No formal night on 5-night cruise????

[karengh]

We're booked on the Zuiderdam 12/18......5-night cruise. My friend (finally!) got our tickets, etc. from our TA the other day, and called to tell me there is no formal night. Instead, according to our paperwork, there are 4 "casual" and 1 "informal." Is this normal for a 5-night cruise on HAL? The only other 5-night I have been on was on Carnival, and they had 1 formal night. I just want to be sure it's not a typo, because I'm going to have to re-think some of my packing!!!

[Arubalisa]

Long thread here (http://cruise-addicts.com/forums/read.php?14,865507) ;) Basically

"Here's some news I got about our "lack of formal nights"... I called to speak with a rep about this concern and she said her computers were showing that we are indeed having a formal night on the 2nd night. I told her that the documents said otherwise and that many people might not come prepared. She did not seem to think this is a problem, but I sure would be upset if I didn't pack the clothes that I will need. I hope others bring their formals just in case!"

[florida_mom]

That's interesting. My dh and I are on that cruise, as well. We have not received our docs yet as we just booked a week ago, but I'm glad I read this thread.

What is the difference between a "casual" night and an "informal" night? Just need help with this one so I know what to pack...

Also, for those of you that have been on cruises around the holidays, will the ship be decorated for Christmas? I'd love to get some pictures. Thanks!

[whalers4ever]

I hope that HA is not moving away from formal nights. :confused: It's one of the things I like about HA! Younger people should dress up as well!!!

[gooselace]

Just returned from the 12/05 7 night Westerdam cruise. Documents showed 2 formal, 1 informal and the rest casual. Actually it was 2 formal, no informal, and rest casual. No explanation of the change. Since I never quite understood the difference between casual and informal, I wore my informal dress on a casual night. Saw all kinds of attire every night.

[Arubalisa]

That's interesting. My dh and I are on that cruise, as well. We have not received our docs yet as we just booked a week ago, but I'm glad I read this thread.

What is the difference between a "casual" night and an "informal" night? Just need help with this one so I know what to pack...

Also, for those of you that have been on cruises around the holidays, will the ship be decorated for Christmas? I'd love to get some pictures. Thanks!As best as I have been able to find out...
Formal nights - it was necessary for the men to be in either a suit and tie or Tux
Informal nights - which required the men to be in a jacket (many postings/opinions on this board as to whether this is "enforced")
Casual nights- no shorts, jeans, tank tops, ok for men to wear a polo shirt

[Krazy Kruizers]

I hope HAL isn't dropping formal nights. :(

On our last 21 day cruise, we disappointed to see so few people really dressed up on the formal nights.

[RuthC]

I agree- I would hate to see fewer, or no, formal nights. As it is now the casual nights outnumber informal and formal combined! That's far too many casual nights, IMO.

florida_mom, for casual nights a woman would wear a "put-together" outfit that she might wear at a fine resort. HAL used to call it "elegantly casual". Informal would be more dressed up---perhaps something you would wear to a daytime wedding if you were not a relative (but still wanted the bride to like you!)