DRESS CODES

Casual wear is appropriate for daytime onboard or ashore, and consists of resort-style outfits. Casual wear, including shorts and jeans, is not considered appropriate after 6:00 p.m. Evening dress codes may be found on the Itinerary tab of the individual voyages.

Evening dress code falls into two categories. Elegant Casual wear includes skirt, or slacks (no jeans) with blouse or sweater, pant suit or dress for ladies; slacks (no jeans) and collared shirt for gentlemen. Sport jackets are optional. While Elegant Casual is always appropriate, during Formal Optional evenings featured on longer cruises, guests may opt for a more formal choice of clothing including gowns and cocktail dresses for ladies; tuxedos, dinner jackets or dark suit with tie for gentlemen.

There is a lot of confusion and worry over "what to wear" I hope this will give you a little insight into the dress codes, and how many optional formal and elegant casual nights you can expect on a cruise and what those dress codes mean for men and women. Many people like to dress up and you will see men wearing a coat and tie every night.

If you do not dress appropriately after 6.00 pm in the evening you will be asked to change your attire.
Shorts, blue jeans, tee shirts, tennis shoes or casual sandals are not appropriate after 6.00pm in the evening.

OPTIONAL FORMAL

MEN: Tuxedos or suit and tie

LADIES: Cocktail dress or pant suit

ELEGANT CASUAL

MEN: Open neck shirts and slacks

LADIES: Dresses or pant suits

MEN: Casual

LADIES: Casual

Shorts, jeans, tennis shoes and casual sandals. Comfortable clothing for sightseeing.  No swimming trunks in the dining rooms.

NOT APPROPRIATE AT DINNER

DAY TIME WEAR

How many Formal and Elegant Casual Nights will there be on my cruise?

Some cruises are all elegantly casual with no formal nights.

Dress codes vary slightly depending on ports of call and areas of the world the following is usually accurate

7 night cruise:  One optional formal night, and the rest elegant casual.

10 night cruise: Two Optional formal nights and then the rest elegant casual

14 night cruise: Two to three optional formal nights and then the rest elegant casual

21 night cruise: Three to four optional formal nights and then the rest elegant casual

21 plus nights: These will usually be in "segments".  Each segment will follow the guidelines above so you can count on one formal night each 7 - 10 days.

When are the Optional Formal Nights?

OPTIONAL FORMAL NIGHT: The optional formal night is usually the second night after sailing. This is the "Welcome Aboard" party.  Sometimes the schedule dictates that this is not an appropriate night for the Optional Formal night and then this will be schedule the third night of the sailing. Optional formal could also be the dress for the past passenger party and the Captains Farewell party. Usually a day when you leave port earlier so you have more time to dress. 
ELEGANT CASUAL NIGHTS: Any night that is not optional formal.
These are only guidelines as the schedule of the cruise can dictate differently

Elegant Casual - Captains Welcome Aboard

What about the Captains welcome aboard party is that also "Formal Optional"? Yes, some will wear tuxedos, dark suits and tie, and ladies may wear cocktail gowns. Most will wear their nicest attire on these special nights you may also see people in the "Elegant Casual" attire

If you want to dress up then you can certainly take advantage of the cruise to do so.  If you prefer to dress more elegant casual then you can feel quite comfortable with this decision. There will be an even mixture of people on board so as long as you stay within the guidelines above there is no need to worry about dress that much.  On all the Regent cruises I have taken I have seen a wide variety of clothing and truthfully most people do not remember what you wore anyway. 

To ease packing my husband takes one black suit and then wears that same jacket with taupe and beige slacks.  Shoes are a space eater and are heavy.  I usually take one pair of dress black shoes and if my clothes wont match those I leave that outfit home. 

Lugging luggage around is difficult particularly when you are doing pre or post excursions.  Luggage gets lost constantly by the airlines. We have lost our luggage eight times in the last three years.  I do suggest a small carryon with the necessary items and one change of clothes. The cruise line is wonderful about keeping track of your luggage and if it is lost you usually get it the second afternoon. Right before the optional formal night.