Dress Codes for Major Cruise Lines

The vast majority of cruise lines maintain a casual dress code during the day, but once the evening hours roll in, dress codes can change dramatically. What was okay in a main restaurant at lunch may not be okay for dinner.

To help you prepare your clients for their next cruise, we’ve compiled the dress codes for the main ocean-going cruise lines. Recommended attire is for dinners in the main and specialty restaurants. (Buffets tend to remain casual even after the sun goes down.)

Carnival Cruise Line

Overall: Casual by day, smart casual after 5:30 p.m. The only exception in the dining room is on embarkation day, which is “come as you are,” though footwear must be worn at all times.

The dress code at Fahrenheit 555, specifically, is cruise elegant, with smart jeans allowed on Cruise Casual evenings.

Recommended for Women: Casual dresses, casual skirts or pants and blouses, summer dresses, capris or dress shorts, and jeans. On Cruise Elegant Nights, recommended attire for women is cocktail dresses, pantsuits, elegant skirt and blouses, and evening gowns.

Recommended for Men: Casual pants, jeans, dress shorts, and collared sport shirts. On Cruise Elegant Nights, recommended attire for men is dress trousers, dress shirts, sports jacket, and suit/tie or tuxedo for those that want to go all out.

Not Permitted: Gym or basketball shorts, beach flip-flops, bathing suit attire, cut-off jeans, sleeveless shirts for men, baseball caps. On Cruise Elegant Nights, shorts, t-shirts, jeans and sportswear are furthermore not permitted.

All items worn during a Carnival cruise should not contain any messages that may be considered offensive or contain nudity, profanity, or sexual innuendo/suggestions. All clothing and accessories should not promote negative ethnic or racial commentary, or hatred or violence in any form.

Disney Cruise Line

Overall: Cruise casual. Dress-up nights are optional, but recommended.

For adults-only restaurants, dress code is “polished.” While formal and semi-formal wear is recommended, dress pants, designer jeans, and collared shirts and blouses are accepted.

Recommended for Women: Shorts, t-shirts, summer dress, capris. On optional dress-up nights, dress or pantsuit.

Recommended for Men: Shorts, t-shirts, jeans, trousers, polo shirts. On optional dress-up nights, trousers with polo or button-up shirt and jacket.

Not Permitted: Swimwear and tank tops. No t-shirts or sports attire are permitted in adults-only restaurants.

Holland America Line

Overall: Smart casual, except on Dressy Nights, which are semi-formal (or formal depending on guest’s preference)

Recommended for Women: Capris, slacks or skirt and blouse, summer dress. On Dressy Nights, dresses, skirts or slacks with a blouse.

Recommended for Men: Designer jeans, slacks, polo shirts. Slacks and collared shirts (jacket and tie or tux optional).

Not Permitted: Shorts, t-shirts, pool/beachwear, distressed jeans, men’s tank tops.

Princess Cruises

Overall: Resort casual.

Recommended for Women: Skirts/dresses, slacks, blouses, sweaters. On Formal Nights, gowns, cocktail dresses, pantsuits.

Recommended for Men: Trousers and collared or dress shirts. On Formal Nights, Dress pants and shirts (jacket and tie optional), dark suits, tuxedos.

Not Permitted: Pool/beach attire, shorts, ball caps, jeans with fraying and/or holes.

Royal Caribbean International

Overall: Casual by day, smart casual in the evening. The Chef’s Table dining experience has a formal dress code.

Recommended for Women: Jeans, sundresses, skirts, pantsuits, blouses. On Formal Nights, cocktail dresses, gowns, elegant pantsuits.

Recommended for Men: Trousers, polos, collared shirts. (Sport coat or blazer optional.) On Formal Nights, full suit (tie optional), tuxedos.

The dress code applies to children of all ages.

Not Permitted: Swimwear, bare feet, flip-flops, baseball caps, tank tops, robes. Shorts at dinner.

Viking Cruises

Overall: Casual by day, elegant casual by night.

Recommended for Women: Dresses, skirt or slacks with blouse or sweater.

Recommended for Men: Trousers and a collared shirt. (Jacket and tie optional)

Not Permitted: Swimwear.

Virgin Voyages

Overall: Whatever you want it to be.

Recommended for Women: Dictated by each cruiser’s personal style.

Recommended for Men: Dictated by each cruiser’s personal style.

Not Permitted: Simply put, be respectful. Cover-ups and shoes are encouraged in restaurants but not required.

Article sourced: travelmarketreport.com