What NOT to Wear on a Cruise: Dos and Don’ts
When it comes to packing for a cruise, knowing what not to wear on a cruise is just as important as deciding what to bring. Cruise lines have dress codes—I don’t make the rules—and while they vary, there are some general guidelines to keep in mind.
Each cruise line has its own policies. Some are more relaxed, while others stick strictly to the rules. If you prefer to keep it casual, that’s fine—but don’t be surprised if you’re turned away from certain venues if you’re not dressed appropriately.
Before you set sail, it’s smart to check your cruise line’s dress code guidelines, so you know what to pack. We’ve included links to the dress codes for most mainstream cruise lines below so you can prepare accordingly.
We’ve all seen someone on a cruise who made us do a double-take, wondering, “What were they thinking?” Whether it’s someone ignoring the dress code or just wearing something wildly inappropriate, there are some dos and don’ts when it comes to cruise attire.
Take formal nights, for example. Many cruises have “formal nights,” “elegant evenings,” or “Captain’s night,” where passengers are expected to dress up. On these nights, the main dining room and specialty restaurants usually have stricter dress codes—no shorts, flip-flops, or beachwear allowed. You’ll see people putting on their finest for dinner, and while dressing up isn’t mandatory, you might feel out of place if you don’t.
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During the day, casual attire is generally fine. For women, that might mean a sundress or shorts and a cute top. For men, it could be shorts, long pants, or nice jeans paired with a polo shirt. But if you’re ever in doubt, it’s usually better to be slightly overdressed than under.
Some cruise lines, like Norwegian with their freestyle concept—one of the reasons I love NCL—and Virgin Voyages with their “You Do You” approach, offer more relaxed dress codes. Even so, they still draw the line at attending dinner in your swimsuit.
In this article, we’ll dive into what not to wear on a cruise, covering the dos and don’ts so you can pack smart and avoid fashion faux pas.
What NOT to Wear on a Cruise
Skimpy Bathing Suits
Don’ts:
- No judgment here, but remember, when you’re on a cruise, you’re often surrounded by families, including children. Know your audience!
- It might not be the best time to wear a G-string bikini or something that barely covers your body’s upper half—let’s leave a little to the imagination.
- Tiny speedos for men might not be the best choice either.
- Avoid walking around the ship outside the pool decks in just your bathing suit—cruise guidelines actually discourage this. You could be stopped from entering the buffet. They’ll ask you to throw on a cover-up. Similarly, you shouldn’t walk inside barefoot or without a shirt.
Dos:
- Save the skimpier bathing suits for private beaches, adult-only sections of the ship, or adult-only cruises.
- It’s perfectly fine to wear a bikini or swimsuit by the pool, but be sure to throw on a cover-up when walking around the ship.
- Consider stylish swimwear cover-ups, which will make it easier to transition from the pool to other areas of the ship.
Revealing Clothing
Let’s leave some things to the imagination.
Don’ts:
- Just like with skimpy bathing suits, this applies to any clothing that might be too revealing or inappropriate. That nearly transparent bodycon dress might be great for a night out clubbing, but it’s not suitable for walking around the ship or going to dinner.
- This also includes short shorts that look more like underwear, crop tops that barely cover anything, and extreme mini skirts.
- Lingerie is not cruise wear—at least not outside your stateroom.
- Men walking around without a shirt outside the pool area is also a no-go—cruise ship guidelines generally frown upon it.
Dos:
- Again, it’s all about balance. You don’t have to wear a turtleneck and long pants, but make sure your outfit isn’t offensive or leaving too little to the imagination.
Au Natural is Not Okay
Don’ts:
- What not to wear on a cruise ship? Nothing. Walking around in the nude is simply not an option.
- If revealing clothing is frowned upon, it goes without saying that you can’t walk around with everything on display.
- Avoid wearing light-colored, see-through clothing, like a white t-shirt without a bra or anything underneath that leaves little to the imagination.
Dos:
- If you’re interested in topless sunbathing, check if your cruise ship has a designated area for it. For instance, Virgin Voyages offers a topless sunbathing spot on the Scarlet Lady in a discreet area of the ship; keep in mind that they are an adult-only cruise line.
- Some European cruise lines may also have areas that allow topless sunbathing, so it’s worth checking before you sail.
Wear Your Pajamas or Robe Outside of Your Cabin
Don’ts:
- Walking around in your PJs or robe is a major no-no unless you’re attending a themed pajama party on a Virgin Voyage Lady Ship. You may be on vacation, but it’s tacky and disrespectful to other passengers and crew.
- You shouldn’t head to the breakfast buffet in your pajamas or robe. Remember, you’re not at home, even if it feels like it.
Dos:
- Save your pajamas and robe for when you’re in your cabin. If you prefer comfort but still want to be presentable, bring a comfortable lounge set to wear around the ship.
- If you prefer to stay in your pajamas for breakfast, you can order room service and enjoy your meal on your balcony—it’s a great way to start the day.
- If you’re visiting the spa, a robe will be provided for you to wear in the common areas.
No Clothing with Offensive Language or Graphics
Don’ts:
- This should be a no-brainer, but avoid wearing clothing with offensive language or graphics. This includes profanity, graphic images, and anything that could be considered racist, sexist, or homophobic.
Dos:
- Be respectful and considerate of the other passengers on board. Choose clothing that won’t offend or make others uncomfortable.
Wear Clothing That is Appropriate for the Weather
Always check the weather forecast before you board your cruise. Even if you’re heading to a Caribbean paradise, there’s always a chance of rain—hopefully not, but it’s good to be prepared!
Don’ts:
- Just because you’re cruising to a tropical destination doesn’t mean you should only pack shorts and tank tops. Consider the forecast and be ready for any weather changes.
- If you’re going to cruise to a colder destination, summer clothes alone won’t cut it – consider bringing some warm layers.
Dos:
- Check the weather forecast before you pack and plan accordingly.
- Rain showers can be common for tropical destinations, so consider bringing an umbrella or a rain jacket.
- Pack a light sweater, cardigan, or jacket. Even in warm climates, evenings on the ship can get chilly.
- If you’re heading to Alaska, pack appropriate clothing you can layer, including a sweater, rain jacket, and long pants. Layering pieces is usually the best option.
Formalwear
Don’ts:
- Not every night is formal or chic on a cruise, but when it is, try to make an effort. This means no shorts, t-shirts, or distressed jeans.
Dos:
- For women, opt for a cocktail dress, a long dress, a chic jumpsuit, a nice blouse, and slacks when dining in the main dining room on a formal or chic night.
- For men, this typically means wearing a suit or blazer with slacks and a dress shirt or polo. You might even get away with a nice pair of dark jeans and a button-down shirt.
Don’t Dress Uncomfortably
Don’ts:
- You’ll be walking often on a cruise and at the ports, so avoid wearing shoes that hurt your feet.
- Leave the fuzzy house slippers at home.
- Avoid clothing that’s too tight, scratchy, hot, unbreathable, or otherwise uncomfortable.
Dos:
- Pack comfortable yet stylish footwear and clothing—comfort is key.
- Make sure your shoes are broken in before the cruise.
- Bring clothes that you feel good in.
- Pack layers so you can easily adjust to temperature changes.
- Bring a small pack of band-aids or blister pads for unexpected shoe discomforts during excursions.
Inappropriate Clothing in Certain Destinations
Don’ts:
- Camo Print Clothing: Avoid packing camouflage print clothing, as it is illegal or restricted in several countries, including Antigua and Barbuda, the Bahamas, Barbados, Dominica, Ghana, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, Nigeria, Oman, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Saudi Arabia, Trinidad and Tobago, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and in specific cases, Azerbaijan and the Philippines.
- Revealing Outfits: Avoid overly revealing outfits during shore excursions in conservative destinations. For example, when cruising the Mediterranean, shoulders and legs must be covered to enter churches.
Dos:
- Research Local Customs: Before you pack, research the customs and clothing restrictions for the destinations on your itinerary. This can help you avoid any cultural faux pas or legal issues.
- Pack Versatile Cover-Ups: Bring a versatile pashmina or a light button-down long-sleeve shirt that can easily cover up if needed.
Cruise Line Dress Codes
Is there a dress code on cruise ships?
Yes, cruise lines have dress codes, which can vary. The main dining room typically requires “smart casual” attire, while daytime is more “cruise casual.” It’s important to check the specific guidelines before sailing.
Curious about the dress code guidelines for each cruise line? Click to see what they have to say:
- Norwegian Cruise Line
- Royal Caribbean
- Celebrity Cruises
- Carnival Cruise Line
- MSC Cruise Line
- Holland America
- Princess Cruises
- Disney Cruise Line
- Virgin Voyages
Can you wear flip-flops on a cruise?
Yes, flip-flops are essential for a cruise, especially if you’re sailing to a Caribbean or warm-weather destination. However, depending on the cruise line’s guidelines, they probably aren’t allowed in the MDR and specialty restaurants for dinner. Additionally, some onboard activities require closed-toe shoes, so pack a pair of sneakers or tennis shoes if you plan to participate.
Can you wear jeans to a formal night on a cruise?
Yes, a nice pair of dressy jeans should be fine unless you’re sailing a luxury cruise line with specific formal night guidelines. Just make sure they are not distressed or fading. However, a pair of slacks or something dressier would probably be more appropriate.
Can women wear capris in the main dining room for dinner?
Yes, women can wear capris to the main dining room for dinner. Pair it with a nice top, sandals, or shoes, and you’re ready.
What is smart casual on a cruise?
Smart casual on a cruise means dressing neatly but not too formally. For women, this could be a dress, skirt, or nice pants with a blouse. For men, it typically means slacks or chinos with a collared shirt. Avoid ripped jeans, shorts, and flip-flops.
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Kathy Ava
Meet Kathy Ava, a food, travel, and cruise writer based in Los Angeles/Pasadena, and the owner and main writer of Tasty Itinerary. With over 20 years of experience planning trips and logistics at her full-time job and for herself, she's become a pro at crafting unforgettable tasty itineraries. She's always on the hunt for delicious, fun travel destinations and cruise itineraries. She firmly believes that life is short and we must make the most of it, so always say yes to dessert.
so if someone was to wear a elvis suit or bring it on board would that be ok or offensive
You should wear the Elvis suit! Everyone would love it.
Thank you for this read! I’m going on my first cruise in April and this was really helpful. A suggestion I might add.. as someone who is a visual learner, pictures of what to wear would be helpful. I clicked your links to other posts for men’s and women’s cruise clothing and didn’t see many photos. It would be more inclusive if you added them. Just a thought!
Hi Brittany – Appreciate your comment and feedback! We will consider it when we update this post.
In the meantime, you can check out these two blog posts: Cruise Outfits for Women & Cruise Wear for Men.
I hate saying don’t do something, but DO NOT take any camo print clothing. It is illegal to wear camo print in some countries in the Caribbean and else where.
This is a great point! Thanks for sharing.