'Formal' nights now 'Dress to Impress'?

[Steelers36]

On 1/14/2022 at 5:54 PM, dcrow72 said:

must have been short lived as I was on Regal a couple of times since then and no sign of Dress to Impress.  It's all about whatever you want without passing judgment.  There are lines still enforcing formal attire from what I hear so everyone has a choice.  

I thought the only one left doing that is Cunard.  But wouldn't put serious money on that claim.

[wowzz]

4 hours ago, Steelers36 said:

I thought the only one left doing that is Cunard.  But wouldn't put serious money on that claim.

P&O (UK) have formal nights (two per week) and the vast majority of passengers follow the suggested dress code. 

[MissP22]

7 hours ago, rj59 said:

I skipped a couple of formal nights on Princess on an Alaskan cruise several years ago because I was afraid of the formal night requirements posted for a jacket. Fortunately, on the Majestic in October my waiter assured me that I wouldn't be turned away with just a collared shirt and slacks, and I didn't feel awkward or judged, with plenty of people dressed similarly.

It's to bad their description of formal night scared you from eating in the dining room. As you found out Princess has relaxed their dress requirements and it been that way for many years now. 

I wish they would only publicize it in the same way all the other cruise line do so it wouldn't force people like your self to feel self-conscious.

 

[Grego]

The "Dress To Impress" suggestion is a cop out to be more accommodating to an audience the line is trying to lure.  Unfortunately the DTI suggestion is so loose that anyone with clothes on can walk into a dining room with no hassle for the staff.

I grew up sailing with Princess 30 years ago when a jacket was required and if you didn't have one they found one for you.  The elegance that once was part of both cruise and airline travel is gone turning both into nothing more than a bus to take you from point to point.

My wife and I truly like to dress in formal attire on those special nights.  It is something that she loves to do and I want to be with her at these times.

If folks don't want to dress up on those nights, then there are options for their dining plans such as the specialty restaurants and the buffet. 

[Potstech]

So no one is stopping you from dressing in formal attire.  Please dress to impress anyone you want to.  But that does not mean everyone else must be dictated to.  Many many things have changed in the last 30 years and most have changed with it.  Enjoy your cruise.

[MissP22]

If folks want to dress up on those nights, then they certainly have the choice to. Princess has the given the option to satisfy both groups without offending either side. 

The days of banning those that don't comply to the strict dress code are long over without forcing them to use the specialty restaurants at extra expense or the buffet. 

[Steelers36]

49 minutes ago, Grego said:

If folks don't want to dress up on those nights, then there are options for their dining plans such as the specialty restaurants and the buffet. 

If folks DO want to dress up in those nights, all dining options are available to them and they will be welcomed.  @Potstech and @MissP22 put it succinctly above.

[Steelers36]

6 hours ago, wowzz said:

P&O (UK) have formal nights (two per week) and the vast majority of passengers follow the suggested dress code. 

Appreciate the info, but your wording indicates that P&O doesn't enforce the code/guidance if a minority can wear something less (sounds like Princess when things started to change).  So, does anyone other than Cunard enforce dress?

[KLM3164]

2 hours ago, Grego said:

The "Dress To Impress" suggestion is a cop out to be more accommodating to an audience the line is trying to lure.  Unfortunately the DTI suggestion is so loose that anyone with clothes on can walk into a dining room with no hassle for the staff.

I grew up sailing with Princess 30 years ago when a jacket was required and if you didn't have one they found one for you.  The elegance that once was part of both cruise and airline travel is gone turning both into nothing more than a bus to take you from point to point.

My wife and I truly like to dress in formal attire on those special nights.  It is something that she loves to do and I want to be with her at these times.

If folks don't want to dress up on those nights, then there are options for their dining plans such as the specialty restaurants and the buffet. 

That’s not really fair for you to dictate what you think thousands of others should be doing on their vacation. Everyone has paid for the cruise and has the right to eat where they wish, which includes the MDR on a formal night or D2I night. My preferred dress is DH in a long sleeve shirt/tie (but certainly not a jacket) and I’ll wear a dress or nice black pants and fancy top. This is formal for us. If someone’s dress ruins your experience in the MDR then I don’t know what to say. 

 

Here’s a thought for you and your wife to consider:  You do you and I’ll do me. Life is too short to worry about what others are wearing in the MDR. As long as you and your wife look good to each other I personally believe this is what counts. 

[c-boy]

3 hours ago, Grego said:

The "Dress To Impress" suggestion is a cop out to be more accommodating to an audience the line is trying to lure.  Unfortunately the DTI suggestion is so loose that anyone with clothes on can walk into a dining room with no hassle for the staff.

I grew up sailing with Princess 30 years ago when a jacket was required and if you didn't have one they found one for you.  The elegance that once was part of both cruise and airline travel is gone turning both into nothing more than a bus to take you from point to point.

My wife and I truly like to dress in formal attire on those special nights.  It is something that she loves to do and I want to be with her at these times.

If folks don't want to dress up on those nights, then there are options for their dining plans such as the specialty restaurants and the buffet. 

aka: The Carnivalization of Princess syndrome

[MissP22]

27 minutes ago, KLM3164 said:

That’s not really fair for you to dictate what you think thousands of others should be doing on their vacation. Everyone has paid for the cruise and has the right to eat where they wish, which includes the MDR on a formal night or D2I night.

This part of your post is exactly what people have been discussing/arguing about for years now.

Why should anyone have to conform to someone else's desires in order to enjoy the evening themselves? 

Those that wish to dress formally can dress up every evening & make the whole cruise a really enjoyable event. 

[Tedferg]

18 hours ago, rj59 said:

 I suspect that's also a reason for going with the Medallion system--even if it drives many older cruisers crazy,  

What a demeaning thing to say. You are aware that the App does not work, plain and simple!

[MissP22]

15 minutes ago, Tedferg said:

What a demeaning thing to say. You are aware that the App does not work, plain and simple!

I believe they actually meant the Medallion class app, not the Medallion system once on board. 

Actually I haven read that many complaints about the Medallions on the ships not working. 

[cruisnfool]

It’s the new world order…anything does. You get numb to seeing the offenders after awhile

[Torfamm]

3 hours ago, MissP22 said:

This part of your post is exactly what people have been discussing/arguing about for years now.

Why should anyone have to conform to someone else's desires in order to enjoy the evening themselves? 

Those that wish to dress formally can dress up every evening & make the whole cruise a really enjoyable event. 

I’ve just considered dress codes aboard as a part of the bigger picture as I read  a story about a former Miss Universe who was asked to cover her crop top on a recent flight. I am happy not to be the one who has to decide how much skin, what words, what images, etc people’s clothing can show or what counts as a “top”. I imagine we all have an idea of what is “appropriate” for every venue whether it’s the pool, casino, or MDR but we will never all agree.

It’s also confusing that we are getting mixed messages. The app and Patter say “formal night” but the CD referred to “Dress to Impress” a couple of times.

Edited January 16, 2022 by Torfamm

[PrincessLuver]

1 hour ago, Tedferg said:

What a demeaning thing to say. You are aware that the App does not work, plain and simple!

 

Ahhhhhhhh...... we were just on a 10 day Princess cruise and the App for both of us and everyone else we knew worked flawlessly and was fantastic...plain and simple.......

[boca7]

On 1/6/2022 at 4:07 PM, PRNole47 said:

Cruiser now aboard the Sky says their 'formal nights' are now called 'Dress to Impress" and there are people wearing shorts and 'tees' on this night. Is this accurate or only aboard that ship?

We were on the Sky last month & the only person we saw with shorts on formal night was turned away.  we did not see as many tuxedo`s but everyone was well dressed.

[wowzz]

Personally, I wear a tuxedo/bow tie or a jacket and tie on formal nights, depending on the cruise line.

DTI is an interesting concept.  It really depends on who you are trying to impress - so, clean t-shirt and shorts,  plus baseball cap might  be  construed  as impressive to some people. 

Why don't cruise lines just say that, for  men, a shirt and tie and long trousers are the minimum requirements for formal nights.

I don't care if people say they want to dress as they want - go on a different holiday!

[stoneharborlady]

9 minutes ago, wowzz said:

Personally, I wear a tuxedo/bow tie or a jacket and tie on formal nights, depending on the cruise line.

DTI is an interesting concept.  It really depends on who you are trying to impress - so, clean t-shirt and shorts,  plus baseball cap might  be  construed  as impressive to some people. 

Why don't cruise lines just say that, for  men, a shirt and tie and long trousers are the minimum requirements for formal nights.

I don't care if people say they want to dress as they want - go on a different holiday!

You believe that people who dont wear what you do should go on a different holiday?

[wowzz]

Just now, stoneharborlady said:

You believe that people who dont wear what you do should go on a different holiday?

I believe that if the cruise line designates a certain dress code,  when you book the cruise, you agree to abide to the dress code.

So, yes, if you dont want to wear appropriate clothing, go on a different holiday !

[trbarton]

Here’s an easy way to dress for a man on a formal night & it’s formal attire in the Philippines. 
 

All of the Filipino staff will be impressed. They all had a big smile on their face. 
 

Tom😀

[PrincessLuver]

55 minutes ago, wowzz said:

I believe that if the cruise line designates a certain dress code,  when you book the cruise, you agree to abide to the dress code.

So, yes, if you dont want to wear appropriate clothing, go on a different holiday !

 

Can you please post a picture of your posh self so we will all know the standard....it is a suggested code not Princess Maritime Law...........🤯

[Potstech]

1 hour ago, wowzz said:

Personally, I wear a tuxedo/bow tie or a jacket and tie on formal nights, depending on the cruise line.

DTI is an interesting concept.  It really depends on who you are trying to impress - so, clean t-shirt and shorts,  plus baseball cap might  be  construed  as impressive to some people. 

Why don't cruise lines just say that, for  men, a shirt and tie and long trousers are the minimum requirements for formal nights.

I don't care if people say they want to dress as they want - go on a different holiday!

What does that do for cultures whose "formal attire" does not include ties?  Thete are several including Hawaii?

 

Also it is up to the venue as to what they allow or do not allow, not any individual passenger.  How about if you do not like what is allowed you consider a different holiday instead of all the others.  That would seem to be an easier way to make ALL happy.

Edited January 17, 2022 by Potstech

[generichandle]

Consider WHY 'Formal Nights' exist in cruising, why they EVER were enforced? It is certainly not to be inclusive, is it? 

[Tedferg]

.

Let's reset this discussion - why can't a guy go to MDR in just his boxers? Obviously there has to be a dress code that society accepts, so where is the line and who draws it?