URGENT: Husband won't bring jacket for formal night. Will we eat in the dining room?
 

URGENT: <BR>We leave in two days. <BR>Husband refuses to bring a jacket to wear for formal nights (he says it doesn't fit--now he tells me!). Will they let him in the dining room in only a shirt and tie? <BR>

One of the cruises I was on, there was a guy at our table whose idea of formal night was to button up his knit golf shirt. That was on RCCL. So, yes, he will probably be able to eat in the dining room.

Unless you are on a really upscale ship he'll be fine. Just go enjoy. I assume he will at least wear a dress shirt and tie?? My husband always wears a dark suit ( never a tux ) but I usually end up with the jacket over my sholders as the dining rooms are usually so cold. I do take a sweater but that just doesn't do sometimes. Which ship? Have fun.

Marilyn, We on the Rhapsody (RCL. I told him when we booked a long time ago that there were 2 formal nights. Now he tells me his jacket doesn't fit. Frustration before vacation!

Marilyn, We're on the Rhapsody (RCL. I told him when we booked a long time ago that there were 2 formal nights. Now he tells me his jacket doesn't fit. I don't know if I can get him to take a sweater; he wants only Polartec. But he will do a shirt and tie. Frustration before vacation!

You'll be just fine on Rhapsody. I love that ship! You will see just about everything on the formal nights. The shirt and tie will be okay. He will be in the minority but he won't be the only one. Remember, this is your vacation so don't be frustrated....just do it the way you feel comfortable. As long as it isn't to the point of jeans or knit shirts it will be okay. Also, if you enjoy really dressing up, go ahead and so....you don't have to be dressed in the same manor. If you find that you would be more comfortable you can always use the alternative dining upstairs. I personally would stick with the dining room and enjoy the whole thing! Wish I were going.

He probably won't have a problem being allowed into the dining room at all. An alternative is to try the Lido dining room as there would be no dress code and the food is usually the same (I am assuming that there is a Lido deck with a cafeteria that actually converts to "serve" dinner). I would also caution though that even if you are let into the dining room (and unless he's wearing a wet bathing suit, he will be allowed in I think), he might be a little uncomfortable or out of place in that most others, if not necessarily wearing tuxedoes, will at least be in suits.

<BR>Name the cruise line and I will tell you what to do about your non-jacketed husband. I have been on 72 cruises. <BR> <BR>Paul

Paul you may have been on 72 cruises (who cares) but it appears you can't read - the lady said, the Rhapsody.

We've been on Rhapsody and my husband wore a golf shirt and slacks on formal night. We always dress up for dinner, but the last two cruises we have taken...everyone seems to be so much more casual. I just wore a simple dress and we didn't feel a bit out of place. <BR>Hope that helps!

<BR>Since the original poster has already left on their cruise I will generalize: <BR> <BR>A passenger will not be barred from the dining room on formal night without a jacket and tie but you may feel out of place. They are definitely few and far between. <BR> <BR>Royal Caribbean ships are a tad dressier than other mass-market ships. <BR> <BR>I do see many gentlemen remove their jackets and place them on the chairback. <BR> <BR>Better to eat in an alternate restaurant on formal night. <BR> <BR>Do not worry about the informal nights, I see many with sport or polo shirts. <BR> <BR>Paul