BeverlyB

I am in the process of planning a cruise for my husband's 50th birthday. I will probably book a 7 night Western Caribbean cruise on Carnival. I need advice on dining. Neither one of us wants to attend the formal dinners. What are our options on those nights? I assume that you don't have to go to the formal dinners. We have never cruised before and would appreciate any advice!

Thanks,
Beverly B.

Budman

Depending upon the ship, there is always alternative dining or buffets on all cruise ships.

Starfish

You may want to rethink this. A friend went on his first cruise, same thing, they did not want to attend the formal dinners. When they returned they told me they were sorry they did not bring any dressy clothes with them. They missed out on the best dinners.

abram

On many ships, the formal wear dress code applies throughout the ship, not just in the dining room.

cbo86

On formal night it is still acceptable to dine in the main dining rooms or for that matter to walk around the ship without dressing up in formal attire. Afterall it is your vacation(you paid for it) and you can dress as you please(within guidelines). On formal night though you will be in the minority if you dress down but if that does not bother you then go for it. In my experience Carnival Passengers are much more casual than on other lines. Myself I usually rent a tuxedo thru the ship(don't have to pack one)so I can get those formal pictures taken (that my wife loves btw) but usually shed the suit after dinner and go casual the rest of the night. Remember it's your vacation so do what's comfortable for you.

CaribDiver

A few more thoughts on why you should rethink this. I too hate getting all dressed up, but having cruised many times now I must say...all that's really needed on the two formal nights is a comfortable sports jacket, shirt and tie. My wife wears a nice dress. That way you can continue to share the good times with your table mates, get the great service that the waiters provide, and enjoy the tremendous food which by the way is usually best on formal nights...thats normally when they have the lobsters and filets! Whatever you do...you're going to love it.

jacketwatch

Formal does not mean a tux and evening gown. Like Carib said a suit, sports coat and a nice dress will do.

BeverlyB

Thanks everyone for your replies! I will reconsider my thinking on formal nights.

inthechips

We will be in the Bahamas on a short 3-day cruise and one of our traveling companions will not have the jacket, just a dress shirt, tie and slacks. Will that work for him?

jacketwatch

To inthechips. That will work. You don not have to dress up. The only issue is how your friend will feel being relatively underdressed. It really should not matter however.

inthechips

Thanks for the reply; this is definitely someone who really isn't too concerned about what other folks think! I know he was not too interested in dragging a jacket with him cross country for a 3-day cruise. But he also didn't want to look like a slouch either. Thanks for your input!

gotribe

You don't even have to wear a dress.
Many women (myself included) wore black pants and a nice blouse.

jacketwatch

To : You're welcome. Glad to be of help. Bon voyage! Larry