Some cruise lines feel like a black-tie gala at sea. Others feel more like a laid-back beach resort where nobody’s overthinking what they’re wearing. And most fall somewhere in between.
The thing is, cruise lines don’t really advertise themselves this way. Two ships might both promise “relaxed luxury” or “something for everyone” – but step onboard, and the atmosphere can feel completely different.
So I’ve ranked cruise lines from the most formal and traditionally elegant to the most casual and laid-back. Not just what people wear, but how the cruise feels day to day – from dining and entertainment to the type of crowd you’ll be sailing with.
If you’re looking for a classic, elegant cruise experience, these are the lines where formality is part of the DNA – not just something that appears on certain nights.
1. Cunard
Cunard is the gold standard for traditional cruising. Everything from the ship design to the daily schedule leans into a more refined, old-school experience.
I received a Cunard advert in the post yesterday – on the thickest card with gold leaf embossing. Fancy!
Evenings are a real event, with many guests dressing up whether it’s a Gala Night or not. Expect ballroom dancing, formal dining and a slower, more elegant pace overall. The core experience is unmistakably formal.
Interestingly though, Cunard isn’t a particularly expensive cruise line. I’ve sailed with Cunard three times and never paid more than £99 for my cruise! You can watch this video to see how I fit in…
If you want the feeling of a luxury cruise without the luxury price tag – Cunard could be ideal.
2. Silversea
Silversea blends luxury with a more modern feel, but it still sits firmly towards the formal end of the spectrum.
Service is highly attentive, dining is a major focus, and evenings naturally feel more dressed up – even when formalwear is technically optional. On longer sailings in particular, guests tend to embrace the occasion. It’s less rigid than Cunard, but still very much a polished, upscale experience.
Read more: What It’s Really Like To Cruise With Silversea
3. Regent Seven Seas Cruises
Regent Seven Seas Cruises feels undeniably posh, with elegant ships, highly attentive service and some of the most refined dining at sea. The atmosphere is sophisticated, and guests generally make an effort in the evenings.
It’s luxurious and polished rather than stuffy, making Regent one of the fanciest cruise lines without the stricter traditions you’ll find on Cunard.
4. Seabourn
Seabourn offers an ultra-luxury experience that feels elegant and sophisticated without being overly traditional. The small ships, attentive service and refined dining create a naturally polished atmosphere, and guests generally dress smartly in the evenings.
After 6 pm, the usual dress code is “Elegant Casual”, with collared shirts or sweaters and trousers suggested for men, while women typically wear dresses, skirts or smart trousers. Jackets are optional on most evenings, and elegant jeans are permitted in the dining venues.
Seabourn’s ocean ships may also have formal evenings, when jackets are required for men in The Restaurant and many guests choose cocktail dresses, suits or eveningwear. However, alternative restaurants remain Elegant Casual, so dressing formally is never compulsory across the entire ship.
The expedition ships, Seabourn Venture and Seabourn Pursuit, have no formal evenings at all.
Read more: Silversea vs Seabourn: Which Luxury Cruise Is Better?
5. Saga Cruises
Saga Cruises offers a traditional, distinctly British cruising experience, with elegant ships, attentive service and guests who generally enjoy dressing smartly for the evening.
After 6 pm, the usual dress code is evening-casual. Smart dresses, elegant tops and trousers or skirts are recommended for women, while men are expected to wear a smart open-neck shirt and trousers.
Formal nights are still an important part of the Saga experience. Cruises of four to seven nights normally have one, while longer cruises have two or more. On these evenings, women typically wear cocktail dresses, evening gowns or elegant separates, while men are expected to wear a suit and tie or dinner jacket.
Saga feels polished and traditional without being as grand or ceremonious as Cunard, but it is still one of the more formal cruise lines sailing from the UK.
6. P&O Cruises
P&O Cruises offers a very classic British cruise experience, but without feeling overly rigid. Evenings usually follow an “Evening Casual” standard, with a step up to Black Tie on selected nights.
The Black Tie dress code is strictly enforced, with men requiring a jacket and tie to enter the dining rooms, although the buffet is also an option for those who wish to opt out.
Many guests do embrace the dressier side, especially on longer sailings, but there are always more relaxed venues if you’d rather keep things low-key. It’s traditional, but with enough flexibility to suit different styles.
Suggested read: P&O Cruises Shareholder Benefits
7. Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines
Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines keeps that traditional cruise spirit alive, but in a more low-key, friendly way. There’s a clear shift to smarter evenings, and formal nights do feature on many sailings, but the atmosphere is never intimidating.
Guests tend to make an effort, especially at dinner, yet there’s a relaxed, almost homely feel that stops it from feeling overly formal.
Read more: Fred. Olsen Borealis Cruise Review
8. Scenic
Scenic offers an all-inclusive, luxury experience that’s relaxed but still polished. Days are completely casual, while evenings move to an elegant casual style.
The focus is on comfort, service and inclusions, rather than dressing up, but the overall feel remains quietly sophisticated. That said, they are very strict on not allowing men to wear shorts or sandals in the evenings.
Read more: 15 Things Scenic Does Better Than Other Cruise Lines
9. Princess Cruises
Princess Cruises sits comfortably in the middle ground. The atmosphere feels polished, particularly in the evenings, but not overly formal or intimidating.
You’ll find smart casual as the norm, with occasional formal nights where some guests go all out while others keep it simple. Dining and entertainment lean classic, giving it a slightly dressier feel than more modern cruise lines.
Read more: Princess Cruises Dining Options Explained: Everything You Need to Know
10. Holland America Line
Holland America Line has a refined, traditional feel, but it’s noticeably more relaxed than it once was. Evenings are generally smart casual, with “Dressy Nights” offering a chance to elevate things if you want to.
The focus is on good food, music and a more grown-up atmosphere, rather than strict formality. You’ll see a mix of styles, but overall it still leans polished.
Read more: The Type Of Cruiser Who Will Love Holland America Line (And The Type Who Might Not)
11. Oceania Cruises
Oceania Cruises has no formal nights, but evenings have a quietly upscale feel, with guests tending to dress smartly for dinner.
The emphasis is on food and a relaxed luxury experience, so while the dress code is technically casual, the atmosphere feels more polished than most.
Read more: Oceania Cruises Becomes Adults-Only As Line Refines Its Luxury Focus
12. Celebrity Cruises
Celebrity Cruises leans towards a more modern, “casual chic” style. The ships feel sleek and contemporary, and evenings naturally have a slightly dressier tone without being formal.
Some guests enjoy dressing up for “Evening Chic” nights, but many stick to smart casual throughout. It’s stylish rather than traditional, with a focus on good food, design and atmosphere.
Read more: 7 Ways Celebrity Cruises Beats Other Cruise Lines
13. Ambassador Cruise Line
Ambassador Cruise Line leans traditional in structure, but the atmosphere is far more relaxed than you might expect.
There are formal nights and a clear dress code, but enforcement is light and there are always casual alternatives. Guests tend to make an effort if they want to, but there’s no pressure to fully commit.
Read more: Reasons NOT to Choose Ambassador Cruise Line
14. Azamara
Azamara is a bit of a hybrid. There are no formal nights, but the overall atmosphere still leans more polished than you might expect.
Evenings have a “resort elegant” feel, with many guests naturally dressing up for dinner without being told to. Combined with its smaller ships and destination-focused itineraries, it feels refined without ever becoming formal or structured.
Suggested read: 9 Cruise Lines That Are Surprisingly Good for Singles 50+
15. Explora Journeys
Explora Journeys feels like a modern luxury hotel at sea. There are no formal nights, no rigid schedules, and very little emphasis on rules – but the overall atmosphere is effortlessly stylish.
Evenings lean towards an elevated resort-casual look, with guests dressing well without going over the top. It’s refined, contemporary and intentionally low-key.
Read more: Explora Journeys Review – The Best Cruise Ever?
16. SeaDream Yacht Club
SeaDream Yacht Club is slightly different, with a smaller, yacht-style atmosphere that feels more intimate and relaxed during the day. But come evening, there’s still a clear expectation to look smart and put together.
There are no formal nights, yet the standard remains high, with guests dressing for dinner and enjoying a refined, sociable atmosphere. It’s understated rather than showy, but definitely still on the formal end.
Read more: SeaDream Yacht Club: What To Know Before You Cruise
17. Windstar Cruises
Windstar Cruises delivers a yacht-style experience that’s intimate and easy-going. There are no formal nights, and the dress code stays firmly in “country club casual” territory.
Evenings are smart but relaxed, with guests dressing neatly rather than formally. It feels upscale without being showy, with a strong emphasis on comfort and atmosphere.
Read more: Uncover The Luxurious Perks Included On A Windstar Cruise
18. Marella Cruises
Marella Cruises has a relaxed, friendly holiday atmosphere, so there’s very little pressure to dress formally. Most guests keep things casual during the day and make a little more effort for dinner, but the overall feel is much closer to a resort holiday than a traditional cruise.
Dress codes vary by restaurant and are divided into Beachwear, Casual and Smart. In Smart venues, guests can wear shirts or polo shirts, trousers or tailored shorts, skirts or dresses, and smart shoes, sandals or trainers. Jackets and ties are optional.
Marella has replaced the traditional formal night with a more relaxed “Dress to Impress” night. It gives guests the chance to dress up, but how far they take it is entirely up to them. Some wear suits and cocktail dresses, while others simply choose a smarter version of their usual evening clothes.
Overall, Marella is one of the more casual cruise lines. There are a few basic rules in selected restaurants, but you won’t need formalwear and you’re unlikely to feel out of place if you prefer to keep things simple.
19. Star Clippers
Star Clippers offers a relaxed sailing experience that feels more like a private yacht than a cruise ship.
There are no formal nights, and evenings stay very low-key, with simple expectations like long trousers and collared shirts for dinner. The atmosphere is informal, sociable and refreshingly uncomplicated.
Read more: Everything I Wore On A Star Clippers Cruise (Dress Code Guide)
20. MSC Cruises
MSC Cruises offers a lively, European-style cruise experience where anything goes within reason. Evenings usually sit at smart casual, but you’ll see a wide range – from very dressed up to very relaxed.
Gala nights and themed events add a bit of glamour if you want it, but there’s no pressure to take part. It’s energetic, varied and fairly easy-going.
Read more: Why MSC Cruises Are So Cheap (What’s The Catch?)
21. Royal Caribbean
Royal Caribbean is all about variety. With so much going on onboard, the atmosphere is naturally more relaxed, even in the evenings.
Smart casual is the norm for dinner, while “Dress Your Best” nights give you the option to dress up if you fancy it. In my experience, most people don’t dress up for these nights. You’ll see everything from jeans to suits, and both feel perfectly acceptable.
Read more: Royal Caribbean Formal Night Dress Code: What to Wear & 6 Must-Know Rules
22. Disney Cruise Line
Disney Cruise Line keeps things fun and family-focused, which naturally makes it more relaxed. Evenings are generally casual to smart casual, with optional formal or semi-formal nights on longer sailings, and people do tend to be a little bit more dressy if eating in the adults-only restaurants.
The real focus is on themed experiences like Pirate Night, where dressing up is about fun rather than formality.
Read more: 6 Things I Loved About a Disney Cruise… Without Children
23. Costa Cruises
Costa Cruises has a laid-back, European feel where individuality is part of the experience. Evenings are generally smart casual, but there’s no strong expectation to dress up.
Some guests embrace themed or elegant nights, while others don’t – and both feel perfectly normal. It’s lively, sociable and far from formal.
Read more: Why Costa Cruises Are So Cheap
24. Celestyal Cruises
Celestyal Cruises is one of the most relaxed cruise lines when it comes to atmosphere. While there are suggested dress codes and the occasional gala night, they’re rarely enforced in practice.
Many guests head straight from a busy day ashore to dinner without changing, which gives the whole experience a very easy-going feel.
Read more: 14 Things To Love About Celestyal Cruises
25. Norwegian Cruise Line
Norwegian Cruise Line built its entire brand around “freestyle cruising”, and that extends to what you wear.
There are no formal nights, no set dining times and very few rules. Even in the evenings, it’s more about looking neat than dressing up. You’ll see a huge range of styles, and nobody stands out for being too casual.
Read more: Royal Caribbean vs Norwegian: Which Cruise Line Is Better?
26. Virgin Voyages
Virgin Voyages takes things even further, with no dress code at all.
You can wear pretty much anything, anywhere – even in restaurants. Instead of formal nights, the focus is on fun, themed events like Scarlet Night or pyjama parties. It’s bold, modern and completely different from traditional cruising.
Read more: Virgin Voyages Reaffirms Relaxed Dress Code Amid Industry Crackdown
27. Carnival
Carnival Cruise Line is one of the least formal cruise lines at sea. The atmosphere is lively, fun and extremely laid-back, with most guests prioritising comfort over dressing up.
Most evenings are classed as “Cruise Casual”, and the suggested clothing includes jeans, casual dresses, polo shirts and smart shorts. Carnival also holds “Cruise Elegant” nights, when some guests wear suits, cocktail dresses or even evening gowns, but plenty keep things much simpler.
There are still basic dress rules in the main dining rooms, while the buffet offers an even more relaxed alternative. Overall, though, Carnival is a line where dressing up is optional rather than an important part of the experience.
It is ideal for anyone who wants a fun cruise without worrying too much about what to pack or wear to dinner.
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Which Cruise Line Is Right For You?
Choosing the right cruise line isn’t just about price or itinerary – it’s about how you want your holiday to feel.
If you love dressing up, taking your time over dinner and enjoying a more traditional atmosphere, the cruise lines near the top of this ranking will suit you best. They offer that sense of occasion that some people absolutely love.
If you prefer a balance, where you can dress up when you feel like it but won’t feel out of place when you don’t, look towards the middle of the ranking. These cruise lines offer smarter evenings without putting you under too much pressure.
And if the idea of packing formalwear fills you with dread, the cruise lines near the bottom of the list are likely to suit you better. You can keep things casual and focus entirely on enjoying your holiday.
There’s no right or wrong choice here, only what fits your personal style. Get that right, and everything else tends to fall into place.
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