What Should I Wear To Dinner On A Cruise?

Sadly, for the most part, gone are the days of black tie on the high seas. If you desire to relive the days of old-fashioned elegance at sea your best bet is snuggle up and watch Deborah Kerr and Cary Grant in An Affair To Remember. No longer do you needs tails and a floor length gown to dine on the great ocean liners at sail today. That is not to say that you shouldn't
look respectable and put together to join your fellow travelers in the cruise ship's dining room.

A few major changes have contributed to the lack of formality seen on today's ships. In the past, cruising was seen as a luxury, affordable by only the well off. Long voyages meant fancy parties and rubbing elbows with other fortunate travelers. Another major change to cruise line dress codes can be attributed to the airlines travelers use to get to port. Now that airfare has increased and passengers are charged hefty fees to check luggage, less cruisers are interested in the additional costs of packing formal wear.

Generally, on a seven day cruise, a ship may have two formal nights. While the minimum attire for dining on ships nowadays is typically slacks, no flip flops, or cover-ups, and perhaps the suggestion of collared shirts that doesn't mean that you can't dress to impress.

I like to take clothing that can either be ironed by the stateroom attendant or steamed while I get ready for dinner. Maxi dress are an excellent solution. The length gives them an air of formality while their flowing structure makes the easy to pack and travel with. For men, non-iron collards shirts an khakis will be easiest with a pair of boat shoes. On the less formal night I will typically wear a knee length day/evening dress. I generally avoid shorts in the ding room but they can be acceptable and you will likely see them. You will also see a few travelers in a tux and formal gown. It is a nice "throw back" to the history of cruising and I appreciate it.