Formal Nights and Blu Restaurant

[hcat]

Our experiences in BLU are that most dress up....jackets, suits or tux, women something black or dressy...not gowns....but those in smart casual also present and welcome

 

and no issue fitting in shipwide

[nyfeds]

We cruised to the Caribbean last month and were Aqua. We loved the fact that we could dine in Blu or specialty restaurant, without wearing formal wear on formal nights. We swore off formal wear years ago. We're on vacation and feel we will dress comfortably yet appropriately, wearing CCC!

Edited May 26, 2015 by nyfeds

[Justbecoz]

There will be 10 of us dining in Blu each night. The dressiest will be in capris or jeans and a shirt. Not dressing up is the reason we booked Aqua.

[Phxazzcruisers]

We always book a Suite or Aqua, and until we start going to the new Suite restaurant, we always ate dinners in Blu. We no longer take Suites or even sport coats as we never needed them and did not want to waste space and weight in luggage. As many have said, we always went with nice slacks and long sleeve dress shirts. It was usually 50/50 many cruises 70% casual 30% sport coats or suits. As many have said, IT IS YOUR VACATION, as long as you comply with the rules, dress to suit yourself, enjoy!!!

[CYNSport]

We were on the late March Infinity Panama Canal in AQ. Smart casual was the norm in Blu on formal nights. I dressed up, but my husband and his sister and brother in law did not. Everyone was happy and no "rogue rules" were in play. The Blu maitre d and the whole staff were welcoming to all.

[CallyCruzer]

We usually cruise twice a year on Celebrity - always in Aqua. We have always taken formal wear for all of our cruises. We decided last year to pack light and not take formal wear since we would be in Blu. First and last time to do that. My husband and I both felt out of place. Not just at dinner but just walking around the ship, Martini Bar and in the Casino. We both felt we were getting the "look". So we have decided to always suck it up and pack it and just feel more part of the cruise experience. While we both dress professionally in our jobs (suits) we don't wear tux or formal dresses very often. It's just part of the fun....

[CYNSport]

Everyone should do what they like. DH and I are impervious to the so called "look". On formal nights, the Elite Cocktail party is full of people in formal wear. It's nice that they like to dress up, but it doesn't mean that we have to if we are dining in Blu. We have been in AQ for the past 7 Celebrity cruises and we have always seen lots of people in smart casual in Blu on formal nights. No drama here.

[royalcruz]

We have always dined in Blu. I laugh about taking a suit to wear as the only reason is the free dry cleaning coupon that I get thru the Captain's Club.

 

I wear it for dinner and most times am out of place walking thru the ship at 5:00 as many are wandering around in their bathing appeal or pool deck cloths. Many are also still in shorts and etc.....

 

The funny thing is that we leave the pool deck after 5 PM usually, and on formal nights we feel so underdressed when we see the early dining passengers on formal nights. On one cruise, we ran back to the cabin to get into pants so that we could go to the Elite cocktail lounge at 6:30 PM and the room was packed and everyone was in semi-formal or formal wear...we walked into the room but cowered out, feeling really inappropriate. :eek::o:o

Edited May 27, 2015 by royalcruz

[misha1]

DH and I started our cruising career in the year 2000. I think there was a lot more emphasis on dining attire then as we would be "mortified" if we did not blend in. We certainly have come along way baby...I still enjoy dressing for dinner, and I love the looks of a nice suit or tux on my man, but unless it is 60 degrees or less outside, I am a "hot" mama...and not in a good way, so, bring on the business casual. Our next cruise is Caribbean...in Aqua, and we are not bringing formal wear. I do not even take a second glance at folks not "minding" the dress code for the evening. The cruise line has their money, so they can do as they please (within the reasonablity of social etiquette...aka...not naked!.)

[phoenix_dream]

When we eat in Blu we always go with the smart casual, but on the dressier side. For example, I may wear black slacks with a sparkly top, or a black top and a sparkly necklace. Instead of his usual flowery Tommy Bahama tropical shirt, my husband may wear a more subdued black one or a long-sleeved dressier shirt or something like that. Still much more comfortable than a tux and cocktail dress, but a dressy enough not to shout 'casual'.

[morbihan]

Agree with you all.

 

If you don't want to get dressed up there are alternative places to eat.

 

Seen some very glamorous couples though.

 

For me, jeans are not smart or casual. No matter how much they cost and I know they can be expensive, they are still jeans. Everyday wear for working in.

 

This is because

I am old:mad:

[Cruise a holic]

When we eat in Blu we always go with the smart casual, but on the dressier side. For example, I may wear black slacks with a sparkly top, or a black top and a sparkly necklace. Instead of his usual flowery Tommy Bahama tropical shirt, my husband may wear a more subdued black one or a long-sleeved dressier shirt or something like that. Still much more comfortable than a tux and cocktail dress, but a dressy enough not to shout 'casual'.

 

This topic is always "hot" some people refuse to dress up. Not sure why as dress clothes , if they fit correctly, they look great on most people. Also makes for a great photo opportunity. Dress clothes can also be comfortable. Since the entire ship has air conditioning- and is very comfortable to cool- I do not understand the negative issues. The cost of clothes can be about the same. I agree that you do not have to wear a tux unless that is your thing- but to try to wear jeans or shorts and sneakers isn't appropriate.

[gek]

Agree with you all.

 

If you don't want to get dressed up there are alternative places to eat.

 

:

 

Like it or not Blu is one of those "alternative places". Many people (including myself) choose Aqua class partly because of the smart casual dress code so I'll be there in my jeans (at 53 I guess I must not be "old" yet). :)

[Cruise Junky]

I agree that you do not have to wear a tux unless that is your thing- but to try to wear jeans or shorts and sneakers isn't appropriate.

 

Your beef is with Celebrity then. Jeans are perfectly acceptable to the cruise line and I'm sure there will be people that wear them and has already been stated, people do book Aqua just so they can wear smart casual on formal nights and not have to pay for an alternative restaurant.

[Jetswdo]

On formal nights, my dh wears the one lightweight suit he owns on the last formal night of cruise. On the first one, he wears a sports jacket over lightweight beige or off white slacks (from Costco) He puts on both nights his Costco button down shirts ( just leaves on back of chair in Blu or Normandie/Murano---

(brings two per cruise) with tie and that is that. I wear one of my nicer mid knee or longer sundresses with black heels and purse-- wear a black shimmery lightweight shawl and give the illusion of being "formal" -- this has worked for us all these years, on Princess as well as Celebrity-- so we blend in with the few who still wear a tux, the few ladies who still bring evening gowns, etc.

[springfire]

We have decided to try an Aqua class cabin on our transatlantic cruise this fall. We look forward to eating our meals in Blu. The way I understand it, smart casual is acceptable. We will bring one set of formal wear if we feel we are under dressed but the plan is to dress in smart casual on most nights.

[midwestchick]

We'll be doing smart casual also but I didn't know jeans were smart casual...(not trying to offend anyone). I thought jeans were considered casual wear. Are they allowed in Blu for dinner?

[springfire]

We'll be doing smart casual also but I didn't know jeans were smart casual...(not trying to offend anyone). I thought jeans were considered casual wear. Are they allowed in Blu for dinner?

 

I know I wouldn't consider jeans smart casual!

[midwestchick]

I know I wouldn't consider jeans smart casual!

 

 

Not to mention how much they weigh compared to men's dress pants or Docker type pants.

[joycefnp]

I thought I read that jeans weren't acceptable in any of the dining rooms after 6 pm?

[Cruise Junky]

I thought I read that jeans weren't acceptable in any of the dining rooms after 6 pm?

 

That's ancient. Celebrity removed the jeans ban about 5 years ago.

[Cruise Junky]

Not to mention how much they weigh compared to men's dress pants or Docker type pants.

 

My Banana Republic jeans weigh next to nothing.

[gek]

Celebrity consider jeans without rips or tears to be acceptable as smart casual. It has been this way for a number of years and I have worn black or dark blue jeans every night I have dined in Blu.

 

Most people who have a problem with jeans are probably thinking of faded old work jeans which personally I wouldn't wear to a restaurant, although they would still be acceptable in Celebrity restaurants so long as they are not ripped.

Edited May 28, 2015 by gek

[MR_T]

We'll be doing smart casual also but I didn't know jeans were smart casual...(not trying to offend anyone). I thought jeans were considered casual wear. Are they allowed in Blu for dinner?

 

 

Jeans are fine in Blu every night and also fine in the main dining room except for formal nights!

[Northern Aurora]

We have decided to try an Aqua class cabin on our transatlantic cruise this fall. We look forward to eating our meals in Blu. The way I understand it, smart casual is acceptable. We will bring one set of formal wear if we feel we are under dressed but the plan is to dress in smart casual on most nights.

 

We have found that while some people do dress more formally in Blu on formal nights those wearing "smart casual" will also feel perfectly comfortable.