What to Wear on Cruise Formal Night
Formal night is a tradition on many mainstream and premium cruise lines - typically one or two evenings during a weeklong cruise where the main dining room and public areas skew dressier than usual. It's less strict than it used to be, but most lines still encourage guests to step it up a notch from daytime casual wear.
For men, a collared shirt with dress pants is generally acceptable, with a jacket (tie optional) considered a step up if you want to dress more formally. For women, a cocktail dress, nice separates, or a jumpsuit all work well. Kids can dress a bit more casually but still avoid shorts, flip-flops, and t-shirts in the main dining room that evening.
Formal night isn't mandatory - you can still eat at the buffet or a casual venue that night if you'd rather skip dressing up, and cruise lines don't turn people away for not participating. Curious how strict your specific ship's dress code is? Call +1-800-406-8495.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is formal night mandatory on a cruise?
No, formal night is optional - guests who'd rather not dress up can eat at the buffet or a casual dining venue instead, without any penalty.
What should men wear on cruise formal night?
A collared shirt and dress pants is generally acceptable; adding a jacket is a nice step up if you want to dress more formally, though a full tuxedo isn't required on most mainstream cruise lines.
What should women wear on cruise formal night?
A cocktail dress, nice separates, or a dressy jumpsuit all work well for most cruise lines' formal night.
Do kids need to dress up for formal night?
Kids can dress more casually than adults, but most cruise lines ask that shorts, flip-flops, and plain t-shirts be avoided in the main dining room that evening.
How many formal nights are there on a typical cruise?
Most weeklong cruises have one or two formal nights, though this varies by cruise line and itinerary length - shorter cruises may have none at all.
Can I skip formal night dinner entirely and eat elsewhere?
Yes, guests who prefer not to dress up can eat at the buffet or another casual venue instead of the main dining room on formal night.
Is formal night mandatory on every cruise?
No, formal night is optional in most dining venues, though some cruise lines still encourage it in the main dining room on select evenings.
What happens if I don't want to dress up for formal night?
You can usually eat at the buffet or a casual venue instead, since formal night dress codes are typically only enforced in the main dining room.
Do I need to rent formal wear, or can I bring my own?
Most cruisers bring their own attire, though some ships offer tuxedo or formal wear rental services for guests who prefer not to pack it.
What's appropriate for kids on formal night?
Many families dress children in slightly nicer casual outfits rather than full formal wear, and most cruise lines don't strictly enforce dress codes for young kids.