What do men Actually wear on Formal Night - 2011 poll

2010 Princess only Men's Formal Poll

We have often seen opinions about what is worn, could be worn, of "what can I get away with" to the Main Dining Room on Formal Nights. The Princess Cruises dress "code" for formal nights is fairly clear.

Many posts cite what they would LIKE to see, and may not reflect what is actually done. For instance one can read posters who adamantly support casual dress but admit they always dress per the formal dress suggestions.

Several, including myself, have posted approximate statistics on type of men's dress observed (e.g. 40% tuxedo, 45% suit, 10% sport coat/tie, 5% other), some of which may be conflicting data to the Cruise Critic reader.

There was a poll on this subject I posted over a year ago. From comments seen more recently there may be a shift in what is actually worn.

The intent of this poll is to see what the real statistics may be for a sample of Cruise Critic members who have sailed on Princess Cruises.

This poll should:

- only show what the man actually wears. This is not a "what should be allowed" poll.

- show one person = one vote (not who can post more comments supporting a position)

- enable all Cruise Critic members to stand up and be counted (poll is anonymous).

Thanks for the input !

Bob

I always wear my tuxedo on formal nights.

My DH wears a very sharp black suit. Love it!

I guess I've pretty much done them all. On our last cruise I wore a suit. The cruise before that I rented a tux. On others we skipped formal nights. And sometimes I did a combination :-)

I always wear a Tuxedo or occasionally my Kilt:p

Hi All

Has to be the kilt no other item of clothing attracks women as fast.

yours Shogun

DH does a tux most formal nights. If we skip formal night, it's because we are tired and just want a quick bite in the buffet, or are completely "fooded out" and don't want to eat all.

DH always wears his tux on formal night. I must say he looks quite dashing when he is all dressed up. :D

Well, I was interested to actually see what went down on formal nights on our first Princess Cruise. Previous cruises on NCL and Celebrity saw a real mix, with the NCL cruise having tuxes and the Celebrity having no tuxes.

I was worried about my husband's wardrobe after reading on CC that most men really dress up on formal nights. However, on formal nights during our 14 day Caribbean cruise on CB this past month, I saw a real mix. My husband wore slacks and a suit jacket with an open collar dress shirt and he was certainly far from underdressed. Sure, I saw tuxes, but I also saw a dude in sandals (a 60-something looking guy) and plenty in short sleeved dress shirts and no jacket.

Something I noted: many on CC will say, "Well, you may feel UNCOMFORTABLE" if you are dressed down. Really? I had to purposely LOOK AROUND to see what the men were all wearing (I did this because of what I'd read on CC and I really just wanted to see what was out there in the dining room). Otherwise, I would not be able to tell you what those other men were wearing. I think you'd have to be a fairly paranoid person to feel so "uncomfortable" in this situation.

I usually wear the kilt but, I must admit, occasionally "dress down" to a tux.

Well, I was interested to actually see what went down on formal nights on our first Princess Cruise. Previous cruises on NCL and Celebrity saw a real mix, with the NCL cruise having tuxes and the Celebrity having no tuxes.

 

I was worried about my husband's wardrobe after reading on CC that most men really dress up on formal nights. However, on formal nights during our 14 day Caribbean cruise on CB this past month, I saw a real mix. My husband wore slacks and a suit jacket with an open collar dress shirt and he was certainly far from underdressed. Sure, I saw tuxes, but I also saw a dude in sandals (a 60-something looking guy) and plenty in short sleeved dress shirts and no jacket.

 

Something I noted: many on CC will say, "Well, you may feel UNCOMFORTABLE" if you are dressed down. Really? I had to purposely LOOK AROUND to see what the men were all wearing (I did this because of what I'd read on CC and I really just wanted to see what was out there in the dining room). Otherwise, I would not be able to tell you what those other men were wearing. I think you'd have to be a fairly paranoid person to feel so "uncomfortable" in this situation.

Some people on this board will have you believe that everyone is dressed in their finest on formal nights. You have seen & now believe what actually takes place. ;)

Poll results show that about 65% wear a tux or suit and tie. Not quite "everybody" but an overwhelming majority!!

My personal observation is that about 90% wear a tux or suit and tie!

Hi All

 

Has to be the kilt no other item of clothing attracks women as fast.

 

yours Shogun

You're certainly right about that!;)

I must be one of those ten percent or less. I am on the Grand TA this spring. I have worn suits and ties for nearly 40 years and when I am on vacation, I want to relax, not dress up. DW and I usually eat in Lido or specialty restaurants on formal nights. Besides, to bring formal wear usually entails another entire suitcase which these days costs more than a little to travel with. Uncomfortable. Not me. I am not on vacation to impress anyone.

You're certainly right about that!;)

True. I have even had ladies ask if they can have a picture made with me! :^)

Not out to impress anybody - I'm well past that. But it's fun to dress up, as I am retired and usually in shorts and a polo.

Thanks for posting this survey...nice to see just numbers & not opinions. :p

Early returns are about 84% with some sort of coat & tie and will enjoy seeing the results after the poll ends in mid-May. Too many surveys are too limited in their options (including many of the CC ones on their homepage) & obviously you took your time to cover every situation...thanks again for an informative, non-biased survey. :)

The Maitre'D has never commented on his dress and he's never been turned away on formal night. We have done 1 Alaska cruise. All others have been Caribbean and South Pacific.

I am not a dresser but I have one suite and I lose weight every year, up date the tie and shirt and pack it for the cruise. That is the only thing that gets it out of my closet.

Some people are made for suits and look good in them, I have never felt that I am one of them.

EB

I always wonder about forum polls, aren't they really showing statistics for those that answered the poll? Surely not everyone who cruises voted.

Just my 2c. :)

I always wonder about forum polls, aren't they really showing statistics for those that answered the poll? Surely not everyone who cruises voted.

 

Just my 2c. :)

I think you're right! Somebody conduct a poll for those who aren't on CC! :-)

I always wear a tuxedo on formal nights.

I don't know how to answer. If we know we're going to participate in formal night, DH will take his tux. We got caught out in Greece where we were invited to dine with new friends on formal night and he only had a sports jacket, shirt and tie. But lately we've opted out of formal nights and eaten in specialty restaurants in smart casual or ordered a pizza on our deck and worn shorts

DH wears a tux on longer cruises (rents it from the ship to save packing space), suit and tie on shorter cruises and ethnic dress (Barong Tagalog with suit pants and jacket) when we cruise with his family.

Not sure I will bring tux or suit for next cruise. Really dont want to bring a third suitcase on Plane. If we were able to drive to port it would be a Tux

Not sure I will bring tux or suit for next cruise. Really dont want to bring a third suitcase on Plane. If we were able to drive to port it would be a Tux

Another excuse! 3rd suitcase? Is it your 3rd suitcase or are there more than 1 person traveling with you?