formal night

[CanadianMAG]

What exactly is "formal" for a female? I understand the rules for a man, but what about women? I sure hope it isnt a ball gown. Maybe a nice cocktail dress? if there are rules somewhere that would be nice!

[maril]

Whatever you would wear to church would be just fine. Pants suits have been seen on many and also a simple black cocktail dress. Some choose to go the whole route and wear those ball gowns but they are fast fading away as is the tux for men.
maril
p.s. from our own observations

[gooselace]

Whatever you would wear to church would be just fine. Pants suits have been seen on many and also a simple black cocktail dress. Some choose to go the whole route and wear those ball gowns but they are fast fading away as is the tux for men.
maril
p.s. from our own observations
Around here people go to church in just about anything, much of which wouldn't be appropriate for formal night -- not to say you might not see someone wearing something similar. Dressy pants or long skirt with glittery tops work well and are sure easier to pack than a ball gown.

[Krazy Kruizers]

I take along a long black skirt and a 3/4 length black skirt and several different tops. Works well for formal and informal nights.

[Esme]

Whatever you would wear to church would be just fine. Pants suits have been seen on many and also a simple black cocktail dress. Some choose to go the whole route and wear those ball gowns but they are fast fading away as is the tux for men.
maril
p.s. from our own observations

I don't agree that whatever you wear to church would be fine for a Formal night. Around here anything goes, including jeans/shorts for church.

My formal wear consists of one long accordian pleated chiffon skirt - I have 3 or 4 tops to go with it, but usually only take one or 2. I also have a dressy 3 piece silk pant outfit - pants, shell and jacket.

You will rarely see ballgowns because they are too hard t pack.

Tuxes definitely are not fading away, especially in the Caribbean. Granted you will not see as many on a cruise to Alaska, because a lot of paxs take an inland trip and don't want to be bothered with formal wear, such as a tux. I think men look so handsome in a tux. :)

[catlib55]

On our Panama Canal cruise last week on the Rotterdam, I took a black silky skirt (3/4 length) and a black shiny sleeveless top for one formal night, a black pantset that is silky and has a sequinsed top and the sequins down the side pantlegs (on the outside), and a blue flowered polyester 3/4 length dress. I topped all three with a white sequinsed wrap that I wore around my shoulders (it was pretty chilly in the dining room). We saw many men in tuxes, but my husband didn't want to pack a tux, so he wore a black dress suit with a different colored shirt and different tie each night. There were three formal nights on our cruise (10 nights).
Hope this helps.

[CanadianMAG]

OK great thanks.... maybe its the way I am imagining it, but it doesnt seem tooo formal.. almost like what I would wear out to dinner normally. OH well :rolleyes:

[CDRMark]

Wear what you would normally wear if your DH were in a tux (even if he is not). The range of formal wear for ladies is greater than that allowed for men, so some men get 'discomposed' about it. Have a great time, and get as glammed up as you want.

Cheers
MarkB

[peaches from georgia]

OK great thanks.... maybe its the way I am imagining it, but it doesnt seem tooo formal.. almost like what I would wear out to dinner normally. OH well :rolleyes:
I don't know the type of restaurant you normally go to, but unless it is New Year's Eve or a very special occasion, the formal nights on HAL are a LOT more formal than what we wear going out to dinner at home. Most of the women do wear long dresses (though not necessarily 'ball gowns'), very formal pants suits, or long dressy skirts with dressy/sequined tops. Most of the men are in tuxes or dark suits.

[CanadianMAG]

very formal pants suits, or long dressy skirts with dressy/sequined tops.
Thats what I wear ?!?! Which is good so now I don't need to spend MORE money on clothes!!!

[RevNeal]

Thats what I wear ?!?! Which is good so now I don't need to spend MORE money on clothes!!!

Since when did a lady ever have any compunction about spending money on clothes????? ;)

Oooops ... sorry ... that was sexist of me ... wasn't it? :)

[CanadianMAG]

HA HA! :p Well as much as I WANT new clothes I am glad they are not needed. We are paying for a large wedding, this honeymoon and building our new home all in one shot..... so its just not in the budget :( only have enough for beach clothes which we don't really use here in Canada...

[iluvcruzin]

On our recent Maasdam sailing I noticed that there was a very broad range of what women considered "formal" wear. I saw gowns, I saw skirts and blouses, I saw regular dresses that I would see one wear to church or to the office. I saw black slacks with glitter tops (normally on seniors). It's really up to you. Jeans are out naturally, but people have different tastes on what is formal.

My only advise is - wear something that would make your Grandmother proud if you get my jest. :)