flightycow43 Posted July 9, 2016 #1 Share Posted July 9, 2016 I am finding very conflicting advice regarding the dress codes for the formal nights. Some say there is a dumbing down of the dress code and others say there are still many tux/ballgowns on the go. I sail on Brilliance of the Seas 12 night Med leaving Barcelona on 25th July. We are a famly of 5 - 2 adults and an 18, 15 and 12 year old. This is our first time cruising and I'm anxious not to get it wrong. Any advice gratefully received! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glencraigs Posted July 9, 2016 #2 Share Posted July 9, 2016 Hi, we were on the Brilliance on 7 June 12 night Med Cruise and for the first time in 25 cruises I didn't wear a dinner suit (Tux). Did wear a jacket and tie and felt very comfortable. My wife still dressed up but not with any long dresses. Huge mixture of fashions including smart/ casual/ very casual and a bit scruffy (my opinion) on the formal nights. Best advice is conform to the cruise line rules but be comfortable, its your cruise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Surfguyxxx Posted July 9, 2016 #3 Share Posted July 9, 2016 I gave up on tux's cruises ago. Not many wear them and they were very heavy to bring along. I opt for a jacket and tie. The shirts and ties get changed out but the jacket is the same. As long as your children look presentable, you'll be fine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cb at sea Posted July 9, 2016 #4 Share Posted July 9, 2016 If you choose to actually dress in formalwear, you will be fine. If you don't want to, you aren't required to. Ballgowns are not needed...a simple evening gown will suffice...or a cocktail dress! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Racker'sCruz-Set2Sail Posted July 9, 2016 #5 Share Posted July 9, 2016 I am finding very conflicting advice regarding the dress codes for the formal nights. Some say there is a dumbing down of the dress code and others say there are still many tux/ballgowns on the go. I sail on Brilliance of the Seas 12 night Med leaving Barcelona on 25th July. We are a famly of 5 - 2 adults and an 18, 15 and 12 year old. This is our first time cruising and I'm anxious not to get it wrong. Any advice gratefully received! I would be more concerned with luggage weight limits. Especially in you are flying too & from Europe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Penciltwister Posted July 9, 2016 #6 Share Posted July 9, 2016 I am finding very conflicting advice regarding the dress codes for the formal nights. Some say there is a dumbing down of the dress code and others say there are still many tux/ballgowns on the go. I don't get what's conflicting. Some people go formal, some people go less formal. Surely the conflicting advise was telling you that there isn't a strict dress code and you don't need another thread to regurgitate the same information. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tin can Posted July 9, 2016 #7 Share Posted July 9, 2016 I don't get what's conflicting. Some people go formal, some people go less formal. Surely the conflicting advise was telling you that there isn't a strict dress code and you don't need another thread to regurgitate the same information. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk I think what may be conflicting is the different views on this in the regions sailed. All my European cruises have had a very high concentration on Tux's for gents. I can't really remember my last caribbean cruise but gather from this board that not as many dress formally now on these. I was therefore expecting something similar on our Dubai cruise (being outside of Europe) but it was very nearly 100% formal attire or national dress for both nights. I don't think its as simple to say some do/some don't go formal. Of course if it doesn't bother you either way it doesn't matter :) . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Newtoncruise Posted July 9, 2016 #8 Share Posted July 9, 2016 I would say take formal wear.......a DJ isn't that heavy! You will have at least 2 formal nights on the cruise. Check out both options........but it's nice to have a family photo in your finery! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare xpcdoojk Posted July 9, 2016 #9 Share Posted July 9, 2016 When luggage got tight, as in limits and charging for extra bags, we quit doing formal night. We have only eaten one time in the last 8 years in the main dining room. One trip to Europe, we ate in the windjammer, but on the others, I usually book Chops or other specialty restaurants on formal night. You are not required to wear a coat as a man, but I prefer to just avoid it all together. We used to do the full tuxedo and different dresses each formal night, but once you get to 20 plus cruises and not being young, it was pretty easy to get past dressing up. How many pictures of a couple in formal wear do you need? Since it is your first cruise, I would recommend participating in formal night if you desire. It is part of an experience, that is rapidly disappearing. JC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SailingSal Posted July 9, 2016 #10 Share Posted July 9, 2016 At one time my husband and sons all wore tuxes on formal night. When we started to fly and had to worry about the weight limit, they exchanged them for suits/jackets and interchangeable ties and pants. I am very careful with weight and flying, too. So I still dress with long and short dresses but am careful about shoes:eek: Enjoy your trip and have fun. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flightycow43 Posted July 9, 2016 Author #11 Share Posted July 9, 2016 Thank you all for taking the time to reply - I'm probably over-thinking it! Apologies to you 'Penciltwister' - I seem t0 have rattled your cage but hey you still found time to spew forth a venomous reply. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paigebeverly Posted July 9, 2016 #12 Share Posted July 9, 2016 My husband wore a nice suit both nights..just changed his shirt and tie. I wore a knee black cocktail dress both nights. We keep it classy but simple. I did see many women with floor length gowns on the Allure and a couple men in tuxs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gerif Posted July 9, 2016 #13 Share Posted July 9, 2016 I would be more concerned with luggage weight limits. Especially in you are flying too & from Europe. You can always rent a tux. Then you wouldn't have to worry about extra weight. We were seated with a couple from England on one cruise. She wore a full ball gown on formal night. Still trying to figure out how she packed that thing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Penciltwister Posted July 9, 2016 #14 Share Posted July 9, 2016 Thank you all for taking the time to reply - I'm probably over-thinking it! Apologies to you 'Penciltwister' - I seem t0 have rattled your cage but hey you still found time to spew forth a venomous reply. Venomous? Bit dramatic aren't we dear? Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vegas7df Posted July 9, 2016 #15 Share Posted July 9, 2016 We were on the same cruise the May 14th sailing. You will see everything on formal night. DH wore pants with a Tommy Bahama shirt and I wore a cocktail dress. Don't stress you'll be fine. Donna Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OCruisers Posted July 10, 2016 #16 Share Posted July 10, 2016 Whatever you would wear to dinner at a nice restaurant at home will be fine for RCCL formal nights. No need for actual formal attire. Enjoy your cruise! :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
riclop Posted July 10, 2016 #17 Share Posted July 10, 2016 I am finding very conflicting advice regarding the dress codes for the formal nights. Some say there is a dumbing down of the dress code and others say there are still many tux/ballgowns on the go. I sail on Brilliance of the Seas 12 night Med leaving Barcelona on 25th July. We are a famly of 5 - 2 adults and an 18, 15 and 12 year old. This is our first time cruising and I'm anxious not to get it wrong. Any advice gratefully received! You don't need tuxes and jackets . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gagirl7143 Posted July 10, 2016 #18 Share Posted July 10, 2016 For your first cruise or 50th, you will never go wrong and be very comfortable with hubby in a suite and tie and gals in fancy dresses, short or long. ( does not have to be a ball gown, short or long is fine). Many more people than not , do dress a bit fancy on the formal nights especially in Europe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TSC Posted July 11, 2016 #19 Share Posted July 11, 2016 We've done several European cruises (2 last year) and I do think that they are also becoming a bit less formal, especially on the summer cruises with kids. Tuxes are still seen on the older men (less common on the younger crowd) and lots of women still do the ball gown, but cocktail for women is perfectly acceptable. For your kids, a shirt and tie is more than enough. Rarely are the kids in a suit (and by kids I mean anyone under 18). I also agree that you'll get some great family pix if you plan on at least one night to dress up! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare LMaxwell Posted July 11, 2016 #20 Share Posted July 11, 2016 pull up the ship on Instagram and you will see hundreds, if not thousands, of photos. You'll get a good idea of what others are doing and then can decide for yourself. https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/brillianceoftheseas/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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