Ah, the good old days—when people actually dressed up for things. Weddings, dinner parties, even just going to the store required some effort. But now? If you walk into a nice restaurant in anything fancier than sweatpants, people assume you’re either lost or on your way to a job interview.
And nowhere is this decline in sartorial standards more obvious than on cruise ships. Once upon a time, formal night was a glamorous affair—a time to don your best black-tie attire and pretend you weren’t just stuffing your face at the buffet an hour earlier. But alas, times have changed.
The Death of Cruise Ship Elegance
I don’t expect men to show up in tuxedos and women in extravagant ball gowns (though it would be nice). Royal Caribbean used to rent tuxes onboard, which was fantastic! It let people participate in the elegance without having to lug a penguin suit in their luggage. But those days are gone, and formal night will never be what it once was.
Still, isn’t it nice to have one night where you can dress up and feel like a million bucks—even if your bank account says otherwise?
When my kids went on their first cruise, they dressed up for formal night and had the time of their lives. It was one of the few occasions where they had to really put effort into their appearance. It made dinner feel special, like an event rather than just another meal. But with the slow demise of dress codes, are we losing something valuable?
Carnival Cruise Line: The Dress Code Debate No One Asked For
Over at Carnival Cruise Line, passengers are now actively fighting about dining room attire. That’s right, the biggest controversy on the high seas isn’t about safety drills or drink packages—it’s whether or not people should be required to put on a damn blazer at dinner.
Back in the golden days of cruising, formal night meant tuxedos, cocktail dresses, and an air of sophistication (even if you were drinking cheap champagne and arguing over who got the last shrimp). Nowadays, Carnival still has its “Cruise Elegant” evenings, where they suggest sport coats for men and cocktail dresses for women, but let’s be real—most people treat it as a light suggestion, like “Please silence your phone in the movie theater.”
And for some passengers, this casual attitude is downright offensive.
One Man’s Quest to Bring Back Formal Attire
Enter our hero: a passionate (and unnamed) Carnival passenger who took to social media to demand a return to high-class dining. His brilliant proposal? The specialty steakhouse on Carnival ships should have a strict formal dress code—jacket and tie for men, nice dresses for women. Because nothing says “fine dining” like making sure the guy eating his filet mignon is wearing a blazer he borrowed from his cousin’s wedding.
Carnival’s brand ambassador, John Heald, decided to put this idea to a vote. The results? Nearly 23,000 people said, “No, thanks,” while only 2,400 agreed that dressing up should be mandatory.
Passengers Weigh In: Are We Overthinking This?
As you might expect, the comment section became a war zone. Some passengers firmly believed that formal night dress codes should be strictly enforced. Others, like Crystal A. Moore, pointed out, “Your food isn’t going to taste any different because someone isn’t in a ball gown.” A fair point—unless, of course, you believe filet mignon is best enjoyed while wearing a cummerbund.
Another passenger, Mike Delf, took a middle ground, arguing that while full formal attire might not be necessary, the bare minimum of effort should be expected. “I’m tired of seeing tank tops and ball caps on men. Women also need to be dressed appropriately. I’ve even seen swimsuits with cover-ups in the dining room.”
And honestly, he has a point. There’s a difference between opting for casual elegance and straight-up showing up to dinner looking like you just rolled out of a beach chair.
Cruising is About Fun… But Maybe a Little Effort Wouldn’t Hurt?
At the end of the day, people cruise to have fun. Some passengers love getting dressed up, while others would rather keep it casual. And really, is anyone actually paying attention to what other people are wearing? As Kellie Murphy put it, “If you want to dress formally every night, that’s awesome. If you prefer to be more casual, that’s awesome too. I can 100% say that I’m not paying attention to what you wear every night.”
Fair enough.
Still, it would be nice if cruise lines offered a real upscale dining experience for those who want it. Royal Caribbean, Carnival, and others could set aside one restaurant with a strict formal night dress code—no exceptions. That way, the folks who want to relive the glamour of classic cruising can enjoy it, while the rest can stick to their flip-flops and Hawaiian shirts.
So, What’s the Future of Cruise Fashion?
Right now, it looks like dress codes will continue to get more relaxed. Whether that’s a good thing or not depends on who you ask.
But if you’re planning a cruise and wondering whether to pack that formal suit or cocktail dress—go for it! There’s something satisfying about dressing up, even if just for a night. And if you’re worried about what other people are wearing, maybe take a tip from Kellie Murphy and just focus on your own fun.
After all, with the number of actual fights breaking out on Carnival ships lately, you might want to pack boxing gloves instead of a tuxedo.
What do you think? Should cruise lines bring back strict formal night dress codes, or is it time to embrace a more casual vibe? Drop your thoughts in the comments!
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