First time cruiser> Formal night?

[Colo Cruiser]

This will be our first cruise and there are lots of stuffs we don't know. Since it is a 7 nites cruise, our TA told us there will be 2 formal dinings. We also choose traditional dining over anytime dining.

1) How do we know which night is formal night?

2) Is formal dining time same time as our traditional dining time?

It is nice to be able to dress up once in awhile and a good excuse to buy some new clothes..:p

 

 

Yes 2 formal nights, check the Patter (daily newsletter) it will have a schedule the first day showing smart casual and formal nights for the cruise. If not just ask at the DR.

 

Yes traditional formal dinner is at the same time. ;)

[Thrak]

If the reasoning is to have pictures taken for revenue, it seemed that many still took pictures dressed as business casual. With airlines posing luggage restrictions it's time princess change there policy, or make the buffet more appealing on formal nights.

 

The reasoning is that it's a special night with a special atmosphere. The menus are better and most passengers get into the mood. It's not just another night of eat and run which you could do at home.

 

The reason for Formal Nights is to make my wife happy. She loves to get me into a suit and to dress up a little.

 

Since we have, (so far) only cruised out of SF there has been no issue with the cost of extra weight when flying. However, we are booked on a 17 day PC cruise and will have to pay whatever it costs to fly home with my suit packed in the luggage because there is no way my wife will want to forego formal nights!

 

As I said above, the reason for these nights is to make my wife (and many other wives) happy. A happy wife is one of the secrets to a happy life.

[Cruisin' Chick]

There is a destination that Princess covers very well that we are considering for a future cruise. Threads on the Princess section of CC around formal nights always scare me away from this brand. Having sailed only on casual dress cruise lines, we have never cared what others have been wearing while eating a meal. Clearly, that does not fit the Princess model for some.

 

It's nice to read that business casual is fine on these nights in the specialty restaurants and buffet. No issue staying away from the MDR on formal nights. On a typical cruise, we only eat in the MDR a few evenings anyway.

 

A major clarification: you don't have to dress in "business casual" (it's actually called "smart casual" on Princess) for dinner in the Horizon Court, which is the buffet on Princess ships. You aren't allowed to wear a bathing suit (unless dry and completely covered), but you can definitely wear shorts at dinner there (and you won't be taken off to the brig if you walk around the ship dressed that way at night).

 

You can also just go to the pool area grill or pizzeria to get a casual dinner too. There you can wear your bathing suits, of course. Still another option is the International Cafe in the Piazza. It's not an enclosed eatery, but a set of display cases with salads, sandwiches,soups, desserts, etc. You just tell the server what you want, and those items will be placed on small plates. You can take these items just about anywhere on the ship to eat (on our last cruise, my daughter and I were going to watch a movie mid-afternoon in our cabin, so I got us some treats, including the best ever chocolate chip cookies).

This will be our first cruise and there are lots of stuffs we don't know. Since it is a 7 nites cruise, our TA told us there will be 2 formal dinings. We also choose traditional dining over anytime dining.

1) How do we know which night is formal night?

2) Is formal dining time same time as our traditional dining time?

It is nice to be able to dress up once in awhile and a good excuse to buy some new clothes..:p

 

When you first get to your cabin (which on Princess is right after you board), you'll find your first day Patters. It will include a rundown on which nights are formal dinners and which are smart casual. On the front page of every Patters (you'll get the next day's one the night before), it will list what type of dinner it'll be for the MDRs. It will also list hours of operation for venues, the expected weather that day, etc.

 

If you have traditional dining (our fave -- as I previously, we didn't care for anytime for many reasons), your dining time, dining room, and table are noted on your cabin card you'll get when you first check in at the port. This is good for the whole cruise, whether formal or smart casual. If you decide to try a specialty restaurant (the ones with cover charges) or think you may otherwise not be dining at your assigned seating the next night, just tell your waitstaff and tablemates so that the next night they won't be waiting for you to show up.

 

The menu and dress code will be the same for both anytime and traditional seatings. And the only line to get into the traditional dining (that was misrepresented in someone's post from a few month's ago) would be on the first night as each party is escorted to their table by one of the MDR workers. So that process can take five or so minutes, which is a reason why we wait about five minutes before going to the MDR on the first night. No worries the rest of the cruise: you show up at 8 or whatever time is listed on your card and go straight into the MDR and over to your table.

[paulav99]

When it's not formal night, will my husband get by with khaki dress shorts and a polo shirt? He doesn't own any suits, and wouldn't wear them anyway.

[Cruisin' Chick]

When it's not formal night, will my husband get by with khaki dress shorts and a polo shirt? He doesn't own any suits, and wouldn't wear them anyway.

 

The MDR policy for dinner is that men should dress in regular slacks or really nice jeans (no holes) on smart casual nights. For the Horizon Court or eating by the pool, shorts are fine at any time.

 

Here's a link to the Cruise Answer Place's info about what clothing to bring:

http://www.princess.com/learn/faq_answer/pre_cruise/bring.jsp

 

I would suggest looking at the other info in the CAP to help you get ready for your cruise. It really is helpful.

[Thrak]

If you have traditional dining (our fave -- as I previously' date=' we didn't care for anytime for many reasons), your dining time, dining room, and table are noted on your cabin card you'll get when you first check in at the port. This is good for the whole cruise, whether formal or smart casual. If you decide to try a specialty restaurant (the ones with cover charges) or think you may otherwise not be dining at your assigned seating the next night, just tell your waitstaff and tablemates so that the next night they won't be waiting for you to show up.

 

 

It would be nice if more people did this. On our first cruise we didn't realize that it could be an imposition not to let the others know but we quickly figured it out and now do it as a matter of course if we are going to miss our assigned seating for dinner. It just makes it easier for the staff and the others at your table aren't stuck waiting to order.

[maria1963]

We loved the formals on our first cruise last year, we had 4 in total - 2 each week. It made the whole thing very special . There is a marked difference in style between the nationalities making it a challenge to advise anyone on what to wear( we are Brits ) but a dinner suit / tux is a leveller and transcends cultural divides! It matters not whether one is a bin man or a doctor, in a dinner suite everyone looks fab! There are options as have been described for people not wishing to participate. In terms of anytime dinning we never had a problem but then we avoided the earlier 6-7pm slots as that's tea time to us. dinner on the other hand around 8.30 was a lovely time , and allowed for a nice drink before hand. We invariably made the second show if we wanted to . We have just booked a Cunard for next year and noticed we'd been allocated 6 pm dinning! Not for long- changed it to the 8.30 slot as soon as we could!

[Lovetocruiseprincess]

When it's not formal night, will my husband get by with khaki dress shorts and a polo shirt? He doesn't own any suits, and wouldn't wear them anyway.

 

Shorts- no, but anything else is acceptable with any shirt he chooses.

That being said there have been some ships where shorts were tolerated but he'll have to see what they allow on your particular ship.

[OC Gypsy]

Yes 2 formal nights, check the Patter (daily newsletter) it will have a schedule the first day showing smart casual and formal nights for the cruise. If not just ask at the DR.

 

Yes traditional formal dinner is at the same time. ;)

 

Thank! Kept seeing the word "Patter" when reading the forum posting, now I know what it means.

[OC Gypsy]

A major clarification: you don't have to dress in "business casual" (it's actually called "smart casual" on Princess) for dinner in the Horizon Court' date=' which is the buffet on Princess ships. You aren't allowed to wear a bathing suit (unless dry and completely covered), but you can definitely wear shorts at dinner there (and you won't be taken off to the brig if you walk around the ship dressed that way at night).

 

You can also just go to the pool area grill or pizzeria to get a casual dinner too. There you can wear your bathing suits, of course. Still another option is the International Cafe in the Piazza. It's not an enclosed eatery, but a set of display cases with salads, sandwiches,soups, desserts, etc. You just tell the server what you want, and those items will be placed on small plates. You can take these items just about anywhere on the ship to eat (on our last cruise, my daughter and I were going to watch a movie mid-afternoon in our cabin, so I got us some treats, including the best ever chocolate chip cookies).

[/color']

 

 

When you first get to your cabin (which on Princess is right after you board), you'll find your first day Patters. It will include a rundown on which nights are formal dinners and which are smart casual. On the front page of every Patters (you'll get the next day's one the night before), it will list what type of dinner it'll be for the MDRs. It will also list hours of operation for venues, the expected weather that day, etc.

 

If you have traditional dining (our fave -- as I previously, we didn't care for anytime for many reasons), your dining time, dining room, and table are noted on your cabin card you'll get when you first check in at the port. This is good for the whole cruise, whether formal or smart casual. If you decide to try a specialty restaurant (the ones with cover charges) or think you may otherwise not be dining at your assigned seating the next night, just tell your waitstaff and tablemates so that the next night they won't be waiting for you to show up.

 

The menu and dress code will be the same for both anytime and traditional seatings. And the only line to get into the traditional dining (that was misrepresented in someone's post from a few month's ago) would be on the first night as each party is escorted to their table by one of the MDR workers. So that process can take five or so minutes, which is a reason why we wait about five minutes before going to the MDR on the first night. No worries the rest of the cruise: you show up at 8 or whatever time is listed on your card and go straight into the MDR and over to your table.

 

Thank you so much for explaining. What does MDR stand for? Sorry, I am a first timer on a cruise and on this forum, so I am not familiar with many terms used.

[Colo Cruiser]

Thank you so much for explaining. What does MDR stand for? Sorry, I am a first timer on a cruise and on this forum, so I am not familiar with many terms used.

 

 

Welcome to CC!

 

Main Dining Room.

Edited July 25, 2014 by Colo Cruiser

[Cruisin' Chick]

It would be nice if more people did this. On our first cruise we didn't realize that it could be an imposition not to let the others know but we quickly figured it out and now do it as a matter of course if we are going to miss our assigned seating for dinner. It just makes it easier for the staff and the others at your table aren't stuck waiting to order.

 

Unfortunately, those new to cruising often don't get the info they need. There's even been a few people who didn't know the MDR meals were included in their fare. It would be nice if TAs would let newbies know some of the ropes, but I'm guessing many of them have never been on a cruise or maybe not on a variety of cruise lines to be able to do this (or not willing to take the time). And some people will book through one of the online companies, and unless one of them has a place on their website to educate newbies (and even then, to update their info as needed), the new cruiser is going to be more in the dark.

 

Fortunately, I started cruising with my then boyfriend (now hubby) who had already taken his first cruise. And I followed his example by reading the little pamphlet that Carnival sent with the cruise docs. And nowadays, I'll always go through the Cruise Answer Place to make sure there's no new policies I should know about. Yes, I know this site has a lot of info, but sometimes people give the wrong info or their opinions and not necessarily what you need to know. And I was able to navigate going on eight cruises before I had heard of this site.

[caribill]

Unfortunately' date=' those new to cruising often don't get the info they need. There's even been a few people who didn't know the MDR meals were included in their fare.[/quote']

 

Princess used to mail out the "Cruise Answer Book" which would answer many questions a new cruiser to Princess might have plus a number of questions a new cruiser did not even think of.

 

They no longer mail this out, but a copy can be downloaded from the Princess web site.

[Cruisin' Chick]

Princess used to mail out the "Cruise Answer Book" which would answer many questions a new cruiser to Princess might have plus a number of questions a new cruiser did not even think of.

 

They no longer mail this out, but a copy can be downloaded from the Princess web site.

 

Definitely a must read before any Princess cruise.:)

[GolfMom321]

We just returned from sailing on the Royal. The first formal night we were dressed to the nines, had the photo done, etc. By mutual agreement, we didn't repeat that on the 2nd formal night. We did dress nicely--I wore a skirt and top, my sister wore dress pants and a blouse--but nowhere near formal.

 

We saw people dressed in a whole array of styles and degrees of formality. The best was a gentleman in a kilt with full regalia! But many did not dress up, and around the ship there were people in shorts and Tshirts who obviously weren't doing the formal thing.

 

As far as wait times for anytime dining, we went to dinner around 6-6:30 nearly every night and never waited more than 5 minutes. We chose to have a table for 2, but were always offered the opportunity to share with a group.

[sfo2008]

My sense is that officially men are supposed to wear a coat. But it is inconsistently enforced and non jacketed shirts like a formal guayabera a jacket isn't expected. If you don't bring a coat for Dear husband (DH) just realize there is a possibility--low--of being turned away.

[gagenie]

My son & I returned on the Golden July 12. We had two formal nights. I saw a little bit of everything, some wore a suit, some khakis with a button up shirt and no tie and some wore dress pants, shirt & tie. My son took 1 suit and wore both formal nights. I wore black dress pants with a dressy blouse and jacket, and yes I took way too many clothes! No one I saw was ever turn away in the MDR.

[satxdiver]

Hello! My husband and I are first time cruisers and we will be sailing on the Golden Princess to Alaska on Sept. 6th.

 

I am curious about the formal night and just would like some general information. I hear people talk about it and have read a few posts about other places being open during that night. Can someone fill me in? Is that when pictures are done too and how does THAT work. We are staying in a full suite if that matters. DH is 47 and was going to wear a tie and dress shirt and pants. Does he HAVE to wear a jacket. I and 35 and I was going to wear a dress from the Bettie Page shop.... probably. It says we will have 2 formal nights...

 

ANY info will be helpful. Thanks everyone.

 

Both of you will have no problem eating in the MDR on formal night. There will be two formal nights. Photographers will set up in several locations near the MDRs for photo ops. You will have no problem finding them or avoiding them if you so choose. This is not the only night they set up for photos before dinner so there will be ample opportunities.

[Lovetocruiseprincess]

My sense is that officially men are supposed to wear a coat. But it is inconsistently enforced and non jacketed shirts like a formal guayabera a jacket isn't expected. If you don't bring a coat for Dear husband (DH) just realize there is a possibility--low--of being turned away.

 

The answer that that situation is a long sleeve shirt. Short sleeves seem to trigger a reaction but the long sleeves don't.

I don't see the difference since they can be rolled up once past the check point anyway. ;);)

[sfo2008]

The answer that that situation is a long sleeve shirt. Short sleeves seem to trigger a reaction but the long sleeves don't.

 

I don't see the difference since they can be rolled up once past the check point anyway. ;);)

 

 

Perhaps! I just want the OP to understand what Princess puts in the cruise answer book and then they can decide the risk. I've done long sleeve shirts plus tie without problem on Ruby in January and other ships before but people do post of problems from time to time.

[Lovetocruiseprincess]

Perhaps! I just want the OP to understand what Princess puts in the cruise answer book and then they can decide the risk. I've done long sleeve shirts plus tie without problem on Ruby in January and other ships before but people do post of problems from time to time.

 

Well now they know. ;) I haven't had a problem in the past 10 years without a tie or jacket. Traveling as light as possible is the most important thing to me & if I can leave the jacket at home plus it's much more comfortable eating in the DR without it.

[seamanfs]

For the first time after 23 cruises DH is bringing a long sleeved shirt, tie and dress pants for formal night on the Coral in 2 weeks time. Usually brings dark suit . For Alaska we just have too many heavier items to make the weight limit for air travel. We may just do one formal night too-just depends on the schedule!

[dne698]

Seriously, they would actually turn someone away if they didn't have a jacket and tie on? I think that is absurd. Dress pants, a long sleeved dress shirt and tie should be acceptable in my opinion. On our last cruise with Carnival, as well on Royal Caribbean, my husband did not wear a suit and we had no problem being seated.

[Lovetocruiseprincess]

For the first time after 23 cruises DH is bringing a long sleeved shirt, tie and dress pants for formal night on the Coral in 2 weeks time. Usually brings dark suit . For Alaska we just have too many heavier items to make the weight limit for air travel. We may just do one formal night too-just depends on the schedule!

 

It worked for me on the Coral in April but even out of the 4 formal nights we only went to the DR once since the Horizon was great for our tastes. We ate in the Horizon so often for dinner they would bring out drinks as soon as we sat down.

[seamanfs]

It worked for me on the Coral in April but even out of the 4 formal nights we only went to the DR once since the Horizon was great for our tastes. We ate in the Horizon so often for dinner they would bring out drinks as soon as we sat down.

 

That's what we are thinking will happen on the Coral!! Too many late ports and fabulous scenery to worry about changing into formal clothes in Alaska. We don't mind the Horizon Court at all for meals.