How many formal nights are there, and how do I find the dates?

You can find your formal and celebration night dates and how many there are using My Calendar in My P&O Cruises.

Formal nights

Last updated: 22/04/2026

What are formal nights?

Also known as celebration nights, or black tie nights, formal nights are evenings on board your ship where a formal dress code applies in venues around the ship, such as the main restaurants and bars. Guests can dress up for the occasion, and they often make for memorable nights on board. However, for guests who prefer to dress more casually, there are venues where this dress code doesn’t apply. 

If your cruise is still some time away, you may not see details on dress codes until closer to your departure.

Learn more about our formal night dress codes, see What is the dress code on board?

The number of formal nights varies by cruise, so be sure to find your exact dates and formal night details within My P&O Cruises and pack accordingly.

How many formal nights will there be?

The number of formal nights on your cruise depends on your itinerary, but as a guide, you can expect the following:

Arvia and Iona:

  • 2-10 nights – 1 formal night
  • 11-14 nights – 2 formal nights
  • 15-19 nights – 3 formal nights

Arcadia, Aurora, Azura, Britannia, Ventura:

  • 1-6 nights – 1 formal night
  • 7-10 nights – 2 formal nights
  • 11-13 nights – 3 formal nights
  • 14-19 nights – 4 formal nights

You can find your exact dates in My Calendar in My P&O Cruises.

How to find your formal night dates

 

  1. Log in to My P&O Cruises.
    For advice on this please see our article on logging in.
  2. Go to the Manage My Booking in the secondary navigation bar. (This may appear at the top when you scroll)
  3. Select My Calendar in the sub menu.
  4. View your itinerary in your calendar, choosing a day, week or month format.
  5. Select a date to see more details.
  6. Look for the Dress Code section.
  7. Check for days marked 'Black Tie'.

    8. Read our article, 'What is the dress code on board?' to understand more about dress codes.

Still need help?

Still have questions? Our friendly Customer Contact Centre is always happy to help! Contact us today on 0344 338 8003.

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