We are taking our first Carnival Cruise this summer (Mediterranean), after many, many cruises on Royal Caribbean, Princess, and Celebrity. They are stating that there will be two "formal" nights of the 12 at sea. Since I've always had the impression that Carnival was much more casual than the other cruise lines, what does this mean in practical experience? And how casual is "casual" in the dining room?

In the Caribbean Carnival is very casual. It won't be in the Med. Your passenger make up will be different and you can expect a standard of dress clothes on formal night. A wide range certainly but no tshirts and flip flops (which I HAVE seen).

I don't think full formal wear is necessary. Suits for men and nice dresses for ladies should be fine. As this is a Med. cruise it should have a fair # of Europeans and their norm for formal is truer to the term that ours. I felt comfortable in a suit. That should be fine I think. Bon voyage.

IME Carnival passengers disregard the cruise lines recommended attire more than any other lines I have sailed. We saw shorts and flip flops as well as work out attire in the dining room on formal nights as well as on casual nights. There was no enforcement of any policy.

The Europeans are much better dressed overall than Americans - 12 trips to Europe and a few Med cruises - but I think that Carnival will attract mostly American passengers. There are several European lines that market heavily there and are very popular.

I disagree with the above. We have seen no such thing. Stereotypes of any sort seldom, if ever do any good. If you disagree thats fine but don't paint everyone with one stroke from the same brush. JM2C.

As I said: "IN MY EXPERIENCE".

I was not referring to your experiences, just my own on Carnival and in the Med.

I have sailed on multiple cruise lines and i have to say that Royal Caribbean and Carnival are very similar in this area.

Expect the same as what you experienced on RCL. However, the mediterranean will be a tad more formal than caribbean, as mentioned above.

I sure do wonder about all your experiences K. Agree with snorkelman as far as experiences go.