Post Covid Formal Night on RC in the Med.

[Reina del Mar]

We last cruised on Royal Caribbean three years ago, pre Covid. As a family group we chose to have tuxes for the men and Cocktail dresses for the ladies. As per RC dress code suggestions.. 

 

On the second formal night, we felt we were being stared at for being dressed too formally in the MDR. The majority wore smart casual but at least 30% in casual wear, including shorts.(Yes shorts in MDR)

 

Please can anyone  share post Covid experience of how formal formal nights are these days.?

 

Many thanks.

[Biker19]

Just now, Reina del Mar said:

Please can anyone  share post Covid experience of how formal formal nights are these days.?

This may vary a bit depending on where you are sailing from, but your prior experience is likely to be the same.

[Reina del Mar]

We are sailing from Barcelona, around the Med., on Wonder of the Seas.

 

A Princess cruise in March/April this year, allowed men to wear shorts in MDR on a `Caribbean cruise which they haven’t allowed previously. However, 70% or so dressed formally on each of the three formal nights.

 

Hence my confusion.

[gumshoe958]

As a general rule, I find European cruises tend to be more formal than Caribbean ones. And UK ones especially so (thanks to the Cunard and P&O legacy, although both are far less formal than they used to be).

 

But Royal will always be less formal than, say, Princess or Cunard. So wear whatever you feel comfortable wearing. It’s your holiday.

[Reina del Mar]

We did that three years ago, but certainly did not feel comfortable being stared at !!!

 

Anyone with post Covid experience please ??

[snoope]

I usually stare at the dressed up people in admiration of their patience, and ability to look so good dressed up. 

[Jasukkie]

In my experience, you will still see some family groups on the New York sailings getting really dressed up, though not a lot of tuxes. Not many dressing up from Florida sailings, and super casual on west coast sailings. I can't speak to post-restart European cruises.

 

[Billy Baltic]

31 minutes ago, Reina del Mar said:

We are sailing from Barcelona, around the Med., on Wonder of the Seas.

 

A Princess cruise in March/April this year, allowed men to wear shorts in MDR on a `Caribbean cruise which they haven’t allowed previously. However, 70% or so dressed formally on each of the three formal nights.

 

Hence my confusion.

If it’s on Wonder in early July, you might see me in shorts but I promise not to stare at your choice of clothes. 

[Biker19]

15 minutes ago, Reina del Mar said:

Anyone with post Covid experience please ??

Again, you will likely experience the same as you did three years ago.

[life is to be happy]

Just wear what you want to and what you feel comfortable wearing 

its your holiday too that you have paid for - same as other people have

I tend to wear a dressy dress on formal night and hubby wears dress trousers and shirt 

but it wouldn't bother us if we saw people not dressed up

enjoy your cruise

[Cruise a holic]

On our last March cruise- at least 50% were formally dressed 35% neatly dressed- the some sloppy.  The sloppy people tended to be in the Casino most of the night!  Probably ate at the buffet.

 

We want to celebrate our ability to cruise again and will continue to wear cocktail party attire.

[Markanddonna]

1 hour ago, snoope said:

I usually stare at the dressed up people in admiration of their patience, and ability to look so good dressed up. 

I wonder how heavy their luggage was. 😁

[Cruiseenthusiast101]

In regards to this how strict is RCL with the policy when it comes to color. I was planning on bringing a light grey (charcoal) colored suit for the cruise as my other suits seem to big now 🙂 Not sure if I should go out and purchase a new outfit. Thanks!

[billslowsky]

2 hours ago, Billy Baltic said:

If it’s on Wonder in early July, you might see me in shorts but I promise not to stare at your choice of clothes. 

Agree, but I would say I promise not to care about your choice of clothes.

[snoope]

2 hours ago, Cruiseenthusiast101 said:

In regards to this how strict is RCL with the policy when it comes to color. I was planning on bringing a light grey (charcoal) colored suit for the cruise as my other suits seem to big now 🙂 Not sure if I should go out and purchase a new outfit. Thanks!

There is no “strict”. Wear what you want. Mdr staff will never say a peep to you. It’s become more as an optional thing.