Celebrity Cruises Swaps Formal Nights for Evening Chic

[K.T.B.]

Thanks for the faecietious comment. Obviously I meant an update on what others have seen onboard.

 

I meant to come back to this thread after my cruise. This is what I saw at my 6:00 dining time:

 

The majority of the people who had set dining times dressed up (suits, evening gowns, etc.) for the "chic nights". Those who had select dining did not dress up as much. It was probably about 50/50 "mix". And those that did not dress up, they were definitely (or should that be defiantly?) dressed down (t-shirts, ballcaps, etc.).

 

Granted, it was an Alaskan cruise and the dress code tends to be a lot more relaxed. However, I was pleasantly surprised to see the large amount of people enjoyed getting dressed up.

[floridalover5623]

I However, I was pleasantly surprised to see the large amount of people enjoyed getting dressed up.

 

It's great to hear that everyone now has a choice and that dressing up isn't forced upon them as it was years ago. :D

[dbsb3233]

It's great to hear that everyone now has a choice and that dressing up isn't forced upon them as it was years ago. :D

Agreed regarding the formal standard. Although I do hope they enforce reasonable dining room standards. Shorts, tank tops, ballcaps, etc are fine for the casual eating places but the MDR (at least for dinner) is just a nicer venue that should hold to smart-casual minimums.

[ddled]

This policy was surely predictable, does not make it right. The reason for a trip is to do something different. If you want to do the same as you do at home, why travel? I am reminded of the complaints that cruise ships serve too much fancy food and should serve good american food-whatever that is in a nation of immigrants! For a long time

Royal left X alone, not anymore! Time to change lines.:(

[bEwAbG]

This policy was surely predictable, does not make it right. The reason for a trip is to do something different. If you want to do the same as you do at home, why travel? I am reminded of the complaints that cruise ships serve too much fancy food and should serve good american food-whatever that is in a nation of immigrants! For a long time

Royal left X alone, not anymore! Time to change lines.:(

 

Depends on the itinerary as well, though. People going on a Caribbean cruise in the dead of winter back home are going to get away from the cold. They don't necessarily want to put on a tuxedo for a meal that lasts hours, especially when it's 90 degrees and humid outside.

 

The days of formal attire are coming to a close in all facets of society, even in traditional places like weddings and charity balls. Formal attire on cruises has always been somewhat of a costume party anyway.

[Charles4515]

This policy was surely predictable, does not make it right. The reason for a trip is to do something different. If you want to do the same as you do at home, why travel? I am reminded of the complaints that cruise ships serve too much fancy food and should serve good american food-whatever that is in a nation of immigrants! For a long time

Royal left X alone, not anymore! Time to change lines.:(

 

LOL. I don't take a trip or travel to dress up! And for many dressing up would not be something different than at home. Dressing down might be something different.

[bEwAbG]

LOL. I don't take a trip or travel to dress up! And for many dressing up would not be something different than at home. Dressing down might be something different.

 

VERY true! I had a job for many years in which I had to wear a full suit every day as well as a watch because certain activities were geared to exact times. Thankfully I can now wear a polo and chinos most days in my current job. I haven't worn a watch in years, either. Having to dress up on a cruise is not my idea of doing something different for fun.

[Ma Bell]

Let's face it folks, cruising is not a unique experience any more. It's just another hotel.

[Ma Bell]

Depends on the itinerary as well, though. People going on a Caribbean cruise in the dead of winter back home are going to get away from the cold. They don't necessarily want to put on a tuxedo for a meal that lasts hours, especially when it's 90 degrees and humid outside.

 

The days of formal attire are coming to a close in all facets of society, even in traditional places like weddings and charity balls. Formal attire on cruises has always been somewhat of a costume party anyway.

 

Really? How long is always for you?;)

[Cruise Junky]

Depends on the itinerary as well, though. People going on a Caribbean cruise in the dead of winter back home are going to get away from the cold. They don't necessarily want to put on a tuxedo for a meal that lasts hours, especially when it's 90 degrees and humid outside.

 

The days of formal attire are coming to a close in all facets of society, even in traditional places like weddings and charity balls. Formal attire on cruises has always been somewhat of a costume party anyway.

 

Speaking of charity balls. I was at a $350 a plate dinner last week. The dress was...interesting ;) times are changing :D

[Peteymil]

This policy was surely predictable, does not make it right. The reason for a trip is to do something different. If you want to do the same as you do at home, why travel? I am reminded of the complaints that cruise ships serve too much fancy food and should serve good american food-whatever that is in a nation of immigrants! For a long time

Royal left X alone, not anymore! Time to change lines.:(

 

Your reasons for travel are different from mine. But I will agree with one thing: we have to dress up for work every day so I like to dress differently on my cruise which means more casually.

[iancal]

We like choice. Very pleased that Celebrity gives us choice.

 

I wore suits in my business life. Wearing a tux or a business suit on a vacation simply does not interest me. Nor does a tie and jacket. Playing Mr. and Mrs. Dress-up for a dinner full of pretence holds no special attraction to us nor do we need to dress up for aspirational reasons.

Edited June 30, 2016 by iancal

[davekathy]

Let's face it folks, cruising is not a unique experience any more. It's just another hotel.

 

I disagree with your opinion. But I do get your sarcasm.

Edited June 30, 2016 by davekathy

[kelmac]

Let's face it folks, cruising is not a unique experience any more. It's just another hotel.

 

Speaking of charity balls. I was at a $350 a plate dinner last week. The dress was...interesting ;) times are changing :D

 

As frequent cruisers, (I have 59) we've seen it all, but we enjoy trying to keep the experience unique. I'm really sad about the Captain's Table going away, as we made many visits and always felt "special" on Celebrity ships. In some ways, the experience of all ships is becoming very similar, as we hedge things in order to keep the cuisine upscale.

 

We have discovered NCL with the UDP and the UBP giving us a very Celebrity like quality. In addition, we are going to give HAL another try after a five year break. The smoking policy is an issue, but we will counter by sticking to an inside cabin.

 

Cunard is is great if you can stay out of their sad buffet. Oceania and Azamara are too expensive and I'm still waiting for a deal on Crystal, Seabourn, Silver Sea....,

 

As always, enjoy!

Kel:)

[Cruise Junky]

As frequent cruisers, (I have 59) we've seen it all, but we enjoy trying to keep the experience unique. I'm really sad about the Captain's Table going away, as we made many visits and always felt "special" on Celebrity ships. In some ways, the experience of all ships is becoming very similar, as we hedge things in order to keep the cuisine upscale.

 

We have discovered NCL with the UDP and the UBP giving us a very Celebrity like quality. In addition, we are going to give HAL another try after a five year break. The smoking policy is an issue, but we will counter by sticking to an inside cabin.

 

Cunard is is great if you can stay out of their sad buffet. Oceania and Azamara are too expensive and I'm still waiting for a deal on Crystal, Seabourn, Silver Sea....,

 

As always, enjoy!

Kel:)

 

 

Very curious about your NCL experience. We picked up a good deal with drink package and dining package for Spring 2018. We've only cruised on Pride of America on NCL

Edited June 30, 2016 by Cruise Junky

[ddled]

Being an old fossil, I taught 36 years in coat, tie and just considered it part of the job. Always enjoy dressing up when I want to because I wanted to on ship, and it is sort of like going back in time(taught history-can you tell) Will continue to do so, and look forward to watching the inspection at the door to the MDR to see if they are designer jeans or Wal Mart! Now that would be an interesting picture to post?:)

[Vagabond Knight]

Oh, geez. My husband and I booked a 14 day cruise on Celebrity for next spring, expecting the more upscale experience that I'd had on Celebrity several years back. With our recent attention going to our upcoming cruise on Carnival (which one would expect to be a lesser experience than X), I'm just getting around to reading this. Very disappointed to hear that the Celebrity fine dining experience is sliding downward as well now. :-( Add us to those who see this change as a negative.

[Adidas4fun]

Oh, geez. My husband and I booked a 14 day cruise on Celebrity for next spring, expecting the more upscale experience that I'd had on Celebrity several years back. With our recent attention going to our upcoming cruise on Carnival (which one would expect to be a lesser experience than X), I'm just getting around to reading this. Very disappointed to hear that the Celebrity fine dining experience is sliding downward as well now. :-( Add us to those who see this change as a negative.

 

I've been looking in on the Cunard Board. They've been having conniptions over there too about the dumbing down of the Cunard dress code.

 

I tell you the sky is falling!

Edited June 30, 2016 by Adidas4fun

[chemmo]

Oh, geez. My husband and I booked a 14 day cruise on Celebrity for next spring, expecting the more upscale experience that I'd had on Celebrity several years back. With our recent attention going to our upcoming cruise on Carnival (which one would expect to be a lesser experience than X), I'm just getting around to reading this. Very disappointed to hear that the Celebrity fine dining experience is sliding downward as well now. :-( Add us to those who see this change as a negative.

 

We have had two cruises in two different parts of the world since the dress code changed and to be perfectly honest we saw little difference....perhaps fewer jackets and more open necked shirts but we did not see lots of shorts or jeans.

 

We dressed as always, husband in suit with tie, myself in my 'posh frock' we were neither over or under dressed. On the Solstice the Captain even hosted a traditional 'Captains Table'.

 

As someone else said I think you will find more people dress up at set times than in Select and in Luminae I think most men wore jackets, even if not ties...

 

It certainly has not put us off Celebrity!

[kelmac]

Very curious about your NCL experience. We picked up a good deal with drink package and dining package for Spring 2018. We've only cruised on Pride of America on NCL

 

Hi CJ,

 

I see you will be on the Spirit for ten nights. With the UDP (ultimate dining package promo) you will receive four nights in any of the alternative restaurants. The Spirit is a bit older, but it does have some great dining venues.

 

I would think about adding an additional four nights Dining Package ($84 ea), or even a six night ($114 ea). When Lauren and I cruise NCL we eat all evening meals in the alternative restaurants; we eat lunch in the MDR and avoid the buffet completely. I would say this puts the cuisine at Celebrity levels.

 

We eat multiple evenings in Le Bistro and Cagney's (enough options on the menus to make this possible). We will also eat in La Trattoria and Teppanyaki at least once. They also have a Sushi restaurant. Other, larger ships have more options.

 

Never cruised the Spirit, so I don't know about the cabins. Does have a full promenade deck, which we like. Entertainment is usually pretty good. Space ratio of the ship is good.

 

Another nice feature is the ability to make dining reservations a couple of months before you embark. You can do this all online. We eat early, so we plan our evenings around port plans. First to arrive will get the best seats and fresh prep on your meals. I believe NCL's beef is better than Celebrity's as of late.

 

Speaking of the Pride of America -- we just got back from three weeks in Hawaii (Big Island, Kauai and Maui) and we spotted that ship several times. We spend three to four weeks in Hawaii on even years (June) and cruise on odd years.

 

If you have additional questions, let me know. Looks like a great deal and itinerary on the Spirit!

 

Kel:)

[kelmac]

We have had two cruises in two different parts of the world since the dress code changed and to be perfectly honest we saw little difference....perhaps fewer jackets and more open necked shirts but we did not see lots of shorts or jeans.

 

We dressed as always, husband in suit with tie, myself in my 'posh frock' we were neither over or under dressed. On the Solstice the Captain even hosted a traditional 'Captains Table'.

 

As someone else said I think you will find more people dress up at set times than in Select and in Luminae I think most men wore jackets, even if not ties...

 

It certainly has not put us off Celebrity!

 

Hey C,

 

Great to hear about the Captain's table on the Solstice! We still dress up on Celebrity; our last cruise I still brought my Tux, but added a few ascots to follow the "Chic" theme. My wife has always worn dresses every evening at dinner, some more Chic than others.:rolleyes::)

 

Celebrity is still our "go-to" cruise line, even though we are searching for alternatives to fill up our rotation.

 

Enjoy!

Kel:D

[floridalover5623]

Agreed regarding the formal standard. Although I do hope they enforce reasonable dining room standards. Shorts, tank tops, ballcaps, etc are fine for the casual eating places but the MDR (at least for dinner) is just a nicer venue that should hold to smart-casual minimums.

 

I seriously doubt that Celebrity will lower standards to that of shorts, tank tops & ball caps. They've been know in the past as being overly strict with the dress code & this is a welcomed change so that everyone can dress down on vacation without having to lug along the formal clothing. Smart casual is the best thing to happen for the old formal nights that they've done since they've changed the smoking rules.

This change will make us once again consider a Celebrity cruise since it's been quite a few years.

[Creepella]

Hey C,

 

Great to hear about the Captain's table on the Solstice! We still dress up on Celebrity; our last cruise I still brought my Tux, but added a few ascots to follow the "Chic" theme. My wife has always worn dresses every evening at dinner, some more Chic than others.:rolleyes::)

 

Celebrity is still our "go-to" cruise line, even though we are searching for alternatives to fill up our rotation.

 

Enjoy!

Kel:D

 

I agree with you. I just bought a new formal gown to wear on my next cruise. If other people don't want to dress up, that's fine, but I am still going to take any excuse I can get.

[Charles4515]

 

 

 

If you have additional questions, let me know. Looks like a great deal and itinerary on the Spirit!

 

 

 

Kel:)

 

 

 

Somewhat odd to see NCL discussed as an alternative to Celebrity on a thread about formal nights and evening chic. Did an NCL cruise a couple of years ago on Breakaway and the dress every night onboard is more casual than any night on Celebrity. Many wore shorts to any of the dining venues. The ship was a lot more crowded than any Celebrity ship and do to poor design second hand smoke from the casino polluted the main public areas. The whole ambience is downscale from Celebrity.

 

I have been on two Celebrity cruises since Evening Chic and I think it works out well. On Evening Chic night there is a nice mix of dress. Those who want to wear gowns and tux/suit can feel comfortable and those who don't want to wear dresses or jackets and ties can feel comfortable. The designer jean option, I didn't see hardly anyone wearing jeans of any kind the whole cruise.

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Edited June 30, 2016 by Charles4515

[ckfred]

The problem with dress codes other than the traditional ones (semi-formal meant business suit, formal generally meant a tux, black tie also meant a tux, and white tie meant white tie and tails) is that no one knows what they mean.

 

How is evening chic different from smart casual?

 

Certainly, in Royal Caribbean, no one knows the difference between casual and smart casual.

 

It's like no one really knows what business casual means. In one office, it -may allow nice jeans and a nice t-shirt, while another means Dockers and a collared shirt.