Formal nights
Jul 28th, 2008, 03:48 PM
#22
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I think that if one wants to dress up for dinner then they should.One of our Sons and His wife only dress up when they go on a cruise and they love to do it then. The formal nights are for that reason and if you don't want to do it don't. Go to one of the other dining venues for that meal and stop the gripping about it. If you don't want to go with the flo don't but don't try to ruin it for the ones that swim with the current. There are ways of working around the restrictions that the airlines are putting on us and we should not let it ruin our cruises.I can pack for my wife and I for three formal nights and for the rest of a 14 day cruise with two big bags and two carry on's for the both of us total. I know how to wash clothes and Iron and it only takes a couple minutes and I'm not too important to do so.That is with all the shoes both of us will need and not be over wieght either. I dressed for work for over 20 years and help men dress for that long in Men's Clothing and all it takes is a little know how and a little common sense. The last thing I want to do is tell some one what to do or how to dress any more. I know how one is suppose to but if they don't know how or don't care than that's up to them. Yes men do look good in casual clothes and they do and can clean up well also. At least that's what my wife say's about me. Poor woman has never had very good taste but I love her any way.Let's remember that the final quest is to have a good time at no one elses expense. Good cruising.
Jul 29th, 2008, 09:20 AM
#25
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I thought a lot of people would agree with me. I dress (obviously not in a tux) for church and the symphony, and am still with the majority. Tuxes are for those with astrong sense of nostalgia. I can go the best restaurants around and see no ties. On our last cruise, the tuxes were outnumbered by a wide margin. Some wore them the first formal night, but not thereafter. Often the ones that were worn were rather old and beat up. In our area black tie is for the rich and/or pretentious. And no, I don't live in the backwoods.
Jul 30th, 2008, 02:45 AM
#26
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Amazingly Aristotle, feelings on the subject of dressing formally run very high between those who seem to demand formalwear from all on formal nights and those that would (for various reasons) like to dress a bit less formally.
This really astonishes me as I could care less whether people dress formally or not as long as they are nicely dressed in perhaps nice dresses & pantsuits for ladies and nice slacks, dress shirt/turtleneck &/or tie for men.
Please understand we are not discussing those few who flaunt any dress code by wearing outlandishly inappropriate outfits as shorts/tees, sweatsuits, etc.
The times are changing, as you say, in part because of the airline restrictions and people are dressing nicely but not as formally.
We certainly don't object to people dressing as formally as their heart desires, but in this day and age, I see no reason for them to expect it from everyone else just because they want to do it.
I think well-chosen elegantly smart casual wear is every bit as attractive as a number of "formal" outfits I have seen onboard ships.
Surely there are more important considerations in cruising than the subject of dress.
This really astonishes me as I could care less whether people dress formally or not as long as they are nicely dressed in perhaps nice dresses & pantsuits for ladies and nice slacks, dress shirt/turtleneck &/or tie for men.
Please understand we are not discussing those few who flaunt any dress code by wearing outlandishly inappropriate outfits as shorts/tees, sweatsuits, etc.
The times are changing, as you say, in part because of the airline restrictions and people are dressing nicely but not as formally.
We certainly don't object to people dressing as formally as their heart desires, but in this day and age, I see no reason for them to expect it from everyone else just because they want to do it.
I think well-chosen elegantly smart casual wear is every bit as attractive as a number of "formal" outfits I have seen onboard ships.
Surely there are more important considerations in cruising than the subject of dress.
Aug 7th, 2008, 10:15 AM
#27
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I can do a formal dress look and still be in a carry on.
Here's what I pack:
http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/set?id=1440268
For the cruise I add a black blazer (with black, not brass, buttons worn on the plane), a white no-iron dress shirt, a black on black tie and a red pocket square.
I wear it with the black pants, shoes and socks that I normally carry and I'm good. It's not my tux but I'm not at a Governor's ball either.
Women can bring a decent rayon dress (that compresses to nothing) in a cocktail length with black dressy sandals or pumps and add costume jewelry or a scarf to change the look a little.
People don't dress to the nines on cruises so a tux or full length formal are overkill.
Here's what I pack:
http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/set?id=1440268
For the cruise I add a black blazer (with black, not brass, buttons worn on the plane), a white no-iron dress shirt, a black on black tie and a red pocket square.
I wear it with the black pants, shoes and socks that I normally carry and I'm good. It's not my tux but I'm not at a Governor's ball either.
Women can bring a decent rayon dress (that compresses to nothing) in a cocktail length with black dressy sandals or pumps and add costume jewelry or a scarf to change the look a little.
People don't dress to the nines on cruises so a tux or full length formal are overkill.
Aug 7th, 2008, 10:42 AM
#28
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"Women can bring a decent rayon dress (that compresses to nothing) in a cocktail length" - or a nice black skirt or pants to wear with any top during the day, with something glittery on formal night.
Aug 7th, 2008, 03:30 PM
#29
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Quote - FarinaAgain: "Women can bring a decent rayon dress (that compresses to nothing) in a cocktail length" - or a nice black skirt or pants to wear with any top during the day, with something glittery on formal night. End Quote.
Sure they can - easily, but that is definitely not "formal." That's "smart casual."
Sure they can - easily, but that is definitely not "formal." That's "smart casual."
Aug 8th, 2008, 03:07 PM
#31
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Formal nights mean one thing and one thing only. No casual clothing. Men:At least a pair of slacks, a shirt and tie and a dress coat. Women: an evening dress ( a length that is proper) or the same length skirt and a dressy top (top off with some jewlery). When I talked about what was formal enough for formal nights with the Head Waiter of the Star Princess last year he said what I just said. You can wear a tux at the top or a nice sport coat and slacks and shirt & tie at the bottom for Men. He said the the top for Women was a very formal gown and the bottom was a nice pant suit or the equivalent.I don't know what the problem here is but it isn't hard. If someone feels dressed up with the bottom of the rung don't look down on them and then someone else might not have to put you in your place for having your nose too high in the air. Have fun and let others have fun and don't be so snooty while your doing it. Good cruising.
Aug 8th, 2008, 04:11 PM
#32
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FarinaAgain - I was merely referring to semantics.
Of course it could be considered "formal" under the present guidelines, but so could almost any reasonably chosen outfit (under the present guidelines).
As long as one is not in cutoffs & ragged jeans etc. and (hopefully) has showered, I am happy with any type of dress.
Of course it could be considered "formal" under the present guidelines, but so could almost any reasonably chosen outfit (under the present guidelines).
As long as one is not in cutoffs & ragged jeans etc. and (hopefully) has showered, I am happy with any type of dress.
Aug 11th, 2008, 07:04 AM
#34
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I enjoyed dressing for formal night. It really did not take up a lot of room to pack a lightweight but very dressy black dress (even with some sequins!) and the accompying jewelry and sandals. My husband's suit, when packed in the garment bag insert of his suitcase, took up little room and was not wrinkled on arrival. I touched up the shirt.
However, we did not have to participate in formal night. We could have dined in the Lido or had room service.
However, we did not have to participate in formal night. We could have dined in the Lido or had room service.
Aug 14th, 2008, 04:33 PM
#35
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I never thought that this would go on so long or generate so much heat. My point really is that it costs a good bit to do formal nights because at least for men it means carrying some fairly heavy clothing to wear once or twice. And to little purpose. I really don't care what people wear, but we really have left the F. Scott Fitzgerald age behind, and for those who have pretentions to wealth would probably feel more comfortable on the super deluxe cruises.
Aug 15th, 2008, 04:37 AM
#36
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A person wanting to dress up formally a couple of times does not mean they have "pretensions of wealth". Perhaps you'd feel more comfortable on a cheaper cruise line that doesn't have the formal nights which you obviously hate so much.
Aug 15th, 2008, 12:04 PM
#37
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You really don't have to dress up for formal nights if you do not want to. They will not tell you this but I have yet to see guests turned away at the door for dress code violations unless you are wearing shorts and a tank top.
If you have a pair of dress pants, a shirt and maybe a tie, they will not turn you away.
Other options: Have dinner at the specialty restaurants, or the buffet, or room service. Some ships have infomral sit down dining places (pizzaria) as well.
I am a non-conformist and proud of it.
If you have a pair of dress pants, a shirt and maybe a tie, they will not turn you away.
Other options: Have dinner at the specialty restaurants, or the buffet, or room service. Some ships have infomral sit down dining places (pizzaria) as well.
I am a non-conformist and proud of it.
Aug 15th, 2008, 03:33 PM
#38
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I am so happy that many people agree with me. But since I seem to be threatening some peoples pretentions, I think I will quit now. I still think it is a nuisance to carry all those exrta clothes.
Aug 16th, 2008, 09:43 AM
#40
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My DH and I go on 1-3 cruises a year and love to dress up for formal nights - it is the only opportunity we have during the year. As for packing extra, DH wears nice, well-polished black shoes as opposed to more formal footwear. No one notices..... We pack easily with lightweight clothing, and he wears a blazer on the plane (rather than packing one). He gets two evenings of wear from a white shirt and/or we utilize the onboard laundry service - oftentimes the ship will offer a bargain on laundry. We take one suitcase and a garment bag as well as our carry-ons. (Last cruise I managed to take 7 pair of shoes - altho many were flip-flops!) Bottom line - on formal nights dress for the occasion or do optional dining - but please don't let your whining ruin it for the rest of us.
