One once-cherished cruise ritual is fading fast—and it could change your next vacation in unexpected ways
This Surprising Cruise Feature Is Disappearing from Ships Around the Globe—Here’s What You Need to Know
Published on Apr. 29, 2025
When I first started cruising in the ’90s, it was a different era—the midnight buffet was the highlight of my week, you had to put on your life jacket and go to your actual stations for muster drills on embarkation day, and all tipping was done with discreet white envelopes.
There have been so many changes to the cruise industry that new cruisers simply don’t know what’s different now and, sometimes, what they’re missing out on, especially as some traditions are slipping away. This is true of one ritual, in particular—and I honestly have mixed feelings about it.
Read on to find out which cruise-ship staple seems to be disappearing and what you need to know before heading out on your next trip.
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Which cruise staple is disappearing from ships?
By and large, formal nights are going by the wayside in favor of a more casual vibe. For decades, most weeklong cruises, even on budget cruise lines, had one or two formal nights per sailing—and passengers would don tuxedos, ballgowns, jackets and ties for these special evenings. It was a chance to get dressed to the nines, as well as take beautiful family or couples photos on a grand staircase or in front of a backdrop with an image of the ship (however cheesy).
There was something magical about those nights—the sense of occasion, the hush that fell over the dining room as everyone arrived dressed to impress. For many, formal nights weren’t just about the clothes; they were about creating memories that felt a little elevated, a little glamorous, even if you were just sailing to the Caribbean.
“My dad and brother rented tuxes for our first cruise ever on Royal Caribbean in the 1990s,” reminisces Erica Silverstein, who has been on more than 60 sailings. “No one even considers packing a tuxedo for a big-ship cruise today.”
Is this happening on all cruises?
It’s not happening on all cruise lines, but it is affecting quite a few, including some higher-end ones.
“The shift toward a more relaxed dress code on cruises reflects a broader trend across the travel and hospitality industries—guests today are prioritizing comfort, authenticity and personal expression,” says Simon Blacoe, vice president of Hotel Operations for Azamara Cruises. “We have seen less focus and desire toward rigid formality. We embrace this evolution with a resort-casual dress code across our fleet, allowing guests to feel comfortable while still enjoying an elevated atmosphere.”
Aside from Azamara, here’s a breakdown of who’s doing what:
Cruises where formal nights are disappearing
- Norwegian Cruise Line doesn’t have any formal dress codes, instead maintaining a “Freestyle Cruising” motto that allows passengers to dress more casually and a special “Dress Up or Not” night to take the pressure off.
- Virgin Voyages’s motto is “Come as you are,” and they mean it! “We want our sailors to feel comfortable and free to express themselves and their personal style, whatever that means,” says Nicole Huaung, senior vice president of Fleet Experience for Virgin Voyages. “After all, it’s their vacation.”
- Viking doesn’t have formal nights, but evening dress is “elegant casual.” That means a dress, skirt or slacks with a sweater or blouse for women; trousers and a collared shirt for men.
- Celebrity’s more formal nights are called “Evening Chic.” The dress code, according to Celebrity’s website, calls for “cocktail dresses, skirts, pants, or designer jeans with an elegant top, or dress shirt, button-down shirt, or sweater, and an optional blazer.” This language offers a pretty wide range for interpretation, which may have prompted this TikTok creator to film a real-time look at how passengers deciphered the dress code. Spoiler: Anything goes.
Cruises where you’ll still find formal nights
- Holland America, Royal Caribbean, Princess and Carnival all still have “Dressy Nights.” And yep, you’ll still be bringing along tuxes and gowns for that, if you so choose.
- MSC has a Gala Night, which is no surprise given the cruise line’s European roots.
- “Cunard is the most old-school with guests actually packing traditional formal wear and ballroom dancing in the evening,” says Silverstein. She notes that guests on luxury lines will generally dress more elegantly even on casual nights compared to guests on big-ship lines.
What is this being replaced with?
Aside from the casual “you do you” vibes on some cruise lines, others have embraced a new way to encourage passengers to step up their evening attire a bit while having fun with it: theme nights.
Just a few weeks ago, I was on a 14-day Azamara cruise sailing around Japan for the magical cherry blossom season and attended the White Night party. I’d say 80% of the passengers on board took the theme seriously and participated with an array of alabaster outfits. “We’ve preserved beloved traditions like our White Night—an evening where guests are encouraged to wear all white for a festive, al fresco celebration under the stars,” says Blacoe. “White Night has been part of Azamara’s experience since our early years and was inspired by the desire to create a sense of shared occasion that feels celebratory, inclusive and memorable, without the constraints of formal wear.”
Similarly, Holland America hosts an Orange Party on each sailing. Why orange? To pay homage to the cruise line’s Dutch heritage, similar to King’s Day. The party allows guests to dress up or down in vibrant orange attire, complete with fun accessories such as wigs, giant hats, feather boas or bow ties.
And Virgin prides itself on themed evenings. “For example, every voyage includes an epic PJ party under the stars, VHS workout (inspired by the iconic VHS exercise tapes from the 1980s), Y2K (relive New Year’s Eve 1999, anyone?) and, of course, our signature Scarlet Night where everyone is encouraged to wear a splash of red,” says Huaung.
How do cruisers feel about formal nights going away?
From my perspective, it’s honestly so much easier to pack for a cruise without having to bring an extra garment bag filled with a couple formal dresses, a tuxedo or suit, plus shoes and handbags to match. But I also miss the sense of ceremony it brought to the voyage—the way it made one night feel truly special, set apart from the casual fun of the rest of the trip, like a little slice of old-school glamour at sea.
I try to strike a balance with a few easy-to-pack dresses and one pair of heels that go with them all, and a skirt and black pants with a few mix-and-match tops. Jewelry can really elevate a look, as can a cardigan or fun belt.
“As fun as it is to dress up on a cruise ship and go to a nice dinner and see a show, I much prefer casual evenings mainly because of packing,” says Silverstein. “Travelers today are packing lighter to avoid checked-bag fees and lost bags, and it’s already tricky to fit everything you need for a cruise into a carry-on. Packing formal wear would make packing light nearly impossible.”
What should you pack instead?
It’s really up to you—and where you want to dine. Even if your cruise line has a formal night, that doesn’t mean you have to dress up. You may not be welcome in the main dining room or specialty restaurant, but you can opt to eat in the buffet or another casual dining venue (or order room service!). But I would think twice before packing any camouflage patterns.
Also, it’s worth noting that I’ve never witnessed a crew member enforcing dress code and turning passengers away. And I’ve seen questionable outfits (think: ripped jeans, tank tops and flip-flops) in the main dining room many times. “Our crew are often too busy complimenting our sailors’ outfits versus policing them,” says Huaung. I’m not suggesting you show up to the steakhouse in swim trunks and a hoodie, but a pair of black pants and even a plain short-sleeve shirt can go a long way toward avoiding any potential conflict.
“The key thing is to have a dinner outfit that isn’t the shorts and T-shirt you sweat through on your tour that day,” says Silverstein. “Jeans and a nice top or a casual dress will get you far. For men, jeans and a nice tee or tropical-style or button-down short-sleeve shirt or khakis or even shorts and a polo are fine.”
At dinner on a luxury cruise ship, she says dresses and khakis will be more common most nights, with a cocktail dress or blazer for dressier evenings. “And on an adventure or expedition cruise, you might see guests still in their hiking pants or leggings at dinner,” she continues. “Just remember it’s OK to repeat dinner outfits and wear the same dress twice. I love to bring pieces I can dress up at night and then dress down and rewear the following day.”
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Sources:
- Simon Blacoe, vice president of Hotel Operations for Azamara Cruises; interviewed, April 2025
- Erica Silverstein, cruise writer; interviewed, April 2025
- Nicole Huaung, senior vice president of Fleet Experience for Virgin Voyages; interviewed, April 2025
