Attire acceptable for formal night?

[2old4this]

On 5/20/2019 at 8:51 AM, dchan865 said:

Hey everyone,  just a quick question, its been almost 12 years since I cruised on Princess so not sure how strict/flexible they are now in 2019 with attire.  Is long sleeve dress shirt(light blue, white, ) with slack, no tie and sport jacket still good for formal night dining?  We  want to travel as light as possible during our travel on the upcoming British Isle cruise on the Regal Princess.

Thanks!

This segment’s discussion about formal attire vs ‘come as you desire’ on our Grand Princess vessel, has become lively, and like politics, none among us seem willing to change positions.  Those willing to comment manage to stay away from personal attacks all the while locked into their choices.  We all know it is easy to become defensive and toss in a curve.  As it stands, our pending cruise will have a mix of shorts and tuxes, sneakers and black shoes, and we will grin, eat, and ignore our differences in sign interpretation: Formal Attire.

 

Allow me to explain how one cruise line controls Formal Attire at dinner time.  Cunard has maintained the British protocols of the past right down to nanny services for the children, cigar room, bell ringing when afternoon teas are served, and ALWAYs, black and white suits for men and gowns for the ladies.  There are more Royalty-related things, too.  I liked it the first moment I stepped onboard a Queen and I’m proud to be a recognized a Cunarder to this day.

 

Dinners in the main restaurant were formal every evening.  Freda had three formal outfits with two of them easily changed about between jackets and skirts.  I brought one tuxedo and one dark suit while remembering we would be taking the Queen to NY on the way back.  Country Club level clothing was worn throughout the ship.

 

Here’s an experience I witnessed at the entrance to the restaurant at dinner time.  It relates to coming casual but dressed sharply in Country Club level clothes.  I was behind a man and his wife and waiting my turn to be escorted.  The manager glanced at the man in the cream-colored sport coat and whispered something in his ear.  He pointed upward and the man stepped back.  He was offended and insisted on seeing the restaurant manager.  The manager replied and this time he spoke loud enough for me and others to hear, “Sir, you can order this dinner in your stateroom or pick one of our other restaurants.  Tonight, Sir, it is formal only.”  The man and his wife disappeared and, though I looked for them, I never saw either of them again.

 

Edited May 31, 2019 by 2old4this
Paragraph spacing only!

[Potstech]

4 hours ago, c-boy said:

wonderful !  you do that, but don't expect the rest of us to follow ya down the rabbit hole. 

What rabbit hole are you talking about.  I expect the rest of you to do what ever you want.  If you want to follow me, why I do not know, that isyour choice andI have nothing to do with it.

[satxdiver]

For those wanting traditional attire Cunard is available as witnessed above and is a Carnival Corp cruise line.  Seaborn is also available so maybe those that want the dressier option should look into these two. 

[nooptere]

2 hours ago, 2old4this said:

This segment’s discussion about formal attire vs ‘come as you desire’ on our Grand Princess vessel, has become lively, and like politics, none among us seem willing to change positions.  Those willing to comment manage to stay away from personal attacks all the while locked into their choices.  We all know it is easy to become defensive and toss in a curve.  As it stands, our pending cruise will have a mix of shorts and tuxes, sneakers and black shoes, and we will grin, eat, and ignore our differences in sign interpretation: Formal Attire.

 

Allow me to explain how one cruise line controls Formal Attire at dinner time.  Cunard has maintained the British protocols of the past right down to nanny services for the children, cigar room, bell ringing when afternoon teas are served, and ALWAYs, black and white suits for men and gowns for the ladies.  There are more Royalty-related things, too.  I liked it the first moment I stepped onboard a Queen and I’m proud to be a recognized a Cunarder to this day.

 

Dinners in the main restaurant were formal every evening.  Freda had three formal outfits with two of them easily changed about between jackets and skirts.  I brought one tuxedo and one dark suit while remembering we would be taking the Queen to NY on the way back.  Country Club level clothing was worn throughout the ship.

 

Here’s an experience I witnessed at the entrance to the restaurant at dinner time.  It relates to coming casual but dressed sharply in Country Club level clothes.  I was behind a man and his wife and waiting my turn to be escorted.  The manager glanced at the man in the cream-colored sport coat and whispered something in his ear.  He pointed upward and the man stepped back.  He was offended and insisted on seeing the restaurant manager.  The manager replied and this time he spoke loud enough for me and others to hear, “Sir, you can order this dinner in your stateroom or pick one of our other restaurants.  Tonight, Sir, it is formal only.”  The man and his wife disappeared and, though I looked for them, I never saw either of them again.

 

Sounds wonderful...I hope you enjoy your next cruise on Cunard...

[oskidunker]

Sounds like a Cruiseline I would like. Very classy. 

[PrincessLuver]

On 5/30/2019 at 10:06 PM, voljeep said:

LOWER !!! ???  how about let's just say different people have different standards ... not lower not higher ... just different

 

so non-judgemental much ...

 

I think it has to do more with style then standards and I agree that people can pull off certain looks that others cannot and jeans certainly can be made to fit in one a formal night IMHO.  

 

What amazes me is that we see many many people on Princess on formal nights that have really bad style no matter what they are wearing.....nothing like a 1980's ill fitting suit or dress to make one look sharp and prestigious!!  😀

Edited June 1, 2019 by PrincessLuver

[majortom10]

The answer to all this disagreement is for Princess to remove the recommendation from their website that on Formal evenings  dinner suit/suit and suitable wear for females and from outside every  MDR restaurant the brass plaque stating the dress code when standing next to it is the restaurant manager who does not enforce it. Princess then should scrap formal evenings and stop pretending they are something they are clearly not and become smart casual/evening chic for all nights on all cruises.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[geocruiser]

5 hours ago, PrincessLuver said:

 

I think it has to do more with style then standards and I agree that people can pull off certain looks that others cannot and jeans certainly can be made to fit in one a formal night IMHO.  

 

Style has a lot to do with it.  Speaking for my self.  I like bold colors and prints on my clothing.  One shopping trip I decided to try on clothing that was more conservative that the bold colors I all ways buy.   Well, I tried on a business like grey pant suit.  It had a pants, jacket and blouse.  I can't tell you how funny I looked.  Even the sale lady looked at me and said "NO".  I also tried on some long gowns, once again, the dull colors where not for me.  So, I gave up and brought fabric and made what I wanted.

I think today people have developed their own style of dress (it might not agree with others style)  but it is their style.  People express them selves more through dress than years ago.  Some people are more creative in the way that they wear a piece of clothing, such as ladies wearing a button down sweater backwards.  ( I think this was done in the 50's or 60's too).

Dress has become more casual that before.  Just watch The Lawrence Welk show, and you will see what I mean.  Ladies in dresses men in suits, sitting there watching the show.

[MissP22]

1 hour ago, majortom10 said:

The answer to all this disagreement is for Princess to remove the recommendation from their website that on Formal evenings  dinner suit/suit and suitable wear for females and from outside every  MDR restaurant the brass plaque stating the dress code when standing next to it is the restaurant manager who does not enforce it. Princess then should scrap formal evenings and stop pretending they are something they are clearly not and become smart casual/evening chic for all nights on all cruises.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The only disagreements that I can see is on cruise critic where people can post their feelings. I've never encountered or heard complaints on any of the ships I've sailed on. 

Maybe I just haven't sailed enough on Princess. 🤔

[Globehoppers]

11 hours ago, 2old4this said:

This segment’s discussion about formal attire vs ‘come as you desire’ on our Grand Princess vessel, has become lively, and like politics, none among us seem willing to change positions.  Those willing to comment manage to stay away from personal attacks all the while locked into their choices.  We all know it is easy to become defensive and toss in a curve.  As it stands, our pending cruise will have a mix of shorts and tuxes, sneakers and black shoes, and we will grin, eat, and ignore our differences in sign interpretation: Formal Attire.

 

Allow me to explain how one cruise line controls Formal Attire at dinner time.  Cunard has maintained the British protocols of the past right down to nanny services for the children, cigar room, bell ringing when afternoon teas are served, and ALWAYs, black and white suits for men and gowns for the ladies.  There are more Royalty-related things, too.  I liked it the first moment I stepped onboard a Queen and I’m proud to be a recognized a Cunarder to this day.

 

Dinners in the main restaurant were formal every evening.  Freda had three formal outfits with two of them easily changed about between jackets and skirts.  I brought one tuxedo and one dark suit while remembering we would be taking the Queen to NY on the way back.  Country Club level clothing was worn throughout the ship.

 

Here’s an experience I witnessed at the entrance to the restaurant at dinner time.  It relates to coming casual but dressed sharply in Country Club level clothes.  I was behind a man and his wife and waiting my turn to be escorted.  The manager glanced at the man in the cream-colored sport coat and whispered something in his ear.  He pointed upward and the man stepped back.  He was offended and insisted on seeing the restaurant manager.  The manager replied and this time he spoke loud enough for me and others to hear, “Sir, you can order this dinner in your stateroom or pick one of our other restaurants.  Tonight, Sir, it is formal only.”  The man and his wife disappeared and, though I looked for them, I never saw either of them again.

 

 

Ah, yes, the days of formal travel in First Class.  Dressing up to fly, as well.  Do know that it was only in First Class that formal attire was required?  2nd and 3rd class had their own rules and restaurants.  The classes did not mingle anywhere on there ship.  These were Ocean Liners, not cruise ships.  I crossed the Atlantic on these great ships a dozen times, to include the old Queens.  Going "Formal" is a Caribbean environment is highly impractical.  Have done too many formal events in my lifetime as a career military officer and diplomat.  I don't need a tux to enjoy a meal with friends (or even enemies).  Formal nights had gone the way of the dodo bird.

[JEH]

Ok then to summarize  some   like dressing formally  some don't . Any thoughts on chair hogs, theater seat savers or laundry room etiquette , inquiring minds  want to know . 

[majortom10]

1 hour ago, MissP22 said:

The only disagreements that I can see is on cruise critic where people can post their feelings. I've never encountered or heard complaints on any of the ships I've sailed on. 

Maybe I just haven't sailed enough on Princess. 🤔

You wont many have the manners to not to approach somebody and say that in their opinion they are inappropriately dressed but they might privately.

[voljeep]

12 minutes ago, majortom10 said:

You wont many have the manners to not to approach somebody and say that in their opinion they are inappropriately dressed but they might privately.

like on an a mostly anonymous interwebs forum like Cruise Critic or sumptin' ?  time to let this thread floataway ...

 

there will be others ... always are ...

[2old4this]

12 hours ago, nooptere said:

Sounds wonderful...I hope you enjoy your next cruise on Cunard...

It does sound great and thank you for the well wishes . . . I think!

[MissP22]

2 hours ago, majortom10 said:

You wont many have the manners to not to approach somebody and say that in their opinion they are inappropriately dressed but they might privately.

But they will say something about saving seats & leaving stuff in the washing machine. 

It just makes me believe that dressing isn't all that important to most people even though they might comment on it here.

[2old4this]

On 5/20/2019 at 9:21 PM, chefchick said:

 

I liked your rant.  A suitable and encouraging rant.  Maybe I like it because I agree with the rant's message.  A small code sign that says 'Formal Attire' is simply a guide meant to alert one to what is planned and will be orchestrated is just ahead.  The ship's management and the restaurant's servers have gone to great trouble, training, and expense, to make this one formal night, often with lobster, so memorable it is the high point of our hours at sea.  To complete the gilded setting, they ask their gorgeous guests to help with the ambience by wearing dark suits and colorful gowns.  Management's intent to help we guests feel fortunate we are on this vessel, at this very moment, and absolutely nowhere else.

 

Those who come to dinner in T shirts and sneakers for the lobster have missed the performance.

[Potstech]

10 hours ago, majortom10 said:

You wont many have the manners to not to approach somebody and say that in their opinion they are inappropriately dressed but they might privately.

And their opinion matters to others they do not know because?

[Potstech]

3 hours ago, 2old4this said:

I liked your rant.  A suitable and encouraging rant.  Maybe I like it because I agree with the rant's message.  A small code sign that says 'Formal Attire' is simply a guide meant to alert one to what is planned and will be orchestrated is just ahead.  The ship's management and the restaurant's servers have gone to great trouble, training, and expense, to make this one formal night, often with lobster, so memorable it is the high point of our hours at sea.  To complete the gilded setting, they ask their gorgeous guests to help with the ambience by wearing dark suits and colorful gowns.  Management's intent to help we guests feel fortunate we are on this vessel, at this very moment, and absolutely nowhere else.

 

Those who come to dinner in T shirts and sneakers for the lobster have missed the performance.

Do not think they have missed anything at all. How many people have seen t shirts and sandals in the MDR let alone on formal night. Have never seen it on our numerous cruises.

[MickeyandLV]

We just got back from an Alaska cruise on Coral.  This trip seemed to be the dressiest I have seen guests dressed compared to other recent cruises.  Of course there are many new cruisers on an Alaska cruise.  Maybe they want to dress up for their first cruise. There were many men in tux and a few women in formal length gowns. I had packed a few dresses but only wore one of them. Husband wore long sleeve dress shirt and tie for formal night. We did not feel out of place.  We were trying to pack light because we had 7 day cruise and then we drove around Alaska for 7 days.

[2old4this]

4 hours ago, MickeyandLV said:

We just got back from an Alaska cruise on Coral.  This trip seemed to be the dressiest I have seen guests dressed compared to other recent cruises.  Of course there are many new cruisers on an Alaska cruise.  Maybe they want to dress up for their first cruise. There were many men in tux and a few women in formal length gowns. I had packed a few dresses but only wore one of them. Husband wore long sleeve dress shirt and tie for formal night. We did not feel out of place.  We were trying to pack light because we had 7 day cruise and then we drove around Alaska for 7 days.

Looks like you have pretty well ridden the Princess fleet . . .except for Grand Princess.  Were you surprised at all that the guests were more formal than other formal dinners you've attended.  If you were doing the Coral gig one more time having experienced that formal evening, would you dress the same?

 

Edited June 3, 2019 by 2old4this
missing word

[MickeyandLV]

30 minutes ago, 2old4this said:

Looks like you have pretty well ridden the Princess fleet . . .except for Grand Princess.  Were you surprised at all that the guests were more formal than other formal dinners you've attended.  If you were doing the Coral gig one more time having experienced that formal evening, would you dress the same?

 

We would dress the same.  We felt comfortable in what we were wearing.  I always put on nicer clothes if we go to the dining room even if not formal night. We have a Canada/Greenland cruise planned for August and we are planning on dressing the same for formal nights.  (There were some on the Alaska cruise that came in with hooded sweatshirts and jeans.  I think that is a little too casual for formal night).  I think you should just wear what makes you comfortable and happy.