What Nights Are Elegant Nights on Carnival Cruises: A Comprehensive Guide
Carnival Cruise Line, known for its wide range of activities, entertainment, and dining options, is a favored choice for many travelers. One of its notable highlights is the Elegant Nights, where guests can enjoy an evening of luxury and glamour.
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When are Elegant Nights on Carnival cruises?
The first Cruise Elegant evening is usually scheduled for the 2nd or 3rd day of the cruise, and the second one occurs 2 or 3 days before the end of the cruise, schedules permitting. A one-day cruise does not feature a Cruise Elegant evening. A 2-day to 5-day cruise includes one Cruise Elegant evening, while a cruise of 6 days or longer hosts two Cruise Elegant evenings.
Elegant Nights are special events held on select evenings during the cruise, wherein guests are invited to dress in formal attire and partake in an evening of exquisite dining and high-class entertainment. The schedule for Elegant Nights can vary based on the cruise length and itinerary, thus it is recommended to consult the cruise line or your specific itinerary for precise dates.
Key Points:
- Elegant Nights are special events held on certain evenings during the cruise.
- Guests are encouraged to dress formally and enjoy an evening of fine dining and entertainment.
- The specific dates for Elegant Nights can vary based on the itinerary and cruise length. It is advisable to check with the cruise line or refer to your itinerary for exact dates.
Further Insight into Elegant Nights
Elegant Nights, a cherished tradition on Carnival Cruise ships, are formal evenings conducted in the main dining room and selected specialty restaurants. These events provide guests with an opportunity to don their best attire and immerse themselves in an elegant evening of fine dining, dancing, and entertainment.
What is Cruise Elegant?
Cruise Elegant is the dress code assigned for Elegant Nights on Carnival Cruise ships. While it’s formal, it doesn’t demand black-tie attire. Carnival’s Cruise Elegant dress code encompasses “suits and ties, sport coats, cocktail dresses, and evening gowns.”
What to Wear on Elegant Nights?
On Elegant Nights, guests are encouraged to wear cocktail dresses, evening gowns, suits and ties, or sport coats. Carnival has clarified that “jeans, shorts, t-shirts, tank tops, and flip-flops” are not permitted in the dining room during Elegant Nights.
What to Expect on Elegant Nights?
Elegant Nights promise a luxurious evening of fine dining, dancing, and entertainment. The main dining rooms will present a special menu, and some specialty restaurants might also offer special menus. Live music performances, riveting shows, and a vibrant nightlife atmosphere onboard complete the experience.
Carnival Cruise Line’s Elegant Nights provide guests an opportunity to dress up and indulge in a high-class atmosphere aboard. The event, although not demanding formal attire, encourages a more formal dressing style, ensuring an elegant and sophisticated ambiance.
Dress Code for Elegant Nights
The recommended dress code for Elegant Nights is “Cruise Elegant.” This implies that while guests are encouraged to dress up, it need not necessarily be formal attire. For men, the dress code comprises dress slacks, dress shirts with ties, and sport coats. While not a necessity, tuxedos are indeed welcome. Women, on the other hand, are encouraged to wear elegant skirts, pantsuits, blouses, or evening gowns.
To aid your planning for Elegant Night attire, Carnival Cruise Line has furnished a dress code guide based on your cruise’s length. Here’s a table outlining the dress code for Elegant Nights:
| Cruise Length | Number of Elegant Nights | Dress Code |
| 2-5 Nights | 1 | Cruise Casual or Cruise Elegant |
| 6-8 Nights | 2 | Cruise Casual, Cruise Elegant, and Cruise Casual or Cruise Elegant |
| 9-12 Nights | 3 | Cruise Casual, Cruise Elegant, Cruise Casual, Cruise Elegant, and Cruise Casual or Cruise Elegant |
| 13+ Nights | 4 | Cruise Casual, Cruise Elegant, Cruise Casual, Cruise Elegant, Cruise Casual, Cruise Elegant, and Cruise Casual or Cruise Elegant |
Keep in mind, on other nights apart from Elegant Nights, the dress code is “Cruise Casual,” permitting guests to wear more relaxed attire like shorts and t-shirts.
What Not to Wear on Elegant Nights
While Elegant Nights provide an occasion to dress up, certain clothing items are not permissible in the dining room on these special nights. These include cut-off jeans, men’s sleeveless shirts, shorts, t-shirts, sportswear, baseball hats, bathing suit attire, and thongs (flip-flops).
Elegant Nights on Different Cruises
The occurrence of Elegant Nights varies based on the length of the cruise. For instance, a 1-day Carnival cruise typically does not have an elegant night. However, a 2-day to 5-day cruise usually has one elegant night. On a 6-day or longer cruise, there are generally two elegant nights.
While each ship on Carnival’s fleet has its own Elegant Nights schedule, they usually fall on the second or third evening of the cruise and the second or third evening before the cruise’s end. Here’s a breakdown of when Elegant Nights are typically held on some of Carnival’s most popular ships:
| Ship Name | Elegant Night Schedule |
| Carnival Ecstasy | One elegant night on 2-5 day cruises, two elegant nights on 6+ day cruises |
| Carnival Mardi Gras | Two elegant nights on all cruises |
| Carnival Valor | One elegant night on 2-5 day cruises, two elegant nights on 6+ day cruises |
While elegant attire is suggested, it is not mandatory. However, guests choosing not to dress up might not be permitted in certain areas of the ship, like the main dining room.
On Carnival cruises, Elegant Nights afford guests a chance to dress up and enjoy a unique dining experience. The dress code for these evenings is “Cruise Elegant,” where guests can don suits, cocktail dresses, or other formal attire.
Dining on Elegant Nights
The primary location for Elegant Night dining is the main dining room, where the menu is tailor-made for the occasion, featuring an array of appetizers, soups, salads, entrees, and desserts. These dishes are typically more upscale than regular menu items, offering options like lobster tail, filet mignon, and caviar.
Apart from the main dining room, specialty restaurants onboard also offer Elegant Night dining experiences. Although these restaurants often require an additional fee, they guarantee a more exclusive dining experience with Carnival’s fantastic food and atmosphere.
Despite being a formal affair, Elegant Night dining is also a fun and lively event with live music performances, captivating shows, and a bustling nightlife atmosphere onboard.
| Entity | Description |
| Dining | Elegant Nights offer a unique dining experience for guests on Carnival cruises. |
| Dining Room | The main dining room is the primary location for Elegant Night dining. |
| Main Dining Room | The menu is specially designed for the occasion and includes a variety of upscale dishes. |
| Menu | The menu typically includes appetizers, soups, salads, entrees, and desserts. |
| Specialty | There are also specialty restaurants onboard that offer Elegant Night dining experiences. |
Entertainment and Activities
Carnival Cruise Line offers a broad range of entertainment and activities for all age groups. From live music and comedy shows to water parks and mini golf, there’s something for everyone. Highlights include Broadway-style shows, live music at various venues throughout the ship, trivia contests, karaoke, and dance parties. Carnival also features numerous sports options and a well-equipped gym onboard each ship. Guests can purchase accessories for their elegant night attire and avail services from the onboard salon.
Planning Your Cruise Itinerary
When planning your Carnival Cruise, considering the itinerary schedule and the number of Elegant Nights is crucial. Elegant Nights are special occasions where guests dress up in their finest attire for a night of upscale dining and entertainment. The number of these nights can vary depending on the length of the cruise and the itinerary schedule.
A typical 7-day cruise will have two elegant nights, while a 3-5 day cruise will have one. It’s always important to check the itinerary schedule to confirm the number of Elegant Nights on your specific cruise. If attending an Elegant Night, pack appropriate attire. Formal attire is not mandatory, but cocktail dresses, dress shirts with ties, suits, or tuxedos are common choices. The Carnival Cruise website provides specific dress code guidelines for Elegant Nights.
When planning your itinerary, consider each day’s port of call and the Elegant Nights schedule. Planning appropriately ensures you have suitable attire for Elegant Nights and don’t miss out on any important events or activities during your cruise. Many guests opt to book spa treatments or salon appointments on sea days, which helps them relax and prepare for the evening’s festivities.
In summary, when planning your Carnival Cruise itinerary, consider the cruise’s length, the itinerary schedule, and the number of Elegant Nights. Pack suitable attire and plan accordingly to ensure you enjoy all the important events and activities during your cruise.
| Cruise Length | Number of Elegant Nights |
| 3-5 Day Cruise | 1 |
| 6-8 Day Cruise | 2 |
| 9-12 Day Cruise | 3 |
| 13+ Day Cruise | 4 |
Guest Reviews and Experiences
Guests on Carnival cruises often look forward to Elegant Nights, where they can dress up and enjoy a fancy dinner and coffee afterwards. However, there is some confusion about which nights are Elegant Nights on Carnival cruises. Some guests have shared their experiences and opinions on online forums and review sites.
According to one guest review, the first Elegant Night is usually scheduled for the second or third day of the cruise, while the second Elegant Night is scheduled for the second or third day before the end of the cruise. Another guest confirmed that there are typically two Elegant Nights on cruises that are six nights or longer, with the second Elegant Night usually taking place on the second-to-last day of the cruise.
Some guests have also noted that the dress code for Elegant Nights can vary depending on the ship and itinerary. For example, one guest review noted that on their Caribbean – Western cruise on the Carnival Valor, “most men wore suits or sport coats with dress pants, while women wore cocktail or formal dresses.” Meanwhile, another guest review mentioned that on their 10-day Alaska cruise on the Carnival Miracle, “some people dressed in tuxedos and gowns, while others wore nice pants and dresses.”
It’s worth noting that while Elegant Nights are a popular part of Carnival cruises, they are not mandatory. Guests who prefer to dress more casually can still enjoy dinner in the main dining room or other onboard restaurants on Elegant Nights. However, guests who choose to dress up for the occasion often report feeling more festive and enjoying a more special dining experience.
Overall, while the specifics of Elegant Nights can vary depending on the ship and itinerary, most Carnival cruises do include at least one or two Elegant Nights. Guests who are unsure about the dress code or schedule for Elegant Nights can check with their cruise line or consult online forums and reviews for more information.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the dress code for elegant night on Carnival cruises?
Elegant night on Carnival cruises follows a suggested dress code that encourages guests to embrace a more formal style of dressing. While formal attire is not mandatory, most guests choose to wear cocktail dresses, dress shirts with ties, suits, or even tuxedos. However, it is important to note that shorts, t-shirts, and flip-flops are not allowed in the dining room on elegant night.
How many elegant nights are typically on a 7-day Carnival cruise?
On a 7-day Carnival cruise, there are typically two elegant nights. However, it is important to check the specific itinerary of your cruise to confirm the number of elegant nights.
What are some other theme nights on Carnival cruises?
Carnival cruises offer a variety of theme nights, including 80s Rock-N-Glow, White Hot Night, and Caribbean Night. These nights offer guests the opportunity to dress up and participate in fun activities and events.
What is the difference between elegant night and formal night on Carnival cruises?
Elegant night and formal night are the same thing on Carnival cruises. The terms are used interchangeably to describe the dress code for a designated evening on the cruise.
Do you need to dress up for elegant night on Carnival cruises?
While dressing up for elegant night on Carnival cruises is not mandatory, it is highly recommended. Elegant night is a special occasion and dressing up adds to the overall experience.