What's the difference what one wears? PRIDE! It seams that more and more people in the US are taking less pride in what they wear and how they look. When I go to Europe, everyone is dressed beatifully (most in jacket and tie for dinner)and the Americans stick out like sore thumbs with t-shirts and <BR>jeans. Part of the cruising experience is the dress. I mean I'm 26, and I love seeing my wife get decked out in a fitted evening gown. She enjoys seeing me in a Tux. As for informal(Celebrity) or semi-formal (as Princess calls it) dress, their web sites are very clear as to jacket and tie. It's sad that people are losing their pride and getting lazy. <BR>Because that's what it is. Laziness. A polo shirt and khaki's are fine when called for. But is it that difficult when asked to add a jacket and tie to the ensemble. If it is, then stick to Carnival or the Grand Canyon or whatever it is catered to the more casual. I know my wife and I will be looking forward to dressing up on our next cruise. <BR>

In general, the terms "Formal" amd "Informal" come from the governmental protocol rules of most English speaking nations. They used to be strictly enforced at official functions. Generally, formal meant tuxedo or other formal wear and informal meant dark business suit and tie. We have found over the years that the rules are being stretched more and more. On cruises formal still means tux but a lot of the men wear dark suits. Informal can be anything from dark suit with tie to open shirt with sport jacket. I still like to wear a tux but like the open shirt with sport jacket as it saves packing an extra suit. What really burns most people is to dress up and then have some jerk come to dinner with a T shirt and jeans. What burns even more is when the ship's officers don't do anything about it. <BR> <BR>Rod Hoots <BR>

Where did you cruise that you were in a tux, and someone was in jeans? This subject, like others, really gets a lot of different opinions. Remember, we cannot impose our taste on others, but jeans are not acceptable attire. Why not just enjoy your dinner, and consider that you are sitting with a hick that has no clue. Frankly, the term "dress code"....really isn't the issue, it is recommended attire. I think my husband's double breasted dark suit is more than acceptable for formal nights.

I read this whole thing before looking at the dates. Do these tips still apply or has cruising become more casual in the last bit?

Still applies on many lines and I agree that if the ship has a stated dress code then it should be enforced in the main dining room. If one does not want to follow the code one can always go to the buffet.
:)