The Essential Cruise Shop's Guide to Fred Olsen Cruise Lines Dress Code.
Navigating the dress code for a Fred Olsen cruise is straightforward and designed to enhance the traditional cruising experience. The atmosphere is generally relaxed during the day, transitioning to a smarter style in the evenings. This guide covers everything you need to know to pack perfectly for your voyage, no matter the destination.
Daytime Dress Code: What to Wear from Morning to Evening
During the day, comfort and practicality are key, both on and off the ship. The recommendations vary significantly based on your itinerary.
- Northern Europe & Fjords: The key here is layering. Pack fleeces, warm sweaters, a waterproof and windproof jacket, comfortable walking shoes or boots, a hat, and gloves. Even in summer, weather can be unpredictable.
- Mediterranean, Canaries & Caribbean: Focus on light, breathable fabrics like cotton, linen, and jersey. Pack shorts, t-shirts, sundresses, swimwear, a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, and high-SPF sunscreen. A light jacket or pashmina is useful for cooler evenings or air-conditioned interiors.
- General Itineraries: Regardless of destination, comfortable shoes are non-negotiable for exploring in port. Pack a smart-casual outfit in your hand luggage for embarkation day, as your main bags may arrive at your cabin later in the day.
General Public Areas (Lounges, Atrium, Cafés)
Casual, comfortable clothing is perfectly acceptable in all indoor public areas during the day. This includes jeans, trousers, shorts, skirts, and casual tops.
Pool Decks and Outdoor Spaces
Swimwear is appropriate for the pool decks, sunbathing areas, and spa facilities. It is recommended to bring a cover-up (like a kaftan, sarong, or t-shirt) and footwear to wear when moving between the pool and other parts of the ship.
Daytime Dining (Main Dining Room & Buffet)
For daytime meals, including lunch in the Main Dining Room or the buffet, the dress code is casual. However, there are a few simple rules:
- Swimwear must be covered. A t-shirt and shorts or a sundress over your swimsuit are required.
- Footwear is required at all times inside the ship's dining venues.
- Bare chests are not permitted in any indoor dining venue.
Evening Dress Codes Explained
After 6:00 PM, the dress code becomes more defined. Fred Olsen operates two main evening dress codes, which will be listed in your 'Daily Times' programme delivered to your cabin.
Smart Casual Evenings
This is the dress code for most evenings on board. The aim is to be well-dressed and comfortable, as if you were going to a nice restaurant at home.
- For Women: This can include stylish dresses, skirts or smart trousers with a blouse, or elegant separates.
- For Men: Chinos or smart trousers with a collared shirt (long or short-sleeved) are ideal. A jacket is optional but many gentlemen choose to wear one. Smart, dark-wash jeans with no rips are generally acceptable.
What Not to Wear
On Smart Casual evenings, the following items are not permitted in the Main Dining Room or speciality restaurants:
- Shorts
- T-shirts with large logos or slogans
- Swimwear
- Bare chests
- Flip-flops
Formal Night
Formal nights are a highlight of the Fred Olsen experience, offering a chance to embrace the glamour of classic cruising. These evenings are for your finest attire.
- For Women: This is the time for cocktail dresses, full-length ball gowns, or elegant evening separates like a skirt or trousers with a sequined top.
- For Men: A dinner jacket or tuxedo is the most popular choice. However, a dark lounge suit with a tie is also perfectly acceptable.
The frequency of Formal nights is based on the length of your cruise:
- Cruises up to 6 nights: Typically 1 formal night.
- Cruises of 7-10 nights: Typically 2 formal nights.
- Cruises of 11-13 nights: Typically 3 formal nights.
- Cruises of 14 nights or more: Typically 4 or more formal nights.
Note: This is a general guide and the exact number of formal nights can vary by itinerary. The schedule will be confirmed in your daily on-board programme.
Dress Codes by Venue (Evening)
The evening's designated dress code primarily applies to the main restaurants.
- The Main Dining Room(s): Strictly adheres to the evening's dress code, whether Smart Casual or Formal.
- Speciality Dining Restaurants: Venues like Vasco or Colours & Tastes also follow the ship's main dress code for the evening.
- The Buffet / The View: This venue remains casual every evening. It is the perfect option for guests who prefer not to change into smarter attire.
- The Main Theatre or Show Lounge: Most guests will attend shows dressed according to the evening's code, but it is generally more relaxed than the dining rooms.
- Bars and Lounges: The dress code in the various bars and lounges generally reflects the overall evening attire, though enforcement is typically more relaxed than in the dining rooms.
Common Themed Nights & Special Events
Fred Olsen often hosts optional themed nights, which are great fun to participate in but never mandatory. Check your itinerary for specifics, but common themes may include:
- Tropical/Caribbean Night: Common on warmer itineraries. Think floral shirts, bright colours, and sundresses.
- Nautical or British Night: A nod to the cruise line's heritage. Guests might wear red, white, and blue or striped, nautical-themed clothing.
- Decades Night (60s/70s): An opportunity to dress up in the style of a bygone era for music and dancing.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Fred Olsen Cruise Lines Dress Code
Can I wear jeans on Fred Olsen Cruise Lines?
Yes, smart, dark-wash jeans (with no rips, tears, or fading) are generally acceptable in most venues on Smart Casual evenings. However, they are not considered appropriate for Formal nights in the Main Dining Room or speciality restaurants.
Are shorts allowed in the Main Dining Room in the evening?
No, shorts are not permitted in the Main Dining Room or speciality restaurants for any guest during the evening. They are perfectly acceptable during the daytime.
How many formal nights will be on my cruise?
The number of Formal nights depends on your cruise duration. As detailed earlier, you can typically expect: 1 formal night on cruises up to 6 nights; 2 on cruises of 7-10 nights; 3 on cruises of 11-13 nights; and 4 or more on cruises of 14 nights and longer. This can vary, so always check the daily programme once on board.
Do I really need a dinner jacket or a gown for a formal night?
While a dinner jacket (tuxedo) or a full-length gown is a popular choice and certainly fits the occasion, it is not strictly mandatory. A dark business suit and tie for men, or an elegant cocktail dress or smart separates for women, are also perfectly acceptable. The goal is to look smart and elegant.
What is the dress code for children and teenagers?
Fred Olsen Cruise Lines primarily caters to adults, and children are not common on board. On the rare multi-generational sailings, children and teenagers are expected to adhere to the spirit of the dress code, meaning smart trousers and a collared shirt on formal nights and no shorts in the main dining venues in the evening.
Is the dress code strictly enforced?
Yes, the evening dress code is generally enforced, particularly in the Main Dining Rooms and speciality restaurants. Staff are trained to maintain the ship's atmosphere. If a guest is not dressed appropriately for the designated code (e.g., wearing shorts on a formal night), they may be politely asked to change or invited to dine at the more casual buffet restaurant where the dress code is always relaxed.
Expert Packing Tips for Any Itinerary
A little planning goes a long way. Here are some final, itinerary-specific tips to ensure you have everything you need.
- For your Norwegian Fjords cruise: Don't forget binoculars for wildlife spotting from the deck, insect repellent for shore excursions, and a reusable water bottle. Layers are your best friend.
- For the Mediterranean: Pack a light scarf or shawl for women, which is essential for entering religious sites like St. Peter's Basilica. Comfortable, sturdy walking shoes are a must for cobbled streets and ancient ruins.
- For the Canary Islands or Caribbean: In addition to swimwear, pack a high-quality reef-safe sunscreen to protect marine life, an underwater camera, and aloe vera gel for any potential sunburn.
- General Tip: Pack a small medical kit with essentials like plasters, pain relievers, and sea-sickness medication, just in case.
Finally, remember that certain items are prohibited on board for safety reasons. Do not pack clothing irons, travel steamers, candles, or surge-protected extension leads.
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 Fred Olsen Cruise Lines website:
