Travel Tips & Trends

A guide to cruisewear

What clothing should I pack?" is one of the most frequent questions from first-time cruisers. Does a modern cruise still mean formal attire—and just how formal is "formal," anyway?

A lot depends on the cruise line. Holland America, Celebrity, Crystal and Cunard provide a more upscale cruise experience and the dress code is correspondingly high. Disney, Carnival and Princess are more flexible.

Almost all cruises offer at least one or two opportunities to wear formal evening attire. Most ships have rental tuxedos available, and some have rental gowns and even women's tuxedos. Onboard rentals can be pricey, and sizes and quantities are limited.

On formal nights, alternative dining options are usually available for the more casually dressed, from buffets to poolside cafes or room service.

What do the dress codes really mean? Here's a rough guide:

  • Formal: For men, a tuxedo, dinner jacket, or dark suit and tie. For women, an evening gown.
  • Informal: For men, a suit or sport coat and slacks (tie optional). For women, a cocktail dress or pantsuit.
  • Casual: For men, slacks and a collared sport shirt or button-down shirt. For women, a casual dress or pantsuit.

Most ships' dining rooms do not permit shorts, jeans, baseball caps, swimsuits or swimsuit cover-ups. Elsewhere on the ship during the day, these items and other typical resort clothing are appropriate for men and women.

Even on a tropical cruise, pack a light jacket or sweater. Dining rooms, theaters and other common areas can be chilly and layering is a good idea.