Formal nights on cruise
#23
Join Date: Apr 2003
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We've done 5 Celebrity cruises and about to do another. My husband takes a navy blazer, gray pants, one tie and a white shirt, which he has laundered for the second night. I always take a pair of dressy black pants (microfiber that has a silky look and washes easily), a black shell that can go under other more casual shirts and a silk "big shirt" (usually red or turquoise). I put these in their own packing cube along with a pair of dressy sandals with nearly-flat heels so it can all be compressed and sit at the bottom of my suitcase until needed.
#25
Join Date: Jul 2003
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Thanks E. I am looking f/w to it and also the Japanese pro league baseball game we have tickets for. It's at some old style field called Jinku stadium which was recommended to me by the ticket salesman. Supposedly has an old style feel and lots of character, like the retro look the newer stadiums strive for.
#28
Join Date: Sep 2007
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We cruise out of East Coast ports, and mostly on Carnival, so we don't have to worry about dragging the stuff onto a plane, but the formal nights never seem particularly onerous. My father did a back to back in February/March out of Baltimore. He brought both a suit and a sports coat. He complained a little about the suit, but we got some really nice pictures of him, and he was a good sport about it. My sister and I split weeks while he stayed on the ship. I packed a black jersey dress for one night in my suitcase and carried on an evening dress for the other in the hanging bag with his suit and sportcoat. Then, I left the dress on board with him so my sister could have it the next week! We thought we were very clever, because who's ever going to know besides possibly the dining room staff? Of course, you wouldn't do that with a stranger, but we thought we were clever.
#29
Join Date: Oct 2009
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The Formal Night functions are not all over the ship. You can still eat at many restaurants or attend other events. I have never dressed up formally. Like you, I can't see the point of dressing in a suit or gown when I'm on holidays.
#30
Join Date: Jan 2015
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It depends on the ship you are on. On Cunard you must be "dressed" for dinner if you wish to be out and about on the ship after a certain time. That means a jacket for the men and a skirt, nice pant suit, or dress for women. If you are attending the shows you must be dressed properly AND they do enforce the dress code.
Other lines give lip service to dress codes but are not as particular as Cunard. We liked Cunard's policy and are repeat customers. If I am dressing for a formal night I do not wish to be seated with people in shorts or jeans and a tee shirt. That is why it is important to know what to expect and you should ask your cruise line what their rules are and how they are enforced. On Cunard you can go to the cafeteria style restaurant and not be dressed for dinner but other than that you do not have access to the rest of the public areas of the ship.
Don't just go for the least expensive cruise but look at the overall picture and what you want. If you do not want to dress up find the more casual lines. There are lots of choices out there.
Other lines give lip service to dress codes but are not as particular as Cunard. We liked Cunard's policy and are repeat customers. If I am dressing for a formal night I do not wish to be seated with people in shorts or jeans and a tee shirt. That is why it is important to know what to expect and you should ask your cruise line what their rules are and how they are enforced. On Cunard you can go to the cafeteria style restaurant and not be dressed for dinner but other than that you do not have access to the rest of the public areas of the ship.
Don't just go for the least expensive cruise but look at the overall picture and what you want. If you do not want to dress up find the more casual lines. There are lots of choices out there.
#31
Join Date: Jul 2005
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Celebrity has just cancelled formal nights on their cruises. http://www.cruisecritic.com/v-4/news/news.cfm?ID=6642
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Vic's travels: http://my.flightmemory.com/vogilvie
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Vic's travels: http://my.flightmemory.com/vogilvie
#32
Join Date: Feb 2009
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Orlando_Vic, this is strange. The formal night is big for getting money from photos, and they cancelled? Not that I will miss that, just surprised.
Or maybe I shouldn't be surprised, NCL is doing well without those nights.
Or maybe I shouldn't be surprised, NCL is doing well without those nights.
#34
I think Holland America did the same thing, and that has the reputation of the "old person's" cruise line.
They still do people's pictures, just means you don't have to wear a ball gown and tuxedo, or even a tie.
They still do people's pictures, just means you don't have to wear a ball gown and tuxedo, or even a tie.
#35
Join Date: Jul 2005
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"Would my lumberjack outfit be chic enough since the red flannel pattern is in style."
It would be very chic on an Alaska cruise.
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Vic's travels: http://my.flightmemory.com/vogilvie
It would be very chic on an Alaska cruise.
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Vic's travels: http://my.flightmemory.com/vogilvie
#36
Join Date: Jul 2003
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Well as you know formal night attire guidelines are followed less and less these days so you may as well cancel it. It is becoming a thing of the past anyway. I mean why should we dress up when others get admitted to the MDR wearing jeans and a polo? Just a sign of changing times I suppose.