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July 11, 2013  |  By Jenni Fielding In Experience

The ultimate cruise dress code guide

Cruise Dress Code

Way back in the early 1900’s when cruising first began, the rules regarding dress codes were simple. Formal dress was mandatory after 6pm and not just in the dining room either, this was expected in all of the public rooms. As time grew on, and more and more diverse cruise lines surfaced, the rules on what to wear started to confuse people. So it’s not surprising that one of the most frequently asked questions by customers booking a cruise is: what is the dress code?

In modern cruising the dress code tends to just apply during your evening meal and most cruise lines generally have three types of dress codes; Formal, informal and casual. Here is a little guide of just some of the dress codes you can expect aboard some of the world’s best loved cruise lines…

Surprisingly, Azamara Club Cruises are quite relaxed when it comes to their dress code and allow their guests to wear whatever they feel comfortable in. There are no formal nights on board and the only restrictions in the dining room and speciality restaurants include jeans, swimwear, tank tops and caps.

If you wanted to take a cruise on one of the Disney ships then the dress codes that you can expect include; formal, semi-formal, casual and themed dress up nights. Formal means tuxedo or suits for men and a ball-gown or dress for women. Semi-formal means suits or jackets for men and a dress or trouser-suit for women. Casual is left up to you for what you feel comfortable in and Disney also hosts a themed night to make their cruises feel a little bit more magical than most.

On a Holland America cruise the dress code not only applies to in the restaurants, but throughout the ship after 6pm.  On formal evenings men are expected to wear a tuxedo or dark suit and tie and women a cocktail dress or evening gown. For smart-casual days, men can wear t-shirts or jumpers and skirts, trousers and blouses or are appropriate for women.

Royal Caribbean has formal, smart casual and casual nights. Formal attire includes suits and ties or tuxedos for men and cocktail dresses for women. Smart casual attire includes jackets and ties for men and dresses or trouser-suits for women. On the more casual evenings the choice is left to you to decide.  If dressing formally isn’t your cup of tea then Royal Caribbean do offer buffet-style dining as an alternative, in which the choice of what you wear is entirely up to you.

Norwegian Cruise Line doesn’t have a formal dress code but they do make suggestions for what to wear in the restaurant during your evening meal. Men are asked to wear collared shirts and trousers or jeans and trousers jeans, dresses, skirts, and tops are suggested for women.

Cruise and Maritime’s dress codes are formal, informal and casual. Formal attire consists of a tuxedo dinner jacket for the men and an evening dress or cocktail for women. Informal wear applies to most of the evenings on board and this includes a suit or smart jacket for men and a cocktail dress or trouser suit for women. On casual nights, the choice of what you wear is entirely up to you.

Regent Seven Seas like to dress up during the evening and their guests are requested to always wear elegant attire after 6pm. The male guests can wear tuxedos or dark coloured suits and women guests tend to wear ball-gowns or cocktail dresses.

Seabourn has formal, elegant casual and casual evenings and the dress codes apply just in the restaurant after 6pm. Formal attire includes a tuxedo or a dark suit for men and evening gown for women. Elegant casual attire includes trousers with a jacket over a jumper or shirt for men and skirt or trousers with a sweater or blouse for women.

By Ian Lewis
Google

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Jenni Fielding
Jenni has been working in the travel industry for over 10 years. She fell in love with cruising on her first-ever cruise, a Caribbean cruise on Allure of the Seas, during her honeymoon in 2013. Nowadays, Jenni enjoys cruising with her husband and two young children. Her favourite ships are family-friendly megaships which are packed with exciting facilities. She loves sea days and had been known to skip port visits to spend more time on the ship!

Comments: 1 reply added

  1. patricia Lyons July 14, 2013 Reply

    Have been cruising for 30 years and love the dress code.It is so nice to see everyone coming down to dinner in evening dresses ,not the men!!!!!!!! Even the casual nights are great when everyone lets their hair down and join in with the fun. Carry on cruising with the dress code,after all ,it is the best holiday.

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