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We’ve taken dozens of cruise and know that for those unfamiliar with formal night, it can feel a bit unnerving trying to figure out the ins and outs of dressing up. At the same time, some people don’t want to dress up at all and prefer to know what other options they have. If you'll be spending your port days shopping, dining, and exploring new cities and towns, you'll need cruise outfit ideas that are both stylish and practical.
Recap: What to Wear on a Cruise Formal Night
Let’s embark on a journey through the various components of men’s cruise formal night attire, ensuring you step into the dining hall with confidence and class. Dressing up for a formal night on a cruise is not just about adhering to a dress code, but it’s an invitation to embody elegance and revel in a night of sophistication. Accessorizing for a formal night on a cruise is like adding the cherry on top of a delicious sundae. It's not just about the suit or dress; it's about the details that make an outfit truly shine.
Caribbean: Resort Casual

Most popular cruise lines have a formal night, or a version of it by a different name, during each cruise. In recent years, cruises are becoming more casual and dress codes are changing, however, having a special “dress up” night is still very common. On most cruise lines, a tuxedo or suit for men, and an evening gown or cocktail dress for ladies is appropriate formal wear for a cruise. In practice, there will be a wide variety of “formal wear” seen on a cruise. There are some clothing items to avoid if you plan to eat in the dining room on formal night. This includes shorts, tank-tops, t-shirts, and swimsuits, as well as flip-flops.
I’m so happy you’re here!
Remember that daytime cruise attire should suit the diverse activities available onboard and ashore. By packing smartly, you blend in with the cruising culture while prioritizing your comfort and readiness for any adventure that calls your name. Selecting the right cruise ship clothes transforms your daytime experiences into comfortable, memorable adventures. Whether lounging poolside or exploring exotic locales, understanding what to wear on a cruise during the day is essential to enjoy every moment. For ladies, dressing in an evening gown, cocktail dress, or fancy outfit is perfect. Many first time cruisers are concerned about what to wear on formal nights on a cruise.

For instance, instead of the main dining room you can head to the buffet or one of the 24-hour restaurants around the ship. The restaurant’s atmosphere will give you an idea of if it’s ok to eat there dressed casually or not. If you don’t want to dress up for the evening, then you certainly don’t have to do so. If you decide that shorts and a t-shirt are as formal as you want to get, you won’t be alone. If you’re cruising to a destination with a cold climate, such as Alaska or parts of Europe, it’s important to pack clothing that will keep you warm on the ship as well as on shore. Even if you’re cruising to Alaska in the middle of summer, expect temperatures to range from the mid-50s to mid-60s (degrees Fahrenheit) during the day.
Shopping and Packing
It does make a great time to take family photos and have memories that will last a lifetime. Oceania and Azamara are elegant, but not formal, however Silversea does have formal nights. Unlike most cruise lines, there are no formal nights on a Windstar Cruise. No tank tops, caps, or bathing suits are permitted in the main dining room or specialty restaurants, and footwear is always required.
Dress comfortably for the weather and make sure to wear comfortable shoes. Depending on the length of your cruise, there may be one or more formal nights. Each cruise line will have different guidelines on when formal nights will occur, but they will never be held on the first or last night of a cruise due to luggage handling concerns. The cruise formal night might also be called Captain’s Night, often with photo opportunities with the captain and a speech. Although you can’t pack your own clothes iron or steamer (they’re a fire hazard on ships), some cruise lines do have passenger laundry rooms with an iron you can use to touch up your outfits.
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Take your time and put some thought into packing for a Carnival Cruise and you’ll be ready to dress perfectly for every cruise occasion. Remember, there’s only so much room in your suitcase and stateroom, yet you’ll need enough clothing to take you from arrival to departure and every excursion in between. Solid-colored board shorts paired with a button-up shirt (nautical print encouraged) work just as well for a day on deck. Then, change from swim trunks and flip-flops to chinos and dress shoes before heading to the onboard restaurant. A Panama hat adds an element of holiday luxe no matter the time of day. It’s classy and perfect as formal wear, but also a little sexy… for after dinner.
This bracelet-sleeve lace cocktail dress features eyelash lace at the scalloped hem and an elegant v-neck at the back, making it perfect for a formal night updo. Add gold chain link earrings and kitten heel pumps for a polished evening ensemble. As we mentioned above, if you don’t want to change out of your shorts and t-shirt on formal night (or any other night of the cruise), the buffet is a great dinnertime option. As elegant and enchanting as formal nights on cruises can be, they do come with their set of challenges. However, with a bit of preparation and know-how, these hurdles can easily be navigated. Despite the differences, a common thread among all cruise lines is the intention of creating a special atmosphere on formal nights.
Even so, we’d highly recommend dressing up somewhat if you plan on eating in a dining room or a nicer specialty restaurant. Not only will you feel more comfortable around others who are dressed up, but it also adds to the atmosphere of formal night for others. Just as the name implies, formal night is the evening on the cruise when the dress code goes from the casual style that’s normal around the ship to more elegant.
For instance, luxury cruise lines may uphold a more traditional formal dress code, while family-oriented or adventure cruises might adopt a modern or casual formal approach. This gorgeous cocktail dress is a good example of a dress that you can wear on any cruise for formal night. It also fits perfectly well on any cruise line, from Princess to Celebrity Cruises and from Carnival to NCL. You might be wondering what to expect on cruise formal nights, how many there are, and even if you can skip them if you like.
Opt for loose, breathable fabrics on big days out to roam any terrain from rainforests to ruins. The quintessential cruise style consists of chic but relaxed pieces. Think breezy fabrics, loose silhouettes, light neutrals, bright colors and beachy accessories. The types of shore excursions offered depends on your cruise itinerary. For example, you can expect excursions like snorkeling or scuba diving in warm weather destinations like the Caribbean. If you’re going to Alaska or the Mediterranean you want to pack clothes for their respective climates.
There is also a Polynesian Night once every sailing, when passengers are encouraged to wear Polynesian-style attire, so pull out your tropical shirts and dresses. When you’re deciding what to wear for formal night on a cruise, it’s a good idea to know how many formal nights your sailing will have. For cocktail dress or gown rentals, you can check sites like Rent the Runway or Armoire (they’re especially great for maternity formal wear rentals). You’ll be able to rent a formal dress for far less than buying, and they take care of the cleaning for you.
No bare feet, tank tops, caps, bathing suits or shorts are allowed in the dining room or specialty restaurants. In the casual Windows Cafe buffet, the only requirements are footwear and a cover-up or shirt. Though not part of the official Azamara dress code, conservative clothing for port activities that involve museums, restaurants, and religious sites is recommended. Some cruise line’s formal nights may be called Gala Nights, which are usually quite formal. Other cruise dress codes include Celebrity’s “Evening Chic” and Carnival’s “Cruise Elegant”, which leave more leeway for dressing up with less formality. Norwegian Cruise Line does not have a formal night, however they do have an optional dress up night called “Norwegian Night Out”.
This might include pants with a dress shirt or sweater for men -- with an optional sports coat or blazer -- or cocktail dresses or skirts or pants with an elegant top for women. Ladies can wear evening gowns, cocktail dresses, or elegant pantsuits. A little black dress with sparkly accessories is also a timeless look that can be dressed up or toned down to fit the dress code. That's the case almost all of the time, except for the formal evening gala dinners.
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