxedos, suits, evening gowns or cocktail dresses.

Daytime Wear

• During the day, you can wear casualwear, with swimwear reserved for poolside areas.

What Is Cunard's Dress Code?

Cunard is renowned for its traditional and elegant approach to cruise holidays, which extends to the dress code on its cruise ships, especially during the evenings. Here’s what you should pack to follow Cunard Cruise Line’s dress code:

Evening Attire

• Gala evenings: Most cruise holidays that are three nights or more will provide at least one opportunity to attend a Gala Evening and dress to impress. Floor-length dresses, ball gowns and cocktail dresses are the norm, as well as formal suits and tuxedos. Of course, these events aren't compulsory, but they do provide a wonderful chance to experience some nostalgic glamour.

• Smart attire: On non-gala nights, you’ll find a smart dress code is expected in certain venues, such as smart jackets (ties optional) and dresses, skirts, or trousers with blouses. However, there are also places where casual dress is welcome.

Daytime Wear

• During the day, you can relax in casual attire, but swimwear should be confined to pool areas.

Is There A Dress Code On P&O Cruises?

P&O Cruises’ dress code is relatively relaxed, with only more formalwear required at specific events or venues in the evening. 

Evening Attire

• Evening Casual: The general evening dress code on a ship when sailing with P&O Cruises is smart casual. Think trousers, smart denim, polo shirts, dresses, and skirts. However, if you plan on attending one of the ship’s more luxurious restaurants, be sure to check its specific dress code as it will likely be more formal.

• Black Tie: Like many other cruise lines, P&O Cruises also provides the chance to dress up for Black Tie evenings. Think dinner jackets, tuxedos, cocktail dresses or ball gowns.

Daytime Wear

• During the day, you can wear your casual attire around the ship. However, swimwear is limited to poolside areas.

Is MSC Cruises' Dress Code More Relaxed?

When reviewing dress codes on a cruise ship, you’ll see that MSC Cruises does have a somewhat more relaxed approach, reflecting its overall more laid-back cruise holiday style. However, it does provide guidelines for what to wear at certain times in certain places.

Here’s an overview of MSC Cruises’ dress code:

Evening Attire:

• Smart casual: MSC advises its cruise guests to go for a more polished look for their eveningwear, especially when dining or enjoying the evening entertainment. These guidelines suggest collared shirts and tailored trousers, skirts and dresses. You can wear shorts, as long as they are tailored and jeans are usually also allowed.

• Gala nights: While MSC asks you to dress to impress for these evenings, it also recognises that everyone has their own style – from tuxedos and cocktail dresses to your best jeans and polo shirts. 

Daytime Wear

The daytime dress code on a cruise ship when sailing with MSC is casual, with swimwear reserved for pool areas.

What Is Celebrity Cruises' Dress Code?

Celebrity Cruises is generally regarded as having a modern, stylish vibe throughout its ships. The cruise ship's dress code mirrors that, described as ‘casual chic’. Let's take a look at what that translates to when deciding what to wear for each occasion:

Evening Attire

• Smart casual: For most evening activities, whether dining or entertainment, the cruise line dress code is smart casual. Describing it as comfortable yet tasteful, Celebrity Cruises suggests dresses, skirts, long trousers or jeans paired with stylish tops.

• Evening casual: These evenings are the equivalent of formal nights and are the time to get glammed up. Guests can wear dresses, gowns and tuxedos, if they wish, or simply elegant tops, smart jeans, trousers and maybe a blazer on top.

Daytime Wear

• During the day, Celebrity Cruises’ dress code suggests casual resort wear, such as sundresses, shorts and polos. Swimwear with cover-ups is advised for pool areas.

Is There A Dress Code On Norwegian Cruise Line?

The dress code on Norwegian Cruise Line is probably the most casual of all the leading cruise lines, with the overall theme being Freestyle Cruising. That being said, it still offers some suggestions for specific areas and events on the ship:

Evening Attire

• Cruise casual: When dining at the buffet and most speciality restaurants, the NCL cruise ship dress code is quite relaxed. You can wear attire such as khakis, jeans, shorts, casual shirts, casual dresses, skirts, shorts, jeans, and tops.

• Smart casual: For the more upscale speciality restaurants, the cruise line dress code is smart casual. Guidelines advise wearing items such as trousers or jeans with closed-toed shoes. Ladies can also wear dresses, or skirts and tops.

Daytime Wear

• In the daytime, you can dress casually. Swimwear is confined to pool areas. But you can also wear it at the buffet and outdoor restaurants with a shirt or cover-up and footwear.

General Tips For Dress Codes On Different Cruise Lines

• Footwear: Most places other than poolside will require you to wear shoes, often for safety. Non-slip soles are especially useful on wet decks, and closed-toe shoes may be required for certain activities.

• Theme Nights: Get ready to embrace the fun of themed nights hosted by many cruise lines by packing a few versatile pieces that can help you participate in these memorable events.

• Dining Venues: Double-check specific dress codes for speciality restaurants when making reservations, as these may differ from place to place.

• Cultural Sensitivity: Consider packing a scarf or shawl for visiting certain destinations, especially religious sites, as modest attire may be required.

It's worth checking out your cruise ship dress code before you go on your cruise holiday. By ensuring you have the appropriate attire, you can fully enjoy the diverse activities and dining options available onboard and make the most of your experience at sea. 

If you have any further questions about the dress code on different cruise lines, please get in touch with our cruise specialists.