Dress Up Day

[Cruisecanaveral]

Me and my Wife were on a Royal Caribbean cruise, First Time Cruisers and we could not understand why they wanted us to dress up on the 2nd night...Meeting the Captain..... We did not pack for it so we were kind of stuck.. Why is this required, I don't understand? :confused: :confused:

[LHT28]

Maybe since the Captain puts on his nice dress uniform they do not want people looking like slobs every day/night of the cruise :eek:

 

Meeting the captain in tshirt & flip flops at his welcome party is rude

How hard is it to pack a nice shirt & long slacks like Dockers

[calisilent]

Me and my Wife were on a Royal Caribbean cruise, First Time Cruisers and we could not understand why they wanted us to dress up on the 2nd night...Meeting the Captain..... We did not pack for it so we were kind of stuck.. Why is this required, I don't understand? :confused: :confused:

 

Whomever you booked your cruise with should have told you that they are typically 2 "formal" nights on a seven day cruise. You don't have to put on a tux or a ballgown, but a jacket for men and cocktail attire for women will make you quite presentable.

[Langley Cruisers]

Me and my Wife were on a Royal Caribbean cruise, First Time Cruisers and we could not understand why they wanted us to dress up on the 2nd night...Meeting the Captain..... We did not pack for it so we were kind of stuck.. Why is this required, I don't understand? :confused: :confused:

 

It is not required in any way. Participating in Formal Night is completely optional. I'm sorry you didn't know this before your first cruise. Glad you've found us here now and can ask any additional questions and plan for your next cruise. :)

[Cruisecanaveral]

Maybe since the Captain puts on his nice dress uniform they do not want people looking like slobs every day/night of the cruise :eek:

 

Meeting the captain in tshirt & flip flops at his welcome party is rude

How hard is it to pack a nice shirt & long slacks like Dockers

 

I am not trying to be a Slob, It just that I did not know why and I felt Dumb for not brining nicer clothing. I saw people in tuxes and I could not understand why? Plus they did not make it clear and said that I could rent a tux but I felt I had to, Instead me and my wife were stuck in the room due to not knowing :( We just ordered room service

 

I am not a slob :o

[cb at sea]

All of this info is in the cruise brochures for ALL cruise lines. It amazes me that folks don't read the info provided!

 

As far as "formal" nights, it's a holdover from days past, when cruising (like flying) used to be a "classy" affair! In the past, folks dressed up to fly, and to cruise! Transportation was very PUBLIC and folks dress up to go in public!

 

You did not have to stay in your cabin...the "dress up" thing is for the main dining room, and you could have gone anywhere else on the ship!

Edited April 9, 2015 by cb at sea

[Cruisecanaveral]

It is not required in any way. Participating in Formal Night is completely optional. I'm sorry you didn't know this before your first cruise. Glad you've found us here now and can ask any additional questions and plan for your next cruise. :)

 

This was a honeymoon, It was awesome, I now am so into cruising....Planning our next one for the summer :p

[Cruisecanaveral]

All of this info is in the cruise brochures for ALL cruise lines. It amazes me that folks don't read the info provided!

 

As far as "formal" nights, it's a holdover from days past, when cruising (like flying) used to be a "classy" affair! In the past, folks dressed up to fly, and to cruise! Transportation was very PUBLIC and folks dress up to go in public!

 

You did not have to stay in your cabin...the "dress up" thing is for the main dining room, and you could have gone anywhere else on the ship!

 

We did not know that, I don't mean to offend! Me and my Wife had booked our cruise 1 day before and we did not know what we were doing, We never had taken a cruise before and it was the right price for our honeymoon, We went from the hotel after our wedding straight to the Port so we had no time to read any material, We just knew we needed Passports....I do not mean to offend

[Flatbush Flyer]

Whomever you booked your cruise with should have told you that they are typically 2 "formal" nights on a seven day cruise. You don't have to put on a tux or a ballgown, but a jacket for men and cocktail attire for women will make you quite presentable.

 

 

Thank you for putting the word "formal" in quotes. It is so misused on CC. Formal is formal, i .e., a tuxedo for men. Anything less (e.g., business suit, blazer, etc.) is not formal. Call it "dress up" or "prom night" or "you're not going to the beach night." But, don't call it "formal."

As to the OP's original question (why dress up, which appears to mean to him no shorts, tees or flip flops), it's rude to come to any official gathering where you will interact with that organization's senior executives "dressed down."

That said, there is the issue of the fallacy called "formal night." It meant something eons ago, when travel abroad by ship (or even plane) was a civilized experience.

Now, it is merely a scam where cruise lines call it a special event so that you'll be convinced you're getting something extra while they are not really spending anything more to make it happen.

If you want to avoid this, opt for lines that only require "country club casual" or similarly monikered dress codes. Somewhat ironically most of those lines are travelled by folks who own a tuxedo or two and are happy to reduce the number of occasions requiring them.

[Cruisecanaveral]

Thank you for putting the word "formal" in quotes. It is so misused on CC. Formal is formal, i .e., a tuxedo for men. Anything less (e.g., business suit, blazer, etc.) is not formal. Call it "dress up" or "prom night" or "you're not going to the beach night." But, don't call it "formal."

As to the OP's original question (why dress up, which appears to mean to him no shorts, tees or flip flops), it's rude to come to any official gathering where you will interact with that organization's senior executives "dressed down."

That said, there is the issue of the fallacy called "formal night." It meant something eons ago, when travel abroad by ship (or even plane) was a civilized experience.

Now, it is merely a scam where cruise lines call it a special event so that you'll be convinced you're getting something extra while they are not really spending anything more to make it happen.

If you want to avoid this, opt for lines that only require "country club casual" or similarly monikered dress codes. Somewhat ironically most of those lines are travelled by folks who own a tuxedo or two and are happy to reduce the number of occasions requiring them.

 

Thank you! I don't Mind it, I just did not understand...Do you have a sample line? All I know is the famous lines...Do cruise lines offer discounts for tux rentals?

[Flatbush Flyer]

Thank you! I don't Mind it, I just did not understand...Do you have a sample line? All I know is the famous lines...Do cruise lines offer discounts for tux rentals?

 

 

Best example is Oceania, which pretty much added the phrase "country club casual" to the cruise industry.

[Grandma Dazzles]

Not sure what type of clothing you did pack. Whatever you had planned to wear to dinner in the main dining room - minimum would be long pants and collared shirt would have been fine. You do not have to wear/rent a tux, unless you want to. On the formal nights, and all other nights, the dress code is a suggestion. You will see lots of different interpretations, however, a suit, jacket, or long-sleeved shirt and tie is worn by the majority.

[Bonnie J.]

It is not required on RCCL or most ships. Celebrity requires a jacket for men but other ships don't. You will find a lot of people not dressed up at all. Ladies can wear a dress like you wear to church, a skirt or slacks. Men can wear a polo shirt and long pants. You shouldn't wear shorts in the dining room any way.

For a 7 day cruise my husband takes only 2 or 3 pairs of long pants. Who is going to realize he wore the same pants the night two nights ago?

[Husky61]

We did not know that, I don't mean to offend! Me and my Wife had booked our cruise 1 day before and we did not know what we were doing, We never had taken a cruise before and it was the right price for our honeymoon, We went from the hotel after our wedding straight to the Port so we had no time to read any material, We just knew we needed Passports....I do not mean to offend

 

Well you did not offend me at all.:) Ignore the comments by the first response to your post.

Edited April 9, 2015 by Husky61

[ducklite]

You booked a cruise the day before you left?

Edited April 9, 2015 by ducklite

[calisilent]

You booked a cruise the day before you left?

 

I caught that line too, and am so jealous! I would LOVE to book a cruise and leave the next day! Waiting is so difficult!

Anyway OP, you didn't offend anyone. The main thing I picked up from your postings is that you enjoyed the cruise and want to do it again. Cruising is addictive and so, so fun. Congratulations on your marriage. Ahoy!

[Cruisin' Chick]

What I would recommend is going to a "cruise specialist" (a travel agent who is very knowledgeable about cruises). Sit down with info about your ideal cruise (if you don't want to dress up for any dinners, a lot of entertainment, etc.), where you would like to go, what time of year you can go, budget... A good travel agent will match you up with the right cruise line better than if you just went to the online websites, which won't care (or be able to help you with your questions) whether you book the right cruise.

 

After you book your cruise, go on the website for the cruise line and read up on it and the ship you're going on. It used to be that they will mail you a "brochure" with this info, but they now go on the basis that most people have a computer or a friend who does.

 

Many cruise lines will have "formal nights" (the number based on how many days in the cruise) with fancier entrees in the main dining rooms and often special activities such as a captain's party (Princess will often feature their champagne waterfall on that night). A few lines such as Cunard expect every passenger to get really dolled up (tuxes and glittery gowns for the most part), but others will go with dark suits/tuxes and gowns/cocktail dresses/fancy pants suits. And some of the latter will keep the buffet dining room open as well as more casual venues for dinner so that you don't have to get dressed up. But if you want to take advantage of Captain's parties, etc., you may feel out of place if you wear shorts or denim. You won't be required to stay in your cabin and order room service.

[Kartgv]

I think that your post caught everyone off-guard....the majority of cruise critic members plan their trips well in advance and do all kinds of reading and research before leaving. The fact that you booked your first cruise just a day before sailing never occurred to anyone!

 

Now that you've done one cruise, you can start the planning for your next one. Research different cruise lines and itineraries and ships to see which fit your expectations. You can start by just browsing posts on these boards to get a general idea of the kinds of things that might be good to consider. Cruise critic members are always ready to answer specific questions. Onboard you can also ask questions - go to the Purser's desk/Customer Service or ask your room steward. The room steward would have told you that you could go to one of several options other than the main dining room on that 'formal' night. Hope you enjoy planning for the next one!

[Flatbush Flyer]

What I would recommend is going to a "cruise specialist" (a travel agent who is very knowledgeable about cruises). Sit down with info about your ideal cruise (if you don't want to dress up for any dinners' date=' a lot of entertainment, etc.), where you would like to go, what time of year you can go, budget... A good travel agent will match you up with the right cruise line better than if you just went to the online websites, which won't care (or be able to help you with your questions) whether you book the right cruise.

 

 

 

After you book your cruise, go on the website for the cruise line and read up on it and the ship you're going on. It used to be that they will mail you a "brochure" with this info, but they now go on the basis that most people have a computer or a friend who does.

 

 

 

Many cruise lines will have "formal nights" (the number based on how many days in the cruise) with fancier entrees in the main dining rooms and often special activities such as a captain's party (Princess will often feature their champagne waterfall on that night). A few lines such as Cunard expect every passenger to get really dolled up (tuxes and glittery gowns for the most part), but others will go with dark suits/tuxes and gowns/cocktail dresses/fancy pants suits. And some of the latter will keep the buffet dining room open as well as more casual venues for dinner so that you don't have to get dressed up. But if you want to take advantage of Captain's parties, etc., you may feel out of place if you wear shorts or denim. You won't be required to stay in your cabin and order room service.[/quote']

 

 

Yes - you should definitely google "cruise specialist" and go from there.

[GUT2407]

I love all the

 

"Dress up day"

"Prom night"

 

etc terms used to disparage Formal Night, what if we also call the other nights "Slob night".

 

Why is name calling needed by some.

[Flatbush Flyer]

I love all the

 

"Dress up day"

"Prom night"

 

etc terms used to disparage Formal Night, what if we also call the other nights "Slob night".

 

Why is name calling needed by some.

 

 

I think you miss the point. Given the wide variety of dress on what is supposed to be (or, at least, used to be) a "formal" event, it makes no sense to refer to it as "formal night"

[ithaca gal]

I rather like it when people call it "dress-up day "or "prom night ". It lets us know who we're dealing with right for the beginning of the post! :)

[pseudoware]

I'm wearing shorts each evening to the MDR on our next cruise on RCI in June. I really don't care.

[john watson]

I am not trying to be a Slob, It just that I did not know why and I felt Dumb for not brining nicer clothing. I saw people in tuxes and I could not understand why? Plus they did not make it clear and said that I could rent a tux but I felt I had to, Instead me and my wife were stuck in the room due to not knowing :( We just ordered room service

 

I am not a slob :o

 

I think the problem is that when people book their "first cruise" many simply feel they are booking a fortnight holiday. If nobody explains about the formal dress evenings; why should anyone suspect that these occur? A number of people come on the boards here and post the most basic and obvious questions under "Ask a cruise question" or "First time cruisers". These questions are only obvious if you have previously cruised and therefore know all about; dress codes, muster drills, dining options etc. Newcomers might not know they have a muster drill and think nothing about that topic. The list of different things new people could encounter is very long. One question new people never ask is "Are the toilets completely different from those I might find in a hotel?" Why on earth would they ask? Having not previously cruised they do not suspect that these may run on a totally different system more similar to aircraft.

 

Problem in my book is newcomers do not necessarily know what to ask.

 

Regards John

Edited April 10, 2015 by john watson

[Jo-Bob]

I rather like it when people call it "dress-up day "or "prom night ". It lets us know who we're dealing with right for the beginning of the post! :)

 

And from this post, 'we' can tell exactly who we're dealing with, too.