We want you to feel comfortable and confident throughout your P&O cruises holiday, so we’ve put together a simple guide to help you pack accordingly.

What is the dress code on board?

What can I wear during the day?

<h2>What can I wear during the day?</h2>
<p><b>Feel free to wear your favourite holiday attire: </b>shorts, T-shirts and sundresses are all fine, or warmer layers on colder cruises. Just remember to wear footwear away from the pool, and keep swimwear out of the lounges, indoor bars, restaurants and reception.</p>


What can I wear during the evening?

<h2>What can I wear during the evening?</h2>
<p>While we encourage you to relax and enjoy your holiday, we do ask that you adhere to a smart casual dress code in our public areas and restaurants during the evening. We also have two main dress codes on board that vary depending on the night:</p>
<p><b>Evening Casual: </b>Think smart casual attire, such as trousers, shirts, smart dark denim, dresses, skirts and tailored shorts.<br>
</p>
<p><b>Black Tie (Celebration Night):</b> This is a more formal evening where we encourage you to dress to impress. A dinner jacket or tuxedo is ideal, but a dark suit and tie is also acceptable. Evening gowns or cocktail dresses also fit the bill.<br>
<br>
These dress codes apply to all main dining restaurants on board as well as in Intermezzo, Epicurean, the Chef’s Table, Sindhu, Ocean Grill, Green &amp; Co, The Crow’s Nest, Anderson’s, Planet Bar/Metropolis, Blue/Red Bar and The Limelight Club.</p>
<p><b>Evening Casual&nbsp;<br>
 </b>The following venues follow the Evening Casual dress code every night:</p>
<ul>
<li>The ship buffet</li>
<li>6th Street Diner</li>
<li>Keel and Cow</li>
<li>The Glass House</li>
<li>The Beach House</li>
</ul>
<p>Guests can wear tailored shorts in these venues as part of the Evening Casual dress code.</p>
<p><b>Evening Dress&nbsp;<br>
 </b>The following venues follow the dress code of the evening, which may be either Evening Casual or Black Tie:</p>
<ul>
<li>Main dining restaurant</li>
<li>Intermezzo</li>
<li>Epicurean</li>
<li>The Chef’s Table</li>
<li>Sindhu</li>
<li>Ocean Grill</li>
<li>Green &amp; Co</li>
<li>The Crow’s Nest</li>
<li>Anderson’s</li>
<li>Planet Bar/Metropolis</li>
<li>Blue/Red Bar</li>
<li>The Limelight Club</li>
</ul>
<p><b>Please note: </b>The required dress standard in these venues changes in line with the planned evening dress theme each evening.&nbsp;</p>


Where can I dine if I don’t want to dress up?

<h2>Where can I dine if I don’t want to dress up?&nbsp;&nbsp;</h2>
<p>If you prefer a more relaxed evening, there are several restaurants to choose from. The ship’s buffet, 6th Street Diner, Keel and Cow, The Glass House and The Beach House all offer an Evening Casual dress code every night.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>


What can’t I wear on board?

<h2>What can’t I wear on board?</h2>
<p><b>Tailored shorts: </b>On Celebration Nights, these can only be worn in the buffet. On Evening Casual nights, you can wear them in the buffet, The Beach House, The Glass House, 6th Street Diner, The Olive Grove and The Keel &amp; Cow.&nbsp;<br>
<br>
<b>Denim:</b> Not permitted on Celebration Nights, except in venues that stay Evening Casual. You'll find these listed in your daily Horizon – the printed programme that gets delivered to your cabin on board each day.</p>


What are ‘Celebration Nights'?

<h2>What are ‘Celebration Nights'?</h2>
<p>Celebration Nights are special evenings on board where guests can enjoy a more formal dining experience and entertainment. These events involve a higher level of dress code (Black Tie) and a more elaborate menu. It's a chance to dress up, savour delicious food, and enjoy the ambience of a special occasion.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>
<p>During our Celebration Nights, most venues will require Black Tie, but there are some venues where this won't apply. You’ll be able to find these in your daily Horizon.<br>
</p>


<p>For more information on our dress codes, <a href="/what-to-wear">click here.</a></p>


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OFFER ENDS 26 AUGUST 2025

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<h2><br>
Related articles</h2>
<p><a href="https://www.pocruises.com/help-hub/centre/life-on-board/events-and-entertainment/formal-nights-dates">How many formal nights are there?</a><br>
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How to book the Limelight Club</a><br>
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<h3>Can I hire formalwear?</h3>
<p>Unfortunately, we currently don’t offer this service on board.</p>
<h3>Do the dress codes apply to children?&nbsp;</h3>
<p>No, dress codes don’t apply to children aged 17 and under. However, they can still dress to impress if they want to. Please be aware, we ask that no denim is worn on Celebration Nights.&nbsp;</p>
<h3>What can I wear on port days?</h3>
<p>Comfortable walking shoes are essential for exploring our exciting destinations. Remember to pack appropriate clothing for the climate and culture of the places you’ll be visiting. Some cultures have specific dress codes, particularly for places of worship. Please respect local customs and dress modestly when visiting religious sites.</p>
<h3>Can I wear religious wear on board?</h3>
<p>You’re welcome to wear national or religious dress on board. If you wear a headdress, depending on the amount of your face it covers, you may be asked to unveil for a security photo at check-in and when passing through security checkpoints ashore and on board during your holiday.</p>
<p><b>Please note: </b>some items of national dress such as ceremonial blades and swords, including Skean Dhus and Kirpans, are not permitted. Please check our list of prohibited items for more information.&nbsp;</p>
<h3>What are the rules on wearing fancy dress?</h3>
<p>Fancy dress, novelty clothing or outfits that feature inappropriate or offensive language or images are not permitted on board. We reserve the right to deny embarkation to guests who are inappropriately dressed.</p>


<p>Dress codes on P&amp;O Cruises ships vary by time of day and venue. Days are relaxed, evenings are smart casual, and every cruise includes at least one Black Tie Celebration Night.&nbsp;Check the dress code before you sail by going to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.pocruises.com/my-pocruises/my-calendar"><b>My Calendar</b></a> within My P&amp;O Cruises so you know exactly what to pack for each day and night on board.</p>


Frequently asked questions

<h2 style="text-align: left;">Frequently asked questions</h2>


What days are Celebration Nights?

<h2>What days are Celebration Nights on my cruise?</h2>
<p>Once on board, you can find the details of each evening's dress code in your daily Horizon, found in your cabin.</p>
<p>If you want to know these details before your holiday, just go to ‘<a href="https://www.pocruises.com/my-pocruises/my-calendar"><b>My Calendar’</b></a> in My P&amp;O Cruises. For a full breakdown of this process, see our <a href="https://www.pocruises.com/help-hub/centre/life-on-board/events-and-entertainment/formal-nights-dates">formal nights and dates</a> article.&nbsp;</p>


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