Royal Caribbean Formal Night – All You Need to Know

Planning for Formal Nights onboard Royal Caribbean can be both a fun, and stressful experience.

What to pack? What’s allowed? What is not allowed? Is it mandatory? We’ll break it all down and give you the full rundown of what to expect for Royal Caribbean Formal Night.

What is Formal Night?

Formal Night on Royal Caribbean is a designated evening during your cruise where guests are encouraged to “dress their best” in formal or semi-formal attire for your evening dining activities.

It should be noted that Formal Night only typically applies to the Main Dining Room. Most Specialty Restaurants might also observe Formal Night, but they may have their own dress codes or allow more relaxed attire.

Royal Caribbean defines Formal Night as follows:

“Think of our formal dress code as a night out in your best black-tie look — suits and ties, tuxedos, cocktail dresses or evening gowns are all acceptable options. There can be 1 to 4 formal nights during a sailing and is at the ship’s discretion. Our Chef’s Table dining experience also enforces a formal dress code policy.“

Formal Night Dress Code for Women

Ladies, this is your opportunity to dress up and enjoy a more glamourous look! Bring on the sparkles and high heels.

On Formal Night, you will typically see ladies dressed in evening gowns, cocktail dresses, or elegant pantsuits.

Formal Night Dress Code for Men

Men most commonly wear a dress shirt and slacks on Formal Night. Many men also choose to wear a suit jacket and tie.

Men, if you are looking to dress up even more, you can class it up and wear a tuxedo.

What Not to Wear

On Formal Night, if you plan to enjoy dinner at a venue that requires formal wear, it is important to adhere to the dress code to ensure a cohesive and enjoyable atmosphere for everyone.

Men, avoid wearing t-shirts, shorts, athletic wear, and flip-flops.

Women, try to steer clear of wearing sundresses, beachwear, and athletic wear.

Again, Formal Night is not required. If you prefer not to dress up, you can opt for a more casual dining venue such as the Windjammer Buffet or Park Cafe.

You can also enjoy the ship’s lounges, bars, and public areas in more casual attire if you choose not to participate in Formal Night.

Is it Mandatory?

For those of you who are thinking that Formal Night is not for you, no need to worry. Passengers are not required to participate in Formal Night.

It should be noted that if you decide not to participate in Formal Night, your dining options for that evening may be somewhat limited. This all depends on the dining venue’s dress code.

Throughout the years Formal Night has become so much more relaxed that it is easy to participate in. A simple casual outfit such as khakis and a polo shirt will do if you don’t want to go all out – but what’s the fun in that!?

How Many Formal Night Will There Be on My Cruise?

The number of Formal Nights you can expect during your cruise all depends on the ship’s itinerary and how long your sailing is.

Although the number of Formal Nights is ultimately at the ship’s discretion, Royal lists the following on their website:

  • 3, 4, or 5 Night Cruises – 1 Formal Night
  • 6 and 7 Night Cruises – 2 Formal Nights
  • 8 to 10 Night Cruises – 2 Formal Nights
  • 11 to 14 Night Cruises – 3 Formal Nights
  • 15+ Night Cruises – 3 or 4 Formal Nights

Tips for Formal Night

If you plan to participate in Formal Night, here are a few tips you should know:

  1. Plan Ahead – Once you have your cruise booked, check the cruise schedule and Royal Caribbean’s Cruise Planner once it is made available. You can find specific details about Formal Nights while onboard and start to plan for them.
  2. Pack Accordingly – Have the appropriate outfits and accessories packed to ensure you fully enjoy the experience without any added stress.
  3. What to Do If Your Clothes Are Wrinkled Once Onboard? – Royal Caribbean does not have irons in the stateroom because they are a fire hazard. They do offer laundry services, and you can have your formal attire dry cleaned or pressed prior to Formal Night. Check your stateroom once onboard for further information.

Our Experience with Formal Night

For our family, we personally enjoy Formal Night. My wife and I have enjoyed Formal Night when it is just the two of us cruising and we have enjoyed it when sailing with the kids.

With having 3 girls, they love to get all fancy, and they enjoy seeing what everyone else is wearing throughout the ship on Formal Night.

Our biggest challenge when it comes to Formal Night is packing! There is so much extra you need when it comes to packing for Formal Night. The main outfit, the accessories, the shoes… The list seems like it goes on and on. But we have fun with it, and it is a big part of our cruise experience.

The Wrap Up: Formal Night on Royal Caribbean

Well, there you have it. If you want to get all fancy and dressed up for Formal Night on your next cruise, be sure to adhere to some of these guidelines and enjoy your evening feeling like a million bucks!

If dressing up is not for you and you prefer a more casual experience, no need to worry. This is one of the many things we love about cruising. You make what you want of your vacation.