Quick reference for what to wear on the top ocean and river cruise lines: daytime, dinner, and special evenings.
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Daytime: Very casual (shorts, T-shirts, jeans, swimwear with cover-ups).
Dinner: "Cruise Casual": collared shirts/polos with pants, jeans, or tailored shorts for men; casual dresses, skirts/pants with blouses, jeans, or dress shorts for women. No gym/basketball shorts, cut-offs, sleeveless for men, flip-flops, or swimwear in main dining.
Special nights: "Cruise Elegant": typically 2 on a 7-night sailing (1 on 5-day or shorter; some short sailings use "White Hot Night" instead). Dress trousers + shirt (sport coat optional; suit/tux welcome) for men; cocktail dresses, pantsuits, or elegant skirts/blouses (gowns optional) for women. No shorts, T-shirts, jeans, or sportswear. Buffet is always more casual.
Daytime: Resort casual (shorts, polos, sundresses, swimwear with cover-ups).
Dinner: Smart Casual: dresses/skirts/long pants or jeans + stylish tops/button-downs. No T-shirts, swimsuits, robes, bare feet, tank tops, baseball caps, or pool wear in main/specialty dining.
Special nights: "Evening Chic": typically 2 on a 7-night sailing (1 on 6-night or shorter; more on longer voyages). Cocktail dress or elegant separates/designer jeans + top for women; dress shirt/pants or designer jeans (sport coat/blazer optional) for men. More polished than mainstream but not strict black-tie.
Daytime: Casual/resort (shorts, jeans, relaxed attire fine; swimwear limited to decks).
Dinner: Smart Attire: trousers + collared shirt (jacket optional) for men; dresses, skirts/blouses, or stylish trousers for women. After 6 pm, no shorts, denim in some contexts, sleeveless tops, or sandals in main areas/restaurants.
Special nights: Gala Evenings: typically 2–3 on a 7-night sailing (themed evenings possible). Dinner jacket/tuxedo or dark suit + tie/bow tie for men; evening/cocktail dress, smart trouser suit, or formal separates for women. Most formal mainstream line. Lido/casual venues more relaxed as alternatives.
Daytime: Cruise Casual (shorts, T-shirts, sundresses, jeans OK). No swimwear or tank tops in dining rooms.
Dinner (main dining): Cruise Casual.
Special nights: Typically 1 optional Dress-Up, Semi-Formal, or Formal night on a 7-night sailing. Jacket or suit for men, dress or pantsuit for women recommended. Pirate Night is casual and themed.
Adult-only / Specialty restaurants: More polished. Formal or semi-formal recommended. Dress pants, collared shirts, and dressy tops are expected. No T-shirts, swimwear, or sports attire. Dress shorts are sometimes allowed at brunch only.
Daytime: Casual (shirt/cover-up + footwear indoors).
Dinner: Smart Casual: slacks/skirts/dresses + blouses or collared shirts. No shorts, pool/beachwear, distressed jeans, or men's tank tops in table-service restaurants.
Special nights: "Dressy Nights": typically 1–2 on a 7-night sailing (more on longer and Grand Voyages). Slacks, skirts, dresses, blouses, collared shirts + jackets encouraged (suits/dresses on some formal suggestions for long voyages). Black-tie never required.
Daytime: Casual (shorts, T-shirts OK).
Dinner: Smart/polished casual (collared shirts, tailored pants/shorts, skirts, dresses). Layers recommended.
Special nights: Gala Nights: typically 1–2 on a 7-night sailing (more on longer voyages). Tux/suit + tie, evening gown/cocktail dress, or your personal best elegant look. No shorts, flip-flops, tank tops at evening dining; no T-shirts on Gala. Buffet more relaxed. Yacht Club areas often higher standard.
Daytime: Resort / Freestyle Casual (shorts, jeans, T-shirts, sundresses, and casual shirts are all fine).
Dinner (main dining): Freestyle Casual. Shorts, jeans, and casual shirts are generally fine.
Special nights: None required. Optional themed parties.
Adult-only / Specialty restaurants: Smart Casual is expected at many specialty restaurants (Cagney's, Le Bistro, etc.). Long pants and collared shirts for men. Shorts and flip-flops are often not allowed at dinner.
Daytime: Casual/leisure (shorts, T-shirts fine).
Dinner: Smart Casual: skirts/dresses/slacks + sweaters/blouses for women; pants + open-neck/collared shirts for men (jacket optional). Jeans often tolerated if neat. No swimwear/gym shorts/ripped jeans/ball caps in main dining.
Special nights: "Dress to Impress" (formal): typically 1–2 on a 7-night sailing (none on very short sailings). Evening gowns/cocktail dresses/elegant pantsuits for women; tux, dark suit, or dinner jacket + slacks for men.
Daytime: Casual (jeans, polos, sundresses, shorts, and blouses are fine). Swimwear is limited to the pool decks.
Dinner (main dining): Casual / Smart Casual (collared shirts with pants or nice jeans for men; dresses, skirts, blouses, or pantsuits for women). No tank tops, bare feet, or swimwear in the main dining room.
Special nights: "Dress Your Best": typically 2 on a 7-night sailing (1 on shorter, up to 3–4 on longer; ship discretion). Official suggestion is suits and ties, tuxedos, cocktail dresses or evening gowns. In practice most guests wear a step up from regular dinner attire and enforcement is relaxed.
Adult-only / Specialty restaurants: Chef's Table and some specialty venues expect a higher standard (closer to formal or smart dressy).
Daytime: No formal dress code: "Dress Up. Dress Down. Just Dress." Wear what makes you comfortable (resort casual is common). Wear more than a bathing suit in restaurants and footwear indoors.
Dinner: Same as daytime: no formal dress code. Wear more than a bathing suit in restaurants and footwear indoors.
Special nights: None required. Optional Scarlet Night (wear something red, from subtle to a full outfit) plus occasional themed parties (e.g., PJ). Some venues may attract slightly dressier crowds, but nothing is enforced.
River cruises are generally more relaxed and intimate than ocean cruises, with no traditional formal nights. Daytime attire is comfortable and practical for walking tours. In the evenings, the standard is polished or elegant casual. Think nice pants or a dress rather than shorts. Layers are recommended because of changing weather and air-conditioning onboard. Shorts are typically not allowed at dinner.
Daytime: Comfortable/casual (layered clothing for excursions; modest attire in some destinations).
Dinner: Casually elegant/smart casual (slacks/chinos + collared shirt for men; dresses, skirts, or smart trousers + blouse for women). Sport coat optional.
Special nights: Typically 1–2 on a 7-night sailing (Welcome/Farewell or Captain's Dinner). Slightly dressier (think nice restaurant or 5-star dining; no formal required).
Daytime: Comfortable smart-casual (slacks, khakis, walking shorts, skirts/dresses; sturdy walking shoes essential).
Dinner: Resort-type/elegant casual (no shorts). Men may bring a sport jacket; women a cocktail dress or pantsuit for special evenings (ties optional).
Special nights: Typically 2 on a 7-night sailing (Captain's Welcome and Farewell). Dressier smart casual.
Daytime: Casual (shorts in warm weather, slacks, jeans, comfortable walking shoes). Swimsuits/exercise wear limited to appropriate areas.
Dinner: Elegant casual (dress/skirt/slacks + sweater/blouse for women; trousers + collared shirt for men; jacket/tie optional). Jeans often not preferred after 6 pm in main dining (World Café more casual). No formal nights.
Special nights: None required. Captain's dinners may see slightly dressier looks. Modest clothing needed for some religious site visits.
Note: Special-night counts above are typical for a 7-night sailing and can vary by ship and itinerary. Always check the daily program onboard.
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