Author’s Note: I’ve been writing about cruising for more than 25 years and like to think I have dressing for a cruise down to a fine art now. It’s been a process of trial and error, including some pretty epic failures along the way, but nowadays, I love packing for a cruise and the sense of anticipation that it brings.
If you’re concerned about what to wear on a cruise, don’t be. There shouldn’t be any mystique about cruise ship attire. The days of worrying about stuffy black tie dinners and what to wear to meet the captain are long gone.
Cruising now is more about celebrating your personal style, being steered by a couple of simple guidelines, and a little cultural etiquette when you’re ashore.
Cruise wear is really no different from dressing for a stylish resort on land, the exception being that you may do more on a cruise, as you’ll be visiting multiple places.
You could also be sailing in cooler weather if you’re headed to Iceland, or Alaska, or the tip of South America. So decide what you’re likely to be doing, check the weather for where you’re headed, and have fun getting ready for smooth, stylish sailing.
Understanding Cruise Dress Codes
Celebrity Cruises
First, remember that cruise ship dress codes are not there to intimidate you. They are there to help, and essentially, they’re very simple. Celebrity Cruises has a simple dress code for daytime and two dress codes for the evening: Smart Casual and Evening Chic.
If you forget something, or if you simply fancy a little vacation shopping, all of Celebrity’s ships have an impressive array of shops selling everything from evening wear to swimwear, coverups, sun hats, and jewelry. There are also multiple retail opportunities in nearly every port. Meanwhile, here are some guidelines on interpreting those dress codes.
Daytime
Pool
By day, dress as you would in any stylish resort. Sun dresses, shorts and polos, sandals, low heels, and loafers are all fine. By the pool, swimsuits, T-shirts, shorts, tanks, and flip-flops are all welcome.
If you move inside for lunch, swimsuits, see-through coverups, robes, and bare feet are not acceptable. Also, avoid wearing tank tops and baseball caps, or any of the above, in either main or specialty dining spaces. They’re fine if you’re dining poolside, though.
Smart Casual
Rooftop Garden
Most evenings on board are Smart Casual. This applies to the main dining rooms, the specialty restaurants, and the Celebrity Theatre. Imagine a dress or skirt, long pants, stylish jeans, and for men, long pants and a shirt. Evenings are the time to leave your shorts and flip-flops in the stateroom.
If you prefer to keep it completely casual, you can still have dinner in the Oceanview Café or in your stateroom.
Evening Chic
Eden
Every seven-night cruise has one Evening Chic night, which is more formal, and longer voyages will have two. These are announced in the daily program delivered to your stateroom or visible on your Celebrity app.
Evening Chic doesn’t mean black tie, although you’re perfectly welcome to wear a tuxedo or formal gown; you can’t be too stylishly dressed on these sparkling nights. Generally, though, most guests dress to impress on Evening Chic nights, seeing this as a chance to express individual style.
Examples include a cocktail dress, an elegant skirt and top, palazzo pants, and for men, a collared shirt and stylish pants. Blazers and jackets are optional—and there’s no need to wear a tie. T-shirt, shorts, and flip-flops are not acceptable anywhere except when dining poolside.
Resort Deck
If you really don’t want to participate in Evening Chic, you can still come to dinner in one of the specialty restaurants in Smart Casual, or dine on the pool deck.
Author’s Note: Evening Chic is a breath of fresh air after the old black tie days, most cruisers find; I always used to feel sorry for men having to dress up in a tuxedo in the heat of the Mediterranean summer, or the humidity of the Caribbean. You can have much more fun with Evening Chic, styling up even the plainest of outfits with some sparkly jewelry and a pair of strappy sandals.
What to Wear on Embarkation Day
Resort Deck
Comfortable clothing is the best thing to wear on embarkation day, as you may be arriving directly from the airport, or from a hotel, and carrying luggage.
Embarkation should be smooth and seamless, but this is not the time for vertiginous heels or an uncomfortably hot or tight-fitting outfit. Nobody is worrying about first impressions. You can bring out the sparkles later.
Remember to pack a day bag on embarkation day for the pool. Porters will take your suitcases in the terminal, and they will be delivered to your stateroom, but not until later in the day. So have everything in hand for the first afternoon on board: swimsuit, sunhat, sunglasses, sun block, and a cover-up.
What to Wear On Board
Pool
Sea days—blissful days where there are no ports of call and you have the whole day on board—don’t come with any special dress code, but there are things to consider.
If you’re in and out of the water all the time, bring more than one swimsuit. There’s a washing line in your stateroom bathroom, but climbing into still-soggy swimwear isn’t pleasant.
You will need a sunhat that won’t blow away in the sea breeze—and sunglasses with UV-protective lenses are always good at sea, when there’s a lot of reflection off the water.
Mast Grill
Bring rash vests for kids so you don’t have to keep slopping sun lotion on them. And remember that everybody needs to cover up at lunchtime if you’re dining indoors or walking through public areas.
If you choose to have burgers and salads at the al-fresco Mast Grill, you’re welcome to remain in your swimwear and flip-flops with a suitable cover-up.
Cover-ups shouldn’t be too immodest; bear in mind that you will be sharing space with others, and if you’re squeezed into an elevator or walking through a bar, it’s respectful not to wear anything too flimsy.
Fitness Center
You’ll also be required to wear appropriate clothing in the Fitness Center; suitable shoes for the treadmills and exercise bikes, for example, just as you would in the gym at home.
If you plan to use the spa, which we would encourage, don’t worry about bringing a robe; these are provided for you. So will lockers, so you can arrive at the spa fully dressed and get ready once you’re checked in for your treatment.
Tips & Tricks For Your Time Onboard
Infinite Veranda
A large tote bag is great for transporting your belongings from your stateroom to the pool and back. Sometimes, depending on the location of your stateroom, this can be quite a long walk.
A watch, conventional rather than a smartwatch, is a good idea for when you’re crossing time zones. Most of us use our phone to tell the time, but sometimes the phone stays on ship’s time, or picks up a signal as you pass a port.
If you’re changing time zones, a note will be placed on your bed in the evening. But it’s all too easy to wake up in a panic, look at your phone, and wonder which time zone it’s displaying. A watch will always tell the truth so you can make your morning shore excursion on time.
There will be a bag for laundry in your stateroom—all Celebrity’s ships offer laundry service—but if you’re traveling as a family, you’ll most likely produce a lot of laundry. It’s useful, then, to have a big fabric sack for the whole family to use; much nicer than stashing used socks in your suitcase under the bed, or filling a drawer in your stateroom.
Read: Expert Cruise Packing Tips
Author’s Note: If you’re unpacking and you feel there aren’t enough clothes hangers in your wardrobe, there’s a simple solution: ask your stateroom attendant. They will be happy to bring additional supplies.
What to Wear on a Cruise in Port
Alaska
Packing for a Mediterranean cruise is a different story from planning an Alaskan adventure. As well as practical considerations like footwear, there are style and etiquette points to consider. Here are some dressing tips for the different destinations you may visit.
What to Wear in Cooler Climates
Alyeska, Alaska
If you’re headed for Alaska or Northern Europe, or the Mediterranean in the cooler months, think about wearing layers. Wicking tops, lightweight fleeces, and even pants that zip off into shorts are all a good idea for Alaska, Norway, and Iceland, especially if you’re out hiking.
Remember a waterproof jacket; some of the world’s most beautiful scenery gets that lush shade of green for a reason. Bring a waterproof that packs down small and fits into your day pack. Early or late season Alaska can be quite cool, so you may welcome a pair of gloves and a warm hat.
Pulpit Rock, Norway
Wear comfortable walking shoes or boots, too. There is no end to the hiking opportunities in Alaska, not to mention the Norwegian fjords and Iceland. Sometimes, the ground can be boggy, so don’t rely on sneakers.
Author’s Note: I’ve cruised several times in Alaska, and zip-off pants are the way to go. One minute it’s cold and the next, you’re hiking and working up a sweat. The zipped-off legs take up no space in a day pack, and you can always zip them back on again if the temperature drops. If the weather’s fine, I’ll also consider wearing “athleisure” gear. A quality pair of workout leggings is infinitely more comfortable for hiking and kayaking than jeans.
What to Wear in the Mediterranean
Pantheon, Rome
What to wear in Europe is a different story from dressing for the tropics, unless you really do intend to spend your entire vacation on the beach. Chances are, though, that you’ll be walking around medieval towns and cities in the heat, picking your way over cobblestones, and visiting everything from virtually shadeless archaeological sites to museums with intense air conditioning.
You’ll be surprised how much walking you will do in cities like Rome, Barcelona, and Palma, Mallorca. Surfaces will be uneven, so heels and flip-flops aren’t great; instead, pick something you’re comfortable walking in.
Santa Maria de Montserrat Abbey, Spain
Entering churches, cathedrals, synagogues, temples, and mosques requires a degree of respect. Generally, shoulders and knees need to be covered, so bring a big scarf or a pashmina to drape over yourself if it’s too hot to wear long pants.
In crowded cities, there’s a risk of pickpocketing, so wear a cross-body bag to keep your valuables safe. Try to avoid standing out in a crowd; college sweatshirts, baseball caps, and Hawaiian shirts will all make you look like a tourist and therefore, a possible target.
Mykonos, Greece
For European beach destinations, swimwear and a cover-up are the usual dress code, and water shoes for countries like Croatia, where the beaches are pebbly. And sunblock, hat, and sunglasses, of course; the Mediterranean sun in summer is powerful.
If you’re traveling in the shoulder season in Europe, a light sweater or fleece to wear at night when the temperature tends to cool down is useful. After all, you won’t want to get chilly while enjoying the starry sky from your stateroom veranda or on one of the ship’s decks.
Author’s Note: I’ve learned the hard way about not checking the weather forecast for my destination. A cruise to Spain brought unseasonably cold temperatures, day and night, and I was constantly shivering with only a thin pashmina to throw over my strappy top. Just one lightweight jacket or fleece would have saved the day.
What to Wear in the Tropics
Catamaran sailing in the Caribbean
If you’re traveling to the Caribbean, French Polynesia, or Hawaii, it will be warm and humid most of the year. An assortment of swimwear, beach coverups, rash vests for kids, and a strong, reef-safe SPF are all essentials.
It’s fine to be as casual as you like when walking around. T-shirts, shorts, board shorts, and floaty sun dresses are all fine. Flip-flops are perfectly acceptable, but if you plan on doing anything active, like hiking the Pitons in St. Lucia or exploring the rainforest in Grenada, closed-toe shoes with a good grip are important.
Sunset Bar
You’ll be sailing most evenings, a time to enjoy the wonderfully balmy weather and bring out your best stylish summer clothing for aperitifs in the Sunset Bar. There won’t be any bugs at sea, so you don’t need to cover up to protect yourself. Bring a lightweight wrap if you’re dining indoors on your ship, as the air conditioning can be quite a contrast to the tropical evenings.
June to November is the rainy season in the Caribbean, so a lightweight waterproof is a good idea, as is a pair of long pants in breathable fabric, which will protect you from mosquito bites.
Read: What to Pack for a Caribbean Cruise
FAQs
What kind of shoes should you wear on a cruise?
Footwear should not be an afterthought when packing for a cruise. While you might have the urge to throw in a pair of flip-flops and call it a day, there are a few other essential shoes you’ll need to bring along on your trip.
Flip-flops, waterproof shoes, or slides will take you back and forth from your stateroom to the pool and vice versa. They also come in handy if you choose to visit the onboard spa. Lightweight water shoes are great for some ports in the Mediterranean, such as Croatia, where beaches tend to be pebbly, and for the Caribbean, where you may be snorkeling or paddleboarding over coral sands and reefs.
Fitness Center
If you’re planning on doing a lot of walking around the ship’s running track during days at sea, it’s a good idea to bring a pair of sneakers or other comfortable walking shoes. Sneakers will also be useful if you try out a fitness class or use the gym equipment in the ship’s state-of-the-art fitness center.
If you’re headed somewhere like Norway or Alaska where hiking is one of the most popular activities, you will definitely need a sturdy pair of walking shoes or boots.
Finally, since flip-flops are not allowed in the evening, make sure to bring comfortable shoes or sandals to wear during dinner. On Evening Chic nights, bring out your dressier shoes. It’s fine to wear heels on a cruise ship, but do take care in rougher weather.
What should I wear on shore excursions?
Venetsanos Winery, Santorini
Your priority on shore excursions should be comfort and practicality—and style, if you’re planning to have lunch ashore in some elegant waterfront restaurant on Italy’s Amalfi Coast, or a stylish clifftop eatery on Santorini, where shorts and a tank top won’t cut it.
Think about what you plan to do. If you’re climbing Dunn’s River Falls in Jamaica, you’ll need water shoes and a swimsuit, as you will definitely get wet. If you’re touring Pompeii in Italy, where there is hardly any shade, a wide-brimmed hat will help. For a whale-watching trip from Juneau, Alaska, it could rain, and it will be cooler out on the water, so wear layers and take a light waterproof jacket.
There’s no dress code for shore excursions, other than dressing respectfully to enter religious spaces, but do think about your time ashore as you plan your cruise, rather than once you’re onboard.
Can I wear jeans to dinner?
Celebrity Flora
Yes, stylish jeans can be worn to dinner on Smart Casual nights, although ideally not jeans that are completely ripped. Pick something more formal for Elegant Chic nights, unless your designer jeans are a crucial element of your carefully assembled outfit.
How many outfits do I need for a 7-day cruise?
Pool
This depends on how light you like to travel and how smart you are at styling a single outfit in different ways. Generally speaking, two swimsuits and cover-ups is a minimum, and a mixture of shorts, long pants, skirts, and sun dresses for day wear, ideally with tops that can be paired with more than one item.
A seven-day cruise will include one Evening Chic night, so consider something stylish and more formal for that. The other six nights will be Elegant Casual, so mix and match your look. You don’t need an outfit for every night if you pair, say, two different tops with a pair of palazzo pants over two nights. Nobody will judge you for recycling an outfit, and a look can always be styled with different jewelry, purse, and shoes.
Eden
Of course, if you’re traveling somewhere hot, you will probably want a different outfit for every day and every evening, so men should bring five or six shirts. Or you could always use the ship’s laundry service mid-way through your cruise.
Author’s Note: I always make a list of clothing when I’m packing for a cruise, and then a rough plan of what I’m going to wear and when. It saves overpacking—and it means I don’t leave out one vital item that’s key to making multiple outfits work.
What should I avoid wearing on a cruise?
Celebrity Flora
What not to wear on a cruise is largely a matter of common sense. Avoid anything too wildly revealing, like a tiny string bikini or tight Speedos for men. Pajamas are for the stateroom, not the breakfast buffet—as are giant fluffy slippers.
Don’t wear T-shirts with offensive slogans on them, and don’t wear extremely ripped jeans and baseball caps in the restaurants on board. Avoid camouflage patterns and army-print gear; you’d be surprised how many countries ban this, including several islands in the Caribbean.
Be aware of cultural appropriation, too. In Mexico, for example, it can be considered offensive to wear clothing with indigenous designs. Go ashore in a sombrero and poncho, and you’ll receive some curious looks. In Buddhist countries, don’t wear anything with an image of Buddha on it.
Magic Carpet
Bring vertiginous heels if you want to, but exercise common sense if the ship is moving a lot; sparkly flats are much safer on a choppy night.
Finally, while it’s fine to bring your most precious jewelry on a cruise, it’s not a good idea to walk around in port dripping with expensive jewelry. It makes you too much of a target for pickpockets. Leave the valuables in your stateroom safe and enjoy wearing them in the evenings, but not in port.
Celebrity Flora
Now you’re fully informed about what to wear on a cruise, it’s time to make your dreams come true. Browse Celebrity’s worldwide itineraries and plan your perfect vacation.
