Planning a Cruise Vacation #5: Packing for 'Cruise Elegant' and 'Cruise Formal' Nights , and Cruise Line Dress Codes

Dress codes can be a contentious topic on cruises - mostly because of the 'I'm on vacation and I'll do whatever I want' mindset. I've never seen a staffer from a cruise line get nasty with someone because of how they're dressed - in fact, many staffers can become visibly uncomfortable when confronted with a guest who seems to be 'breaking the rules'. (This might be due to a combination of things: cultural dissonance, role of a staff member - working in service - telling a paying guest they *cannot* do something, etc - but we're not here to discuss Social Psychology. We're talking about dress codes.)

I will also go on record and say that 'common sense is not a flower that grows in everyone's garden'. If you want to lounge around in your bathing suit all day, you can do that, but when you're going to the Lido deck for a snack, you're going to have to cover up a bit. Additionally, if you're going to the MDR (main dining room) you'll be expected to put on some clothing. I've always thought that the MDR was along the lines of a 'nice' restaurant - not the family pancake house you might go to for brunch on the weekend, and not a chain restaurant like 'Applebees' - but not as nice as a four-star steakhouse, either. If I recall correctly, the dress code for the MDR is called 'Cruise Casual':

Cruise Casual Dress Code

• Men: sport slacks, khakis, Jeans (no cut-offs), dress shorts (long), collared sport shirts
• Women: casual dresses, casual skirts or pants and blouses/tops, summer dresses, Capri pants, dress shorts, Jeans (no cut-offs)
• Not permitted for both men and women: cut-off Jeans, men’s sleeveless shirts, gym or basketball shorts, baseball hats, flip-flops and bathing suit attire

The dress code that's enforced by Carnival is listed  HERE. The information listed above is taken directly from that website.

It;'s Elegant Night! Bust Out Those Old Prom Dresses!

In addition to packing for your day to day activities, most cruises will have something called 'Cruise Elegant' night, or sometimes called 'Cruise Formal' night. This is always great fun, mostly because I like to get snarky, and see how many women are wearing their old prom dresses - not to mention teetering around on HUGE platform heels on ship that might be rolling from side to side. (I'm not gonna lie - seeing these ladies, tottering around in their 6" heels, especially after having a few drinkie-poos - it can be quite entertaining.)

All kidding aside, though, it can be quite a spectacle to see how people dress up for Cruise Elegant night. Some go all out, with tuxedos and floor-length, formal gowns and some seem to be caught unaware, confused why everyone is dressed up, while wearing tank-tops and booty shorts.

Here's what Carnival has to say about 'Cruise Elegant' attire:

Cruise Elegant Dress Code

• Men: dress slacks, dress shirts, and we also suggest a sport coat; men may also wish to wear a suit and tie or tuxedo
• Women: Cocktail dresses, pantsuits, elegant skirts and blouses; ladies may also wish to wear an evening gown
• Not permitted for both men and women: Jeans, men’s sleeveless shirts, shorts, t-shirts, sportswear, baseball hats, flip-flops and bathing suit attire

Cruise Elegant Evenings
The length of the cruise determines the number of Cruise Elegant evenings in the Dining Room. The first Cruise Elegant evening is scheduled for the 2nd or 3rd day of the cruise; the second Cruise Elegant evening is scheduled for the 2nd or 3rd day prior to the end of the cruise, schedules permitting.

• 1-day cruise: none
• 2-day to 5-day cruise: one Cruise Elegant evening
• 6-day or longer cruise: two Cruise Elegant evenings