wait, what, formal night is back?

[island lady]

Always seems to be a dress code, tipping, chair hog thread somewhere.  😉 

 

Simple fact is that indeed the dress code is now "suggested"...mostly as reason to be festive for people that like to dress up.  They used to enforce it years ago, and would not let the gentlemen in without a suit coat (which some would provide).  We used to always take tux, cocktail dress...now we don't (mostly to save room in the suitcase for our longer cruises).  Now we are dress slacks, dress shirt, and dressy blouse.  Which fits right in.  

 

The "formal nights" have gone the way of dressing up for a flight, going to a nice shoreside restaurant, etc....and don't even put that mental image in your head of how people dress to shop in Walmart.  😮

[footzz]

These days, about the only relation 'formal nights' has to with the current dress codes is, they're usually held after dark, so, technically speaking, it's formally night.

[nolegirl01]

Just got off the symphony and they had a formal night and a dress to impress night. By all means, this was not mandatory. I did see most people did get dressed up, which was nice but a lot of people also did not. It's your vacation so you do what you want! it's just a suggestion. We did like that they had a theme night (70s night) and that was fun! I wish they did more of those fun theme nights. We saw so many funny costumes haha

[island lady]

17 minutes ago, nolegirl01 said:

Just got off the symphony and they had a formal night and a dress to impress night. By all means, this was not mandatory. I did see most people did get dressed up, which was nice but a lot of people also did not. It's your vacation so you do what you want! it's just a suggestion. We did like that they had a theme night (70s night) and that was fun! I wish they did more of those fun theme nights. We saw so many funny costumes haha

 

Another one that seems to be on every cruise now is white night.   I finally bought a dressy white blouse...let the party begin.  😉 

[Joseph2017China]

2 hours ago, smokeybandit said:

There's a huge difference between "suggested" and "enforced dress code"

 

Not dressing nice for dinner on an otherwise casual vacation is not that bad.

That didn't take long for someone to argue what the meaning is.  

[nolegirl01]

42 minutes ago, island lady said:

 

Another one that seems to be on every cruise now is white night.   I finally bought a dressy white blouse...let the party begin.  😉 

Yes! we had that on the symphony as well, they had a white party at the solarium and it was so much fun!

[island lady]

4 minutes ago, nolegirl01 said:

Yes! we had that on the symphony as well, they had a white party at the solarium and it was so much fun!

 

Bucky happened to have a white shirt while on Serenade a couple of weeks ago...he was right in there.  Many pax were dressed in white.  Me...duh...didn't think about it, had nothing in white.  Have white blouse will travel now.  😉 

[Seville2Cabo]

4 hours ago, island lady said:

 

Another one that seems to be on every cruise now is white night.   I finally bought a dressy white blouse...let the party begin.  😉 

How do you know before the cruise what the theme is?  

[island lady]

Just now, Seville2Cabo said:

How do you know before the cruise what the theme is?  

 

From experience.   

[Big_G]

People should show some respect and dress appropriately for formal night.

 

😠🤣🤣🤣

 

Sorry, couldn't resist.

[nolegirl01]

1 hour ago, Seville2Cabo said:

How do you know before the cruise what the theme is?  

On the app it'll tell you the different themes for each night. We had a formal night, a best dressed night, a Caribbean night, a 70s theme night, a white outfit night and I think 2 casual nights...

[Seville2Cabo]

1 minute ago, nolegirl01 said:

On the app it'll tell you the different themes for each night. We had a formal night, a best dressed night, a Caribbean night, a 70s theme night, a white outfit night and I think 2 casual nights...

Is that after you get on ship?  How do I find out before we board?

[Biker19]

29 minutes ago, Seville2Cabo said:

How do I find out before we board?

The app may list some things fairly close in.  Otherwise, you assume that RCI and staff repeat stuff so you look for the info on pervious sailings.

[taglovestocruise]

5 hours ago, Diver2014 said:

   My point was, we like to put on formal clothes on the ships, get our portraits done and then have a nice sit down dinner.  In our formal wear.  Period.  

We think the same thing. Only get dressed up on formal night, try to go to 3 or 4 of the picture venues, hit Vintages for a couple of Martinis and off to a 8:30 specialty dinner. happy cruising.

[Mikew0805]

9 hours ago, smokeybandit said:

Not dressing nice for dinner on an otherwise casual vacation is not that bad.

Especially considering the MDR is more like a Applebees than a Ruth's Chris.

 

9 hours ago, Diver2014 said:

Back when it was actually fun to see everyone dressed up and having a good time when manners and morals actually mattered instead of everyone just caring about themselves. 

Actually, that could be turned around on you. You expecting everyone to dress to your liking might be considered selfish and only caring about yourself.

 

If the host (Royal Caribbean International) allows it, then frankly it is none of anyone else's business. 🤷‍♂️

[The Fun Researcher]

5 hours ago, Mikew0805 said:

Especially considering the MDR is more like a Applebees than a Ruth's Chris.

 

Actually, that could be turned around on you. You expecting everyone to dress to your liking might be considered selfish and only caring about yourself.

 

If the host (Royal Caribbean International) allows it, then frankly it is none of anyone else's business. 🤷‍♂️

I’ve eaten at Applebee’s and I’ve eaten in the MDR on Royal. Comparing the MDR on Royal to Applebee’s is absurd IMO.  Sure you can find examples like “they both serve steak and fish”, however  how many times do you see escargot on Applebee’s menu, or beef carpaccio, or scallops, or beef Wellington or lobster or white tablecloths with full serving ware.  And not just a server, but a head waiter and a assistant waiter…

 

of course, none of that really has anything to do with formal night or “dress codes”

 

Dan

Edited January 4, 2023 by The Fun Researcher

[teddie]

9 hours ago, Seville2Cabo said:

How do you know before the cruise what the theme is?  

On the app under dining, check out the main dining menu for that night.  You will get the theme there..

 

teddie

Edited January 4, 2023 by teddie

[billslowsky]

18 minutes ago, The Fun Researcher said:

Comparing the MDR on Royal to Applebee’s is absurd IMO.

Comparing the MDR on Royal to Ruth's Chris is unimaginable.

 

The MDR has tablecloths and a head waiter?  Lipstick on a pig.

[Mikew0805]

5 hours ago, The Fun Researcher said:

I’ve eaten at Applebee’s and I’ve eaten in the MDR on Royal. Comparing the MDR on Royal to Applebee’s is absurd IMO.  Sure you can find examples like “they both serve steak and fish”, however  how many times do you see escargot on Applebee’s menu, or beef carpaccio, or scallops, or beef Wellington or lobster or white tablecloths with full serving ware.  And not just a server, but a head waiter and a assistant waiter…

 

of course, none of that really has anything to do with formal night or “dress codes”

 

Dan

Well the comparison that I made is not absurd, if you actually read what I said. I said it was more like an Applebees than it is a Ruth's Chris, I didn't say it was the same as Applebees... and I stick by that comparison, and do not need you to agree. I am okay with other opinions.

 

This past Thanksgiving we went to a Bob Evans (better diner than Denny's if you don't know what Bob Evans is.. but still a diner) and besides the tablecloths, we commented that this was no different than the MDR on RCI. Even though I love to cruise, and RCI is my current favorite, I am not going to kid myself regarding what they are, and what they are not. 

 

Also, this is related to dress codes, as there is no way I would dress for anything close to Applebees, and would of course dress for Ruth's Chris.

Edited January 4, 2023 by Mikew0805

[The Fun Researcher]

10 hours ago, Mikew0805 said:

Well the comparison that I made is not absurd, if you actually read what I said. I said it was more like an Applebees than it is a Ruth's Chris, I didn't say it was the same as Applebees... and I stick by that comparison, and do not need you to agree. I am okay with other opinions.

 

This past Thanksgiving we went to a Bob Evans (better diner than Denny's if you don't know what Bob Evans is.. but still a diner) and besides the tablecloths, we commented that this was no different than the MDR on RCI. Even though I love to cruise, and RCI is my current favorite, I am not going to kid myself regarding what they are, and what they are not. 

 

Also, this is related to dress codes, as there is no way I would dress for anything close to Applebees, and would of course dress for Ruth's Chris.

Fair enough.

[Sigyn]

On 1/3/2023 at 10:11 AM, island lady said:

 

Another one that seems to be on every cruise now is white night.   I finally bought a dressy white blouse...let the party begin.  😉 

I bought a white dress from Polo Ralph Lauren for a "white out" at my son's school's football event last August - literally just a polo shirt in dress style - but that's probably too casual for white night. When worlds collide...formal night and white night...

[DaKahuna]

We are on Harmony and white night and the first formal night were on different nights.

 

[roupa]

No more “formal” for us as far as ties, jackets, dresses go. Too much in luggage!!

More “smart casual” these days for sure, as for any restaurant at home.  Formal seems preferred if specific photos planned. Attire doesn’t determine your menu choices!  Just leave your beachwear in your stateroom at dinner time. 

[island lady]

13 hours ago, njsmom said:

I bought a white dress from Polo Ralph Lauren for a "white out" at my son's school's football event last August - literally just a polo shirt in dress style - but that's probably too casual for white night. When worlds collide...formal night and white night...

 

Anything goes for "white night".   Bucky wears a Columbia fishing shirt, I have a silky "boyfriend style" long sleeve.  I dress it up with a black bead necklace.  Simple!