What to wear to Formal Dinner

[jdhw]

First time cruise on the Holiday May 23 out of Mobile. Do you have to wear a suit or coat and tie to the Formal dinner? Or are they OK if you just wear dress pants and shirt?

[picktowncruzr]

One of the things I love about Carnival - - you're always okay. We've cruised several times and have seen quite a variety on formal night. We always dress up (husband wears suit and tie), but we always see people even in jeans that night. Do your own thing. If you're comfortable, that's all that matters. Personally, I would suggest at least a nice shirt and slacks.

[ashumate2]

You will see a little of everything for formal night. Everyone's interpretation of Formal is different. You will see everything from casual to Tux's for formal night. Just wear what you have and what you are comfortable in.

[Cotton]

Formal is formal. "Formal" means tux for men and long gowns for ladies. MOST cruisers adhere to the dress code set forth by the cruiselines.

 

Although every man is not in a tux, most at least have on a dark suit and tie, and ladies dress in either gowns or cocktail dresses. Some do wear very nice 'church'-type dresses, and some men do wear sports jacket, dress slacks, and tie. Always at least a tie.

 

I've cruised on the Holiday four times, and I've seen everything from full length sequined gowns to nice dresses.

 

What I have NOT seen is jeans in the dining room, not on casual nights, and certainly not on formal night. I HAVE seen the Maitre 'd refuse entry to the dining room to several people for inappropriate attire. If those folks don't choose to dress for dinner, that's what the Lido Deck buffet area is for.

 

Enjoy your cruise on the Holiday - my favorite ship.:)

[Cruisin Dave]

Formal is formal. "Formal" means tux for men and long gowns for ladies. MOST cruisers adhere to the dress code set forth by the cruiselines.

 

Although every man is not in a tux, most at least have on a dark suit and tie, and ladies dress in either gowns or cocktail dresses. Some do wear very nice 'church'-type dresses, and some men do wear sports jacket, dress slacks, and tie. Always at least a tie.

 

I've cruised on the Holiday four times, and I've seen everything from full length sequined gowns to nice dresses.

 

What I have NOT seen is jeans in the dining room, not on casual nights, and certainly not on formal night. I HAVE seen the Maitre 'd refuse entry to the dining room to several people for inappropriate attire. If those folks don't choose to dress for dinner, that's what the Lido Deck buffet area is for.

Ditto

[hstrybuf]

Also ditto to what Cotton said. She's right on the money as usual!

[GoinCruisin]

Another ditto to what Cotton says!!! She said it perfectly! I have never seen jeans on formal night either... Most that I have seen have been dressed appropriately and makes for a wonderful atmosphere!!!

[derf5585]

What should I pack?

from

http://www.carnival.com/CMS/FAQs/Dress_Attire.aspx

[caviargal]

You will see a little of everything for formal night. Everyone's interpretation of Formal is different. You will see everything from casual to Tux's for formal night. Just wear what you have and what you are comfortable in.

 

I do not see one can interpret "formal" as being shirt and tie or jeans. This is not a matter of opinion, it is a matter of definition.

 

I was glad to read Cotton's post about the dress code being enforced on the Holiday. This is one of the reasons I do not cruise Carnival; on formal nights and other nights in the main dining room, it seemed like anything was alllowed. There are other venues to feed those who choose to dress casually and I believe it is up to the cruise line to help those folks decide where they have dinner.

[Chan_T]

The dress code was not enforced during our sailing on the Miracle last month. The couple next to us had on jeans on formal night. There may have been others (in jeans), but I didn't notice...I just happened to notice them since they were sitting so close.

[Cotton]

Y'know, I wish ALL who serve as Maitre 'd would enforce the dress code.

 

It's not as if people don't KNOW (if they know how to read) before they cruise.:rolleyes: The dress code is very clearly stated in every single piece of literature the cruise lines put out.....the big brochures, the website, and also in the "Welcome Aboard" booklet that comes with your documents. Just NO reason for anyone not to KNOW beforehand. They either don't read the info provided, or just don't care.

 

Thank goodness MOST cruisers know, and adhere to, good manners and protocol.:)

[jdhw]

I was just trying to pack as ight as possible and thought dress slacks and shirt with a tie would be ok besides it will be 90 degress when we go and a suit is hot and uncomfortable.

[mafig]

Sounds like you've already made up your mind. Why did you even bother asking?

 

 

I think a shirt and tie looks fine.....on an eight year old. A grown man should at least wear a jacket, if not a suit.;) :)

 

BTW, the interior of the ship is airconditioned, some even think it a little on the chilly side. It's not 90 degrees.:confused:

[Laurab23]

Just got back from the Legend. Lots of jeans on informal nights and lots of dress shirts and dress pants on formal night with no ties. Even saw a few casual shirts and pants on formal night. The man who sat with us never dressed up and it didn't matter to us one bit. We enjoyed their company no matter what they wore.

Laura

[lynyrd]

I have never cruised before but also totally agree with Cotton also. One of the first things that I did after booking and the researching for our first cruise was to go shopping for appropriate clothes (and not just for formal night). I was so excited that they even had a formal night since this will be our delayed honeymoon/15th anniversary cruise. I purchased a tux for my DH, a long formal gown and a cocktail dress for myself. Not to mention some dress/casual clothes for the other nights. In no way did I get the impression that you did not have to "dress-up" for formal night. Why is it so difficult for people to understand what formal means? (since there is post after post about this subject). If folks do not wish to participate in the formal part of formal night I believe they should dine on the Lido deck, JMHO.

 

lynyrd

[kimkimmie]

Dress the nicest of all 4 nights on formal night. For us last time, formal night was the last night and the special foods and singing and dancing waiters. I wore a nice pants suit, and my husband wore dress pants and a button up shirt. He is so uncomfortable in suits and has never worn a tux, because they are simply not comfy. I didn't pay attention to what others wore, and for the 2 couples at our table, I know they looked nice, but not like they were going to the prom.

 

The dining room has better food than the buffet, so definately opt for dinner in the dining room. Slacks and a sports shirt or button up shirt should be fine most nights. Just wear your best outfit on formal night - again f you can swing a tux, it would be great! Hey it's the fun ship right - have fun :o)

 

There are wonderful photo opportunities after the dinner, so being nicely dressed does pay off in that you will look nice in pictures. To go out and buy a formal gown and tux is great if you can afford to, but we spent our vacation budget for this year on the cruise, so we are going to have to dress as nice as we can with what we have in the closet already.

 

Hope all of you enjoy your cruises!!

 

Kim

[robiwan]

On my first cruise on the Glory this past Dec. I didn't have a tux but did feel that it was appropriote to wear my only suit on the formal nights. After all there is plenty of time to wear casual clothes, bathing suit, etc. the rest of the time. My wife and I enjoyed that week enough to put a deposit on another cruise for this Dec.

Although the last time I wore a tux was in 1971 I would have liked to have worn one on that first cruise. This time I will be able to.

I just got back from S&K Menswear where I ordered a nice looking 100% wool, single button - notched lapel tux. The really great thing is they were having a sale with an additional $50 off the sale price. I also had a $20 coupon bring the cost to $110. I don't know if I'll ever cruise again or have the need for a tux but for at least two evenings I will be able to escort my wife looking as good as this old buffalo can get. After all, years ago she did pick me (faults and all) so it's the least I can do. Besides, by booking a guarantee bottom deck inside cabin it gave us a little money for me to get this tux and for my beautiful wife to get a nice dress for formal night.

This will be quite a transformation since we are both active outdoors type people who can usually be found backpacking, kayaking, skydiving, playing tennis, studying tai chi, traveling to 3rd world countries, etc.

But formal night will be special. It's too bad our culture has become so egocentric. There is a time and a place for everything.

 

Peace and Love from an old hippie who never forgot the importance of propriety!:D

[cubdaddy]

Formal is formal. "Formal" means tux for men and long gowns for ladies. MOST cruisers adhere to the dress code set forth by the cruiselines.

 

Although every man is not in a tux, most at least have on a dark suit and tie, and ladies dress in either gowns or cocktail dresses. Some do wear very nice 'church'-type dresses, and some men do wear sports jacket, dress slacks, and tie. Always at least a tie.

 

I've cruised on the Holiday four times, and I've seen everything from full length sequined gowns to nice dresses.

 

What I have NOT seen is jeans in the dining room, not on casual nights, and certainly not on formal night. I HAVE seen the Maitre 'd refuse entry to the dining room to several people for inappropriate attire. If those folks don't choose to dress for dinner, that's what the Lido Deck buffet area is for.

 

Enjoy your cruise on the Holiday - my favorite ship.:)

 

Ditto for me too. Formal night is part of the cruise experience. My teenage kids love it too.

 

It is nice to see everyone dresses so nice!:rolleyes:

[hstrybuf]

Cotton, I agree with everything you said! :)

 

There are several things which fall into the category of additional expenses when you cruise. One of them is having the appropriate clothes for dinner. It doesn't have to be fancy, but should follow the guidelines given. If people can save up for the other extras (casino, drinks, excursions) that they know about ahead of time, then why not include clothing as well.

[Gingee]

Legend people were not dressed fancy? Hey, we plan to. We have fancy dresses for both nights. Husband wearing sports suit. No tux or dark dark suit though.

[Laurab23]

Legend people were not dressed fancy? Hey, we plan to. We have fancy dresses for both nights. Husband wearing sports suit. No tux or dark dark suit though.

 

Gingee-all I meant that some people were not dressed fancy. Many people were dressed in their best and prettiest outfits and looked fantastic. Dress however you like and you will not be under or over dressed.

Laura

[jeriron]

Ever consider that booking a cruise puts a big dent in the wallet and maybe some people actually cannot afford to go out and buy a suit or a fancy dress that they may never have the occasion to wear again. Why must they miss out enjoying the dinning room on formal night because of that. I can understand complaining about shorts and flip flops and not be allowed in the dinning but if the person is neat and clean who will be hurt by them not being dressed formally.

[Cotton]

Everyone should be aware of what is expected on a cruise ship. All the info is out there prior to booking a cruise. Did you even read all the above posts?:rolleyes:

[GoinCruisin]

Dressing appropriately does not have to cost a fortune. I would think that most people have something set aside to wear to a funeral, wedding, church, nice restaurant... If one does not want to participate in the act of "formal night", Carnival has options... nobody is forced to dress nicely, they can eat in the alternative restaurants, but for those that do wish to participate, it is a very nice evening... "Why should they have to miss out on formal night because they don't dress appropriately"? Because it is FORMAL night... an effort should be made to dress as closely to appropriate as possible... it is not called "Formal if you feel like it" night ... or "Formal but dress as you want because it's your vacation and you paid for it and nobody can tell you what to wear" night...

[jeriron]

Cotton:

 

I don't know which post you are referring to but being as it came after mine I will answer yours. Yes I read all the posts, so whats your point?