Regent's evenings are elegant casual, its days are resort casual, and you can pack lighter than you would expect because the laundry is complimentary. That is the short answer to the question I hear most from people new to Regent, and the rest of this guide fills in the detail.
I worried about this myself before my first Regent cruise. I wondered whether it would be formal and stuffy, and what I found were guests who were friendly and relaxed, whether they were new to Regent or sailing it for the twentieth time.
What to wear during the day
Until 6 p.m., Regent describes the dress as resort style. In its words that includes shorts, warm-up suits, jeans and sneakers, all acceptable in the social spaces. Bare feet belong on the Pool Deck only, and swimwear stays at the Pool Bar and Grill and out of the indoor venues.
What to wear in the evening
After 6 p.m. you choose between Elegant Casual and Formal Optional for the whole evening.
Elegant Casual means skirts, slacks or refined denim (not torn or distressed) with a blouse or sweater for ladies, or a pantsuit or dress. For gentlemen it means slacks or refined denim with a collared shirt, and a jacket is optional. Clean dress sneakers in a neutral or classic colour are welcome as well.
Formal Optional covers gowns and cocktail dresses for ladies, and dinner jackets or suits with a tie for gentlemen. The word that matters is optional. Some guests dress up and many do not.
In the social spaces after 6 p.m., Regent does not consider T-shirts, baseball caps, shorts, athletic shoes, flip flops or bathrobes appropriate.
The last night of the voyage
Dinner on the night before disembarkation is relaxed, since guests have to have their suitcase outside their suite that evening to be collected for the morning's disembarkation.
Why you can pack less than you think
Regent includes complimentary Valet Laundry Service for every guest. Put your clothes in the laundry bag outside your door and they will be collected and laundered, then delivered back to your suite the next day or two days later, depending on when you put the bag out. Your clothes come back either on hangers or wrapped in tissue in a little Regent box.
That changes the packing arithmetic. My go-to for dinner is a pair of dress pants with several mix and match blouses, and nobody is going to notice (or care) if you wear the same thing twice. For us, this means we can usually travel with one carry-on suitcase each. We never have to worry about a suitcase being lost, and we move through the airport faster once we arrive at our destination.
Regent provides plush bathrobes and slippers in the suite. There are oversized umbrellas in the closet, and the shoe shine is complimentary, so the cleaning kit can stay home.
Questions I hear most
Do I need a gown or a tuxedo on Regent?
No. Formal Optional is there for guests who enjoy dressing up, and Elegant Casual is what I pack for.
Can I wear jeans to dinner on Regent?
Refined denim that is not torn or distressed is acceptable after 6 p.m. under Elegant Casual, according to Regent.
Are sneakers allowed at dinner?
Clean dress sneakers in a neutral or classic colour are. Athletic shoes are not considered appropriate in the social spaces after 6 p.m.
Is laundry included on Regent?
Regent describes complimentary Valet Laundry Service as an included amenity for every guest.
If you are deciding whether Regent suits the way you like to travel, or you have a packing question for a sailing you have already booked, send it my way. I am happy to help, and the link below is where we start.
Related reading
- Small ship cruising
- Frequently asked questions
- Find the right cruise: take the quiz
- What to consider when choosing your next Mediterranean cruise
Sources
Regent Seven Seas dress code FAQ and Regent's "how to pack for a Regent cruise" blog, both read October 18, 2026.