Just curious how many cruisers out there truly look forward to formal nights during their cruises? My husband (43) detests them and I (44) wouldn't be upset if they discontinued them, or at least limited them to one per 7 night cruise. Opinions anyone?

Have you considered a Carnival cruise? They're more casual.

I like Formal nights. In fact, would avoid a line who eliminated them.<BR><BR>

I like formal nights. It's very pleasant to be in the midst of well-dressed people -- seems everyone is a little nicer to be around, more smiles, better manners.<BR><BR>Another factor -- we especially like longer cruises and there, the formal nights add variety and a change of pace. <BR><BR>Looking forward to our transatlantic crossing in June -- all formal nights except first and last (if desired).

It is nice to get dressed up. We are living in a too casual society. Have you been too any public place and looked at how sloppy people are? I enjoy dressing up, and my husband looks great in a suit! Just hate panty hose!

Merrien<BR>I too hate panty hose! Last cruise I took a tux and loved it!!!

We love formal nights. Our lifestyle does not include dressing up all that frequently so it's not a chore for us. My husband never has the opportunity to wear a tux and he was a bit resistant the first time and now he a big proponent of getting into the tux. I don't think we would choose a line that eliminates formal nights either.

Just love Formal Nights..it great to see entire families including the small ones dressed up.. We live in such a time of torn dungarees and t-shirts that I love dressing that way to remiind us of a time when people actually cared about how they looked.

I agree it is fun, to plan on what you will wear on the formal nights. We do live in a extremely casual society. I also think it romantic to get dressed up for a change. Never have a chance to do so, and see my husbands face light up and say &quot;Oh how beautiful you look,&quot;. (lets hope this is what he says!!) He did last time. Or I will toss him over board. Ha-ha. It is all in fun. It is all part of the cruise experience. If some don't like it I do not think they should be forced to do so, just eat elsewhere in the other dining rooms.

I, personally, after 20 + years of cruising are tired of formal nites--<BR>as is my husband...<BR><BR>I go on a cruise to relax and not have to primp---this does not mean I am sloppy,nor do I wear jeans to dinner--<BR><BR>I much prefer the CASUAL ELEGANT cruise lines-- where you just need to wear country club casual...and do does HUBS.

My husband and I are both lawyers. We have to dress up 5 days a week. For us, vacations are to kick back and relax, and not have to spend time wondering who invented the tie, its purpose, and why it is still necessary to wear one.

I too just despise those dratted panty hose, especially when I have to go to the potty. Hard to stand there and get everything undone.<BR>I love to sit and watch all the overweight ladies crammed into their sausage like sequined dresses.

You probably were never invited to prom either!!!!

Shannon--why is important we know you and your husband are lawyers?

Hotels, Restaurants, and Cruise Lines love formal nights. When people dress well, they behave better and also spend more money.<BR>Those of us who work on ships wish that every night was formal night.<BR>Mass Market Cruise Lines are slaves to the desires of &quot;the masses&quot; who cruise on them. All the market research shows that &quot;the masses&quot; do not want to get out of their denims and jogging suits.<BR><BR>If you want to harken back to the &quot;good old days&quot; of sophisticated and well dressed cruise passengers, you usually need to go with one of the upscale (not mass market) cruise lines. It will cost you a bit more, but it is well worth it.

Grumpy,<BR><BR>She probably mentioned they were lawyers as an example that they always have to dress up during the week and therefore prefer to dress down on vacation, it does get tiresome, obviously you wouldn't know. Now if she said they were farmers or waste management I would tend to wonder why she mentioned it. Why did you feel the need to question her? Jealous?

I fail to see the correlation with being a &quot;lawyer&quot; and dressing for a formal p.m. I don't think one goes before the judge in a cocktail dress. They are totally unrelated with the exception of wearing panty hose. A totally different dress code. One is strictly business, one formal. I think the point of being a lawyer was just a reference to dressing up in a fashionable attire. A suit is not formal.

I love being able to get dressed up on a cruise.It makes for a special evening. I really dislike it whan it's a formal night and people change into their jeans after dinner. Tacky. I never wear panty hose on a cruise though, if you are tan enough you don't really need to.

I love formal nights.

I'm taking my first cruise in more than 10 years... In May..and I am sailing on Celebrity. I was told there are 2 formal nights.. Dont mind it...but ladies, I do have a question..a cocktail dress is allright isnt it? I have no reason to buy a long gown do I?....Please dont think my question is funky....Am really curious if a silk pants suit and and a dress would be appropriate..<BR>Thanks so much