First-Time Cruisers

Princess Cruises Dress Code: Formal Nights and Smart Casual Explained

Published 3 August 2026 · 2 min read · Cruise Questions Canada editorial team

Quick answerPrincess runs two evening codes — smart casual most nights and formal on one or two nights per cruise (two on a 7-night Alaska sailing) — with formal meaning a suit or jacket for men and an evening dress or elegant separates for women in the dining rooms, while the buffet stays smart casual.

Princess keeps a slightly more traditional formal night than the mass-market lines, in keeping with its slightly older guest profile.

Smart casual

Most nights: trousers, collared shirts, blouses, dresses, skirts. No swimwear, shorts, tank tops or flip-flops at dinner in the dining rooms.

Formal nights

Two on a 7-night cruise, one on shorter sailings, generally sea days. The line suggests a suit or jacket and tie for men and an evening gown or elegant dress for women; in practice a jacket without tie, or dress trousers with a collared shirt, is common and accepted. Alaska sailings run noticeably more relaxed than Caribbean or transatlantic ones, as covered in Alaska Cruise Dress Code.

The buffet and casual venues

Open every night under smart casual — the usual route for guests skipping formal night.

Packing

One step-up outfit covers both formal nights; a blazer earns its space on Princess more than on Carnival or NCL. See Formal Nights on Cruises.

More Princess policies

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Timing formal nights against your ports

On Alaska itineraries, formal nights usually land on the scenic-cruising or sea days — worth confirming for your sailing so an early Juneau morning doesn't follow a late formal dinner.

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Frequently asked questions

How many formal nights are on a 7-night Princess cruise?

Usually two, typically on sea days, announced in the Princess Patter the day before; shorter cruises generally have one.

Do you have to dress up on Princess formal nights?

Only to eat in the main dining rooms and specialty restaurants that evening — the buffet and casual venues stay smart casual, so guests who'd rather not dress up simply eat elsewhere.