Key Aspects:
- Carnival Cruise Line will permit guests to wear pajamas to Christmas breakfast or brunch.
- All holiday pajamas must still be family-friendly and suitable for everyone.
- Each ship’s maître d’ has the discretion to turn guests away if they are inappropriately dressed.
A Christmas cruise can be an amazing experience, but celebrations onboard are often very different from the traditions guests may have at home.
Carnival Cruise Line, however, is permitting a unique exception to onboard guidelines so guests can still enjoy one holiday tradition: pajamas.
Many families enjoy Christmas morning with fun matching pajamas, and they can still do so onboard a Carnival cruise ship, so long as their festive attire meets family-friendly guidelines.
The clarification comes from John Heald, Carnival’s brand ambassador. Heald answers hundreds of guest questions every week, on all types of unique subjects. During this time of year, pajamas can be a topic of contention.
Read Also: Christmas on a Cruise Ship – What to Expect
“I’ve also had some guests asking about whether holiday pajamas are going to be allowed in the dining room for Christmas brunch,” he noted.
“Here’s my guidance: if you have a family tradition of having breakfast (or brunch) in your holiday pajamas, the ships are advised to make a one-time exception on Christmas morning to the ‘no pajamas’ rule.”
Typically, no sleepwear is permitted in the Main Dining Room restaurants. While Carnival’s “What to Wear” FAQ does not specifically prohibit pajamas, it does state that clothing that is sheer, see-through, or sexually suggestive is not appropriate.
Heald reiterates that those guidelines still apply even for the one-time holiday pajamas exception on Christmas morning.
“Please note: they must be family friendly (and should be long pants/sleeves),” he said. “Ultimately the maître d has discretion to ask you to change if they don’t pass family friendly guidelines. Don’t get on the naughty list by trying to slip by in something that crosses the line.”
So, guests should be sure to leave the “unwrap me” skimpy holiday-themed pjs at home!
Where Will Carnival Ships Be on Christmas Day?
Depending on the itinerary, several Carnival cruise ships will be at sea on December 25, ensuring guests can enjoy the fabulous Seaday Brunch in their festive pajamas.
More than half the fleet, however, will be having port visits on Christmas Day, including:
- Celebration – Grand Turk
- Conquest – Nassau
- Elation – Princess Cays
- Freedom – Celebration Key
- Glory – Celebration Key
- Horizon – Willemstad
- Liberty – Nassau
- Mardi Gras – Nassau
- Miracle – Belize City
- Panorama – La Paz
- Paradise – Cozumel
- Pride – Nassau
- Spirit – Half Moon Cay
- Sunrise – Montego Bay
- Valor – Progreso
- Venezia – Charlotte Amalie
Guests should still be able to enjoy breakfast wearing their holiday pjs if they prefer, but they will also want to ensure they’re dressed appropriately for any shore tours or exploring ashore, where pajamas may not be the best choice.
More Holiday Festivities on Carnival Ships
Guests onboard any of Carnival’s holiday sailings, whether they are cruising on Christmas Day or not, will be able to enjoy a wide range of fun and festive happenings.
This includes visits from Santa and the Grinch, tree-lighting ceremonies, “snow” in the ship’s atrium, themed trivia, a special holiday entertainment show, and more.
In terms of festive attire, guests also have more options. In addition to holiday-themed pajamas, they will want to pack along sweaters for the ugly sweater contest, as well as elegant attire for formal night.
Heald also noted that regardless of a ship’s cruise length or itinerary, the planned Elegant Night on most sailings will be on Christmas evening, December 25. This may vary on select ships, however.
Guests should check the Carnival Hub app for their specific onboard schedule to be sure they don’t miss out on any of the holiday fun!
