Formal Night, I really want to know

[LillCruiser]

I’ve been on one other cruise and it was a quick 3 nighter and I don’t believe there was a true formal night, although I did wear dresses to dinner.

 

I’m curious about the formal night opinions I see on CC. I’m 43 and very much looking forward to wearing a very formal, sparkly dress on the second formal night. I’m even making my kids wear ties and formal dresses. We have totally bought in and are excited. Every other night we have dresses for the girls and collared shirts for the boys/men with long pants.

 

Here’s my curiosity point - I see some people say things like “We are so sad that the ACTUAL formal night is going away” or “No one participates in Formal Night anymore and it’s just such a shame”. And then others say they won’t dress up for one minute, it’s their vacation and they’ll do as they please.

 

My opinion as someone that is very excited to dress up with her family is that, I honestly don’t care at all what the table next to me is wearing. I’ll be looking around at my family and enjoying our beautiful evening on a vacation we paid thousands of dollars to experience. Knowing I don’t have to say no to dessert because of worrying about the bill. Knowing that the kids can race off after dinner to go watch a movie outside with the ocean as the backdrop. Why in the world do I want to spend one minute worried about the clothing of the person next to me?

 

Reading through CC I’ve come to realize there are some very strong opinions expressed, rude and cutting responses, and some very nice, helpful, and excited responses as well. I’ve learned so very much and can’t wait to board our SHIP (as I learned to call it from these boards) on Friday.

 

So please educate me. Why does formal night upset or excite you? And why does what someone else wears put a damper your evening?

[kontraxed]

Nice comments! To answer your question, I am one of those people who don't want to dress up. I am retired now but I spent my entire career in a job where I had to wear a suit and tie every day and I never enjoyed it. I don't wear shorts or T-shirts to dinner but I do wear slacks and a button down shirt. I really don't care what the folks at the next table wear. I do not plan to eat dinner in the windjammer because I won't dress up. Why should I miss lobster night? Finally, I wonder why RCL won't reach a compromise. The MDR on the mid to large sized ships typically has three levels to it. Why not designate one level for formal wear and the other two for casual wear (or vice versa)? They could even ask on your cruise registration what your preference is. No matter. My cruise is in eleven months and I'm already looking forward to it!

[LillCruiser]

Nice comments! To answer your question, I am one of those people who don't want to dress up. I am retired now but I spent my entire career in a job where I had to wear a suit and tie every day and I never enjoyed it. I don't wear shorts or T-shirts to dinner but I do wear slacks and a button down shirt. I really don't care what the folks at the next table wear. I do not plan to eat dinner in the windjammer because I won't dress up. Why should I miss lobster night? Finally, I wonder why RCL won't reach a compromise. The MDR on the mid to large sized ships typically has three levels to it. Why not designate one level for formal wear and the other two for casual wear (or vice versa)? They could even ask on your cruise registration what your preference is. No matter. My cruise is in eleven months and I'm already looking forward to it!

 

 

 

And I totally respect you for wearing what you want on your vacation!

And that’s a very good perspective about splitting the levels. Interesting!

And may you have a fantastic cruise, 11 months from m now.

[Jimnbigd]

My wife and I dress up for the 2 formal nights. We enjoy it. FYI...It's a good time to get pictures, but there is usually a line at the photographer stands, especially the ones nearest the MDR. On our cruises, the Quest game show was often the same night as the 2nd formal night. I always changed before going to the Quest, but some men and women still had on their formal wear. Another FYI...Usually the casino is non-smoking on formal nights.

[WyKnott]

Because I live in jeans otherwise, I enjoy dressing up for formal nights. I'll wear anything from floor length to cocktail dresses. I've been cruising since the late 80s when formal nights meant something, but I don't care what anyone else is wearing, it doesn't affect my vacation.

[dplusd]

It sounds like you are looking forward to dressing up as a family to enjoy formal night and that is great! You will fit in fine and I hope it's a wonderful evening.

 

 

I don't care to dress formally anymore and I'm glad the MDR dress is more relaxed today. But, your formal attire would not negatively affect my dining experience so I say enjoy!

[cb at sea]

Night 2 is ALWAYS the 1st (or only) formal night. You cannot be "too dressed up" on formal night.

[LillCruiser]

Because I live in jeans otherwise, I enjoy dressing up for formal nights. I'll wear anything from floor length to cocktail dresses. I've been cruising since the late 80s when formal nights meant something, but I don't care what anyone else is wearing, it doesn't affect my vacation.

 

 

 

I think that’s why I’m excited too, so many casual clothes. It feels like I’m getting ready for a dance or something from a high school throw back.

 

Glad to hear it doesn’t bother you!

[LillCruiser]

My wife and I dress up for the 2 formal nights. We enjoy it. FYI...It's a good time to get pictures, but there is usually a line at the photographer stands, especially the ones nearest the MDR. On our cruises, the Quest game show was often the same night as the 2nd formal night. I always changed before going to the Quest, but some men and women still had on their formal wear. Another FYI...Usually the casino is non-smoking on formal nights.

 

 

 

I’m so thankful for these tips! I don’t think I’ve read anywhere on here about the casino having a non smoking night! We will definitely check that out.

[RocketMan275]

I'm very glad you're dressing to enjoy your cruise. Reminds me of when I would wear a suit just to fly on an airplane. Days are long past and I'd rather dress more casually.

 

I'm a live and let live guy and I cannot understand why some insist that other dress to a certain standard to enhance their enjoyment.

[LillCruiser]

It sounds like you are looking forward to dressing up as a family to enjoy formal night and that is great! You will fit in fine and I hope it's a wonderful evening.

 

 

 

 

 

I don't care to dress formally anymore and I'm glad the MDR dress is more relaxed today. But, your formal attire would not negatively affect my dining experience so I say enjoy!

 

 

 

Thank you for your opinion!

[LillCruiser]

I'm a live and let live guy and I cannot understand why some insist that other dress to a certain standard to enhance their enjoyment.

 

 

This! Exactly! That’s the confusing part to me too.

[Merion_Mom]

Another FYI...Usually the casino is non-smoking on formal nights.

Looooooooooooong gone.

[Merion_Mom]

Nice comments! To answer your question, I am one of those people who don't want to dress up. I am retired now but I spent my entire career in a job where I had to wear a suit and tie every day and I never enjoyed it. I don't wear shorts or T-shirts to dinner but I do wear slacks and a button down shirt. I really don't care what the folks at the next table wear. I do not plan to eat dinner in the windjammer because I won't dress up. Why should I miss lobster night? Finally, I wonder why RCL won't reach a compromise. The MDR on the mid to large sized ships typically has three levels to it. Why not designate one level for formal wear and the other two for casual wear (or vice versa)? They could even ask on your cruise registration what your preference is. No matter. My cruise is in eleven months and I'm already looking forward to it!

That used to be a common cry on here: Why not just make part of the dining area formal and part informal? People can choose which they want.

 

Royal Caribbean tried that on the Quantum, and then Anthem. They introduced Dynamic Dining, and one dining room, the Grande, was formal every night.

 

And what happened? People whinged and moaned that they didn't want to dress up, and they came dressed casually. The restaurant host would hand the gentleman a jacket off a rack, and the guest would carry it to his seat and put it on the back of his chair, and sit there in this polo shirt/t-shirt/Hawaiian shirt.

 

:(

[LillCruiser]

And what happened? People whinged and moaned that they didn't want to dress up, and they came dressed casually. The restaurant host would hand the gentleman a jacket off a rack, and the guest would carry it to his seat and put it on the back of his chair, and sit there in this polo shirt/t-shirt/Hawaiian shirt.

 

 

 

:(

 

 

You seem to be of the opinion I was hoping to be educated by. “Sitting there in a polo shirt/T-shirt/Hawaiian shirt seems to imply you are upset by that type of dress”. Why?

[LillCruiser]

Side note - I appear to be terrible at getting the quotes to appear correctly! I apologize for that.

[Luckynana]

LilTurano, I think it's wonderful that you and your family will be dressing formally! I especially love it when I see the children dressed so beautifully. You will more than likely get many compliments for your attire! ☺ To each his own. Enjoy your cruise!!!!

 

Sent from my SM-J320P using Forums mobile app

[storknurse13]

Some very interesting comments here! As a family of 5, we LOVE to dress up on formal nights! With that being said, our attire has changed over the years because our kids do not like wearing tuxes and sparkly formal dresses. When they were really young (under 4) they didn’t have an option and really thought it was cool to be dressed like that. Now they are 7,9,11 and we dress as a family. Matching colors, or something to the sort. Certainly super dressy just not gown/tux formal. We usually get some great family photos that we use for Christmas cards and as soon as dinner is over it’s a race to the room to change back into shorts and flip flops! I love seeing people all dressed up for dinner. It just makes me feel like it is more elegant and special.

The other folks that choose not to dress up, whatever their reason, certainly don’t affect our family’s dining experience!

I promise you won’t be disappointed for dressing up! Have a wonderful time on your cruise!

[lenquixote66]

Nice comments! To answer your question, I am one of those people who don't want to dress up. I am retired now but I spent my entire career in a job where I had to wear a suit and tie every day and I never enjoyed it. I don't wear shorts or T-shirts to dinner but I do wear slacks and a button down shirt. I really don't care what the folks at the next table wear. I do not plan to eat dinner in the windjammer because I won't dress up. Why should I miss lobster night? Finally, I wonder why RCL won't reach a compromise. The MDR on the mid to large sized ships typically has three levels to it. Why not designate one level for formal wear and the other two for casual wear (or vice versa)? They could even ask on your cruise registration what your preference is. No matter. My cruise is in eleven months and I'm already looking forward to it!

 

I spent 38 years in a job where I had to wear a suit and tie every day ,even on casual friday .Now that I am retired I never wear a suit unless i am going to a wedding or a funeral.

On "formal" nights I wear a button down shirt and slacks .On other nights I wear a knit shirt and khakis.

[WVHillbilly]

We only have one cruise under our belt, since we rarely dress up to go out we decided that we would dress for dinner.

 

On the two formal nights, I wore a suit and tie and the DW wore a cocktail dress, on the remaining nights I wore dress slacks and a dress shirt and the DW wore a dress.

 

I didn't concern myself with what others were wearing or even notice who wore what; however I did notice that our table mates were dressed similarly to us.

 

I understand that many do not like to dress up on a cruise but for us it made every night like a special date night and will dress for our next cruise.

[Grandma Dazzles]

Happy that you and your family are looking forward to dressing up for your cruise. Many people still enjoy looking nice and you will not be alone.

 

Count me among the "old time cruisers" who remember the way it used to be. That being said, I have no problem with the lack of true formal wear, suits, etc. Many of the posters have said they preferred a more relaxed look; again no problem. It's their cruise and it doesn't bother me. Even shorts don't bother me, if they are worn with a decent shirt and shoes.

 

What I do object to, after a couple of really bad experiences, are passengers who come to dinner after a day at the beach, or on shore, with the same sweaty tshirts and athletic shorts and flip flops. To put it bluntly - they can smell! They should have the decency to shower and change - even if they don't want to "dress up." I find this more common in the Caribbean. It does bother me if they are seated at my table, or close by.

[SRF]

Last cruise I saw couples in tux and long sparkly dresses. And people in slacks and polo shirts.

 

Dress how YOU want to dress. I found that a good proportion of the people dressed to at least suit/dress level. And many even more so. But not everyone.

 

HAVE FUN.

 

BTW, last cruise I did khakis, dress shirt, tie, and blazer. Next time, I will take a suit. I looked at buying a tux, but not in the budget right now, as I would only wear it on cruises.

[ONECRUISER]

Night 2 is ALWAYS the 1st (or only) formal night. You cannot be "too dressed up" on formal night.

Not ALWAYS... Though rare I've done at least 2-3 cruises it was not...

Edited June 14, 2018 by ONECRUISER

[marinewife67]

I dressed in what I normally wear, but since it's mostly dresses or skirts anyway I didn't feel out of place. Our girls wore sundresses, and my husband dressed in nice slacks and a button down shirt. He has worn shorts before, but that's more or less due to it being hot in the Caribbean. We cruise twice a year (summer and winter) so he tends to wear shorts for the former. I do think it's fun to see how people dress up though.

[arlodog]

So glad we dressed for formal night on our cruises when our kids were younger. We used the dining room as an opportunity for them to try new foods and learn proper table etiquette. Going to the dining room was enjoyable for our family and we have some great pictures of the kids all dressed up (even if my son was in a blazer from Goodwill and daughter wearing whatever was on clearance after prom season/something borrowed)

They still enjoy cruising and dressing for dinner. Now we ditch the suits-sorry but we have to fly and it is too expensive to bring all the extra baggage. We still dress for dinner on formal night, but now it is just ties for the men and dresses for the women. It is all part of the experience for us!