Premium Cruise Line
Holland America Dress Code Guide
What to wear on a Holland America cruise in 2026, including formal night frequency, dress-up evening expectations, casual dining standards, and packing recommendations.
Quick answer
Yes, Holland America has formal nights. Holland America designates Gala Nights by sailing length: 7-night cruises include one Gala Night; cruises of 8-13 nights include two; cruises of 14-20 nights include three. Most other evenings are Smart Casual. The Lido Market buffet remains dress-code-free on all evenings including Gala Nights.
Formal night policy
Formal/dress-up nights
Holland America designates Gala Nights by sailing length: 7-night cruises include one Gala Night; cruises of 8-13 nights include two; cruises of 14-20 nights include three. Most other evenings are Smart Casual. The Lido Market buffet remains dress-code-free on all evenings including Gala Nights.
Casual evenings
Holland America uses a Smart Casual baseline for most evenings, which means collared shirts, blouses, dresses, or dressy separates. On Gala Nights, the line requests tuxedos, dinner jackets, or dark suits for men, and evening gowns or cocktail dresses for women. The Lido Market buffet and in-room dining have no dress requirements on any evening.
What to pack
For formal nights
- Cocktail dress or evening gown (women)
- Suit, blazer with dress pants, or tuxedo (men)
- Dress shoes
- One outfit per formal night designated
For casual evenings
- Sundresses, khakis, or nice jeans
- Collared shirts or blouses
- Casual shoes (closed-toe for some specialty restaurants)
- Resort-casual is the baseline
For daytime
- Swimwear for the pool deck
- Shorts, T-shirts, sandals
- Cover-ups for walking through interior spaces
- Comfortable shoes for port days
See our complete cruise packing list for a full checklist.
Frequently asked questions
- Yes. Holland America designates Gala Nights by sailing length: 7-night cruises include one Gala Night; cruises of 8-13 nights include two; cruises of 14-20 nights include three. Most other evenings are Smart Casual. The Lido Market buffet remains dress-code-free on all evenings including Gala Nights.
- Holland America uses a Smart Casual baseline for most evenings, which means collared shirts, blouses, dresses, or dressy separates. On Gala Nights, the line requests tuxedos, dinner jackets, or dark suits for men, and evening gowns or cocktail dresses for women. The Lido Market buffet and in-room dining have no dress requirements on any evening.
- Jeans are generally acceptable in casual dining venues and during the day on Holland America ships. On formal or dress-up evenings, jeans are typically not permitted in the main dining room. Buffet and casual venues remain dress-code-free on all evenings.
- Holland America designates Gala Nights by sailing length: 7-night cruises include one Gala Night; cruises of 8-13 nights include two; cruises of 14-20 nights include three. Most other evenings are Smart Casual. The Lido Market buffet remains dress-code-free on all evenings including Gala Nights.
- See our [cruise packing list](/packing-list/type/cruise/) for a complete guide. For Holland America, pack one dressy outfit per formal night plus resort-casual clothing for other evenings.
Does Holland America have formal nights?
What should I wear on a Holland America cruise?
Can I wear jeans on a Holland America cruise?
How many formal nights does Holland America have?
What should I pack for a Holland America cruise?
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Caden Sorenson is a senior staff engineer with 15+ years of experience building iOS apps, web platforms, and developer tools. He holds a Computer Science degree from Utah State University and runs Vientapps, an indie studio based in Logan, Utah, where he ships small, focused tools and writes about every build in public.
Verified 2026-05-03 against the official Holland America Line dress code page. Cruise lines change dress code policies without notice. Confirm with the line before packing.