Jeans and baseball caps are not allowed in the restaurants for dinner. On informal nights, jackets (ties optional) for men are recommended, while women can opt for dresses or pantsuits. Tuxedos, dinner jackets or dark suits for men and gowns or cocktail dresses for women are suggested for formal nights.

Whether you have to dress up for dinner on a cruise in 2026 depends entirely on the cruise line and the specific dining venue. Most modern cruises (like Norwegian or Carnival) follow a "Cruise Casual" policy, where neat jeans, polos, and sundresses are acceptable in the main dining room. However, almost all 7-night cruises still host at least one "Gala Night" or "Formal Night" where suits, cocktail dresses, or even tuxedos are encouraged for the main dining hall. If you prefer not to dress up, the buffet and pool-side grills remain casual every night. Upscale lines like Cunard maintain a much stricter "Formal" dress code in the evenings. A universal rule across nearly all lines is that swimwear, tank tops, and bare feet are strictly prohibited in all indoor sit-down restaurants for all meals. Always check your "Daily Program" or the ship's app for the specific dress theme of the evening.