Formal Night Advice - PLEASE!

[davey]

Thank you for all the suggestions. I think we'll probably just go. I don't mind being dressed different. It's kind of like a wedding from what I hear. Some people in suits, some tuxes, some shirts and ties, and then that weird family that wears a polo shirt and jeans. I certainly don't understand the need to wear a tuxedo on a cruise. That makes absolutely no sense to me, but to each his own. Whatever makes one happy!

[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.

[sweet angel]

If one chooses to dine mainly at Windjammer, what does one do about tipping? Does one tip the regular dining room staff AND the Windjammer staff?

[Lonecedar704]

I agree there will be plenty of men without jackets/tuxes. A shirt and tie would be fine.

We chose to go to Portofino's on formal nights.(casually dressed) It was a great decision!

[huskerdude]

Thank you for the quick responses!! If I wore a nice shirt and tie combination (no jacket) and my wife wore a nice dress or skirt/top combo for formal would we be totally out of place? That I don't mind. But I am not a jacket wearing kind of person. They get me hot and I end up just putting it on the chair 95% of the night. Thanks again! I really appreciate it. do the formal dinners have a few options? My wife is quite picky. I know on Disney you have options and you can keep trying until you find one you like!

 

Maybe he could wear the jacket into the dinning room, take it off to eat, then put it back on when you leave. Nothing wrong with that.

[WeLuvVacation]

Joyce Gleeson-Adamidis, who pens Cruise Critic's original "Under the Captain's Table" series of stories, knows the ins and outs of onboard life -- both as a cruise ship staff member and as the wife of Celebrity Cruises' venerable Captain Adamidis. In "Under the Captain's Table," Joyce will tackle, in her own candid way, a variety of topics -- offering an absolutely behind the scenes perspective on issues ranging from advice for first timers to the burgeoning debate about challenges ships face in handling family travelers.

Onboard Fashion. Do you wish to look like a million dollars? Those who have it, will. Those who don't, still can anyway! Take your best basic black dress and your favorite shoes, and splurge on a good onboard hair stylist. Put on your favorite jewelry, bring along your favorite shawl and you will look terrific. Men, put on your best suit, a conversational tie and go to the casino or disco. Whoops, haven't a suit? Take along a sport jacket.

 

On a mega ship, you will see everything from Yves St. Laurent to Nikes with Bermuda shorts and then some. Though it is respectful to the Captain and crew to dress for formal evenings, on many ships you don't have to -- there are casual dining options available to you. But for those who want to live the glamour, go all out.

 

One of the strangest -- and most fascinating -- lessons I've learned is how passionate cruise travelers can be about fashion. I've seen raucous debates from passengers about whether ships should casual-ize dressing standards. Actual fist fights with comical ramifications have broken out because of comments made about one's attire. One time, a man walking through the lobby made a comment to his wife about another poorly dressed couple. Overhearing him, the shabby bloke retorted to the dandy guy to "button up."

 

The dressed one responded with an epithet. Next thing you know, a bow tie was tossed, a tennis shoe was flung over the deck and a black tuxedo pant somehow got wrapped around two ankles. What started with a shot and ended in a flash had other passengers running in all directions, pressing hands against mouths to stifle impossibly held giggles.

 

Bottom line? Do what's right for you. Onboard you will see many types of people with many wishes. Just worry about fulfilling yours.

 

And while I'm on the subject, cruise lines rarely offer guidance on what to wear in ports of call. It's important, though -- very important -- to wear appropriate and respectful clothing, depending on the port of call.

[PhinsAndGills]

Shirt, tie, and nice slacks will be great. My "formal" dress was bought on a clearance rack for $8.99 and looked GREAT because I put some very expensive (looking) jewelry with it. If your wife has those nice flowy palazzo pants (I have a black pair and a cream pair - Kohl's sale, $14.99 each) and two different blouses (J.C. Penny's $25 or less if you go to one of the bigger stores...), that would look great as well. Don't miss the dinner because you'll feel "out of place".

 

My first cruise, a 99 year old woman celebrated her birthday on the ship. She was escorted to the captain's table on formal night wearing her sequin tub top and full fuscha pink ball skirt. She had her hair and make up all done up and walked in like the radient 18 year old I'm sure she once was. :)

[WeLuvVacation]

My first cruise, a 99 year old woman celebrated her birthday on the ship. She was escorted to the captain's table on formal night wearing her sequin tub top and full fuscha pink ball skirt. She had her hair and make up all done up and walked in like the radient 18 year old I'm sure she once was. :)

 

I'll bet the cruisers doubling as the "dress police" were all horrified!:eek:

 

More power to the woman!

[PhinsAndGills]

I'll bet the cruisers doubling as the "dress police" were all horrified!:eek:

 

More power to the woman!

You know what, she walked in with an air of confidence that MADE her beautiful. Who way anyone was going to tell HER on her 99th birthday that she couldn't wear that, no-sir-ee... :) Hey, if I live to be 99, I might just wear a sequin tube top and ball gown skirt to formal night, too... mark my words. With a scepter and tiara! :)

[WeLuvVacation]

You know what, she walked in with an air of confidence that MADE her beautiful. Who way anyone was going to tell HER on her 99th birthday that she couldn't wear that, no-sir-ee... :) Hey, if I live to be 99, I might just wear a sequin tube top and ball gown skirt to formal night, too... mark my words. With a scepter and tiara! :)

 

And I'll try to be there and stand up and applaud your majesty!:)

[POPPF]

Davey,

Don't make the same mistake I made. I worried about how I should dress. Spent more than I should on clothes. And when it got right down to it, no one noticed. We were on the Enchantment of the Seas 7-19-05, and on formal night I saw everything. Tux, suits coat and tie, just tie and no tie. The only items they seemed to asked not be worn were shorts and blue jeans. And like I said no one really cared. Dress in what makes you comfortable. Don't miss formal night. The food at the windjammer was good but not as good as in the dinning room. I couldn't get enough of the rolls. Hope you have fun.

[PhinsAndGills]

We were on the Enchantment of the Seas 7-19-05,

That was my honeymoon cruise! :) We were on the same sailing!

[POPPF]

That was my honeymoon cruise! :) We were on the same sailing!

 

 

So you were one of the couples that the cruise director was talking about. He mentioned 15 or 16 honeymoon couples, and he said he put 8 couples on one side of the ship and 8 on the other to keep the boat sailing smoothly!!! :D

Great cruise wasn't it? This was our first of hopefully many more. Wish you both the best!!!!!

[PhinsAndGills]

So you were one of the couples that the cruise director was talking about. He mentioned 15 or 16 honeymoon couples, and he said he put 8 couples on one side of the ship and 8 on the other to keep the boat sailing smoothly!!! :D

Great cruise wasn't it? This was our first of hopefully many more. Wish you both the best!!!!!

3 of those "honeymooning" couples won the Quest! I was one! WOOHOO! Thanks for the well wishes! Smooth sailing to you, too!

[frankie&shirley]

My husband is another one that is not a "jacket" person. For formal night he will wear shirt, tie & a vest. We have been on 5 cruises where he has done this. We have never been denied access to the dining room and have never been treated any different. I know this is against what many like, but at least he is not in shorts, t-shirt, or jeans. On a casual night, he will wear dockers & dress shirt. Your wife could wear a black dress one night & perhaps a pair of blank slacks the next with a dressy top.

 

Either way, don't let this stress the two of you. Go cruzin & BE HAPPY!!!! You will have a wonderful time.

[davey]

I let her know all the feedback and she is doing much better! I think she is looking forwards to the cruise again, which is a huge YAY! Thank you all, you made my week :)

[WeLuvVacation]

[quote name='frankie&shirley']My husband is another one that is not a "jacket" person. For formal night he will wear shirt, tie & a vest. We have been on 5 cruises where he has done this. We have never been denied access to the dining room and have never been treated any different. I know this is against what many like, but at least he is not in shorts, t-shirt, or jeans. On a casual night, he will wear dockers & dress shirt. Your wife could wear a black dress one night & perhaps a pair of blank slacks the next with a dressy top.

Either way, don't let this stress the two of you. Go cruzin & BE HAPPY!!!! You will have a wonderful time.[/QUOTE]

See my # 31 post above, as long as you are dressed tastefully, no one should say anything!

Have fun on your next cruising adventure!

We will be!

[firstimer2]

Thanks to all who responded to Davey's formal night question, as it was a great help to me as well.

Here is my other question: Are shorts and a tank top OK for lunch and breakfast at the buffet?

Thanks to anyone who replies. :)

[nerak]

firstimer2

yes...you would be fine that way in the windjammer or the dining room for beakfast and lunch