One of the most frequently-asked questions when people talk about cruising is…what do I wear?
Dress codes are not as strictly adhered as they were a decade or so ago, so don’t let the thought of them put you off choosing cruising; in fact you don’t need to ‘dress up’ at all if you really don’t want to!
Below we’d like to clarify dress code definitions; so you feel confident in what to pack for your next cruise. Bear in mind that dress codes vary between cruise lines and only apply in the ship’s main dining rooms at dinner, so this is only a rough guide…
Casual: This is probably the easiest code to follow; think dress, skirt, trousers, top, Capri pants, and jeans (no cut-offs) for women; and then casual trousers, jeans (not cut-offs), tailored/long shorts, and collared polo shirt for the men.
Smart Casual: Dress as you would on a night out on the town; opt for a dress, trousers/skirt and top for the women and trousers and sleeved shirt or collared polo top for the men – but no tracksuits, football shirts, or trainers.
Formal/Elegant/Dress to Impress: No need for ball gowns and tiaras – unless you really want to –think along the lines of what you’d wear to your work’s Christmas party! A cocktail dress, tailored trouser suit, or elegant skirt and blouse for the women; and then a dark suit, shirt, and tie or a tuxedo for the men.
Themed Evenings: These can be anything from a Black and White Night and Caribbean Night to 70s night and British Night.
Please note: across all dress codes; that pool or beach attire, tank tops, shorts, baseball caps, and casual jeans (with fraying and/or holes) are not welcomed at dinner in the main dining rooms or speciality restaurants. Shoes must be worn indoors and no pool wear is allowed in the ship’s lounges, inside bars, restaurants, or reception.
And finally, we come to shoes: We suggest flat shoes/Birkenstocks for exploring ashore, flip-flops for by the pool, and a pair of flat or heeled sandals – plus, of course, you can add in a pair of sparkly shoes for dress-up nights too, if you really must! Think about heel-height especially onboard; there’s lots of stairs plus the natural movement and sway of the ship.
So what else are we missing: A brimmed hat and sunglasses to shade you from the sun; a fold-up light waterproof or brolly in case you get caught in a tropical shower; and a pashmina or light cardigan to keep you warm in the air-conditioning in public areas.
Plus, don’t forget that you will have to adhere to luggage weight restrictions imposed by your chosen airline on a fly cruise and also that there is a maximum weight of 23kg per case for health and safety reasons on ex-UK cruises or cruise-only deals.
