Are they still relevant? Main and Specialty Dining Cruise Dress Codes

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Cruise dress codes have played a significant role in the cruising experience since their early days. The unspoken function of these dress codes was to create a functional barrier, signaling that formalwear was essential for fully enjoying the cruise experience. Should you dress up for the main dining room?
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While contemporary cruise lines have generally eased their dress codes, the perception that cruises entail a dressier atmosphere still influences potential travelers. As a former travel agent in the early 2000s, I often encountered resistance from clients who hesitated to embark on a cruise due to the perceived need to dress up.
Cruise lines today exhibit variations in their dress code policies, with some commonalities prevailing. Daytime expectations universally include the need for passengers to wear appropriate clothing, excluding swimwear, unless at designated pool areas. However, swimwear is generally acceptable at or near the pool, often accompanied by a cover-up.
During dinner, especially in main and specialty restaurants, bars, nightclubs, and theaters, cruise lines generally prefer a dressier look for men. This means refraining from wearing shorts, sleeveless T-shirts, flip-flops, and baseball caps. Specific requirements for women are often not explicitly stated but are assumed to align with the dress code for men. A common guideline for cruisers is to always pack at least one pair of long pants that are not jeans for evening dinners.
Cruise lines typically follow clothing policies akin to airlines, prohibiting guests from wearing offensive or distasteful messages. Most cruise lines host formal nights at least once during a weeklong voyage, but the contemporary definition of "formal" has become more relaxed. Some cruise lines, like Celebrity Cruises, designate "evening chic" nights, where passengers dress more formally, but "smart casual" is still acceptable in certain areas.
Each cruise line has its unique approach to dress codes. For instance, Carnival and Princess Cruises maintain specific guidelines, while Norwegian uses terms like "cruise casual" and "smart casual." Cunard employs diplomatic language, suggesting themed evenings rather than explicit dress requirements.
Despite the diversity in dress codes, passengers generally adhere to basic requirements and wear what makes them comfortable. Expedition cruises like Lindblad and Hurtigruten often have no formal dress expectations due to the active nature of the sailings. Virgin Voyages stands out with a liberal policy, encouraging individual style while still considering basic decency.
In conclusion, don't let dress codes discourage you from cruising, even on lines with formal nights. Most cruise lines have relaxed their policies enough to accommodate various preferences, allowing travelers to attend formal nights with attire readily available in their closets. For those wishing to avoid formal dress altogether, the buffet and room service offer casual alternatives for a relaxing evening in whatever attire suits your preference.
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[@rgruenhaus]

The original formal dress was IMO a class separation image.

[@Gazza-E]

I agree that shorts and flip-flops are unsuitable for evenings, however the whole formal dress code is now a bit of a archaic throwback. Cruise ships are now floating resorts and people just want to relax. If people want to dress up that's great but it's time to move on and stop trying to recreate the golden days of cruising when there was a different outlook on life.

[@davidthompson-uo1cv]

There is a time and a place to dress in a relaxed mode. Wearing casual clothes is unacceptable in the restaurants. It is most important to maintain standards. American especially, please note.

[@Gazza-E]

@@davidthompson-uo1cv Show me any land based restaurant where people have to dress up in tuxedos and suits! 99.999% of venues are smart casual, I very much doubt that you will find many where casual is unacceptable. As I said the whole 'dressing for dinner' is a throwback to the olden days where class was the main driver.

[@davidthompson-uo1cv]

@@Gazza-E There is no way that you can compare an ordinary ,everyday restaurant with one on a decent cruise ship. The whole point of a cruise is to dress smartly when dining in the main restaurant and to enjoy the ambiance. It is not a throwback to the olden days, it is simply complying with expectations of most reasonable people, it is all about standards. Casual dress maybe ok in cafes and a buffet restaurant on board, but not anywhere else on special nights in particular. We have chosen to cruise with Cunard and Celebrity (Aqua Class) this year and would hate to see passengers in casual attire, smart or otherwise.

[@Gazza-E]

@@davidthompson-uo1cv Why would you hate to see other passengers dressed casually? Why should you be bothered how others dress? Does it spoil the taste of your food? Are you one of those people sat there in a badly fitting, gravy stained tuxedo tut tutting at somebody because they have removed their jacket??? This is one of the other major issues with formal nights i.e. other self-righteous passengers thinking it's their job to police what others are wearing. Fortunately cruise lines are now realising that most people just want to have a relaxing holiday and do not want to have to dress up like something out of Downton Abbey! I will be on Cunard this year and will dress how I choose, I do not care what anybody thinks and I don't care what anybody else does.