Do I Really Need Dressy Clothes on a Cruise?
When people picture cruising, they often imagine scenes straight out of old movies: tuxedos, sparkling ball gowns, ballroom dancing, and captains shaking hands in white gloves. And while that was once the norm, cruising has come a long way since the “Love Boat” era.
The truth? Most cruise lines today, including Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises, are much more relaxed about dress codes. You absolutely don’t need to pack a tuxedo or sequined gown (unless you want to!). Let’s break it down so you’ll know exactly what to expect—and what to put in your suitcase.
Daytime Dress Code: Easy and Casual
During the day, it’s all about comfort. Shorts, t-shirts, sundresses, swimsuits with cover-ups, and sandals are the go-to. You’ll see everything from athletic wear to breezy resort clothes, depending on the activity.
The only real rule? Swimsuits need a cover-up and shoes inside the ship. Other than that, if you’d wear it to a beach vacation, it’ll work fine for daytime on a cruise.
Evenings: Smart Casual
This is where most first-time cruisers overthink things, but “smart casual” is the standard guideline for both Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises in the Main Dining Room aka: MDR.
For men, this usually means:
Slacks or nice jeans with a polo or button-up shirt
Closed-toe shoes or loafers (no flip-flops at dinner)
For women, think:
A sundress or maxi dress
Skirt, dressy pants or nice jeans
Blouse or nice top
In other words, the same clothes you’d wear to dinner out at home or a fun date night are exactly what you’ll wear to dinner on a cruise. No need for ball gowns or bow ties.
Formal Nights (Optional Fun)
You’ll likely see one or two evenings listed as “Dress to Impress” (Royal Caribbean) or “Evening Chic” (Celebrity). Don’t let the name stress you out. These formal nights are for the MDR and specialty restaurants only. You are still free to wander around the ship, attend all of the activities, and eat at the buffet or fast casual style eateries without giving formal night suggestions a second thought.
Formal nights are meant to give guests a chance to dress up if they want to—not to force anyone into renting a tuxedo. Some guests love going all out in cocktail dresses or suits. Others simply wear their “smart casual” dinner outfits and call it good. Both are perfectly fine.
The dress code is more flexible than the name suggests. The only things you’ll want to avoid are beachwear, shorts, and overly casual clothes like tank tops in the main dining rooms.
Theme Nights and Parties
Many ships also include fun theme nights: white parties, tropical nights, or even ’70s disco events. These are completely optional but can be a fun excuse to pack something playful like a white sundress, a Hawaiian shirt, or some sparkly accessories.
If you’d rather skip the theme? No worries—you’ll still enjoy the music, dancing, and atmosphere.
My Take
On my last cruise, I opted not to pack anything “fancy”. No long evening gowns or cocktail dresses. I kept it strictly a jeans and nice tops kind of cruise. I never felt underdressed, and I never wished I’d packed more. I spent way more time enjoying the food, the shows, and the view from the deck than worrying about what I was wearing.
Final Thoughts
So, do you need fancy clothes on a cruise? The answer is: no, unless you want to. A few smart-casual outfits will cover most evenings, and one or two dressier pieces will take care of formal nights. Everything else can stay home.
Pack light, pack versatile, and remember: the only thing that really matters on your cruise is how much fun you’re having!