The Essential Cruise Shop's Guide to Emerald Cruises Dress Code.
Packing for your Emerald Cruises holiday is simple and stress-free. The onboard atmosphere is relaxed and comfortable, whether you're sailing on an award-winning European Star-Ship or a luxury ocean yacht. This guide covers everything you need to know about the dress code, ensuring you pack perfectly for your adventure.
Daytime Dress Code: What to Wear from Morning to Evening
During the day, the dress code is casual and practical, both on and off the vessel. Comfort is your top priority, especially for the included daily excursions. Your packing should reflect your itinerary and the type of cruise you've chosen.
- European River Cruises (Rhine, Danube, Douro etc.): Layers are your best friend. Pack comfortable walking shoes for cobbled streets, plus casual trousers, jeans, or shorts. Include a mix of t-shirts, polo shirts, and light sweaters or a fleece. A light waterproof jacket is essential. For visiting churches or cathedrals, a scarf or pashmina is useful for covering your shoulders.
- Southeast Asia River Cruises (Mekong): Focus on light, loose-fitting, and breathable fabrics like cotton and linen. Sun protection is crucial, so pack a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, and high-SPF sunscreen. For visits to temples and pagodas, you will need modest clothing that covers your shoulders and knees.
- Luxury Yacht Cruises (Caribbean, Mediterranean, Seychelles): Think stylish resort wear. Pack swimwear, elegant cover-ups, shorts, sundresses, and t-shirts. Water shoes are useful for certain beach excursions, and comfortable sandals or deck shoes are a must.
General Public Areas (Lounges, Atrium, Cafés)
Comfortable, casual clothing is the norm. The ships are air-conditioned, so having a light cardigan or sweater with you is a good idea.
Pool Decks and Outdoor Spaces
On the river Star-Ships, the sun deck and pool area are very casual. On the luxury yachts, swimwear and resort wear are appropriate around the pool areas.
Daytime Dining (Main Dining Room & Buffet)
For breakfast and lunch, the dress code is casual across all vessels. A few simple rules apply:
- Footwear is always required in the restaurants.
- Please wear a shirt or cover-up over swimwear when entering any indoor dining venue.
Evening Dress Codes Explained
In the evenings, the atmosphere becomes a little more refined. Emerald Cruises adopts a simple and elegant approach, with one consistent dress code for the evenings.
Smart Casual Evenings
The dress code every evening is Smart Casual. This strikes the perfect balance between being relaxed and feeling appropriately dressed for the elegant dining venues. There are no formal nights onboard.
- For Men: Open-neck collared shirts or polo shirts with smart trousers or chinos. Smart, dark-wash jeans are also acceptable. A blazer or sports jacket is optional but would not be out of place.
- For Women: A stylish dress, a skirt or smart trousers with an elegant top, or a fashionable jumpsuit.
What Not to Wear
In the evenings, the following items are not considered appropriate for the main dining venues (Reflections Restaurant on river ships, La Cucina on yachts):
- Shorts
- Swimwear
- Flip-flops or sliders
- Sportswear or athletic wear
Formal Night / Gala Evening
Emerald Cruises has a no formal nights policy. You do not need to pack a tuxedo, suit, or evening gown. The most special evenings on your cruise are the Captain's Welcome and Farewell Dinners. On these nights, many guests choose to dress up a little more, perhaps with a cocktail dress for ladies and a blazer for gentlemen, but this is entirely optional. The dress code remains officially Smart Casual.
Dress Codes by Venue (Evening)
The evening dress code is straightforward and applies to the main social hubs of the ship.
- The Main Dining Room (Reflections/La Cucina): The dress code is always Smart Casual.
- Speciality Dining Restaurants: On the ocean yachts, this also applies to speciality dining areas. The Aqua Pool Café offers a more relaxed, alfresco option in the evenings where the dress code is more casual.
- The Buffet / Lido Marketplace: Buffet-style dining is generally not offered in the evenings on Emerald Cruises.
- The Main Theatre or Show Lounge: The Smart Casual dress code extends to the Horizon Lounge (on river ships) and the Amphitheatre (on yachts), where guests gather for evening entertainment and briefings.
- Bars and Lounges: A smart casual approach is appreciated in all bar and lounge areas in the evening.
Common Themed Nights & Special Events
While there are no costume-themed party nights, your cruise may feature special evenings that reflect the local culture. For example, on a Danube river cruise, there might be a Bavarian-themed dinner with local music and cuisine. You are not expected to dress in costume; these events are about enjoying the food and atmosphere. The dress code remains Smart Casual.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Emerald Cruises Dress Code
Can I wear jeans on Emerald Cruises?
Yes, smart jeans (dark, without rips or tears) are perfectly acceptable for evenings in the dining venues on both the river Star-Ships and the ocean yachts.
Are shorts allowed in the Main Dining Room in the evening?
No, shorts are not considered appropriate for any of the main dining venues during the evening. They are perfectly fine for breakfast, lunch, and for casual meals at the Aqua Pool Café on the ocean yachts.
How many formal nights will be on my cruise?
There are no formal nights on Emerald Cruises. The evening dress code is consistently 'smart casual'. There are special occasions like the Captain's Welcome and Farewell Dinners where guests often choose to dress a bit more elegantly, but tuxedos and gowns are not required or expected.
Do I really need a dinner jacket or a gown for the Captain's Dinner?
No, this is not necessary. While the Captain's Welcome and Farewell Dinners are special occasions, the dress code remains smart casual. For men, a collared shirt and trousers are sufficient, though a blazer or sports jacket would fit in perfectly. For women, a stylish dress, skirt and blouse, or elegant trousers are ideal. A gown is not required.
What is the dress code for children and teenagers?
Emerald Cruises primarily caters to an adult audience, with a policy of not carrying passengers under 12 years of age. For any teenagers onboard, the dress code is the same as for adults.
Is the dress code strictly enforced?
The dress code is in place to ensure a pleasant and comfortable atmosphere for all guests. It is generally expected that guests will adhere to the smart casual guidelines in the evenings. Enforcement is relaxed and polite, focusing on ensuring everyone enjoys their dining experience.
Expert Packing Tips for Any Itinerary
A little smart packing will enhance your journey.
- For your River Cruise: Pack an adaptor for European two-pin sockets. A small, foldable backpack is invaluable for carrying essentials like a water bottle, camera, and any purchases during shore excursions. Comfortable, supportive shoes cannot be over-emphasised.
- For your Yacht Cruise: Don't forget your binoculars for spotting marine life and viewing coastlines from your balcony. Pack ample high-quality sunscreen, after-sun lotion, and any preferred seasickness medication, just in case.
- For any Emerald Cruise: Pack your fitness gear to use the onboard gym or take part in EmeraldACTIVE classes and excursions. All staterooms and suites have hairdryers, so you can leave yours at home.
Please remember that items that generate heat, such as clothing irons and travel steamers, are not permitted onboard for safety reasons. Surge-protected extension leads are also generally prohibited.
This information is believed to be correct at the time of publishing, however policies can change at short notice, and may vary in their implementation from ship to ship.
For the most current information, please visit the official Emerald Cruises website:
