What Is the Dress Code on a Cruise Ship?

By Michael Ferguson

Cruise ships are a great vacation option for many people, as they offer the convenience of having all of your travel, accommodations, and entertainment in one place. One of the most important things to consider ahead of time is what to wear on a cruise ship.

Cruise ships have their own unique dress code that varies depending on the company, ship, and itinerary.

On most cruises, there will be formal nights where passengers are expected to dress up in more formal attire. Men should opt for suits and ties while women should wear cocktail dresses or gowns.

During the day, more casual attire is often allowed, such as shorts and t-shirts. On some ships, there may even be a poolside dress code that requires swimsuits to be covered with a wrap or shirt when not in the pool area.

The dress code for dining also varies depending on the cruise line and the type of restaurant you are visiting. Most restaurants will require at least “smart casual” attire such as collared shirts or blouses with slacks or skirts for women and slacks with button-down shirts for men. Shorts may be allowed in some restaurants but not in others.

If you’re looking to participate in activities like onboard casinos or nightclubs, you may need to adhere to a different dress code than during the day or evening meals. For these venues, many cruise lines require that passengers wear more formal attire such as suits or cocktail dresses.

No matter what your itinerary looks like on your cruise, it is important to know what type of clothing is appropriate before you set sail so that you can plan ahead and avoid any embarrassing wardrobe malfunctions!

In conclusion, cruises have their own unique dress codes which vary depending on the company, ship, and itinerary. Most cruises will include formal nights where passengers should expect to dress up formally while days typically call for more casual clothing like shorts and t-shirts.

Restaurants may also vary from requiring smart casual attire to more formal outfits like suits or cocktail dresses. It’s best to check with your cruise line beforehand so that you can plan ahead accordingly.