Cruise Theme Night Costume Ideas: What to Pack for Every Party at Sea
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You check the cruise app two days before boarding and there it is: 70s Night, White Night, and something called a Rock-N-Glow party. Now you need three outfits and you’ve got one suitcase.
Good news. Cruise theme nights are casual, nobody expects a full costume, and the best looks fold flat. Here’s what to wear for each of the common ones, which lines tend to run them, and the one piece worth packing for each.
Schedules change by ship and sailing, so check your line’s app or daily planner before you pack. But these are the themes that show up again and again.
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- Pirate Night
- 70s Night
- 80s Rock-N-Glow Party
- 50s and 60s Decades Night
- Toga Night
- White Night
- Country Western Night
- Masquerade Ball
- Tropical Night
- Scarlet Night
1. Pirate Night
Disney’s Pirate Night is the most famous cruise theme night, and pirate looks turn up on plenty of other lines too. A pirate is easy to pull off with three or four pieces.
How to do it: Striped or loose white shirt, a red bandana or tricorn hat, a vest or sash, black pants and boots. An eye patch and a gold hoop earring finish it. Kids love this night, so pack a matching set for the family.
Worth buying: a pirate accessory kit.
2. 70s Night
A regular on Royal Caribbean and other lines. Go disco if you want to own the dance floor, or hippie if you’d rather be comfortable.
How to do it: Disco: a metallic top or wide-collar shirt, flared pants, platform shoes and a big wig. Hippie: a fringe vest, a headband, round tinted sunglasses and a peace sign necklace over your normal clothes.
Worth buying: a 70s disco shirt.
3. 80s Rock-N-Glow Party
Carnival’s late-night deck party, and the easiest theme to pack for. The 80s look is all neon, and anything bright glows under black light.
How to do it: Neon top, leggings or acid-wash denim, a side ponytail with a scrunchie, leg warmers and chunky earrings. Bring a pack of glow sticks and bracelets to share; they make you instantly popular on deck.
Worth buying: a party pack of glow bracelets.
4. 50s and 60s Decades Night
Some sailings run a full decades night. A poodle skirt is the most recognizable 50s look there is, and a greaser in a white tee is the easiest partner costume.
How to do it: Poodle skirt, cardigan, neck scarf and a high ponytail for her. White tee, cuffed jeans and slicked hair for him. For the 60s, a short mod shift dress and winged eyeliner.
Worth buying: a 50s poodle skirt.
5. Toga Night
Royal Caribbean’s newest ships have run toga parties, and a toga is the cheapest costume you’ll ever pack. Pair it with a Greek goddess for a couples look.
How to do it: A plain white flat sheet folded in your suitcase, a gold cord or belt, a gold leaf headband and sandals. Bring your own sheet; don’t count on borrowing one from the cabin.
Worth buying: a gold leaf headband.
6. White Night
Royal Caribbean’s White Night, Carnival’s White Hot party and Norwegian’s Glow Party all want the same thing: head-to-toe white. No costume needed, just a clean, crisp outfit.
How to do it: White linen pants or shorts and a white button-down for guys; a white sundress, jumpsuit or wide-leg pants for women. Want to be more festive? An angel with small wings fits right in.
Worth buying: white linen pants.
7. Country Western Night
Shows up on some Royal Caribbean sailings, and it’s easy if you’re from Texas. A cowboy or cowgirl look packs light if you skip the boots.
How to do it: Plaid or denim shirt, jeans, a bandana and a packable straw cowboy hat. Boots eat suitcase space, so wear them onboard on embarkation day if you really want them.
Worth buying: a packable straw cowboy hat.
8. Masquerade Ball
An elegant theme on some sailings that usually lines up with a dressy night. A masquerade look is just your formal outfit plus a mask.
How to do it: Wear whatever you packed for formal night and add a Venetian half mask. Choose one with a headband or elastic so it stays on while you dance.
Worth buying: a gold Venetian mask.
9. Tropical Night
MSC and Royal Caribbean both run tropical or Caribbean nights. Most people wear a Hawaiian shirt or a floral dress, but a mermaid wins the night if you want a real costume.
How to do it: Easy version: tropical print shirt or sundress and a flower lei. Costume version: a sequin top, a shimmery maxi skirt, shell accessories and wavy hair.
Worth buying: a pack of flower leis.
10. Scarlet Night
Virgin Voyages’ signature party asks everyone to wear red. A glam devil is the costume version, and it’s just a red outfit and a pair of horns.
How to do it: Red dress, red jumpsuit, or a black outfit with red accents, plus a small horn headband. Red lipstick, and you’re done.
Worth buying: a red horn headband.
How to Pack Theme Night Costumes
Build on one base outfit. A white tee, white pants and black leggings can handle White Night, Toga Night, the 80s and Pirate Night with a few cheap accessories swapped in. Accessories are small; whole costumes aren’t.
Pack costumes in your carry-on or a gallon zip bag. Checked luggage can take hours to reach your cabin, and theme nights sometimes fall on the first or second evening.
Leave realistic-looking toy weapons at home. Pirate swords and toy guns can get flagged at security, and cruise lines have their own rules about them. A foam sword or nothing at all is the safer call.
Bring a little extra to share. Glow bracelets, leis and cheap eye patches make you everyone’s favorite cabin neighbor.
See every costume in our Cruise Theme Night collection, or browse the full costume encyclopedia from A to Z.
Cruise Theme Night FAQ
Do you have to dress up for cruise theme nights?
No. They’re optional and casual. Plenty of people just wear a colored shirt, but those who dress up usually have more fun.
What theme nights does Royal Caribbean have?
It varies by ship and sailing, but common ones include White Night, 70s or 80s Night, Tropical Night and Country Western Night. Some newer ships host toga parties. Check the app before you pack.
What do you wear to Carnival’s 80s Rock-N-Glow party?
Anything neon: bright tops, leggings, scrunchies and leg warmers. Bring glow sticks for the deck party.
Can I bring a costume on a cruise?
Yes, as long as it doesn’t include realistic weapons. Pack it in your carry-on so it’s ready if a theme night falls early in the trip.
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