po cruises dress code

What to Wear on a P&O Cruise – 39 Examples and Enforcement

Before I took my first P&O cruise, I was aware that they had dress codes and formal nights, but had no idea what the dress code actually entailed.  In this post, you’ll find dress code guidelines for all parts of a P&O cruise, including the following:

• Daytime Wear – Onboard the ship
• Daytime Wear – On Shore
• Casual Nights
• ‘Formal’ (Celebration/Black Tie) Nights

We will also look into if the dress codes are actually enforced.

This post is based on my personal experiences cruising with P&O Cruises.

Is There a Daytime Dress Code When on a P&O Cruise Ship?

There is no daytime dress code on P&O cruises.

When within the ship guests do have to wear a T-shirt of some sort and shoes but I don’t think this can really be classed as a dress code. When on the pool deck it’s fine to walk around in just your swimwear. More about this later in the post.

Below are examples of everyday dress:

The dress code during the day is just your typical holiday wardrobe. T-shirts, shorts and sundresses are all fine.

It can be chilly on deck and breezy in the evening, so be sure to pack plenty of light layers even if you are going somewhere warm.

I always recommend flat shoes for strolling the decks.

This is pretty standard within the cruising industry, even the cruise lines with the strictest evening dress codes do not have dress codes during the day.

Dress Restrictions on P&O Cruises (At All Times)

P&O do have some dress code restrictions

• Away from the pool area, they ask for shoes to be worn.
• No pool wear in the ship’s lounges, inside bars, restaurants or reception.
• No fancy dress! (Costume dress)
• Clothing that features inappropriate or offensive language, including novelty clothing with printed images or slogans, will not be allowed on board. 

P&O’s Infamous Fancy Dress (Costume Dress) Clown Incident

Reportedly, a passenger dressed as a clown sparked a mass brawl on a P&O cruise ship.  A passenger on the cruise said he heard the trouble started when another passenger appeared dressed as a clown.

“This upset one of their party because they’d specifically booked a cruise with no fancy dress. It led to a violent confrontation.” 

Allegedly, families fled as a group of passengers used furniture and plates as weapons on board the ship. 

No wonder fancy dress is now banned on board all P&O ships!

P&O Do Have Theme Nights, on Occasion

The only exception to the no fancy dress rule is on the official P&O Cruises theme nights – for example, 70s disco, 80s pop, colourful tropical, black and white nights, or seasonal events such as Halloween and Christmas. 

We did have a Christmas jumper day on our Christmas cruise. Interestingly it was the day after Christmas and we were definitely in the minority wearing our Christmas jumpers.

Dressing up for these theme nights is not compulsory!

Set up and log in to your P&O online account to see details of theme nights before your cruise so that you can prepare. 

Whilst on board you can check the P&O “my holiday” digital pocket planner to keep up with daily dress codes.

Do P&O Provide Dress Code Guidelines For The Ports?

Some countries’ cultures may require you to cover up more than you normally would on holiday and if this is the case, P&O will usually remind guests and let them know in the daily schedule.

It’s always important to be aware of the traditions in the countries you are visiting. 

In some countries modesty in clothing is expected and P&O suggest you pack plenty of light and loose clothing that covered the tops of your arms and legs.

They advise ladies to avoid wearing any shorts or tight-fitting clothes and to take a head covering ashore.

If unsure about the countries you are visiting, P&O suggest you visit a Government foreign travel advice website for further advice regarding dress codes.

Asides from this there are no dress codes.

The moment you step off the ship, you are just like any other tourist.

Comfortable shoes are essential for exploring ports of call, especially if the paths are uneven. It’s always sensible to take a light jumper or layer up, so you will be prepared for all eventualities. 

Take the weather forecast into account before you leave the ship – sunglasses, hats or even rainproof jackets may be needed.

What is The ‘Evening Casual’ Dress Code?

“Stylish resort or leisurewear is ideal for Evening Casual nights, for example casual separates or dresses for ladies and open-neck polo shirts and casual trousers for men.” P&O Cruises

Shorts usually aren’t allowed in the main dining room.

A jacket and smart trousers can be worn but are not compulsory. Smart dark denim is also fine, but not trainers or sneakers, football shirts or tracksuits. 

In reality, if you are wearing dark trainers/denim this is fine, they just don’t want guests in ripped blue jeans and bright white trainers.

Do P&O Have Formal Nights?

P&O cruises do have ‘formal’ nights and these are usually referred to as Celebration Nights or Black Tie nights .

“Our Celebration Nights and Black Tie nights offer a chance to get dressed to the nines in glamorous evening wear. Don your favourite cocktail dress, tuxedo, ball gown or dinner jacket, or alternatively a dark business suit and tie. You may also wear formal national dress or military uniform.” P&O Cruises

It is always possible to avoid the formal night dress codes, if that is something that may be of interest. Check out this post: You Can Skip Formal Nights on a Cruise – Here’s How

What is The ‘Formal/Celebration/Black Tie’ Dress Code?

Celebration Nights and Black Tie nights offer a chance to get dressed up in your poshest evening wear. Wear your favourite cocktail dress, tuxedo, ball gown or dinner jacket, or alternatively a dark business suit and tie.

You may also wear formal national dress or military uniform.

How Many Black Tie Nights Will There Be?

P&O say to expect at least one black tie night on a 7-night cruise and between two and four on cruises of 9-14 nights.

If you are lucky enough to be cruising for longer, there is likely to be one black tie night per every 7 nights so pack accordingly.

On shorter cruises, there may be one Black Tie night on a 2-4 night cruise and one or two on cruises of 5-7 nights.

Does The Dress Code Vary by Ship?

When we took a Christmas Cruise on P&O Ventura, we had two formal nights each week.  This could be due to the fact it was over the Christmas holidays, or because older P&O ships are more formal than newer ships, such as Iona. 

Certainly, passengers who have travelled on Iona have reported back that the dress code is more informal than on ships such as Azura and Ventura. 

You can expect only one formal night whilst on a week’s cruise on Iona or Arvia.

Is Dressing up Compulsory on Formal/Celebration/Black Tie nights?

Whilst not compulsory, it is recommended that guests follow the evening’s dress code in restaurants and bars from 6 pm.

It’s unlikely that you’d be prevented entry or refused service, but you might feel uncomfortably under-dressed or face the disapproval of fellow guests who have dressed up and made an effort! 

If you really prefer casual dress you can dine in the buffet on Black Tie nights, where it is more relaxed, or take advantage of room service. 

Below are examples of black tie dress:

Do P&O Cruises Enforce Their Dress Codes?

76% of P&O cruisers said that they didn’t feel as though P&O’s dress codes were enforced.  P&O’s dress codes are just recommended.

The survey conducted in our Facebook group – 130 people voted for no, 41 for yes.

Guests are reminded in the daily Horizon or the “my holiday” planner what the dress code is for that particular evening, however, if dressed within reason (as in not overtly casual/scruffy) it is unlikely that staff will want to offend guests by reprimanding them on improper dress.

That said, it is policy and therefore they are quite within their right to do so.

Does the Dress Code Apply to Everyone?

The dress codes apply to everyone over 18 years of age. 

For children aged 17 years and under, the dress code in the evening is always Evening Casual, regardless of the adult dress code.

They do ask, however, that no denim is worn on Black Tie nights.

For boys:  Generally speaking, boys would probably be fine to wear a polo shirt and chinos on the formal/smart casual nights. 

For girls:  Any dress/skirt or smart trousers/top would be fine. The main thing is to look presentable and like an effort has been made. This doesn’t have to be expensive!

Some families love the opportunity to dress up and I’ve seen small children wearing full tuxedos and bow ties which are adorable. On casual nights anything goes for kids.

What Should Teenagers Wear on Formal Night?

The formal night dress code doesn’t apply to those under 18 but many teenagers do enjoy dressing up for formal nights. Most teenagers will either wear a dress or a shirt/trousers, some with a tie or jacket. A more relaxed option like a casual shirt with a collar may be a good option too.

It really is up to the teenager.

If your teenagers don’t want to take part in formal night but you do, that’s no problem.

I used to cruise as a teenager and I loved being able to go to the buffet with my cousins rather than go to the main dining room with my parents. Cruising as a teen gave me a lot of freedom and I loved it.

Does the Dress Code Apply When Visiting Speciality Restaurants?

The dress code on P&O cruises does apply to the majority of speciality restaurants.

Some speciality restaurants, like the beach house which is located in the buffet, may have a different or more relaxed dress code.

During my Christmas cruise on Ventura, some of us dined in the beachhouse on formal night to avoid the dress code.

Check on the daily planner before you book to see if the dress code applies to your chosen speciality restaurant.

Free Insiders Cruise Line Guide

Ever wondered how the mainstream cruise lines compare? Cruise lines won’t tell you this, but I will.

This FREE guide shows you everything you need to know to find your perfect cruise line.

Enter your email address below:

• Mar 31, 2023

P&O Cruises - Dress Code Guide

Updated: Oct 22, 2023

If you spend a lot of time on various cruise groups on the internet, you'll know that dress codes are always a bit of a contentious topic. Making sure you stick with the dress codes onboard can feel quite daunting if you haven't cruised before, as some peoples interpretation of those dress codes will be different to others. However on P&O, the dress codes are the same across the fleet and they do not apply during the daytime.

We think that P&O is a relatively formal cruise line. If you've cruised on some of the American cruise lines before, such as Princess or Carnival, you'll probably find P&O a more formal experience. We've found that the majority of people tend to stick to the dress code and even though it doesn't apply to under 18's, you'll see lots of children getting involved too.

There are two main evening dress codes on a P&O Cruise, so we'll take you through what they are and show you some examples of what we've worn for each of them.

Evening Casual

This is P&O's main evening dress code and guests are encouraged to "dress as you would for dinner in a nice restaurant". Quite a vague description, which is open to interpretation as one person's idea of a nice restaurant would be different to another's. For us, the point of this dress code is to interpret it how you'd like to. We've all got a different style and that's fine! There are some rules to adhere to, including no tracksuits, football shirts or trainers. Shorts are also prohibited in the dining rooms, and in most bars with the exception of on some ships when in the Caribbean. Recently, guests onboard Arvia have shared that on evening casual nights tailored shorts can be worn anywhere other than in Anderson's, Sindhu, Epicurean and The Crow's Nest. Exceptions like this, will always be detailed in the Horizon.

We tend to wear dresses or skirts, the type of thing we'd wear to go to a bar, or eat out on an evening at home. We only wear dresses because that's our preference, not because that's what's expected. We've seen plenty of women onboard wearing smart trousers and dark denim with nice tops that look great too. Footwear wise, we wear sandals or a smarter flip flop, regardless of the weather it always feels appropriate to wear sandals on holiday. We've also seen others onboard wear ballet pumps, court shoes and loafer style shoes.

For men, it would usually be smart jeans or trousers (chinos seem to be a popular choice) and a shirt. We've seen polo shirts worn onboard too without any objections. There are some rules around denim. P&O will only allow dark denim, and nothing that's ripped. This rule is rarely enforced, but you never know when someone might decide to!

This is the dress code that applies to P&O's Celebration night. It appears to be the dress code that causes the most debate and we've seen many people worry about what to wear.

We don't have many black tie events at home, so we love the opportunity to dress up and for us, its part of what makes cruising special. If it's not for you, there are plenty of bars that you can go to onboard where you don't need to follow the dress code. The buffet is always dress code free, (apart from no pool wear) and you can also enjoy an evening meal from any of the casual dining venues such as Taste 360 and The Quays on Iona/Arvia, as well as The Beach House, the poolside grills and pizzerias across the fleet.

We have a few dresses that we alternate between for P&O's Celebration Night. We've been lucky finding some great deals and have also repurposed dresses that we've purchased for other events such as weddings. P&O suggest a cocktail dress or ball gown and we've definitely seen a wide range of both onboard. We've also seen some lovely jumpsuits, and smart trousers with sparkly tops. If you aren't comfortable in a dress there's nothing to worry about, you won't be alone in wearing an alternative.

For men the guidance is either a tuxedo, DJ or suit that includes a jacket and tie. The jacket is definitely the important part and we have heard of people being turned away from the main dining room when they haven't been wearing one. On our February 2023 Azura cruise, there was actually a collection of jackets that the maître d' would be able to give to men who had arrived without one.

How many black tie/celebration nights will we have?

The number of black tie nights will vary slightly depending on which ship you're on and if there are any special occasions during your cruise. As a general rule onboard Iona and Arvia, you will have 1 black tie or celebration night for every 7 days of the cruise. On every other ship in the P&O fleet, it will be 2 black tie nights for every 7 days. If you're on a cruise that's shorter than 7 days, you will still have 1 celebration night.

When and where do the dress codes apply?

Dress codes apply after 6pm and they are usually enforced in the majority of bars and restaurants on P&O ships. If you're not sure, you'll see signage outside the bar explaining what the dress code for that venue is, so you won't be caught out. The venues differ on each ship. The list below showing which venues adopt the evening dress code, was taken from the P&O website -

Arcadia Main Dining Restaurant, Intermezzo, The Crow's Nest, Meridian, Sindhu and Ocean Grill restaurants.

Aurora Main Dining Restaurant, Anderson’s, The Crow's Nest, Alexandria, Medina, Sindhu and The Glass House restaurants.

Arvia Main Dining Restaurant, The Crow's Nest, Meridian, Zenith, The Epicurian, The Chef's table, Green &Co and Sindhu restaurants.

Azura Main Dining Restaurant, Blue Bar, Planet Bar, Meridian, Peninsular, Oriental, Sindhu, The Glass House and The Epicurean restaurants.

Britannia Main Dining Restaurant, The Crow’s Nest, The Epicurean, Meridian, Peninsular, Oriental, Sindhu restaurants.

Iona Main Dining Restaurant, The Crow's Nest, Opal, Pearl, Coral, Aqua, The Epicurian, The Chef's table and Sindhu restaurants.

Ventura Main Dining Restaurant, Red Bar, Metropolis, Cinnamon, Saffron, Bay Tree, Sindhu, The Glass House and The Epicurean restaurants.

If you're enjoying reading this post and want to see more of our content, don't forget to subscribe to our YouTube channel and follow us on Instagram , Twitter and Facebook .

• P&O Cruises
• First Time Cruisers
• Cruise Tips

Recent Posts

P&O Cruises Iona (20th-27th August 2022) - Our Initial Thoughts

P&O Cruises Iona - The Limelight Club

P&O Cruises Azura - The Bars

• CRUISE TIPS & PORT GUIDES
• Countries Visited
• Celebrity Cruises
• Holland America
• Marella Cruises
• P&O Cruises
• Princess Cruises
• Virgin Voyages
• Cruise Packing

Cruise Lines , Cruise Packing , P&O Cruises

Understanding the p&o cruises dress code – what to wear on your cruise.

Take the stress out of packing with my guide to what to wear when cruising with P&O.

What to wear on a cruise is a dilemma many cruisers face. It can even put people off taking a cruise. However, it needn’t be that way.

These days dress codes on cruise ships are a little more relaxed than they used to be. During the day your usual holiday wear will be generally be fine, while in the evening it is very much the same as if you were going out for the night at home.

That said, for a first timer cruiser it can be difficult to know where to start when packing. I know I had no idea.

Before doing some research on the P&O Cruises dress code I wondered if I would have to dress up every night, if I could wear my jeans and trainers without getting strange looks and if I’d packed the right type of clothes for evening casual…whatever that meant.

However, the thing that gave me the most anxiety was the formal night, what on earth do people wear and can I get out of it if I want to were just some of the questions I asked myself.

Thankfully P&O Cruises make it easy for you with a clear and easy to follow dress code that allows you to show of your sense of style.

At a Glance: P&O Dress Code

• Comfortable casual clothing for day wear
• Smart casual attire for evening wear
• Black Tie for Celebration Night
• Celebration night is not compulsory – a few venues are not Black Tie
• Always wear footwear around the ship
• Keep swimwear for the pool area only, not the bars, lounges or restaurants

What to wear on a P&O Cruise

Daywear – onboard and onshore.

During the day, there is no official dress code as such. P&O suggest comfortable clothing that is right for you. So you can expect things to be casual and relaxed. When packing, you should take clothes you would normally wear on holiday.

However, do keep in mind the region you are cruising around.

If you are heading to sunny hotspots like the Caribbean or the Mediterranean think along the lines of T-shirts, shorts and summer dresses.

For colder destinations, such as Northern Europe in the winter, you’ll want clothes to keep warm in. Jeans, long-sleeved jumpers and a jacket will help to keep you toasty whatever the weather.

If you are going to the Norwegian Fjords you’ll probably want to pack a bit of everything. The weather can be VERY changeable in this region. You can get four seasons in one day depending on how your luck plays out.

Read more | What to pack for a Norwegian Fjords cruise

Wherever you are cruising it is worth taking some clothes you can layer up and down. It can get chilly on deck, even in the hot destinations. The sea breeze can be a bit harsh at times.

The photos below were both taken on deck. The first is as we were sailing into the Norwegian Fjords one June morning at 4 am (very breezy and very cold) while the second is from a UK cruise where the silent disco was held on deck in August (a bit chilly even though the day was warm hence the hoodie).

The only dress code restrictions that P&O ask you to follow during the day are

• that footwear is always worn around the ship (unless you are by the swimming pool)
• that swimwear is not worn in the bars, restaurants or lounges onboard.

Should you feel peckish or would like a drink when by the pool there are a few bars and food stands in the area. So, you can grab a bite to eat without worrying about being in your swimwear.

If you would like to go to the buffet or main dining from the pool area, you should take something you can change into. There are changing rooms nearby. Alternatively, you can pop back to your cabin and have a quick freshen up.

If you are heading on shore when in port it is worth packing some comfortable shoes. It is easy to rack up the steps without realising when wandering around exploring.

You should also be mindful of any local culture and customs. For example, some regions and attractions may require you to cover up various parts of the body. So, make sure you pop a shawl, light jacket or jumper into your suitcase.

It is also a good idea to check the weather forecast in the days leading up to your departure. If rain is forecast at your cruise destination then you’ll want to pack a rain jacket and umbrella. If it is looking like being hot and sunny, pop in some light clothes, sunglasses and of course some sunscreen.

Evening Dress Code

When thinking what to wear on a cruise in the evening, ballgowns, cocktail dresses and tuxedo’s may spring to mind. While they are great options for formal nights, most evenings on a cruise are not that traditional.

On P&O’s ships, there are two evening dress codes.

Evening casual

The majority of nights on your cruise will be evening casual with up to four black tie nights depending on which ship you are cruising on and the length of your cruise.

The evening the dress code is always evening casual for those under 17. Even if it is black tie for adults. Of course, that is not to say they can’t dress up too. On the cruises I’ve been on many of the little kids did dress up and they looked fabulous.

The dress code on evening casual nights is fairly relaxed. If you think along the lines of a nice evening out at home you won’t go far wrong.

So, for ladies that includes dresses, skirts or trousers with stylish top. For men, smart casual trousers and open neck shirts are a great option. You can also wear jeans but they should be smart dark denim and not ripped or torn. I’ve often worn my black jeans and had no issues.

If you are cruising in the Caribbean, tailored shorts may be worn in the bars on deck and in the buffet.

The only types of clothing you are asked not to wear are tracksuits, football shirts or trainers.

Celebration Night

Celebration Night is P&O’s take on the traditional formal night.

It is a night of glitz and glamour but a little more modern and less stuffy than you might expect. That said it is still the night you get to dress up in your most chic outfit or tuxedo or smartest suit.

For ladies, it is a chance to wear a cocktail dress, ballgown or some smart trousers and a sparkly top. Or in my case a rare opportunity to wear some sparkly shoes!

While for men, tuxedos or a suit, jacket and tie are suitable for this night. Military uniforms or formal national dress may also be worn. Although you’ll need to leave any ceremonial blades or swords at home. So, that will save you some space in your luggage!

How many Black Tie nights on P&O Cruises?

The number of Celebration Nights, where the dress code is black tie, depends on the length of your cruise.

On the family-friendly ships, Arvia and Iona , you can expect one black tie night on cruises up to 13 nights in duration. For cruises that are 14 nights long, there will usually be two black tie nights.

The rest of the fleet has more Celebration Nights, again depending on how long your cruise is.

• 2-6 nights usually have one black tie evening
• 7-13 nights have two black tie evenings
• 14 nights have four black tie evenings

When does each dress code apply?

Keep an eye on Horizon, the daily planner that is delivered to your cabin each evening, for details of which dress code applies for the following evening.

You’ll find this information on the front page just under the header. Below are two examples of how the information is displayed.

You can also see which dress code to follow on the My Holiday web page once onboard.

The dress code on P&O Cruises comes into effect at 6pm across their ships. If you are out and about around the ship, be prepared for the crew to let you know about the change. You may also receive a strange look or two from fellow passengers if you are in a venue where black tie is required around this time.

When I was last on Iona, I spent one afternoon in the Crow’s Nest. I was wearing jeans and a light jumper. Around 5.30 ish one of the bar staff wandered over to let me know that the dress code was changing at 6pm.

I left when I finished my drink however, people were already gathering for early evening meals in The Epicurean and I did overhear someone make a comment about me as I left.

It was a bit unnecessary as the dress code was only just about to come into effect but is an example of how seriously some people take it and are not afraid to let you know if they think you are not adhering to it.

What bars and restaurants does the dress code apply to?

While the dress code is generally ship wide, it is only enforced in certain venues. If you turn up items of clothing that don’t fit the dress code be prepared that you might be turned away from those venues.

Below is a guide to what venues the P&O evening dress codes apply to.

Do you have to dress up for Celebration Night?

Formal nights on a cruise ship can be a bit like marmite. Some people love them while others hate them. Whichever camp you fall into, you can have a enjoyable – and comfortable – night.

If you like the opportunity to dress up in your finest outfit, you’ll find plenty of others will be getting out the glitz and glamour too. You’ll be able to dine in the main dining room and many of the speciality restaurants.

However, if dressing up isn’t your thing don’t worry. You won’t have to spend the night locked away in your cabin or sneaking around the ship trying not to be seen.

A few venues, such as the Horizon Restaurant and most of the bars still have an evening casual dress code even on Celebration Night.

There is also the option of room service (or should that be cabin service) if you really want to avoid it all!

It is worth giving it a go though. You might be surprised at how much you enjoy it. I usually cruise solo so feel bit of a twit dressing up just to eat alone. However, on the occasions I have joined in, it’s been a great evening so I was glad I didn’t miss out.

The Last Word

P&O Cruises make it super easy to navigate the dress code on board their ships.

If you pack like you would for a resort holiday with some comfortable clothes for the day and a few nice outfits for the evening you will be fine. Just remember to pack your most glamorous outfit for Celebration Night.

Also don’t forget to check the weather forecast for the destination you are cruising to and pack accordingly.

You may also like…

• Cruising the Norwegian Fjords on Iona
• What to pack for a Norwegian Fjords cruise
• P&O drink packages, are they worth it?

10 thoughts on “ Understanding the P&O Cruises Dress Code – What to wear on your cruise ”

I know you’re allowed to take a litre of spirits/wine and unlimited soft drink onboard Iona. Is beer not permitted? Does the allowance include children as a ‘per person’? Thanks again for all info.

Hi Debbie, if you take a look at P&O’s policies it looks like beer is included. And it applies to guests over 18. Enjoy your cruise. Emma

Just booked Britannia for 2025 have been told by travel agent can take on board 1 litre of spirts to drink in our cabin is this per person and is this true

Hi Gail, Looking at P&O’s policies, it seems to apply for each guest as they embark the ship. Enjoy your cruise when it arrives. Emma

We ate not ones for rassle dazzle dressing up.we do however dress.smartish. but qe dont do black tie nughts. Is there other forms of eating places on board where we can eat on formal nights without being confined to our room.

Hi Denise, I was a bit worried about that too but it was fine. You can eat in the Horizon Restaurant (buffet),The Quays and I think the Olive Grove (if you can get a reservation). I ate in the buffet on one my Iona cruises on celebration night (wearing jeans) and it was fine. Enjoy your cruise (and don’t worry about the dress code too much). Emma

Are men able to wear chino shorts at night? Of course black tie would be a full tuxedo. Thanks!

Hi Megan, I think shorts are ok if you are eating in Horizon (the buffet) or if you are on a fly-cruise, to the Caribbean for example. Enjoy your cruise. Emma

Are you allowed to take 1 litre of alcohol on board Iona from Southampton On embarkation.

Hi Patricia, yes you can. Enjoy your cruise. Emma

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

Accessibility Links

What to wear on a cruise: ship dress codes explained

Packing for a cruise should be fun – but it can present a dilemma to first-timers. here’s our guide to unpicking the cruise-line dress code.

W hile cruising used to be all about black-tie nights and cocktails with the captain, holidays afloat have evolved. Some cruise lines still embrace formal evenings, simply because their passengers love the razzmatazz. Others have got wise to the fact that today’s travellers don’t necessarily like being told what to wear and have introduced more euphemistic dress codes such as “evening chic”, leaving the choice to the individual. So don’t worry, there’s a cruise line for every taste, whether you want to dress to the nines or keep it casual.

Main photo: staying casual for deck shuffleboard (Getty Images)

Cunard is the most traditional line when it comes to dress code. Ballgowns and sparkle are all part of the fun and on formal nights the whole ship comes alive with people in their finery enjoying the cocktail lounges and restaurants. On a seven-night cruise expect two black-tie nights, which means dinner jacket or dark suit and tie for men, cocktail frock or long dress for women. If you don’t want to dress up, you’ll be limited to the buffet restaurant or room service for the gala evenings, neither of which exudes quite the same glamour.

How formal? As posh as it gets, with limited opt-out possibilities.

2. P&O Cruises

P&O Cruises embraces maritime tradition with its black-tie nights, with dinner jackets, dark suit and tie, cocktail/long dresses expected, usually on two nights out of seven. This dress code is enforced in most of the bars and restaurants after 6pm, although there’s always the buffet or the more casual outlets if you don’t want to dress up.

Advertisement

Fred Olsen has a similar dress code, and because of the older demographic it attracts, and the fact that the ships are smaller, there’s strong compliance. Funnily enough, young children and teenagers seem to love the dress-up nights on ships too. Formal evenings on a Princess ship during the school holidays are every bit as glam as prom night at home.

How formal? Pretty smart, but you’ll see suits as well as dinner jackets.

3. SeaDream Yacht Club

Tiny SeaDream might be one of the most luxurious cruise lines but its only dress code is “casual elegance”. As such, the dress code on board tends to find its own level, which is stylish and glamorous — but not insisting that men swelter in black tie on a hot night in the tropics. Linen trousers and a smart shirt is fine. For women, something floaty, or a cocktail dress and heels would fit in but isn’t essential. You’ll be dining on deck a lot, so factor that in, especially for the Caribbean season.

How formal? Informal, but chic nonetheless.

4. Seabourn

Seabourn simplifies its dress code with “elegant casual”, which means collared shirt for men but jacket optional, and “formal”, which is full black tie or, at a minimum, a shirt and jacket. Seabourn’s guests tend to be pretty glamorous, and dressing up is embraced; women certainly bring out the Manolos and little black dresses. But the formal rules only apply to the Restaurant, the main dining room, so you could ditch the DJ and dine in the lovely Colonnade, the informal restaurant, or outside under the stars.

How formal? Dressy and glamorous, but with options to tone it down without feeling like an outcast.

5. Silversea

Silversea is one of the few lines to keep three evening dress codes but the reality is that it’s pretty simple. “Casual” is as relaxed as it comes. “Informal” is a bit dressier; men should wear a jacket. “Formal” is full-on glamour, with black tie or dark suit for men, tie compulsory, and cocktail or long dresses for women. There are exceptions, though. On seven-night cruises in the Baltic, Mediterranean and Alaska formal is optional and the poshest you need go is a jacket for men on dress-up nights. Otherwise you can eat in La Terrazza, the line’s traditional Italian restaurant, in informal gear on any night, or at the Grill on deck, or the excellent pizzeria, Spaccanapoli, in casual clothing.

How formal? Very, on longer cruises, but less dressy options are available.

6. Oceania Cruises

The boutique cruise line Oceania prides itself on its unstuffiness, with just one dress code recommendation: country club casual. If, like most of us, you don’t belong to a country club, interpret this as smart casual. Men normally wear a polo shirt or decent shirt, rather than a T-shirt, with chinos in the evenings. For women the best guide is to imagine you’re going to a decent restaurant at home. You’ll see cocktail dresses and heels but linen trousers and a blouse are fine too.

Azamara, another boutique line, has a similarly simple approach: “resort casual” for evenings. One thing you will want for an Azamara cruise is something white. The weekly white nights deck parties are a true Ibiza-inspired extravaganza and everybody makes an effort for these.

How formal? Refreshingly casual.

7. Regent Seven Seas Cruises

Regent Seven Seas Cruises expects only “formal optional” so you’ll see some black tie and ballgowns and you’d certainly raise a few eyebrows among the regulars if you turned up in casual dress — but cocktail wear for women and a smart suit for men is fine.

How formal? Moderately; chic, certainly, but the dress code is elegant rather than enforced.

8. Star Clippers

The tall-ship sailing line Star Clippers doesn’t deploy any dress code beyond the usual “no shorts in the dining room”, although you’ll find plenty of people making an effort for those sunset Insta snaps against a backdrop of teak decks and billowing sails. Passengers dress up a bit more for the captain’s farewell party but there’s certainly no need for a tie. A polo shirt for men and something strappy or floaty for women is as far as it goes. The same applies to other small-ship lines such as Croatia’s Expair Cruises, or Variety Cruises in Greece .

How formal? As informal as cruising gets.

9. Royal Caribbean

It seems strange that a line as casual and fun-loving as Royal Caribbean has a dress code but there are two evening varieties nonetheless: smart casual and formal. At minimum, a collared shirt for men is OK for smart-casual nights, with a collared shirt and ideally a jacket on formal nights. Some guests, women especially, go for all-out glamour on dress-up nights, when the ship’s photographers are waiting to snap formal portraits, but just as many others keep it low-key. Tie wearing isn’t enforced.

MSC Cruises has a similar vibe in the evenings; summer dresses for women on informal nights, something strappy with heels on a gala night, but there are no style police here.

How formal? There’s a dress code but it’s widely interpreted.

10. Celebrity Cruises

In keeping with its promise of “modern luxury ”, Celebrity Cruises has kicked out the formal dress code and wisely replaced it with evening chic. So a degree of glamour is encouraged on up to two nights on each cruise — cocktail dress or trousers with an elegant top for women; trousers and shirt for men. Even “designer jeans” are permitted, although presumably not the ripped type. There’s still the option to go full black tie and a few diehards do, but it’s not necessary.

Marella Cruises takes a similar approach; its “dress to impress” evenings bring out all sorts of sartorial interpretations but generally people make a real effort without the constraint of ballgowns and black tie.

How formal? Open to interpretation.

What do you wear on a cruise ship during the day?

Completely casual is fine during the day but pretty much all cruise lines insist that you cover up to go to the buffet and men should not wear tank tops in the restaurants. Pack appropriately for shore excursions; sun hat for the heat, modest clothing for visiting mosques and cathedrals, or rain wear and thermal layers for Alaska.

What kind of shoes should you wear on a cruise?

Any shoes are fine, from flip-flops to deck shoes. Bare feet are not acceptable inside. Trainers or walking shoes are fine for excursions. Women will wear heels in the evenings but bear in mind that the ship might be moving, so avoid anything too vertiginous.

Do you have to dress up every night on a cruise?

No, certainly not. You’ll get changed for dinner, just as you would before going out in a resort, but dress codes are far less rigid than they used to be. Remember too: you can’t go wrong with a little black dress. And nobody will notice if you wear the same thing twice.

Sign up for the Times Travel Newsletter here .

You are using an outdated browser. Please upgrade your browser to improve your experience.

Welcome to P&O Cruises. This website presents a main menu on the left hand side from where you can browse our cruises, and a toolbar menu at the top page with search, live chat, support, and profile settings.

• Skip to side menu (Press enter)
• Skip to toolbar menu (Press enter)
• Skip to content (Press enter)
• Plan a Cruise Trip
• Know Before You Go
• What to Pack for a Cruise

Dress at Sea

Keep it casual.

When the sun’s out you can keep it casual. After 5.30pm smart casual clothing is required in the public lounges and restaurants or as published in the ship’s newsletter, Good Times. Decks can be slippery so low-heeled, rubber soled shoes are recommended along with comfortable walking shoes for going ashore. Shoes must be worn at all times in restaurants. Swimwear is only permitted around the pool and open deck areas. There are two dress codes for the restaurants; smart casual and cocktail.

Dress for dinner

Dress up and have fun! Every evening onboard should be a special occasion whether you’re grabbing a quick drink or having a leisurely dinner. If it’s after 5:30pm, smart casual clothing is required in the public lounges and restaurants. 

Classic drinks, classy clothes

The drinks are delicious and the vibe is fancy so you better frock up for our cocktail evenings! Cocktail or evening dresses, pant suits, jackets, ties or similar. Dress to impress. Classy, sophisticated, clean cut or glamorous. You choose. These evenings will be announced in the ships newsletter, the Good Times. So you have an idea of how many fabulous outfits to pack, we’ve provided a rough guide. For cruises between 3-7 nights there will be 1-2 cocktail evenings. For cruises between 7-13 nights there will be 2 cocktail evenings and for cruises 14 days or more there will be a minimum of 3 cocktail evenings. Please note that if the cruise is less than 2 nights there will not be any cocktail nights.

• Aug 11, 2022

Do you really have to dress up for a P&O Celebration Night?

Short answer... no.

On a P&O cruise you can normally expect 1 Celebration Night and 1 Black Tie for a 7 night cruise. There may be additional Black Tie nights for cruises longer than 7 nights.

So what does P&O advise?

For both Celebration Night and Black Tie P&O advise the following dress code: Get dressed to the nines in glamourous evening wear. Don a cocktail dress, tuxedo, ball gown or dinner jacket, or a dark business suit and tie. You may also wear formal national dress or military uniform.

Where do you have to wear Black Tie?

P&O will communicate the locations that require Black Tie via the daily Horizon newsletter.

Examples from Britannia and Ventura are below which state that Black Tie is required in all the Main Dining Rooms, Epicurean, as well as some bars.

What do we do?

Before we embark we will make a decision if we are attending the Celebration Night or similar. We base this on the itinerary of the trip. For example, for our Norwegian Fjords trip we decided not to dress up as the trip is packed full of excursions and we expect to be tired throughout.

Similarly on Ventura we did not dress up and instead visited The Beach House. The buffet, Glass House, Sindhu and Limelight Club also do not require black tie.

• TIPS & ADVICE

Related Posts

Port Guide: Oslo, Norway

7 nights to the Norway onboard QUEEN VICTORIA | Embarkation & At Sea

7 nights to the Norwegian Fjords on P&O Iona | Embarkation & Stavanger