Will RCCL be next...

[Ocean Boy]

I disagree. I've been flying commercial since the mid-70s when it was common to find most passengers dressed very nicely to include the majority of men in suits or coat and tie. The changes came with de-regulation of the airline industry which resulted in fares sufficiently low to entice a broader clientele. Instead of 90% professionals flying for business reasons and load factors of 60%, the average passengers became families flying with children and the load factors soared.

 

Yes, the airlines did cram many more seats into their aircraft but this was the result of de-regulation and not a cause. IOW, the lesson is, if you make something a mass market commodity, then you will get a mass market clientele. Restoring the old days to the cruise lines (including formal nights) is easily accomplished by increasing fares. The increased fares will result in a changed clientele.

 

That might be true. However, many folks who do not look forward to formal night could afford higher cruise fares. The second problem is I am not sure you can build mega sized ships and find enough people with interest in "the old ways" of doing things to fill them up. I think that mega size may somehow correlate with mass market. So when you keep building more Oasis class ships I think you commit yourself to a mass market clientele. If you look at the more expensive all inclusive cruise lines like Silver Sea or Paul Gagnon I don't see them moving into the big ship arena.

Edited November 17, 2015 by Ocean Boy

[Debde]

We gave up on the MDR years ago and have most of our dinners in the Windjammer. We 'Jammer folks would have no problem with someone showing up in a tux. We are very accepting people.:)

 

Post of the day award!!!:D

[Bluepper]

I know that I probably will get a lot of negative responses, but I kind of like to get dressed up for dinner a few nights. Leaving on Freedom in a week & I plan to take one long formal gown & one black cocktail short dress. Hubby will wear suit/tie. Other nights, I also put on a simple pants outfit or casual dress & husband will wear a sport coat with casual slacks & maybe a polo shirt, but no tie. I guess I feel it is a special vacation & like all of the service for my meals, even at breakfast or lunch on some days. I can forego the long gown & maybe the tie for men, but I still like a sharp dressed man & feeling like I am on a special date. Love it & probably not going to change a thing, even if they change the rules.

[Sun and Fun]

Bluepper - that is the beauty of options. I like dressing up, my DH likes to ONE night so we can get a nice family portrait (the kiddos have no choice...I pack for them). He is one who absolutely doesn't like to be told he HAS to do something. I bet if formal nights were removed, it wouldn't change our packing choices at all BUT psychologically he will feel in control of his dressing choices and therefore much happier. :)

[Lily14]

I'm a rules person and follow the dress code. That being said, I hate having to dress up if I want to eat in the main dining room. I think it's a great idea to have a special event for those who want to dress to the nines. Me, I'm on vacation and I just don't want to bother. I hope Royal Caribbean follows Celebrity's lead. If not, I may start looking at Celebrity.

[Emdee]

I disagree. I've been flying commercial since the mid-70s when it was common to find most passengers dressed very nicely to include the majority of men in suits or coat and tie. The changes came with de-regulation of the airline industry which resulted in fares sufficiently low to entice a broader clientele. Instead of 90% professionals flying for business reasons and load factors of 60%, the average passengers became families flying with children and the load factors soared.

 

Yes, the airlines did cram many more seats into their aircraft but this was the result of de-regulation and not a cause. IOW, the lesson is, if you make something a mass market commodity, then you will get a mass market clientele. Restoring the old days to the cruise lines (including formal nights) is easily accomplished by increasing fares. The increased fares will result in a changed clientele.

 

Well, Regent has higher fares and is still casual. That is no shorts or jeans just collared shirts and casual dresses or pants as the case may be. In fact I think the reverse is true....a clientele that is used to wearing business suits is happy to relax on holiday away from formal wear.

[ColleenFL]

I personally like formal nights/formal wear, it makes it extra special and it is nice to pamper yourself and get all dressed up. My kids in mid 20's enjoy formal nights as well. I do think however for those that cannot afford a nice evening dress that it is fine to wear evening wear not formal evening wear. Men should have no problems wearing a suit and tie for the few hours. I do not think it is acceptable to wear shorts, sneakers, flip flops and jeans to dinner. That is plain lazy. I think to save mrn on cost that nice dress slacks, button down shirt with a sports coat would be fine. Just my opinion.

[Mark-Sheffield]

I personally like formal nights/formal wear, it makes it extra special and it is nice to pamper yourself and get all dressed up. My kids in mid 20's enjoy formal nights as well. I do think however for those that cannot afford a nice evening dress that it is fine to wear evening wear not formal evening wear. Men should have no problems wearing a suit and tie for the few hours. I do not think it is acceptable to wear shorts, sneakers, flip flops and jeans to dinner. That is plain lazy. I think to save mrn on cost that nice dress slacks, button down shirt with a sports coat would be fine. Just my opinion.

 

Totally agree, we have adult children in their 20's and for them it's the formal nights that make it extra special. We have seen people around the ships on formal nights with shorts on and they just look out of place. In my opinion.

[poncho1973]

Well, Regent has higher fares and is still casual. That is no shorts or jeans just collared shirts and casual dresses or pants as the case may be. In fact I think the reverse is true....a clientele that is used to wearing business suits is happy to relax on holiday away from formal wear.

 

I think there is something to this.

 

Maybe if you don't wear nicer clothes on a regular basis it feels more special to doll up or something? I wear a suit and tie entirely too much for my liking. I dress nicely for events too often.

 

I just want to go on vacation and relax, not be a part of some Geriatric Prom®. HOWEVER, I fully support them having their fun and dressing however they want.

[Big_G]

We're on Celebrity Reflection in February and I told DW I was wearing a tux anyway. I don't think she was impressed and I maybe forced to lower my standards. I'm just a rebel without a cause. :D

[Emdee]

I think there is something to this.

 

Maybe if you don't wear nicer clothes on a regular basis it feels more special to doll up or something? I wear a suit and tie entirely too much for my liking. I dress nicely for events too often.

 

I just want to go on vacation and relax, not be a part of some Geriatric Prom®. HOWEVER, I fully support them having their fun and dressing however they want.

 

Agreed...let them have their fun! But, don't impose on us.

[RocketMan275]

Well, Regent has higher fares and is still casual. That is no shorts or jeans just collared shirts and casual dresses or pants as the case may be. In fact I think the reverse is true....a clientele that is used to wearing business suits is happy to relax on holiday away from formal wear.

 

I agree with that as well. There is no single reason why some like to dress up and others do not. I worked professionally for almost fifty years. When I started back in the seventies, everyone wore suits or at least a sports jacket. I've owned as many as seven suits at one time. I've owned tuxedos. I've owned Mess Blues (more formal than a tux). It just loses it's appeal. I'm retired now and if I have to wear a tie, I just don't go. (With exceptions, I did rent a tux for my step-son's wedding.)

 

My epiphany came on a business trip. Four of us left our rooms wearing suits. We hung the jackets on the back seat of the car. We put them on when we arrived at the parking lot for the meeting. We took them off and hung them on the chair back when we arrived at the conference room. Those we met, put their jackets on the back of their chairs too. Repeated in reverse order on the way out. Why bother?

 

I knew formal nights had 'jumped the shark' when I read of formal dining on Anthem of the Seas. It was reported that the Matre'd would provide coats for gentlemen without in the formal dining room. He told them that it was unnecessary that they fit since they only had to carry them over their arm to their table. Once at the table, the escorting waiter took them from the gentlemen so that they could be given to others. Why bother?

 

If that's all there is, why not just have the Matre'd parade through the formal dining holding a tuxedo coat aloft for all to see? Would accomplish the same thing with far more efficiency. Or, if a coat hanging on the back of the chair is adequate, why not just buy chairs for the MDR with jacket sleeves already attached? Every night could be formal night.

[graphicguy]

These "dress" threads crop up on a regular basis. I think the general feeling is, cruises are, and have been moving more towards vacation wear for the last several years. At least, that's what I have observed. Fewer and fewer people get dressed up for dinner on a cruise.

 

I used to. Now, not so much. Several reasons....in general, the norms have changed...particularly in the way people dress. You can try to stand in the way of this change, but you aren't going to stop it.

 

For many years, I wore a suit to the office every day. That fell by the wayside to sport coats, that became no ties and no sport coats. Then, my office became an extra bedroom in my home, which in turn allows me to wear jeans and shorts while at work.

 

On vacation? I have no desire to dress up anymore. Too much luggage to carry and extra $$$ to carry more luggage. Anyway I can cut down on luggage, I'm all for it.

 

But, I will not deny anyone's desire to wear a tux or gown on a cruise. If that's what you want, have at it. It doesn't matter one iota to me. The tux, gown, suit and tie, dress crowd is certainly in the minority these days. And, I'm seeing less and less of it every subsequent cruise.

 

My days of packing a suit, a jacket or a tie on a cruise (or any vacation for that matter) are long over, though.

Edited November 19, 2015 by graphicguy

[sjb317]

I agree with that as well. There is no single reason why some like to dress up and others do not. I worked professionally for almost fifty years. When I started back in the seventies, everyone wore suits or at least a sports jacket. I've owned as many as seven suits at one time. I've owned tuxedos. I've owned Mess Blues (more formal than a tux). It just loses it's appeal. I'm retired now and if I have to wear a tie, I just don't go. (With exceptions, I did rent a tux for my step-son's wedding.)

 

My epiphany came on a business trip. Four of us left our rooms wearing suits. We hung the jackets on the back seat of the car. We put them on when we arrived at the parking lot for the meeting. We took them off and hung them on the chair back when we arrived at the conference room. Those we met, put their jackets on the back of their chairs too. Repeated in reverse order on the way out. Why bother?

 

I knew formal nights had 'jumped the shark' when I read of formal dining on Anthem of the Seas. It was reported that the Matre'd would provide coats for gentlemen without in the formal dining room. He told them that it was unnecessary that they fit since they only had to carry them over their arm to their table. Once at the table, the escorting waiter took them from the gentlemen so that they could be given to others. Why bother?

 

If that's all there is, why not just have the Matre'd parade through the formal dining holding a tuxedo coat aloft for all to see? Would accomplish the same thing with far more efficiency. Or, if a coat hanging on the back of the chair is adequate, why not just buy chairs for the MDR with jacket sleeves already attached? Every night could be formal night.

 

Too funny! :D And too true! What's the point of wearing a tux or suit if you are going to hang your jacket on the back of your chair?

 

I like to dress up since I wear scrubs for work. However, I am happy about Celebrity's change from formal to elegant chic, although I think they could have come up with a better name.:D As others have said, people can still dress "formal" or they can choose not to. I hope Royal adopts this policy also.

 

Sherri:)

[Desert Cruizers]

On our most recent cruise on the Serenade, we had 3 Formal Nights, and while noticing most people dressing up, many more were dressing as they had on the non formal nights. I feel as long as the person is nicely attired, that is the important thing. If the men prefers to not wear a suit & tie or the ladies a fancier gown or slack, that is their choice. With many of us having to fly, we are dealing with weight restrictions, thus pack lighter.

[poncho1973]

Things change.

 

Disneyland 1955. Fathers in suits, dress shirts & ties, collared button-up shirts and dress pants... mothers in dresses, skirts & blouses, etc.

 

There is a famous Life Magazine photo from Disneyland when it opened. It shows a mother pushing her kids in a stroller with another couple of her kids running along beside her. This woman is wearing a nice skirt & blouse that looks as professional as what most executives wear in 2015 AND SHE'S CHASING A GAGGLE OF KIDS AROUND A THEME PARK!

 

It's just how things go. Are Victorian bustles still required to be formal? How about a corset instead of a bra? What about a huge hat, is that formal? Furs were once THE determination of how formal an event was, you want to carry a fur stole? Are a cane & tophat required for men?

 

 

 

 

 

 

FOUND IT: http://time.com/3943789/disneyland-1955/ (picture 14)

[js]

Well, Regent has higher fares and is still casual. That is no shorts or jeans just collared shirts and casual dresses or pants as the case may be. In fact I think the reverse is true....a clientele that is used to wearing business suits is happy to relax on holiday away from formal wear.

 

I cannot speak for all but this is the MAIN reason I do not like dressing up for formal nights on a cruise. NCL has "Dress Up or Not Night". I sail Haven on NCL and even though it is casual, the majority always dress appropriately. You will always have a few bad apples in the bunch that want to ruin it for all.

 

For women, it is easier to dress for formal, we can dress up/down any nice outfit but for men it is more difficult. I am not packing a suit or a suit jacket for my dh for our NYE cruise on Indy and I certainly will not be wearing a dress, although I did pack an very nice black sleeveless jumpsuit.

 

I'm in the "casual vacation" camp if we are choosing sides.

[js]

Yes, the airlines did cram many more seats into their aircraft but this was the result of de-regulation and not a cause. IOW, the lesson is, if you make something a mass market commodity, then you will get a mass market clientele. Restoring the old days to the cruise lines (including formal nights) is easily accomplished by increasing fares. The increased fares will result in a changed clientele.

 

I disagree simply because I have personal experience with your comment that I bolded.

I certainly pay much more on my NCL Haven cruises than I do on my balcony cruises on RCCL and I still rather a more casual experience :)

 

I guess only time will tell what RCCL does with formal evenings. Either way, I still love to cruise :)

[John&LaLa]

I cannot speak for all but this is the MAIN reason I do not like dressing up for formal nights on a cruise. NCL has "Dress Up or Not Night". I sail Haven on NCL and even though it is casual, the majority always dress appropriately. You will always have a few bad apples in the bunch that want to ruin it for all.

 

For women, it is easier to dress for formal, we can dress up/down any nice outfit but for men it is more difficult. I am not packing a suit or a suit jacket for my dh for our NYE cruise on Indy and I certainly will not be wearing a dress, although I did pack an very nice black sleeveless jumpsuit.

 

I'm in the "casual vacation" camp if we are choosing sides.

 

I disagree on women having it easier than men on Formal nights.

 

One tux, two shirts, one pair shoes, bow tie.

 

For women, two dresses, possible extra bra, stockings, two pair shoes, two hand bags, possible shawl.

 

That is my experience, plus I have had same tux over 20 years. Laura has had countless dresses/gowns during that time

[js]

I disagree on women having it easier than men on Formal nights.

 

One tux, two shirts, one pair shoes, bow tie.

 

For women, two dresses, possible extra bra, stockings, two pair shoes, two hand bags, possible shawl.

 

That is my experience, plus I have had same tux over 20 years. Laura has had countless dresses/gowns during that time

 

Well, I guess we have to agree to disagree since I am a woman with my own experiences :)

[poncho1973]

possible extra bra

 

The elusive FORMAL bra!

[epcopres]

I hope they keep Formal night. I enjoy getting dressed up occasionally. Its not often I get a chance to do that at home.

[John&LaLa]

The elusive FORMAL bra!

 

The ladies will know. You're not married I take it.

[EmJakeBubbie]

Not once has Service or Food Quality improved because of my adherence to any Dress Code.

Times HAVE change.

The GRANDE will either accept or reject us at the door. We will, however, be clean, neat, and socially acceptable with our attire, sans the tie and/or "formal wear". :rolleyes:

 

all great posts, here. particularly appreciated RocketMan275 :D

[poncho1973]

The ladies will know. You're not married I take it.

 

Long time husband. Laid back wife.