Can you help a newbie to Royal out?

[cheermomof2girls]

We have cruised on Carnival a lot- and only once on Royal a few years ago.

We just booked last minute- leaving Friday on the Adventure.

 

We plan on buying the drink package and most likely the Key.  If we get the Key, do we get to board earlier than the time currently assigned?  We are currently at 1:30- booking late made that the earliest option.

 

Also, how formal do most go for the dressy night?  We stopped eating in the dining room on Carnival several cruises back but wanted to give it more of a try this time.  Last royal cruise we were on one of the older smaller ships, I can't remember the name- we did the specialty dining package- but they only had chops, the Italian and sushi places.  We ate several times at the sushi place and loved it.  We are debating doing the unlimited specialty dining or just experiencing the main dining room to check it out. 

[Biker19]

25 minutes ago, cheermomof2girls said:

If we get the Key, do we get to board earlier than the time currently assigned?  We are currently at 1:30- booking late made that the earliest option.

 

Also, how formal do most go for the dressy night? 

Don't get Key just for earlier boarding - the usual recommendation is to only get it if only $1-2 above the Voom package and you were going to buy internet anyway.

 

Just about any kind of dress is acceptable on "formal" nights.

[BoomerangThree]

26 minutes ago, cheermomof2girls said:

We have cruised on Carnival a lot- and only once on Royal a few years ago.

We just booked last minute- leaving Friday on the Adventure.

 

We plan on buying the drink package and most likely the Key.  If we get the Key, do we get to board earlier than the time currently assigned?  We are currently at 1:30- booking late made that the earliest option.

 

Also, how formal do most go for the dressy night?  We stopped eating in the dining room on Carnival several cruises back but wanted to give it more of a try this time.  Last royal cruise we were on one of the older smaller ships, I can't remember the name- we did the specialty dining package- but they only had chops, the Italian and sushi places.  We ate several times at the sushi place and loved it.  We are debating doing the unlimited specialty dining or just experiencing the main dining room to check it out. 

This is from the RCL site.

1.  The Key

Summary of your benefits: 
• Priority access into the terminal (within booked arrival time) on Day 1. 
• Carry-on bag drop off and delivery to stateroom. Drop-off your carry-on bags in the Main Dining Room until 1:30pm. 
• Exclusive welcome lunch in the Main Dining Room featuring the Chops Grille Lunch menu. 
• Private time at onboard activities including Rock Climbing, FlowRider and more. 
• Priority departure at tender ports of call from ship-to-shore. 
• Seats in the exclusive VIP seating section at shows in the Main Theatre, Aqua Theater, Studio B and Two70 (reservation is needed). 
• VOOM ® Surf & Stream 1 Device high speed internet. 
• On debarkation day, enjoy an exclusive à la carte breakfast and choice departure.

 

2.  Dress Code

https://www.royalcaribbean.com/faq/questions/generic-onboard-dress-code

[Lane Hog]

In 1997, we wore tuxes and formal gowns.  In 2017, we wore dress trousers with jackets/ties and dresses with heels...  Not so much anymore.

We saw everything on formal/elegant night with our recent RCL cruise... Smart casual was more prevalent than anything I'd call formal or elegant.  A few older couples in sequins and suits, but in general, mostly collared shirts and trousers with the men (a few ties) and nice dresses/skirts on the women.  We saw also saw guys in polos with cargo shorts, women with ripped jeans, and kids in jeans with a T-shirt bought at the last port...

They all got served with the same level of dignity and respect, even if their dress didn't meet what was requested.

[Sirlancelot]

Great Topic of Dress Code. We did all our early cruising on Carnival then went over to Royal so I know both. You can wear whatever you want! Just focus on your own little group and what makes you comfortable. Remember the AC is designed for guys in suits ha ha! Do you want fancy pictures? Do you like wearing dressy stuff? Do you have quirkly non dressy stuff? You do not have to follow a dress code. Make your own way on this one! There are some families that clearly wanted to get really dressed up for the pictures. I loved watching them! Some like dancing and they dress up. I got rid of ALL my dresses after I wore them enough and now it is slacks and jackets . 

[luckyinpa]

many go all dressed up on formal nites. id say more than 50% arent wearing shorts etc. however i had no issue going to the MDR in shorts while my better half wore a stunning dress. you should wear what you are comfy in, not what others dictate.  also you can wear a nice shirt and the photogs will just get you from the waist up so your pics still will come out nice. 

 

if you wanna fit in, you def wanna dress up. if you dont, you dont. 

 

as far as specialty dining id go on the ship without a plan unless you are certain you are going to get your moneys worth. i know oasis is bigger but i found i dont need to spend a dime to eat, all the free stuff is good. 

[vacationlover_mn]

Every night, I wear a dress… but not cuz I feel I have to 🙂. I just want to.  DH now wears a Hawaiian shirt and khakis every night.  We used to dress up for formal nights, but like doing this now instead.  People wear anything from shorts to fancy stuff 🙂

[publicpersona]

Before the day of baggage charges, we'd dress to the nines. I particularly liked wearing my tux and going to the casino on formal nights with a martini, perhaps hoping to run into Plenty O'Toole.

 

That was then. Now, I typically dress long-sleeve dress shirt and chinos every night to dinner (just because I want to), and bring a tie for formal nights. After several recent cruises, I've now decided the tie was overkill.

 

Formal night is an opportunity for you to dress up as much as you want to, and you should. But don't care what anyone else thinks about what you are wearing (shorts and tank tops excepted).

Edited March 29, 2022 by publicpersona