Do we have to dress up all the time?

[minniemom]

I am getting worried here. I don't mind dressing up for dinner 2 or 3 times, but I think we must dress up on informal nights as well, and casual too. Never been on X before, and was told I would LOVE X. WE are going infinity to Alaska in 3 weeks and I am sure I will Love it. But I worry, that we have to be dressed up at all times. DH and I can dress up and we don't mind that, but am I not allowed to wear cropped pants on casual nights? I just don't want to dress wrong. When I talked to reservations, she said a nice shirt and tie were okay for informal nights, and you didn't need a jacket. But when I read on this, most of you say, NO you need a Jacket and a tie. So I am confussed. I just want to do the right thing, so I am asking for a little help in clearing this up for us. Thanks

[Ma Bell]

The information you were given before on these boards is correct.:) If you go to Celebrity's website it will tell you exactly what the dress codes are. I know you would like it to be more casual, but it just isn't. Crop pants on casual night are OK, but it is Alaska.

[DC2OC]

ON INFORMAL NIGHTS A LOT OF THE MEN WEAR SPORTS COAT/NO TIE,SOMETIMES I WEAR A TIE SOMETIMES NOT.GOING COAT/NO TIE IS FINE WITH THE BETTER-HALF ON INFORMAL NITES,BUT ON FORMAL SHE LIKES ME IN THE TUX...............................FRANK:cool:

[Drew B]

I am getting worried here. I don't mind dressing up for dinner 2 or 3 times, but I think we must dress up on informal nights as well, and casual too. Never been on X before, and was told I would LOVE X. WE are going infinity to Alaska in 3 weeks and I am sure I will Love it. But I worry, that we have to be dressed up at all times. DH and I can dress up and we don't mind that, but am I not allowed to wear cropped pants on casual nights? I just don't want to dress wrong. When I talked to reservations, she said a nice shirt and tie were okay for informal nights, and you didn't need a jacket. But when I read on this, most of you say, NO you need a Jacket and a tie. So I am confussed. I just want to do the right thing, so I am asking for a little help in clearing this up for us. Thanks

 

If your DH wore a jacket with no tie or a tie with no jacket, he wouldn't be out of place. Whether or not it's in accord with the official dress code, people blur the lines a bit. I also saw sweaters with trousers on both casual and informal nights (I also saw it on formal night, but I thought that was just inappropriate).

[Nana G]

We leave in 7 days on first Celebrity cruise. Now I am getting really worried. Have 12 Princess cruises under our belt and have NEVER seen so much discussion given as to clothing. My husband dreds getting dressed up but puts up with it on Formal nights. I think we will eat off ship while docked in Bermuda to avoid all the tie/jacket confusion. This is a vacation!!! If enjoying the trip depends on clothing, then maybe we should think twice about X next time.

[DaisyGirl55]

Nana - I wouldn't stress too much about the dress code. On ships with traditional dining they do have a dress code for each night, but whether he wears a tux or a suit or you wear a long dress or a pantsuit is personal preference...to a point. On formal nights I do want to be as dressed as we want to be formally, and would rather not have someone in jeans and a polo shirt on at the same table. Nobody HAS to dress up - you can go to one of the other dining rooms on formal nights. For some of us, it is all part of the cruising fun. My DH will go back and change after dinner, but even he admits it is nice to dress up for dinner on a cruise.

 

For those who truly do not want to dress up, and just want to take it easy it is still not a problem because there are so many alternative places to eat. I have never heard of anyone starving on a cruise ship!

 

Either way - just relax and enjoy your vacation - and go with the flow! You will have a guaranteed grand time.

[cruisinjudy]

I don't think you will have any formal or informal nights while docked in Bermuda. Many people eat on shore while in port so they don't plan special times on ship during those evenings. Crop pants and capris are worn on casual nights, but you are less likely to see that in Alaska since it is cold. I usually wear a skirt or slacks on casual night as I would to a casual restaurant at home.

[Drew B]

And people on the ship don't judge as openly as they do on an anonymous message board. I don't think you or he will be made to feel the LEAST bit uncomfortable, regardless of what you wear.

 

Frankly, I think the priorities of the dress codes are somewhat off. I would much rather they enforce TUXEDOS on formal night (dark suits are NOT formal), but allow EITHER a tie or a jacket on informal night. I have no problem with (nice) shorts or (nice) jeans in the dining room at breakfast or lunch, and I REALLY don't understand why that is not acceptable, but trashy looking sweat pants are... I actually ended up eating fewer breakfasts and lunches in the dining room than I would have liked because I didn't want to dress for those meals (even though I thought I was every bit as presentable and tasteful as some who technically met the requirements).

[cruisintwinsmom]

Don't worry about the dress issue. It is not as dressy as it sounds on paper. Formal night is the exception, and it is fun, but you will see the occasional person in jeans. We are very casual people and found we had appropriate clothing already in the closet. Also there is the casual dining area upstairs.

[wvufan]

Maybe I'm the odd ball, but I love wearing a tux on formal night-it makes the occasion that much more special for my wife. (plus, tuxes have adjustable waists which really is nice as the cruise goes on:rolleyes: :D ).

 

As far as the dress codes, although some variation seems to be tolerated, you will never go wrong or feel out of place if you wear a tux on formal nights, coat and tie on informal nights, and collared shirt and good pants on casuals. ;)

 

Happy Sails to You,

 

OOOEEE:D :D Bob and Phyl

[Texed]

. I have no problem with (nice) shorts or (nice) jeans in the dining room at breakfast or lunch, and I REALLY don't understand why that is not acceptable, ).

 

Actually, shorts and/or jeans ARE acceptable at breakfast and lunch, just not at night in the dining room.

[minniemom]

Texed

thanks for saying Jeans and shorts are acceptable for breakfast and lunch. I was really worrying then.

I just don't want to dress wrong, and make people look at us funny. But I don't want to spend my whole time in our room either. I know we will have a wonderful time, just trying to learn all I can before I go.,

Thanks again for all the help

[espmass]

It is sort of interesting how stressed some people tend to get about the dress codes but I can understand not wanting to feel out of place. I dress very casually although I would never wear jeans or shorts to dinner. I almost always wear crop or capri pants and usually just a polo shirt; not necssarily "sets". On the informal nights I might switch to a casual skirt. My husband wears polos and khakis on casual nights and a collared dress shirt and khakis on informal nights. Sometimes he wears a jacket on informal nights but I don't think I have ever seen him wear a tie. We always look presentable and I have never felt underdressed. I have never seen anyone escorted out for the wrong dress although people on this board have said they have seen it.

[Hplar]

:( Now I'm worried...We live in Florida and I'm in shorts all the time. In the materials we received from Celebrity for our first cruise next January (Constellation; Western Caribbean 1/8/2007). Nowhere does it mention shorts. They even suggest as day wear, polo shirts and slacks or pants. I was planning on wearing shorts and polo shirts on the ship and ashore during the day. Jacket and nice polo shirts, or shirt and tie for casual dining, and a tux for formal dining...Will this fit?

[cruznut6]

Hplar

 

What your planning to wear works perfectly. Have a great time!

[espmass]

I wear shorts every day whether onboard or onshore. I have been on the Constellation several times and it's not nearly as "formal" as the literature makes it sound. Hplar, what you mentioned is perfect.

[magicnelly]

There IS way too much worrying about the dress codes. DH and I basically hid out on formal nights on our first cruise on the Summit...DH wears a suit and tie to work everyday and refused to dress up on his vacation (can't blame him there!). So we slunk around on the Summit worried to death someone might "out" us for not being dressed correctly. DIDN'T HAPPEN! Most people are so concerned with what they're wearing and what's being served for dinner, that they don't even notice you.

 

We saw all styles of dress and I believe that if you are dressed nicely, you shouldn't worry about the expecations of others regarding your attire. Of course, no jeans, shorts, jogging pants, etc. for dinner, but a nice polo for men or blouse for women with dress pants goes a long way. A jacket and tie on formal night for men (DH will do THAT now at least!), and a dressy outfit for women. We try to travel light and only take one suitcase each so filling the bags with suits and formal dresses is not an option for us.

 

It IS your vacation so relax and enjoy it!

[wdworbust]

We just returned from Summit and made reservations one evening in the Casual Dining room due to a late port day. It was wonderful! The staff was so eager to please. I thought the were more attentive than our regular dining staff. I even filled out a comment card to commend them.

 

On Summit the Casual Dining is located on deck 10 in the back dining area (the port side of the morning waffle bar) so you have those wonderful huge windows and with perpetual daylight in Alaska it was wonderful pulling out of port.

 

Just another great option.

Laura

[WooKeef]

It is sort of interesting how stressed some people tend to get about the dress codes but I can understand not wanting to feel out of place. I dress very casually although I would never wear jeans or shorts to dinner. I almost always wear crop or capri pants and usually just a polo shirt; not necssarily "sets". On the informal nights I might switch to a casual skirt. My husband wears polos and khakis on casual nights and a collared dress shirt and khakis on informal nights. Sometimes he wears a jacket on informal nights but I don't think I have ever seen him wear a tie. We always look presentable and I have never felt underdressed. I have never seen anyone escorted out for the wrong dress although people on this board have said they have seen it.

 

I take it you prefer to not go to formal nights? I am a bit stressed and feel silly over the whole thing. Usually I don't care what others think and most know it;) , but for some reason I can't let this one go. I worry most about the DH and his hating the thought of formal night. This is our first cruise and even though we discussed it before he now is abhorent to the idea of wearing a suit and tie. But, I am sure he will come around:p , after all there are fewer dining options on Galaxy than Millie or the other big ships huh?

 

Espmass, your dress seems to meet mine and I suppose we will be fine...no worries huh?:(

WooKeef

[fabulous50]

We have been on the Summit twice and I can assure you that what you have planned is just great. Shorts and polos, swimsuits with cover-ups, sun dresses are the norm during the day. Causual dining - sundress, capris, basicly casual but not "picnic/hiking" casual. & Hubby wears khakis and a nice aloha shirt - semi-formal/ slacks and shirt with tie and formal nice dark suit with snazzy tie and shirt. He wore a tux for our daughter's wedding 6 years ago....Ifound pieces of it all over the place!! I always pcak a nice long black travel knit skirt and a pair of dressy slacks with a couple of jazzy sparkley tops! a nice dress. At any rate dispite what you read on boards or even in the materials, we always fit in with our attire. At our last table we had two men in tux, dh in his suit, and one gentleman in button down shirt and slacks..we had a ball and still communicate with all! Don't worry...have fun....:D

[espmass]

WOOKEEF, no I enjoy the formal nights and I do dress formally on those nights even though it's not my favorite way to dress. I'm not out to impress anyone although I don't like to feel out of place. I have seen so many different degrees of dressing on each cruise that just about anything you wear is all right and I'd never look down on anyone else's choice of clothes. To tell you the truth, I have seen men very casually dressed on formal night too so let your hubby do what's comfortable for him. The lst thing you want to do is worry too much on your very first cruise!

[caviargal]

To tell you the truth, I have seen men very casually dressed on formal night too so let your hubby do what's comfortable for him. The lst thing you want to do is worry too much on your very first cruise!

 

IMO, you are giving a very incorrect impression to the OP.

 

I have been on X five times and have seen maybe 5% of the passengers not dressed according to code on formal nights. Even on casual nights, passengers are in general better dressed than on other lines.

 

Even on Carnival, the majority of the passengers dressed for formal nights and about 50% were in tuxes.

[espmass]

Not true Caviargal. I have seen MANY passengers dressed far more casual than the dress code calls for. However, I didn't mean to imply that it was the majority. I'd rather see my husband dressed too casual than have him totally stressed prior to the cruise. Personally, I feel if you don't want to adhere to the dress code you shouldn't take a cruise but that's my own opinion and it doesn't suit everyone. However, people do dress the way they want and a man wearing a casual outfit on formal night isn't going to ruin my evening. Sorry if I gave the wrong impression.

[WooKeef]

Not true Caviargal. I have seen MANY passengers dressed far more casual than the dress code calls for. However, I didn't mean to imply that it was the majority. I'd rather see my husband dressed too casual than have him totally stressed prior to the cruise. Personally, I feel if you don't want to adhere to the dress code you shouldn't take a cruise but that's my own opinion and it doesn't suit everyone. However, people do dress the way they want and a man wearing a casual outfit on formal night isn't going to ruin my evening. Sorry if I gave the wrong impression.

 

Espmass,

Thanks for the advise. I understand what you are trying to say very well! I think I will plan according to the dress code and then let him do as he pleases (within reason:p ) I don't want anyone offended, but I will be excited to go and I want him to go with me. I am going to enjoy my first cruise.

[espmass]

Great attitude! Have fun. Your first cruise is always memorable. Come to think of it, ALL cruises are memorable!