Dressing up for formal nights

Hi,

I'm new to cruise critic and i've never cruised before. I'm planning on a 7 or 8 night southern caribbean cruise for april of 2014. My bf, his daughter and my daughter will be joining me. My question is...We DO NOT dress up!! I have heard that as long as we dont eat in the dining room on formal night, we'll be ok. Is this correct?

Welcome to Cruise Critic.

It would help if you told us which cruise lines you have been checking out.

There are plenty of ships where not dressing up is now the norm.

And since the mere thought of dressing up MAKES YOU START SHOUTING (!!), we can steer you away from those where you may be a bit out of place.

thank you, fishywood. I'm thinking the Carnival Valor out of San Juan. I posted this on the carnival board too...I really wanna see a few ports in the southern caribbean and I know Norwegian offers freestyle cruising but I didnt see any cruises out of San Juan for them.

Welcome to Cruise Critic and congrats on your upcoming 1st cruise!!!

It's OK if you don't want to dress up. Every cruiseline has their policies on what constitutes a "formal" or "elegant" night - and whether they enforce the dress code or not.

I can't say for any cruiseline other than HAL, but they serve the same food in the Lido at night that is served in the diningroom. So, if you really want the lobster tail, you can still have it dining in the Lido. You also have the option of pizza or burgers/hot dogs.

Depending on the line you're cruising with, you could order room service to your cabin as well.

Don't let the "formal night" worry you. If you don't wish to participate, that's fine. What cruiseline are you on?

I'm thinking Carnival...Valor 4/27/14 out of San Juan...not definite yet though. It'll be my boyfriend, his daughter (18) and my daughter (8) joining me. First cruise for all of us so dont really know what to expect...but know we will have a blast!

Dressing up is optional...If you go to the Carnival website and reads their dress code, you will find that a nice outfit, not necessarily a dress for the girls, and long pants with a collared shirt for your BF would get you into the dining room. Formal night is usually when they serve lobster in the MDR, and it is one thing that isn't served in the buffet that night. EM

Welcome to Cruise Critic.

Before you decide on sailing out of San Juan -- have you checked the air line prices? You may also have to fly in a day early - check out prices of hotels.

If you sail Carnival or NCL you'll be fine heading up to the buffet on formal night (or elegant night or dress-up-or-not night). On some other lines the dress code in all public areas of the ship is "formal", which now is "cruise elegant" or other terms which mean: no jeans, no shorts, no t shirts, and try to dress up a little.. So you'll feel out of place unless you're in your cabin or in the buffet- meaning "take the fastest route to the buffet, eat, and jet down to the cabin until this formal night is o-verrrr".

Stick to Carnival and NCL and you'll be fine.

Just MHO.

If you sail Carnival or NCL you'll be fine heading up to the buffet on formal night (or elegant night or dress-up-or-not night). On some other lines the dress code in all public areas of the ship is "formal", which now is "cruise elegant" or other terms which mean: no jeans, no shorts, no t shirts, and try to dress up a little.. So you'll feel out of place unless you're in your cabin or in the buffet- meaning "take the fastest route to the buffet, eat, and jet down to the cabin until this formal night is o-verrrr".

 

Stick to Carnival and NCL and you'll be fine.

 

Just MHO.

When I sailed on RCI a lot of people changed into "normal" clothes after dinner and before going to the shows/casino. They still have a formal night, but they don't enforce the dress code all night in my limited experience. They just enforce it in the dining room.

To the OP. Carnival is a VERY casual cruise line and they don't have a formal night anymore. They have a "cruise elegant" night or two but a pair of slacks and a nice top will be sufficient for everyone. Even if you want to do a different line most of the mass market lines (NCL, RCI and Carnival) will have a pretty relaxed dress code, especially outside of the main dining rooms.

When I sailed on RCI a lot of people changed into "normal" clothes after dinner and before going to the shows/casino. They still have a formal night, but they don't enforce the dress code all night in my limited experience. They just enforce it in the dining room.

 

To the OP. Carnival is a VERY casual cruise line and they don't have a formal night anymore. They have a "cruise elegant" night or two but a pair of slacks and a nice top will be sufficient for everyone. Even if you want to do a different line most of the mass market lines (NCL, RCI and Carnival) will have a pretty relaxed dress code, especially outside of the main dining rooms.

Thanks for adding that- I can't speak for RCI.

I hate formal night by any name but it's a concession I make when I sail a line that follows it.

You are correct. The dress code applies to the dining rooms on designated nights. It is not in effect ship wide.

As you already discovered NCL never requires formal clothes. Carnival is also a very casual line. You could probably "get away with" a sun dress & DH in some type of blazer / jacket if you wanted to give it a try.

Most cruise ships are decorated to have a rather elegant feel. To DH & me, dressing up is part of the ambiance & enjoyment of cruising but we understand that many don't share our view. However, since you have never cruised, may I suggest packing at least 1 dressier outfit just in case? That way, if on board you decide you might like to try it out, you have the option.

Whatever you do, enjoy.

I'm thinking Carnival...Valor 4/27/14 out of San Juan...not definite yet though. It'll be my boyfriend, his daughter (18) and my daughter (8) joining me. First cruise for all of us so dont really know what to expect...but know we will have a blast!

Don't miss out on the MDR for dress up night ( Lobster and Prime Rib.) You do not need to be in a formal dress, tux, or even suit and tie.

We have cruise Carnival twice and while we didn't see any jeans in the MDR for dress-up night's we did see a lot of khaki pants with either polo or button up shirts for the guys and lots of women, including myself, have worn a pair of nice black pants with a dressy style top.

My son and his college roommate are cruising with us next month on Carnival and they are planning to wear Khaki pants with a long sleeve button up shirt. I have a dress for one formal evening but the second dress up night I will be wearing my black pants and dressy top again.

Don't worry, there will be lots and lots of passengers that do not go over-the-top formal.

Have Fun :)

.

Thanks everyone for all your help. I feel so lost as to what to do...having issues as to which cruise line to go with as we will have two "kids" (one will be 18 by then and the other 8...) And, the 18 year old wants to go to Jamaica...decisions, decisions...Can anyone offer advice?

You will need a notarized letter from the parent of the 8 year old who will not be with you. The letter must give permission to take the child out of the USA. If you don't have this letter, you will be denied boarding and you will lose all the money you paid for the cruise.

To be very honest, Jamaica is widely considered a not very nice/safe place to visit. Many people stay on the ship when it stops in Jamaica because of the problems including drugs and general local problems.

thanks for the info on jamaica...maybe i'll reconsider that. I'm the mom of the 8 year old :)

I'm the mom of the 8 year old :)

Her dad still needs to give you written permission to take her out of the country. The cruise line doesn't want to get caught up in a potential child abduction scenaria. (I am not saying you are doing anything wrong by taking your kd on vacation).

Her dad still needs to give you written permission to take her out of the country. The cruise line doesn't want to get caught up in a potential child abduction scenaria. (I am not saying you are doing anything wrong by taking your kd on vacation).

Seldom does anyone ask for proof of permission. But when they do you need a legally acceptable proof of permission which means its in an acceptable format with the other parent (or parents) signature verified by a notary. You can find a few of these formats by using Google or if you call your cruise line they can normally provide you with the appropriate form/and or info.

Regarding the dress code issue (a hot topic here on CC) we think there what is often lost are just the simple rules of decorum or proper etiquette which often separate a civilized society from savages. Although, in many cases, people can simply do as they please, there is a further question of what is the correct behavior. Unfortunately in today's civilized society there are many who now feel that "what is proper" is "whatever they feel like doing." What is even sadder is many of these folks do not even understand why this should be an issue. IMHO its akin to a nudist walking down a busy street (or entering an dining room) sans clothes without any concern (or interest) in how this is viewed by others. In their mind their action is simply doing what they like and why should anyone care.

Hank

thanks for the info on jamaica...maybe i'll reconsider that. I'm the mom of the 8 year old :)

Then you'll need the letter from the 8 year old's father giving you permission to take her out of the country. There was a recent cruise program on TV where a family had one child where the biological father was not with them and the cruise line didn't allow them to board the ship without the letter. They were told that the father could fax the letter to the ship, but if they didn't receive it on time, they would not be allowed to cruise. They did get the letter on time, but another family did not, and they missed their cruise.

If you have total and sole custody of your child, then you need to bring the court documents with you to show when checking in.

I'm thinking Carnival...Valor 4/27/14 out of San Juan...not definite yet though. It'll be my boyfriend, his daughter (18) and my daughter (8) joining me. First cruise for all of us so dont really know what to expect...but know we will have a blast!

Just returned from that exact cruise, Valor out of San Juan....My advice: DO IT!! I was a first time cruiser and had the time of my life! As for "formal" night, don't stress! A nice dress and sandals are fine, men were in khakis, shirts w/tie. We saw everything from "mother of the bride" type dresses & men in tux's to just a nice pair of black pants/dressy blouse. Just go & I guarantee you will have a blast!!

Hi,

I'm new to cruise critic and i've never cruised before. I'm planning on a 7 or 8 night southern caribbean cruise for april of 2014. My bf, his daughter and my daughter will be joining me. My question is...We DO NOT dress up!! I have heard that as long as we dont eat in the dining room on formal night, we'll be ok. Is this correct?

You are correct. You can eat in the buffet and dress casual on elegant nights (Carnival does not have formal nights - it has elegant nights).

If you sail Carnival or NCL you'll be fine heading up to the buffet on formal night (or elegant night or dress-up-or-not night). On some other lines the dress code in all public areas of the ship is "formal", which now is "cruise elegant" or other terms which mean: no jeans, no shorts, no t shirts, and try to dress up a little.. So you'll feel out of place unless you're in your cabin or in the buffet- meaning "take the fastest route to the buffet, eat, and jet down to the cabin until this formal night is o-verrrr".

 

Stick to Carnival and NCL and you'll be fine.

 

Just MHO.

On some other cruiselines, you won't be stuck in your cabin if you decide not to dress up. On Princess, you can certainly go to the buffet or a specialty restaurant (for the latter, the dress code is smart casual) and then stay in the public areas of the ship.

Of course, there will be some people who will gripe that you're spoiling the ambiance of the ship that night, but then why have the non-formal options then? There will be no crew member stationed at the door of the Princess Theater keeping out passengers who aren't all sparkled-up.

And with passengers on different dining schedules, how would one know that they are on their way to their cabins to change or have changed into non-formal wear and on their way to get another dessert in the International Cafe?

Now if you're on a Cunard ship, you'll be totally out of place if not dressed formally all night long til you get back to your cabin.

Thanks everyone for all your help. I feel so lost as to what to do...having issues as to which cruise line to go with as we will have two "kids" (one will be 18 by then and the other 8...) And, the 18 year old wants to go to Jamaica...decisions, decisions...Can anyone offer advice?

As others have posted, Jamaica is not the "don't worry be happy" island most of us think........

Check out the boards here in Cruise Critic for experiences on the island of Jamaica, we have now wandered bazillions of islands in the Caribbean, Jamaica was the first island that I was so happy to get back onto the ship, and thanks to CC, we took a shore tour with NCL. (oh and Tobago was "interesting")..... There are AMAZING islands in the So. and Eastern Caribbean, so much to do, and see, beaches, shopping, zip lining, on and on......

Also, take the advice of the above posts and be sure to have the proper documentation for all in your cruise party. Checking onto a ship leaving the U.S. is not like checking into the Hilton.

Have a great cruise with your "crew" :D

We don't do Formal Nights any more. That requires a separate carry-on suite case for the clothes. I already have enough pictures of me on Formal Night pouring Champaigne on the Stack of glasses in the Main Atrium. That is just another 35lbs of stuff we do not carry anymore. Formal is night with nice jacket into the MDR.

I too hate getting dressed up but I've never had a problem on Carnival. On formal/elegant nights I just make sure that I look tidy which generally means a good collared shirt and black jeans. If that sounds too dressed up then I would suggest you avoid the MDR on those nights.

Some other cruise lines and their passengers can be a bit more problematic but Carnival is pretty easy-going.

We don't do Formal Nights any more. That requires a separate carry-on suite case for the clothes. I already have enough pictures of me on Formal Night pouring Champaigne on the Stack of glasses in the Main Atrium. That is just another 35lbs of stuff we do not carry anymore. Formal is night with nice jacket into the MDR.

We avoid those Champagne Waterfalls because they will not allow me to lay-back at the bottom with open mouth :)

Hank