holland america cruises formal nights

Dress Codes

Shipboard dress is casual during the day. Shorts and tasteful T-shirts are acceptable even in the dining room. At dinner, dress codes will vary daily, among the following:

Smart Casual: Skirts/dresses, slacks and blouses for ladies; Slacks and collared shirts for men.

Formal: Evening gowns and cocktail dresses for women; tuxedos, dinner jackets or dark suits with a tie for men. Most 7-night cruises will have two formal nights, and longer cruises will have additional formal nights.

Holland America Theme Nights 2024

March 11, 2024

Hello Everyone, I’m Leo and I’m an Italian cruise lover !

If you don’t know me, I’ve been writing about cruises for several years now . During these years, I must confess that one of the most common questions I receive is related to themed nights on ships.

I’ve already covered that topic in articles for major cruise lines; however, a reader emailed me the other day pointing out that I’ve never discussed themed nights on Holland America .

There’s actually a reason for that. HAL has very few theme nights on its ships , and I thought it might not be such an interesting topic for you. But, since some of you have asked, I’ve decided to talk about it anyway.

Okay then, enough with this introduction. Let’s look at the 2024 schedule for the theme nights on Holland America.

Table of Contents

Smart Casual Nights

Most nights on Holland America are smart casual.

What does this mean? It means that you can wear something more relaxed than formal attire, but it still requires a degree of elegance.

For women , smart casual might include dresses, skirts and blouses, or trousers with a nice top, along with appropriate footwear.

For men , it typically means wearing trousers with a shirt or a polo. Jeans can be acceptable as long as they are not distressed.

Holland America also emphasizes that beachwear and men’s tank tops are not appropriate for the restaurant .

Orange dance party

The only real theme night on Holland America ships is Orange Night .

Why did they choose orange? It’s in honor of the House of Orange-Nassau , the current royal family of the Netherlands .

Every cruise features an “ Orange Party ” filled with music, swag, specialty orange drinks, and fun games.

The only problem here is dressing up, because orange is not such a common color in closets.

Men can opt for neutral-colored trousers like beige, white, or even black. They can then pair them with a simple orange shirt, which can be either a casual t-shirt or a dress shirt for a more formal look.

For women , an orange dress could be the easiest choice. An alternative could be an orange blouse paired with a skirt or pants in neutral tones.

Formal or Dressy Night

The other theme night featured on every Holland America cruise is the formal night .

I’ve actually noticed that they’re not calling it “ Formal ” anymore but just “ Dressy “.

The reason is that for many, the term “Formal” was misleading as it implied a specific type of dress (such as black tie or tuxedo) that has never been a requirement. “Dressy” still suggests a festive or dressy attire without misleading guests into bringing attire that the majority of guests don’t wear.

You will probably have two “Dressy” night s if your cruise is 7 or 8 nights long. They usually occur on sea days but never on the last night.

Are there any other themed nights on Holland America?

There might be additional themed nights , but they are not standard across all cruises.

For instance, a friend of mine mentioned there was a masquerade night during his cruise, which coincided with Mardi Gras .

I’ve also heard that there are special nights for celebrations such as Thanksgiving , the 4th of July , or Halloween .

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Holland America Cruise Line – Ships, Destinations, Dining, and More

Katie Seemann

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Table of Contents

Basic information, departure ports, private ports/islands, onboard activities, dining and beverages, accommodations, mariner society, final thoughts.

We may be compensated when you click on product links, such as credit cards, from one or more of our advertising partners. Terms apply to the offers below. See our Advertising Policy for more about our partners, how we make money, and our rating methodology. Opinions and recommendations are ours alone.

Holland America Cruise Line has been around since 1873. It was started as the Netherlands-America Steamship Company, which was headquartered in the Netherlands and provided service to America. Since then it has grown to carry over 800,000 passengers a year across all 7 continents, with an emphasis on luxury, mid-size ship cruising.

In 1971, it stopped transporting cargo to offer only cruise vacations. In 1989 it was acquired by Carnival Corporation, the largest cruise company in the world. Today, Holland America offers modern amenities and luxury accommodations across 14 mid-size ships.

Name: Holland America Line

Parent Company: Carnival Corporation (which also owns Carnival Cruise Line , Princess Cruises , AIDA Cruises, Cunard Line, Seabourn, Costa Cruises, and P&O Cruises)

Number of Ships: 11

Destinations: 400+

Loyalty Program: Mariner Society

Credit Card: Holland America Line Rewards Visa ® Card

Holland America operates 11 mid-size ships.

• Nieuw Amsterdam
• Nieuw Statendam

Bottom Line: Holland America operates 11 ships.These are mid-size ships, not the gigantic ships you’ll find on cruise lines like Royal Caribbean.

Holland America sails to over 400 ports of call from 25 departure ports across the world.

Hot Tip: Curious about award travel on cruises? Check out our complete guide to booking your cruise with points and miles.

Half Moon Cay is Holland America’s private island in the Bahamas (you can also visit this island on a Carnival cruise). Whether you’re looking for adventure or a quiet day on the beach, you’ll find it on Half Moon Cay.

Here are some of the activity highlights of Half Moon Cay:

• Children’s water park
• Glass-bottom boats
• Horseback riding on the beach
• Paddleboards
• Private 2-story villas and private cabanas

There are plenty of places to eat and drink on the island as well. Try the Tropics Restaurant for a barbecue lunch or opt for Caribbean-style grilled lobster at Lobster Shack. You can grab a tropical drink at one of the many bars including Captain Morgan on the Rocks.

Hot Tip: Looking to say, “I do?” You’re in luck — you can get married or renew your vows on the island in Half Moon Cay’s wedding chapel.

On a Holland America ship, you’ll find plenty of unique activities, plus your favorite cruise classics like a casino, spa, fitness center, and onboard shopping.

In addition to lots of great things to do, Holland America offers a huge selection of live music onboard. Look out for these unique activities and performances on your next Holland America cruise (some activities may have an additional charge and not all are available on every ship).

• BBC Earth Experiences
• B.B. King’s Blues Club
• Billboard Onboard
• Club Hal (for kids 3-17)
• Explorations Central (EXC) Culture
• EXC Photography
• EXC Port To Table
• High Score! family game room
• Lincoln Center Stage
• Microsoft Studio
• Movie theater

Orange Party

• O, The Oprah Magazine activities
• O’s Reading Room
• Postmodern Jukebox
• Rolling Stone Rock Room
• Step One Dance Company
• World Stage
• Zodiac excursions

O, The Oprah Magazine Partnership

Holland America has partnered with O, The Oprah Magazine to bring passengers a collection of Oprah-inspired activities and amenities to each of its ships.

This partnership offers complimentary activities that are designed to inspire you to “Live Your Best Life,” which is the magazine’s mission.

Onboard a Holland America ship, you can start your day with a meditation, pick up an inspirational book in O’s Reading Room, and even shop for “Oprah’s Favorite Things.”

Oprah Winfrey herself has even been named the godmother of the ship Nieuw Statendam.

Holland America Line Navigator

Holland America Line Navigator is a free app that you can use once onboard your cruise ship. With this app, you’ll be able to organize and plan your trip.

• Keep in touch with traveling companions
• Plan daily activities
• Book shore excursions
• Make dinner reservations
• View onboard statement
• Purchase and use onboard Wi-Fi
• View and purchase onboard photos
• View spa treatments

Holland America offers Gala Nights on its ships. On these nights, dress is formal — a suit, cocktail dress, or gown for women and jacket and tie, dark suit, or tuxedo for men are appropriate. On all other nights, resort casual attire is suggested. This includes casual dresses, slacks, or informal evening wear for women and slacks and collared shirts for men.

On 1 night of each Holland America cruise you’ll get to experience an Orange Party.

Orange is the color most associated with the Netherlands and Holland’s royal family (House of Orange), so it’s only fitting that there be an Orange Party onboard. During the party, you’ll get to sample Dutch-inspired appetizers and drinks and you’ll enjoy live music.

So be sure to pack all of your favorite orange-colored clothing. But don’t worry if you forget to pack something orange — you can find Orange Party essentials in the onboard shops.

Specialty Cruises

Whether you’re looking to celebrate a special holiday or want to plan a cruise around a special interest, Holland America can fit the bill.

A Grand Voyage Cruise tends to be a longer voyage with more ports and more time in each port (even overnight stops).

If you love food and wine, try a Food & Beverage Aficionado Cruise . These special cruises feature cooking classes, cocktail demonstrations, wine tastings, and a chance to meet and mingle with a culinary expert from the Holland America Line Culinary Council ® .

If wine is your passion, consider a Wine Experts Cruise . On these voyages, you’ll have the opportunity to meet experts from Chateau Ste. Michelle while you indulge in wine classes and tastings.

If cocktails are more your thing, check out a Mixologist Aficionado Cruise. These cruises feature Holland America’s “King Cocktail,” Dale DeGroff, a James Beard award winner and author of The Essential Cocktail .

A Holiday Cruise offers all of the traditional festivities without any of the work. You’ll enjoy your favorite holiday foods, multiple religious services, a yule log parade, holiday movies, and decorations throughout the ship. Kids can make seasonal crafts and visit Santa while adults can enjoy festivities like the Christmas Eve party and New Year’s Eve Ball.

Hot Tip: Be prepared for your cruise. Check out our best cruise tips plus get our printable cruise packing list . You can also see what the best credit cards are for booking cruises so you get the most bang for your buck!

As with most cruise lines, Holland America offers both dining options that are included in your cruise fare and options that come with an additional charge. You’ll find everything from casual poolside fare to elegant fine dining.

Dining on Holland America is “As You Wish.” This means you can choose a traditional pre-set seating option or you can dine anytime you choose. You can stay casual by the pool, order room service, or choose one of the elegant dining rooms — the choice is yours.

Complimentary Dining

Look for these complimentary dining locations on your Holland America cruise. Not all locations are offered on every ship.

• In-room dining
• Lido Market
• New York Pizza
• The Dining Room

Specialty Dining

The following dining locations come with an additional charge above what you paid for your cruise. Not all locations are available on every ship.

• Explorations Cafe
• Grand Dutch Cafe
• Pinnacle Grill
• Rudi’s Sel de Mer

Bars and Beverages

There are plenty of bars and lounges on a Holland America ship so you can grab a drink and relax anytime. Look for these locations on your next cruise (not all locations are available on every ship).

• Crow’s Nest
• Explorer’s Lounge
• Gallery Bar
• Tamarind Bar

Each passenger over 21 years old can bring 1 bottle of wine or sparkling wine (750 ml maximum) in their carry-on luggage that can be consumed in a stateroom free of charge. Any additional bottles will incur an $18 per bottle corkage fee regardless of where they are consumed. You can’t bring beer, boxed wine, or any other liquor onboard.

For cruises that depart from and return to Australia, New Zealand, Europe, Mainland China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, or Singapore, this policy applies to passengers 18 years old and up.

For cruises departing from and returning to Japan, this policy applies to guests 20 years old and up.

Most beverages onboard a Holland America ship come with an additional charge . If you’d prefer to pay for your drinks upfront, you can purchase a beverage package.

Quench Package: $17.95 per person per day 

• Premium coffees, espresso, and cappuccino
• Coca-Cola products
• Signature mocktails
• Bottled water (500 ml and under)

Signature Package: $54.95 per person per day (limit of 15 drinks per day)

• Everything from the Quench Package
• Premium beers
• Spirits and cocktails
• Wines by the glass priced $11 and under

Elite Package: $59.95 per person per day (limit of 15 drinks per day)

• Everything from the Quench and Signature Packages
• All drinks priced $15 and under

Evian Water Package: $24-$42 per person

• 6 or 12 liter bottles of Evian water delivered to your stateroom

Coca-Cola Package: $8 per person per day

• Unlimited fountain sodas
• Coca-Cola Freestyle on select ships

Bottom Line: Every beverage package purchase automatically incurs a 15% service charge and must be purchased for the entire length of the cruise. If a guest purchases a package that includes alcoholic drinks, every other guest of legal drinking age in the same stateroom must also purchase the package. Beverage packages don’t apply to purchases made from the in-room mini-bar, Honor Bar, Chocolate Seduction, in-room dining, Half Moon Cay, and any self-service draft beer stations.

In each stateroom on a Holland America ship, you’ll find a host of luxury amenities waiting for you including:

• Mariner’s Dream bed
• Complimentary 24-hour room service
• Elemis Aromapure bath products
• Deluxe bathrobes
• Complimentary fresh fruit

Holland America offers rooms to suit everyone from the single traveler to families to cruisers looking for the ultimate in luxury.

Here are some of the highlights:

The Family Ocean View Stateroom is great for families on a budget. This room sleeps up to 5 people and comes with 2 bathrooms (including a tub, which comes in handy if you’re traveling with kids ).

Verandah Staterooms come with floor to ceiling windows that open up to a private verandah. You’ll also find a sitting area, queen-size bed (that can be separated into 2 single beds), and a shower with a premium massage head.

Guests staying in a suite will also receive complimentary mimosas with in-suite breakfast, a premium duvet, binoculars, and an in-suite coffee and espresso machine.

The Signature Suite is a spacious room featuring a private verandah, sitting area, a queen-size or king-size bed, plus 1 Murphy bed and 1 sofa bed. In the bathroom, you’ll find 2 sinks and a full-size whirlpool bath/shower plus an additional shower stall.

Try the Neptune Spa Suite if you’re looking to indulge. These rooms come with spa amenities like yoga mats and access to spa treatments at Greenhouse Spa & Salon. You’ll also find a large sitting area, private verandah, and a bathroom with 2 sinks and 2 showers. Plus, you’ll have access to the Neptune Lounge and a private concierge.

The Pinnacle Suite is the largest stateroom offered by Holland America and features over 1,200 square feet of both indoor and outdoor living space. These suites come with a living room, dining room, pantry with microwave and fridge, bedroom with separate dressing room, whirlpool bath and shower, additional shower stall, soft bed, and guest toilet. You’ll also have access to the Neptune Lounge and a private concierge.

Hot Tip: The Neptune Lounge is exclusively for guests staying in a Neptune Suite or Pinnacle Suite. This private area features worktables, large screen TV, a library, sofas and chairs, and refreshments throughout the day.

Holland America Cruise Line’s loyalty program is called Mariner Society. Once you’ve cruised with Holland America once, you’re automatically enrolled. You’ll earn Cruise Day credits for each night you sail and for onboard purchases.

Bonus credits can be earned when you pay a published fare for a suite or penthouse and for each $300 in eligible onboard purchases.

Mariner Society benefits are cumulative so each level will also have access to the benefits offered at all lower levels.

Hot Tip: Is it better to book your cruise directly through the cruise line or through an online travel agency? We’ll show you in our guide to the best websites to book cruises.

You won’t find mega-ships with thrill rides and high-octane activities like zip-lining or ice skating with Holland America Cruise Line.

What you will find are mid-size ships that offer luxury cruises to fantastic destinations all over the world. You’ll find cultural activities and plenty of live music onboard plus special perks like amenities inspired by O, The Oprah Magazine.

When you return to Holland America for a second, third, or even 20th cruise, you’ll be rewarded through the Mariner Society with benefits like discounts and special welcome aboard events.

If you’re looking for luxury accommodations and fantastic itineraries, Holland America might be the right choice for your next cruise vacation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the best holland america cruise ship.

While the”best” Holland America cruise ship can be subjective, the Nieuw Statendam is consistently Holland America’s top-ranked ship. It’s also the newest, having debuted in December 2018.

Is Holland America all-inclusive?

No, like most other cruise lines, Holland America is not completely all-inclusive. Some restaurants, beverages, and shore excursions are among the things that may come with an additional charge beyond your cruise fare.

Can you wear jeans on a Holland America cruise?

Yes, you can wear jeans on a Holland America cruise with the exception of select restaurants on formal nights which are called Gala Nights. On Gala Nights, dress is formal and a suit, cocktail dress, or gown is suggested for women and jacket and tie, dark suit, or tuxedo is suggested for men.

Does Holland America have anytime dining?

Yes, Holland America’s anytime dining is called “As You Wish.” With this type of dining, you aren’t confined to specific dining times or locations. However, if you prefer a more traditional cruise dining experience, that option is available as well.

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About Katie Seemann

Katie has been in the points and miles game since 2015 and started her own blog in 2016. She’s been freelance writing since then and her work has been featured in publications like Travel + Leisure, Forbes Advisor, and Fortune Recommends.

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Cruise Formal Night Explained: 10 Things to Know (What to Wear and More…)

Formal night on a cruise is a classic tradition, but for many passengers, it can also lead to lots of questions. Do I have to dress up? What can I wear? When are the formal nights?

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. No one wants to head to dinner underdressed. At the same time, some people don’t want to dress up at all and prefer to know what other options they have.

Below, we’ve covered some of the most frequent questions about formal night on a cruise.

In This Article...

What Is a Cruise Formal Night?

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. It’s a chance for passengers on the ship to put on their best and have an evening out that feels more special than just going to grab dinner in the dining room.

You’ll find people around the ship dressed up, having drinks, taking formal pictures, and enjoying dinner and a show. Think of it as a special event where many passengers have an elegant “date night” that’s more memorable than just another dinner on the ship.

Do I Have to Dress Up?

Absolutely not. Your cruise is your own. If you don’t want to dress up for the evening, then you certainly don’t have to do so. Many people choose to keep it casual. If you decide that shorts and a t-shirt are as formal as you want to get, you won’t be alone.

However, if you do decide to not dress up, it’s a good idea to dine outside of the main dining room or higher-end specialty restaurants. These are spots that request nicer dress during formal night.

Even if casual dress is allowed in the dining room during formal night, you might feel out of place with others wearing suits or evening gowns.

What Can I Wear to Formal Night? Do I Have to Wear a Tux or an Evening Gown?

Perhaps the biggest question around formal night on a cruise is what to wear. What’s acceptable is wide-ranging. No, you don’t have to go out and get a tuxedo or a formal evening gown unless you want to.

For instance, you can go all out and dress up in your best. And you will see some people around the cruise ship go this route. But you don’t have to wear a suit or tux to enjoy the evening.

Women can simply wear a cocktail dress or a nice blouse with pants. For men, it’s fine to wear a suit, or even a buttoned-down shirt and a pair of slacks if you don’t want to get too fancy. Nice jeans would also be ok, although we’d suggest something slightly more dressy.

That said, not everything goes. 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. If you’d wear it to the pool or the beach, you don’t want to wear it to formal night.

• Ok to Wear for Formal Night (Women): Gowns, dresses, skirts, blouses with pants
• Ok to Wear for Formal Night (Men): Tuxedoes, suits, button-down shirts, slacks, nice jeans
• Avoid Wearing (Men and Women): Shorts, tank tops, t-shirts, flip-flops

Is The Dress Code Strictly Enforced?

Don’t worry, you aren’t likely to be denied entry to the dining room, even if you are dressed casually. It’s not like an exclusive nightclub that bars entry.

While the name might be “formal” or “elegant” night, you won’t be out of place as long as you dress nicer than a t-shirt and shorts. Remember, the cruise lines want you to enjoy yourself and not be worried about if you should be in a tuxedo.

For that reason, as long as you avoid wearing something very casual (e.g. flip flops, shorts, and a tank top), it’s likely to be no issue. 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.

Where Should I Eat If I Don’t Dress Up?

While the main dining room is the spot for formal eating during the evening, you won’t go hungry if you decide not to take part in dressing up. Every cruise ship offers a number of different places to eat, with many casual dining options for those who aren’t getting fancy for the evening.

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. The fancy steakhouse? You want to go formal. The spot serving pizza? Shorts and a t-shirt are just fine.

Is Formal Night For Everywhere on the Ship?

While you’ll definitely see people dressed up all around the ship, the only place where you’ll find any sort of suggested or required dress code is in the dining room and/or specialty restaurants.

So if you are just hanging out around the ship — having a drink in a bar, playing in the casino, watching an evening show — then you are perfectly fine dressing down. You won’t be the only one. While many people participate in formal night, a considerable chunk of passengers don’t.

How Many Formal Nights Are There During the Cruise?

The number of formal nights varies based on the length of your cruise. The rule of thumb is that a week-long cruise will have two formal nights during the trip (i.e. Day 2 and Day 5). Shorter trips normally have one.

It may be that if you are on a very short cruise (e.g. three days), there might not even be one formal night. For instance, we’ve been on one short cruise with “Wear Your Best” (i.e. the nicest thing you packed) instead of formal night. 

Does Everyone on the Ship Dress Up?

No. If you decide to not dress up, then you certainly won’t be out of place. Many people choose to dress casually and just eat somewhere else other than the main dining room or higher-end restaurants. Even so, formal nights are popular and when you walk around the ship in the evening on one of these nights, there is no mistaking that it’s dressier than normal.

How Will I Know When it Is Formal Night?

Nothing would stop you in your tracks like heading down to dinner in a pair of shorts and then realizing everyone else is dressed up! Fortunately, you’ll get plenty of notice when it is formal night.

The most obvious spot will be with your daily cruise planner delivered to your cabin each day or through the cruise line’s app. There will be some mention of the dinner attire. It may be referred to as “formal” or “cruise elegant” or some other name. They all mean the same thing: Time to get dressed up!

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.

In the worst case, even if you don’t see any notice at all, you will definitely not miss the fact that many people are dressed up when you head to dinner that evening. That should give you a little time to head back to the room and dress up if you want to join in.

Do I Need to Dress Up at Any Other Time Than Formal Night?

For the most part, the only time you’ll need to dress anything other than casual is if you participate in formal night. That said, there are some spots where some nicer clothes are a good idea even if that evening’s dress code is casual.

Specifically, if you plan to visit any of the higher-end specialty restaurants on the ship, such as the steakhouse, then there may be a dress code.

Even if there is not, dressing up to fit the style of the restaurant is smart. So while it’s ok to dress casually at a burger joint on the ship, you’ll want to dress a little nicer if you go to the formal Italian or seafood spot for dinner.

Bottom Line on Cruise Formal Nights

The formal nights on a cruise are a fun way to do things a little differently. If you’re not someone that gets dressed up often, don’t worry. The rules around what’s formal and what’s not are flexible. As long as you make some sort of effort to dress a little nice, you’ll be fine. And if you want to go all out, you won’t be alone!

If you’re someone who likes to keep things casual, then that’s no issue either. While we’d suggest not eating the main dining room or nicer specialty restaurants on that night, you can wear what you want around the ship.

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I dressed up in an old maxi dress that was really oversized that I found from my daughter’s wedding 9 years ago. It was so flowing and pretty, so heck YEAH I wore it! I wore a nice outfit each night, like a skirt or dress. My embarkation outfit for the first night I modified by taking off the pants and putting on a skirt. I even kept the high boots on, which really worked! The last night I had a long ‘cover up’ dress that I gussied up with a sparkly throw and wedge high sandals.

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What to Wear on a Cruise Formal Night: Cruise Line Dress Code

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. We may receive compensation when you purchase via my links at no cost to you. See my disclosure for more information.

For many cruisers, cruise ship formal nights are the elegant highlight of their voyage. And yet, one of the most frequent questions we receive revolves around what to wear on a cruise formal night. You may wonder what to expect from a cruise ship’s formal night, are they mandatory, and how many formal nights are there?

The dress code for cruise formal night consists of tuxedos or suits and ties for men and evening gowns or cocktail dresses for women. Don’t worry if the formal night isn’t your style. It is usually optional, and most cruise ships have alternative dining options.

In this post, I’ll explain everything you need to know about formal nights on a cruise, how they work, and what you will need to wear. Each cruise line is different, so I will help break down the dress code of the major cruise lines. 

Table of Contents

What is a Formal Night on a Cruise Ship?

Formal nights are precisely what the name suggests: they are special evenings during the cruise where passengers dress up in formal attire. On formal nights, passengers dawn fresh-pressed dress shirts, glittering gowns, stunning jewelry, and polished shoes.

The main dining room will often serve lobster, duck a l’orange, prime rib, and other delicacies worth dressing up for to commemorate the special evenings.

The cruise formal night might also be called Captain’s Night, often with photo opportunities with the captain and a speech.

Formal nights are unique to the cruise industry, which may be a change for traditional resort vacationers. The tradition is reminiscent of the golden age of transatlantic cruises when guests were required to dress formally during the evening.

Can you Skip Formal Night?

You can skip formal nights on most mainstream cruise lines. If you’re tired after a long day of cruising or you’re just not feeling in the mood to dress up, there are always alternatives for passengers, and you won’t be alone.

While the formal night is a fun night of elegant dining, photographs with the captain, and a change of pace from the rest of the cruise, you won’t be alone if you decide to skip the occasion. Rather than dine in the main dining room, you can always eat in the buffet or on your balcony via room service.

Many cruise lines don’t extend the formal dress code to their specialty dining restaurants. Consider making a reservation if you prefer to be served and dress comfortably. Keep in mind that many specialty restaurants will cost extra.

Tip: If you skip formal dining, you may be able to find lobster and prime rib served in the buffet.

Formal Night Photographs

Cruise ship formal nights are an excellent time to get professional photos taken – when else will you look this good?

Whether you are cruising to celebrate a special occasion or cruising as a family, you won’t find a better time to get your photo taken. The ship’s photographers will set up in public areas with assorted backdrops or selected backgrounds. Scenes might include an image of the ship, black velvet, or a tropical beach. 

While you will have to pay to bring the photographs home, there is no charge to get your pictures taken. If you want to try each scene or see which photographer captures you best, try them all! The final photos cost less than a professional photographer in most cities would charge, and it’s a lot of fun to be in the spotlight, if only for a moment.

Tip: Photo sessions usually have lineups on formal nights. You can generally get in quickly, about an hour before the first dinner service when the photographer sets up.

How Many Formal Nights are on a Cruise?

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.

Most cruise lines will have one formal night on sailings of less than six days and two formal nights on cruises of 7 days and more. Keep in mind that this is a general approximation. Before sailing, you should check your cruise itinerary to see how many formal nights your cruise will have.

What is Considered Formal Wear?

Now that you know what to expect, we need to discuss what to wear on a formal cruise night. The dress code varies between cruise lines.

Some cruise lines are more relaxed than others, while some do not have formal nights. We’ve broken down the formal night requirements of the major cruise lines below. 

Formal Night Dress Code by Cruise Line

Carnival cruise line.

Dress Code on Carnival Cruise Line: Carnival Cruises’ evening dress code is typically “cruise casual.” Carnival will hold Cruise Elegant evenings with special dress requirements on one or two nights of the voyage. Cruise elegant for men means a dress shirt, dress pants, and the optional sport jacket, suit, tie, or tuxedo. Cocktail dresses, elegant skirts, pantsuits, and blouses are acceptable for women, and evening gowns are an option.

Number of Formal Nights on a Carnival Cruise:

• 1 Day cruise: none
• 2 Day to 5-day cruise: one Cruise Elegant evening
• 6 Day or longer cruise: two Cruise Elegant evenings
• Melbourne Cup cruise: one Cruise Elegant evening

Celebrity Cruises

Dress Code on Celebrity Cruises: Celebrity Cruises’ evening dress code is typically “smart casual,” meaning sport shirts and slacks or jeans for men and skirts, pants or jeans, and a casual top for women.

On “Evening Chic” nights, the suggested attire is formal wear. Men should wear pants or designer jeans with a dress shirt, button-down shirt, and the optional sport coat or blazer. Suggestions for women include a skirt, pants, cocktail dress, or designer jeans with an elegant top.

Number of Evening Chic Nights on a Celebrity Cruise:

• Cruise length up to 6 days: one Evening Chic night
• Cruise length of 7 or more days: two Evening Chic nights

Costa Cruises

Dress Code on Costa Cruises: Most nights aboard Costa Cruises ships are casual and allow “resort-appropriate wear.”

On formal nights Costa Cruises’ dress code allows for a dark suit or tuxedo for men, an evening gown or cocktail dress for women

Number of Formal Nights on a Costa Cruise: 

• Most 3- and 4-night cruises have one formal night
• Most 7-night cruises have two formal nights
• Most 10-night cruises have three formal nights

Crystal Cruises

Dress Code on Crystal Cruises: Crystal Cruises allows casual attire on its oceangoing cruise ships during the day. After 6:00 pm every night, casual clothing, including robes, baseball hats, swimsuits, cover-ups, and denim shorts, are not appropriate. Crystal Casual attire applies on most evenings, including a collard or button-down shirt paired with dress pants for men, and skirts, blouses, sweaters, and dresses for women. Jeans are also acceptable attire only on these nights.

A Black Tie Optional Evening allows passengers to dress more formally on special evenings. This includes a dark suit and tie or tuxedo for men and a formal cocktail dress or an evening gown for women. It’s requested that men wear a jacket on Black Tie evenings.

Number of Black Tie Optional evenings on a  Crystal Cruise:

• 7-day cruises (or less): Crystal Casual only, no Black Tie Optional evenings
• 8– to 10–day cruises: Up to one Black Tie Optional evening
• 11– to 13–day cruises: Two Black Tie Optional evenings
• World Cruises, Holiday voyages, and Crossings may be scheduled differently

Cunard Line

Dress Code on Cunard Line: Most nights aboard a Cunard cruise ship, request “smart attire.” The dress code goes into effect from 6:00 pm onwards. On these nights, acceptable smart attire simply means a dress shirt and trousers, a skirt and a top, or a cocktail dress.

Gala Evenings aboard Cunard Line cruises are highly anticipated and often themed. When sailing with Cunard, you will find themes such as Roaring 20s, Red and Gold, Black and White, and Masquerade Ball. During Gala Evenings, guests are asked to observe a black-tie dress code. The requested attire is dinner jackets, tuxedos, formal dark suits for men, and cocktail or evening dresses for women.

Number of Gala Evenings on a Cunard Line Cruise:

• Rule of thumb: One Gala Evening for every three days of sailing

Disney Cruise Line

Dress Code on Disney Cruise Line: Most onboard restaurants are “cruise casual,” so casual cruise attire, such as shorts and T-shirts, is allowed, except for swimwear and tank tops. Most cruises have special theme nights that provide opportunities to dress up for a one-of-a-kind family photo.

On some nights aboard a Disney cruise, the ship will hold a special themed night, including a pirate theme, dress-up night, or semi-formal night. During dress-up night, the cruise line recommends dress pants with a jacket or a suit for men and a dress or pantsuit for women during dress-up night.

Number of Formal Nights on a Disney Cruise: 

• One cruise casual night
• One pirate night-themed deck party
• One optional “dress-up night.”
• The first night is cruise casual
• One optional dress-up night
• The final night is cruise casual
• One pirate night or another themed deck party
• Three additional cruise casual nights—no swimwear or tank tops
• One formal and one semi-formal night

Holland America Line

Dress Code on Holland America Line: Most nights aboard a Holland America cruise are “resort casual.” Guests visiting their fine dining restaurants must follow casual resort attire, including a collared shirt and pants for men (jacket and tie preferred) and dresses, shirts, or pants for women. Jeans are allowed on resort casual nights as long as they are not distressed but prohibited on Gala Night.

Gala Night is a time for passengers to dress up and experience fine dining aboard a Holland  America cruise. The formal Gala attire includes dress pants with a jacket or a suit for men and a dress or pantsuit for women

Number of Gala Nights on a Holland America Cruise: 

• 7-day cruises or less: 1 Gala Night
• 8 to 13-day cruises: 2 Gala Nights
• 14 to 20-day cruises: 3 Gala Nights

MSC Cruises

Dress Code on MSC Cruises: In general, casual wear is appropriate aboard an MSC Cruise, except for the formal “Gala evening,” which requires a suit or jacket and tie for men and cocktail dresses for women. The ship’s public areas don’t permit shorts, t-shirts, and swimwear after 6:00 pm. Jeans are acceptable if they are not torn, ripped, or otherwise distressed.

Number of Gala Evenings on an MSC Cruise: 

• 4 to 6-night cruises: 1 Gala Evening
• 7 to 9-night cruises: 2 Gala Evenings
• 10 to 14-night cruises: 3 Gala Evenings
• 15+ night cruises: 4 Gala Evenings 

Norwegian Cruise Line

Dress Code on Norwegian Cruise Line: “ Cruise casual” is usually acceptable aboard a Norwegian cruise. Cruise casual includes jeans, khakis, shorts, and casual shirts for men and summer, and regular or capri pants, casual dresses, skirts, shorts, and tops for women. For dinner in one of the onboard upscale restaurants or the main dining room, collared shirts and pants or “nice” jeans for men, and pants or jeans, dresses, skirts, and tops are standard for women.

Norwegian Cruise Line does not allow passengers to wear tank tops for men, baseball caps, flip-flops, or visors in the main dining room or specialty restaurants.

Number of Formal Nights on a Norwegian Cruise: 

Norwegian Cruise Line does not have an official “formal night;” however, “Norwegian’s Night Out” is the cruise line’s optional version of a ship-wide event. There is no dress code associated with “Norwegians Night Out.”

Princess Cruises

Dress Code on a Princess Cruise: Evening attire aboard Princess Cruises is typically “smart casual,” which includes dresses, skirts, or trousers with a t-shirt or blouse for ladies, trousers and shirt, or polo shirt for gentlemen. Like many cruise lines on this list, the restaurant does not allow swimwear and shorts.

For formal nights on Princess Cruises, acceptable formal wear includes an evening gown, cocktail dress, or pantsuit for ladies and a suit, combination, or dinner jacket for gentlemen.

Number of Formal Nights on a Princess Cruise: 

• 5 to 6-night cruises: 1 formal evening
• 7 to 13-night cruises: 2 formal evening
• 14 to 20-night cruises: 3 formal evening
• 21 to 28-night cruises: 4 formal evening
• 29-night or more cruises: Minimum of 5 formal evening

Regent Seven Seas Cruises

Dress Code on a Regent Seven Seas Cruise: Daytime attire aboard a Regent Seven Seas Cruise is typically casual and consists of resort-style clothing. After 6:00 pm, the dress code is almost always “elegant casual,” except for the final evening of each cruise, which allows passengers to dress in casual attire. Elegant casual requests passengers to wear slacks and collared shirts, blouses, sweaters, pantsuits, skirts, or dresses.

After 6:00 pm, t-shirts, jeans, tennis shoes, and shorts are not permitted in public areas of the ship, except for the pool. 

Longer cruises have optional formal or semi-formal nights where passengers can wear elegant attire or a more formal look (dark suits, tuxedos, gowns, or cocktail dresses.)

Number of Formal Nights on a Regent Seven Seas Cruise: 

• 16 or more nights: 2 or more formal nights
• Cruises less than 16 days are always “elegant casual.”

Royal Caribbean International

Dress Code on Royal Caribbean: Most nights aboard a Royal Caribbean cruise are smart-casual, including collared shirts and slacks for men (jackets, blazers, and sports coats are recommended but optional) and skirts, dresses, and blouses or pantsuits for women.

Formal nights on Royal Caribbean consist of suits and ties or tuxedos for men and cocktail dresses and evening gowns for women.

No tank tops, caps, or bathing suits are permitted in the main dining room or specialty restaurants, and footwear is always required.

Number of Formal Nights on a Royal Caribbean Cruise: 

• 3-5 night cruises: 1 formal night
• 6+ night cruises: 2 formal nights

Seabourn Cruise Line

Dress Code on a Seabourn Cruise: The daytime dress code for Seabourn is typically casual attire, and shorts and jeans are acceptable – even in the ship’s restaurants. However, passengers should not wear swimsuits, cover-ups, and gym wear outside the spa, fitness center, and outer decks.

Evenings are typically “elegant casual,” and recommended attire includes slacks with collared dress shirts or sweaters for men, but jackets are optional. Women should choose dresses, pantsuits or skirts, or slacks with nice tops.

On formal nights, men are asked to wear a suit, tuxedo, or slacks with a jacket, while women are requested to wear a cocktail dress, evening gown, or pantsuit.

Number of Formal Nights on a Seabourn Cruise: 

• Cruises up to 13 nights: 1 formal night
• Cruises of 14 to 20 nights: 2 formal nights
• Cruises of 21 nights or more: 3 formal nights

Windstar Cruises

Dress Code on Windstar Cruises: Windstar suggests “casual elegant” attire for dinners and evenings aboard their cruise ships. Slacks and collared shirts for men and sundresses and informal cocktail dresses for women are acceptable attire. At no time are flip-flops, shorts, jeans, hats, or T-shirts prohibited throughout the ship during the evening.

Unlike most cruise lines, there are no formal nights on a Windstar Cruise.

Number of Formal Nights on a Windstar Cruises: 

• There are no formal nights on a Windstar Cruise

Viking Ocean Cruises

Dress Code on a Viking Ocean Cruise: Viking’s daytime dress code is casual and comfortable. The daytime attire includes shorts and jeans, while shorts, swimsuits, cover-ups, and exercise attire should be limited to the poolside, the fitness center, and the sports deck.

For evenings, the recommended onboard attire is “elegant casual.” Suggested clothing for men includes trousers and collared shirts (ties and jackets are optional but not required). For women, acceptable attire includes dresses, a skirt, or slacks with a blouse or sweater.

Number of Formal Nights on a Viking Ocean Cruise:

• There are no formal nights on a Viking Ocean Cruise.

Marcello De Lio

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Cruises are expensive, but we are generally treated like royalty. We should therefore do our best to act like royalty. I like nothing less than two formal evenings per week. By formal, I mean tuxedo or black suit for men and corresponding attire for women. I fear that cruise lines are allowing dress code to deteriorate to the lowest common denominator. Even Cunard’s dress code is under attack since it has been taken over by Carnival.

I agree that the formal nights are what I look forward to most on the cruise. I enjoy being able to dress up and be pampered. This is why I generally choose the cruise lines that offer the most formal nights, such as Cunard Cruise Line. However, for people such as my father, who would prefer to stay in his swim shorts all day everyday I’m glad there is an option for him to choose the relaxing vacation he deserves, such as what you might find with Norwegian Cruise Lines.

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Here Are the Suggested Dress Codes for Each Major Cruise Line

Most cruise lines require resort or elegant casual attire at dinner most nights. Photo: Shutterstock.com

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.)

Azamara Overall: Resort casual. Formal evening wear is not expected or required, though guests are free to dress formally if they’d like.

Recommended for Women: Sportswear, casual dresses, skirts, pants and capris, blouses and knit tops.

Recommended for Men: Sportswear, collared golf and polo shirts, shorts, pants, a sport coat (if desired, not required).

Not Permitted: Bare feet, tank tops, baseball caps, bathing suits, shorts and torn/distressed jeans are not allowed in the dining room or specialty restaurants.

When dining at Windows Café, guests must wear footwear and a cover-up or shirt.

Atlas Ocean Voyages Overall: Resort casual.

Recommended for Women: Sportswear, casual dresses, skirts, pants and capris, blouses and other nice tops.

Recommended for Men: Nice sportswear, collared golf and polo shirts, nice shorts, trousers or khakis, nice jeans.

Not Permitted: Swimsuits (wet or dry).

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.

Celebrity Cruises Overall: Smart casual. 

Celebrity expedition sailings in the Galapagos feature casual attire for the entire cruise.

Recommended for Women: Skirt, pants or jeans with a casual top. On Evening Chic night, cocktail dress, or skirt, pants or designer jeans with an elegant top.

Recommended for Men: Pants or jeans with a short sleeve sport shirt. On Evening Chic night, pants or designer jeans with a dress shirt, button-down shirt of sweater, optional sport coat or blazer.

Not permitted: T-shirts, swimsuits, robes, bare feet, tank tops, baseball caps, and pool wear are not allowed in the main restaurant(s) or specialty restaurants at any time. Shorts and flip-flops are not allowed in the evening hours.

Cunard Overall: Resort casual by day, smart attire by evening (jacket optional), except on Gala Evenings, which is black-tie.

Recommended for Women: Skirt and blouse, cocktail dress. On Gala Evenings, cocktail dress, gowns, and pantsuits.

Recommended for Men: Trousers and dress shirt. On Gala Evenings: Full suit or tuxedo.

Not Permitted: Swimwear

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.

MSC Cruises Overall: Resort casual.

Recommended for Women: Tailored pants, nice shorts, skirts and dresses. For Gala Nights (always optional), gowns, cocktail dresses or elegant pantsuits.

Recommended for Men: Tailored pants, nice shorts and collared shirts. For Gala Nights (always optional), dress pants and button-up or polo shirts, tuxedos (jacket and tie optional).  

Not Permitted: Swimwear at any time. Shorts, flip-flops, tank tops at dinner. T-shirts on Gala Night.

Norwegian Cruise Line Overall: Cruise casual.

Recommended for Women: Summer and casual dresses, skirts, regular or capri pants, jeans, nice tops, blouses. For upscale specialty restaurants, dresses, skirts, nice jeans, dress pants and blouses.

Recommended for Men: Khakis, jeans, shorts, t-shirts, polo shirts. For upscale specialty restaurants, nice jeans or slacks with a collared shirt.

Not Permitted: Tank tops for men, flip flops, baseball caps, visors, faded or ripped jeans.

Oceania Cruises Overall: Resort or country club casual.

Recommended for Women: Dress, skirt or tailored pants, dress capris, blouses, sundresses.

Recommended for Men: Collared, button or turtleneck shirts, slacks, dress shoes.

Not Permitted: Casual jeans, shorts, t-shirts, baseball caps, sandals and tennis shoes.

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.

Regent Seven Seas Cruises Overall: Casual before 6 p.m., elegant casual after that. Casual wear is permitted on the final evening of the cruise.

On sailings of 16 nights or longer, formal and semi-formal are optional on two evenings.

Recommended for Women: Slacks or skirt with blouse or sweater, pantsuit, dress.

Recommended for Men: Slacks and collared shirt (sport jacket optional).

Not Permitted: Shorts, t-shirts, jeans baseball caps.

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.

Seabourn Overall: Resort casual by day; elegant casual or formal after 6 p.m.

Recommended for Women: Slacks or skirt with blouse, pantsuits, dresses. On Formal Nights, evening gowns, cocktail dresses or elegant pantsuits are required.

Recommended for Men: Slacks with collared dress shirt or sweater. On Formal Nights tuxedo, full suit or slacks with jacket and tie is required.

Not Permitted: Swimsuits, short shorts, exercise attire, cover-ups. No jeans at dinner.

Silversea Overall: Resort casual by day; country club casual, semi-formal or formal by night (varies by schedule).

Recommended for Women: Pants, blouses, skirts, casual dresses, pantsuits. On Formal Evenings, evening gown, cocktail dress, elegant pantsuits.

Recommended for Men: Slacks and open-neck shirts. On Informal Evenings (semi-formal) nights, jacket is required and on Formal Evenings, dark suits, dinner jackets or tuxedos with tie is required.

On Formal Nights, guests may dine at La Terrazza and choose to dress informal (dresses or pantsuits for women, jackets for men). This option also applies to Seishin and Stars on Silver Spirit. Dining at The Grill is always casual.

On seven-night sailings in the Baltic, Mediterranean and Alaska, Formal Evening is optional, though a jacket is still required.

Not Permitted: Swimwear, baseball caps, t-shirts, sports shorts, ripped jeans. 

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.

Windstar Cruises Overall: Country club casual.

Recommended for Women: Nice jeans, pants, skirts, elegant tops, casual dresses or sundresses.  

Recommended for Men: Nice jeans, khakis or slacks, polo shirts, button-down shirts, shoes other than athletic shoes. (Sport coats optional)

Not Permitted: Swimwear, clothing with offensive language or graphics, flip-flops.

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• Holland America Line

Formal nights?

By sunchaser49 , March 3 in Holland America Line

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sunchaser49

We will be on the Statendam this March 17-31….. is there any way of knowing which nights will be formal/gala nights in the main dining room?  Thank you!

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1 minute ago, sunchaser49 said: We will be on the Statendam this March 17-31….. is there any way of knowing which nights will be formal/gala nights in the main dining room?  Thank you!

If your first full day is a sea day (not embarkation day), it will be a Dressy night.  the second last night of the cruise is usually a Dressy night IF it’s a sea day.

If there’s a sea day in between or a short port day, the odds are it will be the other Dressy night.  Formal night is gone. they re now Dressy nights.  You can dress up as much as you do, but there is no need other than to dress nicely.

FLCruiser97

How many dressy nights would you say are on a 25-day sailing?

8 minutes ago, FLCruiser97 said: How many dressy nights would you say are on a 25-day sailing?

Probably 4, but it could be as many as 6. It depends on whether it is a straight 25 days or a voyage composed of multiple cruise segments. Your PCC or TA can look it up for you.

10 minutes ago, FLCruiser97 said: How many dressy nights would you say are on a 25-day sailing?

It depends very much on the captain/HD as well as the itinerary.  I’ve seen 5 and I’ve seen 6/7.

In the old days, the number of “formal” nights (which is what they were back then) were on your documents.  It wasn’t unusual to board and find the number had been cut back.

Remember, there is nothing wrong with repeating a dressy outfit.  You don’t need to pack one for every night 😉 . If you happen to be on a Collectors cruise (where people can be on for 14 or 11 days - I picked that number out of the air), a lot will get off on the first turnaround day and a new group on.

I normally a pack a minimal amount for any length of cruise.  A bit of mix and match and change it with a scarf, jewelry, etc. You can dress nicely for dressy night without being burdened down with too much/too heavy luggage.

CruiserBruce

You can see the number of dressy nights 2 to 3 weeks out in the Navigator app. Getting on Zaandam in 28 days...can see ours.

Thanks for the replies!

1 hour ago, CruiserBruce said: You can see the number of dressy nights 2 to 3 weeks out in the Navigator app. Getting on Zaandam in 28 days...can see ours.

You'll be shocked to hear this, but the Navigator app does not always accurately show dressy nights. We have an upcoming 9 day Southern at the end of the month. I know it has 2 dressy nights. The app has Smart Casual listed every single day.

The website shows two April 2nds and no April 1st. You might think it's an April fool's joke, but having used the website before, I know better

3 minutes ago, POA1 said:   You'll be shocked to hear this, but the Navigator app does not always accurately show dressy nights. We have an upcoming 9 day Southern at the end of the month. I know it has 2 dressy nights. The app has Smart Casual listed every single day.   The website shows two April 2nds and no April 1st. You might think it's an April fool's joke, but having used the website before, I know better

FYI - on the 3/8 sailing and the app updated recently.  The 2 dressy nights are 1st and 3rd sea day for us.  We have 2 sea days, 3 port days, 2 sea days, 1 port day (HMC) then go home.

Sue/WDW1972

5 minutes ago, POA1 said:   You'll be shocked to hear this, but the Navigator app does not always accurately show dressy nights. We have an upcoming 9 day Southern at the end of the month. I know it has 2 dressy nights. The app has Smart Casual listed every single day.   The website shows two April 2nds and no April 1st. You might think it's an April fool's joke, but having used the website before, I know better

That just means they haven't loaded the dressy nights in yet. That is how the Navigator app used to show all cruises up to a couple days prior to sailing. Seems it has changed. Ours didn't show any info until a couple days ago.

Save on luggage and easily repeat outfits with mix/match and switching up accessories!  Honestly, I can pack one simple black dress that works for several nights by changing it up with jewelry, scarfs or light weight sweater. (maybe not consecutive nights). Add nude and black stockings and a pair of black shoes. Also use the sweater with any mix/match and even at daytime.

Daywear can be almost as easy.

I have found that folks rarely notice, or care, if you repeat clothes.  Just stay neat and clean. 😉

cruiser man 60

Do people really get dressed up these days, many cruise lines now tend to allow a very informal dress code for all meals with shorts common on every occasion? We went on a NCL cruise and nearly every American male had shorts on with the obligatory baseball cap on backwards at dinner, at the bar , at the shows etc!

3 minutes ago, cruiser man 60 said: Do people really get dressed up these days, many cruise lines now tend to allow a very informal dress code for all meals with shorts common on every occasion? We went on a NCL cruise and nearly every American male had shorts on with the obligatory baseball cap on backwards at dinner, at the bar , at the shows etc!

Nope.  Don't feel any pressure to get dressed up.

2 hours ago, cruiser man 60 said: Do people really get dressed up these days, many cruise lines now tend to allow a very informal dress code for all meals with shorts common on every occasion?

Actually, HAL will usually deny you entrance to the MDR at dinner time if you wear shorts or torn jeans, but you can go in with nice jeans. Majority of men at dinner time wear either basic slacks or nice jeans with a collared shirt (Hawaiian shirts work, or a polo shirt). Formal wear on dressy nights is seen but not worn by many, again basic slacks and a collared shirt seem to be most popular. Or just eat at the Lido.

2 hours ago, cruiser man 60 said: Do people really get dressed up these days, many cruise lines now tend to allow a very informal dress code for all meals with shorts common on every occasion? We went on a NCL cruise and nearly every American male had shorts on with the obligatory baseball cap on backwards at dinner, at the bar , at the shows etc!

That's because it's NCL... HAL does not allow shorts in the MDR at dinner (after embarkation day), thank goodness.  As for backward ball caps?  If guys only knew how  INCREDIBLY STUPID they look wearing them, they might think twice.

I found when Holland posts its itinerary on the app, providing it is correct, it will show Dressy Night Photos 5:00-10:00 for certain evenings. That’s what I figured out when dressy nights were because the app shows only smart casual for every day.

18 hours ago, julia said: That's because it's NCL... HAL does not allow shorts in the MDR at dinner (after embarkation day), thank goodness.  As for backward ball caps?  If guys only knew how  INCREDIBLY STUPID they look wearing them, they might think twice.

Only if the Maitre'd enforces the no shorts when people enter the MDR, on the Koningsdam last November I saw shorts in the MDR every night including dressy nights.

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Which nights are formal nights?

By franu , January 4, 2009 in Holland America Line

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I will be going on the Zaandam Circle Hawaii on February 5. I would really appreciate if someone was able to share with me when the first and second formal nights are.

I gather that the dress code is the same for the Pinnacle Grill. I am new to HAL and want to make sure that I am in sync.

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I will be going on the Zaandam Circle Hawaii on February 5. I would really appreciate if someone was able to share with me when the first and second formal nights are.   I gather that the dress code is the same for the Pinnacle Grill. I am new to HAL and want to make sure that I am in sync.

The Zaandam Circle Hawaii cruise is wonderful. I've done this cruise twice and am looking forward to doing it again -- hopefully -- with my mother in 2010.

There will be at least three (3) Formal Nights on this 15 day cruise. The first will be on the evening of the first full day at sea. The second will be the first day at sea after Hawaii and the third will be on the last night at sea before the day that the ship arrives in Ensenada (which is the last night of the cruise). Sometimes -- depending upon the Captain and the time of the year -- there are 4 formal nights on this cruise. When this is the case, the extra formal night is the last sea day prior to arrival in the Islands.

The Dress code is for the evening, not just for the main dining room, hence the Pinnacle Grill follows the same code as the rest of the ship. However, some people will tend to dress up a bit more for the Pinnacle Grill, hence guys will often wear a jacket and tie to dinner in the Pinnacle even on Smart Casual nights.

For photos from the Cruise Critic Group Cruise to Hawaii -- "The Voyage of the Spammed" -- back in 2006, click HERE .

Have a GREAT cruise! It's one of my very favorite itineraries.

RevNeal, Thank you so much for the timely reply. As I sat reading the many posts, I wondered whether I had made Pinnacle reservations for the formal night. This was something that I hadn't thought about when I made the plans. I like formal nights but my friends do not so I didn't want to embarrass them.

Thank you for the night's sleep now that I needn't worry.

We're on the same cruise. The cruise documents say 4 formal and 11 smart casual. Cruise documents aren't always right on that, but count on four.

Hi Jemima, I recognise you from the roll call. I was just wanting to know which nights they were. RevNeal has put my mind at ease. I am looking forward to this cruise as it seems like a great group.

As I posted in my first response, the 15 day Hawaii cruise will have either three or four Formal Nights depending upon the preference of the Captain and the time of the year. If there are four Formal Nights they will probably be the evenings of the first full day at sea heading to Hawaii, the last full day heading to Hawaii, then the first full day at sea heading back to the main land and the last full day at sea heading back to the mainland ... the day BEFORE arrival at Ensendada.

RevNeal, Thank you so much for the timely reply. As I sat reading the many posts, I wondered whether I had made Pinnacle reservations for the formal night. This was something that I hadn't thought about when I made the plans. I like formal nights but my friends do not so I didn't want to embarrass them.   Thank you for the night's sleep now that I needn't worry.

You're welcome, Fran. Happy to be of service! :D And, enjoy the Zaandam and the Hawaii cruise!

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What should I wear at sea? Here's what to know about cruise line dress codes

When I was getting ready to take a cruise in October, there were a handful of items I made sure to pack: my passport, anti-nausea medicine, and a blazer and tie.

The cruise line, Holland America Line, had advised me that during the transatlantic voyage from the Netherlands to New York there would be some occasions to dress up. But after lint-rolling my jacket and multiple attempts at a half-Windsor knot, I left my stateroom and realized I may not have needed them.

While plenty of guests were decked out in jackets, dresses and slacks, others were in sartorial vacation mode, dressed in varying degrees of (in)formality.

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First-time cruisers may not realize that ships have some guidelines for clothing, from formal nights to events that call for unique attire, but those rules and recommendations have evolved over time. 

"It really has gotten more and more relaxed as we've gone along, especially after the pandemic," said Valerie Dorsey, a franchise owner and travel adviser at Cruise Planners.

Here's what travelers should know about what to pack and wear on their next sailing.

Do cruise lines have dress codes?

Though travelers may associate cruising with formal nights – when lines encourage passengers to dress up for dinner in certain venues, stemming from grand tradition – the onboard experience has grown more easygoing, Dorsey said. 

Dorsey said she noticed a shift from true formal wear to "smart casual" or "smart elegant" clothing around 2015 and began hearing more from clients about how other travelers weren't dressing up as much, a change that has irked some guests .

Passengers have gotten more casual on regular nights, too.

That shift has only been exacerbated in the wake of COVID-19 as more travelers work from home, according to Dorsey, though some lines take formal nights more seriously and some passengers choose to go all out, regardless.

"I've seen people dress way up, meaning tuxedos, evening gowns, beautiful clothing, down to 'I'm just going to dinner at Red Lobster tonight,' " she said. "I think it's all over the place."

Enforcement of the dress codes has eased, as well.

Story continues below.

"It used to be if you walked in in a pair of shorts, they would say, 'I'm sorry, you can't enter the dining room,' and they don't even stop people anymore," Dorsey said. "So that's why it's really hard to get a handle on how you're supposed to dress."

If you want to opt out of dressing up altogether, there are parts of the ship that usually remain more casual, even on dressy or formal nights. Travelers can always head to the buffet or other casual eateries, Dorsey said, though on smaller lines more passengers may be dressed up more across the board.

Cruise lines each have their own dress codes, but we've rounded up some of the major lines' policies:

Carnival Cruise Line dress code

Passengers can wear casual clothes during the day, but the line requires smart casual clothing after 5:30 p.m. in its public lounges and restaurants or as stated in the ship's newsletter, spokesperson Matt Lupoli said in an email.

The line's Cruise Casual dress code calls for collared sport shirts, casual pants or jeans – but no cut-offs – and long dress shorts for men. Women can wear items including casual dresses, blouses and skirts or pants, dress shorts and jeans.

In accordance with the dress code, passengers cannot wear regular shorts or gym shorts, bathing suit attire, beach flip-flops and other similar items in the dining room.

When the Cruise Elegant Dress Code is in effect, men can wear dress trousers and shirts, and the line recommends a sport jacket.

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For women, the line calls for cocktail dresses, "elegant skirts and blouses," pantsuits or even evening gowns. Items like T-shirts, jeans, shorts and gym shorts and bathing suit attire are similarly barred from the dining room.

The length of the cruise determines the number of Cruise Elegant evenings, according to Carnival's website . The Cruise Elegant dress code applies for the main dining rooms and the Steakhouse. However, Lupoli said passengers dressed in Cruise Casual will not be turned away from those venues on Cruise Elegant nights.

Royal Caribbean International dress code

Royal Caribbean breaks its suggested attire into several categories. Casual includes polos, jeans and sundresses, but the line asks that guests wear swimwear only on the pool deck and shorts at breakfast and lunch, according to its website .

The line defines smart casual "as a step up from your typical dinner wear," including collared shirts, dresses, skirts and blouses. Passengers are also welcome to wear items like jackets and blazers.

For formal attire, the line said on its website, "make it a night out in your best black-tie look - suits and ties, tuxedos, cocktail dresses or evening gowns." The line may have one to four formal nights on a given cruise.

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Norwegian Cruise Line dress code

"When it comes to what to wear, you can go resort casual or get decked out and look your best – it's your call," Norwegian said on its website . 

Cruise casual clothing – including jeans and shorts for men and jeans, casual dresses and shorts for women – is acceptable at the buffet and most specialty restaurants anytime during the day. Guests can wear swimwear at the buffet and outdoor restaurant as long as they have a shirt or cover-up and footwear.

Passengers cannot wear certain items such as tank tops for men, baseball caps and overly faded jeans, those that have holes in them or those worn below the hips in the main dining rooms or specialty restaurants, the line said on its website.

In Norwegian's "more formal dining room or in our more upscale specialty restaurants," the line calls for smart casual clothing, which includes slacks or jeans, dresses, skirts and tops for women, and collared shirts, jeans and slacks for men.

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Holland America Line dress code

Holland America guests can dress casually during the day, though they must always wear shirts or cover-ups and footwear inside, a spokesperson for the line said in an email.

The nighttime dress code has two categories. Smart casual includes a sport shirt or sweater and slacks for men, and a sweater or blouse and a skirt or pants for women. "Shorts, pool and beachwear, distressed jeans and tank tops are not permitted in table service restaurants," the spokesperson said.

On dressy nights, the line recommends blouses, skirts, slacks, dresses, collared shirts and jackets. There will be two dressy nights on most seven-night cruises, with additional dressy nights for longer sailings. Guests can reference the ship's daily program for the evening's suggested attire.

On the line's Grand Voyages, the line recommends suits or dresses when formal attire is suggested. "Grand Voyages are 60-plus-day voyages, and this is the only time guests would be in 'formal' attire," the spokesperson said.

Cunard Line dress code

Cunard passengers can dress as they like during the day. "Then as the sun goes down, the style goes up," Cunard said in dress code guidelines provided by a spokesperson.

At night, the line asks guests to wear smart attire in the majority of its restaurants, bars and entertainment venues. That includes "smart trousers" with a collared shirt – and optional jacket and tie – for men, and blouses and skirts or "stylish trousers and dresses" for women.

The line also has at least two Gala evenings over seven days of a sailing, when passengers are invited to dress up more. 

"After 6:00pm on Gala evenings, it's dinner jacket, tuxedo, or dark suit for the men with a regular tie or bow tie," the line said. "Evening or cocktail dress, smart trouser suit, or formal separates for the ladies please."

How should passengers pack for cruise line dress codes?

Dorsey recommended women bring a "nice long skirt" and a blouse or a dress. "You know, you might wear slacks every other night, but if they come upon a more formal night, then you can kind of dress something like that up," she said.

For men, she suggested packing collared shirts and nice pants – even chinos are formal enough. "And maybe throw one jacket in there and then you're prepared"

Cruise lines may also have special events that call for unique attire, such as an all-white ensemble  at Norwegian's White Hot Party.

Even if formal nights aren't as formal as they used to be, they still provide an excuse to get dressed up: cruise lines will have photographers out on those nights to take portraits of guests, Dorsey said.

Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville. You can reach him at [email protected].

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What to Wear on a Cruise: Daytime, Formal Nights & More

W hen it comes to cruising in style, packing the right attire for every occasion is essential. Including a few key versatile items on your cruise packing list will prevent your suitcase (and the limited closet space in your stateroom) from becoming overcrowded – and keep you looking appropriate for all events.

Although most cruise lines outline their suggested dress codes in the FAQ sections of their websites, be sure to also review the specifics of your cruise itinerary. Not only will the destination and weather factor into what you should wear on your cruise, but you'll also want to know if formal nights require black-tie attire, themed dress parties need costumes or shore excursions necessitate unique clothing or footwear.

Whether you'll be lounging by the pool or attending a glamorous dinner, our list of must-have items and suggestions from industry experts will help you navigate dressing for your next cruise vacation.

For relaxing sea days, prioritize comfort above all else. Depending on your planned activities, any of the following casual options are considered acceptable attire:

• Skirts or skorts
• T-shirts and tank tops
• Breezy lounge pants
• Bathing suits
• Cover-ups 
• Sun hats or baseball caps

Travel writer Jill Schildhouse always packs her VOTEPRETTY sundress . "This is my go-to cruise workhorse," says Schildhouse. "It's light and breezy, and the pockets come in very handy." She adds that the sundress can be worn to casual dinners on the ship or on shore excursions, and it can even double as a swimsuit cover-up. "I've taken it all over the world and it always arrives wrinkle-free," she says. Schildhouse has received many compliments on this classic sundress, which is available in multiple colors.

Sheri Griffiths, host of YouTube series CruiseTipsTV , suggests wearing comfortable, broken-in shoes on a cruise. She recommends avoiding brand-new footwear during your voyage to prevent blisters and daily discomfort. A basic sneaker can be worn for just about any cruise itinerary, from Alaska to the Caribbean . Griffiths says, "We love these Adidas Stan Smiths because they wear in quickly and have a timeless style."

Read: The Top Walking Shoes for Travel

In the evening, most cruise ships adopt a dress code in their main dining rooms and specialty restaurants that incorporate smart-casual or resort-wear attire. The following clothing choices will suffice:

• Maxi dresses
• Elegant tops
• Long- or short-sleeved button-down shirts
• Polo shirts
• Blazers and ties (typically optional, unless otherwise stated)
• Shawls or wraps
• Closed-toe dress shoes
• Sandals or heels

Colleen McDaniel, editor-in-chief at Cruise Critic, shares her best advice for cruise footwear. "I always pack my Rothy's shoes for any cruise because they're infinitely comfortable, work as both a formal and [an] informal shoe and can be tossed in the laundry if they get dirty." She notes that she has several pairs, but two of her go-to styles are The Point and The Ballet Flat . McDaniel adds that the shoes work in every occasion, from strolling along the ship decks to perusing cobblestone streets on shore. "I bought both [pairs] 5 years ago, and they look as new today as they did out of the box despite literally hundreds of hours of wear," she says.

Jason Leppert, founder of YouTube channel Popular Cruising , always packs his signature Hawaiian shirts to wear day or night. He says, "I love the RSVLTS collection because they can play casually with shorts or more dressy with slacks for dinner."

Formal Nights

While more casual these days, cruise formal nights still call for a bit more sophistication and style. Appropriate options include:

• Cocktail dresses
• Evening gowns
• Dress shoes

Ashley Kosciolek, senior cruise writer for The Points Guy, always packs a gown or a fancy cocktail dress for a formal night. "I work from home and don't have a reason to dress up otherwise, so I look forward to it." Still, Kosciolek is a firm believer that travelers should wear what is most comfortable for them while on vacation. She adds, "My dinner won't taste any better or worse based on what others are wearing."

Mikkel Woodruff, editor of cruise site Sometimes Sailing , always brings her Omega Sailing Bracelet on cruises. She says, "I like to bring jewelry that reminds me of the ocean and being on the sea." Woodruff appreciates the bracelet's versatility, noting how easily it can go from shore excursions to formal evenings to everyday activities.

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Shore Excursions

When heading off the ship for a shore excursion, opt for comfortable, weather-appropriate clothing and sturdy footwear to make the most of your adventures on land. Consider packing the following items:

• Comfortable walking shoes
• Mesh water shoes
• T-shirts or tank tops
• A waterproof jacket

Freelance travel writer David Swanson shares his favorite versatile cruise shoes. He discovered a comfortable pair of Danner multitasking shoes that worked for dinners, casual events and multiple days of cycling on a recent European cruise. "I didn't think I'd find something to do dual duty, but I love this comfy pair from Danner, an outdoor brand [that is] new to me but has been around since 1932," says Swanson.

Paul Thornton, host of The Joy of Cruising Podcast , always packs his Coofandy linen shirts and shorts for hot Caribbean days and breezy cruise ship evenings. "I love Coofandy because they enable this senior to look 'youthful' on the beach and excursions," says Thornton. He adds that the brand is also his go-to retailer for White Party-themed nights on board.

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Cruise Line Dress Codes

Dress codes can vary significantly from one cruise company to the next, so it's a good idea to check with your specific line before filling up your suitcase. Once you're on board, be sure to read the daily program for reminders about the dress codes required at the events and dining venues during your voyage.

Azamara Dress Code

• Daytime: Fairly casual attire is suitable throughout Azamara 's ships during the day. However, baseball caps, distressed denim, tank tops and bathing suits cannot be worn at Discoveries, Aqualina and Prime C restaurants (and shoes are required).
• Evening: At night, women typically wear casual dresses, skirts, pants, capris, blouses and knit tops, while men are welcome to wear collared golf and polo shirts, shorts and pants. Sport coats are optional. Note: There are no official formal nights on Azamara's voyages.
• Themed Nights: Be sure to pack an all-white outfit for Azamara's signature White Night dinner and deck party.

Carnival Cruise Line Dress Code

• Daytime: Pack casual, comfortable attire to sail with Carnival Cruise Line , such as T-shirts, polo shirts or relaxed tops paired with shorts, capris, khakis or jeans. Athletic wear paired with a lightweight sweater or jacket are suitable for those looking to stay active. 

Evening: After 5:30 p.m., attire ranges from "cruise casual" to "cruise elegant."

• "Cruise casual" attire for men typically suggests longer dress shorts, pants or jeans and a collared polo shirt. Women usually wear sundresses, blouses, skirts, dress shorts and capri pants.
• "Cruise elegant" typically translates to dress slacks, dress shirts and sports coats (suggested) for men, with some wearing suits, ties or tuxedos. Women choose dresses (party or cocktail), pantsuits and elegant skirts with blouses, while some may wear evening gowns. Kids should follow the adult dress code, opting for school dance- or party-appropriate attire. Note: Jeans, men's sleeveless shirts, shorts, T-shirts, sportswear, exercise clothes, baseball hats, flip-flops and bathing suits are not permitted. The number of "cruise elegant" evenings varies based on the length of the cruise.

Themed Nights:

• Carnival Journeys cruises feature a "Throwback Sea Day," where guests can relive the '80s by day (outfits included) and dress up for a themed Captain's Cocktail Party by night. 
• Cruises between early December and Christmas Day feature an "Ugly Sweater Contest."
• Costumes are suggested for Halloween cruises between the end of September and October. However, when choosing a costume, keep in mind that full masks are prohibited (masks covering half of the face are allowed).

Celebrity Cruises Dress Code

• Daytime: During the day, smart casual resort wear is suitable throughout Celebrity Cruises ' ships. (Think: sundresses, shorts, polos and button-down shirts paired with sandals, low heels and loafers.) Bathing suits with cover-ups, T-shirts, tank tops, hats and sunglasses are only appropriate poolside. Cruisers should avoid wearing these items in the dining areas.
• Evening: Most evenings, guests are expected to wear comfortable yet tasteful attire. This entails dresses, skirts, long pants or jeans, stylish tops and button-down shirts. Shorts and flip-flops do not meet the evening dress code. Depending on your voyage, there will be one or two formal nights that require "evening chic" wear. Passengers can dress to impress in formal gowns, tuxedos, cocktail dresses, dressy jeans or blazers.

Costa Cruises Dress Code

• Daytime: During the day, Costa Cruises ' passengers may wear casual clothing like T-shirts, shorts and sundresses. Beach clothing and flip-flops are not permitted in ship restaurants. Depending on the itinerary, some shore excursions may have specific dress codes.
• Evening: Most nights require resort attire; however, Costa hosts one or two Elegant Evenings per cruise, when men may wear dark suits or tuxedos and women can wear evening gowns or cocktail dresses.
• Themed Nights: Costa recommends that guests pack white clothing for its White Night events and white, red and green clothing and accessories for its Italy-themed evenings.

Cunard Line Dress Code

• Daytime: Shorts, T-shirts and sundresses are appropriate daytime wardrobe options on sailings with Cunard Line . Swimwear is acceptable by the pool but should not be worn in indoor dining areas.
• Evening: In the evenings, passengers are asked to wear smart attire, which includes dress shirts and trousers for men, and cocktail dresses or sophisticated tops and skirts for women – similar to what you'd choose for dinner at a trendy restaurant or a special occasion. Voyages lasting seven nights host at least two Gala Evenings, during which guests are requested to adhere to a more formal dress code. 
• Themed Nights: Gala Evenings employ themes ranging from specific colors (such as black and white or red and gold outfits) to the roaring '20s to masquerade balls.

Disney Cruise Line Dress Code

• Daytime: On Disney Cruise Line sailings, cruise casual attire is acceptable during the day; outfit options include sundresses and shorts and tees. Swimwear and tank tops are not permitted in dining venues.
• Evening: After the sun sets, polished attire like collared shirts and jeans without rips are acceptable. Bathing suits, tees, tank tops and sports attire are not allowed. Adult-exclusive dining venues on Disney ships call for elegance; formal or semiformal wear is recommended.
• Themed Nights: On three- and four-night sailings, there is typically a pirate-themed deck party and one optional dress-up night for guests of all ages. Sailings lasting seven nights or longer add one formal and one semiformal night, when women may wear a formal dress or pantsuit and men can opt for a suit or dress pants with a jacket.

Holland America Line Dress Code

• Daytime: Plan on wearing casual attire aboard Holland America Line 's ships during the day. When indoors, guests must wear shirts, cover-ups and footwear.
• Evening: On most nights, smart casual clothing is acceptable. However, in table service restaurants, shorts, bathing suits, distressed jeans and tank tops are prohibited. Grand Voyages cruises host formal nights, when suits and dresses are appropriate.
• Themed Nights: Once per cruise, Holland America hosts an Orange Party in celebration of King's Day. Pack your favorite orange clothing and accessories for this event, which honors the cruise line's Dutch heritage.

MSC Cruises Dress Code

• Daytime: Guests of MSC Cruises dress fairly casual during the day in T-shirts and shorts.
• Evening: Collared shirts, dresses and tailored pants are expected at night in the main dining rooms, specialty restaurants and entertainment venues. There is one optional Gala Night, when varying levels of elegance are acceptable. Guests should wear what makes them feel comfortable, ranging from tuxedos or ball gowns to dressy jeans and polo shirts.
• Themed Nights: MSC hosts a White Night Party (where guests wear all white) and a Sunshine Party, where guests don cheerful colors.

Norwegian Cruise Line Dress Code

• Daytime: During the day, plan to wear cruise casual attire like summer dresses, jeans, khakis, shorts and casual shirts on Norwegian Cruise Line voyages. At the buffet and outdoor restaurants, swimwear can be worn with a cover-up and footwear. In dining rooms and specialty restaurants, Norwegian does not permit tank tops for men, jeans with rips or tears, flip-flops, baseball caps or visors.
• Evening: In Norwegian's upscale specialty restaurants, smart casual attire is the norm. Women can wear slacks, jeans, dresses, skirts and tops, while men should opt for jeans or slacks, a collared shirt and closed-toed shoes. Children ages 12 and younger may wear shorts in all restaurants. On each cruise, there is one particular "Dress-Up or Not Night," when guests can wear fancier clothing (if they choose).
• Themed Nights: Pack an all-white outfit for the White Hot Party and formal attire for Norwegian's Night Out.

Princess Cruises Dress Code

• Daytime: In Princess Cruises ' restaurants and public spaces, casual resort wear is required. Shoes must be worn in the dining areas, and pool or beach attire, ball caps and frayed jeans are prohibited in restaurants.
• Evening: On most nights, smart casual attire is acceptable in restaurants. However, on formal evenings, women may wear evening gowns, cocktail dresses or elegant pantsuits; while men may opt for tuxedos, dark suits or dinner jackets with slacks. The number of formal nights per cruise depends on the length of the sailing.

Regent Seven Seas Cruises Dress Code

• Daytime: Elevated resort wear, including jeans, shorts, T-shirts and tennis shoes, is appropriate before 6 p.m. on Regent Seven Seas Cruises ' ships.
• Evening: At night, elegant casual attire is recommended. Women typically dresses, pantsuits or slacks paired with blouses or sweaters; a collared shirt and dress pants for men is the norm, with the option for sport jackets and ties. On cruises lasting 16 nights or longer, there are two evenings when guests can choose to wear formal or semiformal attire. Wardrobe choices include dark suits and cocktail dresses or tuxedos and gowns. Note: On the last night of every voyage, the dinner dress code is "relaxed casual" to accommodate guests packing for early morning flights.

Royal Caribbean International Dress Code

• Daytime: A relaxed, casual style is acceptable during the day on cruises with Royal Caribbean International . However, swimwear should be limited to the pool deck. 
• Evening: On most nights, guests wear smart casual attire, which includes collared or button-up shirts, dresses, skirts, blouses and pantsuits. Jackets, sports coats and blazers are encouraged but not required. On formal evenings and for the Chef's Table dining experience, cruisers are expected to wear black-tie attire, which includes tuxedos, suits with ties, cocktail dresses and evening gowns. The number of formal nights per cruise depends on the length of the sailing.
• Themed Nights: Offered on cruises lasting four nights or longer, themed nights may include toga parties, masquerade balls, decade themes and black and white nights.

Silversea Cruises Dress Code

• Daytime: Casual attire akin to what you'd wear at a five-star resort is suitable during the day aboard Silversea Cruises ' ships.
• Evening: Evening attire is categorized into three groups: casual, informal and formal. On casual evenings, women wear pants, blouses, skirts, and casual dresses, while men wear open-neck shirts and slacks. On informal evenings, ladies often choose dresses or pantsuits, and gentlemen typically wear jackets (ties are optional). Formal night is always optional; if you choose to participate, outfits may include cocktail dresses, gowns, tuxedos and suits. The number of formal nights per cruise varies by voyage length.

Seabourn Cruise Line Dress Code

• Daytime: Casual resort wear like jeans and shorts are welcome in all lounges and dining venues on Seabourn Cruise Lines ' ships. Athletic apparel and swimwear should only be worn in the pool area, on the deck or at the spa and fitness center.
• Evening: After 6 p.m., the dress code is "elegant casual." Men are expected to wear slacks with collared shirts or sweaters (jackets are optional), while women can choose pants, skirts, pantsuits or dresses. Elegant jeans are allowed in all dining venues except The Restaurant. On formal evenings in The Restaurant, men may wear tuxedos, suits or slacks and jackets, while women can opt for evening gowns and cocktail dresses.

Viking Ocean Cruises Dress Code

• Daytime: On Viking Ocean Cruises ' ships, casual daytime clothing such as shorts, pants, jeans and comfortable walking shoes are acceptable. Athletic wear including exercise clothing, swimsuits and cover-ups may only be worn in the fitness center, pool zones and sports deck.
• Evening: While there are no dedicated formal nights, the dress code after 6 p.m. calls for elegant casual attire for all dining venues, lounges, bars and theaters. Jeans are not permitted (with the exception of the World Cafe, where the dress code remains casual in the evenings). For women, wardrobe options include dresses, jumpsuits, skirts or slacks paired with elegant tops. Jackets and ties are optional for men, but trousers and collared shirts should be worn in the evenings.

Virgin Voyages Dress Code

• Day or night, cruisers on Virgin Voyages ' ships are encouraged to wear attire that expresses their personal style. Just note: In restaurants, bathing suits are not permitted, and shoes are necessary. There are no formal nights; guests can dress up or down, depending on what makes them feel their best.
• Themed Nights: Pack something scarlet red for the Scarlet Night Party, which occurs once per voyage.

Why Trust U.S. News

Dana Freeman is a highly experienced cruise writer who embarked on her first cruise with her grandmother when she was just 12 years old, and she hasn't stopped since. Having sailed on more than 20 different cruise lines and completed over 30 voyages, Freeman's cruise expertise spans from small ships accommodating only eight passengers to massive ones accommodating over 5,000. To curate this article, she leveraged her extensive knowledge of the cruise ship industry, combined with her strong research skills.

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