What to wear on a cruise
The short answer
Most cruises are casual by day and smart casual at dinner. Some lines keep one or two dressy nights; others dropped them entirely. Comfortable shoes with good grip matter more than any outfit — decks can be wet.Free guide2 min readUpdated September 2026
| Cruise line | What the line says | Checked |
|---|---|---|
| Carnival Cruise Line | Cruise Casual, with Cruise Elegant evenings | September 21, 2026 |
| Royal Caribbean International | Casual most nights, plus 1 to 4 “Dress Your Best” evenings | September 21, 2026 |
| Norwegian Cruise Line | Cruise casual, and no mandatory formal nights | September 21, 2026 |
| MSC Cruises | Casual by day, a more polished look in the evening, plus Gala Night | September 21, 2026 |
| Princess Cruises | Casual most nights, with a number of formal dining nights | September 21, 2026 |
| Celebrity Cruises | Casual chic, with Smart Casual in the evening | September 21, 2026 |
| Disney Cruise Line | Cruise casual in most venues; swimwear and tank tops are not permitted | September 21, 2026 |
| Holland America Line | Smart casual in the dining rooms, with Dressy Nights | September 21, 2026 |
| Virgin Voyages | No formal nights and no strict dress code | September 21, 2026 |
| Viking | Casual by day, “elegant casual” in the evening, and no formal nights | September 21, 2026 |
| Cunard Line | Smart attire most nights, with gala evenings | September 21, 2026 |
| Oceania Cruises | “Effortless sophistication” — polished and upscale, but no formal nights | September 21, 2026 |
Comfort tips
- Shoes with good grip for wet decks, and a comfortable pair for evenings.
- A light sweater or wrap: dining rooms and theaters are air-conditioned.
- One dressier outfit if your line has dressy nights — it is always optional to join in.
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Can I wear jeans to dinner on a cruise?
On casual nights, on most lines, neat jeans are fine. On dressy or gala nights, lines ask for something smarter. Check your line's dress code in the table above.
What can you not wear on a cruise ship?
Rules vary by line. Disney's dress code, for example, says swimwear and tank tops are not permitted. Check your line's own dress code in the table above.
What is the proper attire for a cruise?
Casual by day, smart casual at dinner on most lines, and something dressier if your line has formal or gala nights.