Which formal night is more formal? Leaving soon Freedom of the Seas -

[Darth Cupcake]

We will be on RCCL's Freedom of the Seas in a few days. Which formal night, if any, is more formal? Also, is there a recent FOS cruiser who knows what nights are formal nights?

 

Thanks in advance.

[LandLockedInAZ]

I've never sailed on RCCL, but I have noted that the first formal night has a slight edge to dressiness. It is usually the second night/first day at sea and people are less worn out from long port days.

Since you are not sailing during a holiday period (which can skew formal nights and schedules as the cruise lines want to make special days, like Christmas, a formal night), you can generally count on formal nights being on sea days and not the first or last night.

[caviargal]

I honestly have never noticed a difference and I do not dress more formally for one than another.

[MilliesMom]

If I had two dresses, one very formal (long) and one cocktail dress (short) I would definitely wear the long dress the first formal night. The first formal night is the Captain's cocktail party.

 

For our next cruise, we have two formal nights. I have purchased long formals for both and my husband will be wearing his tux both nights.

[Silvery Seas Cruiser]

Every cruise I have definitely noticed a difference between the first formal night and the second. The first formal night is all out formal. The second is less formal in that one will see more cocktail dresses instead of gowns, more dark suits instead of tuxes and more people in the Windjammer (buffet) or alternate premium restaurants.

 

Also the first formal night more people stay in their formal clothing for the entire evening in the casino, theater, lounges, etc. The second formal night more change out of their formal clothes right after dinner so you will notice more in casual clothes in the theater.

 

However some women can be seen in formal gowns or cocktail dresses every night of the cruise (except seldom the first.) For some reason they never seem to look out of place. Ships are so elegant, gowns look right. Of course I, myself, won't be in one every night. I don't enjoy wearing gowns as much as some people do, but there is room on a cruise ship for every taste.

[Darth Cupcake]

Thank you all so much for helping me. I will wear my "more" formal dress on the first night. I might just have to go shopping for another long formal dress. Now I'm not sure if that makes me want to laugh or cry! I'm exhausted from the preparation for the cruise but I know that once we are on the ship we can take a deep breath and relax! Thanks again everyone.