Cruise Formal Night Dresses + What to Wear on Formal Night
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Are you heading off on a cruise soon?
If yes, then you’ll want a formal dress to wear on your cruise!
Most cruises have 1-2 formal nights (two if you are on a 7-day cruise), so you will definitely want to have a formal dress to wear.
This fashion guide is all about the best cruise formal night dresses.
Most women wear midi or full-length dresses on a cruise.
Whether you are sailing with Carnival, Princess, Royal Caribbean, Disney, or Holland America…you will want to pack at least one formal dress!
This cruise formal night guide includes:
- Cruise formal night dresses under $100
- Ideas on what to wear on a cruise ship formal night
- FAQs about formal night on a cruise
Where to Shop for Cruise Formal Night Dresses
Amazon has LOTS of affordable formal dresses that are just perfect for a Gala night on a cruise ship (including formal dresses that hide a belly!).
In addition to Amazon, you may want to check out City Chic, Eloquii (perfect for plus size formal cruise ship dresses), and Kiyonna for cruise formal night dresses.
If you want to make a statement, you can't go wrong with a cruise formal night dress from REVOLVE or Vici Collection!
15 Enchanting Cruise Formal Night Dresses Under $150
Below are formal dresses that are just perfect for wearing on a cruise!
You’ll find full-length dresses and plus-size formal dresses that you can wear on a cruise formal night.
1. REPHYYLLIS Floral Lace Vintage Dress
This formal dress comes in burgundy, navy blue, black, and purple on Amazon. This formal gown is just perfect for wearing to a formal night on a cruise and this dress is flattering too!
Additionally, this formal dress is super affordable (under $75 on Amazon) and comes in sizes up to XX-large.
RELATED: The best fall wedding guest dresses for women
2. Ever-Pretty Women's V-Neck Sequin Maxi Dress
This formal dress is perfect if you are seeking a plus-size formal dress to wear on a cruise. This formal dress with long sleeves comes in sizes up to 14 up to 30 on Amazon and is super comfortable too!
This dress is also great for wearing to a formal wedding or to a gala event!
3. VfShow High Slit Formal Black Tie Dress
This is one of the best dresses to wear on formal night! Plus, this cruise formal night dress comes in 20+ colors/designs. This formal night dress for a cruise also comes in plus sizes up to 3X-Large.
4. Off The Shoulder Satin Gown (Sizes Up to 28 Plus)
This cruise formal night dress comes in sizes 2-28 and is available in 25+ colors on Amazon.
If you order this satin dress ahead of time, it will be just perfect for wearing to formal night on a cruise!
Note: If you like this dress, order it NOW, as this dress on Amazon does not ship via Amazon Prime.
5. SweatyRocks Women's Sexy Sheer Lace Long Sleeve Dress
This formal dress is both sexy and classy! To complete this cruise outfit for a formal night, you may want to get this crop top and black heels.
6. Nemidor Floral Lace Midi Dress (14 Plus to 26 Plus)
This cruise formal night dress is comfortable and flattering with sleeves. This Gala night dress is also perfect for wearing out dancing while on a cruise!
7. KOH KOH One Shoulder Maxi Dress
This cruise formal night dress is both comfortable (the material on the stress is stretchy!) and flattering! For extra sparkle and fun, pair this cruise formal night dress with sparkly rhinestone earrings.
Get this Cruise Formal Night Outfit on Amazon:
8. Grace Sparkle Gown in Champagne
This champagne dress from Baltic Born gets 5/5 star reviews online and is available in sizes XS to XXXL.
You'll love the sparkles on this gown. This formal dress for Gala night on a cruise is also bump-friendly too!
9. Floerns Formal Midi Dress
This midi length dress is just perfect for wearing to formal night on a cruise!
RELATED: Best Formal Dresses to Hide Belly Bulge
10. WOOSEA High Neck Mermaid Cocktail Long Dress
The WOOSEA bodycon dress is a best-seller on Amazon.
This Gala night dress would be perfect for wearing to Gala night while on a Royal Caribbean or a Princess cruise!
Complete Cruise Formal Night Outfit Idea:
11. Adrianna Papell V-Neck Dress
Adrianna Papell makes really great sparkly and long sequin dresses for women. This formal night dress for a cruise is perfect for women ages 40 and up.
12. WOOSEA V Neck Cocktail Formal Dress
WOOSEA makes some of the best formal dresses on Amazon. You’ll love the thicker material on this dress (it hides bumps nicely!) and you’ll love how stretchy this dress is too!
13. Berydress Elegant Chic Halter Dress
Get this Formal Cruise Night Dress and Outfit:
14. Mis Ord Deep V-Neck Emerald Green Formal Dress
Get this Formal Cruise Night Dress and Outfit on Amazon: Green Dress | Tassel Earrings | Silver Heels
15. Ever-Pretty Off-Shoulder Dress
16. Lrady Cocktail Party Dress
Want to show off your legs? This sequin skater dress is fun and flirty! Short sequin dresses are perfect for wearing on a cruise, especially if you want to stay cool and go out dancing at night.
What to Wear on Dressy Night for a Cruise
If your cruise has "dressy" night vs. "formal" night...then you don't have to dress up as much! Check out this video by Cruise Tips with Christina for ideas on what to wear for dressy night while on a cruise.
What to Wear on a Cruise Formal Night? Guide On What to Wear
Not sure what to wear on a cruise formal night? Formal night on a cruise (also known as Gala night) is a chance to dress up! For women, any cocktail dress or full-length dress is perfect. For women, suits or slacks with a collared shirt and a jacket are perfect. Some cruises tend to be fancier than others, but in general, wear what you would wear to a fancy steakhouse for dinner or your anniversary dinner.
Is this your first cruise? Below are more tips on what to wear on a cruise ship formal night.
What to Wear on a Cruise Formal Night for Women
For formal night on a curise for women, wear a midi dress or a full-length dress on formal night.
Younger women sometimes wear dresses with high slits in the leg. Older women tend to wear black pants with sequined jackets.
What to Wear on a Cruise Formal Night for Men
Men wear black jackets or a nice collared shirt with a tie. Depending on the cruise ship, men wear black slacks or khaki pants.
What to Wear on a Cruise Formal Night for Teens and Juniors
Women under the age of 15 tend to wear knee-length dresses that are sparkly for formal night on a cruise.
Summary: What to Wear on Cruise Formal Night
FAQs About Formal Night on a Cruise
Here are a few frequently asked questions about formal night on a cruise.
When is formal night on a 7-day cruise?
Formal night tends to always be on a sea day. Usually, this is the 2nd or 3rd day on a cruise.
How many formal nights are on a 7-day cruise?
Most 7-day cruises have two formal nights.
What is different about a formal night on a cruise?
On formal night, people dress up!
You can also get your photos taken around the cruise ship on formal night.
Many cruise ships also serve lobster and steak at dinner (surf and turf) on formal night. However, I’ve noticed that many cruise ships only offer Surf & Turf on one of the formal nights, instead of both.
How should I style my hair on formal night on a cruise?
Many women wear their hair down for formal night. If you want, you can also go to the salon on the ship to get your hair styled!
Do I have to dress up for formal night on a cruise?
It really depends. Most cruise lines (except for Cunard) tend to be relaxed.
However, you should make the attempt to dress up on formal night. Don’t wear flip flops, shorts, jeans, or tank tops on formal night. Men should avoid wearing t-shirts, sneakers, jeans, and hats.
Daytime Cruise Dresses
Of course, you'll probably want to wear a cute dress during the daytime too!
Below are a few cute dresses to pack for your next cruise.
Cinq a Sept Tevah Dress
LAISHEN Floral Sundress with Tie Knot
What to Wear on Gala Night on a Cruise: YouTube
Want to learn more about what to wear on a Gala night for a cruise? Check out this YouTube video by Cruise Tips with Christina!
Summary
In summary, it can be fun to dress up for GALA night on a cruise! Women usually opt for midi or full-length dresses, while men rock black jackets or collared shirts with ties. Teens and juniors can go for knee-length, sparkly dresses. If you aren’t sure where to shop for Gala night dresses, I’d recommend checking out Amazon, City Chic, Eloquii (perfect for plus-size options), and Kiyonna. For those looking to make a statement, there are also suggestions from REVOLVE and Vici Collection.
More Cruise Guides
Are you heading off to the Caribbean? Then you may want to check out these cruise guides!
Half Moon Cay Cruise Port Guide
St. Kitts Cruise Port: Things to Do
Barbados Cruise Port: Things to Do
