Am I the only one who'd love to cruise without formal night?

[bjkTX]

All the people posting that this thread should die - but they keep reading it - and posting - hey, if you think it should die - just don't read it anymore (in your formal wear....).

[moom2]

I was on theNCL Dawn just a few weeks ago and is this ship ever informal. All of the NCL is "Freestyle" . They have what they call optional formal night which means, as far as I could tell, that practically noone dresses up. Definately no tuxedos. No gowns. A few cocktail dresses, and there was a group of recent graduates who were wearing prom dresses.

All the people I talked to liked the lack of formality, but I would have liked to see people dressed better at any time. Most of them looked as if they were going to the grocery store or maybe were mowing the lawn. Just slightly better in the dining room though jeans, t-shirts and shorts are not allowed at dinner there.

[dottiedef]

My point was not so much that the man in the Hawaiian shirt spoiled our dinner because of the shirt but because of his mouth. He kept making snide comments about formal night and made those of us dressed up feel very uncomfortable. THAT is why we ate and ran. Did it ruin my whole evening--NO, we forgot aabout it and had a nice time at the show and then won in the casino! My husband even kept his tie on all evening which is a miracle in itself! Great cruise through the Pamana Canal--highly recommend.

[johnql]

I think most everyone has lost sight of the original point of this thread. The OP was not suggesting that anybody ignore or circumvent the rules of formal night. He was not attempting to start a debate between the traditionalists (rule-followers) and the casualists (maligned as selfish members of the "Me Generation"). He simply wanted to state his desire to see one or both of the formal nights done away with. Obviously, that's not going to happen just by wishing it. Those cruisers who love Princess but would love it even more if they eliminated the formality need to lobby Princess directly if that's what they really want. Of course, realistically speaking, I don't see Princess changing their policies.

[CruiserGreg]

bdjam,

 

I think you rule, but let's face it some people will never get it no matter how much you try. In other words let it go, it's a lost cause.

[lesharona]

I suggest you follow the dress request and not go by your interpretation of what the reps say. sounds like wishfull thinking. While I have heard some reports that people have seen some people not turned away and allowed in I personally have seen people turned away from the dining room on formal night on Princess if the man did not have a jacket on. And I don't recall ever seeing men in the dining room without a jacket on formal evening on Princess. Maybe they are slack on some ships but I would not count on it.

 

We've been on 3 Princess Cruises and have not been turned away yet.

[bdjam]

I think you rule, but let's face it some people will never get it no matter how much you try. In other words let it go, it's a lost cause.

Thanks for the nice words…and I have.

[spongerob]

Tell me do you guys call 911 to report speeders too?

 

Actually, it's *55 to report those here, and yes, I've used to report 1) an obviously and seriously drunk driver, 2) the lady who was reading the newspaper on a 75 MPH turnpike and weaving all over the road, and 3) the tractor trailer rig running well in excess of 100 mph and running people off the road.

 

We go round and round on this and it always ends up the same way, a locked thread. We know what the Princess guidelines state. We understand the intent. Whether or not we choose to go along is a personal decision.

 

We have no authority over whether or not those who ignore the guidelines are permitted to be seated. I can't do anything about it directly, any more than I can do anything about people who run red lights or permit their young children to ride in cars without any restraint. There are people with the task of dealing with these situations. They are called Maitre d'. If they do enforce the guidelines, great, I'll show my appreciation, and if they don't, c'est la vie. This is nothing that is going to ruin my vacation. I will derive some pleasure from the fact that those who tell me that I should not be offended by or care about how they might dress will be offended themselves if they even suspect that I'm thinking the slightest bit less of them, whether or not I've even taken the time to notice them.

[Charles4515]

We've been on 3 Princess Cruises and have not been turned away yet.

 

You have not but others have been turned away. It depends on the Maitre D. and if they notice. It is understandable that some don't as it is easier to ignore those who have bad manners than confront them. I would love to cruise without formal night on Princess too as the person who started the thread stated. I did not miss the lack of formal night on my recent NCL cruise. I am all for resort casual. I did miss Princess though :) I abide by the formal dress request out of respect for the request, and respect for my fellow passengers. It is simply good manners to do that. It is the civilized way to act. If you don't respect the dress request it does advertise something about you. If you are content with that fine.

[lesharona]

You have not but others have been turned away. It depends on the Maitre D. and if they notice. It is understandable that some don't as it is easier to ignore those who have bad manners than confront them. I would love to cruise without formal night on Princess too as the person who started the thread stated. I did not miss the lack of formal night on my recent NCL cruise. I am all for resort casual. I did miss Princess though :) I abide by the formal dress request out of respect for the request, and respect for my fellow passengers. It is simply good manners to do that. It is the civilized way to act. If you don't respect the dress request it does advertise something about you. If you are content with that fine.

 

My whole point in this thread is you can get dressed up without wearing a formal or a tux. On my past Princess Cruises, everyone in my group was very comfortable with what they wore to formal night. We were greeted warmly by the staff and treated with courtesy and respect.

[ripleysmom]

Uh have you cruised on Carnival ? I have .. it is DEFINATELY less dressy then Princess .. by a large margin at that.

Yes I have and according to what I am reading here no it is not. Most people dress up for formal night on Carnival too and the same rules are in place.

[LARGIN]

My whole point in this thread is you can get dressed up without wearing a formal or a tux. On my past Princess Cruises, everyone in my group was very comfortable with what they wore to formal night. We were greeted warmly by the staff and treated with courtesy and respect.

 

Depending what you mean by not wearing a formal or a tux on "Formal Night". If you mean a suit and a cocktail dress other than a formal or tux, I agree. If you mean dockers for men I do not.

[ripleysmom]

ripleys,

And it astounds me, as well as many otheres here how people like yourself can not understand that what you wear has an effect on the atmosphere of where you happen to be.

Why would it have an affect? Seriously I don't concern myself with what other people are wearing so why should it be so upsetting that you are going to run to tell "mommy"?

 

Walk into the dining room with everyone in slacks is one feeling, walk in with everyone in tux's, suits and ball gowns and it is quite different. When people attempt to circumvent the rules that exist to protect this atmosphere they are being rude and selfish.

But that is not what you are getting anyway so why the angst about what others are wearing?

 

If you do not want a formal night, cruise on a line without one. But if you dress down on formal night on my cruise, I can assure you that I will "tattle" on you and hope you enjoy the embarassment of being removed from the dining room for flaunting rules you know that exist.

Really? You would enjoy the embarassment that the scene would cause?

 

There are so many places on board to eat where there is no dress code, why do you insist on spoiling the one place that still has one ? Bottom line, formal night is formal night plan for it, if you dont like it vote with your pocket book and cruise elsewhere.

Eating elsewhere on the ship is not the same as eating in the dining room in terms of the kind of food that you receive or the manner in which it is served. If you've paid for that meal you should be able to receive it no matter what.

[lesharona]

Depending what you mean by not wearing a formal or a tux on "Formal Night". If you mean a suit and a cocktail dress other than a formal or tux, I agree. If you mean dockers for men I do not.

 

On the 3 cruises I mentioned neither of the men in our group wore dockers.

My Dad is 85 and he looked quite nice in his suit. Even though he grumbled

about having to wear it. My consulting Princess was in reference to a

upcoming cruise with extended family. I wanted to know what Princess

had to say on this controversial topic, which is why I called them (twice)

We will continue to dress as we have in the past, dressy but definately not

formal.

[coiran]

The original poster merely questioned if he/she was alone in having the desire to go on a cruise without formal nights - for those who agree the answer is yes you can but not on Princess unless you do not want to dine in the dining rooms on formal night. If you want to defy the guidelines on Princess - go ahead - you may get turned away from the dining room - and this will not be a justifiable cause to complain about!

 

Ron

[LARGIN]

A suit is nice and is compliance with the Princess formal dress code.. One has to remember that formal does not necessarilly (sp) mean black tie. The definition of black tie is a black tuxedo jacket, black tuxedo pants, white shirt, black cummerbund and tie, or matching tie, cummerbund or vest, and formal shoes. The term "black tie" on an invitation connotes formality and indicates that you must wear a tuxedo. "Black Tie Invited" means tuxedos are preferred, but dark suits are acceptable.

[Charles4515]

On the 3 cruises I mentioned neither of the men in our group wore dockers.

My Dad is 85 and he looked quite nice in his suit. Even though he grumbled

about having to wear it. My consulting Princess was in reference to a

upcoming cruise with extended family. I wanted to know what Princess

had to say on this controversial topic, which is why I called them (twice)

We will continue to dress as we have in the past, dressy but definately not

formal.

 

If you are talking about wearing a suit instead of a tux or a nice dress and not a gown I think we have a misunderstanding. The formal request that Princess makes includes those. It does not have to be a tux or a formal gown. A dark suit for men and a cocktail dress or similar dress appropriate.

[WCAB]

I feel we have finally come to an understanding on this post. I believe those arguing against formal have never meant Dockers, jeans, t-shirts and such. They have meant they do not wear a gown or a tux and take a little more relaxed view of formal. I might wear the black pants that from a distance look like a long skirt and a sparkly top. Very relaxed, no fuss but looks dressy. Could go all night without having to change due to wanting to be comfortable.

 

I have noticed that those supporting a little less then formal have gone out of their way to give examples but those supporting formal do not give definitive descriptions of what they wear to help us better understand how they describe formal so we are left to think they mean strickly gowns, tux, jewels, "snobby".

 

I picture Joan Rivers giving comments on everyone's attire and some not measuring up in the process.

 

I really think 95% of all of us have been stating the same thing, it is just the language used that is causing the BIG problem.

 

One of the advantages of the FASHION subject on the board, is that people actually import pictures as examples of what they want to wear, then there is no question as to what is being discussed.

 

Carol

[lesharona]

I feel we have finally come to an understanding on this post. I believe those arguing against formal have never meant Dockers, jeans, t-shirts and such. They have meant they do not wear a gown or a tux and take a little more relaxed view of formal. I might wear the black pants that from a distance look like a long skirt and a sparkly top. Very relaxed, no fuss but looks dressy. Could go all night without having to change due to wanting to be comfortable.

 

 

This is exactly what I have been saying. You can go to Formal night,

feel very good about your dress, enjoy the delicious dinner and not worry

you are offending someone in a Tux or Gown.

[ripleysmom]

Actually my arguments have been the following:

 

1) If someone wants to come to formal night in more relaxed attire I don't care and I don't think anyone else should either. My enjoyment of an evening is not contingent upon others. If the way someone else is dressed is ruining your evening then I think there are bigger problems there than just Princess' enforcement of the dress code.

 

2) I also don't consider that the people who choose to not dress up are showing me a lack of respect or trying to ruin my evening. Again, if someone feels that way there are much bigger issues going on.

 

3) I especially do not consider more relaxed attire a reason to look down on anyone or cast aspersions on their character. My enjoyment of my companions is based on what kind of people they are, not what they are wearing.

 

 

If no one agrees with me, fine I can live with that.

[SaylorGirl]

ripleys,

 

 

 

If you do not want a formal night, cruise on a line without one. But if you dress down on formal night on my cruise, I can assure you that I will "tattle" on you and hope you enjoy the embarassment of being removed from the dining room for flaunting rules you know that exist.

 

QUOTE]

 

Tattle . . . what, are you like in 1st grade?? Before you "tattle" on someone to have them thrown out of the dining room, I do hope that you plan to double your tips to cover those that the wait staff will lose. The first thing that someone will do that is removed from the dining room will be to stop at the pursers office and remove their auto tips. You might want to think about that.

[bjkTX]

I don't know who SalorGirl was quoting - but how many people are willing to wear gaudy shorts and flip flops just to ruin his/her evening???? I am (or would if I owned any shorts and flip flops :-)

[PrincessAddict]

bjkTX, I would in a heart beat!...just to see some on here Cringe!:D and I do own flip flops and shorts ( nice linen one too!):eek:

[MaryPoppinz]

Risk being "tattled" on?

 

No way! Not me! I haven't been "tattled" on since I was six, and I'm not starting it up again now!

[riekl]

Why would it have an affect? Seriously I don't concern myself with what other people are wearing so why should it be so upsetting that you are going to run to tell "mommy"?

 

You can try to demean it with all the "tell mommy" you want, the bottom line is it would be you breaking the rules, it is you who should be ashamed not the one pointing it out. If you don't like the rules, cruise elsewhere.

 

But that is not what you are getting anyway so why the angst about what others are wearing?

 

Says who ? I dont know what cruise's are like that you are on but the ones I am on 95% of the people ARE dressed appropriately even on Formal night. I simply refuse to allow that 5% to grow to any significant number.

 

Really? You would enjoy the embarassment that the scene would cause?

 

Absolutely .. its one thing if a person does not know about a rule and breaks it unknowingly. However for someone like yourself who does know, and consciously flaunts your non conformity, yes I enjoy watching people get put in their place and realize they are not above society and must conform to the same expectations as the other 3,000 people onboard. You are not special.

 

 

Eating elsewhere on the ship is not the same as eating in the dining room in terms of the kind of food that you receive or the manner in which it is served. If you've paid for that meal you should be able to receive it no matter what.

 

I will concur about manner of serving .. but the buffet does have the same food, I have never experienced it to not have the same food. And again you know about this ahead of time you are making the choice by booking the cruise to dress appropriately if you wish to eat in the dining room, it is not everyone else's fault that you want to dress down and eat in the dining room that is clearly not an option offered by Princess so cruise elsewhere.