Is formal wear needed on Inside Passage cruise?
 

Hi
We're booked on a Holland America Inside Passage cruise in September and have read the dress code. It basically says the ship has two formal evenings per week and that T-shirts and slacks are not allowed in the main dining room and the Pinnacle Grill.
But as we are travelling from the UK, it would be a real pain for us to pack a cocktail dress/formal suit and dress shoes in our rucksacks.
The question is, if we stayed in our rooms during the 2 formal evenings and didn't eat in the posh dining rooms but in the Lido (casual dining place) or shoreside, would we be able to get away with it?
I'd appreciate any advice from anyone who has been on a Holland America Inside Passage cruise thanks.

YOu don't even have to stay in your rooms on formal nights. I have cruised many times including the Inside Passage. On formal nights I wore nice slacks with a top with a bit of glitter...nothing formal. Men could just wear a sports jacket...no need for a full suit.
In fact some people were not dressed up at all. They just wore pants and nice top or long sleeve shirt and tie for men.
They will not kick you out of the dining room if you are not dressed "formally".

If someone gets snooty about it, tell them that an "Alaska Tuxedo" consists of a pressed pair of jeans, a clean (preferably unstained) Pendleton shirt, a bolo tie with a clasp depicting a polar bear, salmon or the Alaska flag, done in gold nuggets and/or jade, and un-scuffed cowboy boots.

Agreed, many people wear nice pants (even chino type pants) with a shirt. Or a simple summer dress. Just bring a sweater because those dining rooms get very cold!!

Have a great time. Definitely go to the formal nights and don't stay in your room.

This is helpful - the dress code sounded a lot stricter on the Holland & America web site.

Would my husband be able to get away with smartish walking shoes instead of dress shoes?

Excuse my english but what are slacks? In the UK men wear jeans or trousers - would slacks be the trouser version?

Lots of people on HAL do dress up (tuxedos are not uncommon). Frankly, I'm not one of those who believes in going to the main dining room or specialty restaurants without wearing the appropriate attire. But dining in the Lido is fine, and you certainly do not need to stay in your room. There's also a reservations-only Italian restaurant set up in the Lido so you could have a nice dinner there (at no extra charge) and not have to dress up. But I really do think you should dress appropriately.

Smartish walking shoes are appropriate for the casual dining places, but not for the dining room on formal nights.

I may get flack for this, but I actually don't appreciate the lurching informality aboard all ships, so I'm not with the posters who suggest you should simply do your own thing. It's fine when that's the rule (as on NCL, where all nights are casual and formal night is optional), but when the line has a formal night, I think you should make the effort, rucksack or not. And if you don't like dress codes, you should choose your cruise accordingly.

However, my experience is that (sadly to me) people are generally not turned away from the dining room even when dressed inappropriately, but don't count on the staff not enforcing the dress codes on an Alaska cruise, which tends to skew a bit older than a Caribbean cruise.

Slacks are trousers for men.

You will see people in any type of clothes on formal nights. If you have a nice blouse (shirt for your husband) you will be allowed in the dining room.

If you feel underdressed, and want to skip 2 formal dinners, the buffet is always casual. You can also order room service.

I was on a Holland America inside passage cruise a few years ago with my mother. We wore cocktail dresses for formal night and my memory is that people were dressed up. But as I said it was 5 or so years ago so perhaps things have changed. I would certainly have felt out of place had I not been dressed appropriately.

We greatly appreciate all your input. Personally we're inclined to make an effort but not at the expense of vital space in our luggage. I'm sure we can fit in some dress shoes and decent evening wear but not a full suit.
Thanks again.

We did a family-group Alaska cruise on Holland America last September. My sister and I wore long skirts with pretty tops; my sister-in-law wore palazzo pants (wide leg, skirty looking) with nice tops. The guys wore suits and ties, but many people dressed as others have described. I don't remember seeing anyone in a tuxedo, and no one will inspect your husband's shoes.

While not on HAL, we have cruised on several cruise lines and went on Princess to Alaska in 2008. "Formal" nights in Alaska tended to be far less formal than in other destinations. Black dressy pants (for women) in a light fabric (very packable) with a dressy top and a piece or 2 of jewelry would have you fit in with the majority - it is not merely "getting away with it" - that is what people wore. I had a couple of clingy tops, one with a few decorations and sparkles, some pearly, dress flat soes - and was completely in style with the Princess dining room. A jacket, tie, dress shirt and business trousers are fine for men. No one will remember or care if either of you wear the same thing to both formal nights.

Eating shoreside is likely not going to be an option, since most Alaska cruise itineraries I have seen have dinner scheduled while ship is sailing - they leave port before dinner time.

Hi sandx ,
On the two Holland America cruises we have been on to Alaska, formal night included everything from floor length ballgowns with gobs of sparkly and big jewelry to jeans and sneakers. We were comfortable somewhere in the middle. Nice slacks for my husband, shirt and tie and I wore a thin longish skirt with a thin long sleeve top.

Please don't stress out too much about this, we brought way too many clothes on the cruise. No one will stop you at the door to the dining room and you will fit in no matter what you are wearing as long as it is nice and clean. You will love Alaksa. Not enough words to describe it.
Have fun,
Michele

<b>"Excuse my english but what are slacks? In the UK men wear jeans or trousers - would slacks be the trouser version?"</b>

Yes, slacks = trousers

But, if you want to create a little excitement among the other passengers and crew, wear <b>pants.</b>

Ha-Ha!

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Vic's travels: http://my.flightmemory.com/vogilvie

Hi all
This cruise is part of a 3 week trip which also takes in Vancouver, the Rockies and Vancouver Island so that will give you an idea of what else we'll be packing into our backpacks!

And we do know what pants (US style) are, thanks ;-)