Please help. Thinking about cruising to Alaska on the Zaandam (Holland America). I know that breakfast and lunch is casual dress, but what about those nights that are considered "formal." What exactly does formal mean on this ship? Do I need to go out and buy a cocktail dress or evening gown? Or will a nice pant suit or "Sunday-go-to-meeting" dress work?

It really isn't as dressy as it used to be. I have a couple basic black outfits that can be switched around from casual to dressy. My husband wears a dark suit.

On Our "big ship" cruise in January, we went to the alternative dining room after the first "dress up" night. Not to worry. You do not need to buy anything special. Mine are all in the storage closet. Just look nice, and you will be fine.

triptaker is right...you don't HAVE to go out and buy a new dress if you don't want to. But, I am getting the feeling that luvvacation really does not know the cruise protocol at all and maybe she would enjoy dressing up. YES, many wear evening gowns. In fact on HAL I can bet that the majority of woman will go formal. However, fewer and fewer men are wearing tuxes these days. A dark suit is fine for a man and the tuxes are a minority. However, you will see tuxes and they are not out of place...it is a formal evening. YOu should do what makes you feel most comfortable. I love dressing up and some people don't. But, just in case you are like me and you just did not know if they really meant "formal".. Yes, it is formal with flexibility!

On any large ship you'll find a wide range of what people consider "formal."

Wear the dress or pants suit and there will be people both more and less dressed up than you are.

Remember--you're the customer. Do what makes you happy and comfortable.

I agree with all of the above. You can just about dress as you wish on Formal night and feel comfortable. No matter what choice you make, you will feel like you fit in. I have been on 4 cruises and Holland Amercia has not been one of the lines so I am not sure if they dress up more so on this line.

I have found passengers on HAL to dress up a bit more than on some lines. The demographic is older and on formal nights, folks overall seemed well dressed. It is a more traditional cruise experience.

Ditto the previous post. We found that on HAL, more people tended to dress in the traditional "formal" attire. Perhaps it has to do with the passenger group that cruise with HAL - generally an older, more well traveled crowd. Just my opinion.

Thank you all for your answers. I actually have been on one cruise (in 1978) where I did wear formal attire for the formal dinner. I was under the impression that the formal dress had relaxed a little, and you guys confirmed that for me.

I just read in the HAL book that there is a restaurant (the Lido) on board Zaandam that is casual dress for all meals. So, I do have the option to skip the formalities and eat there if I choose to. Thanks again for all your valuable input.

I'd appreciate in-put on this same question from anyone who knows Radisson well. We're first time cruisers on Voyager to the Baltics in July. (first time cruisers period) Also, if any Baltics cruisers know Stockholm's Grand Hotel well, I'd love to hear comments. Also on Diplomat Hotel and Hilton Slussen. Thanks and happy sailing to all!

I've sailed aboard Radisson Diamond twice. IME, the line caters to a more exclusive clientele (the price point makes that a no brainer!) and they dress as I would expect. Country club casual and evening attire much as you would see in a nice restaurant in NY or Chicago.

There was lots of jewelry highly visible and many sport coats at dinner even on the more casual nights.

I was pleasantly surprised at the high level of dress in the dining rooms on all nights during my recent Star Princess cruise. We never went to the Horizon court for dinner, always the dining room. Horizon Court you need not have dressed "up" at all.

Formal nights-some men did wear tux, but most had formal dark suit/ tie/ jewelry etc. Boas, long formal and gold/gems galore on women were plentiful- I'd say about half. Nice dress, slinky pant suit otherwise was the most down dresed I saw. Actually, I was totally surprised that my guy wore a tie and his eagle pin jewelry etc. Totally shocked me. Maybe he thought he wasn't going to get the lobster if he didn't. Ha-ha!

You could definitely wear your "Sunday-go-to-meeting" and be just fine.

We cruised Alaska on the Zaandam in September 2003. You can wear just about anything with a dressy top and be fine....long skirt, short skirt, pants, etc. Bring a fancy pin to dress up a plain top if you wish. Or throw a dressy shawl or scarf over that top. A dress is fine too. We wore different combinations of all the above and felt that we fit right in. I can honestly say that I don't recall anyone wearing a formal "gown" and everyone looked lovely...a confident attitude and posture does a lot to improve the impact of an outfit, too. A pair of strappy sandals helps to formalize your look along with a beaded or satin bag...accessories can work wonders....dressy earrings will punch up your look, too. We loved the Zaandam...food is EXCELLENT so bring clothes that fit a little loose as you will gain as the week goes on but it's all worth it.