Royal Caribbean Dress Code for the Main Dining Room
Packing for a cruise can be exciting yet confusing, especially when it comes to dining attire. Whether you’re enjoying a casual dinner or dressing up for formal night, knowing the Royal Caribbean dress code for the main dining room ensures you’re prepared for every occasion.
This guide covers casual, smart casual, and formal night attire, helping travelers navigate cruise fashion with confidence.
Understanding Royal Caribbean’s Dress Code Categories
Royal Caribbean has three main dress code categories for dining:
1. Casual Attire
- Jeans, polos, sundresses, and blouses are acceptable.
- Shorts are allowed for breakfast and lunch but not dinner.
- Swimwear is restricted to the pool deck.
2. Smart Casual Attire
- Collared shirts, dresses, skirts, blouses, and pantsuits are recommended.
- Jackets, sports coats, and blazers are welcome but optional.
- A step up from casual wear, ideal for dinner.
3. Formal Night Attire
- Suits and ties, tuxedos, cocktail dresses, and evening gowns are encouraged.
- Formal nights occur 1-4 times per sailing, depending on cruise length.
- Chef’s Table dining experience enforces a formal dress code.
What to Wear for Casual Dining on Royal Caribbean
Casual nights offer flexibility, but there are still some restrictions.
1. Acceptable Casual Attire
- Jeans, khakis, sundresses, and polo shirts.
- Casual blouses and skirts.
- Comfortable shoes (sandals, sneakers, flats).
2. What NOT to Wear for Casual Dining
- Swimwear – Only allowed on the pool deck.
- Bare feet – Not permitted in any dining venue.
- Tank tops (for men) in the Main Dining Room.
Although the official Royal Caribbean website states that shorts are not allowed for dinner in the main dining room, many guests still choose to wear them. I’m grateful for this flexibility—if it weren’t the case, my husband and son probably wouldn’t dine there at all! Additionally, while some cruise dress codes require collared shirts, Royal Caribbean allows a range of casual tops, making it even easier to stay comfortable while enjoying a meal.
Dressing for Smart Casual Nights
Smart casual nights encourage a polished look, but formalwear isn’t necessary.
1. Recommended Smart Casual Outfits
- Collared shirts, blouses, and skirts.
- Dress pants, khakis, or dark jeans.
- Jackets, sports coats, and blazers (optional).
2. What to Avoid for Smart Casual Nights
- Shorts and flip-flops – Too casual for dinner.
- Athletic wear – Not appropriate for smart casual dining.
Although the official Royal Caribbean website defines smart casual attire as outlined above, many guests opt to follow casual attire guidelines for dinner every night.
What to Wear for Formal Nights on Royal Caribbean
Formal nights offer a chance to dress up, but black-tie attire isn’t required.
1. Formal Night Outfit Ideas
- Men: Suits, tuxedos, dress shirts with ties.
- Women: Cocktail dresses, evening gowns, elegant pantsuits.
- Accessories: Jewelry, polished shoes, stylish handbags.
Although the official website defines formal night attire as outlined above, many guests choose to follow casual attire guidelines for dinner instead. Since my husband and son don’t enjoy dressing up for dinner as much as my daughter and I do, I simply ask that they wear the nicest items they’ve packed for those nights.
2. How Many Formal Nights Are There?
Typically, Royal Caribbean cruise ships feature the following number of formal nights, depending on the length of the voyage.
- 3-5 night cruises: 1 formal night.
- 6-7 night cruises: 2 formal nights.
- 8-10 night cruises: 2 formal nights.
- 11-14 night cruises: 3 formal nights.
- 15+ night cruises: 3-4 formal nights.
Final Thoughts
Royal Caribbean’s dress code helps travelers plan a variety of dining experiences, from laid-back casual nights to elegant formal evenings. However, guests shouldn’t let these guidelines discourage them from dining in the main dining room. Many people hesitate because they don’t want to pack dressy clothes for vacation, but the reality is—you can enjoy the dining room every night in casual attire. The experience goes beyond the outfits, offering delicious meals, great service, and a lively atmosphere. Even for those who prefer to keep it simple, I encourage giving the main dining room a try—it’s a special part of the cruise that welcomes all guests, no matter their style!
Want to learn more about cruise ship etiquette? Check out my blog post: Cruise Ship Etiquette: Do’s & Don’ts for a Smooth Sailing Experience.
