Formal night on a cruise is a classic tradition, but for many passengers, it can also lead to lots of questions. Do I have to dress up? What can I wear? When are the formal nights?
We’ve taken dozens of cruise and know that for those unfamiliar with formal night, it can feel a bit unnerving trying to figure out the ins and outs of dressing up. No one wants to head to dinner underdressed. At the same time, some people don’t want to dress up at all and prefer to know what other options they have.
Below, we’ve covered some of the most frequent questions about formal night on a cruise.
In This Article...
What Is a Cruise Formal Night?
Just as the name implies, formal night is the evening on the cruise when the dress code goes from the casual style that’s normal around the ship to more elegant. It’s a chance for passengers on the ship to put on their best and have an evening out that feels more special than just going to grab dinner in the dining room.
You’ll find people around the ship dressed up, having drinks, taking formal pictures, and enjoying dinner and a show. Think of it as a special event where many passengers have an elegant “date night” that’s more memorable than just another dinner on the ship.
Do I Have to Dress Up?
Absolutely not. Your cruise is your own. If you don’t want to dress up for the evening, then you certainly don’t have to do so. Many people choose to keep it casual. If you decide that shorts and a t-shirt are as formal as you want to get, you won’t be alone.
However, if you do decide to not dress up, it’s a good idea to dine outside of the main dining room or higher-end specialty restaurants. These are spots that request nicer dress during formal night.
Even if casual dress is allowed in the dining room during formal night, you might feel out of place with others wearing suits or evening gowns.
What Can I Wear to Formal Night? Do I Have to Wear a Tux or an Evening Gown?
Perhaps the biggest question around formal night on a cruise is what to wear. What’s acceptable is wide-ranging. No, you don’t have to go out and get a tuxedo or a formal evening gown unless you want to.
For instance, you can go all out and dress up in your best. And you will see some people around the cruise ship go this route. But you don’t have to wear a suit or tux to enjoy the evening.
Women can simply wear a co*cktail dress or a nice blouse with pants. For men, it’s fine to wear a suit, or even a buttoned-down shirt and a pair of slacks if you don’t want to get too fancy. Nice jeans would also be ok, although we’d suggest something slightly more dressy.
That said, not everything goes. There are some clothing items to avoid if you plan to eat in the dining room on formal night. This includes shorts, tank-tops, t-shirts, and swimsuits, as well as flip-flops. If you’d wear it to the pool or the beach, you don’t want to wear it to formal night.
- Ok to Wear for Formal Night (Women): Gowns, dresses, skirts, blouses with pants
- Ok to Wear for Formal Night (Men): Tuxedoes, suits, button-down shirts, slacks, nice jeans
- Avoid Wearing (Men and Women): Shorts, tank tops, t-shirts, flip-flops
Is The Dress Code Strictly Enforced?
Don’t worry, you aren’t likely to be denied entry to the dining room, even if you are dressed casually. It’s not like an exclusive nightclub that bars entry.
While the name might be “formal” or “elegant” night, you won’t be out of place as long as you dress nicer than a t-shirt and shorts. Remember, the cruise lines want you to enjoy yourself and not be worried about if you should be in a tuxedo.
For that reason, as long as you avoid wearing something very casual (e.g. flip flops, shorts, and a tank top), it’s likely to be no issue. Even so, we’d highly recommend dressing up somewhat if you plan on eating in a dining room or a nicer specialty restaurant. Not only will you feel more comfortable around others who are dressed up, but it also adds to the atmosphere of formal night for others.
Where Should I Eat If I Don’t Dress Up?
While the main dining room is the spot for formal eating during the evening, you won’t go hungry if you decide not to take part in dressing up. Every cruise ship offers a number of different places to eat, with many casual dining options for those who aren’t getting fancy for the evening.
For instance, instead of the main dining room you can head to the buffet or one of the 24-hour restaurants around the ship. The restaurant’s atmosphere will give you an idea of if it’s ok to eat there dressed casually or not. The fancy steakhouse? You want to go formal. The spot serving pizza? Shorts and a t-shirt are just fine.
Is Formal Night For Everywhere on the Ship?
While you’ll definitely see people dressed up all around the ship, the only place where you’ll find any sort of suggested or required dress code is in the dining room and/or specialty restaurants.
So if you are just hanging out around the ship — having a drink in a bar, playing in the casino, watching an evening show — then you are perfectly fine dressing down. You won’t be the only one. While many people participate in formal night, a considerable chunk of passengers don’t.
How Many Formal Nights Are There During the Cruise?
The number of formal nights varies based on the length of your cruise. The rule of thumb is that a week-long cruise will have two formal nights during the trip (i.e. Day 2 and Day 5). Shorter trips normally have one.
It may be that if you are on a very short cruise (e.g. three days), there might not even be one formal night. For instance, we’ve been on one short cruise with “Wear Your Best” (i.e. the nicest thing you packed) instead of formal night.
Does Everyone on the Ship Dress Up?
No. If you decide to not dress up, then you certainly won’t be out of place. Many people choose to dress casually and just eat somewhere else other than the main dining room or higher-end restaurants. Even so, formal nights are popular and when you walk around the ship in the evening on one of these nights, there is no mistaking that it’s dressier than normal.
How Will I Know When it Is Formal Night?
Nothing would stop you in your tracks like heading down to dinner in a pair of shorts and then realizing everyone else is dressed up! Fortunately, you’ll get plenty of notice when it is formal night.
The most obvious spot will be with your daily cruise planner delivered to your cabin each day or through the cruise line’s app. There will be some mention of the dinner attire. It may be referred to as “formal” or “cruise elegant” or some other name. They all mean the same thing: Time to get dressed up!
As well, there are almost always announcements from the cruise director throughout the day sharing what is going on during the day and evening. They will usually mention it when it is formal night, so keep an ear out for announcements.
In the worst case, even if you don’t see any notice at all, you will definitely not miss the fact that many people are dressed up when you head to dinner that evening. That should give you a little time to head back to the room and dress up if you want to join in.
Do I Need to Dress Up at Any Other Time Than Formal Night?
For the most part, the only time you’ll need to dress anything other than casual is if you participate in formal night. That said, there are some spots where some nicer clothes are a good idea even if that evening’s dress code is casual.
Specifically, if you plan to visit any of the higher-end specialty restaurants on the ship, such as the steakhouse, then there may be a dress code.
Even if there is not, dressing up to fit the style of the restaurant is smart. So while it’s ok to dress casually at a burger joint on the ship, you’ll want to dress a little nicer if you go to the formal Italian or seafood spot for dinner.
Bottom Line on Cruise Formal Nights
The formal nights on a cruise are a fun way to do things a little differently. If you’re not someone that gets dressed up often, don’t worry. The rules around what’s formal and what’s not are flexible. As long as you make some sort of effort to dress a little nice, you’ll be fine. And if you want to go all out, you won’t be alone!
If you’re someone who likes to keep things casual, then that’s no issue either. While we’d suggest not eating the main dining room or nicer specialty restaurants on that night, you can wear what you want around the ship.
Popular: 39 Useful Things to Pack (17 You Wouldn't Think Of)
Read Next:
Popular: 107 Best Cruise Tips, Secrets, Tricks, and Freebies
RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR
Here’s How Much Money Cruise Ships Make Off Every Passenger (Infographic)
Can I Bring my Pet on a Cruise?
22 Cruise Secrets You’ll Never Forget
How to Watch the Super Bowl on a Cruise
Explained: Differences Between a Suite and Balcony Cabin on a Cruise
The $3.4 Million PER DAY Cruise Ship? Estimating How Much Icon of the Seas Earns
1 COMMENT
-
I dressed up in an old maxi dress that was really oversized that I found from my daughter’s wedding 9 years ago. It was so flowing and pretty, so heck YEAH I wore it!
I wore a nice outfit each night, like a skirt or dress. My embarkation outfit for the first night I modified by taking off the pants and putting on a skirt. I even kept the high boots on, which really worked!
The last night I had a long ‘cover up’ dress that I gussied up with a sparkly throw and wedge high sandals.Reply
LEAVE A REPLY
Introduction
As an expert in cruise travel and formal nights on cruises, I can provide you with valuable information based on my extensive knowledge and experience in this area. I have taken dozens of cruises and have firsthand expertise and a depth of knowledge about formal night traditions and dress codes. I can help answer your questions and address any concerns you may have about dressing up for formal nights on a cruise.
Understanding Formal Night on a Cruise
Formal night on a cruise is an evening when the dress code shifts from casual to more elegant attire. It is a special event where passengers have the opportunity to dress up and enjoy a night that feels more memorable and sophisticated than a regular dinner on the ship. During formal nights, you'll find people dressed up, taking formal pictures, enjoying drinks, and having dinner and a show.
Do I Have to Dress Up?
No, you don't have to dress up for formal night on a cruise. Your cruise experience is your own, and if you prefer to keep it casual, you have the freedom to do so. Many people choose to dress casually and opt for shorts and a t-shirt. However, if you decide not to dress up, it's a good idea to dine outside of the main dining room or higher-end specialty restaurants, as these venues often request nicer attire during formal nights. While casual dress may be allowed in the dining room, you might feel out of place if others are wearing suits or evening gowns.
What Can I Wear to Formal Night?
The dress code for formal night on a cruise is flexible, and there are various acceptable options you can choose from. You don't have to go out and buy a tuxedo or a formal evening gown unless you want to. Women can wear a co*cktail dress or a nice blouse with pants. Men can wear a suit, a button-down shirt with slacks, or even nice jeans. It's important to avoid wearing shorts, tank tops, t-shirts, flip-flops, or swimsuits to the dining room on formal night. If you would wear it to the pool or the beach, it's best to avoid wearing it on formal night.
Is the Dress Code Strictly Enforced?
The dress code on formal nights is generally not strictly enforced on most cruise lines. You won't be denied entry to the dining room or other venues if you are dressed casually, as the cruise lines want you to enjoy yourself and not feel pressured to wear a tuxedo. However, it is highly recommended to dress up somewhat if you plan on eating in the dining room or a nicer specialty restaurant. Dressing up not only makes you more comfortable around others who are dressed up, but it also adds to the atmosphere and experience of formal night for others.
Where Should I Eat If I Don't Dress Up?
If you decide not to dress up for formal night, there are plenty of alternative dining options on a cruise ship. While the main dining room is the designated spot for formal dining, you won't go hungry if you choose not to participate in dressing up. Cruise ships offer a variety of casual dining options, such as buffets or 24-hour restaurants, where you can enjoy a meal without the need for formal attire. The atmosphere of the restaurant will give you an idea of whether it's acceptable to eat there dressed casually or not. For example, a fancy steakhouse may require formal attire, while a pizza spot may allow shorts and a t-shirt.
Is Formal Night for Everywhere on the Ship?
Formal night dress codes are primarily enforced in the dining room and specialty restaurants. If you're simply hanging out around the ship, having a drink in a bar, playing in the casino, or watching an evening show, you are free to dress casually. The only locations where you may encounter a suggested or required dress code are the dining room and specialty restaurants. So, feel free to dress down when you're not in those areas.
How Many Formal Nights Are There During the Cruise?
The number of formal nights on a cruise varies depending on the length of the cruise. As a general rule, a week-long cruise will typically have two formal nights (e.g., on Day 2 and Day 5), while shorter trips usually have one formal night. However, on very short cruises, there may not be a formal night at all. It's essential to check your daily cruise planner or the cruise line's app for specific information about formal nights during your cruise.
Does Everyone on the Ship Dress Up?
No, not everyone on the ship dresses up for formal night. Many people choose to dress casually and opt for alternative dining options instead of the main dining room or higher-end restaurants on these nights. However, formal nights are popular, and you will notice that the atmosphere on the ship is dressier than usual during these evenings. So, if you decide not to dress up, you won't be out of place, but you'll also be able to appreciate the elevated ambiance created by those who do dress up.
How Will I Know When It Is Formal Night?
You will receive plenty of notice when it is formal night on your cruise. The most obvious source of information will be your daily cruise planner, which is delivered to your cabin each day or accessible through the cruise line's app. The dinner attire for formal night will be mentioned in the planner, often referred to as "formal" or "cruise elegant" or using a similar term. Additionally, the cruise director will make announcements throughout the day, sharing information about the day's events and activities, including formal night. Even if you miss any notices, you will definitely notice many people dressed up when you head to dinner on formal night, giving you the opportunity to go back to your room and dress up if you choose to join in.
Do I Need to Dress Up at Any Other Time Than Formal Night?
For the most part, you will only need to dress up other than casual attire if you choose to participate in formal night. However, there may be specific spots on the ship where dressing a little nicer is a good idea, even if the evening's dress code is casual. If you plan to visit higher-end specialty restaurants like a steakhouse, there may be a dress code in place. Even if there isn't a strict dress code, dressing up to fit the style of the restaurant is a smart choice. So, while you can dress casually at casual dining venues on the ship, it's advisable to dress a little nicer if you decide to dine at a formal Italian or seafood restaurant.
Conclusion
In conclusion, formal nights on a cruise are a fun way to add a touch of elegance and variety to your cruise experience. Dressing up for formal night is not mandatory, and there are flexible options for attire that allow you to express your personal style and comfort level. Whether you choose to dress up or keep it casual, you'll find dining options to suit your preferences on a cruise ship. Remember to check your daily cruise planner and listen for announcements to stay informed about formal nights and enjoy your cruise to the fullest.
