Formal nights

[ElaineB2]

New to Celebrity - cruising Alaska on Infinity in June. I've been told that men are just not renting tuxes the way they used to. Someone please help -- since Alaska is considered more casual, is that carried over to the cruise/cruise line also? Are there still a high number of men in tuxes? We like to do the tux rental, cause DH doesn't own a dark suit - very nice sport coats and slacks, but no dark suit. Help, please.

[Happy ks]

You will get as many opinions as you do repliers. Do what you are comfortable with, I'm sure your DH will look very handsome in the tux. Sometimes I wish I could get my DH to rent a tux, it would mean a lot less to pack. That would leave more space for my shoes!

Kathy

[tuggers]

I think you would be very happy with the tux and then you would be sure that you are dressed correctly. Besides it's fun to both get dressed up and have some nice formal pictures taken once in a while. Those will be memories you'll have forever!

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[marvholly]

Did Celebrity Mercury Alaska 6/03. At our table: my hubby in his own tux (first tinme for a tux in 8 previous cruises but DD #1 got married that Aug and DD2 was "pre-engaged so he bought), 1 man in a cruise rental tux (really poor fit), 1 man in a sport jacket and the final man in a polo shirt. 3 women wore cocktail dresses, and the 4th matched the final man. So, decide what feels right to you and go with it. We packed no more/less than on previous cruises. Need for heavier clothes & dress clothes didn't seem to make a difference. I know I pack more day outfits (shorts and pants) in the carribean as I can not wear the same outfit again but just changed blouses/sweaters daily for my 2 warm up suits on the Alaska cruise.

Holly

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[tuggers]

I have been at table with several men who have rented tuxes and have heard no complaints on fit. They all looked rather nice!

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[LovetheSea]

We have been on a couple Alaska Celebrity cruises and several Caribbean ones. Alaska was definitely more casual. My hubby bought his own tux after renting them a few times. He always wears it on formal nights. Thank goodness, because we were invited to the Captain's table! But I think a dark suit was more commonly seen in Alaska. Do what you feel like!
You don't want to dress more casual than the waiters http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

[Cindy G]

There's just something about a man in a tux! If they knew how great they looked, they would have one for each day of the week! If looking for "good prices" check out the 'net. Do a search of men's formalwear. John was thrilled with the off-white dinner jacket that he bought in April. It was much less than the local tux stores. There are many tux sites. Good luck in your search.

[LovetheSea]

Cindy G is so right. Men do look yummy in a tux http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Cindy: John was thrilled with the off-white dinner jacket that he bought in April. .<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Cindy, did he buy it on-line? If so could you email me and let me know where. (aneedham12@aol.com) My husband is wanting to buy one.

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[cruisintwinsmom]

On Infinity 7/03, my DH wore his tux. Bought one at our local tux supplier when they had a huge sale that year. They were slightly used, but could not tell. Much cheaper than having to rent in the long run. I don't remember what the other men had on; we had a table of 4 for our family.

[Randyk47]

Speaking as a guy I love my tux and I enjoy wearing it. I have several difference ties and matching cumberbunds in basic black, black with small white dots, burgundy, and a red one. This time of year, after the proms at the high schools, there are great sales. Bought mine several years ago and, thank goodness, they really don't change in style that much. Had mine before DW and I got married, in fact I wore it for our wedding, and she loves it. One of the greatest things for us is formal nights, the more the better.

Until Galaxy
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[lssteele]

My husband bought a tux after our first cruise (was able to get a good deal buying rather than renting) http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif...I only see him in it once a year when we cruise...I like a man in a tux!!

Panama Canal on the Galaxy
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[royalbluepea]

Cruisegirl,

Go on ebay and look for The Tuxxman. Good prices for a new tux. Also carries excessories. Fast service.

pea

[barquitodepapel]

Quoting Celebrity web site:

"A gentleman's choice for casual nights includes a sport shirt and slacks, while women will be comfortable in a pants suit, skirt and blouse, or casual dress.

On informal nights, men are requested to wear a jacket, shirt and tie, while women may want to wear a suit or dress.

For the formal nights, including the Captain's Welcome Aboard Cocktail Party, dinner on the second night, and the Captain's Farewell Dinner held the next-to-last night of the cruise; both men and women may prefer more dressy attire, such as an evening gown for women and a tuxedo or dress suit for men."


Now my question: How informal are the informal nigths? Men do wear jackets and ties? Did you ever see formal attire (tux or dinner jacket) on informal nigths?

Thanks

[Randyk47]

I haven't seen anybody wear a tux on an informal night for years though I can't say it never happens. In fact, the whole dress code business in my book has slipped over the past 10 years (the length of my cruising experience). Formal has become more like informal, informal more like casual, and casual...well you can see just about anything.

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[hajekfam]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Now my question: How informal are the informal nigths? Men do wear jackets and ties? Did you ever see formal attire (tux or dinner jacket) on informal nigths?<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

It depends on the itinerary,seating, and time of year. Late seating on a whole tends to be a little dressier than early seating. I have found that on our transatlantic cruises that people tended to dress up more for dinner. For an informal night, the gentlemen at our table wore suits with tie. For casual nights, they wore a sport coat with a sport shirt - no tie.
On a Caribbean cruise, late seating, jackets were worn with no tie for informal, and sports shirt and dockers were worn for casual. At late seating, suits were also seen on informal nights.
I have not seen many tuxes worn on informal nights - maybe a couple who were celebrating a special event or in the specialty dining on the Millennium.

Zenith-Western Caribbean-6/92
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Millennium-Westbound Transatlantic-9/01
Horizon-Western Caribbean - Adults only cruise-11/02
Millennium-Westbound Transatlantic 10/26/03
Century - Western Caribbean 1/31/04

[Randy in Arlington]

I've also seen dinner jackets in the specialty dining room (Summit, Feb. '04) on an "informal" night. We assumed it was a party celebrating a special occasion (table of six, if I remember correctly), or perhaps they just wanted to dress up since they were dining in the Normandie Restaurant. Otherwise, my experience is that people dress AT and DOWN from the stated norm, not AT and UP.

By the way, on a related note--and this is just my personal opinion!--in terms of "creative black tie" and all, guys should consider three factors:

1. young
2. tall
3. good looking

Your need at least TWO of the three to pull off anything unconventional. Otherwise, your best bet is to stick with the classics.

--Randy

[tuggers]

Randy,

I would like to see your two out of three ammended:

Make yours a, b & c, then add d. rich. Three out of four would be needed unless one was d in which case all others would not be needed! LOL!

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[Randy in Arlington]

Tuggers,

YUP!!! I agree totally: "d" ("rich") trumps (a little pun there!) everything else. Otherwise, though, I stick to my theory. Guys need any two out of the three--minimum--to pull it off.

--Randy

[Randyk47]

Thank goodness I like a traditional tux.....I only have one out of the three...I'm only tall! Welcome aboard Randy in Arlington.....by the way, up until a year ago I'd been Randy in Reston.

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[Cindy G]

Hi Cruisegirl....John did a search on "Google" and found a place in Indiana. You can really get some good deals on used tuxs after prom and wedding season. We met a couple from a few cruises ago who found tuxs for something like $50.00. A couple of ties and cummerbunds in colors to match your outfits and he will be dashing. Dressing up and formal nights is part of cruising.....and you just never know when you might get invited to the Capt.'s table. Your husband will be thrilled when you tell him how handsome he is....good luck.

[Wor Lad]

Try an ebay search on -

Tuxedo chest size/length e.g. Tuxedo 40R

[Randy in Arlington]

Hi, former "Randy in Reston." Unfortunately, THIS Randy has none of the three--young, tall, goodlooking--so I only wear the classics!

[DUCK33]

and remember....denim is not only appropriate but also encouraged for formal nights

[Seabee]

You will want to be careful on purchasing a tux. Pay the extra and get a wool tux. The cheap ones are typically polyester and will not last as long; particularly with the constant packing and unpacking for the many cruises one must go on. I'm standing by for the "I bought a polyester tux 47 years ago and have worn it every year since and it still looks great" comment.

************************************************** ****
With Compassion for others we build...we fight for peace and freedom

[Randyk47]

Save with me Seabee...mine is wool and indeed has stood up over the years. Better than I have! http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif

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[cjgrammy]

My DH wore his Tux on an informal night on our last cruise. We were celebrating our Wedding Anniversary, and were dining in the Specialty Restaurant. We were with a large group, and everyone thought we looked great.

Arlene http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif

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