Formal Night

[HarleyGirl]

Do a lot of people skip formal night altogether? Is there somewhere else to eat that evening? I'm just thinking shorts and T's might be a little more comfortable! And room service sounds pretty nice too!

[c85f9]

I'm sure lots of ppl skip formal night...but for me personally, it's one of my favourite parts!! It's so fun to get all dresed up, and people watch...but to each his own *sigh* To answer your question, You can always eat in the lido restaurant, or order room service... either way, Enjoy!!

[Cinderose]

You will see a bit of everything, But the majority will dress up. Go with what you will be comfortable in! You can always go to the buffet instead.

[Cotton]

I'm sure they are many passengers who choose not to dress for dinner, like you, and are probably just as happy having their dinner at the Lido Buffet area. I wouldn't suggest room service unless you want sandwiches, snacks, desserts only.

[cherylandtk]

Some people do, and if you want to skip it, that's fine. You can grab some pizza up on the lido deck and/or order room service. You can also eat in the buffet, but you may find shorts there a bit underdressed, but nobody is going to tell you to leave.

 

But do a lot skip formal night? Heck no, its one of the highlights of the cruise for most folks. If you have tried it and don't like it fine. But if you haven't tried it, give it a chance.

[cruisealot]

I'm sure they are many passengers who choose not to dress for dinner, like you, and are probably just as happy having their dinner at the Lido Buffet area. I wouldn't suggest room service unless you want sandwiches, snacks, desserts only.

 

Cotton, I thought you could order dinner from the room service menu during dinner hours? They could have changed that policy since the last time I heard this.

 

I really enjoy going to formal nights. It's fun to dress up and enjoy a nice dinner. I do see some people coming to formal night dinner dressed a little less than formal, and they never kick them out of the dining room. I would dress in what you are comfortable in and enjoy the dinning room.

Happy cruising!

cruisealot

[GoinCruisin]

Cotton, I thought you could order dinner from the room service menu during dinner hours? They could have changed that policy since the last time I heard this.

 

 

No, you can't order anything other than what is on the room service menu, at any time of the day...

 

I've never noticed many people skipping formal nights.. if anything, it is more crowded on formal nights...

[Cotton]

No, GC has your answer.

 

It hasn't changed - it just never WAS that way....not on Carnival ships.

[martdm]

We tend to skip formal night. To us, the idea of having to lug formal wear on the cruise & fuss in a confined space to get it and us ready for dinner is far more bother than it's worth, especially since the menu selections are never anything to die for. We can conveniently dress up & have a nice dinner any day we want here at home, so we choose not to complicate our vacation with this.

 

I know there are many who really enjoy it for whatever their reasons may be, but the highlights of our trips usually involve the places we visit and the people we meet...formal night ranks very low on the list. We typically use formal night as an opportunity to try a new restaurant (if we are in port), have a private picnic in our suite/balcony, or check out the buffet/alternative dining options on board.

 

We just don't find it that big a deal I guess. Just my opinion...I know I'm in the minority.

[crisp1]

Formal night to me is like halloween. Dress up, fantasy, playing a game.

There are all kinds of ways to be 'formal'. use your imagination. You could go 'Harley' formal.... full gear!? boots, leather, etc. I've heard of people who did the anti-formal thing and went in bathrobes. It's your cruise, have fun, (no hotshorts tho- unless your at my table lol). How about bow tie, leather vest and formal pants. Go with it! have fun, don't let other tell you how to be 'formal'. Just look at Hollywood and fashion shows

[gfsmith]

Formal night to me is like halloween. Dress up, fantasy, playing a game.

There are all kinds of ways to be 'formal'. use your imagination. You could go 'Harley' formal.... full gear!? boots, leather, etc. I've heard of people who did the anti-formal thing and went in bathrobes. It's your cruise, have fun, (no hotshorts tho- unless your at my table lol). How about bow tie, leather vest and formal pants. Go with it! have fun, don't let other tell you how to be 'formal'. Just look at Hollywood and fashion shows

 

 

Best advice i've heard yet....HAVE FUN!! You dont have to dress formal, you can dress nice and still feel welcome. Its not all about the FOO-FOO to everyone.......lol But bathrobes is a bit extreme....lol ANyway whatever YOU decide make sure you have a great time its your vacation.

[mc'smom]

Actually

one night on the miracle a couple were seating at a table beside us and one woman wasn't feeling that great and she ask the server if they could have thier dinner to go... I immediately pictured styrofoam takeout containers.. LOL

 

but our server said she would contact room service and they would deliver it to their cabin... I guess it does not hurt to ask...

 

But then again they did not order it from room service... :)

[wwakla]

I was on a very tight budget last time I went and was unable to bring a gown per say. I brought an ankle length dress and thought for sure I would be underdressed. I was not. I was in the majority. In fact there were alot of dress'. I even remember a woman in a very smart looking suit gussied up with jewelry. She looked really nice. So it is every ones own opinions as to what dressed up is.

Take the above advise and go for it. It is the experience of a life time and you will be sorry if you didn't.

[Cotton]

Harley, I wanted to add this: Last year my son and his GF and another couple went on a cruise. My son & GF dressed for dinner every night and enjoyed the dining room. Their friends brought only shorts, knowing they would be having all meals on Lido. They sound like you - they just didn't want to dress. Both couples enjoyed their cruise, doing what each wanted to do. Whatever works.:)

[scarecrowbirdie]

Is formal night strictly dinner only, or is everyone still in thier formal gear after the dinner is over for the shows and what not?

[wwakla]

I ran to my cabin and put my shorts back on. Hate hosiery and heels. Alot of people did the same.

[greg randall]

most of the time, to get a good seat for the shows, it would be rushing it to go back to the room and change..we had a late seating and found that most people at the shows were wearing what they dressed for dinner. not mandatory at all//

[Cotton]

Many passengers, myself included, stay in their nice outfits for the entire evening; however, some do change into something more casual after dinner. Probably about half and half.

 

In one Capers, I saw an announcement from the Captain about formal night... and I'm quoting from that:

 

"For this festive night on the Holiday, wear your finery throughout the evening to continue the gala atmosphere."

[vacationminuskids]

we're not doing "formal" per se. We're doing more of a Sunday's best sort of thing. I had a baby less than 3 months ago and am NOT going to buy a dress just for this occasion but am going for something I will probably wear again. So, casual dress for me and khaki's and tie for the hubby!

[born2crooz]

Although we're not "fond" of formal nights, I bought a tux a few years back and my wife usually buys 1 new dress and wears one she already has from a previous cruise for the second night.

 

It is fun to dress up, but unless we're rushing to a show, we immediately change back into shorts and t shirts. I'd say about 1/2 of the passengers stay dressed formally.

 

Of course, I think wearing my tux gets me more pts than guys that wear only a sportjacket but for the entire night, lol.

[martdm]

Is formal night strictly dinner only, or is everyone still in thier formal gear after the dinner is over for the shows and what not?

 

In my experience, only a minority of people stay in their formal wear all night.

[OCDACTIVE]

In my experience, only a minority of people stay in their formal wear all night.

 

I have seen most people are still dressed the majority of the night in the lounges and sitting areas.. but as for the dance clubs and casino most people change into something more comfortable and stuff they don't care if it gets smokey...

[zydecocruiser]

In my experience, only a minority of people stay in their formal wear all night.

 

That is my experience.

 

Of course, you could always put on a decent pair of jeans and top and try the main dining room. All they can say is no, and the odds of them saying that are slim and none.

[FurryCruiser]

I and my partner wear our tux's for the rest of the evening.... so it's formal for the Captain's cocktail party, formal dinner, the show that night, and then a cigar and brandy afterwards. I've never really analyzed it, but most of the folks I identified as being formally dressed at dinner are still so dressed later in the evening... at least as long as I'm up; of course, I don't go into the dance clubs.

[OCDACTIVE]

That is my experience.

 

Of course, you could always put on a decent pair of jeans and top and try the main dining room. All they can say is no, and the odds of them saying that are slim and none.

 

had to throw the jeans in here too?? lol... isn't there a thread for that???