Formal night...Don't wanna go

[herb]

BTW' date=' many land-based resorts also have dress codes in the evening. [/quote']

 

We've been to many land based resorts.......... the dress codes are for the restaurant ONLY, not to walk around the property.

[Pam in CA]

At the all-inclusive resort we stayed at two years ago in Cancun...they had a strict dress code for a few of the restaurants. You could not dine there without the proper clothes.

 

However, you could eat at other restaurants or the buffet in whatever you wanted. I figured this was the case for our Grand Princess cruise leaving march 4th.

Within reason. You can't (or shouldn't) go to the buffet in your bathing suit and in the evening, you can be casual but still should be dressed. :)

 

This is our first cruise so I am a newbie to all of this...but I had assumed the formal nights were optional. My husband and I plan on attending both, however our three kids were only going to do the first one with us and spend the second one with their Grandma eating burgers or pizza. I only packed them one formal night's worth of clothes.

 

Is this going to be okay?

Formal nights are "optional" if you're planning to be casual as long as you go to the buffet rather than the dining rooms.

 

People do go to the dining rooms on formal nights dressed casually and while you'll see people do it, and get away with it, that doesn't mean it's OK. Probably no one will shake their finger at you or force you to leave. Not too many years ago, a gentleman wouldn't be allowed into the dining room ANY night without a tie. The Maitre D had ties on hand for those who "forgot" them.

 

With cruising appealing to a broader spectrum of cruisers and being so much less-expensive with more people being able to afford to cruise, there is more of a casual atmosphere onboard and the cruiselines have adjusted.

[sblahars]

My feeling is that there should absolutely be no exceptions in the dining room. If you are not dressed formally on formal night, you should not be allowed in. But to say that there are no exceptions anywhere else (buffet, pizzeria, etc) is just dumb. The whole point of those locations is specifically for that reason, to be casual all the time. And someone shouldnt' be excluded from the evening entertainment because they didn't eat dinner in the dining room.

[bdjam]

As someone with late traditional this "change after dinner" thing kills me. As Traditional late diners' date=' just as we're out and about to have a glass of champagne before dinner - dressed to the nines - we get to watch the parade of folks in shorts, tshirts, sweats, or whatever head to the evening show "in comfort." It's my recollection that the dress code is in force in the public areas of the ship throughout the evening. I think that may be a quote from a patter. BTW, many land-based resorts also have dress codes in the evening. It's not so difficult to stay in one's formal wear if it has been selected carefully and fits properly. It shouldn't be any more restrictive than a pair of jeans and a t-shirt.[/quote']

Amen sister…I too am a Traditional Late diner and don't particularly enjoy the t--shirt and shorts parade to the show lounges while I'm dressed and on my way to dinner.

Probably no one will shake their finger at you or force you to leave.

Actually, I have been witness to people who were not dressed according to the guidelines being turned away from the dining room on formal night – the Head Waiter mentioned “in respect to the other passengers” while he turned them away. Hit that nail on the head - and a good way to do it - then it's us formal-lovers who are at fault and not the cruise line!

[herb]

Actually, I have been witness to people who were not dressed according to the guidelines being turned away from the dining room on formal night – the Head Waiter mentioned “in respect to the other passengers” while he turned them away.

 

How poorly were these guests who you witnessed being turned away? I doubt it was because the gentelman wasn't wearing a tie, or the lady not wearing a cocktail dress.

[CruisinChris]

We've been to many land based resorts.......... the dress codes are for the restaurant ONLY, not to walk around the property.

 

Which is exactly the reason the dress code extends to public areas as well - to maintain the atmosphere of formal NIGHT (not dinner). FYI - over time I have believed this is intended for the main decks: 5,6,7 not the Lido or Sun decks.

[PescadoAmarillo]

As someone with late traditional this "change after dinner" thing kills me. As Traditional late diners' date=' just as we're out and about to have a glass of champagne before dinner - dressed to the nines - we get to watch the parade of folks in shorts, tshirts, sweats, or whatever head to the evening show "in comfort." It's my recollection that the dress code is in force in the public areas of the ship throughout the evening.[/quote']

I understand exactly what you're saying, but realize too that all the "early diners" stand in the elevator to go to the captain's cocktail party with people in swimsuits dripping wet from the pools, pass by folks in shorts and tshirts, etc. It is a rare cruise ship passenger who dresses in formal wear at 5:00pm when they don't dine until 8:30pm; it is also rare to find a person who is dressed formally at 5:00pm and stays that way until 1 or 2 in the morning.

[herb]

I understand exactly what you're saying, but realize too that all the "early diners" stand in the elevator to go to the captain's cocktail party with people in swimsuits dripping wet from the pools, pass by folks in shorts and tshirts, etc. It is a rare cruise ship passenger who dresses in formal wear at 5:00pm when they don't dine until 8:30pm; it is also rare to find a person who is dressed formally at 5:00pm and stays that way until 1 or 2 in the morning.

 

Couldn't have said it better!!!

[bdjam]

How poorly were these guests who you witnessed being turned away? I doubt it was because the gentelman wasn't wearing a tie, or the lady not wearing a cocktail dress.

Jeans, Hawaiian shirts and one muu-muu. I personally find a nice tux with an open shirt quite attractive - lack of tie doesn't mean not formally dressed. Those I've seen on a ship who are not formally dressed leave no doubt about the fact.

I understand exactly what you're saying, but realize too that all the "early diners" stand in the elevator to go to the captain's cocktail party with people in swimsuits dripping wet from the pools, pass by folks in shorts and tshirts, etc. It is a rare cruise ship passenger who dresses in formal wear at 5:00pm when they don't dine until 8:30pm; it is also rare to find a person who is dressed formally at 5:00pm and stays that way until 1 or 2 in the morning.

I would think normally those that start their evening at 5:00 would be in bed by 2:00 in the morning. In the old days – when I started cruising – it was frowned upon to be on deck anywhere on the ship after 6:00 and not be properly dressed. Crew members would remind passengers of the dress guidelines when they were not properly attired. So, those going to early dinner wouldn’t be witness to dripping swimsuits. But that doesn’t change the point – people in dripping swimsuits could find other ways to get from a pool to their stateroom without having to go through the main thoroughfares of the ship.

[DrD]

We love Princess because you do have a choice. Like a previous poster my DH has to wear a shirt and tie everyday and evening dress for quite a lot of functions so doesn't like it on the ship. I do however, so we compromise and dress up for some of the formal nights and go casual the other nights and eat in the Horizon Court - no problem and everyone is happy.

 

Julie

 

This explanation has always confused me. I eat everyday, and sleep everyday, and try to read a good book everyday, but I still like to do all that on the ship. I'm not sure why wearing a shirt and tie everyday would make it harder to pull it off for 2 more nights on a cruise, especially when you don't have to dress all day.

 

We also hear alot how as cruises are cheaper you see less dressing up. I don't think this is a money thing in so far as richer people like to dress more but rather an age thing. Cheaper cruises mean younger people passengers, and for better or worse younger generations aren't as into dressing up. And I can say that because I'm relatively young (less than 40, well a bit less.)

[cruzinchris]

Amen sister…I too am a Traditional Late diner and don't particularly enjoy the t--shirt and shorts parade to the show lounges while I'm dressed and on my way to dinner. quote]

 

When DH and I were on the CB the week of January 28, the "dress code" was decidedly looser than it had been the previous year.

 

Formally dressed for the occasion, we made our way to the Captain's Welcome Cocktail Party on the first formal evening (early seating). In the Atrium, we encountered passengers in swim attire - bathing suits with scanty coverups and a bit too much daytime decollete, swimtrunks w/tee shirts, flip-flops, bare feet, etc. I thought this was totally disrespectful to the Captain and his Staff as well as to fellow passengers. Not sure that swim attire is appropriate in the Atrium at any time, but it was particularly offensive in light of the serenity of this special evening.

 

As for the "loose" dining room attire on those evenings not designated Formal, DH called it "stupid casual."

 

Bon Voyage!

Chris

[Ethel5]

Which is exactly the reason the dress code extends to public areas as well - to maintain the atmosphere of formal NIGHT (not dinner). FYI - over time I have believed this is intended for the main decks: 5' date='6,7 not the Lido or Sun decks.[/quote']

 

While I fully agree and have often argued the point, the Patter does state "dress for the EVENING" not just dinner. BUT those of us who dress and stay dressed often guide the non-dressing cruisers to eat in theHorizon Court as an

alternative. If this is so, then how can we not expect them to go to the shows, casino etc. in casual wear.

[sblahars]

I must respectully dissagree. I just reviewed my patter from our November Caribbean Princess cruise and it says "This evening's dress code is formal."

 

NO EXCEPTIONS. NOT THE PIZZERIA, NOT THE HORIZON COURT, AND NO CHANGING AFTER DINNER AND WEARING SHORTS AND A TANK TOP TO THE SHOW.

 

If you can't comply with the "code", try NCL or your "private balcony".

 

Now you know how I feel about this issue.

 

Rob

 

Ps: Don't get me started on list angles. LOL :D

 

So, what about if someone decides not to participate in the formal dinner, and instead of going to the show, they want to go to the pool. In your rules, there are no exceptions, so are they supposed to swim in a tuxedo?

[obnurse]

I think we've become a more casual society in general. Anyone checked out the school teachers lately? Very casual. How about church? Jeans and tennis shoes are commonplace now, much to the dismay of the pastors, I'm sure. When I was a kid I wore a fancy hat, gloves and a dress to church consistently. Remember nurses in white starched uniforms with white shoes, nylons and a starched white nurses cap? No more. We've traded all that for scrubs and tennis shoes and my nurse's cap long ended up in my daughter's dress-up box. I don't know if this is a positive trend or a negative trend, but it is the current trend. Cruise ships are a microcosm of society and we are in a constant state of evolution....I prefer to go with the flow and not sweat the small stuff. We all have more important things to worry about than what each other is wearing. Enjoy cruising!

[Kerry&LuAnn]

I contacted Princess Cruises and learned that on Formal Evenings you can stop at the Purser's Desk to pick up a set of blinders to wear so you aren't distracted by any casually dressed guests passing through the atrium. What a thoughtful idea! ;)

[tumeroll]

Jeans, Hawaiian shirts and one muu-muu. I personally find a nice tux with an open shirt quite attractive - lack of tie doesn't mean not formally dressed. quote]

 

I would seriously beg to differ with you on this point but since most every cruise line thread including horrors of horrors even Cunard has multiple threads with folks trying to defend why they want to dress like a bunch of mechanics - Just coming home from the garage WHO CARES ANYMORE.

 

It's your vaction and if you wish to destroy what is left of pleasant society, go right ahead and do it. Then when all the cruise lines begin to offer franchise food outlets because that is what the passengers enjoy dressing for, I am sure you will enjoy that because "just as long as I am crusing I don't care about anything else"

[Kerry&LuAnn]

I've cruised many times, but have yet to see any garage mechanics! Seriously, some of you folks sound like you are really fun to cruise with.....

[Kerry&LuAnn]

"Princess Cruises are now replacing their speciality dining rooms with an IHOP. And all onboard merchandise sales will be managed by Walmart." :D

[IKE]

You can dine in the Horizon Court, Pizzeria. No need to dress up if you do not want too. We were on the 2/11 sailing of the Caribbean Princess and saw men admitted into the dining room with no jacket, no tie, sweat shirt with a jacket over it. We were dressed formal.This was in the Coral Dining Room on the 2nd Formal night. We find nothing wrong with anyone choosing to do a casual night on the Formal night but the Maitre"D's should follow thru and "ENFORCE" the dress code in the formal dining rooms for that evening.Otherwise why bother..... I just checked the "Princess Patter" for formal nights and it saids Dress Formal but nowhere saids You cannot go casual into Horizon Court.

[DrD]

So, what about if someone decides not to participate in the formal dinner, and instead of going to the show, they want to go to the pool. In your rules, there are no exceptions, so are they supposed to swim in a tuxedo?

 

I think we all understand the dress code to apply on the main (lower) decks only. Lido and above are casual (or more technically "come as you are")

[leeuwarden]

I fail to see how someone elses attire would make anyone think they were personally being disrepected.

 

Maybe somepeople should worry less about what someone else is wearing and think more about things that really do matter.

amen 2 that, enjoy your cruise, without being a judge of other people!!!!

[TexasMom2]

I contacted Princess Cruises and learned that on Formal Evenings you can stop at the Purser's Desk to pick up a set of blinders to wear so you aren't distracted by any casually dressed guests passing through the atrium. What a thoughtful idea! ;)

 

I almost fell out of my chair....this is the best thing I've read on this board, ever! :D :D

[LARGIN]

Read this...

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=265645

[beijing]

Ive been on a number of cruises and although i wore a suit a good number of others did not, they were dressed casually in golf shirts and khaki type pants. this was on al lthe cruises we have been on. ncl and carnival. i cant see them turning you away if you are dressed resort casual.

[Ula]

I always dress for formal night, I have never gone to the dinning room. My husband and I are just more comfortable with the buffet and not eating with strangers. That is just us. Our last cruise a senior newlywed couple dressed formal every night. They dined with us in the buffet. Nicest people.

I like to dress and go and watch the formal areas, seeing the people get their pictures taken and such to me is fun. I dress for that. And then go and eat where we just feel more comfortable.

This senior couple and us just hit it off because we were kind of shy people. We liked to know people and feel out the comfort level with them. But we all did respect the dress of formal night. It is so much fun to people watch.

But many people also dress formal but do not do the dining and such. Just not as outgoing, and we more read the rule book than anyone else.