On The Cruise Ship… Dressing for Special Events

Most week-long cruises will include at least one formal evening and several semi-formal events. While glamming up for an elegant dining experience is one of the main attractions for many guests, those not accustomed to dressing up might find the dress code a bit daunting. When shopping and packing for a cruise, here are a few basic guidelines to keep in mind:

White Tie – White Tie style

of dress requires that males wear a tuxedo complete with a white tie, vest and a jacket with tails. Females should wear a full-length evening gown or ball gown. Don’t worry: it is extremely rare to have a white tie event on a cruise ship unless you seek out a cruise line that offers ultra formal evenings.

Black Tie – Males are to wear a tuxedo. Females may wear either a cocktail dress or an evening gown. A decorative shawl or wrap is also a good idea, as air conditioned dining rooms may be a little chilly.

Black Tie Optional

– Males have the option of wearing a tuxedo or a dark suit with a tie. Females may wear either a cocktail dress or dressy evening separates. Again, don’t forget to bring a fancy shawl or wrap.

Cocktail Attire – Cocktail dresses are suitable for females; males should wear a dark suit and tie.

Semi-Formal – Males may wear a suit and tie, or a dress shirt with or without a tie. Females may wear dresses, dressy separates or tailored suits.

Informal – Often interpreted as casual, Informal is actually slightly dressier style of clothing. Tailored slacks and a dress shirt would be most appropriate for men, as would casual shoes (not sneakers) and a belt. Females should wear clothing about on the level of what they would wear to work in a professionally casual environment: khaki slacks, casual skirts and sweater sets work well for informal events.

Casual

– Casual generally means that anything goes. However, it is important to note that even on casual nights, many cruise lines do not allow shorts or tennis shoes in the dining room. Whether or not jeans are appropriate for casual dining varies from ship to ship.

When packing for cruises that include formal events, try to think in terms of items that can be worn more than once. A simple black cocktail dress can be worn with a colorful shawl or wrap one evening and dressed up with some nice jewelry another. One dark suit should be fine for men, and the pants could be worn with a nice shirt on less formal nights. One pair of basic black dress shoes will work for any occasion, but it is advisable to leave the super-high heels at home, as the natural movement of the ship might make it awkward to maintain one’s balance.