Formal Nights on a Cruise: Packing Your Tuxedo

A formal night at sea is where many gentlemen take a tuxedo abroad for the first time. The difficulty is not in wearing it but in carrying it: a trip with several formal evenings needs a tidy plan so the suitcase does not bulge and the jacket arrives flat. Here is how a tailor would normally advise a client to prepare.

Read the cruise line's dress code

Each line sets its own code, and it varies by itinerary. Read the passenger guide or the line's website before packing.

• Formal night or gala night: usually black tie or "formal attire". Men wear a tuxedo or a dark suit with a tie. Many lines state that a tuxedo is encouraged, not compulsory.
• Smart casual or elegant casual: no tuxedo needed; a collared shirt and trousers are enough.
• Premium lines: some keep a clearly formal tradition, others have relaxed the code. It differs between routes and across years, so do not rely on the memory of earlier passengers.
• Main dining rooms and speciality restaurants may follow different rules.

If the line says "formal" and you are unsure, a tuxedo is always correct, while a dark suit with a tie is usually accepted too. Choose the tuxedo if you want to be comfortable on dress code. What Black Tie means explains this level.

How many formal nights, and how to rotate

The number of formal nights depends on the length and type of voyage, and they usually make up only part of the evenings aboard. With few formal nights, one tuxedo is enough. With more, rotate rather than pack several suits.

• One jacket, several shirts: a tuxedo jacket gets less soiled than a shirt, so it can be worn for many evenings. Pack a fresh white shirt for each night.
• Change the bow tie and pocket square: the same suit with a different bow tie and square feels new without adding a suit.
• Waistcoat or cummerbund: swap one for the other between nights. See three-piece tuxedo: waistcoat or cummerbund.
• Two pairs of trousers: trousers pick up food stains and crease from sitting, so bring a spare on a long trip. Braided in the same tone as the jacket.
• One pair of patent shoes is enough; bring a softer pair for daytime.
• Small accessories: cufflinks, studs, a watch for evening.

A rotation tip: hang the jacket in the morning after a formal night to air it, and steam lightly with bathroom steam if there are creases. Many ships also offer pressing; ask the price and turnaround beforehand.

Packing to avoid creases

The shoulders and lapels are where a tuxedo creases first. Packed correctly, the jacket arrives flat. Full detail is in packing a tuxedo in a suitcase, summarised here:

• A hanging garment bag is the choice to make if you fly; many airlines allow it in the cabin.
• Shoulder-in-shoulder fold: turn the lining out, fold one shoulder inside the other, then fold in half lengthways. This keeps the shoulder shape.
• Thin tissue (acid-free paper or a cloth) at the folds to reduce creasing.
• Trousers folded along the crease, laid flat at the bottom, the jacket on top.
• Shirts rolled or folded flat in their own bag.
• Shoes stuffed with shoe trees or socks, in cloth bags.
• Carry the tuxedo on board on a long trip with connections, to avoid lost luggage.

On arrival, hang the jacket right away and run hot water in a closed bathroom so the steam relaxes the creases.

A white jacket for tropical routes

On Caribbean, Southeast Asian or other hot-climate routes, a white or ivory dinner jacket is a traditional choice: cool to look at, suited to late sunlight and sea air. It pairs with black trousers, a white shirt and a black bow tie, with black or self-coloured lapels. TUX-042 is an ivory dinner jacket with black lapels; TUX-088 is white with black shawl lapels and black trousers.

A few notes on wearing white:

• Evening only, typically after dark or for outdoor receptions; avoid it in the daytime.
• It marks easily: red wine, sauce and shoe scuffs all show. Carry a fabric-safe stain pen and a clean handkerchief.
• Choose a moderate weight, not so thin that the lining shows through. See cloth for the white dinner jacket.
• If you pack only one jacket, make it a dark tuxedo; the white one is an addition for hot outdoor evenings. See also the white tuxedo and dinner jacket.

How Mon Amie can help

If you are about to sail and want a suit that is elegant yet light to carry, tell a Mon Amie consultant the itinerary, the number of formal nights and the climate of the route. They will suggest a crease-resistant cloth, a light weight and the accessories to bring. Making time depends on the style and fitting schedule, so book before your departure on the fitting page. For a short trip, you can also look at tuxedo rental.