I posted this in the Fashion Forum...

[Nowayjose99]

... and I was instructed to post here.

 

My wife and I are going to the Caribbean in early November for 7 days on the Westerdam. There are two formal nights, and we are in the process of wardrobe planning.

 

This is our first cruise - and it's a bit of challenge figuring out what's appropriate. I get that people where everything from dark suits and tuxes to cocktail dresses and gowns.

 

Is it Armani and Dior, or more mainstream ?

 

Also, after all this getting dressed up, and having dinner, what do people do afterwards? (would be a shame to call it a night after dinner).

[puppycanducruise]

For formal nights, I usually wear a cocktail dress (no long gown). I wear the same dress for both nights, just change the accessories. My husband wears a dark suit. No Armani for us, but go for it if that's your style.

After dinner, we sometimes stroll around the Promenade deck then up to the Crow's Nest for a cocktail and listen to the music.

Have a great cruise.

[Daisyloo]

Hi Noway,

I just posted on your other thread in the fashion area.

But as far as what to do after dinner, there is the main showroom at sea where there will be entertainment each night. It could be a comedian, singers, production show, magician etc. They usually run 2 shows a night so people with different dining times can attend. There is the casino if you feel like making a monetary donation to the ship. There are various lounges around the ship for after dinner drinks and entertainment. There might be a jazz trio in one bar, a piano player in another, a pianist and a violinist in the explorers lounge etc etc. There are lots of choices, so need to head off to bed right after dinner!

[Fouremco]

Formal night clothing is a frequently debated topic on this board. You might want to do a quick search and read what has been said (over and over and over :) ) in past threads. Bottom line is that you will see a wide range of dress ranging from gowns and tuxes to off the rack jackets and dresses.

[3rdGenCunarder]

A complaint that surfaces here fairly often is that HAL doesn't offer anything very special by way of formal night entertainment to make it "worth" dressing up. But there is, as others have posted, a good variety of entertainment. No gala ball or other sort of formal gathering, but enough to do that you can dress up and make the night special for yourselves.

 

A moonlight stroll on deck when you're all dressed up can give you the feeling of "lifestyles of the rich and famous."

 

I wouldn't advise you to go out any buy Armani and Dior for this trip. (uh-oh, is your wife going to hate me for saying that???) But if you've already got it, go ahead and wear it!

[sapper1]

It's really whatever label one's cocktail clothes happen to be. There will be a wide range but who goes around checking labels?

[RJ2002]

In my observations, the style of dress runs more toward mainstream than designer. Many people will dress to meet the code, and not much more than that. (i.e., sport code and tie for men, slacks and glittery top for women). Tuxes and evening gowns are less and less prevalent, though you do occasionally see them.

[MaisonRose]

Sadly, heightened security and reduced weight allowances on airlines have created many unintended consequences, one of which is FORMAL NIGHT on cruise ships..

It is fortunate that some people drive to their departure port and don't have this problem.

Still I have noticed more tuxes on my HAL ships than on Celebrity.

Men look so classy in a tux, so if you have one, take it and wear it: you won't feel out of place, I promise!

[Krazy Kruizers]

DH has retired his tuxedo to the back of his closet. He wears a suit or jacket and tie -- of course with slacks. I no longer wear a long skirt or gown because I use a walker/rollator.

Have sailed on the Westerdam quite a few times. In the Ocean Bar we had 2 different HAL Cat groups playing and screaming. The Piano Bar opens at 9 -- most piano bar players encourage people to sing along. There is also the Northern Lights -- recorded disco music along with other types of music. In the Crow's Nest there will be a guitarist playing in the evening. The Explorer's Lounge their will be a piano player and violinist. There is the Casino, the showroom and the Queen's Lounge will either have a movie or something else going on. You can browse the shops. The Chocolate Seduction Lounge is not worth it.

[oaktreerb]

Be prepared for photographers around the ship and at dinner in the main dining room. The pictures will be on display throughout the cruise and it is your option to purchase or not.

[3rdGenCunarder]

DH has retired his tuxedo to the back of his closet. He wears a suit or jacket and tie -- of course with slacks. I no longer wear a long skirt or gown because I use a walker/rollator.

Have sailed on the Westerdam quite a few times. In the Ocean Bar we had 2 different HAL Cat groups playing and screaming. The Piano Bar opens at 9 -- most piano bar players encourage people to sing along. There is also the Northern Lights -- recorded disco music along with other types of music. In the Crow's Nest there will be a guitarist playing in the evening. The Explorer's Lounge their will be a piano player and violinist. There is the Casino, the showroom and the Queen's Lounge will either have a movie or something else going on. You can browse the shops. The Chocolate Seduction Lounge is not worth it.

 

I see you don't mention the Neptunes. Are they gone? The thought of the HAL Cats in the Ocean Bar makes me cringe.

[serendipity1499]

... and I was instructed to post here.

 

My wife and I are going to the Caribbean in early November for 7 days on the Westerdam. There are two formal nights, and we are in the process of wardrobe planning.

 

This is our first cruise - and it's a bit of challenge figuring out what's appropriate. I get that people where everything from dark suits and tuxes to cocktail dresses and gowns.

 

Is it Armani and Dior, or more mainstream ?

 

Also, after all this getting dressed up, and having dinner, what do people do afterwards? (would be a shame to call it a night after dinner).

 

First of all, Welcome to Cruise Critic..You will glean a wealth of info on this WEB site..

 

As others have mentioned you will see very few in a Tux or a gown in the Caribbean...My DH (dear Husband) also retired his TUX for the short Caribbean & Alaska cruises & only wears a dark suit...On longer cruises he will alternate between a Tux & dark suit..

 

Most ladies wear long skirts with glitzy tops or short Little black dresses on the Carib. & Alaska cruises.. I still wear a long black skirt with glitzy or dressy shear tops & Jackets.. (such as Alex evenings-see Dillards WEB sites).. Also have a couple of long flowery dresses which I might take if we have many formal nights (6 on a 21 day cruise) I try not to wear the same thing twice, but on longer cruises I have to.. Ships tend to get very cold & I always need a wrap in the Main Dining Room aka MDR & the showroom..DH also gets cold & wears a sweater or sports jacket on smart casual nights...

 

Also no more heels for me, I wear dressy sandals instead..Have also given up hose! However, if your wife is comfortable in Heels she might want to wear them as long as the seas are calm..Once in a great while the Captain will ask that ladies refrain from wearing heels due to high seas..I don't have Armani's or Dior's

 

We always go to the shows after dinner & then might have a nightcap in one of the Lounges after the show, go to a lounge where we can dance or the Piano bar to listen to the player who often invites the Psgrs. to sing along, or take a stroll on the Promenade Deck ... The shops are always open!

 

Sometimes I'll stay up a bit later & play the slots in the Casino with our Friends while DH plays the nickel slots or goes back to the cabin..DH is not really a gambler & I only will gamble $20 & then call it quits..We usually go to bed around 11-11:30, as we tend to get very tired while at sea..

 

If you have any more questions, ask away & hope you will enjoy your first cruise which you will never forget!

Edited August 19, 2014 by serendipity1499

[Lizzie68]

My DH wears a dark suit, and I don't do glittery tops - just a cocktail-type dress. We enjoy formal night. We usually go to the Ocean Bar after dinner and have a drink with friends, then later to the piano bar and/or up to the Crows Nest. Sometimes we will go to the show.

[solocanadian]

... and I was instructed to post here.

 

My wife and I are going to the Caribbean in early November for 7 days on the Westerdam. There are two formal nights, and we are in the process of wardrobe planning.

 

This is our first cruise - and it's a bit of challenge figuring out what's appropriate. I get that people where everything from dark suits and tuxes to cocktail dresses and gowns.

 

Is it Armani and Dior, or more mainstream ?

 

Also, after all this getting dressed up, and having dinner, what do people do afterwards? (would be a shame to call it a night after dinner).

 

A Kmart suit will do. Nothing fancy required. If you don't care to dress you can always dine in the lido (buffet). A sports coat, dress pants and shirt with tie will also pass. Enjoy you first cruise. I recall how excited I was before my first one.:)

[SilvertoGold]

OP

 

You could wear Armani and Dior, though!! Suggest the Dior be a short dress and the Armani a dark suit.

 

Looking good!!

[kjw869]

It's really whatever label one's cocktail clothes happen to be. There will be a wide range but who goes around checking labels?

 

The "Fashion Police". The same group that goes around checking for robes in public areas! :D

[SilvertoGold]

The "Fashion Police". The same group that goes around checking for robes in public areas! :D

 

BIG difference, however. I always support the Robe-Fashion Police".

 

All those who bemoan how HAL is no longer "premium" but has fallen to the "mainstream" level might consider how pax attitude to robes and formal wear may be impacting HAL's fall.....

Edited August 19, 2014 by SilvertoGold

[PatLuv]

Hub has a very nice dark dinner jacket that he wears,and me,well, I've found a few really nice dresses for formal nights at my local second hand shop which I love.I recently bought a long pleated skirt at Beall's,and recently when I took my hubby to Sears for a new mower we acidentally walked by a rack of pretty short dressy dresses,one of which hub liked so much I'll be wearing it next month.Everyone dresses either alot or not much!

[sapper1]

The "Fashion Police". The same group that goes around checking for robes in public areas! :D

 

Aren't you lucky your autocorrect didn't kick in on that post. :D;)

[POA1]

Aren't you lucky your autocorrect didn't kick in on that post. :D;)

Very funny.

[PathfinderEss]

BIG difference, however. I always support the Robe-Fashion Police".

 

All those who bemoan how HAL is no longer "premium" but has fallen to the "mainstream" level might consider how pax attitude to robes and formal wear may be impacting HAL's fall.....

 

Nice one SilvertoGold, maybe we should think about that!

Edited August 19, 2014 by PathfinderEss

[SilvertoGold]

Nice one SilvertoGold, maybe we should think about that!

 

You think?? I just do not see it as all HAL's fault!

 

Thanks for posting! How have you been, anyways??

Edited August 19, 2014 by SilvertoGold

[TiogaCruiser]

Aren't you lucky your autocorrect didn't kick in on that post. :D;)

 

LOL

 

I did make that typo (sans autocorrect) years ago in my signature block when I was working for the health department.