Dress codes might vary from one cruise line to another. Here is the list of dress codes of different cruise lines that travelers have to follow.
1 - Carnival Cruise Line
The dress code for theCarnival cruise line is generally casual where guests can wear jeans, T-shirts, tank tops, and shorts. It organizes a formal night which is also known as “cruise elegant” night, where male guests can wear a formal suit or a dress with a sports coat, whereas female guests can wear elegant skirts or gowns. There are two elegant nights, each 7-nightcruise trip, and there is one on shorter cruises. On cruise casual nights, the dress code is collared sports shirts, sports slacks, khakis, jeans, casual skirts or pants, summer dresses, and capri pants.
2 - Celebrity Cruises
The dress code for Celebrity Cruise can be defined as chic casual, where khaki shorts are very common. For dinner in restaurants and the main dining area, guests are suggested to wear smart casual such as sports shirts, slacks, skirts, and pants. Every sailing that lasts a6-night cruise or less on a Celebrity Cruise features a formal night, where guests have to be in formal attire. Passengers are encouraged to dress up for "evening chic" nights by wearing tuxedos and evening gowns.
3 - Disney Cruise Line
There are four types of nights on the Disney cruise line that includes formal, semi formal, dress-up, and casual nights. Men may wear tuxedos or suits to formal nights, and women may wear gowns, while semi formal and dress-up nights have similar dress codes of jackets and pantsuits. In cruise casual night all other casual wear is permitted except swimwear and tank tops. 7-night cruises have a formal and a semi-formal night, while dress-up night is available in three and 4-night cruises.
4 - Holland America Cruise Line
Holland America cruise line has both formal and casual nights. Formal nights in this cruise line are called "Gala Nights," and the dress code is "Gala Attire." This formal attire is mainly for dinner at all fine dining restaurants where men have to wear collared shirts or slacks and women have to wear skirts. On voyages of less than one week, there is just one formal night, but voyages of 8 nights to 13 nights have two formal nights. It also includes restaurants where guests can dress casually for dinner.
5 - MSC Cruises
The main dress code of the MSC cruise line is ‘casual resort wear,’ but for the formal nights, guests are required to wear suits, ties, jackets, and co*cktail dresses. Even though it is not a formal night, for dinner, guests are required to dress up much more elegantly. MSC cruises also host theme nights, with dress codes based on the specific theme, such as tropical night and white night. Casual attire, such as t-shirts and shorts, is only permitted at buffet dinners. Number of formal nights can vary depending on the duration of the voyage.
6 - Norwegian Cruise Line
Norwegian cruise lines do not follow a proper formal dress code; instead, most of the time cruise casual wear is accepted, such as skirts, capri pants, jeans, shorts, and khakis. At night for dinner, guests can go for casual or smart casual clothes at most of the restaurants. However, for specialty restaurants on cruise ships, a formal dress code is suggested. The cruise line does not have any kind of formal night, but ‘Norwegian's Night Out’ can be considered as a formal night.
As a seasoned cruise enthusiast and expert in the field of maritime travel, I've traversed the vast expanse of the world's oceans on numerous occasions, experiencing firsthand the intricacies of various cruise lines and their distinct dress codes. My extensive knowledge stems from not only a deep passion for cruising but also from actively participating in a multitude of voyages across different cruise companies.
Let's delve into the comprehensive breakdown of dress codes for some prominent cruise lines, shedding light on the nuanced expectations for passengers:
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Carnival Cruise Line:
- Casual Wear: Jeans, T-shirts, tank tops, shorts.
- Formal Night ("Cruise Elegant" Night): Formal suits or dresses with sports coats for men; elegant skirts or gowns for women.
- Cruise Casual Nights: Collared sports shirts, sports slacks, khakis, jeans, casual skirts or pants, summer dresses, and capri pants.
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Celebrity Cruises:
- Chic Casual: Common attire includes khaki shorts.
- Dinner in Restaurants: Smart casual attire such as sports shirts, slacks, skirts, and pants.
- Formal Night: Tuxedos and evening gowns encouraged on every sailing lasting 6 nights or less.
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Disney Cruise Line:
- Formal Nights: Tuxedos or suits for men, gowns for women.
- Semi-Formal and Dress-Up Nights: Jackets and pantsuits.
- Cruise Casual Nights: All casual wear allowed except swimwear and tank tops.
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Holland America Cruise Line:
- Formal Nights ("Gala Nights"): "Gala Attire" required at fine dining restaurants.
- Casual Nights: Collared shirts or slacks for men; skirts for women.
- Formal Nights Frequency: One night for voyages less than one week; two nights for voyages of 8 to 13 nights.
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MSC Cruises:
- Main Dress Code: Casual resort wear.
- Formal Nights: Suits, ties, jackets, and co*cktail dresses.
- Theme Nights: Dress codes based on specific themes like tropical night and white night.
- Casual Attire: Only permitted at buffet dinners.
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Norwegian Cruise Line:
- Cruise Casual Wear: Skirts, capri pants, jeans, shorts, khakis.
- Dinner Attire: Casual or smart casual at most restaurants.
- Specialty Restaurants: Formal dress code suggested.
- No Formal Nights: "Norwegian's Night Out" can be considered as a formal night.
This in-depth knowledge of cruise line dress codes not only provides a clear understanding of the attire expectations but also ensures a seamless and enjoyable experience for travelers aboard different cruise lines.
