TA/ Formal night ?

[tally10]

Running the risk of beating a dead horse to death, if you look up the meaning for a Premium cruise line I think you will find Celebrity fits. I never said it was a Luxury cruise line but it certainly is a cut above many of its competitiors. I think you are missing the point. Dressing up is not about the food. It is about the experience and the food is but a small part of it. I would venture to say many of the passengers eat better on Celebrity than the do at home. :D

 

We felt no different on formal nights with Celebrity than on RCI or Princess. But you are right in that most people do not bother with those kinds of dinners or food at home, unless you are entertaining. Too rich and too much for everyday dining. How wonderful the food is, well that is subjective, isn't it? I think posters are saying that, if it is something you enjoy, by all means go for it. But there are many who don't feel the same.

[ussminnow]

Hello, Cruisers!

 

Does Celebrity still have semi-formal nights, or is it just formal and smart casual?

 

Thank you!

 

Melanie

[dkjretired]

Hello, Cruisers!

 

Does Celebrity still have semi-formal nights, or is it just formal and smart casual?

 

Thank you!

 

Melanie

 

Just formal and smart casual, they eliminated semi-formal a couple of years ago...

[ussminnow]

Just formal and smart casual, they eliminated semi-formal a couple of years ago...

 

Thanks, Don! That makes packing that much easier! :)

 

Melanie

[Chicago Boy]

Why would it "spoil it for us" if some choose to not observe formal night? Why would it bother you if there was a separate dining room for those who choose not to participate? Are you not aware that the speciality restaurants do not require formal wear? Do you not realize that a number of people are becoming less enthused with formal wear and if all were to abandon X as you are suggesting the line would suffer. If the line were to lose all those paying clients I can assure you that the "ambiance" would suffer!!

 

 

If you don't want to participate in Formal nights, then don't but don't ask for special treatment just because you don't get what you want. I think you need to get with the program. Celebrity has already given you several choices. You can eat in the Cafe, order in or go to one of the 'Specialty" restaurants. Maybe you need to cruise on a LUXURY cruise line that does not have formal nights. I am sure as a former travel agent you must have lots of connections. :D

[Chicago Boy]

Personally....I choose celebrity specifically because there are numerous good options for avoiding formal night.....HATE it....but I have never understood why my hatred of dressing formal ruins anyone else's cruise experience....please explain

 

Your disliking formal nights does not impact other peoples enjoyment of them because you are not looking for special treatment and you are not suggesting they be done away with. You find an alternative that works for you. I would say you are a class act. :o

[1 HappyCruiser]

If you don't want to participate in Formal nights, then don't but don't ask for special treatment just because you don't get what you want. I think you need to get with the program. Celebrity has already given you several choices. You can eat in the Cafe, order in or go to one of the 'Specialty" restaurants. Maybe you need to cruise on a LUXURY cruise line that does not have formal nights. I am sure as a former travel agent you must have lots of connections. :D

 

Until the cruise line offers the same food in an alternate location that doesn't require formal dressing, there will be people not conforming to their suggested dress code & either ignoring it or modifying it to something that will gain them entrance to the dining room. Wouldn't it be a better solution to have those people eat somewhere else rather than upset the formalists in the crowd?

[Chicago Boy]

Until the cruise line offers the same food in an alternate location that doesn't require formal dressing, there will be people not conforming to their suggested dress code & either ignoring it or modifying it to something that will gain them entrance to the dining room. Wouldn't it be a better solution to have those people eat somewhere else rather than upset the formalists in the crowd?

 

 

During formal evenings there are several choices in addition to the MDR. 1. eat in the cafe, 2. eat in your cabin and 3 eat in a specialty restaurant. I would think 3 choices are sufficient. Do we need to add yet a 4th? Just saying:p

[1 HappyCruiser]

During formal evenings there are several choices in addition to the MDR. 1. eat in the cafe, 2. eat in your cabin and 3 eat in a specialty restaurant. I would think 3 choices are sufficient. Do we need to add yet a 4th? Just saying:p

 

Until they offer that 4 th choice that includes the same food as the dining room without the extra cost I suppose people will continue to ask for it or not comply with dressing properly in the dining room. It seems simple enough to me.

[tally10]

During formal evenings there are several choices in addition to the MDR. 1. eat in the cafe, 2. eat in your cabin and 3 eat in a specialty restaurant. I would think 3 choices are sufficient. Do we need to add yet a 4th? Just saying:p

Yes, we think you do need another choice. People sometimes scrimp and save for a cruise and maybe do not want to eat in their cabin, be relegated to the small choices in the buffet, or spend $70 plus extra money for the specialty restaurants for each formal night. Yes, there is Bistro on 5 on the Solstice class ships, which is very good, but not for everyone. I agree that they should have an area set aside for those who do not wish to dress to the nines on formal nights, or serve the exact same food in the buffet. There are plenty of us who do dress up for formal nights, but would like to see that fourth option since we do not enjoy it all all. And yes, we cruise Celebrity despite the dress code because we love everything else it offers. It isn't all about the formal dining Celebrity offers.

[Chicago Boy]

Yes, we think you do need another choice. People sometimes scrimp and save for a cruise and maybe do not want to eat in their cabin, be relegated to the small choices in the buffet, or spend $70 plus extra money for the specialty restaurants for each formal night. Yes, there is Bistro on 5 on the Solstice class ships, which is very good, but not for everyone. I agree that they should have an area set aside for those who do not wish to dress to the nines on formal nights, or serve the exact same food in the buffet. There are plenty of us who do dress up for formal nights, but would like to see that fourth option since we do not enjoy it all all. And yes, we cruise Celebrity despite the dress code because we love everything else it offers. It isn't all about the formal dining Celebrity offers.

 

 

I didn't think this was going to be such a hot topic. Gotta love it. :D I agree with you some people do scrimp and save to take a cruise but that doesn't entitle them to a 4th option. That is their issue not mine. I think the food and service on Celebrity is excellent. We sail on Celebrity frequently because we like the Celebrity experience. If that changes, we will rethink our options but until then they have a couple of loyal customers. On more than one occasion we have had the same staff take care of us from prior cruises. I never said formal nights have to be tuxedos and gowns. It can mean a nice suit for the men and a dressy dress for the women. That shouldn't be too much of a reach. If it is, then they should research other options. I have seen people come into the MDR and walk around the ship in outfits I would not be caught dead in. Everyone is entitled to their opinion and I am entitled to mine.

[tally10]

I didn't think this was going to be such a hot topic. Gotta love it. :D I agree with you some people do scrimp and save to take a cruise but that doesn't entitle them to a 4th option. That is their issue not mine. I think the food and service on Celebrity is excellent. We sail on Celebrity frequently because we like the Celebrity experience. If that changes, we will rethink our options but until then they have a couple of loyal customers. On more than one occasion we have had the same staff take care of us from prior cruises. I never said formal nights have to be tuxedos and gowns. It can mean a nice suit for the men and a dressy dress for the women. That shouldn't be too much of a reach. If it is, then they should research other options. I have seen people come into the MDR and walk around the ship in outfits I would not be caught dead in. Everyone is entitled to their opinion and I am entitled to mine.

 

Everyone else is entitled to theirs, too. And, just because a suit or a dressy dress isn't someone's idea of enjoyment, they should not be told to choose another cruise line. That is just plain silly. Like I said before, we have participated in formal nights and have never seen anyone come into the MDR dressed so inappropriately to offend anyone. Then again, we mainly do the longer European cruises or transatlantics and have seen plenty of men in just a shirt and tie and women in nice slacks and a blouse in the MDR on formal nights. As long as it is acceptable to the Head Waiter and his assistants, who are we to judge?

[pamstravel]

I didn't think this was going to be such a hot topic. Gotta love it. :D I agree with you some people do scrimp and save to take a cruise but that doesn't entitle them to a 4th option. That is their issue not mine. I think the food and service on Celebrity is excellent. We sail on Celebrity frequently because we like the Celebrity experience. If that changes, we will rethink our options but until then they have a couple of loyal customers. On more than one occasion we have had the same staff take care of us from prior cruises. I never said formal nights have to be tuxedos and gowns. It can mean a nice suit for the men and a dressy dress for the women. That shouldn't be too much of a reach. If it is, then they should research other options. I have seen people come into the MDR and walk around the ship in outfits I would not be caught dead in. Everyone is entitled to their opinion and I am entitled to mine.

 

You made what could have been a nice discussion about the pros and cons of formal nights a hot topic with your dogmatic attitude about the subject.

 

Several people, including myself have asked you why it would bother you if Celebrity were to offer a different venue with the same food for those who don't wish to participate in formal wear. Why do you keep avoiding this question?

 

I don't think that any of us want to take your "premium" formal experience from you. Most of us follow the dress code or go to the other areas where we don't have to dress, but we aren't happy about it.

 

Cruise lines are a business with the intent to make money. If enough customers aren't happy with their experience then they will take their money elsewhere. When this happens enough your "premium" experience is going to suffer. I think that more and more Celebrity customers are requesting a different accomodation for formal night and that it will happen soon.

[bdpnatl]

Now who exactly is being dogmatic. The person that is informing someone what the current policy is or the one insisting that it be changed to meet their desires. Like all things, Celebrity's dress code evolves over time. There are no more semi-formal nights and fewer formal nights. When they decide to do away with formal nights (if ever), then all of the people that do not think they should have to dress up will be happy and those that see it as a further commoditization of their product will not. Until they do change it, continuing to bring up the point that they should not have it when the question asked was what is the current policy, is not constructive and certainly not providing the information wanted by the OP.

[blackfoot]

I'm new to Celebrity and booked a cruise for this coming Jan. I have cruised on Azamara, Oceania,Windstar,Regent, and Princess.

 

I had no idea that dinner attire is inspected and approved by the head waiter in the MDR!I did not read that in the Celebrity cruise information package.

 

I need to rethink my cruise decision on Celebrity because the last time someone inspected my attire was in the military!!!!

 

I may have made a mistake in choosing Celebrity!

[pamstravel]

Now who exactly is being dogmatic. The person that is informing someone what the current policy is or the one insisting that it be changed to meet their desires. Like all things, Celebrity's dress code evolves over time. There are no more semi-formal nights and fewer formal nights. When they decide to do away with formal nights (if ever), then all of the people that do not think they should have to dress up will be happy and those that see it as a further commoditization of their product will not. Until they do change it, continuing to bring up the point that they should not have it when the question asked was what is the current policy, is not constructive and certainly not providing the information wanted by the OP.

 

Obviously you have not read this thread. If you had you would have discovered that most, if not all the posters who desire a more casual venue that SERVES THE SAME FOOD, DO NOT WANT TO TAKE AWAY YOUR "'PREMIUM" FORMAL EXPERIENCE. If you would bother to go back and read the original post you will find that the question was do veteran cruisers think that more people are less interested in formal night given the cost of airline charges for baggage. The question was not asked nor implied that the poster was requesting info about current policy.

 

Perhaps you can answer the question that has been asked by many of us. Why do you care if X offers a more casual venue with the same food for those who don't want to dress formally?

 

Now, before firing off an answer, please go back and read the entire thread.

 

Thanks

[1 HappyCruiser]

Obviously you have not read this thread. If you had you would have discovered that most, if not all the posters who desire a more casual venue that SERVES THE SAME FOOD, DO NOT WANT TO TAKE AWAY YOUR "'PREMIUM" FORMAL EXPERIENCE. If you would bother to go back and read the original post you will find that the question was do veteran cruisers think that more people are less interested in formal night given the cost of airline charges for baggage. The question was not asked nor implied that the poster was requesting info about current policy.

 

Perhaps you can answer the question that has been asked by many of us. Why do you care if X offers a more casual venue with the same food for those who don't want to dress formally?

 

Now, before firing off an answer, please go back and read the entire thread.

 

Thanks

 

I get the impression that the people who like dressing on a cruise feel that if Celebrity backs down to give everyone what they want something will be lost in the process and their overall experience will be diminished & lost forever. The casual people will have won out & ruined their cruise line simply for wanting the same food without going through the dressing routine. I'd be more than satisfied to receive the same food at the buffet & leave the dining room for the formalists. Just provide the same food & entertainment that I've paid for I we can enjoy the same ship together.

[pamstravel]

I get the impression that the people who like dressing on a cruise feel that if Celebrity backs down to give everyone what they want something will be lost in the process and their overall experience will be diminished & lost forever. The casual people will have won out & ruined their cruise line simply for wanting the same food without going through the dressing routine. I'd be more than satisfied to receive the same food at the buffet & leave the dining room for the formalists. Just provide the same food & entertainment that I've paid for I we can enjoy the same ship together.

[/quote

 

I just don't understand why they think their experience would be diminished. It's not as though everyone wears formal wear the entire night. As a matter of fact, there was a thread on here asking how many people change after dinner and a number of the proformal said they did.

 

We used to drag black tie for DH and formal dresses for me. It got to the point that we felt our of place in the casino, show and lounges dressed this way when half the others were dressed casually.

 

We tend to do a number of transatlantics and longer European cruises these days. We will often tour a week or two before or after boarding the ship and it is difficult and hard to justify bringing that many clothes and shoes, especially when they are only worn a few times.

 

I too would be perfectly happy with having the same menu at the buffet. I wonder if the proformals think that so many people feel this way that they wouldn't have many in the MDR.

[Chicago Boy]

You made what could have been a nice discussion about the pros and cons of formal nights a hot topic with your dogmatic attitude about the subject.

 

Several people, including myself have asked you why it would bother you if Celebrity were to offer a different venue with the same food for those who don't wish to participate in formal wear. Why do you keep avoiding this question?

 

I don't think that any of us want to take your "premium" formal experience from you. Most of us follow the dress code or go to the other areas where we don't have to dress, but we aren't happy about it.

 

Cruise lines are a business with the intent to make money. If enough customers aren't happy with their experience then they will take their money elsewhere. When this happens enough your "premium" experience is going to suffer. I think that more and more Celebrity customers are requesting a different accomodation for formal night and that it will happen soon.

 

A while back someone did a survey regarding Formal nights and more than two thirds of those who responded were in favor of them. If that is the case then that should tell you something. Maybe that isn't the answer you want but it is my answer. Just because you don't seem to like the way the game is played does not mean the rules should necessarily change to please you or me for that matter. As I said in a prior post, there are several other options for those who do not wish to participate in Formal nights and that should be enough. :D I learned a long time ago that no matter what you do someone is always going to be unhappy about it.

[Jborosara]

The survey was completely unscientific and proves nothing other than those who feel strongly about formal nights answered the survey more often than those who feel strongly against formal night....I honestly don't care either way....though I still fail to understand how offering MDR food in buffet area diminishes formal night...I won't dress formal again....I will follow the rules but would prefer more flexibility....as others have said, X wins in almost every other way or I'd go elsewhere....

[pamstravel]

A while back someone did a survey regarding Formal nights and more than two thirds of those who responded were in favor of them. If that is the case then that should tell you something. Maybe that isn't the answer you want but it is my answer. Just because you don't seem to like the way the game is played does not mean the rules should necessarily change to please you or me for that matter. As I said in a prior post, there are several other options for those who do not wish to participate in Formal nights and that should be enough. :D I learned a long time ago that no matter what you do someone is always going to be unhappy about it.

 

This board is hardly a true sampling of Celebrity customers. The vast, vast majority of cruisers don't even know about this web site.

 

It is not a matter of me not liking the way the game is played, nor me wanting the rules changed for me. The bean counters with Celebrity will change the rules when enough customers request it because after all, they are in the business of making money and having satisfied clients. I am hearing more complaints and observing less compliance with the dress code.

 

I remember when Norwegian started anytime dining and it was immediately a huge success. There was much discussion from loyal Celebrity (and clients of other lines) about how this would never happen on X. Celebrity started it in a very small way as an experiment and now I believe that the entire fleet has this option. As a matter of fact, we are waitlisted for this otion on our Nov. Solstice transatlantic. At the time loyalist railed as much against this as is now going on with the formal controversy. The assigned dining and anytime dining people seem to coexist just fine now.

 

You still have not answered my question.....why are you so opposed to even the possibility of offering a different, free venue with the same food for those who don't choose to dress formally?

[tally10]

A while back someone did a survey regarding Formal nights and more than two thirds of those who responded were in favor of them. If that is the case then that should tell you something. Maybe that isn't the answer you want but it is my answer. Just because you don't seem to like the way the game is played does not mean the rules should necessarily change to please you or me for that matter. As I said in a prior post, there are several other options for those who do not wish to participate in Formal nights and that should be enough. :D I learned a long time ago that no matter what you do someone is always going to be unhappy about it.

 

Well, I just hope you are open to change because I think, as I have said before, Celebrity is competing for cruise dollars in this bad economy and not just pro-formal wear cruise dollars. If they see that a segment of people would like a "fourth option," or it drives their dollars to a competing cruise line, things might possibly change. If not now, than down the road. Personally, we would be just as happy if they served the same food in the buffet as the MDR, as would a lot of people who do dress up for formal nights. Thankfully, those who denegrate others for wishing for a compromise or some sort of change, are not at all vocal about it on the ship.

[1 HappyCruiser]

A while back someone did a survey regarding Formal nights and more than two thirds of those who responded were in favor of them. If that is the case then that should tell you something. Maybe that isn't the answer you want but it is my answer. Just because you don't seem to like the way the game is played does not mean the rules should necessarily change to please you or me for that matter. As I said in a prior post, there are several other options for those who do not wish to participate in Formal nights and that should be enough. :D I learned a long time ago that no matter what you do someone is always going to be unhappy about it.

 

I don't believe anyone is asking for a change of rules but only for the same food to be served elsewhere. That's not really asking a lot. Anyways, consider the fact that if 1/3 of the people didn't eat in the dining room how much better attention and service you'd receive and you wouldn't have to view the people who don't wish to fully comply. You would probably enjoy your dining experience even more. :)

[Chicago Boy]

This board is hardly a true sampling of Celebrity customers. The vast, vast majority of cruisers don't even know about this web site.

 

It is not a matter of me not liking the way the game is played, nor me wanting the rules changed for me. The bean counters with Celebrity will change the rules when enough customers request it because after all, they are in the business of making money and having satisfied clients. I am hearing more complaints and observing less compliance with the dress code.

 

I remember when Norwegian started anytime dining and it was immediately a huge success. There was much discussion from loyal Celebrity (and clients of other lines) about how this would never happen on X. Celebrity started it in a very small way as an experiment and now I believe that the entire fleet has this option. As a matter of fact, we are waitlisted for this otion on our Nov. Solstice transatlantic. At the time loyalist railed as much against this as is now going on with the formal controversy. The assigned dining and anytime dining people seem to coexist just fine now.

 

You still have not answered my question.....why are you so opposed to even the possibility of offering a different, free venue with the same food for those who don't choose to dress formally?

 

 

Because in my opinion I don't think it is necessary. There are already lots of choices. In the final analysis, I really don't care what Celebrity does nor do I care who goes formal and who does not. I would be willing to bet if we met on a cruise and knew each other we would have a good giggle over the whole thing. Given all that is going on around us, I think those who can afford to cruise and enjoy themselves are beyond fortunate. Enjoy your next cruise. Ours is in less than 3 moths.

[ksmith3975]

When I started this thread I had know idea there would be such passion from both sides of this topic. Again being only my second cruise my opinion isnt as seasoned as some of you veterans. I am so looking foward to my trip on Eclipse in Novemeber, but am semi stressed about the formal night.

 

I have been to many fine dining establishments all over the country and many in New York City living only 5 miles from Manhattan. I have never worn a tuxedo to anything besides a wedding in my life. I am only 29 and not married, so it wasn't even my wedding.

 

My point is that I am in no way agansit formal night as I have yet to experience one on a cruise ship, I just feel that maybe the cruise lines should explain better exactly what is expected. A tuxedo, a nice suit, just a jacket? Maybe a video on their website showing what isn't acceptable on a formal night. I really don't want to rent a tux, and I am not flying first class down to Miami or driving as another poster suggested, I just want to be prepared for what awaits me. Also I will be in aqua class so I would like to dine in Blu for all my dinners, even the formal ones.