Formal nights

[silversurf1]

We are booked for 7 nights on Spirit of Discovery in September and can find no information on dress codes. Do Saga have formal nights?

We have really enjoyed them on other cruise lines and are hoping for at least two on our forthcoming cruise.

[kentchris]

There are one or two formal nights in a week long cruise according to the FAQ. Saga’s lack of detail prior to booking, or post booking and prior to final documents, is frustrating but you will know how many formal nights there are long enough before you sail for you to organise your smart clothes.

 

If you dig into the FAQ you'll find what Saga expect in terms of dress code, but the actual number of formal nights will remain a mystery until you receive your final documents. 

Edited July 9, 2019 by kentchris

[lincslady]

I am surprised you have not yet received a little booklet about life aboard - you should soon.  It includes a what to wear section, and on a 7 night cruise you are likely to have 2 formal nights.  Unlike most lines nowadays, Saga does like men to wear a DJ or suit, and most do so, with just a few perhaps in a blazer or other jacket.  Most women do not wear long full evening dresses, more often a long skirt or black trousers and evening top, or a cocktail type dress.

[silversurf1]

Thank you for your replies. Very helpful.

[lincslady]

 

It has just struck me that there are possibilities of change - Discovery is obviously going to appeal to a younger set (50+) more, so Saga could make evening dress codes more like the luxury lines, like Seabourn and Regent,  and more relaxed OR, as the ship is more 'glamorous' than the old ones, more people might be inclined to dress up to the nines!  Time will tell.

 

She certainly looks lovely, and is off today on her maiden voyage.  I am sure you will love her if she is like a luxury version of the old ships, with the same caring and efficient crew and staff.

[Glenndale]

One thing I’ve noticed since Saga was given its own forum, there are lots of new posters.

This helps spread the information 🙂

[cinnamon]

It is the prospect of Formal Nights again that nearly stopped me wanting to try Saga. We have taken over 40 cruises. In the early days we enjoyed doing the whole dress up thing but feel that cruising has moved on.

Recently we have cruised mostly on Azamara where smart casual is the order for each evening and I’ve never seen anyone abuse that. In fact quite a few men choose a jacket on some nights but it’s very much optional. 

 

The saving grace is that we’re picked up from home of course, so luggage is no problem. As ours is just 7 nights, the packing will be easy. However, DH will still moan about packing a pair of black shoes to wear with a dark suit, just to wear them twice for about 3 or 4 hours. 😏

Corinne

[Mrs Miggins]

Hi Corinne,

Just what we were thinking.  The dress code on Azamara and Viking suits us well.  DH really not keen on taking a DJ or even a suit.  Hoping to wear a jacket and tie instead.  I used to take the whole evening dress thing, but will certainly not do that for this cruise.  I will of course dress up for the formal nights but only in similar clothes than I would wear, going to the specialities for example, on Azamara or Viking.

We embark on Scenic next week and no formal wear is required.  However I guarantee that the standard of dress will be good in the evening.

Hoping that on this new ship Saga relax their requirements a little to be in line with many other premium lines.

Pam

[lincslady]

Mrs. M - I am sure your DH will 'get away' with just a jacket and tie, though he will be in a bit of a minority.  My DH brings his dj, as he does not have a good suit, but I too hope that Saga will do away with the formal requirement on the new ships - though hope they also do ask for at least jacket and tie, so the ladies can dress up a bit too.  The formal evenings are the ones where the Captain holds his 'cocktail party', and the menu is usually a bit special.

 

On all other evenings many  men do not wear a jacket,  just a nice shirt with maybe a pullover, and the Maitre'ds are pretty accommodating and non-judgmental. (Oh, and trousers, of course!).  

 

Saga still has photographers,  though not at all in your face, and on Sapphire and Pearl a lot of people (not us) liked to have a formal portrait taken in their finery.  I think this is likely to die down on the new ships in time.

[Mrs Miggins]

Thanks for the information.  We are looking forward to our cruise and promise not to let the side down too much ! 

[Glenndale]

From our experience on Sapphire, whilst many men wore DJs, a jacket and tie certainly sufficed.

For the ladies almost anything goes in terms of dresses, trousers, skirts and tops. seems a little unfair to the gents.

When I started cruising I enjoyed the formal nights but after nearly 70 cruises, whilst I still dress nicely (IMHO 😉) I now prefer the 'country club casual' approach.

We're off on Queen Victoria in a few weeks and I will have to dig out my formal dresses. Fortunately cruising from the UK luggage isn't the same problem as when flying.

There may well be only 1 formal night on the 7 night cruises.

 

 

Edited July 11, 2019 by Glenndale

[kentchris]

It's worth remembering that The Grill serves the same menu as the MDR on formal nights, so anyone who doesn't feel like dressing up can dine in public without embarrassment.

[white_bear]

On 7/9/2019 at 9:49 PM, silversurf1 said:

We are booked for 7 nights on Spirit of Discovery in September and can find no information on dress codes. Do Saga have formal nights?

We have really enjoyed them on other cruise lines and are hoping for at least two on our forthcoming cruise.

We are also on Spirit of Discovery in September - just the 4 night cruise - and although we have had the excellent little booklet, we couldn't determine if there was a formal night.  I emailed Saga and they confirmed that, even on this mini cruise, we will have a formal night.  Not a problem for us, but it is good to know.

[IbizaLover]

I would say that of the four cruise lines we have sailed with, Saga have been the most formal on their formal nights. Not a bad thing though, and my husband really enjoys it, and I get a chance to dress up for once, although as others have said, it doesn’t have to be long dresses.

[Bazrat]

On 7/10/2019 at 7:00 PM, lincslady said:

Mrs. M - I am sure your DH will 'get away' with just a jacket and tie, though he will be in a bit of a minority.  My DH brings his dj, as he does not have a good suit, but I too hope that Saga will do away with the formal requirement on the new ships - though hope they also do ask for at least jacket and tie, so the ladies can dress up a bit too.  The formal evenings are the ones where the Captain holds his 'cocktail party', and the menu is usually a bit special.

 

On all other evenings many  men do not wear a jacket,  just a nice shirt with maybe a pullover, and the Maitre'ds are pretty accommodating and non-judgmental. (Oh, and trousers, of course!).  

 

Saga still has photographers,  though not at all in your face, and on Sapphire and Pearl a lot of people (not us) liked to have a formal portrait taken in their finery.  I think this is likely to die down on the new ships in time.

They should go down the American informal route,than those who have experienced formal nights will be happy those who haven’t tough luck.

[DreamflightPat]

On 7/24/2019 at 6:09 PM, IbizaLover said:

I would say that of the four cruise lines we have sailed with, Saga have been the most formal on their formal nights. Not a bad thing though, and my husband really enjoys it, and I get a chance to dress up for once, although as others have said, it doesn’t have to be long dresses.

So pleased to hear that Saga does do formal nights.   I like Cunard because of this also.  If people don't like it there are plenty of other cruise lines to choose from.  I am doing my first Saga cruise in April and really looking forward to it.

 

[Bazrat]

3 hours ago, DreamflightPat said:

So pleased to hear that Saga does do formal nights.   I like Cunard because of this also.  If people don't like it there are plenty of other cruise lines to choose from.  I am doing my first Saga cruise in April and really looking forward to it.

 

Most of the time it is those who have already done it got board with it and wish for it be changed they are  the ones who kick up the most fuss,we really enjoy it but not the endless shopping trying to find that perfect dress.

 

[tobykim1]

We are going on discovery for 2 weeks over Christmas. My husband isn't a great one for dressing up and I wondered if there was anywhere we could eat on the formal nights without him having to wear a suit

[Kohima]

Yes, smart casual is always fine in the Grill, even on formal nights. You won’t miss out on the formal night menu either, as it’s the same in the Grill as the main dining room. Waiter served, too. 
 

Apart from the speciality restaurants and the main dining room, smart casual dress is now fine everywhere else on the ship on formal nights.

[FatBoy20]

1 hour ago, tobykim1 said:

We are going on discovery for 2 weeks over Christmas. My husband isn't a great one for dressing up and I wondered if there was anywhere we could eat on the formal nights without him having to wear a suit

In the Grill.

[tobykim1]

Thanks for the replies

[Denarius]

1 hour ago, Kohima said:

Yes, smart casual is always fine in the Grill, even on formal nights. You won’t miss out on the formal night menu either, as it’s the same in the Grill as the main dining room. Waiter served, too. 
 

Apart from the speciality restaurants and the main dining room, smart casual dress is now fine everywhere else on the ship on formal nights.

except in the theatre, which for some strange (to me) reason has recently been added to the formal dress only zone. Saga sometimes moves in mysterious ways!

[nosapphire]

Formal attire applies in the theatre on formal nights, so he may want to pack a jacket and tie anyway just in case. Be a shame if there was a show that you really would like to see on a formal night but you couldn't get in (cabin TV is not quite the same for some shows).

Formal does not have to be the full DJ. And if he is a tie-hater, find somewhere that sells clip-on ties.

[JoJo1947]

2 hours ago, Kohima said:

Yes, smart casual is always fine in the Grill, even on formal nights. You won’t miss out on the formal night menu either, as it’s the same in the Grill as the main dining room. Waiter served, too. 
 

Apart from the speciality restaurants and the main dining room, smart casual dress is now fine everywhere else on the ship on formal nights.

Nope you can't go to the treatre

[Kohima]

The latest information from Saga states that smart casual is now ok in the theatre on formal nights.