How formal is RCI?

[Folgy]

I just finished a Vision cruise in Alaska. I was very surprised at the lack of formal dress on both nights (yes I did go formal.) There were about 25% formal about 50% "Sunday best," 15% casual and about 10% with T-shirts, jeans and caps. And yes, men ate with their caps on!

 

Considering the age of most of the cruisers was 40's to 70's, I was very, very surprised!

 

caps on !!!!!! OMG, Thats enough to barf me out . It is so sad the very mistique that drew me to cruising ...the ambiance , fine dining has become carefree (careLESS) dining.

The Mass Market dictates the ever downhill spiral of class and decorum.

[Rondo]

Piper, I, too, was very surprised at the lack of formal dress on our Alaska cruise last year!! The second formal night was almost a joke!

 

I honestly think that since there are a lot of first-time cruisers these days, they truly don't comprehend the word "formal". When you have 3/4 of the ship being first-time cruisers, inexperienced in formal dress because they've never been to a formal dinner, they think they are dressed up, because they are dressed like the majority. I noticed on our Caribbean cruise in June that formal night was more like Sunday-best (which can mean a polo shirt and a good pair of Kahki shorts).

 

I do think that RCI should enforce the "no hats" in the dining room!!

[hstrybuf]

IMHO the formality of every cruise on the lines on which I've sailed depended on the passenger mix. I still take formal gowns for formal nights and will probably continue to do so. I really hope that they never consider doing away with formal nights completely because I don't dress up like that at home. Plus, it harkens back to the romantic days of old when everyone dressed up for dinner every night.

[hdawson]

None of my 18 cruises have been in the summer or other school holidays. Could it be that holiday and summer cruises attract a different class or type of cruiser? Fall, winter and spring cruises have always had a very high percentage of compliance with an appropriate standard of dress.

[raerae]

It' been a long time since I've seen any Pittsburgh area people on this board. I live near Clifton Road, off of Irishtown Extension. My husband and I were on the Mariner last year and loved her! We too love dressing up for dinner, my DH loves to wear his tux, and loves to see me in a gown. Last year we did see a lot of evening gowns, especially the first formal night. We had to skip cruising this year so we could fix up our house, but next April we are going on an 11 day Panama Canal Cruise on the Brilliance. I can't wait.

 

When are you cruising next?

 

Sherry

 

Sherry,

We were looking at the Brilliance for next April also. Next year we are celebrating our 25th in Feb. and my DH turns 50 in Feb and me in March. Big celebration year for us. We wanted to cruise in Feb or March but found out we are getting another grandchild at the end of Feb or beginning of March. We thought waiting till April was safe. LOL....unless another DIL ends up pregnant. But those grandkids sure are cute. We have 5 kids between us and 5 grandkids. This is the second time around for both of us.

This is our tenth cruise since 1996. I am very impressed with your list. We've done a few of the same ships. We are looking forward to the Mariner (our 3rd voyager class ship). Did the AOS, Explorer, Monarch x2, Grandeur, NCL Dream, Norway, Millenium, and CCL Inspiration.

Cindy ;)

[Ohunion Cruzers]

The following expectation can be found on RCI’s Web Page:

 

http://www.royalcaribbean.com/customersupport/faq/lifeOnboardFaq.do;jsessionid=00003r7uyfPObwi9-KWfJ3UFI4U:v2mocc7o#8

 

What are the dress codes onboard?

There are three distinct types of evenings onboard: casual, smart casual and formal. Suggested guidelines for these nights are:

 

Casual: Sport shirts and slacks for men, sundresses or pants for women

Smart Casual: Jackets and ties for men, dresses or pantsuits for women

Formal: Suits and ties or tuxedos for men, cocktail dresses for women

 

3 to 4-night cruises include one formal night and two or three casual nights.

5 - nights include one formal and four casual nights.

7 to 9-night cruises include two formal nights, one smart casual night and four to six casual nights.

10, 11, and 12-night cruises include two formal nights and two smart casual nights, all other nights are casual.

14+ -night cruises include three formal nights and four smart casual nights. All other nights are casual.

 

We appreciate your usual parental guidance and cooperation in observing these easy guidelines with your children.

[JeffHatfield]

I hope they keep the 2 Formal nights, but it wouldn't bother me at all to see them do away with the smart casual. (Most of the cruisers on the Grandeur 2 weeks ago did anyway. On the first Smart Casual night, my dad and I were about the only two in jackets and ties in the dining room.)

[Mamatex]

Over the years, we've modified our packing to include Casual and Formal thus eliminating Smart Casual from the agenda. I pack clothes for the two formal nights and the the rest of the evening dinners we pack Casual.

[PH8]

Which night is the Captains night(first or second formal night)??

[bearette1017]

Hi Karen

 

Regarding the Mariner last year, it was a big ship! It was beautiful, we loved the floor in the Casino, it was made of plexiglass and had carnival type items underneath. We did okay in the Casino too. We were in a Grand Suite, and I have never seen anything ike it. The room was huge, we had loads of closet space and a sofa and 2 chairs with a coffee table. Every day we got some snack at about 4 p.m. delivered to our room. The lounges were terrific. Never went to Chops or Portofino's, the Dining Room food was very good, and the Top Hat and Tails Dining Room was gorgeous. The 2 pools together was a nice touch, although the color scheme was a bit wild. Entertainment was the usual Las Vegas type revue. We did have Matt Yee at the piano bar, and he was a scream! We also had Captain Johnny Faevelen, who was every bit as good as I had read on these boards before sailing the Mariner. They did get dressed up for formal nights, although it seemed glitzier on the first formal night, and more cocktail dresses on the second. But they do let people in wearing slacks and a tee shirt. A lot of people get dressed for dinner then go back to their room and change back to shorts. Oh you have to go to the Ice Show--it was fantastic! Those performers were so talented.

 

If you have any other questions, let me know. Sherry

[bearette1017]

Cindy

 

Congrats on all your celebrations next year. We are leaving on April 17, which is the last Panama Canal sailing for the Brilliance before it goes to Europe. If you book in April, the 10 day cruise before ours leaves on April 8 and goes right in to Easter week. We had booked that and then people on this board who were on the Brilliance this year for Easter told me to change is if I could. The ship was over run with wild kids who threw food, took over the adult only solarium, etc. Fortunatly I was able to switch to the 17th--the 11 day trip cost the same as the 10 day, and we also got to use our Crown and Anchor coupon. I've been in touch with others who are sailing that week, and it seems we've got a good group, about 28 people for the M&M. A lot of them are celebrating 25th Anniversaries too! Check us out on the boards.

 

Sherry