What to Wear: Cruise Formal Night Outfit Ideas 

Cruise elegant night—sometimes called formal night—is one of the most anticipated evenings aboard a cruise ship. Well, for some. While some folks, me included, like the opportunity to get gussied up and shine in that razzle dazzle, others dislike the stuffiness and formality of it.

But, for those who do enjoy elegant night, it's a chance to dress to the nines, enjoy a sophisticated dining experience in the Main Dining Room (MDR), and capture those picture-perfect moments in a glamorous setting. 

If you’re planning to dress up and participate in Elegant Night, and are looking for some good dress options, I recently did a big Amazon haul for cruise formal dresses, and you can skip to that feedback below. Or, read on to learn a bit more about what to expect with formal nights on cruises. 

Do I have to dress up for cruise formal night?

If you don't want to get dressed up, participating in formal night is completely optional. You can just forego elegant night and dine somewhere other than the MDR. And sometimes, you can still dine in the MDR, even while wearing less formal attire, because cruise line dress codes can vary widely. 

Your best bet to determine elegant night dress code per cruise line, is to search for it online. All of the cruise lines provide this information online, although some, like Holland America Line, tend to be much more strict about enforcement compared to lower-cost cruise lines like Carnival. 

When is Elegant Night on a Cruise?

On shorter cruises, you can expect one formal night, while longer itineraries of seven days or more often feature two.

When cruise formal night happens is not always known in advance of a cruise. Many times, cruisers aren't aware of the actual date of formal nights until they're on the ship. But generally speaking, most cruise lines hold elegant nights on sea days, although this is not always possible as some itineraries have no sea days at all.
 

What to Consider When Buying Cruise Formalwear

Shopping for formal attire for a cruise can present some unique challenges, so here are the things I personally consider when looking for formal dresses for a cruise:

1. Affordability: I used to rent designer gown for formalwear, but over time realized that Amazon has some surprisingly high quality and fashionable options at a fraction of even the rental cost for some designer dresses. Because I don't like to wear the same formal dress repeatedly, I have a need for several options, so I usually aim to spend no more than about $60 on a formal dress. 
   
2. Wrinkle-Resistance: Since irons and steamers aren’t allowed on cruise ships, I prioritize dresses that travel well and won’t wrinkle easily. Some cruise ships have landry rooms or "ironing rooms" with an ironing board and iron, so this can provide an option if needed to press wrinkled clothes. If available, though, these are usually pretty limited and can build up with a line of folks waiting to use the iron on Elegant Nights. So if you want to use the cruise-provided iron, the best bet is to go in a day or two before Elegant Night to iron your clothes to beat the crowds. So when buying formal 
   
3. Carry-On Friendly: As a carry-on-only traveler, I need outfits that pack compactly and maintain their shape. I have to fly to and from cruise ports, so I hate the cost and time associated with checking a bag, so I can't go with dresses that are big and bulky and take up a ton of my limited carry-on space. 
4. Stylish & Comfortable: I’m all about pieces that are flattering, fun, and easy to wear, even for solo cruisers. I hate shapewear, and find it terribly uncomfortable, so I generally opt for dresses that aren't completely unforgiving. This means avoiding overly clingy and shiny fabrices.
   
   

 My Amazon Cruise Formal Wear Haul

I recently ordered nine formal dresses from Amazon, each under $60 to find the best one for an upcoming birthday cruise. Two of them were so awful that they didn't make the cut (this and this). 

For reference, I'm 5'9" and generally wear a size 8/10 in sized clothes. All of the dresses I tried were size large. Note that Amazon uses dynamic pricing, so while I note pricing for each, it's subject to change, as is the availability of certain size and color options. Here's what I liked... and didn't like. 

1. The Red Asymmetrical Dress (Miss)

This sleeveless one-shoulder red dress was cute online, but disappointing in person. The fabric felt like neoprene—clingy, shiny, and unforgiving. The split was awkwardly placed, and the overall design just didn’t work for me. On the upside, it does give more formal and elegance than some of the other options.

It’s best suited for someone with a flawless figure and/or who’s comfortable wearing tight Spanx. Interestingly enough, when I posted this online in video form, a lot of folks seemed to love it, but this one just is not for me.

2. The Dramatic Black Cape Dress (Hit)

This high-split flare sleeve black dress was the clear winner as my absolute favorite of this elegant night dress haul.The dramatic cape added flair, but with the gauzy material it didn't add bulk or weight, and the racerback design offered plenty of support "up top."

It’s perfect for making a grand entrance, giving that elegance while still being comfortable, and the wrinkle-resistant fabric makes it ideal for cruising. It also has a zipper closure, but the material has enough stretch that you can keep the dress zipped up and still put it on over your head, without assistance from someone else to zip you up -- imperative for solo cruisers.

I love the dramatic black, and feeling like the Wicked Witch of the High Seas, but if you want a more colorful like, you'll be glad to know that this dress comes in a ton of other colors. 

3. Barbie Pink Cocktail Dress (Meh)

The bubblegum pink dress was cute but didn’t feel elegant enough for formal night. It’s fine for a cocktail party or casual evening but lacks the sophistication I’d want for a grand dining room setting. It's also very form fitting, which isn't for everyone, and I found the material to be a little cheap feeling, which is not unexpected, given the price.

On a positive note, the asymmetrical neckline adds interest, and the tulip front closure provides some coverage if you want to conceal the tummy area. At around $40, it’s a budget-friendly option for less formal occasions.

5. Faux Velvet Wrap Dress (Hit)

Even when sailing to Caribbean destinations with warm climates, I tend to freeze on cruise ships, especially in the MDR. So what I love about this dress is its faux velvet material that is both cozy and wrinkle-resistant, and the long sleeves. The material is thick, but not enough that it makes you feel bulky, and feels luxurious.

The faux-wrap v-neck style is flattering for my hourglass shape, and the stretchy fabric makes it easy to wear without assistance (no need for someone to zip you up!). And at a price point of just $55, it’s a versatile option that works for formal night or other evening events.

6. Light Blue Cross-Neck Dress (Mixed)

The blue dress had potential, but the fabric was prone to wrinkling. While the cross-neck racerback style neckline and design is stylish, it’s not the easiest to zip up solo. In fact, I'd argue that this one is impossible to zip without assistance, as I am very flexible and couldn't do it. 

I like the color, but this shade of blue in combination with the design of the dress came across looking a little bit too Betty Rubble for me, so I will probably exchange this dress for one in a different color. Thankfully, there are many other color options available for this one. 

What's interesting, is that the product photos make this dress appear to be a high-low style, but that's full length, but for tall girls (I'm 5'9") this doesn't even come close to full-length and is more what I would describe as cocktail length. Which is still totally fine for most cruise lines' Elegant Night dress codes. 

At a price of just $31, this is probably the biggest bargain of all the dresses I tried, when considering the cost compared to the surprisingly high qualify feel of the fabric. 

7. One Shoulder Long Formal Dress (Hit)

This one-shoulder long formal dress is a showstopper. The sleeveless form-fitting design, ruched details, and wrap split make it both sexy and elegant. For a tall girl wearing heels, it misses being full-length by several inches, but still presents as quite formal. Because of the slit, it doesn't come across like you're expecting a flood.

In terms of comfort, it has a great fit that hugs in all the right places. The classic black color and wrinkle-resistant fabric make it a versatile and travel-friendly option. I really like the black personally, but this one also comes in six other colors. It's also under $45, which is a steal.

Tips for Packing Formal Dresses

• Opt for Wrinkle-Free Fabrics: Materials like velvet, stretch jersey, and thicker knits travel well. Avoid cotton and linen fabrics, which are much more prone to wrinkling.
• Use Packing Cubes: They’ll keep your dresses compact and organized. Just don't overstuff them.
• Consider Multipurpose Dresses: Choose versatile pieces you can dress up or down to save space. And don't be afraid to wear the same dress twice if you're on a longer cruise with two Elegant Nights. Trust me, nobody is going o notice! 
• Invest in Comfortable Shoes: My go-to formal night heels are 4-inches with a platform, but I find them comfortable enough to navigate a sometimes rocky cruise ship because they include a strap. I also like that they're closed toe (again, I always freeze in the MDR and I hate cold toes!).
  
  

Final Thoughts

Finding the perfect formal dress for a cruise doesn’t have to be stressful or expensive. With a little planning and the right selections, you can dazzle on formal night without breaking your budget... or overstuffing your suitcase.

If you’re curious about any of the dresses I’ve mentioned, or my favorite shoes, you can check out my Amazon storefront for links to these styles (I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you). I also have on there my favorite cruise essentials and non formal clothes.