Booked a private dinner cruise in Charleston and not sure what to wear? Smart casual or cocktail attire works, paired with flat or soft-soled shoes and a light layer for the breeze. Nobody checks your outfit at the dock, but the boat does have a few practical rules, and they shape what looks good and feels good on deck. Reserve your dinner cruise, then read on for exactly what to wear on a dinner cruise with Blue Life Charters.

What to wear on a dinner cruise? The quick answer

Blue Life recommends smart casual or cocktail attire for a refined but comfortable evening, plus a light jacket because the breeze on the water can be cool after sunset. The dinner cruise dress code comes down to four points, and the same answer to what to wear on a dinner cruise holds all year:

  • Outfit level: smart casual to cocktail. No tuxedos or gowns needed.
  • Shoes: white-soled or rubber-soled, or go barefoot. Skip high heels.
  • Layer: a light jacket, wrap or sweater.
  • Comfort: you will sit on a cockpit bench or the bow bean bags, so wear something you can move in.

What to wear to dinner on a cruise ship vs a private sailboat

If you searched for what to wear to dinner on a cruise ship, the answers you found describe big-ship rules: casual nights, smart-casual nights and formal nights that vary by cruise line. Guides on what to wear for dinner on cruise ships often include tuxedos and floor-length gowns.

A private sailing dinner cruise is different. Your group of up to six is the only party aboard, so there is no dining room, no formal night and no dress code enforcement. The boat itself sets the practical limits: a deck you walk on, wind off the harbor and boat shoes or bare feet. The right attire for dinner cruise evenings on a sailboat is polished but relaxed, closer to a nice restaurant on the water than a gala.

Shoes: the one rule that matters

Wear white-soled or rubber-soled shoes. Dark marking soles and high heels can damage the deck, so if heels are part of the outfit, carry them in a bag and board barefoot or in socks. A shoe basket is available at boarding, and most guests enjoy the deck barefoot. Clean sneakers, deck shoes and flat sandals with a rubber sole all work.

Dresses to wear on a cruise dinner

For women, the best dresses to wear on a cruise dinner are midi or knee length, in fabric that handles wind without flying up: wrap dresses, structured cotton, linen blends and jersey. Jumpsuits and linen sets are also strong choices. Skip floor-length skirts, which catch on the cockpit and sail gear, and skip very light fabrics that blow around in a harbor breeze. Pack a wrap, cardigan or denim jacket, and bring hair ties.

Men’s cruise dinner wear

Men’s cruise dinner wear works best as a button-down or polo in linen or cotton, chinos or dress shorts depending on the season, and boat shoes or clean white sneakers. Add a light blazer, quarter-zip or sweater for the evening. Jeans are fine if the occasion is casual, but lightweight pants breathe better on a summer sail.

The boat cruise dress code by season

Sunset dinner cruise departures follow the sun, so the temperature on the water changes with the calendar. Typical start times are 5:30 PM in spring, 6:00 PM in summer, 5:00 PM in fall and 3:30 PM in winter. The boat cruise dress code is mostly layering.

  • Spring (March to May): a light dress or linen pants plus a wrap. Evenings cool off quickly after the sun drops.
  • Summer (June to August): breathable fabrics, sunglasses and sunscreen. Charleston’s July average high is above 90 degrees Fahrenheit, but the water breeze helps, and a light layer is still smart for the return trip.
  • Fall (September to November): a sweater or blazer and the earliest sunsets of the shoulder season.
  • Winter (December to February): a warm coat, scarf and gloves. Charleston winters are mild, with January averaging a high around 60 degrees, but it is colder on the water, and blankets are on board.

What to wear on a dinner cruise for each occasion

  • Anniversary or proposal: dress up a notch. Solid colors photograph cleanly against sails and sky. Tell the captain about a proposal before the day.
  • Birthday: bring a cake or dessert, and wear something you can celebrate in. Let the crew know ahead so it is stored properly.
  • Bachelorette or group dinner: coordinate colors, but keep hair secure and heels in a bag.
  • Corporate dinner: business casual with a layer is plenty.

What to avoid wearing on a sailboat

  • High heels or dark marking soles
  • Floor-length skirts and anything with a train
  • Loose, lightweight scarves that blow away
  • Hats without a chin strap
  • Anything you would hate to get a little salt spray on

For the full packing list, from food and drinks to sunscreen rules, see what to bring on a boat. If you are planning an earlier-in-the-evening sail instead, read what to wear on a sunset cruise.

What the evening looks like

The cruise lasts about 2.5 hours from the Harborage at Ashley River Marina at 33 Lockwood Drive. You arrive 10 to 15 minutes early for the safety briefing, then sail past the Battery, Waterfront Park and the Ravenel Bridge as the sun sets, with Fort Sumter visible on the horizon. Dinner is BYOB, or a catered menu from Caviar & Bananas delivered to the boat. The boat has a refrigerator, drinkware, plateware, utensils and a private marine restroom. Read the Charleston dinner cruise page for timing and options.

Settled on what to wear on a dinner cruise? Book the dinner cruise or call (843) 256-6355.