What to wear when cruising/Casual/Informal/Formal?

What to wear when on a cruise is a common question often asked by new cruisers and even by some cruise veterans as cruise lines have different definitions of what they actually mean and will often use different terminology.

To help you along the way we've given you some examples of each type of dress code below but would recommend that you contact the relevant cruise line for further direction if in doubt!

Casual or 'Country-Club Casual':
On many lines the first and last night of your cruise is often a 'casual' night and this is to assist passengers with packing or for those that may not have had time to change for evening dinner after late boarding or late delivery of luggage.  Casual would mean open neck shirts/golf shirts, chinos, sundresses.  Jeans, t-shirts and shorts would not be considered appropriate wear for the main dinning room.

Informal / Semi Formal / Smart Casual
Things start to get a bit confusing in this category and can often mean different things to different people.  You should be thinking of something between formal and casual here. For men, suggested attire would be a shirt and jacket (tie optional). The more mainstream cruise lines may also consider just a smart shirt and trousers (no jacket/tie) appropriate. Ladies attire should be along the lines of what you might wear to a lunch function or social event.

Formal / Gala Dinner
Many passengers like to make most of the Gala Evenings / Formal Nights and dress accordingly. Ladies will be wearing long ball gowns and most men would wear a dinner suit and black tie or variation.  If this is not quite your cup of tea, a dark suit for men and a regular tie is quite acceptable.  For ladies a cocktail dress or trouser suit is also quite acceptable.

          Below is a selection of online providers who offer appropriate cruise wear for him and her.

       Cruise wear for him:

	Brook Taverner Brook Taverner provides beautiful, luxurious tailoring including men’s suits, jackets, trousers and formal wear. Brook Taverner has over 90 years experience of classic men's tailoring - an expertise they now bring to customers through their website.
	Clermont Direct Ltd Clermont Direct Ltd is one of the UK's leading online formal wear retailers specialising in selling Gentlemen's formal clothes at factory outlet prices. Dinner suit packages start at £99 inc Free Delivery.
	My Tuxedo If it's tuxedos, dress shirts, cummerbunds, bow ties or any other type of evening wear you can be sure to find it at mytuxedo.co.uk With wool rich tuxedo packages including dress shirt and bow tie only £104.99 available with next day delivery, there is only one place to buy your evening wear.

            Cruise wear for her: