Royal Caribbean’s Formal Night is a unique tradition where passengers can dress up for a sophisticated evening. These events are not strictly black-tie affairs, but the atmosphere calls for elevated attire.
Men often wear suits or dinner jackets, while women usually opt for cocktail dresses, pantsuits, or evening gowns. While you can get away with a basic dress or collared polo shirt, it’s fun to embrace the experience and dress up.
Let’s find out the dress codes for this special evening and what you can expect!
In This Article:
What Is Royal Caribbean’s Formal Night?
Royal Caribbean’s Formal Night is a long-standing cruising tradition where guests are encouraged to wear formal attire for a more elegant evening.
Typically, there are between one and three per cruise, but the number of formal nights will vary depending on the length of the voyage, the ship you are sailing on, and the preferences of management. Basically, formal night itineraries are at the ship’s discretion, but there are some general patterns.
In most cases, Royal Caribbean will host a formal night on the second night of any voyage, but the timing and exact number vary depending on the ship and itinerary. In general, Royal Caribbean cruise ships tend to adhere to the following itinerary for formal nights:
- 3-5 Night Cruises – 1 Formal Night, usually on the second day. Shorter sailings in this range rarely have more than a single event.
- 6 Night Cruises – 2 Formal Nights, usually on night two and night five
- 7 Night Cruises – 2 Formal Nights, usually on night two and night six
- 8-10 Night Cruises – 2 Formal Nights as a minimum, but the number of nights will vary by ship and itinerary
- 11-14 Night Cruises – 3 Formal Nights, with the exact nights varying by ship and the sailing itinerary
- 15+ Night Cruises – Usually 3 or 4 Formal Nights, with the days and number varying by the ship and sailing itinerary. Longer cruises can have as many as 6 Formal Nights
- Oasis of the Seas and Allure of the Seas – 2 Formal Nights, either on days two and five on Western itineraries and days two and six on Eastern itineraries
These events have never been mandatory, but they are an opportunity for passengers to embrace a more refined dress code and more traditional cruising experience. It is also a fun photo opportunity, whether you take your own or use the ship’s professional photographer.
The Roots of Formal Night
The roots of Formal Night stem from the traditional upscale atmosphere of transatlantic ocean liner services, when those traveling in first class were often members of high society looking to indulge and impress while they traveled.
Royal Caribbean looked to keep some of these old-world traditions alive by encouraging guests to adhere to a more formal dress code during certain dinners rather than the casual look most cruise passengers wear during the day.
Royal Caribbean has also partially rebranded Formal Night as “Dress to Impress” nights and diners to encourage participation. This is less formal and intimidating than calling the event Formal Night, so do not feel that the event will be overly stuffy or that everyone will be dressed in tuxedos and gowns.
While the concept of a Formal Night is fairly common across the cruise industry, Royal Caribbean has its own take on it, which is why it is worth taking the time to familiarize yourself with the traditions and rules onboard Royal Caribbean cruises.
Rules for Formal Nights
Keep in mind that formal nights are never mandatory. You will never be forced to participate, and more casual dining options are always available on all Royal Caribbean cruise ships.
Plus, you won’t be turned away unless you are violating the standard dress code for dining establishments, which means you cannot have bare feet and must be wearing a shirt.
Adhering to a Formal Night dress code is different from simply following the standard dress codes for various dining venues on the ship. Many specialty dining venues will have a formal dress code policy, with many calling for smart casual dining, while included venues usually allow casual attire.
If you are unsure about what you should wear to a specific venue, you can always check the Royal Caribbean International cruise line app, which lists the dress code for each venue on the ship.
This differs from Formal Night events, which are typically hosted in the main dining room and are a cruise tradition that calls for your best black-tie look. However, there are several other acceptable options.
Dress Code for Formal Night
Now that we have provided an overview of Formal Nights or “Dress to Impress” events on Royal Caribbean cruise ships, let’s go through the types of outfits that are appropriate for these events.
Formal Night Dress Code for Men
For men, Royal Caribbean’s Formal Night calls for “smart-casual” attire, but you can dress up beyond that, with quite a few men opting to wear true formal wear to the main dining room where the event is almost always hosted.
A classic Formal Night look is a dark suit paired with a dress shirt and tie. This combination is fairly standard and gives the wearer a polished but comfortable style that fits the occasion.
Again, the dress code for a Formal Night aboard a Royal Caribbean ship tends to be quite flexible, so those looking to keep it a bit more casual can skip the sports jacket and tie and wear a collared dress shirt or polo.
To help you know what type of attire will help you fit in on Formal Night, these are all common and acceptable outfits for men, starting from the most formal to the least:
- Full tuxedo
- Suit jacket with tie and dress pants
- Collared dress shirt and slacks
- Polo shirt and slacks
While there is certainly a fair amount of wiggle room for outfits, Royal Caribbean encourages guests to make an effort. Closed-toe shoes are also mandatory, so you cannot wear flip-flops or bare feet. Avoid pool wear, cargo shorts, graphic T-shirts, and jeans.
Formal Night Dress Code for Women
Like male guests, women have a broad range of options for Royal Caribbean Formal Night. From simple cocktail dresses and dressy skirts to full-length evening gowns, you can wear semi-formal attire or opt for the full formal look.
Popular looks include tasteful cocktail dresses, elegant sundresses, nice skirt and blouse combinations, pantsuits, or dressy pants with a fashionable top. For those looking to embrace the event by wearing a more luxurious and formal outfit, a full-length gown would not look out of place.
Basically, you just want to make an effort. Think about what would look appropriate at an office party and what you might consider wearing to a wedding or formal ball.
Another thing to keep in mind is making sure you have appropriate footwear. Dressier styles of flats, heels, and wedges will do the trick.
You want to avoid an overly relaxed look, so save your tank tops, shorts, sandals, and T-shirts for casual dinner nights. For Formal Night, you don’t want to dress like you just came from the pool.
But you will not be turned away if it is clear that you have made an effort. The event is not meant to be intimidating or overly exclusive.At the end of the day, it’s about having fun!
Formal Night Clothing Suggestions for Children
Unless stated otherwise, kids are welcome at Formal Night and Dress to Impress events. The dress code for children is much more relaxed, but parents are still encouraged to have their children wear nice outfits that match the formality of the night.
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Boys can wear dress shirts or polos with trousers, while girls often wear dresses. That said, children are not expected to dress as formally as adults, allowing them more flexibility. Like adults, it should just look like some effort was made. This means avoiding pool wear and graphic T-shirts. Closed-toe shoes are also a good idea.
Is Formal Night on Royal Caribbean Mandatory?
No, Formal Night and Dress to Impress events are never mandatory on any Royal Caribbean cruise ship.
While Royal Caribbean encourages all guests to participate, they never want anyone to feel intimidated or uncomfortable, so Formal Night is always presented as an optional and fun event that welcomes all passengers.
Guests who prefer to skip the formal wear altogether and embrace a more casual cruising experience can always enjoy dining at other venues while a Formal Night is being hosted.
If a Formal Night is being hosted in the main dining room, passengers will always have the option to visit Windjammer, an included buffet-style restaurant on every Royal Caribbean ship.
For those who do not want to pay extra to dine at a specialty restaurant, Windjammer is a popular alternative. Plus, it has a casual dress code and serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, so it is always an option if you want to keep your cruise casual.
If you don’t mind dressing up but want to avoid participating in a Formal Night event, you can always choose a specialty restaurant, where a smart-casual dress code is typically good enough.
Remember, you can attend a Formal Night event without fully dressing up. Generally, a collared shirt and trousers for men and a dress, skirt, or blouse for women will be acceptable.
Packing for Formal Night
If you want to get the most out of the Royal Caribbean Formal Night experience, you will want to make sure that you plan ahead. Picking out a couple of outfit choices early in your packing process will help give you a few options.
Even if you are unsure if you will attend, it is always a good idea to give yourself the option by packing a more formal outfit. Mixing and matching a few different outfits can also help you maximize your options while minimizing the space you take up in your bags.
A pair of versatile shoes that work with multiple outfits but are still dressy enough for a Formal Night is a great way to cut down on unnecessary items. Neutral accessories and darker colors can also help you get away with bringing less but still attending more than one Formal Night.
When it comes to actually packing your preferred outfits, you will want to fold them in your bag carefully. A good tip is placing tissue paper between items, which helps prevent friction and minimizes wrinkles. This is a really good option for more delicate items, like dresses.
Packing cubes can also help separate your clothes and keep them from becoming overly wrinkly.
Getting Your Formal Night Attire Pressed
It is also worth noting that Royal Caribbean offers laundry services. If you are worried about your formal clothing becoming wrinkled in your luggage, you can pay for the Dress to Impress Express Press Special, a unique service offered in conjunction with Formal Nights.
For just $17.49, you can fill a bag with as many clothes as you can stuff in. The clothes will then be fully pressed by professionals and returned to your stateroom or suite within 24 hours.
You simply mark on the sheet provided which types of clothes and their quantity have been placed in the bag. The bag is then taken, and your clothes are returned, pressed and ready for you to wear to Formal Night.
Having your clothing laundered is also a good idea for longer cruises where you may want to attend multiple Formal Night events.
Rather than needing several outfits, you can just repeat the same and still have the same formal appearance. Plus, it is surprisingly affordable and even included free of charge for certain suite guests.
Making the Most of Formal Night
At its core, Formal Night is all about enjoying the unique and fun experience. It was not designed to make anyone feel anxious or uncomfortable.
Choose clothing you feel confident and comfortable in. Not only will you enjoy the experience more, but you will also be able to navigate the ship and dining room much more easily.
Another huge draw of a Formal Night is the opportunity to have high-quality photographs taken to remember the occasion.
Royal Caribbean always has professional photographers in attendance. They tend to move from table to table throughout the event, making sure everyone has an opportunity to have the event captured. You will also notice these same photographers tend to be stationed throughout other scenic areas of the ship on Formal Nights.
Whether you’re taking advantage of the onboard photographers for portraits or just snapping your own photos, Formal Nights can offer a truly special backdrop for making memories and embracing a more elegant side of cruising.
When dressing up for the occasion, aim for an outfit that strikes a balance between comfort and style, letting you fully enjoy everything Royal Caribbean’s Formal Night has to offer. Remember, nothing about Formal Night is strict. The crew and organizers will gladly assist you if you have any questions.
Conclusion on Dressing for Royal Caribbean Formal Nights
Royal Caribbean’s Formal Night offers a wonderful chance to embrace the type of elegance that was once a staple of first-class ocean travel.
If you are looking for something a little bit different and an escape from the more casual, poolside atmosphere found on modern cruise ships, enjoying the unique atmosphere of a Royal Caribbean Formal Night can be one of the more memorable things you do during your vacation.
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While dressing up is never mandatory, it is a chance to participate in a unique part of the Royal Caribbean cruise tradition. Make the night as formal as you want it to be.
If you do want to attend, make sure you check the schedule for your voyage. Depending on the ship’s itinerary, you may have multiple options, and you could even participate in more than one Formal Night.
