What cruise line dress codes actually mean
Packing for a cruise holiday is hard enough, especially if you haven’t sailed on the high seas before. What makes it even more difficult is the oft-disputed “dress codes”.
Cruises with formal dining areas, themed party nights and restricted areas often come with dress codes like “formal”, “elegant casual” and “semi-formal”.
But what do these dress codes mean?
Well, while these dress codes vary from line to line (and are less strict than they were in previous years) it’s useful to look at an example. Cunard, a line that captures the tradition of cruising in years past, offers this guide to what to pack for a seven-night voyage with three formal, two semi-formal and two elegant casual evenings:
Formal: Black tie or a formal dark suit for men, evening dress or smart trouser suit for women. Men can hire tuxedos and accessories on board.
Semi-formal: Jacket and tie for men, cocktail dress or stylish separates for women.
Elegant casual: Jacket (no tie required) for men, dress, skirt or trousers and tops for women.
If this sounds like a bit much, there are plenty of cruise lines with more relaxed dress codes. And lines generally include a description in the FAQ of their websites.
Do you like to get dressed up for a cruise? Or do you prefer a holiday with a more relaxed vibe? Let us know in the comments section below!