Robin72

I know this has probably been discussed 100 times but I can't find the info here...

Is formal night less strict on an Alaska cruise? Do they ban people for not wearing formal attire?

I understand men can wear dark suits. Is this correct?

Rhea58

I have the 2008 Catalog & could not
find any info on this altho I suspect there might be more leniency. Did find the #:
1-800-391-6258 so call and ask.

LN

This is from Holland America's site.

Diner Dress
There are three casual, two informal and two formal evenings on every seven-day cruise. Please note,
informal wear or formal wear is recommended at the Pinnacle Grill at all times.
• Informal nights – sport jackets for men and dress slacks, casual dresses or skirts for women
• Formal nights –jacket and tie required or tuxedo suggested for men, cocktail dress or gown for women

HRHDHD

LN's information is outdated. For one thing, HAL liminated "informal" nights last year.

The current information from the website: "Evening dress falls into two distinct categories[:] Formal or Smart Casual. Smart Casual can be defined as slacks and sports shirt or sweater for men and skirt or trousers and sweater or blouse for women. T-shirts, swimsuits, tank tops and shorts are not allowed in the restaurants or public areas during the evening hours. On festive Formal evenings, ladies usually wear a cocktail dress or gown and gentlemen usually wear a suit and tie or tuxedo. There are approximately two formal nights per week."

There is no official change to the dress code based on itinerary. You may be turned away from the main dining room if you are not dressed to code; however, that (IMO unfortunately) rarely happens.

traveller69

Formal nights are a real mix. There is everything from tuxedos to slacks and jacket with tie for men. YOu do not have to feel out of place if you don't wear a tux or dark suit. The really just require jacket and tie in the dining room. Women wear anything from dressy(and some not so dressy) pant suits to sequined gowns. Just wear what you would if you were going out to dinner at a nice restaurant at home. Trust me you will see every imaginable form of dress.

Robin72

Husband doesn't have a problem wearing a dark suit and I have some fancy outfits. In fact, we're looking forward to a line where people are a little more dressy . ..just dread packing so much since we have to take more outdoor attire for iffy weather in Alaska.We are cruising for 2 weeks so that means taking MORE clothes or doing laundry. [ugh!]
I did find on Cruise Critic that there are only formal and smart casual nights.At least that eliminates another jacket for my husband!
I really appreciate all the responses! Thanks so much!!

traveller69

After many, many cruises I have it down to a science. Especially after a three week S.America and Antarctic cruise with tours before and after and weather from extremely hot an humid to freezing cold. I take a long black skirt and a pair of slinky black pants and then just tops from dressy casual to more formal. That means only one pair of dress shoes as well. It is always nice to be at a table where people dress up for dinner. I know you will have a wonderful time so just enjoy!

Robin72

Traveller69 - That's exactly what I plan to do!! Thanks!

kfusto

We were on HAL to Alaska in May and my husband wore a tux on formal nights and I a long dress, simple sheath style. I would say about 35% of the men were in tuxes, 50% in dark suits and the rest in sport coat and tie. Ladies ran the gamut, as usual. Long gowns, dressy pantsuits, going' to church dresses, etc.

We cruise HAL as our line of choice and one of the reasons is the more traditional and formal ambiance onboard. I do not find Alaska cruises to be less formal than the Caribbean (6 so far).