P&O Cruises Dress Code | What to wear on your cruise

Take the stress out of packing with my guide to what to wear when cruising with P&O.

What to wear on a cruise is a dilemma many cruisers face. It can even put people off taking a cruise. However, it needn’t be that way.

These days dress codes on cruise ships are a little more relaxed than they used to be. During the day your usual holiday wear will be generally be fine, while in the evening it is very much the same as if you were going out for the night at home.

That said, for a first timer cruiser it can be difficult to know where to start when packing. I know I had no idea.

Before doing some research on the P&O Cruises dress code I wondered if I would have to dress up every night, if I could wear my jeans and trainers without getting strange looks and if I’d packed the right type of clothes for evening casual…whatever that meant.

However, the thing that gave me the most anxiety was the formal night, what on earth do people wear and can I get out of it if I want to were just some of the questions I asked myself.

Thankfully P&O Cruises make it easy for you with a clear and easy to follow dress code that allows you to show of your sense of style.

At a Glance: P&O Dress Code

Comfortable casual clothing for day wear
Smart casual attire for evening wear
Black Tie for Celebration Night
Celebration night is not compulsory – a few venues are not Black Tie
Always wear footwear around the ship
Keep swimwear for the pool area only, not the bars, lounges or restaurants

What to wear on a P&O Cruise

Daywear – onboard and onshore

During the day, there is no official dress code as such. P&O suggest comfortable clothing that is right for you. So you can expect things to be casual and relaxed. When packing, you should take clothes you would normally wear on holiday.

However, do keep in mind the region you are cruising around.

If you are heading to sunny hotspots like the Caribbean or the Mediterranean think along the lines of T-shirts, shorts and summer dresses.

For colder destinations, such as Northern Europe in the winter, you’ll want clothes to keep warm in. Jeans, long-sleeved jumpers and a jacket will help to keep you toasty whatever the weather.

If you are going to the Norwegian Fjords you’ll probably want to pack a bit of everything. The weather can be VERY changeable in this region. You can get four seasons in one day depending on how your luck plays out.

Wherever you are cruising it is worth taking some clothes you can layer up and down. It can get chilly on deck, even in the hot destinations. The sea breeze can be a bit harsh at times.

The photos below were both taken on deck. The first is as we were sailing into the Norwegian Fjords one June morning at 4 am (very breezy and very cold) while the second is from a UK cruise where the silent disco was held on deck in August (a bit chilly even though the day was warm hence the hoodie).

image of women on deck of cruise ship wearing winter coat and hat

image of a women sitting on deck on a cruise ship in front of a swimming pool with headphones on

The only dress code restrictions that P&O ask you to follow during the day are

that footwear is always worn around the ship (unless you are by the swimming pool)
that swimwear is not worn in the bars, restaurants or lounges onboard.

Should you feel peckish or would like a drink when by the pool there are a few bars and food stands in the area. So, you can grab a bite to eat without worrying about being in your swimwear.

If you would like to go to the buffet or main dining from the pool area, you should take something you can change into. There are changing rooms nearby. Alternatively, you can pop back to your cabin and have a quick freshen up.

If you are heading on shore when in port it is worth packing some comfortable shoes. It is easy to rack up the steps without realising when wandering around exploring.

You should also be mindful of any local culture and customs. For example, some regions and attractions may require you to cover up various parts of the body. So, make sure you pop a shawl, light jacket or jumper into your suitcase.

It is also a good idea to check the weather forecast in the days leading up to your departure. If rain is forecast at your cruise destination then you’ll want to pack a rain jacket and umbrella. If it is looking like being hot and sunny, pop in some light clothes, sunglasses and of course some sunscreen.

Evening Dress Code

When thinking what to wear on a cruise in the evening, ballgowns, cocktail dresses and tuxedo’s may spring to mind. While they are great options for formal nights, most evenings on a cruise are not that traditional.

On P&O’s ships, there are two evening dress codes.

Evening casual
Black Tie

The majority of nights on your cruise will be evening casual with up to four black tie nights depending on which ship you are cruising on and the length of your cruise.

The evening the dress code is always evening casual for those under 17. Even if it is black tie for adults. Of course, that is not to say they can’t dress up too. On the cruises I’ve been on many of the little kids did dress up and they looked fabulous.

Evening casual

The dress code on evening casual nights is fairly relaxed. If you think along the lines of a nice evening out at home you won’t go far wrong.

So, for ladies that includes dresses, skirts or trousers with stylish top. For men, smart casual trousers and open neck shirts are a great option. You can also wear jeans but they should be smart dark denim and not ripped or torn. I’ve often worn my black jeans and had no issues.

If you are cruising in the Caribbean, tailored shorts may be worn in the bars on deck and in the buffet.

The only types of clothing you are asked not to wear are tracksuits, football shirts or trainers.

Celebration Night

Celebration Night is P&O’s take on the traditional formal night.

It is a night of glitz and glamour but a little more modern and less stuffy than you might expect. That said it is still the night you get to dress up in your most chic outfit or tuxedo or smartest suit.

For ladies, it is a chance to wear a cocktail dress, ballgown or some smart trousers and a sparkly top. Or in my case a rare opportunity to wear some sparkly shoes!

While for men, tuxedos or a suit, jacket and tie are suitable for this night. Military uniforms or formal national dress may also be worn. Although you’ll need to leave any ceremonial blades or swords at home. So, that will save you some space in your luggage!

How many Black Tie nights on P&O Cruises?

The number of Celebration Nights, where the dress code is black tie, depends on the length of your cruise.

On the family-friendly ships, Arvia and Iona, you can expect one black tie night on cruises up to 13 nights in duration. For cruises that are 14 nights long, there will usually be two black tie nights.

The rest of the fleet has more Celebration Nights, again depending on how long your cruise is.

2-6 nights usually have one black tie evening
7-13 nights have two black tie evenings
14 nights have four black tie evenings

When does each dress code apply?

Keep an eye on Horizon, the daily planner that is delivered to your cabin each evening, for details of which dress code applies for the following evening.

You’ll find this information on the front page just under the header. Below are two examples of how the information is displayed.

image of the P&O dress code notice in the daily magazine

You can also see which dress code to follow on the My Holiday web page once onboard.

The dress code on P&O Cruises comes into effect at 6pm across their ships. If you are out and about around the ship, be prepared for the crew to let you know about the change. You may also receive a strange look or two from fellow passengers if you are in a venue where black tie is required around this time.

When I was last on Iona, I spent one afternoon in the Crow’s Nest. I was wearing jeans and a light jumper. Around 5.30 ish one of the bar staff wandered over to let me know that the dress code was changing at 6pm.

I left when I finished my drink however, people were already gathering for early evening meals in The Epicurean and I did overhear someone make a comment about me as I left.

It was a bit unnecessary as the dress code was only just about to come into effect but is an example of how seriously some people take it and are not afraid to let you know if they think you are not adhering to it.

What bars and restaurants does the dress code apply to?

While the dress code is generally ship wide, it is only enforced in certain venues. If you turn up items of clothing that don’t fit the dress code be prepared that you might be turned away from those venues.

Below is a guide to what venues the P&O evening dress codes apply to.

Ship	Bars & Restaurants
Arcadia	Main dining room (Meridian) The Crow’s Nest Intermezzo Sindhu Ocean Grill
Aurora	Main Dinning Room (Alexandria and Medina) Anderson’s The Crow’s Nest Sindhu The Glasshouse
Arvia	Main Dinning Rooms (Meridian and Zenith) The Chef’s Table The Crow’s Nest The Epicurean Green & Co Sindhu Find out more about the bars and restaurants on Arvia
Azura	Main Dining Rooms (Meridian and Peninsular) Blue Bar The Epicurean The Glasshouse Planet Bar
Britannia	Main Dinning Rooms (Meridian, Peninsular, Oriental) The Crow’s Nest The Epicurean Sindhu
Iona	Main Dining Rooms (Aqua, Coral, Pearl) The Chef’s table The Crow’s Nest The Epicurean Find out more about the bars and restaurants on Iona
Ventura	Main Dining Rooms (Cinnamon and Saffron) Bay Tree The Glass House The Epicurean Red Bar Sindhu

Venues the dress code applies to

Do you have to dress up for Celebration Night?

Formal nights on a cruise ship can be a bit like marmite. Some people love them while others hate them. Whichever camp you fall into, you can have a enjoyable – and comfortable – night.

If you like the opportunity to dress up in your finest outfit, you’ll find plenty of others will be getting out the glitz and glamour too. You’ll be able to dine in the main dining room and many of the speciality restaurants.

However, if dressing up isn’t your thing don’t worry. You won’t have to spend the night locked away in your cabin or sneaking around the ship trying not to be seen.

A few venues, such as the Horizon Restaurant and most of the bars still have an evening casual dress code even on Celebration Night.

There is also the option of room service (or should that be cabin service) if you really want to avoid it all!

It is worth giving it a go though. You might be surprised at how much you enjoy it. I usually cruise solo so feel bit of a twit dressing up just to eat alone. However, on the occasions I have joined in, it’s been a great evening so I was glad I didn’t miss out.

The Last Word

P&O Cruises make it super easy to navigate the dress code on board their ships.

If you pack like you would for a resort holiday with some comfortable clothes for the day and a few nice outfits for the evening you will be fine. Just remember to pack your most glamorous outfit for Celebration Night.

Also don’t forget to check the weather forecast for the destination you are cruising to and pack accordingly.

Cruise Lines, Cruise Packing, P&O Cruises

Understanding the P&O Cruises Dress Code – What to wear on your cruise