P&O Cruises dress code explained: What to wear onboard

Last updated: 26/05/2026

If you’re new to cruising, knowing what to pack for a P&O Cruises holiday can feel a little confusing at first. From relaxed daytime outfits to formal evenings, the dress code onboard can vary depending on the time of day, your itinerary and the type of ship you’re sailing on. 

The good news is that P&O Cruises keeps things fairly straightforward. Most days onboard are casual, with guests wearing comfortable holiday clothing around the ship and on excursions. In the evenings, the atmosphere becomes slightly smarter, with a mix of Evening Casual and Formal nights throughout the cruise.

Formal nights are still part of many P&O Cruises sailings, although not every venue onboard follows the same dress expectations. You don’t need to wear black tie every evening, and many ships still offer alternative dining venues with more relaxed dress expectations.

In this guide, we explain the P&O Cruises dress code in simple terms, including what people actually wear during the day, what to expect on formal nights and what you may want to pack before your holiday. 

Yes - P&O Cruises does have a dress code, but it’s much more relaxed and straightforward than many think. Most days onboard are casual, with guests dressing comfortably for the weather, activities and excursions. Evenings are slightly smarter, particularly in restaurants, theatres and bars. 

During the day, guests typically wear casual holiday clothing such as shorts, t-shirts, sundresses, swimwear around the pool and comfortable footwear. On warmer itineraries, lightweight clothing is common, while cruises to cooler destinations may require layers and waterproof jackets for excursions. 

Evening dress codes on P&O Cruises are usually split into two categories: Evening Casual and Formal. The dress code can vary depending on the restaurant, venue and evening schedule, so guests aren’t expected to dress formally every night. On many sailings, there’s a mixture of smart-casual evenings and a smaller number of formal nights throughout the cruise.

The easiest way to check the dress code each day is through Horizon, P&O Cruises’ daily onboard planner. Horizon is delivered to your cabin or available digitally through the My Holiday app. It shows the day’s activities, entertainment schedules and the evening dress code. 

Read next: P&O Cruises My Holiday app: How it works & what you need to know

During the day, P&O Cruises' dress code is very relaxed. Most guests dress exactly as they would for a typical holiday, especially on warm-weather itineraries. Think shorts, t-shirts, polo shirts, sundresses, skirts and lightweight trousers. 

Around the pool decks, swimwear is completely acceptable. However, P&O Cruises asks guests to cover up when moving inside the ship’s restaurants, lounges and public areas. Shoes are also expected indoors rather than bare feet. 

Comfort is usually the priority during the day, particularly on sea days and excursion days. Many guests wear trainers, sandals or comfortable walking shoes for exploring ports or spending time on deck. If you’re visiting cooler destinations, layers, waterproof jackets and warmer clothing are often useful, especially when outdoors. Meanwhile, Caribbean and Mediterranean cruises tend to feature much lighter clothing and beachwear. 

Excursion days are often more practical than stylish. Guests heading ashore usually dress for the activities they have planned. That might mean comfortable sightseeing clothes, beachwear, activewear or modest clothing. 

P&O Cruises asks guests to dress slightly smarter than during the day, particularly in restaurants, bars and entertainment venues. Most cruises follow a mix of Evening Casual and Formal dress codes, with the required dress code listed each day in Horizon.

Evenings on board tend to be smart-casual rather than overly formal. While some guests enjoy dressing up, others prefer to keep things simple and comfortable. 

Evening Casual is the most common dress code on P&O Cruises and is designed to feel smart without being too formal. Most guests wear outfits similar to what they might choose for dinner at a nice restaurant or hotel. 

For men, this often means polo shirts, collared shirts, chinos, smart trousers or dark jeans paired with closed-toe shoes or smart trainers. Jackets and ties are not usually required on Evening Casual nights.

For women, dresses, skirts, jumpsuits, smart trousers, blouses and polished evening outfits are all common choices. Many guests choose outfits that feel comfortable while still looking polished enough for dinner and evening entertainment. 

Swimwear, beachwear, sportswear and sleeveless vests are generally not permitted in restaurants or evening venues. While smart jeans are often acceptable on Evening Casual nights, ripped denim or overly casual clothing may not be permitted in some restaurants. 

Overall, Evening Casual is polished without being overly formal.

Formal nights are still an important part of the traditional P&O Cruises experience, particularly on longer sailings and special evenings throughout the voyage. These evenings are sometimes referred to as Black Tie nights, although the atmosphere is usually much more relaxed than you might think. 

The good news is that you do not need to wear a tuxedo to enjoy a formal night onboard. While some guests choose tuxedos or dinner jackets, many men simply wear a dark suit with a shirt and tie. Others may choose a blazer and smart trousers, depending on the venue and sailing.

For women, cocktail dresses, evening dresses, jumpsuits, or elegant separates are common choices for formal evenings. Some guests enjoy dressing up, while others prefer a simpler smart outfit.

Importantly, formal wear is not usually required throughout the ship. Guests who do not want to attend formal nights can often dine at more casual venues or choose alternative restaurants with a more relaxed dress code.

Formal nights are intended to create a more dressed-up atmosphere for the evening rather than enforce rigid rules. 

The number of formal nights on a P&O Cruises holiday usually depends on the length of the sailing and the itinerary. Shorter cruises typically have fewer formal evenings, while longer cruises often include more throughout the voyage.

Caribbean cruises, world cruises, and longer itineraries may feature more formal nights than shorter European sailings. Family-friendly ships may also feel slightly more relaxed than adult-only ships.

Guests can check how many formal nights are expected before sailing, with details usually included in cruise information and confirmed onboard through Horizon. 

Packing for a P&O Cruises holiday is usually much simpler than you’d expect. Most guests spend their days in relaxed holiday clothing, with slightly smarter outfits for the evenings. Exactly what you pack will depend on your destination, the length of your cruise, and whether you plan to attend formal nights.

A good rule is to pack for three parts of your cruise: daytime, evenings and shore excursions. 

During the day, most guests wear comfortable holiday clothing such as: 

• T-shirts and tops 
• Shorts and skirts 
• Sundresses or casual dresses
• Lightweight trousers or chinos
• Swimwear and cover-ups
• Sunglasses and hats
• Lightweight layers or jumpers for cooler evenings

If you’re travelling to destinations like Northern Europe, waterproof jackets and warmer layers are often useful for excursions and outdoor decks. Cruises to warmer destinations usually call for lighter clothing and breathable fabrics. 

For Evening Casual nights, most guests pack:

• Polo shirts or collared shirts
• Smart tops or blouses
• Dresses or jumpsuits
• Smart trousers or dark jeans
• Comfortable smart shoes 

You don’t need to pack extremely formal clothing for every evening. Many evenings onboard follow a smart-casual dress code rather than full formalwear. 

If you plan to take part in formal nights, you may also want to pack:

• A suit, blazer or dinner jacket
• Shirts and ties
• Cocktail dresses or eveningwear
• Smart shoes or heels
• Accessories or jewellery for formal evenings

A smart suit or elegant dress is usually more than enough for formal evenings on board. 

Practical footwear is particularly important on cruises, especially during port days and excursions. Many guests pack:

• Walking shoes or trainers
• Sandals or flip-flops for pool decks
• Smart evening shoes
• Comfortable shoes for sightseeing excursions

Excursion clothing will vary depending on your itinerary and activities. Beach days, city sightseeing, walking tours and adventure excursions may all require slightly different outfits. So it’s worth checking your planned excursions before travelling. 

For most men, packing for a P&O Cruises holiday is fairly straightforward. During the day, the atmosphere on board is relaxed, so casual holiday clothing is perfectly acceptable. In the evenings, outfits tend to be slightly smarter, particularly in restaurants and entertainment venues. 

During the day, many men wear: 

• T-shirts or polo shirts
• Shorts or lightweight chinos
• Casual shirts
• Trainers, sandals or deck shoes
• Swimwear around the pool areas

Cruises to cooler destinations may require waterproof jackets, jumpers or layers for outdoor activities. 

On Evening Casual nights, most men choose smart-casual outfits similar to what they might wear to a restaurant at home. Polo shirts, collared shirts, chinos, smart trousers, and dark jeans are all common choices on board. Smart trainers are often acceptable in many venues, although sportswear, sleeveless tops and beachwear are generally discouraged in restaurants during the evening. 

Formal nights are generally far less intimidating than many first-time cruisers expect. While some guests enjoy wearing tuxedos or dinner jackets, many men simply wear a dark suit with a shirt and tie. Some restaurants and venues may still encourage jackets on formal evenings. 

For women, packing for a P&O Cruises holiday is usually more about comfort and practicality than following strict dress rules. During the day, most guests wear relaxed holiday clothing suited to the weather, excursions and activities onboard.

Common daytime outfits include:

• Sundresses or casual dresses
• Shorts, skirts or lightweight trousers 
• T-shirts, blouses or casual tops 
• Swimwear and cover-ups around the pool
• Sandals, trainers or comfortable walking shoes

For shore excursions, comfortable footwear is often essential, especially for sightseeing tours or longer days ashore. Cruises to cooler destinations may also require warmer layers, waterproof jackets or clothing suitable for cooler weather. 

In the evenings, many women choose smart-casual outfits for dinner and entertainment venues. Dresses, jumpsuits, smart trousers, skirts and blouses are all common onboard, and there’s usually plenty of flexibility in what guests choose to wear. 

Formal nights also tend to feel much more relaxed than many first-time cruisers expect. Some guests enjoy dressing up in cocktail dresses or eveningwear, while others prefer simpler smart outfits or elegant separates. There’s no expectation to wear ball gowns or overly formal clothing unless you want to.

Many guests also pack a mix of daytime shoes, evening footwear and practical walking shoes for excursions. 

Technically no. The core evening dress codes for P&O Cruises do not vary by ship. However, the atmosphere can feel slightly different depending on the ship, itinerary and type of cruise you choose. 

The larger ships in the fleet generally feel slightly more modern and informal, particularly during popular family cruises. Evening Casual nights on these ships are often less formal, with many guests opting for smart-casual outfits. 

In contrast, adult-only ships such as Arcadia and Aurora tend to have a more traditional cruise atmosphere. Formal nights are often embraced more enthusiastically onboard, with some guests choosing suits, cocktail dresses or black-tie outfits for special evenings. That said, the atmosphere is still usually friendly and approachable rather than overly strict. 

The itinerary can also influence what guests wear. Caribbean cruises usually have a more casual feel, with lighter fabrics, summer clothing, and a more casual evening feel. Cruises to cooler climes often involve warmer layers, waterproof jackets, and slightly more practical daytime clothing.

School holiday sailings also tend to feel more casual overall than longer adult-focused voyages. On these sailings, many guests prioritise comfort and practicality, especially during busy sea days and excursion-heavy itineraries.

Ultimately, while P&O Cruises does have evening dress codes, most guests quickly find a style that suits both the ship and the atmosphere onboard. 

Useful links: Arcadia | Arvia | Aurora | Azura | Britannia | Iona | Ventura 

P&O Cruises is generally far less formal than many first-time cruisers imagine. Staff are friendly and helpful if guests are unsure about what to wear. 

If a guest is not dressed appropriately, they may simply be asked to use an alternative venue with a more relaxed dress code. For example, during formal nights, some venues on board may still allow more casual clothing. 

The dress code isn’t about enforcing strict rules. It’s more about maintaining the atmosphere in certain restaurants and evening venues. Even on formal evenings, there’s usually some flexibility depending on where you choose to spend your time. 

P&O Cruises also isn’t considered as formal as some ultra-luxury cruise lines, where dress codes can feel much stricter. Some guests enjoy dressing up for the evening, while others prefer understated smart-casual outfits. 

Overall, most guests find the P&O Cruises dress code far easier to follow than they expected before travelling. Daytime is very casual, while evenings usually follow a smart-casual dress code, with fewer formal nights throughout the cruise. 

Although formal evenings remain part of the traditional cruise experience, there’s rarely pressure to dress formally in every venue onboard. Many guests choose simple smart outfits rather than black tie, particularly on shorter or more casual sailings. 

Ultimately, P&O Cruises aims to create a smart evening atmosphere without making guests feel uncomfortable or out of place. For most first-time cruisers, the dress code quickly becomes a simple part of everyday life onboard. 

Yes, smart jeans are usually acceptable on Evening Casual nights onboard P&O Cruises, particularly in bars, lounges and many dining venues. However, ripped, faded or overly casual denim may not be suitable for some restaurants or formal evenings. 

No, a tuxedo is not required on P&O Cruises' formal nights. While some guests choose black tie or dinner jackets, many men simply wear a suit and tie or a blazer with smart trousers. 

Trainers are widely worn during the day, especially around the ship and on excursions. Smart trainers may also be acceptable on Evening Casual nights. Sportswear and overly casual footwear are generally discouraged in some evening venues and restaurants.

Shorts are usually acceptable during the day, but evening venues and restaurants typically expect slightly smarter attire after dinner. On Evening Casual nights, most guests choose trousers, dresses or smart-casual outfits instead.

Yes, children are generally expected to follow the evening dress code in restaurants and entertainment venues, although the atmosphere onboard is usually relaxed and family-friendly. Many families choose smart-casual outfits for children rather than formal wear. 

Caribbean itineraries usually involve lighter clothing, sandals, swimwear and breathable fabrics because of the warmer climate. Evening dress codes still apply, although many guests choose lighter smart-casual outfits suitable for warmer weather. 

Black Tie is P&O Cruises’ formal evening dress code, usually featured on selected nights during your cruise. While some guests choose tuxedos or evening gowns, many simply wear a smart suit or elegant dress, and alternative dining venues are often available for guests who prefer a more casual evening.