The day has been everything you desired, visiting a port enjoying the scenery and generally having a fun time. You feel well and happy.

Well almost, there is one tiny problem that is irking you and keeping your absolute full enjoyment ever so slightly in check; and that is, you know that you are not wearing the right attire?

It is important to know the dress code when packing for a cruise so that little niggling feeling of being too over or too underdressed is banished forever. It is easy to find out. Travel agents, friends, Internet sites, or the cruise lines themselves, are all there to provide guidance. In common with the American imported idea of “Dress Down Fridays” in the workplace and the move to younger people going on cruises the overall emphasis in recent years has been towards a more casual approach. Although this is dependent on the length of days away and the individual cruise involved

I contacted Carly, spokeswoman for both Carnival and Holland America who told me that although both these cruise lines are veering towards more easygoing wear HAL in particular do still have formal evenings. Typically on a 7-night cruise there would be two, the others evenings labelled “smart casual”. So hello pretty dresses and ubiquitous black trousers with a number of dressy tops. The one golden rule that she did mention is that there are no shorts allowed in the main dining room.

As Carly explained “Many people enjoy wearing full evening wear and if you apply in advance, tuxedos can even be hired on board, however a smart suit and a trousers are fine too for those who do not want to be too formal”. After all she said, “we are conscious everyone is on holiday and so we really don’t want to steamroller anyone into a particular dress code”

Meanwhile the Princess Cruise website advises “You should dress for a cruise the same way you would for any stylish land-based resort. They sensibly also recommend low-heeled, rubber soled shoes for strolling on deck and proper clothing for visits to religious sites.

This is good advice as last year I went to a Mosque in Oman where they not only checked that heads, arms and shoulders were covered but also cleavage, leg covering and even that feet were suitably modestly attired.

NCL with their Freestyle Cruising, and many different restaurants on board re-iterate the casual “you’re pretty much welcome to wear whatever, whenever. Our philosophy is “resort casual” during the day and at night and with the widest range of dining venues, tons of entertainment options and bars & lounges, you’ll find there are places for your style all over our ships, day and night.”

Italian ships in general again go for some formal evenings. Costa usually has at least one formal gala night “to which ladies will wish to wear long gowns or cocktail-length dresses; gentlemen may choose either tuxedos or dark suits.”

My own philosophy is always take something to throw over a swimming costume so you can go on to the buffet without going back to the cabin all the time. Remember an overnight bag with a change of clothes and essential items for the last day on board as suitcases are usually collected the night before. Have a wrap for going out on deck and dealing with the often really efficient air conditioning and last but not least, remember to save your roomiest clothes for the last few nights of the cruise!!

Lucy Daltroff

Posted in Cruise Ships, Entertainment