Carnival Freedom Main Dining Room A common question, especially for first time cruisers, relates to the dress codes Carnival has set for the main dining rooms at dinner. Guests who do not follow the dress code risk being turned away and asked to change at the door (I have personally seen it happen a few times). Knowing what the dining room dress codes will be for a cruise can help you better plan your packing. This post will discuss Carnival's main dining room dress code policies for the evening dinner experience.
1. Cruise Casual Dress Code vs. Cruise Elegant Dress Code
Carnival uses two different terms to indicate what the night's dress code will be. Cruise Casual is a more relaxed dress code and is the most common dress code for the main dining room on a cruise. Cruise Elegant dress codes happen less and generally only happen 1 time on a cruise that is 2-5 nights in length or 2 times on a cruise that is 6 nights or longer. Carnival's website notes the exact timing of the Cruise Elegant dress codes can vary based on a specific cruise's itinerary, but typically the first Cruise Elegant takes place on the second or third evening of the cruise and for longer cruises with a second elegant evening the next one is the second or third evening prior to the end of the cruise.
2. How will I know what the dress code is when I am on the cruise?
Check your Carnival Hub App for the dress code. If you cannot find the information in the app or do not have the app, you can ask at Guest Services and they will be able to tell you.
1. Cruise Casual Dress Code vs. Cruise Elegant Dress Code
Carnival uses two different terms to indicate what the night's dress code will be. Cruise Casual is a more relaxed dress code and is the most common dress code for the main dining room on a cruise. Cruise Elegant dress codes happen less and generally only happen 1 time on a cruise that is 2-5 nights in length or 2 times on a cruise that is 6 nights or longer. Carnival's website notes the exact timing of the Cruise Elegant dress codes can vary based on a specific cruise's itinerary, but typically the first Cruise Elegant takes place on the second or third evening of the cruise and for longer cruises with a second elegant evening the next one is the second or third evening prior to the end of the cruise.
2. How will I know what the dress code is when I am on the cruise?
Check your Carnival Hub App for the dress code. If you cannot find the information in the app or do not have the app, you can ask at Guest Services and they will be able to tell you.
3. Cruise Casual: Carnival's Clothing Recommendations
Carnival's Frequently Asked Questions recommends the following for guests when the dress code is considered Cruise Casual:
Men: ports slacks, khakis, jeans, long dress shorts and collared polo shirts
Women: summer dresses, casual skirts, pants, capris, dress shorts, jeans blouses and tops
Not permitted: cut-off jeans, men’s sleeveless shirts, tee-shirts, gym or basketball shorts, baseball hats, flip-flops and bathing suit attire
4. Cruise Elegant: Carnival's Clothing Recommendations
Carnival's Frequently Asked Questions recommends the following for guests when the dress code is considered Cruise Elegant:
Men: dress slacks, dress shirts, and we also suggest a sport coat; men may also wish to wear a suit and tie or tuxed
Women: cocktail dresses, pantsuits, elegant skirts and blouses; ladies may also wish to wear an evening gown
Not permitted: jeans, men’s sleeveless shirts, shorts, tee-shirts, sportswear, shorts, baseball hats, flip-flops and bathing suit attire
5. Will guests get turned away for not following the dress code?
Guests that do not follow the main dining room dress code could get turned away from the main dining room. I have seen this happen on a couple of my cruises in the past. Ultimately it depends on the hosts in the main dining room to enforce the dress code. On other cruises I have seen people not follow the dress code and they were not turned away (though they were dressed nice enough in my opinion). If you do not want to risk being turned away, make sure you follow the dress code.
For additional information on Carnival's dining room dress code I recommend you check out this link on Carnival's website: www.carnival.com/help?topicid=1093 (link will take you away from RyG's Cruise Guide)
Carnival's Frequently Asked Questions recommends the following for guests when the dress code is considered Cruise Casual:
Men: ports slacks, khakis, jeans, long dress shorts and collared polo shirts
Women: summer dresses, casual skirts, pants, capris, dress shorts, jeans blouses and tops
Not permitted: cut-off jeans, men’s sleeveless shirts, tee-shirts, gym or basketball shorts, baseball hats, flip-flops and bathing suit attire
4. Cruise Elegant: Carnival's Clothing Recommendations
Carnival's Frequently Asked Questions recommends the following for guests when the dress code is considered Cruise Elegant:
Men: dress slacks, dress shirts, and we also suggest a sport coat; men may also wish to wear a suit and tie or tuxed
Women: cocktail dresses, pantsuits, elegant skirts and blouses; ladies may also wish to wear an evening gown
Not permitted: jeans, men’s sleeveless shirts, shorts, tee-shirts, sportswear, shorts, baseball hats, flip-flops and bathing suit attire
5. Will guests get turned away for not following the dress code?
Guests that do not follow the main dining room dress code could get turned away from the main dining room. I have seen this happen on a couple of my cruises in the past. Ultimately it depends on the hosts in the main dining room to enforce the dress code. On other cruises I have seen people not follow the dress code and they were not turned away (though they were dressed nice enough in my opinion). If you do not want to risk being turned away, make sure you follow the dress code.
For additional information on Carnival's dining room dress code I recommend you check out this link on Carnival's website: www.carnival.com/help?topicid=1093 (link will take you away from RyG's Cruise Guide)