Cunard’s dress code explained: What to wear onboard

Last updated: 12/08/2026 

Few cruise lines are as closely associated with dressing for dinner as Cunard. Photographs of Gala Evenings, black-tie attire and guests sweeping through the Queens Room are all part of the image, but they can also leave first-time guests wondering whether they’ll need an entirely new wardrobe before stepping on board. 

The reality is much more relaxed. Days at sea are casual, most evenings call for Smart Attire rather than formal wear, and even on Gala Evenings, there’s flexibility in how much you choose to embrace the occasion. 

Knowing what to expect before you start packing can make all the difference. In this guide, we’ll explain Cunard’s daytime and evening dress codes, what people actually wear on board, what to pack for a Gala Evening, and how to keep things casual if dressing up simply isn’t for you. 

Yes, Cunard has a dress code, but it’s more relaxed than you might expect. 

During the day, the atmosphere onboard is casual. You can dress comfortably for breakfast, exploring the ship, relaxing by the pool or whatever else you have planned. It’s in the evening that things change. Most nights call for Smart Attire and selected Gala Evenings offer the chance to dress more formally. 

You won’t need to remember the dress code for every day of your cruise before you travel. Once onboard, check the Daily Programme delivered to your stateroom for useful information about the day ahead. It’s also worth checking your voyage details before you pack, particularly if you’ll have a Gala Evening to look forward to.

Days onboard Cunard are much more relaxed than the cruise line’s reputation for elegant evenings might suggest. What people wear tends to reflect what they have planned. So, you’ll see everything from casual clothes around the ship to swimwear by the pool and comfortable outfits for days ashore. 

If you’re heading for breakfast, exploring the ship or settling into a lounge, comfortable everyday clothing is perfectly appropriate. Think jeans, trousers, shorts, skirts, dresses, t-shirts, shirts and knitwear depending on the weather and where you’re sailing. 

Around the pool, swimwear and cover-ups are the natural choice. You’ll want to change or cover up before heading into the ship’s restaurants and other indoor public areas. 

Port days are even simpler: dress for the destination and whatever you’ll be doing ashore. Comfortable shoes are particularly important if you’re joining a walking tour or spending several hours exploring. Meanwhile, layers, waterproofs, sun hats or warmer clothing may all earn a place in your suitcase, depending on your itinerary. 

The main thing to remember is that you don’t need to spend your entire Cunard cruise dressed up. During the day, comfort and practicality come first. It’s when evening arrives that the atmosphere and the dress code begin to change. 

Evenings are when you’ll notice the biggest change in how people dress on a Cunard cruise. From 6 pm, the atmosphere becomes smarter across much of the ship, but that doesn’t mean you need formalwear every night.

There are two evening dress codes to know about: Smart Attire, which applies on most evenings, and Gala Evening attire for selected nights during your voyage.

Most evenings on Cunard call for Smart Attire. A useful way to think about it is to consider what you might wear for dinner at a nice restaurant or for an evening at the theatre.

You’re likely to see dresses, skirts and elegant tops, alongside smart trousers, collared shirts and jackets. There’s plenty of scope to dress in a way that feels comfortable while still fitting the atmosphere onboard. 

The dress code applies in most bars, restaurants and entertainment venues after 6 pm. If you’d rather keep things casual for the evening, you can still do so. Cunard has designated venues where casual clothing is welcome. Dressing up doesn’t have to be part of every night of your holiday! 

Gala Evenings are the nights when Cunard really embraces its sense of occasion. Many guests choose to dress more formally. You’ll see evening gowns, cocktail dresses, smart trouser suits, dark suits, dinner jackets and tuxedos. 

Some Gala Evenings also have a theme. Depending on your voyage, this could be Black and White, Red and Gold, Roaring 20s or Masquerade. You don’t have to build an entire outfit around the theme, either. A small detail or accessory can be enough if you’d like to take part without buying something specifically for the occasion. 

Although Gala Evenings are a much-loved part of the Cunard experience, you don’t have to participate. Casual venues remain available if dressing formally isn’t for you. 

The number of Gala Evenings depends on the length and itinerary of your voyage. Cunard confirms that voyages of three nights or more will have at least one, while longer cruises may include several.

You can check exactly how many are planned for your cruise, when they’ll take place and whether they have a theme in My Cunard before you sail. It’s worth doing this before you start packing, particularly if you’d like to join in with a themed evening. 

Packing for a Cunard cruise doesn’t need to mean filling your suitcase with formalwear. You’ll want comfortable clothes for days on board, something smarter for the evenings and appropriate clothing for the destinations you’re visiting. If your voyage includes a Gala Evening, you can then add one or two more formal outfits into the mix. 

During the day, comfort comes first. What you need will naturally depend on where you’re sailing. However, it’s worth packing a selection of clothes you can mix and match throughout your cruise. 

Consider packing:

• T-shirts, shirts and casual tops 
• Shorts, skirts or lightweight trousers for warmer destinations 
• Jeans or trousers 
• Dresses or other comfortable daywear 
• Swimwear and a cover-up for the pool
• Knitwear or light layers
• A waterproof or warmer jacket where appropriate 
• Sunglasses, a sun hat and sun cream for sunnier itineraries 

Layers are particularly useful at sea, where the weather on deck can feel very different from the temperature inside the ship. 

Most evenings call for Smart Attire, so pack a few outfits you’d feel comfortable wearing to a nice restaurant, bar or theatre.

Your suitcase might include:

• Dresses or jumpsuits
• Skirts or smart trousers 
• Blouses and elegant tops
• Collared shirts 
• Smart trousers or chinos
• Jackets or blazers, if you enjoy wearing them
• A few accessories to change up outfits 

You don’t need a completely different outfit for every evening. Separates that can be worn in different combinations are an easy way to give yourself plenty of choice without overpacking.

If your voyage includes a Gala Evening, this is your opportunity to bring something a little more special. Cunard encourages guests to embrace the occasion, although exactly how far you take it is up to you.

You could pack:

• An evening or cocktail dress
• An elegant jumpsuit or trouser suit
• A dark suit
• A tuxedo or dinner jacket
• A smart shirt 
• A tie or bow tie
• Formal shoes
• Jewellery and other evening accessories
• Accessories that complement your Gala Evening theme 

If your Gala Evening is themed, you don’t necessarily need to buy an entirely new outfit. A red bow tie, a gold accessory, a monochrome outfit, or an Art Deco-inspired detail, for example, can be enough to join in. 

Shoes can take up a surprising amount of suitcase space, so think about what you’ll genuinely use both onboard and ashore.

It’s worth considering:

• Comfortable walking shoes or trainers for exploring in port
• Sandals or other lightweight shoes for warmer destinations
• Smart shoes for evenings onboard
• Formal shoes if you’re dressing up for a Gala Evening
• Suitable footwear for any active excursions you’ve booked
• Weather-appropriate footwear for colder or wetter destinations 

Your excursion plans should ultimately guide what comes with you. A day exploring a European city will require something very different from hiking in Norway. It’s useful to check what you’ll actually be doing ashore before giving up precious suitcase space. 

For most men, packing for a Cunard cruise is more straightforward than its reputation for dressing up might suggest. Days onboard are relaxed, while evenings tend to become smarter, particularly in restaurants, bars and entertainment venues.

During the day, many men wear:

• T-shirts or polo shirts
• Shorts, jeans or chinos
• Casual shirts
• Trainers, sandals or deck shoes
• Swimwear around the pool areas

Where you’re sailing will naturally make a difference. Warmer itineraries call for lighter clothing, while jumpers, waterproof jackets and plenty of layers are useful when travelling somewhere cooler.

On Smart Attire evenings, consider what you might wear to dinner at a nice restaurant. A collared shirt with chinos or smart trousers works well, and you can add a blazer or jacket if you’d like to. Jackets aren’t compulsory, so there’s no need to dress formally every time you head out for dinner. 

Gala Evenings are the time to take things up a notch. You’ll see plenty of dinner jackets and tuxedos around the ship, alongside dark suits, shirts and ties. There’s scope to make the occasion as special as you’d like. So, if you rarely have the chance to wear a tuxedo at home, this could be the perfect excuse. 

For women, there’s plenty of flexibility when deciding what to wear on a Cunard cruise. Days onboard are relaxed, so comfortable holiday clothing is perfectly appropriate. In the evening, you’ll generally see guests dressing more smartly, with Gala Evenings providing an opportunity to wear something a little more special.

During the day, many women wear:

• T-shirts, blouses or casual tops
• Shorts, skirts or lightweight trousers
• Sundresses or casual dresses
• Trainers, sandals or flats
• Swimwear and cover-ups around the pool areas

As with any cruise, the destination will influence what you pack. Lightweight clothing works well for warmer itineraries. While layers, knitwear, waterproofs and a warmer coat may be needed if you’re heading somewhere cooler. 

On Smart Attire evenings, dresses, skirts, smart trousers, jumpsuits and elegant tops are all good options. Think along the lines of what you might choose for dinner at a nice restaurant or an evening at the theatre. There’s no need for every outfit to feel particularly formal. A few separates and accessories can easily be mixed and matched throughout your cruise. 

Gala Evenings are a chance to dress up more if you’d like to. There isn’t one particular look you need to follow. You’ll see everything from cocktail dresses and elegant jumpsuits to evening gowns and trouser suits. If your Gala Evening has a theme, accessories can be an easy way to join in. Ultimately, it’s an occasion to wear something that makes you feel special and enjoy a side of Cunard that many guests really look forward to. 

Cunard’s dress code is consistent across all four ships. You won’t need to pack differently simply because you’ve chosen one Queen over another. 

What can vary is the number of Gala Evenings during your cruise and the themes planned for them. These depend on the individual voyage rather than the ship itself. It’s always worth checking your itinerary in My Cunard before you start packing. 

The destination can make a much bigger difference to what ends up in your suitcase. A warm-weather Caribbean cruise will naturally require different daytime clothing from a voyage to Alaska or the Norwegian Fjords, even though the evening dress code onboard remains the same. 

Useful links: Queen Anne | Queen Elizabeth | Queen Mary 2 | Queen Victoria 

If dressing up isn’t your thing, you don’t have to spend every evening in Smart Attire or formalwear. Cunard provides more casual options onboard, so you can still enjoy your evening without taking part in the dress code across the ship. 

However, the evening dress code does apply in certain restaurants, bars and entertainment venues. If you choose to visit these areas, you’ll be expected to dress accordingly. It’s therefore worth planning ahead if there’s somewhere particular you’d like to eat, drink or spend the evening.

Gala Evening themes are different. Cunard encourages guests to get involved, but you don’t have to follow the theme itself. Your contribution can be as simple as an accessory, or you can choose not to incorporate the theme at all.

So, you won’t be forced to dress formally simply because you’re sailing with Cunard. But following the dress code will give you the greatest choice of where to spend your evenings on board. 

Cunard’s dress code is more structured than you’ll find on some cruise lines, particularly in the evening, but that doesn’t mean every night is a formal occasion.

On Smart Attire evenings, there’s plenty of flexibility in what you can wear. The aim is simply to create a smarter atmosphere in certain restaurants, bars and entertainment venues after 6 pm. Gala Evenings take things a step further. Many guests embrace the opportunity to dress up, but there are still casual venues available if you’d rather not take part. 

It’s best to think of Cunard’s dress code as part of the experience rather than a long list of rules to worry about. If you’re happy dressing as you might for a nice restaurant on most evenings and packing something smarter for a Gala Evening, you’re unlikely to find it particularly restrictive. 

Yes. Jeans are perfectly suitable for daytime, and smart, well-presented jeans can work with some evening outfits. However, you’ll want smarter alternatives available for Gala Evenings and any venues where the evening dress code requires them.

Trainers are fine during the day and are particularly useful for walking around the ship or exploring ashore. In the evening, your choice of footwear should complement your outfit and the venue you’re visiting. If you’re planning to dress formally for a Gala Evening, it’s worth packing a smarter pair of shoes too. 

Not every evening. A tie isn’t required as part of Smart Attire, so a collared shirt and smart trousers can be enough. On Gala Evenings, many men choose to wear a tie or bow tie with a suit, dinner jacket or tuxedo.

No. There’s no expectation to wear heels. Flats, loafers, smart sandals and other elegant shoes can work just as well. Choose something that suits your outfit and that you’ll be comfortable wearing around the ship. 

Cunard encourages younger guests to follow the evening dress code too. But there’s no need for the children to have an elaborate formal wardrobe! Smart, age-appropriate clothing is the important thing. 

Yes. Cunard ships have self-service laundry facilities, including washing machines, dryers and ironing facilities, which can be particularly useful on longer voyages. Laundry and dry-cleaning services are also available for an additional charge.