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In most cases, nice jeans (dark wash with no holes) will work well also. Our more formal nights are called “Evening Chic” nights because they’re all about guests looking their absolute best—and loving it. These are the nights when you want to dress up in your most fashion-forward and stylish clothes, while also being elegant and sophisticated. Since flip flops are not allowed in the evening, make sure to bring comfortable shoes or sandals to wear during dinner in the main room.
Carnival Cruise Line Dress Code
Yet, the essence of cruise elegance remains an inviting prospect for those who relish the opportunity to dress up. Much of this depends on the cruise line and the type of cruise experience it offers its guests. Flip-flops, sandals, or waterproof slides are a must for pool days and beach excursions. They are easy to slip on and off and perfect for lounging by the pool or exploring sandy shores. Many of the beaches in the Caribbean are beautiful, but they can also be rocky, and I often wear strap-on water sandals to protect my feet from any sharp rocks or debris. Many cruise line pool decks can get extremely hot, so water shoes are vital for kids who want to ride the slides.
Comfort Meets Style: Day Wear Essentials
T-shirts, tank tops, shorts, sundresses, and skirts are all perfectly fine clothes to wear on a cruise ship to have lunch in the Oceanview Cafe and other restaurants with a casual dress code. You can also dine in casual pool clothes at the snack bar located next to the pool deck. For those evenings when the dress code is relaxed yet chic, passengers seek attire that balances comfort and fashion. These versatile outfits resonate with the laid-back luxury of a cruise and ensure a memorable dinner under the stars or a serene walk along the promenade deck.
Norwegian Cruise Line dress code
If cooler climes and rugged mountains call to you, consider a cruise to Canada. Of course, British Columbia requires a different packing strategy than a trip to The Bahamas or the Mediterranean. Even when cruising in the summer months, be sure to dress for the destination, not the season — layers are your friend here. Pack some thin thermals you can layer under your clothes if necessary, so you can spend the day comfortably strolling along the Inner Harbour and checking out Victoria's most notable landmarks.
Layering is critical if your destination is a bit cooler or you’re planning what to wear on a cruise to Hawaii in the breezier months. Start with a base of moisture-wicking fabrics and add layers such as cardigans, pullovers, or light jackets that you can remove or add as needed. This approach allows for seamless transitions from the calm wind on the deck to the warmer interior spaces of the ship. For a traditional ‘Captain’s Gala,’ think timeless elegance with a modern twist – a tailored suit for men and an evening gown or a chic cocktail dress for women. But don’t fret if your closet isn’t brimming with tuxedos and ball gowns – a dark suit and a sophisticated little black dress can go a long way.
That means khaki shorts with nice button-downs are more common than jean shorts and tank tops, although you won't be out of place in the latter. Jeans are not allowed in the main dining rooms on formal nights, and cut-off shorts, baseball caps and flip-flops are banned at all times during dinner in the main dining rooms. For many, a cruise vacation is all about spending as much time as possible in or near the sea.
Note that formal nights are always optional on the line's weeklong sailings in the Baltic, Mediterranean and Alaska. The dress code on most evenings is elegant casual, which matches the ambiance of the line's ships, from the 300-suite Seabourn Ovation to the slightly smaller ships like Seabourn Sojourn at 229 suites. Men may wear slacks with collared dress shirts or sweaters, but jackets are optional.
Waterproofs
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The smart casual dress code works for all areas of the ship in the evening, including in bars and lounges and during shows and events at the ship’s theater. During the day, passengers do as they please with the line's "cruise casual" rules; just about anything goes as long as you don't enter a restaurant in a bathing suit or with bare feet. Whether you're packing cruisewear for women, men or non-binary people, I recommend getting creative.
Semiformal smart attire includes slacks, shirts with ties or open collars, crewneck sweaters and jackets or blazers for men, and dresses, skirts and blouses or pantsuits for women. On Carnival cruise formal nights, known as "cruise elegant" nights, cruisers wear everything from slacks with nice shirts to tuxes and ball gowns. However, most passengers stick to clothes that fall somewhere in the middle. Into the dinnertime hours, cruisers often dress up a bit more, even for "cruise casual" nights. Collared shirts with dress pants seem to be the bare minimum for men, with some going as far as adding jackets and ties. When the hot sun is shining, shorts, T-shirts, bathing suit cover-ups, sleeveless or tank tops and casual sun dresses or maxi dresses are ideal options for cruisewear.
For women, pantsuits and dressy pants outfits are a great choice, as are party dresses or even ball gowns. We want our guests to feel comfortable, so Celebrity Cruises’ dress code for smart casual is fairly flexible, though there are some restrictions. T-shirts, swimsuits, robes, bare feet, tank tops, baseball caps, and pool wear are not allowed in the main restaurant or specialty restaurants at any time. In addition, shorts and flip-flops are not permitted during the evening hours.
You might see passengers wearing everything from nice jeans and collared shirts to ball gowns and tuxes, although the latter are rare. This flexibility is nice for families or individuals who don't love to dress up! On informal nights, jackets (ties optional) for men are recommended, while women can opt for dresses or pantsuits. Tuxedos, dinner jackets or dark suits for men and gowns or cocktail dresses for women are suggested for formal nights.
Bring lightweight cardigans, wraps, or jackets that can easily be added or removed to accommodate different environments, both onboard and ashore. If you want to get creative and bring your own costume, check in with your cruise line beforehand to see whether a theme night is offered. Some cruise lines (think Cunard or Crystal) are more formal than others -- and across all lines interpretations of "formal" can vary. Some cruisers go all out, as if they'd stepped off a luxury liner from the 1920s.
Approach packing for a cruise in a similar way you do a resort vacation on land, minimizing components while maximizing options. During casual nights on a cruise, resort wear or casual attire is usually appropriate. This can include nice slacks, a blouse for women, khakis, and a polo shirt for men.
While of course you’re welcome to stay in your swimsuit almost all day long on a cruise, there are certain occasions when Celebrity Cruises dress code requests otherwise. Wicking tops, lightweight fleeces, and even pants that zip off into shorts are all a good idea for Alaska, especially if you’re out hiking. Even if you’re taking a cruise around the Caribbean, it’s smart to take a light sweater or fleece to wear at night when the temperature tends to cool down. After all, you won’t want to get chilly while enjoying the starry sky from your stateroom veranda or on one of the ship’s decks. While it’s perfectly acceptable to stay in your swimsuit while lounging beside the pool, you’ll need a cover-up to walk from your stateroom to the pool, and vice-versa. Keep in mind, depending on where your stateroom or suite is located, you may go through other common areas of the ship (in addition to the elevators) on your way to the pool.
That means unripped slacks, jeans or shorts with collared shirts for men and casual dresses or jeans and nice tops for women. Though it's tempting to pack everything, cruise outfits are meant to be laid-back, so plan to wear a few items of clothing more than once — no one will judge you, promise. Pack a few key staple pieces that can be paired together in several different mix and match styles — this is called a capsule wardrobe. To ensure you can put together a great outfit each day, pack mindfully in one color palette or scheme — colors like red, coral and yellow will pop in pictures when photographed in front of a turquoise sea.
You’ll also be sporting swimwear at many of the ports you visit during your trip. Cruisers who sail with Princess will see one formal night on sailings of less than a week, two on voyages of seven to 13 days and three on cruises of 14 to 20 days. A day bag is clutch on a cruise, too, whether you’re toting books and baby snacks for a few hours poolside or hopping ship for a shore excursion for the day. There’s plenty of room to bring souvenirs back inside the gorgeous and durable canvas Tote-Ally bags by women-founded Florida brand Bagging Rights. Solid-colored board shorts paired with a button-up shirt (nautical print encouraged) work just as well for a day on deck. Then, change from swim trunks and flip-flops to chinos and dress shoes before heading to the onboard restaurant.
