Cruise Ship Dress Code Uproar & the Yachts of Seabourn

Every luxury cruise line and cruise ship is grappling with the "great dress code debate" these days. What exactly is the debate all about? Many longtime cruisers love dressing up for formal night and look forward to one or more upscale events per cruise. Other guests, however, are asking cruise lines to loosen up on the rules of formality.

The Yachts of Seabourn just announced a significant change to its formal night policy. (The new rules will make their debut across the Seabourn fleet soon.)

• No black tie optional nights on cruises that are eight nights are shorter
• 1 black tie optional evening on cruises that are 9–13 nights
• 2 black tie optional nights on cruises that are 14–20 nights
• 3 black tie optional events on cruises that are 21 nights or longer

On those special "black tie optional" evenings, men are asked to wear tuxedos or dark-colored suits and women generally wear gowns or stylish cocktail dresses. The Restaurant hosts this gala while guests who wish to dress down (to the Elegant Casual category) are invited to dine at Restaurant 2, The Colonnade, or the Patio Grill).

My husband and I were thrilled to hear about this change. However, I completely understand that many cruisers love dressing up. I think they should continue dressing in whatever manner makes them most comfortable. I know couples who dress up every night for dinner while cruising. Others prefer Elegant Casual most of the time. Each traveler should do what works for them.

I do not think that the new dress code "dumbs down" the Seabourn experience. On the contrary, I think the cruise line will find that it attracts a new demographic of travelers who were afraid Seabourn would be too stodgy for them. I believe these new-to-cruising individuals will be a refreshing addition to Seabourn's passenger complement. After all, anyone who can afford Seabourn's price point knows how to dress smartly for dinner—formal night or not.

What do you think about Seabourn's new black tie optional plans?

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com