Dress: NCL vs Carnival, Alaska vs Europe

[daffodiliaz]

Forgive me if this topic has been discussed to death...

 

DM has chosen the Mediterranean (emphasis on Italy) for her 60th birthday trip May '11. I like to plan our annual trips, so I'm doing all the research. We've sailed NCL to Alaska twice, and Canada/New England on HAL once. NCL Alaska was pretty casual and relaxed. We're most comfortable not dressing up (we like to look nice, but no gowns for us). Few people really dressed up on the Alaska dress up or not nights. I remember one lady in a long gown that stuck out like a sore thumb. On HAL we dressed up, but still felt underdressed, which was uncomfortable. We aren't the types to seek out the photographers. And I know on all ships there are casual restaurants for the "formal" nights, but then everyone mixes together at the casino and shows and I wouldn't want to feel out of place. Do I stress much?!

 

I've narrowed down the vast # of options to 3 ship/itins, all roundtrip from Barcelona: NCL Epic (7 nt), Carnival Magic (12 nt, new ship debuts May '11), RCL Liberty of the Seas (7 nt).

 

We know we're comfortable on NCL, but travelling from Phoenix all the way to Barcelona we would like to see as much as possible, which would be on the 12 day Carnival itinerary (not to mention the brand spankin' new ship).

 

The comparison questions:

Do more people on European itineraries tend to dress up on those designated nights than on say Alaska itins?

Do people on Carnival tend to dress up more formal than those on NCL? And how does formal on RCL compare to Carnival and NCL?

On 12 nighters, are there more than a couple dress up nights?

Decisions, decisions...

[Sauer-kraut]

1. Yes, if there happen to be a large number of Europeans on that sailing, they do tend to dress a bit. Not neccessarily gowns, but more than khakis and polo shirt. Alaska is a different atmosphere as well even between an NCL AK and an NCL Caribbean the dress is probably more casual for the Alaska ports because of the weather (rain, cold, fog...) easier to leave the fancy stuff home.

 

2. Last year we did Carnival, it still had a 'formal night' so, yes. Daytime it was everything mostly swimwear. It was a 4 day weekend cruise so of course the atmosphere is totally different from what you'll experience.

 

I can't comment on RCL nor really compare NCL to CCL because the only other time with NCL for me was on the Norway and she was still traditional with assigned dining.

 

3. Yes, usually there are more formal nights on longer cruises. Cunard has 2 on a seven nighter, more for longer cruises. You can plan on at least 2, but if there is a 'dress up or not' option on the other lines there's no need to worry about that either. Several lines seem to be going towards the freestyle cruise.

[hawaiideb]

In Europe they will dress nicer, but with ladies dress pants, skirts and glittery tops easy to access, dressing for dinner doesn't have to be Tux for guys and formal for ladies. I have seen plenty of street length black skirts/glittery tops and/or basic black cocktail dresses at dinner on formal nights, even on Carnival.

[Sauer-kraut]

In Europe they will dress nicer, but with ladies dress pants, skirts and glittery tops easy to access, dressing for dinner doesn't have to be Tux for guys and formal for ladies. I have seen plenty of street length black skirts/glittery tops and/or basic black cocktail dresses at dinner on formal nights, even on Carnival.

 

Just wanted to mention that my friend who is Viennese never even wears jeans. I don't think he owns a pair, his pants are basically nicer pants think dockers non-chino type. His t-shirts are not the usual variety but what they used to wear on Miami Vice, nice ones, not jockey types with a ribbed neckband. He usually wears a collared shirt, not the polo type. That bascially decribes the 'casual' side of his wardrobe.

 

So they start out dressier than our casual over here to begin with. Don't sweat the dressing, if you don't look like a slob you'll be fine! ;)

[newmexicoNita]

Yes, Europeans are inclined to dress a little nicer (more traditional might be a better discription) than Americans. And even with the less formal dress on Carnival compared to years past, it will be a litlle more dressy on certain nights.

 

Nita

[Ms belp]

I always recommend black Chico's Travelers pants for any cruise. I wore them in Alaska with thermals underneath. I take them on every cruise.

[daffodiliaz]

Thanks for the responses everyone. Have not sailed Carnival, but I get the impression they are more like NCL than say HAL or Celebrity. And I guess "dress up" (NCL) or "casual elegant" (Carnival) is subject to interpretation. Maybe I should be more concerned about actually getting from PHX to Barcelona. Quite a jaunt.

[mikewrit]

When we cruised Istanbul to Barcelona on the NCL Jade a year or so ago, we were as formal as any and way more formal than most. This summer on NCL Sun to the Baltics, we were the most formal couple on the ship for the two dress-up-or-don't nights (see avatar.) I gather the formality index on Epic is still in flux.

[flowerchild]

I've cruised on RCCL, NCL and Carnival.

 

Carnival does get dressier than NCL on formal nights. I would say they get as dressy as RCCL. Of course, dressing formally is mandatory on CCL and RCCL and on NCL it is not. You can choose to go to the buffet on formal nights if you prefer to not dress up on CCL and RCCL. On NCL, you can still eat in the MDRs on formal or not nights even if you choose not to dress up.

 

Even though the european cruisers tend to dress up more, it is still your choice on how dressed up you want to get, as long as you meet the dress code requirements. You can still wear your jeans and collared golf shirts, it is completely your choice. I do not base how to dress on others, and NCL gives you the choice...that is why we love Freestyle.

[GORDONCHICK]

I'm going to take this from a different perspective. On this type of cruise, I would always pick itinerary first and worry about the line after that. Pick the ports that are most important to you and DM and go from there. I get that you don't want to feel uncomfortable on formal nights and I applaude you for taking this into consideration. However, both NCL and Carnival have evening buffets (Celebrity does not at all) which are always casual, and even MDRs on NCL are as well. Personally, I wouldn't worry so much about getting back to the ship for dinner anyway. I'd enjoy the fabulous food in the ports and use the ship for a late snack/meal if you are so inclined.

 

Normally, I'm one to really enjoy MDRs on a cruise, but the Med is port intensive and I'd rather focus on the wonderful ports and food options there and rest and relax on the ship (for the next port, of course!).

[amistad]

The last few Carnival cruises we have taken have been since Carnival changed the dress code which only requires long pants and a button down shirt on the dress up nights for men and there were many that did just that. These were Caribbean cruises, but we have been on 3 European cruises and my advice to you is follow the suggested guidelines and you will be fine, if your sailing on Carnival has the my time dining option take it so you can choose to eat by yourselves at a table for 2 and that way you will not be rushed to get back and get ready for dinner. If given the choice of 7 days or 12 days I would take the 12 days. The difference between CCL, NCL and RCI isn't significant enough to make me give up 5 extra days of cruising.