theme help!

[factoryfourteen]

Starting to pack for my Jan HAL cruise, and since everyone here always has such great advice/ideas, I thought I would post a list of the theme nights that will be going on while we're on the ship. . . Any ideas as to what we should wear or pack for each theme would be helpfuls, as would any stories abt. what you may have worn to a similar theme night (Feel free to post pics too, if you have them!:D)-I'll be posting this in the cruise fashions section too, but thought it would be great to hear from past HAL cruisers-Here's the list:

The more difficult ones- -
Aztec
Mardi Gras
Farmer's Ball
Speakeasy
Sultan of brunei
Oriental
Farewell to Taj
Out of Africa
Carnivale in rio
pirates of the caribbean

The easy ones-
B&W ball
Valentine's Ball
Easter
Black & Gold
St.Patrick's


In particular, unique or easily packable suggestions would be nice! We love to dress up, so go all out! Can't wait to hear what you come up with!!:D :D

[jazzsea]

Years ago when a variety of dress up occasions were available on ships, I had collected many large scarves. Collecting scarves became a hobby and eventually I found earrings and other items to complement the scarves. It was easy to match the scarves to the occasions on the ship.

Sometimes the biggest problem was knowing in advance what the theme nights were going to be.

DH was not too excited about the dressing up so I found neck ties and other small items that would help him get into the spirit of the theme.

It is still easy to find truly tacky scarves and earrings. Or theme items. Half the fun is buying them at close out prices.

[JDee]

Quote: I thought I would post a list of the theme nights that will be going on while we're on the ship. . .

While some lines have Caribbean theme Bar-b-ques, county/western night, etc., HAL has none of these. At least I don't recall ever seeing one. HAL's bar-b-que is not really theme oriented in my opinion. Just another cookout.

During any holiday period, the ships will be decorated for that particular holiday, but that's about it.

Even in the main DR, they do not feature a special night such as French, Italian, etc., where the staff would be dressed accordingly featuring food of that country. Used to have some of those theme foods at the midnight buffet, but not sure of that now either. Heard that Dutch night is on the way out, or gone...

Happy Thanksgiving....

[Esme]

When I first started to reply to you, I wondered where you were getting the info regarding theme nights, because HAL hasn't had any like they did in the "old days", but looking at your previous posts I see that you are on the World Cruise, so it now makes sense.

Friends just got back from the Prinsendam and had a wonderful time. Great food, entertainment and a wonderful crew.

I am sorry, I have no suggestions.

Have a wonderful time. I am sure you are going to really enjoy it.
:D

[mattR]

So HAL dosn't do theme nights? If so how do you find out which ones will be on your sailing?

[RuthC]

matt, typically on shorter cruises HAL's theme nights are special nights in the Crow's Nest. There might be a 50's night (sock hop), or a country/western night. It might run from 10:15 or so until about midnight. The staff will dress in a sort of costume, but the passengers don't usually.

On longer cruises, like factoryfourteen's, the theme nights are more, and more extensive. These will be listed in the pre-cruise documents so the passengers can plan what to bring.

factoryfourteen, for "speakeasy", perhaps you could find a vintage chemise dress in a second-hand shop. Add a lo-o-o-ng string of pearls, then stick a feather in your hair. A "flapper" look.
"Oriental" might change based on the country you're at when it's held. You will most likely be making purchases as you travel; perhaps you can pick up a kimono, sari, or Hawaiian float to wear.
"Farmer's Ball" could be jeans (cover-alls would be better) with a plaid flannel shirt. Got room in your luggage to add a straw hat? Same outfit as country/western should work.

There's a start. Please don't feel you have to be in full costume to enjoy each theme night. You can go to the party anyway and still have a good time. You might not want to go to all of them, either.

[midnight sushi]

Starting to pack for my Jan HAL cruise, and since everyone here always has such great advice/ideas, I thought I would post a list of the theme nights that will be going on while we're on the ship. . . Any ideas as to what we should wear or pack for each theme would be helpfuls, as would any stories abt. what you may have worn to a similar theme night (Feel free to post pics too, if you have them!:D)-I'll be posting this in the cruise fashions section too, but thought it would be great to hear from past HAL cruisers-Here's the list:

The more difficult ones- -
Aztec
Mardi Gras
Farmer's Ball
Speakeasy
Sultan of brunei
Oriental
Farewell to Taj
Out of Africa
Carnivale in rio
pirates of the caribbean

The easy ones-
B&W ball
Valentine's Ball
Easter
Black & Gold
St.Patrick's


In particular, unique or easily packable suggestions would be nice! We love to dress up, so go all out! Can't wait to hear what you come up with!!:D :D

Pirates of the caribbean is done on disney cruise line, I got back from a couple of weeks ago

[hammybee]

As always, listen to Ruth.

On shorter cruises the concept of theme nights tends to be lame and limited to a few hours in the Crow's Nest. I have not observed any passengers dressing for such occasions as the theme is more about the music and dance, than costume.

If you do not get the answers you need on this post, you might consider a new post to the attention of world cruisers who have been there/done that.

BTW, I love your enthusiasm.