Formal nights -- how formal?

We're going to be traveling on the Celebrity Equinox this coming May. I know there are two formal nights out of the 12-day cruise. How formal are these really? Do I need to buy an evening gown or a cocktail dress (I currently have neither), and the last thing you'll find in my husband's wardrobe is a tux. I actually have a number of quite dressy maxi skirts and some very nice tops, and my husband has a nice navy blue suit. Would these be adequate? I do want us both to wear what's appropriate, and we'll put out the money for some real formal wear if that's really what's expected. I don't want to end up doing that, however, only to find that we're the most dressed up of anyone on the ship.

This might be a question to ask on the Celebrity forum

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=28

It would not be specific to those 55 + IMO

We're going to be traveling on the Celebrity Equinox this coming May. I know there are two formal nights out of the 12-day cruise. How formal are these really? Do I need to buy an evening gown or a cocktail dress (I currently have neither), and the last thing you'll find in my husband's wardrobe is a tux. I actually have a number of quite dressy maxi skirts and some very nice tops, and my husband has a nice navy blue suit. Would these be adequate? I do want us both to wear what's appropriate, and we'll put out the money for some real formal wear if that's really what's expected. I don't want to end up doing that, however, only to find that we're the most dressed up of anyone on the ship.

You do NOT need any formal wear in BLU or any speciality restaurants or in the buffet on Celebrity. We have yet to try it but the formal aspect is a real turn off.

We would never be forced to sail formal again after 10 years on

Oceania which is always Country Club Casual.

Wear what makes you happy... It is your vacation and you should feel comfortable...:D

I was always surprised to see how many young people are nicely dressed; long gowns for the women (not ballgowns, but fancy sheaths). You want to think about the opportunities (many in one night, different backgrounds) to have a really nice picture taken of yourself and hubby. A long, solid skirt with two different fancy tops for you and a nice suit for DH would work well. Enjoy!

Hi,

We were on the Equinox last July and Solstice in Sep '12.

Guests on Celebrity do tend to go for it on the formal nights but equally a lot of women wear cocktail length dresses and men lounge suits. One of the guys on our table on the Solstice wore jacket and slacks. They do specific ties for men on formal nights and almost everyone does.

We have seen a few get turned away but they were dressed very inappropriately for a formal night (one woman in t-shirt and shorts) can you imagine?!

There are always lots of other dining options and the Ocean Cafe buffet is excellent with lots of choice if you prefer casual on formal nights.

I hope you love Celebrity as much as we do. We are doing the Caribbean on the Eclipse in November.

Hope this helps and...Enjoy :-)

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Hi,

We were on the Equinox last July and Solstice in Sep '12.

Guests on Celebrity do tend to go for it on the formal nights but equally a lot of women wear cocktail length dresses and men lounge suits. One of the guys on our table on the Solstice wore jacket and slacks. They do specific ties for men on formal nights and almost everyone does.

We have seen a few get turned away but they were dressed very inappropriately for a formal night (one woman in t-shirt and shorts) can you imagine?!

There are always lots of other dining options and the Ocean Cafe buffet is excellent with lots of choice if you prefer casual on formal nights.

I hope you love Celebrity as much as we do. We are doing the Caribbean on the Eclipse in November.

Hope this helps and...Enjoy :-)

 

 

Sent from my iPad using the Cruise Critic forums app

You will be very comfortable with those. Lots of men in suits, and many women in dressy slacks with sparky tops.

Have a grand time.

We're going to be traveling on the Celebrity Equinox this coming May. I know there are two formal nights out of the 12-day cruise. How formal are these really? Do I need to buy an evening gown or a cocktail dress (I currently have neither), and the last thing you'll find in my husband's wardrobe is a tux. I actually have a number of quite dressy maxi skirts and some very nice tops, and my husband has a nice navy blue suit. Would these be adequate? I do want us both to wear what's appropriate, and we'll put out the money for some real formal wear if that's really what's expected. I don't want to end up doing that, however, only to find that we're the most dressed up of anyone on the ship.

This topic always brings many different opinions. However, I do believe that on formal night, you should dress as if you are going to a black tie wedding. If you DH dosen't want to rent or purchase a tux, A dark suit works fine. Ladies of course have more flexibility as we can wear long or short gowns and cocktail dresses, silk pants with a fancy blouse also work .

If you husband is comfortable in a navy suit he should wear it. Some discount mens stores sell tux's for men that are actually cost effective. You will not be the most dressed up on the ship! We travel often and my DH invested in a nice tux.

Enjoy your cruises.

Ok...if you want to be formal, you will buy a gown or cocktail dress, and hubby will get at LEAST a dark suit.

A maxi skirt (I know it's long), is NOT "formal"...

It's the material, cut and the way it looks that makes a dress "formal"... You don't need a ballgown and tiara...sexy/slinky will work fine!

I've gotten some fabulous gowns on SALE...$30 or so...and they are quite formal...and, easy to pack! Beading/sequins keep fabric from wrinkling, so they are great options for travel!

Wear what makes you happy... It is your vacation and you should feel comfortable...:D

I think that could be shorts and a tee. But gowns and tuxes are seen less and less. Wearing what you would to an expensive restaurant is most acceptable.

Dear Wife and I enjoy getting dressed for formal night. We like to be nice looking and we have long deplored the slovenly dress that is becoming the norm in the U. S. Now we are far from elitists as we both worked hard for a living and are enjoying our retirement.

A nice blouse and skirt and your husband's blue suit and an appropriate tie would not be out of place. IMHO, it is much better to overdress than to underdress.

Tuxedos are available for very little online and that is where mine came from. Also formals and cocktail dresses are always on clearance online.

Traditionally, black tie is diner jackets; white tie is formal evening wear. You rarely see truly formal evening wear. I have a friend who insisted her DH get tails for their first cruise formal night - and traditional tails are obviously morning wear!

As in all things, styles change. The only (heated discussions) I have ever seen on this topic were on Cruise Critic.

We will be traveling with crystal for 13 nights in november and there are 2 formal nights. We despise them especially in humid climate. We opted to go to the specialty restraunts on those 2 nights. Just nice shirt and slacks and the same or similiar for myself. Also hate overpacking and prefer to double duty everything I have and dress up with scarves or jewelry! I do not want to take double the suitcases to accomodate formal dinners....YUCK!

We're going to be traveling on the Celebrity Equinox this coming May. I know there are two formal nights out of the 12-day cruise.

We just got off Celebrity Century on a 12-night cruise, and just FYI, there are three formal nights for 12-night cruises, not two. Like the other posters say, you can get away with a nice dark suit and dressy long or short cocktail dress for formal night. No need to spend a lot for a tux and fancy dresses unless you want to. There are lots available at reasonable or sale prices if you shop around.

My DH and I enjoy dressing up and do the whole tux and formal gown look. It really adds to our dining enjoyment in the beautiful restaurants, dancing and cocktails in the lounges, and even gambling in the casino!

We just got off Celebrity Century on a 12-night cruise, and just FYI, there are three formal nights for 12-night cruises, not two. Like the other posters say, you can get away with a nice dark suit and dressy long or short cocktail dress for formal night. No need to spend a lot for a tux and fancy dresses unless you want to. There are lots available at reasonable or sale prices if you shop around.

 

My DH and I enjoy dressing up and do the whole tux and formal gown look. It really adds to our dining enjoyment in the beautiful restaurants, dancing and cocktails in the lounges, and even gambling in the casino!

Can you rent a tux on the Century? You can on other Cel ships. Great for those who do not want to carry on the cruise or purchase and still enjoy dressing formal.

Wear what makes you happy... It is your vacation and you should feel comfortable...:D

NO! You need to abide by the dress codes. A suit with a dress shirt and tie will be fine as will your longer skirt or even dark slacks with a dressy top.

:(

We just got off Celebrity Century on a 12-night cruise, and just FYI, there are three formal nights for 12-night cruises, not two. Like the other posters say, you can get away with a nice dark suit and dressy long or short cocktail dress for formal night. No need to spend a lot for a tux and fancy dresses unless you want to. There are lots available at reasonable or sale prices if you shop around.

 

My DH and I enjoy dressing up and do the whole tux and formal gown look. It really adds to our dining enjoyment in the beautiful restaurants, dancing and cocktails in the lounges, and even gambling in the casino!

Hi everyone,

We have been on three Celebrity 12 night cruises and there has been 3 formal nights on each cruise. I am sure that's the normal for Celebrity.

We also enjoy the dressing up and go to town with a long gown. However, lots of ladies wear cocktail dresses, slacks and dressy tops etc. The men wear a variety of jackets, suits, tuxes and the full on Scottish attire, which by the way, looks really good.

It's all down to a matter of personal taste. At the end of the day, you can dress up or down as much as you like or feel comfortable with :)

Chrissie