How formal is formal?

[Giorgi-one]

Um, up to some years ago, that was exactly how Celebrity operated. You were barred from entering the MDR (or the specialty restaurant) if you were not formally dressed--and formally dressed generally meant tux or dark suit. In addition, the formal dress code was enforced throughout the ship, including the theater, casino and all other areas but the casual dining restaurant (there was no evening buffet then).

 

We prefer the way it is now, with some flexibility, but sounds like you would not be happy in the "old days."

 

I am totally in favor of enforcing dress codes and always follow them. For me and my wife, a cruise is an opportunity to dress up. I usually wear a sport coat on casual nights. Not sure what you mean by old days, but I have been cruising with Celebrity since 1997 and have always seen people not following dress codes in the MDR on formal nights. I also remember semi-formal nights where those not following guidelines were even more prevalent. Also the number of people dressed formally after dinner has always been way less than 100%.

[ECCruise]

I am totally in favor of enforcing dress codes and always follow them. For me and my wife, a cruise is an opportunity to dress up. I usually wear a sport coat on casual nights. Not sure what you mean by old days, but I have been cruising with Celebrity since 1997 and have always seen people not following dress codes in the MDR on formal nights. I also remember semi-formal nights where those not following guidelines were even more prevalent. Also the number of people dressed formally after dinner has always been way less than 100%.

 

I guess we saw different things than you did, our experience in the early through mid-2000s was nothing like yours. Maybe it is itinerary driven, we never sail the Caribbean.

Edited October 1, 2014 by ECCruise

[DYKWIA]

We're newbies having just completed our first cruise on the Eclipse. We sailed from Southampton and living only 150 miles away it was easy for us to take loads of stuff with us and easy for us to find space for the stuff for a formal night. We enjoyed Formal night and the overall relaxed (but smart) dress other nights.

 

However, it is now much harder to lug lots of luggage by aircraft. Within Europe there is now a predominance of budget carriers who try to discourage checked luggage and penalise you severely if you go over the miserly luggage limits. Transatlantic, i think the two piece rule has now gone which means again tight luggage limits. Both of these could be big factors on whether someone packs their formal gear.

[Honeybearhollow]

Everyone who chooses not to follow the dress guidelines has a different EXCUSE to justify their position.

I'm a senior and I would say that half the seniors I see are wearing clothes they bought at least 25 years ago. You can't get that stuff anywhere now except maybe Goodwill or a thrift shop. It does bring back a lot of memories though - like a Oldies Night. Where do they sell loud plaid sportcoats and madras shirts anyway? !

 

I don't think it matters whether clothing is 25 years old, as long as it is appropriate. Few people see the need to replenish their formal wear yearly. A few years ago, we shared dinner table with a delightful couple in their 80s. They were so much fun. He was a retired School Supt. He wore a pink tuxedo for formal night. We all loved it and he wore it with great dignity. I'm not sure how hard it would be to find a pink tuxedo today.

[gsb]

. . Also the number of people dressed formally after dinner has always been way less than 100%.

 

There must be a reason for this;)

[7leagueboots]

Yes. Don't worry about it. Last cruise that's what I did. I joked with the waiter a bit and he told me "your on vacation and you paid to be here". He made it pretty clear that people would not be turned down.

 

That sort of sums it up...you paid to be there so enjoy.

[groryjm]

I've read through this thread with growing trepidation. I personally like dressing in black tie (tuxedo in American) once in a while. When we looked through the brochures and trawled the websites for a line to try for our first cruise experience we were looking for one that would be suitable for our 15 year old daughter and the two of us.

 

Very occasionally we get the opportunity to dress for things like the local hunt ball or a rugby club dinner. At these occasions it is myself (in my 50s) as well as my wife and especially my 15 year old daughter that like to dress up.

 

On the other hand we wanted a big ship and a line that would suit a teenager and had suitable activities for them. Based on our research when we found X's "Modern Luxury". We thought we'd found what we were looking for and a cruise round the Med in June showed us we had chosen right. Part of that ideal we were looking for showed in the brochure that while some nights on board were relaxed there would be a couple of formal nights with the dress code spelled out. We had looked at Grills experience on Cunard but thought there wasn't enough of the lighter side for my daughter.

 

Now cruising is not a budget holiday at least not on X. There are cheaper more relaxed lines. I have never tried them and don't want to yet as I like X.

 

In the same way there are budget and high end airlines. At one end of the scale in exchange for a really cheap flight you can trade away a bit of your leg room and luggage space. We could have got a cheap airline for £98 each way but only 20Kgs:( and from an out of the way airport (we live 20 mins from Heathrow). British Airways from Heathrow to Rome charge £140 for carry on only but go to £155 for 23kgs. We paid £197 each way for BA Business with a wopping 64Kgs:eek: each.

 

My point is that if we wanted a cheap holiday we wouldn't cruise on X. The extra one pays for a higher baggage allowance is negligible compared to the cost of ones cruise. The extra weight of a jacket isn't much more than a Kg and my daughters elegant cocktail dress is lighter than a pair of jeans.

 

Eating in the MDR on a formal night has an ambiance that does not equate to "budget" but has a more luxurious feel. One could always opt for a more casual evening and eat in the ocean view cafe.;)

[kelmac]

I've read through this thread with growing trepidation. I personally like dressing in black tie (tuxedo in American) once in a while. When we looked through the brochures and trawled the websites for a line to try for our first cruise experience we were looking for one that would be suitable for our 15 year old daughter and the two of us.

 

Very occasionally we get the opportunity to dress for things like the local hunt ball or a rugby club dinner. At these occasions it is myself (in my 50s) as well as my wife and especially my 15 year old daughter that like to dress up.

 

On the other hand we wanted a big ship and a line that would suit a teenager and had suitable activities for them. Based on our research when we found X's "Modern Luxury". We thought we'd found what we were looking for and a cruise round the Med in June showed us we had chosen right. Part of that ideal we were looking for showed in the brochure that while some nights on board were relaxed there would be a couple of formal nights with the dress code spelled out. We had looked at Grills experience on Cunard but thought there wasn't enough of the lighter side for my daughter.

 

Now cruising is not a budget holiday at least not on X. There are cheaper more relaxed lines. I have never tried them and don't want to yet as I like X.

 

In the same way there are budget and high end airlines. At one end of the scale in exchange for a really cheap flight you can trade away a bit of your leg room and luggage space. We could have got a cheap airline for £98 each way but only 20Kgs:( and from an out of the way airport (we live 20 mins from Heathrow). British Airways from Heathrow to Rome charge £140 for carry on only but go to £155 for 23kgs. We paid £197 each way for BA Business with a wopping 64Kgs:eek: each.

 

My point is that if we wanted a cheap holiday we wouldn't cruise on X. The extra one pays for a higher baggage allowance is negligible compared to the cost of ones cruise. The extra weight of a jacket isn't much more than a Kg and my daughters elegant cocktail dress is lighter than a pair of jeans.

 

Eating in the MDR on a formal night has an ambiance that does not equate to "budget" but has a more luxurious feel. One could always opt for a more casual evening and eat in the ocean view cafe.;)

 

Hi Greg,

 

My wife and I will be on the Reflection (8 June 15) and we found that flying BA Club Europe was not that much more compared to EasyJet or standard BA coach.

We always bring formal wear and find that it does not require that much more luggage space. Same as a Sports Coat + slacks…, I'm sure we could find an excuse to dress down, but our host requests that we follow a simple and reasonable dress code. So we will.

 

Enjoy your cruise,

Kel:)

[Killington]

groryjm

You have put the whole issue better than I could, just before I got to your post I was comtemplating pricing out cruise+ airfare+etc to show what a minute % baggage charges are in terms of the whole holiday. I certainly can't understand why $50 approx for an extra bag seems to be deal breaker on a holiday costing $2-5K for a couple.

 

We also both love the opportunity to dress up occaisionaly and it's great that your 15 year old daughter already enjoys this. We bought my DH a DJ, so few opportunities at home he always hired, for our first cruise (Infinity Antartica Feb 2013) and he will definitely be wearing it again on our next (Infinity Panama Canal Nov 2015)

 

We also loved the ambience on formal nights with a high percent in formal wear, and would have been very happy sailing in the era when dress codes were more rigoriously enforfced

 

Cheers

Edited October 2, 2014 by Killington

[Giorgi-one]

I don't think it matters whether clothing is 25 years old, as long as it is appropriate. Few people see the need to replenish their formal wear yearly. A few years ago, we shared dinner table with a delightful couple in their 80s. They were so much fun. He was a retired School Supt. He wore a pink tuxedo for formal night. We all loved it and he wore it with great dignity. I'm not sure how hard it would be to find a pink tuxedo today.

 

I was referring to casual clothes.

[Giorgi-one]

That sort of sums it up...you paid to be there so enjoy.

 

Yep, wear whatever clothes you want, feel free to save chairs at the pool and in the theater, smoke whevever you want, cut in line at the buffet, go to guest relations and have the gratuities removed from your room charges. ENJOY!

[iancal]

The issue for us is certainly NOT paying extra baggage fees.

 

The issue is that we do extended pre or post cruise independent land trips. We only take the amount of luggage that we each can comfortably handle by ourselves. It used to be 25". Now that is too heavy and too awkward. We are down to a 20/21 each because of the weight. It happens to be a convenient carry on size as well.

 

I think that is a mistake to assume that everyone travels in the same manner with the same preferences. It is just not so. One's own travel preferences do not set the standard by which everyone else lives.

 

This is why we pass on formal nights in the MDR and dine casually in an alternate venue. Besides, for us formal nights and playing Mr.&Mrs. Dress-up has lost much of it's appeal because the cruise lines have cut back so much.

Edited October 2, 2014 by iancal

[ghstudio]

The issue for us is certainly NOT paying extra baggage fees.

 

The issue is that we do extended pre or post cruise independent land trips. We only take the amount of luggage that we each can comfortably handle by ourselves. It used to be 25". Now that is too heavy and too awkward. We are down to a 20/21 each because of the weight. It happens to be a convenient carry on size as well.

 

I think that is a mistake to assume that everyone travels in the same manner with the same preferences. It is just not so. One's own travel preferences do not set the standard by which everyone else lives.

 

throw in a lightweight sports jacket/blazer...takes up little room and gets you through most anything. I don't think ladies have the same problem...you don't have to take a ball gown.

 

my son cruised with us and all he brought was a backpack. On formal night, he appeared in a blazer. It's not a big deal.

Edited October 2, 2014 by ghstudio

[Ma Bell]

The issue for us is certainly NOT paying extra baggage fees.

 

The issue is that we do extended pre or post cruise independent land trips. We only take the amount of luggage that we each can comfortably handle by ourselves. It used to be 25". Now that is too heavy and too awkward. We are down to a 20/21 each because of the weight. It happens to be a convenient carry on size as well.

 

I think that is a mistake to assume that everyone travels in the same manner with the same preferences. It is just not so. One's own travel preferences do not set the standard by which everyone else lives.

 

That's great and I understand. We all make choices as to what kind of vacation we are going to have. The difference is if I planned a trip like that I just wouldn't go the the dining room on Formal Night and there wouldn't be any need to defend my position. That's actually the issue.

Edited October 2, 2014 by Ma Bell

[iancal]

Why would we do this if we have no intention of dining in the MDR?

 

If you read my post you would see that we dine in the alternative dining venues where formal attire is not required AS PER CELEBRITY DRESS CODE. And we see more and more people doing the same.

 

Do you have an issue with this dress code? If so, you could discuss it with Celebrity.

Edited October 2, 2014 by iancal

[Ma Bell]

Why would we do this if we have no intention of dining in the MDR?

 

We dine in the alternative dining venues where formal attire is not required AS PER CELEBRITY DRESS CODE. And we see more and more people doing the same.

 

Do you have an issue with this dress code? If so, you could discuss it with Celebrity.

 

Oh, now I see you edited your post to say you have no intention of going to the dining room, if so, why would you even post on the subject and why do you find it necessary to throw in the playing Mr. and Mrs. dress-up comment?

Edited October 2, 2014 by Ma Bell

[Sloop-JohnB]

You know what I love.

 

I love how some people make excuses (and there are tons of them) when the problem is clearly

 

(a) they cannot read

Or

(b) most likely they just plain want to do what they want to do... Be damned

 

Celebrity's documentation is very very clear

 

There is a DRESS CODE

 

 

You will need three types of clothing on your Celebrity cruise: casual shipboard attire or day wear, conservative port wear, and eveningwear.

 

Daywear includes slacks or pants, blouses or shirts, knit tops or polo shirts. Bring a pair of sneakers or rubber-soled shoes for deck sports and a swimsuit cover-up for cool areas on the ship.

 

Port wear for women includes a casual dress, skirt and blouse, or pants outfit; for men, casual pants or walking shorts, and polo-type shirts. Comfortable walking shoes are a must.

 

Also, remember to bring extra bathing suits, as well as sun block, sun visors and other types of sun protection.

 

"Smart Casual & Above" attire includes:

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 includes:

Ladies: Cocktail dress, gown, or dressy pantsuit. Gentlemen: Tuxedo, suit, or dinner jacket with slacks.

 

The dress code in Celebrity’s specialty restaurants, including Blu, is “Smart Casual & Above” for every night of the cruise, regardless of the evening dress code in the main restaurant.

 

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

 

The daily program, delivered to your stateroom and available at the Guest Relations Desk, will be your guide to the correct attire each evening. A casual dress code applies at all time onboard Celebrity Xpedition®.

 

 

It is not a "Suggestion" or a "Guideline"... As many call it here on CC

 

Or insist / argue their case

 

The word consistently used in Celebrity documentation is CODE

 

Codes are not optional... They are expected. Period

 

Building Code - Health & Safety Code - Fire Code... All mandatory

 

You don't comply... You are in breach of code / contract

 

Now on the other hand if a Maitre D on a ship chooses not to enforce THE DRESS CODE well that is up to him

 

Just as if an Inspector didn't for other types of Code...

 

But still the Consumer would be in breach. Period

 

From now on I think that Cruisers who make these inquires "How Formal Is Formal" should be told what is truly EXPECTED of them as per THE DRESS CODE

 

Cheers!

Edited October 2, 2014 by Sloop-JohnB

[shirleygallegos60]

And as I said somewhere in the beginning shame on Royal Caribbean for not enforcing the ""code"" because then we would not be having this discussion.

[claymour]

You know what I love.

 

I love how some people make excuses (and there are tons of them) when the problem is clearly

 

(a) they cannot read

Or

(b) most likely they just plain want to do what they want to do... Be damned

 

Celebrity's documentation is very very clear

 

There is a DRESS CODE

 

 

 

It is not a "Suggestion" or a "Guideline"... As many call it here on CC

 

Or insist / argue their case

 

The word consistently used in Celebrity documentation is CODE

 

Codes are not optional... They are expected. Period

 

Building Code - Health & Safety Code - Fire Code... All mandatory

 

You don't comply... You are in breach of code / contract

 

Now on the other hand if a Maitre D on a ship chooses not to enforce THE DRESS CODE well that is up to him

 

Just as if an Inspector didn't for other types of Code...

 

But still the Consumer would be in breach. Period

 

From now on I think that Cruisers who make these inquires "How Formal Is Formal" should be told what is truly EXPECTED of them as per THE DRESS CODE

 

Cheers!

 

Well said!

[Giorgi-one]

You know what I love.

 

I love how some people make excuses (and there are tons of them) when the problem is clearly

 

(a) they cannot read

Or

(b) most likely they just plain want to do what they want to do... Be damned

 

Celebrity's documentation is very very clear

 

There is a DRESS CODE

 

 

 

It is not a "Suggestion" or a "Guideline"... As many call it here on CC

 

Or insist / argue their case

 

The word consistently used in Celebrity documentation is CODE

 

Codes are not optional... They are expected. Period

 

Building Code - Health & Safety Code - Fire Code... All mandatory

 

You don't comply... You are in breach of code / contract

 

Now on the other hand if a Maitre D on a ship chooses not to enforce THE DRESS CODE well that is up to him

 

Just as if an Inspector didn't for other types of Code...

 

But still the Consumer would be in breach. Period

 

From now on I think that Cruisers who make these inquires "How Formal Is Formal" should be told what is truly EXPECTED of them as per THE DRESS CODE

 

Cheers!

 

I totally agree with you. Actually, I believe that is what happened on this thread. Several posters defined what formal meant and the OP was referred to Celebrity website. Then the "it's your vacation and you can do whatever you want people" arrived, telling the OP they could essentially wear anything they wanted and "get away" with it. Based on the cruise experience of the OP, it really looked like they were looking for excuses not guidelines. I can't imagine anyone who has been on that many cruises not knowing what formal means and not having enough sense to visit the Celebrity website to find out. It doesn't matter that some passengers do not follow the dress code to know what is expected.

[davekathy]

I totally agree with you. Actually, I believe that is what happened on this thread. Several posters defined what formal meant and the OP was referred to Celebrity website. Then the "it's your vacation and you can do whatever you want people" arrived, telling the OP they could essentially wear anything they wanted and "get away" with it. Based on the cruise experience of the OP, it really looked like they were looking for excuses not guidelines. I can't imagine anyone who has been on that many cruises not knowing what formal means and not having enough sense to visit the Celebrity website to find out. It doesn't matter that some passengers do not follow the dress code to know what is expected.

 

I can't imagine anyone taking the word of anyone here on these forums on what they can or can get away with wearing in the MDR. I guess it's nice to ask but the only real source of info is in either in the Cruise Lines brochures or on line. We have always and will always use only the Cruise Lines suugested evening dress guidelines. We just wish the Cruise Lines would step up to the plate and enforce their own guidelines.

[gsb]

I can't imagine anyone taking the word of anyone here on these forums on what they can or can get away with wearing in the MDR. I guess it's nice to ask but the only real source of info is in either in the Cruise Lines brochures or on line. We have always and will always use only the Cruise Lines suugested evening dress guidelines. We just wish the Cruise Lines would step up to the plate and enforce their own guidelines.

 

If every one was like you, we wouldn't need police!;)

Edited October 2, 2014 by gsb

[Jazzbo]

Hi Greg,

 

My wife and I will be on the Reflection (8 June 15) and we found that flying BA Club Europe was not that much more compared to EasyJet or standard BA coach.

We always bring formal wear and find that it does not require that much more luggage space. Same as a Sports Coat + slacks…, I'm sure we could find an excuse to dress down, but our host requests that we follow a simple and reasonable dress code. So we will.

 

Enjoy your cruise,

Kel:)

 

And quite handsome you look in your tux, Kel! I love seeing a man (especially my husband) in a tux. <Sigh>

[kelmac]

And quite handsome you look in your tux, Kel! I love seeing a man (especially my husband) in a tux. <Sigh>

 

Thanks Jb !! :)

[gsb]

And quite handsome you look in your tux, Kel! I love seeing a man (especially my husband) in a tux. <Sigh>

 

I'm SPEECHLESS!:confused: