P&O Cruises Dress Code Explained 

Oh my goodness I’ve been asked about dress codes more than anything else when it comes to cruising so it only makes sense that I dedicate a vlog to it! Here’s everything you need to know about P&O dress codes and it might surprise you!

Thanks Jamie, we were a bit nervous on our first cruise, but soon fell into the swing of things. It was actually nice to 'dress for dinner' for once.

Thank you, Jamie. Your videos have helped me soooooo much with packing ,dressing, and what's on board a cruise holiday, a real life, and time saver, lol

I’m so glad you made this video- in particular explaining that you may go to the buffet in more casual attire. I tried and tried to explain that although I appreciated and enjoyed seeing others dressed up it was not my thing and I was happy to go to the buffet in normal cruise appropriate clothing and had no issues whatsoever if I had not been allowed in to the mdr for example if it were formal attire. Unfortunately the person who ran that Facebook group deemed everyone who had this view, which did not match his own, as a troublemaker even though I was never rude or personal, more that we said it’s a subject that he needed to perhaps not keep bringing up as it was clearly inflammatory (it was almost done to create drama) more than one of was blocked or kicked out of the group which seemed a bizarre thing for an adult to do just because people had an opposing view! I follow a few people on instagram who have been on press cruises with P&O and they have given the impression it’s not absolutely black tie or you should cruise with another cruise line and P &O are obviously happy with the content they are putting out or they wouldn’t be invited back. I find it bizarre that people get more worked up about the subject than the staff on the cruise lines themselves

Thank you Jamie, we have booked our first cruise on the Iona next year. Was worried about the dress code, I I don't need to worry. Amazing videos thank you 😊

Thanks for the video Jamie😀. I think the whole dressing up thing is literally handing on by a thread - more and more cruise lines are operating like floating resorts with a much more relaxed feel, personally I go on holiday to chill and not to dress up. I can't see the point of a cruise line being half in / half out - many lines now have it as optional, this includes P & O who have a 'suggested' dress code. Either go all the way like Cunard, drop it altogether or maybe just have one venue with a permanent formal code so people can have a dress up night if they choose. There's nothing sadder than seeing somebody dressed in their finery, all excited and expecting to see everybody the same but in reality end up in amongst a casual majority, worst case was on an overcrowded Iona on New Years eve where people couldn't get into the dining room so ended up all dressed up in the buffet looking both angry and embarrassed at the same time.

Cheers Jamie that has helped a lot we're on our first cruise on Iona this summer and can not wait.

Im going on P&O for the first time in May (Britannia) and were so torn over the formal nights! Husband has a grey suit ... so were going to take it and if they dont let us in well just go to the buffet :P We are travelling with a 97 year old who defineatly won't be in a ball gown `;p

I always thought it was meant to be black suits 😭 I’m actually in a shop now looking at suits as I’m sailing next Tuesday! Now I know it doesn’t have to be black. Thank you! 🙏

@ Travel Blog Jamie that’s good to know dress code for P&O was wondering about it only been on Marella Cruise so far can’t wait till 24 comes around

Absolutely love PO cruising the Iona is a fantastic ship I can’t wait to cruise again...........

Hi Jamie. Thanks for this info, but a question about footwear. On evening casual nights it says no trainers. But what about something like Vans, like a canvas trainer. Black with a white trim? Thanks in advance.

Nice one glad arvia is a bit more relaxed and chuffed no chavy trackies or football shirts allowed lol 😂

What are the beds like on P&O ships? I found Royal Caribbean to be rock hard and had to request a topper.

I've sailed with p&o.many many times . Going again September....and have observed the breaking of dress code rules many times.The rule of no football shirts and denim is completely ignored.!!! I asked an officer on board why the rule of wearing football shirts was blatantly ignored was told that we can politely ask the wearers not to wear them....but can't force them not to.!!!! Why make the rules if you turn a blind eye to them.

Thank you Jamie. Very helpful. We are doing our first cruise Feb 2024 (Azura). Are you able to clarify that flip flops are ok to wear in the buffet restaurants during the day and where it says no pool wear does this just mean that you are required to cover up your bikini by putting a dress or a pair of shorts and a vest on? Also, we are not really into the 'formal' wear evenings so although we understand this may limit us to where we can go on the ship after 6pm on these evenings we would still be ok to wear smart/casual clothing? My dad tends to wear flip flops day and night on holiday. Are flip flops acceptable footwear in the buffet restaurantsand informal bar areas in the evening?

Great info thanks Jamie we do love a good black tie night 😁. Are you guys on Arvia this year 😁

First cruise nerves in July, so just looking for some clarity on casual nights. Would black dressy trainers be allowed??? Am guessing white would be a no, or would canvas be more suitable???....great vid tho 👍🏻

Hi Jamie, my partner and I will be sailing with P&O soon and we both actually love to dress up. We're going to wear tuxedos on the formal nights but even on casual nights we still want to make an effort and have a jacket, some colourful shirt and a tie on (something like your outfit at 2:12 in this video). Do you think that's too much and we'll look out of place? Cheers

I haven't worn a tie since I retired and nor will I ever wear a tie again.. pointless attire.

I do have to say that this dress code malarkey is seriously giving me squeaky bum syndrome !. I'm a irst time cruiser, so not even sure if I'll like cruising or not ?. Then I see the formal nights, and being booked on the Azura, there's two of those. Now bare in mind that I don't even own a suit/jacket, or tie. Never mind a blimmin' Tuxedo etc. You can imagine what's going through this country boys mind right now ?. I've even considered cancelling the cruise altogether as they cost enough to start with, and then being told I can't eat where I want for 2 nights of a 7 night cruise is just ridiculous. Sorry for the negativity, but I'm on a very low income and just wanted to do something nice after losing my lovely Wife.

We are about to take our 1st cruise just wondering on the black tie nights do you have to wear a jacket or can you just wear shirt tie and waistcoat. also on the non black tie nights can you wear smart casual canvas shoes ?

Can you wear suit and waistcoat, but no suit jacket ?

Hi Jamie, first time cruiser with p and o. I have a grey suit and brown shoes. Saw that the grey suit and coloured ties are ok, but are the brown shoes ok too?

Some cruises will have 3 black tie nights. A 12 night one has 3. Not sure the range for 3 but it could be 10-13. I'm on a 20 nighter in March. It's effectively an 8 and 12 night and I have 5 black tie nights.

I'm going on Britannia next year and the dress code is something I'm a bit nervous about as I can't tie a tie and been trying to find out if a suit and a white shirt would be an acceptable option for Black Tie/Celebration Nights?

im going on iona in 1 week on saturday

Good video. Can you get away with black trainers or Vans for casual wear in MDR’s ?? On Iona except celebration night.

Hi My other half is becoming amxious because trainers is what he feels comfortable in. How strict are they with the smart casual nights?

Why do you need to dress up, when tbese cruises often have feral families and are really a posh butlins? Also heard many recent complaints about po worsening service recently.

Thanks but footwear can I use if no trainers in Buffet as I will be wearing dress golf shorts and polo shirts

Hey sorry this question might sound silly but does the suit have to be black/ dark colors?

Hi do you have to wear a jacket in the dinning rooms

crazy to think these dress codes are out of date (showing age) with trainers as trainers in 2024 is a huge part of dress wear. Most men/women where trainers with suits

Hi Jamie I am going on the Iona end of this month for my wife’s birthday. Just need some advice as I have never done this before. So for celebration night can I wear just a suit and tie as I don’t like tuxedos at all the last time I wore one was at my wedding and it didn’t suit me. So just a normal suit would that be okay.

Thank you 🤙

Hi Jamie ... please can you confirm ..is a grey jacket black trousers and tie acceptable on Arvia ?..sailing in june ? Thanks mate

can you rent tuxedo on a saga cruise ship ?

Confirms why we have never sailed with P&O

The buffet restaurants never require formal dress. Important to note.

I have yet to see anyone called out regarding their attire short of one person wearing a t-shirt with an offensive slogan/picture on it. Has anyone else?

Cruises are still in the 1800

🧑🏻✌🐵

I don’t own black jacket but a navy jacket and trousers would that be fine

👔☑️