Sunday, March 31, 2024

What to Wear on a Cruise: The Ultimate Guide

cruise dinner wear

Avoid having to go back to your stateroom to change between pool and restaurant by bringing along cover-ups like sundresses or shorts and T-shirts. These items are essential as well for glacier excursions like Dog Sledding on Mendenhall Glacier via Helicopter. Themed evenings and gala nights are the hallmarks of cruise entertainment, demanding a wardrobe that elevates your style to match the night’s festivities. From the lively spirit of a themed party to the sophisticated ambiance of a gala, every event presents an opportunity to showcase your fashion while adhering to the cruise party dress code.

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However, a lot of cruises are dropping the mandatory “formal” night where you had to dress to the nines in black tie attire. Instead, you’ll find smart casual, or evening chic dress codes in place for dinner. Regardless of where you're cruising, make sure you pack comfortable clothes and shoes -- especially if you plan to do a lot of exploring on the ship. Pretty much anything casual goes for daywear onboard, but there are a few exceptions.

What do you wear on a dressier night on a cruise?

For men, this can include dress pants or khakis and a nice polo, short or long sleeve buttoned shirt. Each cruise line has it’s own dress code, however most have a version of casual, smart casual, and formal nights. The terminology that cruise lines are using reflect subtle changes to the dress code. If you’re having dinner in the main restaurant or any meal at one of the specialty restaurants, you’ll follow a “smart casual” dress code on most nights. This means long pants, jeans, a dress or skirt, a stylish top, or a button-down.

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The duration of your dinner cruise plays a significant role in determining how much clothing to pack. It’s crucial to consider the length of your trip to ensure you have enough outfits without overpacking unnecessary items. Another essential clothing item to consider for a dinner cruise is layering pieces. The weather can be unpredictable, and it’s important to be prepared for different temperature variations throughout the evening. Layering allows you to easily adjust your outfit to stay comfortable in changing conditions. If you’re embarking on a cruise during warmer months or in tropical destinations, it’s important to choose clothing that will keep you cool and comfortable.

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Layering allows you to adjust your clothing to the changing temperature throughout the day. Start with a base layer made of moisture-wicking material to keep you dry and comfortable. Opt for a dress that falls below the knee or a floor-length gown for a more elegant look. Accessorize with statement jewelry and a clutch bag to complete your ensemble. Don’t forget to wear high heels that are comfortable enough for dancing the night away.

This can range from attire for formal or themed nights to the right outfits for a range of activities in port. During the day, the more appropriate choices are casual or smart casual. If you are planning to stay on the ship and visit the pool, you can keep it casual with your swimming suit underneath. Keep in mind when walking through the ship, it is best to wear clothes, a wrap, or even a robe over your swimming costume.

Cruise Outfit Tips

Popular theme nights are wide-ranging, though the most recurring are tropical parties (Hawaiian shirts encouraged), '80s nights and white nights (all-white attire). Also, culturally appropriate formal attire is always an option, such as Scottish kilt suits or military dress uniforms. As well, there are almost always announcements from the cruise director throughout the day sharing what is going on during the day and evening. They will usually mention it when it is formal night, so keep an ear out for announcements. When it comes to Smart Casual during your Alaska cruise, you’ll also want to consider the weather for your sailing.

Oceania Cruises Dress Code: Quite Casual for a Luxury Line

As mentioned above, casual attire includes most everyday items that are comfortable and appropriate. It is a good idea to follow a smart or elegant casual dress code for a casual dinner. Here is a list of a few outfit combinations you can use for ideas for a causal cruise dinner. These occasions are sometimes referred to as the Captain’s Dinner and have a strict formal dress code. Most guests will choose to be dressed in an elegant dress or suit for this evening. There are some clothing items to avoid if you plan to eat in the dining room on formal night.

Packing for Daytime Adventures Onboard and Ashore

And if casual is the only way you wish to dress on vacation, know you can always go to the buffet or order room service, and you won't go hungry for want of khakis and a button-down shirt. Need to add a few new pieces to your wardrobe before your cruise vacation? If you're taking family photos, tuxedos, suits, blazers and ties are not required but add flare and personality to a look. Get creative with kids who prefer comfort; put babies in a tuxedo-print onesie and young boys in an adorable sweater vest on formal evenings.

But in the evenings, the dress code is almost always elegant casual, with the exception of the final evening of each cruise (which is casual). On formal nights, proper attire includes tuxedos, suits or slacks (jackets required) for men and evening gowns, cocktail dresses or dressy pantsuits for women. Jeans are welcome in all dining venues during the day, but they're not appropriate in any public venues for dinner or cocktail hour.

After all, the last thing you want to experience is ending up on the cruise and realizing you do not have anything to wear because you have not packed accordingly. Below, we’ve covered some of the most frequent questions about formal night on a cruise. In all honesty, most Caribbean cruises are very casual for the entirety of the sailing. It’s a fine line between Smart Casual compared to just Casual night, especially on a sun-filled Caribbean cruise. Boots are an excellent option for colder weather destinations or activities like hiking.

cruise dinner wear

Perhaps the biggest question around formal night on a cruise is what to wear. No, you don’t have to go out and get a tuxedo or a formal evening gown unless you want to. 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. Alaska is also the perfect destination for a jumpsuit with pants or pantsuit to keep warm.

However, in most cases men can feel comfortable wearing a suit or dress pants and a dress shirt. For ladies, an evening gown, cocktail dress, pant suit or “little black dress” are great choices. A good guideline is to dress as you would at a nice restaurant at home.

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