Cruises today are far more relaxed than they used to be. Even traditionally formal lines like Cunard now reserve tuxedos and evening gowns for special Gala Evenings. And yet, looking sharp and appropriately dressed remains part of the experience. To make sure you don’t feel out of place, most cruise lines share broad guidelines on what to wear onboard in different parts of the ship and at different times of the day.

Here’s a quick look at dress codes by major cruise lines to help you put together a holiday wardrobe.

Azamara Cruises
Azamara Cruises encourages a ‘resort casual’ dress code.

What’s Permitted?
For men: Collared golf/polo shirts with shorts/pants, and an optional sports coat.
For women: Casual dresses or skirts/pants/capris with blouses/knit tops.

Special Events
You’ll need a white outfit to experience the iconic Azamara Cruise White Night.

What’s Not Permitted?
Torn/distressed jeans, shorts, swimwear, tank tops, baseball caps, and bare feet are not permitted in the dining room or specialty restaurants.

Carnival Cruises
Carnival encourages a ‘cruise casual’ wardrobe with dressier options for table service dining venues.

What’s Permitted?
For men: Slacks/jeans/shorts/trousers with a t-shirt/polo shirt.
For women: Dresses or jeans/long skirts/trousers with tops.

Special Events
Specialty restaurants may host dinners where guests are expected to dress up.
For men: Tuxedos/suits or trousers with a collared shirt and sports jacket.
For women: Cocktail dresses/evening gowns/pantsuits or a skirt and blouse.

What’s Not Permitted?
Cut-off jeans, tracksuits, basketball shorts, and flip-flops are not permitted. Shorts, t-shirts, and baseball caps may not be permitted at special events. Swimwear is permitted only around the pool.

Celebrity Cruises
Celebrity Cruises refers to their dress code as ‘casual chic’.

What’s Permitted?
For men: Slacks/jeans/shorts/trousers with a shirt/polo shirt.
For women: Dresses or jeans/shorts/skirts/trousers with shirts/t-shirts.

Special Events
Celebrity Cruises occasionally hosts semi-formal nights with an evening chic dress code.
For men: Trousers with a jacket/blazer and tie are suggested.
For women: Cocktail dresses or skirts/pants with a dressy blouse.

What’s Not Permitted?
Swimsuits, see-through cover-ups or robes, tank tops, baseball hats, and pool wear are prohibited in the main dining areas. Shorts and flip-flops are discouraged in the evenings.

Costa Cruises
The Costa Cruise dress code is best described as stylishly casual.

What’s Permitted?
By day, you’re free to wear anything ranging from a pair of shorts and a tasteful t-shirt to a sundress. In the evenings, they suggest elevating your wardrobe to trousers/pants and a long-sleeved shirt for gentlemen and a dress or trousers/pantsuit for ladies.

Special Events
Costa Cruises suggests dressing up for their Elegant Evenings/ Formal Nights. It could be as simple as slipping into a pair of heels or completing your outfit with a blazer.

What’s Not Permitted?
Swimwear, sarongs, and flip flops are acceptable only around the open decks and fitness center.

Cunard
Cunard follows a semi-formal to formal dress code for their cruises.

What’s Permitted?
Any outfit ranging from shorts and a t-shirt to casual summer dresses is acceptable as day wear. Most evenings call for more elegant attire.
For men: Slacks/jeans/trousers with a shirt/polo shirt, and an optional jacket.
For women: Cocktail dresses or elegant separates.

Special Events
Cruises that last more than 3 nights will include at least one Gala Evening. These events require an elevated dress code in line with the event theme.
For men: Dinner jackets, tuxedos, or dark suits with a tie/bow tie.
For women: Floor-length gowns/cocktail dresses, or trouser suits.

What’s Not Permitted?
Swimwear is acceptable only around the open decks and the fitness center. Jeans, shorts, and casual sportswear are not permitted after 6 pm at the ship’s bars, restaurants, and entertainment venues.

Disney Cruises
Disney Cruise Line ships suggest a comfortable, cruise casual wardrobe for their dining venues.

What’s Permitted?
Comfortable, casual attire is acceptable across the 3 main restaurants on Disney cruise ships. However, a more elegant, semi-formal outfit is suggested for adult-exclusive restaurants. Acceptable attire includes dress pants, smart jeans, skirts, and even dress shorts with collared shirts

Special Events
Most Disney ships have ‘dress-up nights’ and themed nights where guests are encouraged to dress according to the theme. Participation is optional, and dress codes are not strictly enforced.

What’s Not Permitted?
Swimwear and tank tops are not permitted outside the pool area. Additionally, t-shirts and sports attire are not permitted in adult-exclusive restaurants.

Holland America
The dress code for Holland America cruise ships is mostly casual, with a few formal outfits thrown in for Grand Voyages.

What’s Permitted?
Casual wear is fine throughout the day, while evenings usually require a more polished appearance.
For men: Slacks and collared shirts.
For women: Dresses or slacks/skirts and blouses.

Special Events
Holland America hosts ‘Gala Nights’ where formal outfits like gowns and suits/tuxedoes are suggested but not strictly required.

What’s Not Permitted?
Swimwear, shorts, tank tops, and distressed jeans are not permitted in table service restaurants.

MSC Cruises
MSC Cruises recommends casual daytime attire and a more polished look for the evenings.

What’s Permitted?
Guests can dress as they please during the day, but are expected to adopt a smarter, semi-formal look in the evening.
For men: Tailored pants/ shorts with collared shirts.
For women: Dresses or elegant separates.

Special Events
On gala nights, MSC Cruise guests are expected to follow a formal dress code.
For men: Tuxedoes, a suit and tie, or well-fitted jeans and a polo shirt.
For women: Evening gowns, cocktail dresses, or dark denims, and an elegant blouse.
The cruise line also hosts themed parties with specific dress codes. You can check these details on your cruise itinerary.

What’s Not Permitted?
Swimwear is not permitted outside the pool area. Entry to certain areas may not be permitted for guests wearing shorts, flip-flops, and tank tops.

Norwegian Cruise Line
Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) describes its onboard experience as ‘freestyle cruising’ with no defined dress code.

What’s Permitted?
For men: Khakis/jeans/shorts, and casual shirts. Collared shirts and closed-toed shoes may be required at specialty restaurants.
For women: Casual dresses or skirts/trousers/capri pants/shorts/jeans, and tops.
Swimwear with a shirt or cover-up and footwear is acceptable at buffet restaurants.

Special Events
NCL hosts theme nights and parties like their White Hot Party with optional dress codes for attendees.

What’s Not Permitted?
Overly faded/distress-finished clothes or outfits with visible tears and holes, jeans worn below the hips, visors, thongs, and baseball caps are usually not permitted in main dining rooms or specialty restaurants.

P&O Cruises
P&O Cruises follows a relaxed dress code except for formal attire on Black Tie Nights.

What’s Permitted?
You’re free to wear anything you like during the day, while dresses, or a pair of tailored trousers or dark denims with a smart shirt are preferred in the evening. Swimwear with a cover-up and footwear may be permitted in casual dining spaces.

Special Events
P&O Cruises hosts one to four Black Tie Nights in select upscale restaurants and bars, with a formal dress code in place.
For men: Tuxedos/suits or tailored trousers with a collared shirt, jacket, and tie. Military uniforms and formal national dresses are also permitted.
For women: Evening gowns/cocktail dresses/ball gowns/pant suits.

What’s Not Permitted?
Sports jerseys, tracksuits, and trainers are discouraged in the evenings.

Princess Cruises
Princess Cruise guests should carry a smart-casual wardrobe with a few formal outfits.

What’s Permitted?
For men: Shorts/jeans/trousers with a shirt/polo shirt.
For women: Dresses or shorts/jeans/skirts/trousers with a shirt/t-shirt.

Special Events
Princess Cruises hosts between one and five or more formal evenings per itinerary. Guests are expected to follow an elegant dress code to attend these events.
For men: Tuxedos/dark suits, or dinner jacket and slacks.
For women: Evening gowns/cocktail dresses/pant suits.

What’s Not Permitted?
Frayed or torn jeans, ball caps, shorts, and swimwear are not allowed in the restaurants.

Regent Seven Seas Cruises
Guests on the Regent Seven Seas luxury cruise ships are encouraged to carry a resort-style wardrobe for a cruise.

What’s Permitted?
Casual outfits, including shorts, warm-up suits, jeans, and sneakers, are acceptable during the day, while a more sophisticated look is recommended post-6 pm.
For men: Slacks/trousers with a collared shirt and optional tie/sports coat/blazer.
For women: Dresses/pantsuits or tailored dark denims/skirts/pants with an elegant top.

What’s Not Permitted?
Footwear is required in all common areas except the pool deck. Similarly, swimwear is acceptable only around the pool and pool bar, and grill. Torn/distressed jeans, t-shirts, baseball caps, shorts, athletic shoes, flip-flops, and bathrobes are not acceptable in common areas after 6 pm.

Royal Caribbean
Royal Caribbean advises a smart casual holiday wardrobe with a few black-tie options for formal events.

What’s Permitted?
For men: Slacks/jeans/shorts/trousers with a collared shirt/t-shirt.
For women: Dresses or jeans/shorts/skirts/trousers with a blouse/t-shirt.

Special Events
Royal Caribbean hosts 1-4 ‘Dress Your Best’ nights depending on the itinerary and cruise length.
For men: Tuxedos or a suit and tie.
For women: Cocktail dresses or evening gowns.

What’s Not Permitted?
Tank tops and bare feet are not permitted in the casino and dining spaces. Swimwear is acceptable only around the pool deck, and shorts are discouraged in the evenings.

Seabourn
Seabourn has a casual, resort-styled daytime and elegant casual evening dress code.

What’s Permitted?
Guests can wear anything, including shorts and jeans, during the day, but are encouraged to dress up a bit after 6 pm.
For men: Slacks with a collared dress shirt and optional jacket.
For women: Pant suits/dresses, or elegant separates.

Special Events
Some ships in the Seabourn fleet host formal nights with a formal dress code.
For men: Tuxedos/suits, or slacks with a shirt and jacket.
For women: Evening gowns or other formal outfits.

What’s Not Permitted?
Swimsuits, brief shorts, cover-ups, and exercise attire are not acceptable outside the poolside, spa, and fitness center. Jeans are considered appropriate only up to 6 pm.

Silversea Cruises
Silversea takes a relaxed approach to daytime attire that transitions to an elegant casual dress code post 6 pm.

What’s Permitted?
Daytime calls for casual resort-style wear with flat or low-heeled shoes, while evenings require a more elegant look.
For men: Dress pants and an open-collar shirt.
For women: Dresses or skirts/trousers with a blouse.

Special Events
Silversea hosts Formal Evenings on cruises lasting for 8 or more days.
For men: Tuxedoes/dark suits or trousers with a formal shirt and dinner jacket.
For women: Cocktail dresses or evening gowns.

What’s Not Permitted?
Jeans, shorts, hats, caps, sneakers, or flip-flop-type footwear are not permitted in any of the ship’s indoor spaces.

Viking Cruises
The Viking Cruise dress code focuses on casual comfort.

What’s Permitted?
Viking does not host formal nights and describes their dress code as elegant casual for all dining venues, performances, and special events.
For men: Trousers/jeans with a collared shirt and optional tie and jacket.
For women: Dresses or casual separates.

What’s Not Permitted?
Swimsuits, swim shorts, cover-ups, and exercise attire are acceptable only around the pool and fitness center.

Virgin Voyages
With no formal nights or mandatory requirements for dining, Virgin Voyages has one of the most relaxed dress codes. In fact, there is no dress code and you can wear anything you like at any time of the day or night.

Windstar
Windstar describes their dress code as elegant yet relaxed.

What’s Permitted?
Up to 6 pm, guests are welcome to dress as they please as long as the outfit does not have offensive text/graphics. Beyond this, the dress code transitions to a country-club style. Formal wear is usually not required.
For men: Trousers/tailored slacks/designer denims with polo shirts/button down shirts and optional sports coats.
For women: Dresses or skirts/trousers with a blouse and an optional blazer.

What’s Not Permitted?
Shorts, flip-flops, ripped or torn jeans, hats, and t-shirts are not permitted in the restaurants after 6 pm.

Putting Together the Ultimate Cruise Wardrobe
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