What to Wear on Board Ship ?

July 10, 2026 Cruise_Admin

Another of our most frequently asked questions from first time cruisers – what is the dress code on board ? , what should I pack ?, what should I wear to dinner ?. We know that it is important but it really is quite easy – we can often spot the more experienced cruisers simply based on what they wear.

During the day what you wear is purely based on what you are up to and the climate for your chosen itinerary. If you are going ashore wear whatever makes you feel comfortable. If you are on a shore excursion be prepared to do some walking so comfy shoes are a must.

If you are planning a day out on the sun decks then obviously wear appropriate clothing for sunbathing / swimming but do be aware that may cruise lines will still operate a policy of no swimwear allowed in the restaurants for lunch – simply have something available to cover up your swimwear for when you go into restauarants or the buffet.

Evenings are a little more tricky and are still largely dictated by each individual cruise lines own policies. As a general rule the more Americanised the cruise line the more casual is the dress code and the more British, the more formal wear comes into play.

Most cruise lines will have some evenings where the dress code is ‘resort casual’ and some evenings when the dress code is more formal – your detailed cruise planner will usually be available shortly after you have booked your cruise and will detail how many formal nights there will be – but as a rule of them no more than 2 for each 7 nights on board.

A cruise resort casual dress code means wearing typical vacation attire for an evening – think going out to a nice restaurant on land. Think khakis, polo shirts, sundresses, and blouses. It balances a relaxed holiday vibe with neat, upscale standards—meaning no swimwear, flip-flops, or torn jeans in main dining rooms or specialty restaurants.

For men typically collared shirts, polo shirts, or crisp button-downs. Chinos, khakis, or tailored slacks. Some cruise lines allow smart, untorn shorts during the day, but most still do not allow shorts for men for dinner.

For Women – Sundresses, maxi dresses, or skirts, blouses, dressy knits, or smart casual tops. Capris, tailored trousers, or dressy shorts. Sandals, wedges, or flats.

What to Avoid

Poolwear: Swimsuits, cover-ups, and bare feet are strictly restricted to the pool deck and outdoor areas.

Athletic Attire: Gym wear (like sweatpants, athletic jerseys, or baseball caps) should be saved for the fitness center or casual daytime decks.

Distressed Clothing: Ripped jeans or excessively faded clothing are generally not permitted. Some cruise lines will also not allow fatigues style clothing in restaurants.

The formal dress code (often called “Gala Night” or “Black Tie”) requires dressing to impress for evening dinners and events. For women this means evening gowns or cocktail dresses. For men it means a tuxedo, dinner jacket or dark suit with shirt and tie.

The ships photographers will be out in force on formal evenings giving you the opportunity to create a treasured momento of how you dressed to impress on your cruise !

While formal nights are a beloved cruise tradition, and many guests enjoy dressing to impress, the enforcement and specifics depend heavily on the cruise line you are traveling with. For example

P&O Cruises: Enforces Black Tie evenings where ball gowns, cocktail dresses, tuxedos, or dark suits with a jacket and tie are encouraged.
Cunard: Known for its high level of formality. Gala nights require strict evening attire in most venues after 6 PM.
Royal Caribbean & Norwegian: Use “Dress Your Best” or formal nights. While tuxedos and gowns are common, smart suits or cocktail dresses are perfectly acceptable.
Celebrity Cruises: Implements “Evening Chic.” Formalwear is welcomed, but a blazer or sports coat with a dress shirt is also suitable.

However if you are uncomfortable with the idea of formal wear or your wardrobe does not run to such attire don’t let that put you off cruising. Choose a more relaxed cruise line or plan to visit the buffet on formal nights where a more casual dress code will be perfectly acceptable.

We find that over the 20 years or so that we have been cruising the dress code has become more relaxed as has our own attitudes. In the early days when travelling from the Midlands to Southmapton we would always get changed close to the port so that we boarded in smart clothing. And half our luggage was filled with formal dresses and suits. Now we board in shorts and do not take any formal wear with us.