What should my children wear to dinner on our cruise?

Question

We are going on a Carnival Cruise, and I'm not sure what my children ages 3 to17 should wear. Willl blue jeans and polo shirt be ok for the boys? What about formal night? What should they wear then?

Answer 1

The dress on ship is casual all day until 6:00PM. So take swim wear, shorts, sandals, beach shoes,  sneakers and clothes to workout in if you like to use the gym.

After 6:00 PM they request that you wear "sports casual" attire. That's attire that you would expect an adult person to wear in a business office, shirt with a collar, slacks, etc.  Your boys will be fine wearing slacks and a button-up or pullover shirt with a collar.  They can still wear shorts and swim wear in the pools and spas but not in public areas like dining rooms and restaurants, show rooms, bars, casino, etc.

7-day cruises have two formal nights when you can wear your best stuff and get pictures taken, and maybe meet the ship’s Captain. The formal nights are REQUESTED not required attire. But most people do dress up in a tux for men and a long dress (any color) for women. Kids will be fine with the same sports casual attire unless you want them in a suit and tie for a family photo. Some men just wear a suit and tie and some women wear a nice dress but not a gown.

You will not be denied access to the dining room or anything else if you choose not to dress up. (we usually take off the formal stuff after dinner and pictures anyway).  I have been on many cruises with several cruise lines and seen the dress for dinner and formal nights.  Kids are usually just dressed cleanly, just no shorts ans sneakers.

Answer 2

cruises are more relaxed than transatlantic crossings. for dinner on non-formal nights, blue jeans (nice ones) and a polo would be fine. on the formal nights, trousers, a cotton dress shirt and a blazer would be good. you don't need to wrestle the younger ones into tuxes.

Answer 3

Jeans are not permitted in the  evening diningroom. Have them wear a pair of dockers and a button up shirt. On dress night our son wore him suit.

Answer 4

There will be like a formal night, casual night, and semi formal night.

Boys:

Casual: Khakis, blue jeans, no holes or ripped, nice shoes, and polo shirt or just casual plaid, western, or button up shirt would be fine, short or long sleeves would be okay, depending on their preference.

Semi Formal Night: Slacks and dress shirt. No tie unless you want too, and nice dress shoes.

Formal Night: Nice suit, or slacks, dress shirt, and tie. Also dress shoes. Just dont undress on formal night as you will stick out, in a crowd, and the three year old wont matter as much as he is younger, but the older you are the more they care.

Girls:

Casual: Khakis, polo, skirt, flip flops, just casual wear, even jeans but make sure they have no holes, rips, and are nice looking at least.

Semi Formal: Slacks, skirt, blouse, and heels, or whatever they feel comfortable in.

Formal: A nice dress, or nice skirt and blouse, or pants and a blouse, but something more formal then the rest of the dinner attire. A summery dress or a cocktail, homecoming, or something would due, just fine, but their are lots of options.

Have fun.

Answer 5

for all but the formal night the jeans and a polo will be fine, they would still let him in on formal night, but he might want to have a pair of black slacks and a button down shirt, even the ones made to be worn with no tie would be fine, however is he want more great go with it, there will be a lot of photo opportunities that night too, as far as the 3 year old, I would go as dressy as you dare with still having the child comfortable, but it is easier with that age to find clothe.

When we go my 2 sons (11 and 13) where slacks and even a tie on formal night, khakis or jean the other nights)

Answer 6

I would go for khakis and a polo shirt! For formal dinners, khakis and a sport jacket are appropriate!

Answer 7

That sounds nice for the boys. Formal night would call for a suit or a nice dinner jacket with dress pants, not jeans.  Your three year old could get away with just a nice outfit of any kind. He's just a little guy. have a great time!!!

Answer 8

There are some good answers given.  I agree that blue jeans are not acceptable in the dining room.  Have your boys wear Dockers or some other khaki pants and a clean polo shirt.  A blue blazer and necktie would be good for the older boy.

A cruise is an adult vacation.  If the boys do not want to dress like adults, take them to Disney World.

Answer 9

its a cruise have fun dont worry about dressing up. The only time you have to dress up is if there is a nightclub on board (but thats not formal - just nice).