Table Of Content
- Emphasizing Comfort with Style
- Cruise Formal Night Explained: 10 Things to Know (What to Wear and More…)
- Embracing Personal Style within the Dress Code
- Carnival Cruise Formal Night: Cruise Elegant Night and The Dress Code Onboard
- “Cruise Elegant” Nights
- Azamara Cruises Dress Code: More Casual Than You Might Think

Mixing and matching versatile pieces, packing wrinkle-resistant clothing, and leaving room for souvenirs will help you make the most of your wardrobe while keeping your luggage manageable. During the day, Viking's dress code calls for casual and comfortable attire, including shorts and jeans. Swimsuits, shorts, cover-ups and exercise attire should be reserved for poolside, in the fitness center and on the sports deck.
Emphasizing Comfort with Style

The schedule for Elegant Nights can vary based on the cruise length and itinerary, thus it is recommended to consult the cruise line or your specific itinerary for precise dates. The only Carnival cruises which don’t have an Elegant Night are 1-day cruises. As long as you’re on the ship for two nights or more, you’ll get to experience one. Remember to pack smartly, taking into consideration the dress codes and the various dining occasions throughout your cruise.
Cruise Formal Night Explained: 10 Things to Know (What to Wear and More…)

From gourmet dining areas to exclusive clubs and serene spas, each venue has its own ambiance, and with it, specific dress code considerations. Despite being a formal affair, Elegant Night dining is also a fun and lively event with live music performances, captivating shows, and a bustling nightlife atmosphere onboard. The primary location for Elegant Night dining is the main dining room, where the menu is tailor-made for the occasion, featuring an array of appetizers, soups, salads, entrees, and desserts. These dishes are typically more upscale than regular menu items, offering options like lobster tail, filet mignon, and caviar. These items are essential as well for glacier excursions like Dog Sledding on Mendenhall Glacier via Helicopter.
Embracing Personal Style within the Dress Code
Formal night is also when you want to take advantage of the ship’s photographers’ many backdrops – it’s time to get formal photo-ready! Let’s face it, we all get older every single day, so you’ll never look as good as this again. And that pair of denim dungarees had been pressed with the sharpest creases I’ve ever seen on a pair of denims.
Is Cruising's Formal Dress Code a Thing of the Past? - TravelAge West
Is Cruising's Formal Dress Code a Thing of the Past?.
Posted: Sat, 03 Feb 2024 08:00:00 GMT [source]
One of the undeniable highlights of any cruise is the opportunity to explore various ports of call. Every time the ship docks, a world of adventure awaits, from pristine beaches to bustling markets and historic sites. Whether you’re in a laid-back mood or ready to dazzle, there’s an outfit for every evening onboard. Still, being aware of these guidelines ensures you’re always in tune with the ship’s vibe, ready for any activity or photo opportunity that comes your way. Some excursions in warm-weather destinations require extra items in your suitcase.
“Cruise Elegant” Nights
Men will want to wear a collared, button up shirt and tie with trousers and dress shoes. On Carnival cruises, ties aren’t required, but many men choose to wear them, as well as sport coats, on Cruise Elegant Dining nights. While men can wear a suit or tuxedo, it is not a requirement on most cruise lines. As well, many cruise lines don’t extend the formal dress code to specialty dining restaurants on “formal night”. If you prefer to be served but would rather dress in smart casual wear, consider making reservations at one of your cruise ship’s specialty restaurants.
Azamara Cruises Dress Code: More Casual Than You Might Think
The dress codes on Wind Star, Wind Surf, and Wind Spirit, are definitely more relaxed than the dress codes on motor yachts Star Pride, Star Legend, and Star Breeze. Men may wear slacks with collared dress shirts or sweaters, but jackets are optional. Women should choose dresses, pantsuits or skirts or slacks with nice tops.
Carnival also features numerous sports options and a well-equipped gym onboard each ship. Guests can purchase accessories for their elegant night attire and avail services from the onboard salon. The dress codes for Carnival’s Elegant Nights only dictate what the recommended attire is for men and women.
For instance, a 1-day Carnival cruise typically does not have an elegant night. On a 6-day or longer cruise, there are generally two elegant nights. However, I have seen many men wearing dress shorts on formal nights. You should definitely avoid wearing cut-off jeans, sleeveless shirts, t-shirts, baseball hats, bathing suits and flip-flops. This is the recommended dress code only though, so if you want to wear jeans and a polo shirt then you should be fine.
Women, on the other hand, are encouraged to wear elegant skirts, pantsuits, blouses, or evening gowns. While formal nights on a Carnival cruise offer a chance to dress up, casual nights provide a more laid-back and relaxed dining experience. The dress code for these evenings is resort casual, allowing guests to be comfortable while enjoying a delicious meal. Uniformity across the fleet is a bit more likely on this small-ship upscale cruise line.
As with the line's smart casual dress code, jeans are not allowed in the main dining rooms on formal nights. Princess cruise formal nights are special because the line is one of the few industry holdouts in that it still has an official formal night. Its passengers enjoy a more traditional cruise experience, and they relish the romantic vibe that a formal night can provide. With that in mind, the line doesn't mention super-fancy garb like ball gowns or tuxes; instead, it advises suits or slacks with jackets for men and cocktail dresses or pantsuits for the ladies.
Carnival provides guests with a daily itinerary that includes information about the upcoming theme nights. This allows you to plan your outfits in advance and fully participate in the festivities. Theme nights on a Carnival cruise can range from tropical nights to 80’s parties, and even formal masquerade balls. The themes may vary depending on the itinerary and length of your cruise, but rest assured, there’s always something special lined up. If you don’t have a formal outfit, Carnival offers a convenient rental service for tuxedos and formal attire. Simply pre-book your rental online or inquire at the onboard Formalities shop.
Here, we address some of the most frequently asked questions about the Carnival cruise dress code to ensure you’re well-prepared for your sailing adventure. Embracing the Carnival cruise dress code doesn’t mean sidelining your personality; rather, it’s an opportunity to merge comfort with individual flair. As you sail from one breathtaking destination to another, remember that every moment onboard is a chance to shine, to express, and to make memories that last a lifetime. While adhering to the Carnival cruise dress code is vital for a harmonious onboard experience, there’s more to cruising than just dressing appropriately.
If you’re someone who hates the idea of getting dressed up, then you can just avoid the whole Elegant Night experience. It’s not like there’s a dress code that applies to the whole ship. So, whether you’re enjoying a leisurely dinner with family or socializing with newfound friends, casual nights on a Carnival cruise offer a comfortable and inviting atmosphere for everyone to enjoy. During Viking cruises to Alaska and Antarctica dress codes are likely to be even more relaxed as outdoor ondeck and onshore activities often take place well into the evenings. It's a bit of a challenge to bundle up for sky watching in fancy clothes. Finally, check to see if your cruise line has any special theme nights planned.
If you choose not to dress according to the theme, the general “Cruise Casual” dress code is a safe bet. Yes, jeans are acceptable on “Cruise Casual” nights in the main dining room, as long as they’re in good condition (no rips or excessive wear). However, for “Cruise Elegant” nights, it’s advisable to opt for dressier attire. The Carnival cruise dress code for these special venues is all about enhancing the experience. While the Carnival cruise offers a myriad of daytime and evening activities, it also boasts special venues that add an extra touch of charm to the cruising experience.