Celebrity Formal nights in Caribbean

[AlannChris]

First Celebrity Caribbean cruise. On Celebrity Europe and Transatlantics many men are dressed formally or dark suits. What about Caribbean? Recently took RCL in Europe and was surprised how casually people dressed on formal nights.

[Lsimon]

My own observation is that the majority of men do comply with the formal night dress code and wear either tuxes, dark suits, or other attire appropriate for formal night. A smaller percentage wear sport jackets or blazers and some dress smart casual as formal attire is not required in the specialty restaurants nor in Blu.

 

Some other posters occasionally challenge my observation saying that they believe that the majority does not wear tuxes or dark suits. Perhaps my casual observations are tainted by my own preference to wear formal attire and the fact that most of our cruise friends do as well. But I truly beleive that most people will wear formal attire.

 

Formal attire is the dress code in the main dining room. With that said a man will have no problem getting in as long as he is dressed nicely and wearing a dress jacket of some sort. On some cruises there are reports that enforcement is light and not all men wear jackets so there are always some here on cruise critic who insist that jackets are not required on formal night. But I wouldn't recommend taking a chance on being refused entrance to the dining room.

 

Personally I encourage everyone to follow the published dress code:

Evenings aboard Celebrity include two types of dress: "Smart Casual and Above" and "Formal."

 

"Smart Casual and Above"

Ladies: Skirt or pants (no holes, rips or tears) with a sweater or blouse.

Gentlemen: Pants (no holes, rips or tears) with a sports shirt or sweater. Shirts must have sleeves.

 

"Formal" attire:

Ladies: Cocktail dress, gown, or a dressy pantsuit.

Gentlemen: Tuxedo, suit or dinner jacket with slacks.

 

Note: T-shirts, swimsuits, robes, bare feet, tank tops, baseball caps and pool wear are not allowed in the main restaurant or specialty restaurant at any time. Shorts and flip-flops are not allowed in the evening hours. The dress code will be enforced at all restaurants. And guests are asked to follow the "Smart Casual and Above" dress code in the Celebrity Theater for all evening performances.

[MicCanberra]

First Celebrity Caribbean cruise. On Celebrity Europe and Transatlantics many men are dressed formally or dark suits. What about Caribbean? Recently took RCL in Europe and was surprised how casually people dressed on formal nights.

The guidelines remain the same, how you choose to dress is up to you. I would imagine that the staff would be more relaxed on enforcing the guidelines.:D

[New Hampshire]

The guidelines and the reality of my experience on our past three cruises have been very different. Those three cruises have been to Europe, the Caribbean and Bermuda, and we didn't see much difference in dress between the itineraries. My husband has always worn a tux and for the first time will be foregoing the tux and bringing a sport jacket on our next cruise in March.

[kitty9]

In reality, RCI is different from Celebrity in some ways, one is their formal nights. RCI has "elegant" nights where to some it means just a shirt and trousers. That's not the case with Celebrity, regardless of where your ship is located. Celebrity cruisers tend to dress more upscale.

[MicCanberra]

Celebrity cruisers tend to dress more upscale.

The majority of the X cruisers visiting the MDR on formal night definately are dressed well and to the guidelines.:D

[ladyflatlander]

In reality, RCI is different from Celebrity in some ways, one is their formal nights. RCI has "elegant" nights where to some it means just a shirt and trousers. That's not the case with Celebrity, regardless of where your ship is located. Celebrity cruisers tend to dress more upscale.

 

Totally agree. Celebrity cruisers tend to adhere to formal dress. Just back from NE/Canada and more TUX and long gowns than I can remember and crowded dance floors. Made for wonderful cruise experience.

 

 

We are on Celebrity 2 to 3 times a year (if lucky enough) and always have good onboard experience.

[MicCanberra]

Totally agree. Celebrity cruisers tend to adhere to formal dress. Just back from NE/Canada and more TUX and long gowns than I can remember and crowded dance floors. Made for wonderful cruise experience.

 

 

We are on Celebrity 2 to 3 times a year (if lucky enough) and always have good onboard experience.

I think it really makes some nights on the crusie that extra bit special as most people have really made an effort and as such are prepared for an evening of fun.:D

[Iamthesea]

Totally agree. Celebrity cruisers tend to adhere to formal dress. Just back from NE/Canada and more TUX and long gowns than I can remember and crowded dance floors. Made for wonderful cruise experience.

 

 

We are on Celebrity 2 to 3 times a year (if lucky enough) and always have good onboard experience.

 

A lot depends on the crowd onboard. For instance, Europeans tend to dress a little nicer. Do Canadians?

[iancal]

Were on a 14 day Caribbean cruise next month. There will be no dark suit or tux, etc. in my bags.

[mrmcgoo1964]

Last time I was on a Celebrity Cruise on one of the formal nights my wife and I found our way to the night club and had a very pleasant evening,

however I got chatting to a most amiable gentleman seated at the bar wearing shorts a tee shirt and flip flops.

 

The conversation inevitably turned to his attire and I asked if he was aware it was a formal night.

He replied

 

"I'm Australian mate, this is bloody formal":D

 

yet another reason why I love Australia and Australians

[We're The Groupnors]

A lot depends on the crowd onboard. For instance, Europeans tend to dress a little nicer. Do Canadians?

 

This Canadian does, and so does her husband. It'll be gowns and tux for us in 5 or so weeks!

[iancal]

We are from the western part of Canada. Very casual. We will leave the cowboy boots at home. We will pack light, go casual, and enjoy the sea and sun. We would be happy to raise a few with that Aussie-formal night or no formal night.

[MicCanberra]

Last time I was on a Celebrity Cruise on one of the formal nights my wife and I found our way to the night club and had a very pleasant evening,

however I got chatting to a most amiable gentleman seated at the bar wearing shorts a tee shirt and flip flops.

 

The conversation inevitably turned to his attire and I asked if he was aware it was a formal night.

He replied

 

"I'm Australian mate, this is bloody formal":D

 

yet another reason why I love Australia and Australians

That may be true for some, certainly not for all.

Remember that Formal night really only applies to the MDR only, the theatre was included at one stage but I am not so sure now. So any other areas, people can wear what they wish (within reason).:D

[cricketgal]

A lot depends on the crowd onboard. For instance, Europeans tend to dress a little nicer. Do Canadians?

 

Speaking for we Canadians, DH loves to wear his tux on cruises and I love to get all glitzed up in long gown the first formal night, cocktail dress on 2nd and lots of sparkle. DH usually "dresses down" his tux on 2nd formal night either by wearing a regular tie (not bow tie) or gasp...no tie at all.;)

 

Haven't cruised Celebrity for quite a few years but glad to hear that they enforce the formal dress code. Quite disappointed in RCI last few cruises allowing tacky people in shorts and loud shirts in MDR on formal night. I respect the fact that they don't like to dress up, just choose a different DR to eat on formal nights. Just saying:)

[MicCanberra]

Speaking for we Canadians, DH loves to wear his tux on cruises and I love to get all glitzed up in long gown the first formal night, cocktail dress on 2nd and lots of sparkle. DH usually "dresses down" his tux on 2nd formal night either by wearing a regular tie (not bow tie) or gasp...no tie at all.;)

 

Haven't cruised Celebrity for quite a few years but glad to hear that they enforce the formal dress code. Quite disappointed in RCI last few cruises allowing tacky people in shorts and loud shirts in MDR on formal night. I respect the fact that they don't like to dress up, just choose a different DR to eat on formal nights. Just saying:)

 

I would not go as far as it being enforced. I think it is that most people adhere to the guidelines as they want the night to be special.:D

[New Hampshire]

It has not been enforced on my last three cruises, two of them in 2012 and most recently in May. All three had men in shirtsleeves on formal nights in the dining room. We dined in Select Dining for all three, so maybe there was more formal dress in the side of the MDR with set seatings that we didn't see.

 

Our next cruise is in March in the Caribbean. It's just seven nights and I expect to see few tuxes and evening gowns. I'll report back afterwards. This will be the first time we leave the tux and evening gown behind. We will be dressy, but not formal.

[wallie5446]

In 5 days we will sail again in the Carib, don't let me even mention to the wifester I am not taking a dinner jacket, suit, or tux:eek: There are always many fellows dressed to the nines on ship on Carib sailings:D we had our Holiday cards made on the Ruby Princess last year from a photo taken on ship:D:)

[Fouremco]

I thought that the following excerpt provides an interesting perspective on the issue of formal dress:

 

“Fitz returned to his dressing room. Some men had abandoned tailcoats and white ties, and wore short tuxedo jackets and black ties at dinner, citing the war as their excuse. Fitz did not see the connection. Why should war oblige people to dress informally?”

 

Excerpt From: Follett, Ken. “Fall of Giants.” PENGUIN group, 2010-08-03T23:00:00+00:00. iBooks.

This material may be protected by copyright.

 

Now I just feel so... slovenly... in my tux. Oh, the ignominy! :o

 

[ghstudio]

Celebrity's dress code policy is:

 

"T-shirts, swimsuits, robes, bare feet, tank tops, baseball caps and pool wear are not allowed in the main restaurant or specialty restaurant at any time. Shorts and flip flops are not allowed in the evening hours. As a courtesy to our guests, we respectfully require and enforce compliance with dress code at the entrance of your restaurant of choice. Additionally, guests are asked to follow the 'Smart Casual and Above: dress code in the Celebrity Theater for all evening performances".

 

So...you can wear torn jeans to the casino on formal night, you can wear non ripped jeans to the theater at night and so on. The Aussie was not following the dress policy.

 

Note the statement in red.....If your choice is to dine dressed in your own interpretation of the policy or your belief that it won't be enforced based on what you read here, then understand that on your cruise, it might just be enforced....and you have little to argue/escalate about.

[GEEKMA92]

I'm mostly with the Aussie, although I think long pants are better formal attire than shorts. I haven't worn a dress for 30 years, not about to start now.

 

I will take great pleasure in watching everyone dress "to the nines" on our cruise in December.

[gek]

Celebrity's dress code policy is:

 

"T-shirts, swimsuits, robes, bare feet, tank tops, baseball caps and pool wear are not allowed in the main restaurant or specialty restaurant at any time. Shorts and flip flops are not allowed in the evening hours. As a courtesy to our guests, we respectfully require and enforce compliance with dress code at the entrance of your restaurant of choice. Additionally, guests are asked to follow the 'Smart Casual and Above: dress code in the Celebrity Theater for all evening performances".

 

So...you can wear torn jeans to the casino on formal night, you can wear non ripped jeans to the theater at night and so on. The Aussie was not following the dress policy.

 

 

My opinion is that the highlighted sentence refers to the restaurants only, as it is clearly a continuation of the previous sentence. Shorts and flip-flops are fine everywhere in the evening except restaurants and the theatre.

[gpnfish]

My opinion is that the highlighted sentence refers to the restaurants only, as it is clearly a continuation of the previous sentence. Shorts and flip-flops are fine everywhere in the evening except restaurants and the theatre.

 

I agree, and its really obvious it's meant in the context of dining room dining only. If not, then you would required to wear long pants in the Oceanview café in the evening, which clearly is not the case.

[pnsnkr]

We love formal nights. I don't wear a tux but don a really decent two-piece suit, dress shirt and tie. We may be in the minority on this one, but we make it a point to book specialty restaurants on formal nights for that extra special experience.

[Tiggertastic]

We took the full lot with us, most people we saw either had a tux or a dark suit

 

Even in the caribbean most people wanted to get dressed up