Which line is most formal?

[samim]

You need to switch to Princess. The people are a little better class when it go to dinner codes. They enjoy being with others that enjoy this type of dinning. And so do my wife and I. Good luck.

[montrealerinnyc]

A number of Cruise Critic discussion threads deal with the decline of dress standards on mass-market cruise lines. I am curious about the other end of the scale. In the halcyon days of first-class travel aboard opulent liners, formal dress meant white tie, white waistcoat and cutaway with tails. (I don't imagine gentlemen were generally expected to wear top hats and opera cloaks elsewhere than on open decks.) Do some men still strive for such standards aboard luxury cruise ships, or is the tuxedo the top shelf even on the high-price ships? (I feel underdressed on dress-up-or- not nights aboard NCL ships when I opt for the dark blue paisly tie and waistcoat rather than the more proper black tie and cummerbund.)

 

 

Unfortunately this thread has devolved into yet another tiresome round of mud-slinging over the dress code issue. The OP simply asked about people's experiences on the six-star lines. Apart from one reference to Crystal, I have seen no comment on those. So, in the interest of providing some kind of meaningful response:

 

From Seabourn's website:

 

"Attire On Board :

 

During the daytime, casual attire, including shorts, is welcome in all dining venues during daytime. Swimsuits, brief shorts, cover-ups and exercise attire should be reserved for poolside, on deck or in the spa and fitness center.

 

In the evenings, on cruises longer than eight days, one or more evenings are generally designated as Black Tie Optional in The Restaurant. The number of these evenings is noted on your cruise itinerary. There are more casual dining alternatives available every evening. Each day, in the ship’s daily program, a dress code advisory will list one of three options for suggested attire after 6:00 pm in dining venues:

 

 

• Casual: Slacks with sweater or shirt for men; sundress, slacks or skirt and top for women
  
• Elegant Casual: Jacket, but no tie, requested for men; dress, skirt or pants outfit for women
  
• Black Tie Optional: Tuxedo or dark suit for men; evening gown or other formal attire for women."
  

From Windstar's website:

 

"The evening attire onboard Windstar is specified as "casual elegance"- the emphasis weighted heavily on the former. "

 

and

 

"The tone for dinner and evening aboard is one of "casual elegance." Imaginative, yet relaxed. Stylish, yet comfortable. Just as you would dress on your own private yacht. For ladies, sundresses, slacks and informal cocktail dresses are appropriate. For gentlemen, we suggest slacks and collared shirts or polos. There are no formal nights, no costume parties, no requirements for suits and ties. However, if your cruise takes you to Monte Carlo, please note that casinos require men to wear both a jacket and tie. Our only restriction is that shorts, jeans and t-shirts not be worn in The Restaurant, Degrees or public rooms during the evening. Country Club Casual is acceptable for Le Merche and Candles."

 

From RSSC's website:

 

"The recommended onboard dress in the evenings is Elegant Casual resort wear. Formal and semi-formal attire is optional on sailings of 16 nights or more. Dinner dress includes skirt, or slacks with blouse or sweater, pant suit or dress for ladies; slacks and collared shirt for gentlemen. Sport jackets are optional. Jeans, shorts, t-shirts or tennis shoes are not to be worn at dinner. Ties are not required."

 

And from the Paul Gauguin website:

 

"Evenings on board are elegant, but not formal. “Country Club Casual” or resort wear is appropriate any evening. Gentlemen may wear slacks and a button-down shirt, for example. Ties are not required, but gentlemen may want to wear a blazer on the evening of the Captain's Welcome Reception. For ladies, pantsuits or informal cocktail attire are recommended. Please note that jeans, shorts and t-shirts are not appropriate for evening wear on board."

 

So there is the short answer - the luxury lines are explicitly MORE casual than the mass market lines.

 

In addition, there is a crucial difference between today and those halcyon days of white tie and tails. Back then, liners were not cruise ships. The original Queen Mary, the Mauretania, the Aquitania, the France, the S.S. United States and their sister ships were primarily a means of transportation - hence the famous competition for the Blue Riband for the fastest crossing of the Atlantic. Today we don't want to rush to get there - we want to stay onboard as long as possible! :) Unlike the Oasis, these ships were not a holiday destination in their own right -- and has been noted, they offered far more limited diversions to their passengers.

 

Similarly, the few people who could afford to sail first class in those days (and remember that nobody in steerage was wearing a tux!) were generally wealthy travelers, often people of leisure, and were merely following the standards of dress they followed when dining in company at home - white tie for formal, black tie for semi-formal, suits only for daytime use. Cruising has become much more affordable and accessible in recent decades than it was even 25 years ago, and so a very different type of passenger is now rolling up to Port Everglades than used to arrive at the pier in Southampton.

 

In sum, time marches on. Be happy in the knowledge that you can now enjoy a cruise on a luxurious ship that would once have been no more than a fantasy, and don't let what others are doing have such a negative impact on your having a great time.

[chinagirl5]

We just returned from a 10 night Celebrity Equinox cruise and I must say we were delighted by the attire worn on the ship in the evenings.

On the formal nights,most men were in tuxedos and the women wore either long dresses, short cocktail dresses or "fancy" pant outfits.

Each evening we were very impressed with the atmosphere the proper clothing can give. We had heard about the trend toiward casual and were happy to see it did not apply on our cruise.

What would I do with all my "formal" clothes if it was not for cruising?

Long live the "proper" dress code!

[Gingee]

Part of the fun of a cruise is shopping for dressy dresses.