Dinner attire?

[DMLAINI]

What is the dress code for dinner on DCL? We do not have a formal night. We are leaving from NYC next Oct. & it will be chilly so would jeans be ok for the first night of dinner?

 

[TRTRguy]

Pretty much anything but a swimsuit or tank top. We were shorts and a t shirt each night. Even on formal night it is only a recommendation

 

[Geomom]

We wore jeans/t-shirts on both our Alaska (Disney Wonder) and Northern European (Disney Magic) cruises for all but formal/semi formal nights. We didn't feel out of place. We did dress up for formal/semi formal nights.

 

[Cruising Engineer]

For the MDR (main dining rooms) it can be casual (not beach) attire. Totally different story for Palo/Remy.
Formal does not mean gown and tiara, but you could. I just put on something nice for the evening dinner.

 

[Bonnie1222]

Q.

Are there dress codes or guidelines regarding dressing for dinner?
A.

In general, most onboard dining locations are "cruise casual,” so casual attire, such as shorts and T-shirts, is permitted, with the exception of swimwear and tank tops. Most cruises have special theme nights that provide opportunities to dress up for a one-of-a-kind family photo. Here's a breakdown of special dress events by cruise itinerary:
3-night cruises:

• One cruise casual night—no swimwear or tank tops
• One pirate night themed deck party
• One optional “dress-up night"—jacket for men, dress or pantsuit for women

4-night cruises:

• First night is cruise casual—no swimwear or tank tops
• One pirate night themed deck party
• One optional dress-up night—jacket for men, dress or pantsuit for women
• Final night is cruise casual—no swimwear or tank tops

7-night cruises:

• First night is cruise casual—no swimwear or tank tops
• One pirate night or other themed deck party
• 3 additional cruise casual nights—no swimwear or tank tops
• One formal and one semi-formal night—both give you the opportunity to dress up and take advantage of the onboard photography services. Though optional, we recommend dress pants with a jacket or a suit for men, and dress or pantsuit for women

 

[StarSeven7]

I'm curious as to what they mean by no tank tops? Does this mean something that you would wear only to the beach or any sleeveless shirt for women? A lot of my dressier tops are sleeveless and what I would call a tank top but they're not anything I would wear to the beach as a coverup. Is that something that would be permitted?

 

[Geomom]

I'm curious as to what they mean by no tank tops? Does this mean something that you would wear only to the beach or any sleeveless shirt for women? A lot of my dressier tops are sleeveless and what I would call a tank top but they're not anything I would wear to the beach as a coverup. Is that something that would be permitted?

Dressier sleeveless tops are fine.

The 'no tank tops' for women, I picture formfitting material...like a camisole with thicker straps...you know...tank tops...like I used to wear when it was hot out when I was 16 and ended up with men ogling me...but I was too young to know any better back in the 80's....so these days maybe a sleeveless shirt you'd wear working out but wouldn't want to be seen in 'public' in. For men, they mean the sleeveless muscle tees.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I'm curious as to what they mean by no tank tops? Does this mean something that you would wear only to the beach or any sleeveless shirt for women? A lot of my dressier tops are sleeveless and what I would call a tank top but they're not anything I would wear to the beach as a coverup. Is that something that would be permitted?

The general feeling is they mean something like this:


Not this:

 

[StarSeven7]

Ok phew! Most of the tops I would bring along for cruise casual nights I would describe as "tank tops" but they're dressier looking like the picture you showed! Thanks for the responses!

 

[Mainsail Minnie]

The norm I've observed (this is separate from DCL's rules) is that most guests wear cruise casual to dinner. Cruise casual ranges from nice shorts or nice jeans coordinated with nice tops on the more casual side, to slacks/skirts & nice shirts/blouses or dresses on the less casual side.

What cruise casual is not is the kind of clothing that a person might throw on without thinking to hang around the house in or do yard work in, such as old t-shirts or old jeans, uncoordinated shorts & t-shirts, tank tops, baseball caps, plastic flip flops, etc. I'm not saying you'll never see that at dinner at the MDR, but that is not the norm for DCL in my experience of cruising 5 times within the past four years.

 

[DisneyWishes14]

You will see a wide range of dress in the MDR's, from dresses, dress slacks and collared shirts to jeans, shorts and t-shirts (everything in between). Unfortunately, on our last cruise, we actually saw a young teen wearing swim bottoms and a rash guard shirt at dinner. It probably depends on which ship your are on (this was on the Fantasy) and who is staffing the MDR that evening, but it did not seem the minimal dress code that is published was being enforced at all.

 

[CamColt]

I personally like to dress a little nicer than my day attire(shorts and tshirt), for example I will wear capris, a nice top, and dressy sandals but as noted above you will see everything.

On a side note I dressed up on semi formal night on our cruise this past August. It was to the point I felt uncomfortably overdressed as VERY few people went along with the semi formal idea. As much as I like dressing up, I'm not sure I would do that again.

 

[Rob1872]

On a side note I dressed up on semi formal night on our cruise this past August. It was to the point I felt uncomfortably overdressed as VERY few people went along with the semi formal idea. As much as I like dressing up, I'm not sure I would do that again.

I know what you mean. On our optional dress up night my wife was in a formal dress and I was in Dinner Dress Blues (how often do I get to wear them!!). We were practically the only people on the ship looking like that!

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I know what you mean. On our optional dress up night my wife was in a formal dress and I was in Dinner Dress Blues (how often do I get to wear them!!). We were practically the only people on the ship looking like that!

I love dressing up. I've always dressed for formal AND semi-formal nights. On occasion including a tiara. Sometimes there's only a few of us. Often, there are many.

 

[mmouse37]

What is the dress code for dinner on DCL? We do not have a formal night. We are leaving from NYC next Oct. & it will be chilly so would jeans be ok for the first night of dinner?

Do you specifically know you don't have a formal night? Is it a 7 night or longer cruise? I only ask because if it is a 7 night or longer cruise you most likely have a formal night. We are on the October 27th Magic out of NY and have a formal night. We have had a formal night on every one of our 7 night or longer cruises.

From the DCL site for Bahamian and Caribbean cruises

Dining Attire
Disney Cruise Line ships feature an array of diverse dining experiences, from casual to upscale. Be sure to follow the dress code for your restaurant:

• Main Dining – Dining attire is cruise casual in all 3 main dining restaurants, meaning no swimwear or tank tops. Guests often like to dress up, but this is optional.
• Adult Exclusive Dining at Palo and Remy – To preserve the elegant ambiance, you are asked to adhere to a dress code when dining at Palo or at Remy. Please no tank tops, swimsuits, swimsuit cover-ups, shorts, hats, cut-offs, torn clothing, t-shirts with offensive language and/or graphics, flip-flops or tennis shoes. Jeans cannot be worn at Remy; however, they may be worn at Palo if in good condition (no holes).
• Palo – We recommend dress pants or slacks and a collared shirt for men; for women, a dress, skirt or pants and a blouse is requested.
• Remy – For men, a jacket (sports, suit or tuxedo) is required, with a collared shirt, dress pants/slacks and dress shoes; ties are optional. For women, a cocktail dress, evening dress, pant suit or skirt and blouse are required. Please no jeans, shorts, capri pants, leggings, flip-flops or tennis shoes.
• Themed Nights – On 7-night sailings and longer cruises, the ship offers themed nights—including a formal night—and you're encouraged to dress up and participate in the evening's festivities.

Check the DCL Navigator App to find attire advice for each night's dinner.

Edited to add: I just saw that there are only 5 night cruises leaving NYC next year so you are correct...no formal night!! Enjoy your cruise.


MJ

 

[PsylockeSmythe]

I'm one of those that will be in shorts, t-shirt, sandals and baseball hat. I do take off the hat once we sit down, but I can't stand dressing up, and doing so makes me feel uncomfortable (nothing fits me right). I do bring dress slacks and collared shirt for when we eat at Palo, but that is the only night that I'll wear them.

Psy

 

[DMLAINI]

Do you specifically know you don't have a formal night? Is it a 7 night or longer cruise? I only ask because if it is a 7 night or longer cruise you most likely have a formal night. We are on the October 27th Magic out of NY and have a formal night. We have had a formal night on every one of our 7 night or longer cruises.

From the DCL site for Bahamian and Caribbean cruises

Dining Attire
Disney Cruise Line ships feature an array of diverse dining experiences, from casual to upscale. Be sure to follow the dress code for your restaurant:

• Main Dining – Dining attire is cruise casual in all 3 main dining restaurants, meaning no swimwear or tank tops. Guests often like to dress up, but this is optional.
• Adult Exclusive Dining at Palo and Remy – To preserve the elegant ambiance, you are asked to adhere to a dress code when dining at Palo or at Remy. Please no tank tops, swimsuits, swimsuit cover-ups, shorts, hats, cut-offs, torn clothing, t-shirts with offensive language and/or graphics, flip-flops or tennis shoes. Jeans cannot be worn at Remy; however, they may be worn at Palo if in good condition (no holes).
• Palo – We recommend dress pants or slacks and a collared shirt for men; for women, a dress, skirt or pants and a blouse is requested.
• Remy – For men, a jacket (sports, suit or tuxedo) is required, with a collared shirt, dress pants/slacks and dress shoes; ties are optional. For women, a cocktail dress, evening dress, pant suit or skirt and blouse are required. Please no jeans, shorts, capri pants, leggings, flip-flops or tennis shoes.
• Themed Nights – On 7-night sailings and longer cruises, the ship offers themed nights—including a formal night—and you're encouraged to dress up and participate in the evening's festivities.

Check the DCL Navigator App to find attire advice for each night's dinner.

Edited to add: I just saw that there are only 5 night cruises leaving NYC next year so you are correct...no formal night!! Enjoy your cruise.


MJ

We are on a 5 night

 

[Travel60]

I like to dress classy and plan capsule wardrobes for travel. My general plan for dinner on a 7 night is (1)white jeans with nice top and cardigan or nice tunic on first and last nights (most casual), then (2) black dressy pants and nice tops with cardigan or nice tunic for non-formal nights, then (3) black dress with dressier topper (sweater/scarf,etc). One pair of glitzy sandals works for all three. It may sound boring but I try to make my sweaters/scarves/jewelry pop. I also sometimes bring a sundress-type long dress. When we do excursions, they are usually not beach excursions so some of the more casual dinner clothes work for those, too. I used to bring a true long formal dress but sadly, few do anymore and it does take up luggage space for a one-time wear.

 

[Spiffy MacSpiff]

The MacSpiff men and boys wear khakis and polo shirts to dinner every night, and button-downs with ties and khakis on optional dress-up nights. I wear a shirt / blouse and skirt or nice capris most nights, and a dress for optional dress-up nights. In our experience, that's what most people on DCL seem to do. There are people who dress better and a sprinkling of people who wear shorts and/or jeans and t-shirts, but IMHO, the jeans / shorts and t-shirt wearers look (and often seem to feel, although I can't speak for them) out of place.