What should I wear on a cruise at night?
For evenings, the recommended onboard dress is elegant casual for most ship venues. Suggested attire for men includes trousers and collared shirts (ties and jackets are optional but not required). For women, dresses, or skirts or slacks with sweaters or blouses are recommended.
Usually a long skirt and a pair of dress pants, and 2 or 3 dressy tops (which are incredibly small when rolled) will do me for a week or 10-day cruise. For your 4-nighter, 1 or 2 evening outfits will be fine.
If you're having dinner in the main restaurant or any meal at one of the specialty restaurants, you'll follow a “smart casual” dress code on most nights. This means long pants, jeans, a dress or skirt, a stylish top, or a button-down.
All big ships come alive at night -- expect theater shows (ranging from Las Vegas-style revues to Broadway musicals), live music, crew talent shows, stand-up comedy, themed parties on the lido deck or in the dance club, dinner theater, ship wide scavenger hunts, feature films or even renditions of "The Dating Game."
- 3/4/5 Night Cruises - Usually on Day 2.
- 6 Night Cruises - Usually on Day 2 and 5.
- 7 Night Cruises - Usually on Day 2 and 6.
- 8 - 10 Night Cruises - 2 Formal Nights, Days vary by ship and sailing.
- 11 - 14 Night Cruises - 3 Formal Nights, Days vary by ship and sailing.
Casual, resort-style wear is appropriate for daytime. But in the evenings, the dress code is almost always elegant casual, with the exception of the final evening of each cruise (which is casual).
Evening Dining dress codes
Smart-casual is best - we recommend dark denim, trousers, skirts, shirts, or dresses.
Today, most cruise lines have relaxed their dress codes slightly – almost none of them require black-tie attire (even on “formal nights”), but the notion that cruises are dressy is still something of a damper on interest in cruises.
Food and drinking are usually complimentary on the cruises. You are also allowed to bring your own snack on the cruise so that you can have what you love. A certain time is fixed for every meal - breakfast, lunch, and dinner. You can either have it with everybody in the dining room or bring it to your room.
Cruise ships are good at making food available 24/7, so if you're hungry, there's usually no one to blame but yourself. The main dining room usually has set meal times, but sections of the buffet will always be open, and you'll usually be able to find a diner, cafe, or pizza shop that's open at all hours.
Do people still dress up for formal night cruise?
Most cruise lines have relaxed their policies enough so that most travelers will be able to attend a formal night with the clothes they keep in their closet at home—even if it's a simple request for a collared shirt and a prohibition on jeans at dinner.
It is an honor, and often quite interesting, to be invited to dine at the captain's table. However, you can always decline the invitation if the timing is bad or you simply do not want to dine with officers.
Dress Code and Attire:
Elegant Night on Carnival Cruise Line follows a suggested dress code that encourages guests to embrace a more formal style of dressing. While formal attire is not mandatory, most guests choose to wear co*cktail dresses, dress shirts with ties, suits, or even tuxedos.
As above, so below: mainstream cruise lines don't have a dress code for breakfast in the dining room. However, we recommend covering your shoulders in the dining rooms, even at breakfast, because some cruisers on Royal Caribbean were turned away for wearing tank tops.
While you're cruising to a Caribbean island, you might not think you will get chilly, but it can get downright cold on the open water at night. Restaurants and the casino can also be a bit chilly, and you'll want a lightweight sweater or pashmina to keep you warm.
Since you'll be spending time on a boat, it's important to select comfortable footwear. Opt for shoes that are both stylish and offer support. Women can choose wedges, sandals, or flats, while men can opt for loafers or boat shoes. Avoid high heels or uncomfortable shoes that may hinder your mobility on the boat.
Flip flops and boat shoes are great daytime options for warm-weather cruises, but flip flops aren't allowed in the main dining room or specialty restaurants for dinner. Also, avoid wearing heeled sandals on the pool deck.
Not permitted in the dining room during the Cruise Casual dinner for ladies and gentlemen: shorts, gym shorts, basketball shorts, beach flip-flops, bathing suit attire, cut-off jeans, sleeveless shirts for men and baseball hats. Cruise Elegant Dining Dress Code: Gentlemen - dress trousers, dress shirts.
Formal: Make it a night out in your best black-tie look – suits and ties, tuxedos, co*cktail dresses or evening gowns. There can be 1-3 formal nights during a sailing and is at the ship's discretion.
For men, that means bringing at least 7 button-down shirts, while women should consider packing at least 7 fashion tops. Evening Chic Attire: 10-night cruises will have at least 2 Evening Chic nights, so remember to pack at least two formal looks for those evenings.
What is evening chic dress code?
Evening Chic means you dress to impress, glamorous and sophisticated in your own way, with a co*cktail dress, skirt, slacks, or designer jean, an elegant dress top or blazer—some guests even pack a tuxedo or gown for onboard photos.
Your choices vary by ship, of course, but your basic cruise fare entitles you to eat three meals a day in the main dining room or the buffet, as well as free venues that can include Guy Fieri's Burger Bar, a Mexican restaurant open for breakfast and lunch, a deli, soft-serve ice cream, various snack spots, and 24-7 ...
Your cruise fare always includes food for breakfast, lunch and dinner on a cruise ship. However, not all venues that offer food will be free. The main dining room and cruise ship buffet will always be included in your cruise fare, though a few specialty items might cost extra.
Policy – Guests are allowed to take spirits, wine, and champagne onboard, though most alcohol is included in the price of the cruise. Policy – Two bottles (750ml each or smaller) of wine or champagne per cabin are allowed. No beer or spirits may be taken onboard for consumption.
Once you board, you'll be able to grab some lunch, order a tropical drink in a colorful souvenir glass, take a dip in the pool or hot tub, hit the gym or walk around to get a feel for the ship.
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