There is a quiet but meaningful shift aboard Regent Seven Seas. From next month, the line’s evening policy broadens its definition of elegant casual, welcoming refined denim and dress sneakers in all public areas after 6 pm. For travellers who value polish without fuss, this is a practical evolution that keeps the ambience while easing the rules.
Regent’s version of elegant casual has always aimed for relaxed refinement rather than black-tie formality. Think tailored separates, neat shirts, dresses that move easily from an aperitif to a late show, and outer layers that look considered rather than corporate. The expanded guidance formalises what many guests already prefer at sea, a standard that feels stylish in a bar or specialty restaurant, while never straying into beachwear or gym wear.
The headline is simple, jeans are welcome after 6 pm if they look the part. Choose darker washes or clean ecru, opt for structured, well-fitting silhouettes, and avoid whiskering, rips, tears or heavy distressing. Pair denim with a blazer or a softly structured jacket and a fine-gauge knit for a look that reads smart the moment you step into The Bar or the theatre.
Sneakers now have a seat at the table, provided they are genuinely dressy. Prioritise clean lines, a low profile and neutral or classic colours, such as white, navy, tan or black, and ensure they are in good condition. Leather or premium knit styles work beautifully with chinos or dark denim, and they are especially welcome on nights when you plan to wander from pre-dinner cocktails to a late-night set without a shoe change.
The update is straightforward in practice. After 6 pm, the new guidelines apply across public spaces, including lounges, restaurants and entertainment venues. During the day, resort-casual staples still make sense near the pool or on a relaxed sea-day lunch, and of course, guests who love to dress up are still encouraged to go all in.
Evenings are when ships take on a special rhythm, lights dim, live music starts to warm up, and tables fill. The new leeway for refined denim and dress sneakers begins at 6 pm, aligning with cocktail hour and early dinner seatings. If you are arriving straight from a late shore tour, this flexibility removes the pressure of dashing back to change into formal footwear.
The spirit of Regent’s venues remains unmistakably polished. The aim of the policy is to protect that atmosphere while reflecting how modern travellers socialise. In practice, a neat pair of jeans with a smart knit or blouse will look right at home at the bar before dinner, and a leather sneaker under a tailored trouser can sit comfortably beneath a linen tablecloth without drawing the eye.
Some evenings call for ceremony, and Regent has not taken that away. If you delight in tuxedo touches, velvet jackets, silk wraps or heels that make a statement, bring them. Daywear guidelines still steer away from swimwear in dining areas and request cover-ups when moving through indoor spaces, so the line between relaxed and too casual stays clear.
One of the unexpected benefits of this update is how it simplifies packing. Fewer dress shoes, more versatile pieces, and a capsule that stretches from shore to supper without feeling underdone. A little planning turns a carry-on into a week of effortless evenings.
Start with two pairs of elevated denim, one dark indigo and one clean ecru, plus chinos or a soft-pleat trouser. Add three shirts or blouses in breathable fabrics, a fine-gauge crew or polo knit, and a lightweight blazer or neatly cut jacket. Round things out with dress sneakers and a pair of loafers or ballet flats, and you will have combinations that adapt to the full suite of bars, lounges and dining rooms.
Fit and fabric do most of the heavy lifting. Choose denim with a refined hand, hemmed to the right break so it skims the shoe without pooling, then lift the look with texture, a silk scarf, a linen-cotton blazer, a pearlescent blouse or a crisp open-collar shirt. Subtle jewellery, a compact clutch or a slim belt brings the composition together in a way that suits a white tablecloth.
The best dress sneakers are the ones you do not think about once you sit down. Leather uppers, minimal branding and a low, clean profile are the hallmarks to look for. If you prefer a step up, loafers, derbies and sleek ankle boots pair neatly with denim and tailored trousers alike, keeping you comfortable for a post-dinner show without sacrificing the look.
Policies evolve when guest preferences do. The broadened Regent Seven Seas dress code says a lot about how luxury travellers want to spend their evenings, relaxed yet refined, comfortable yet carefully put together. It is also a nod to inclusivity, acknowledging different styles without diluting the shipboard atmosphere.
A modern luxury holiday is as much about how you feel as what you wear. Guests want to move fluidly from a late shore excursion to a tasting menu, then to a string quartet without a suitcase full of single-purpose outfits. Allowing refined denim and dress sneakers gives more room for personal expression, while still signalling that the evening is special.
Not everyone packs the same wardrobe, and not every itinerary calls for the same degree of formality. This update lets multigenerational groups and first-time luxury cruisers feel at ease, while regulars who treasure dressier nights can continue their tradition. The result is a shared standard that reads stylish across the ship and keeps the dining rooms and lounges feeling grown-up.
Relaxed does not mean careless. Jeans should be sophisticated and stylish, with no rips, tears or distressing. Sneakers should be in good condition in neutral or classic colours. Within those bounds you still get the pleasure of dressing deliberately, a choice that suits Regent’s restaurants, bars and lounges.
This change is permission to dress with intention, not instruction. Regent has made space for comfort without losing the sophistication that makes its evenings memorable. Lean into the combinations that feel like you at your best, and you will notice how smoothly your nights flow on board.
If this approach to evenings suits your travel rhythm, it helps to look at actual voyages, ships and dates where you can put the new guidance to work. Our Cruise Finder lists Regent itineraries alongside other lines, so you can compare routes, sea days and port timings, then match that to the wardrobe you prefer to travel with.
As you shortlist sailings, use the Cruise Finder filters to focus on length, region and season. That way, you can select experiences where a smart denim-and-knit combination feels perfect, from a cool-weather crossing to a relaxed Mediterranean week with late-night strolls ashore.
Every itinerary has a different cadence, which affects your wardrobe choices more than you might expect. A port-intensive week rewards breathable layers and shoes you can walk in, while a crossing invites more statement pieces. If you would like tailored suggestions that fit both your style and the ship’s venues, contact our cruise specialists and we will help you plan with confidence.
Set your baseline with elegant casual, then decide where to take it each night. One evening can be a dark jean, jacket and dress sneaker, the next a flowing dress or sharp suit for the theatre. The point is choice, and the expanded policy gives you space to express it without feeling out of place.