On board

What is the dress code?

Two questions really: what is expected at dinner, and what happens on formal or gala nights.

Dress code by cruise line
Cruise lineDress codeSource
Royal Caribbean InternationalCasual most nights, plus 1 to 4 “Dress Your Best” evenings
  • — Casual: jeans, polos, sundresses, blouses. Shorts are fine for breakfast and lunch; swimwear stays on the pool deck.
  • — Smart Casual: collared shirts, dresses, skirts, pantsuits. Jackets and blazers welcome.
  • — Dress Your Best is black-tie level — suits and ties, tuxedos, cocktail dresses or gowns.
  • — How many: one on a 5-night, two on 6–10 nights, three on 11–14, three or four on 15+. The ship decides.
  • — Bare feet are never allowed in the main dining room or specialty venues.
Checked 2026-09-21
Carnival Cruise LineCruise Casual, with Cruise Elegant evenings
  • — Carnival frames it around your itinerary and climate rather than a strict rule.
  • — The page we read is a planning guide, not the formal policy, so we have not recorded a venue-by-venue rule.
Checked 2026-09-21
Norwegian Cruise LineCruise casual, and no mandatory formal nights
  • — Smart casual applies in the upscale dining venues.
  • — Norwegian states plainly that there are no compulsory formal nights — you can dress up if you want to.
Checked 2026-09-21
Celebrity CruisesCasual chic, with Smart Casual in the evening
  • — Around the ship: resort wear, sundresses, shorts, polos, button-downs, sandals or loafers.
  • — In main and specialty dining Celebrity asks you to leave out swimsuits, see-through coverups, robes, bare feet, tank tops, T-shirts and baseball caps.
  • — Poolside: swimwear with a coverup is expected.
Checked 2026-09-21
Princess CruisesCasual most nights, with a number of formal dining nights
  • — On formal nights the dress code is observed: evening gowns, cocktail dresses, tuxedos, suits, or a dinner jacket with slacks.
  • — Wrinkle-free fabric is recommended for packing.
  • — The page we read is Princess's packing guide, so we have not recorded the venue-by-venue rule.
Checked 2026-09-21
MSC CruisesCasual by day, a more polished look in the evening, plus Gala Night
  • — Shorts and T-shirts are fine during the day.
  • — Evening in the main dining rooms, specialty restaurants, theater and bars: collared shirts, tailored trousers or shorts, skirts, dresses.
  • — Swimwear is never allowed in a formal dining venue, including at breakfast and lunch. Shorts, flip-flops and tank tops are restricted too.
  • — Theme parties run through the cruise — the White Party and the Sunshine Party among them.
Checked 2026-09-21
Holland America LineSmart casual in the dining rooms, with Dressy Nights
  • — Dining rooms require shirts or cover-ups and footwear indoors. Smart casual attire is appropriate.
  • — Shorts, beachwear, tank tops and distressed jeans are not permitted in table service restaurants.
  • — Pack cocktail attire for Dressy Nights.
  • — Orange clothing or accessories are suggested for the Orange Party.
Checked 2026-09-21
Disney Cruise LineCruise casual in most venues; swimwear and tank tops are not permitted
  • — Dinner: khakis, slacks or smart jeans with a collared or polo shirt, or a dress, skirt and top. Shorts and T-shirts are allowed.
  • — Shorter sailings have an optional dress-up night and a themed deck party.
  • — Longer sailings add one formal and one semi-formal night, both optional.
  • — The adults-only restaurants (18 and over) ask for formal or semi-formal, or a polished dress-casual look.
Checked 2026-09-21
Virgin VoyagesNo formal nights and no strict dress code
  • — Virgin states it does not do formal nights and asks only that you keep other Sailors' comfort in mind.
  • — Dress up or stay casual — the line explicitly leaves it to you.
Checked 2026-09-21
VikingCasual by day, “elegant casual” in the evening, and no formal nights
  • — Daytime: shorts, slacks or jeans, with comfortable shoes for walking tours.
  • — Swimwear, cover-ups, robes and exercise attire belong in the fitness, pool and spa areas only.
  • — Evening “elegant casual” applies to all dining venues, performances and special events. Ladies: a dress, skirt or slacks with a sweater or blouse. Gentlemen: trousers and a collared shirt.
  • — A tie and jacket are optional. Jeans are not permitted in the evening.
  • — The World Café is the exception — dress stays casual there after 6:00 PM, jeans and boots included.
  • — On polar expeditions the onboard dress code is more casual, and a detailed packing list is provided.
Checked 2026-09-21
Cunard LineSmart attire most nights, with gala evenings
  • — The most formal dress code of any line on this list.
  • — The page we read is Cunard's own style guide rather than the rule page, so we have not recorded the venue-by-venue detail.
Checked 2026-09-21
Oceania Cruises“Effortless sophistication” — polished and upscale, but no formal nights
  • — Daytime: sundresses, polo shirts, tailored shorts and lightweight slacks. Swimwear is fine at the pool, but wear a cover-up into dining areas.
  • — Evening, ladies: dresses or jumpsuits, elegant blouses with slacks or skirts, fashionable jeans, dressy sandals, pumps or dress sneakers.
  • — Evening, gentlemen: collared shirts, knit tops or dressy polos, lightweight sweaters, tailored pants or dressy jeans, loafers or dress shoes.
  • — Shorts and t-shirts in the evening are only permitted in the Terrace Café or Waves Grill.
  • — Baseball caps are not permitted in The Grand Dining Room or specialty restaurants at dinner.
  • — Athletic shoes and flip-flops are not permitted in restaurants or public areas after 6 pm.
  • — Faded, acid-washed, torn or distressed jeans are not suitable for evening wear.
  • — Robes and slippers are for in-room use only.
Checked 2026-09-21

12 of 12 lines recorded. Blank rows are gaps in our data, not gaps in the line’s policy.