How formal is formal night?

[cruisegirl1]

On 9/9/2022 at 4:40 PM, Ptroxx said:

I get a new one for every cruise. Lolol.   

Still  a T-shirt.  Wear what you like, but that T shirt is no different from any other logo T shirt.  You can wear any T shirt and be comparably dressed.  

M

Edited September 13, 2022 by cruisegirl1

[Ptroxx]

10 minutes ago, cruisegirl1 said:

Still just a T-shirt.  Wear what you like, but that T shirt is no different from any other logo T shirt.  You can wear any T shirt and be comparably dressed.  

M

It’s a lot different from any other logo tshirt.    
mine gets compliments from everyone all night long.   
on another cruise line in August(discovery princess in alaska) I got so many i stopped counting at 25 compliments.    
 

[shofer]

On 9/9/2022 at 2:04 PM, mjkacmom said:

My husband frequently wore suits to the office but now he usually wears a button down with his boxer shorts in our dining room. He was in a bit of a panic when he had to do some travel to other branches for work, not knowing if his suits still fit (one did). Occasionally he wears a jacket and tie with his boxers.

We are retired so never had to do the work from home thing.  But I laughed about the fit of his suit.  Hubby definitely has "Covid belly" as I call it and we had a wedding over Labor Day weekend.  I made him try on his "dress" clothes and big surprise (!) nothing fit.  Digging deep in his closet I did find a pair of Size 40 waist dress slacks with the tags still on them.  A dress shirt, tie and open sport coat completed his ensemble.

[nasa1974]

So, if you want to observe formal night is it both sea days or only one?

[Biker19]

3 minutes ago, nasa1974 said:

So, if you want to observe formal night is it both sea days or only one?

It depends on your definition of "formal" but some do attempt to dress just slightly "better" on both "formal" nights (which the ship could call something else).

[Mum2Mercury]

On 9/10/2022 at 10:01 AM, Nunagoras said:

Humm... Actually: If on one hand the airline strict luggage limits and sometimes extra price started the end of formal nights, the implosion of the smartphones with a built in photo machine definitely sealed its coffin. Whom will to purchase professional photos these days? Back in 2018 on another line's cruise, one of the photographers there told me that the cruise photo business had decreased some 30% on the last 5 years to that date. Things might to be even worse for that business nowadays. I ceased to purchase pro photos by 2015 or so. The Allure in Europe might have been my last pro photo purchase.

I just retired, but photography was a big part of my job for decades, and -- yes -- cell phone cameras have changed photography.  People purchase fewer pictures than they did a decade ago, and people don't seem to grasp the difference in quality between professional photography and a cell phone picture any more.  

On 9/12/2022 at 10:38 PM, kidz_rn said:

Why have rules if they’re not enforced? Chair hogs are the worst!!

Chair hogs ARE the worst!  I hope they spill their expensive cocktails, step on jelly fish, lose at the casino, and are chosen for a strip-search at the airport.  

 

Back to the point:  Having read these boards, I was expecting participation in formal night to be vastly-vastly decreased -- but last week on Explorer I'd say 30-40% of the people in the MDR had definitely "made an effort" on formal night.  I saw men in suits -- no tuxedos, at least none I saw.  Ladies in sequined, fancy dresses and heels.  And the remaining 60-70% were all in sundresses or pants/jeans and polos/buttoned shirts.  I saw no one (not that I was actively searching) who was downright inappropriate on formal night.

 

In contrast, on regular nights, I did see some grey hoodies, lots of graphic-tees, one Black Lives Matter tee, and (same evening, different table) a Trump ball cap.  On regular nights I saw many men in nice shorts and polos or nice tees -- and only about 10% in athletic wear (and they tended to be teens).  

 

I'd sum it up, saying:  The MDR is more casual than it used to be, but people seem to be dressing in what I'd call resort-casual, not sloppy.  

 

[Babyjax12]

Well, there’s surely a lot to be said on THAT topic! 😁 Having just sailed on the Symphony, I’d say formal is back on that ship. 2 nights of runway fashion. The vast majority of guests were very dressed up - gowns, glitter, suits and tuxes galore sailed the promenade. It was fun to see. Dining room clientele was a step down, but still quite dressy. We were in the dressy dress/shirt & tie group. BTW it was in the Caribbean (for the member who asked specifically). 

[nasa1974]

hahaha!!

So, I went on the Royal Caribbean website and searched "formal night".

It came back with "about 1,320,000,00 results" WHAT??

This was the first response to my question,

 

What is the dress code onboard all ships? | Royal Caribbean Cruises

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

Formal nights. Think of our formal dress code as a night out in your best black-tie look — suits and ties, tuxedos, cocktail dresses or evening gowns are all acceptable options. There can be 1 to 4 formal nights during a sailing and is at the ship’s discretion. Our Chef’s Table dining experience also enforces a formal dress code policy.

 

It did answer my question. 

Wherever you are coming from and going to have a safe trip.

[BirdTravels]

7 minutes ago, nasa1974 said:

hahaha!!

So, I went on the Royal Caribbean website and searched "formal night".

It came back with "about 1,320,000,00 results" WHAT??

This was the first response to my question,

 

What is the dress code onboard all ships? | Royal Caribbean Cruises

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

Formal nights. Think of our formal dress code as a night out in your best black-tie look — suits and ties, tuxedos, cocktail dresses or evening gowns are all acceptable options. There can be 1 to 4 formal nights during a sailing and is at the ship’s discretion. Our Chef’s Table dining experience also enforces a formal dress code policy.

 

It did answer my question. 

Wherever you are coming from and going to have a safe trip.

You would be horribly over dressed if you followed this direction. That doesn't say that you can't do it. but it is not required and the vast majority of passengers are in resort casual (or less) on Formal Nights. 

[Ptroxx]

My formal night wear on every cruise I go one.   
You’re on vacation.   Relax and have a good time.   

[CanHardlyWait4NextYear]

7 hours ago, BirdTravels said:

You would be horribly over dressed if you followed this direction. That doesn't say that you can't do it. but it is not required and the vast majority of passengers are in resort casual (or less) on Formal Nights. 

Agreed. Do what you want. What's right for you. Such a simple answer.

[nasa1974]

I guess it will come down to if I want to wear my tux or not. If I take my tux, it will be a full-size suitcase. If no I probably just do a carry-on.

[BirdTravels]

1 hour ago, nasa1974 said:

I guess it will come down to if I want to wear my tux or not. If I take my tux, it will be a full-size suitcase. If no I probably just do a carry-on.

Crystal ball says.....

 

You'll have a carry on

[Airbear232]

On 9/10/2022 at 10:01 AM, Nunagoras said:

Humm... Actually: If on one hand the airline strict luggage limits and sometimes extra price started the end of formal nights, the implosion of the smartphones with a built in photo machine definitely sealed its coffin. Whom will to purchase professional photos these days? Back in 2018 on another line's cruise, one of the photographers there told me that the cruise photo business had decreased some 30% on the last 5 years to that date. Things might to be even worse for that business nowadays. I ceased to purchase pro photos by 2015 or so. The Allure in Europe might have been my last pro photo purchase.

Hmm, “Pro” Photos is a stretch.  I think there are two main reasons for the decrease in people picking up packages.  1: Price, they’re just too expensive.  Have a reasonably priced package.  2: Most of the Ship Photographers don’t know how to use their equipment properly or compose shots well.  Bad pictures at a high price don’t sell.

 

In terms of “formal” or “dress up” nights, I think the limits on luggage and tendency of a lot of people to have carry on luggage, limits what can be brought.

 

Personally, I always enjoyed the formal nights.  For holiday cruises, I still bring a tux or tails.  For most others, a couple of suits and some sport jackets.  I know, I’m very much in the minority.  But my DW and I enjoy ourselves. 

[Ptroxx]

13 minutes ago, Airbear232 said:

Hmm, “Pro” Photos is a stretch.  I think there are two main reasons for the decrease in people picking up packages.  1: Price, they’re just too expensive.  Have a reasonably priced package.  2: Most of the Ship Photographers don’t know how to use their equipment properly or compose shots well.  Bad pictures at a high price don’t sell.

 

In terms of “formal” or “dress up” nights, I think the limits on luggage and tendency of a lot of people to have carry on luggage, limits what can be brought.

 

Personally, I always enjoyed the formal nights.  For holiday cruises, I still bring a tux or tails.  For most others, a couple of suits and some sport jackets.  I know, I’m very much in the minority.  But my DW and I enjoy ourselves. 

That’s all that matters is that you enjoy yourself.    
People need to not worry about what others do as long as they enjoy themselves 

I enjoy seeing the families dressed up for formal nights.  
me traveling solo. Not so much.  I’ve always hated wearing a suit or a tie.  
never had to.  Never will.   

[Nunagoras]

14 hours ago, Airbear232 said:

Hmm, “Pro” Photos is a stretch.  I think there are two main reasons for the decrease in people picking up packages.  1: Price, they’re just too expensive.  Have a reasonably priced package.  2: Most of the Ship Photographers don’t know how to use their equipment properly or compose shots well.  Bad pictures at a high price don’t sell.

 

In terms of “formal” or “dress up” nights, I think the limits on luggage and tendency of a lot of people to have carry on luggage, limits what can be brought.

 

Personally, I always enjoyed the formal nights.  For holiday cruises, I still bring a tux or tails.  For most others, a couple of suits and some sport jackets.  I know, I’m very much in the minority.  But my DW and I enjoy ourselves. 

To each his own. There's a place for all. Regarding the photo opportunities me think though that there was a time for that. It isn't really needed anymore. Decent photos for decent photos, I'll take my own ones, even if from a top smartphone. They're good enough for the purpose. True professional photos, I'll make those to stick for weddings and baptisms where they be of value, not for the annual holiday anymore, no matter the price. Lower demand will command for higher prices. That's obvious, of course.

[vjmatty]

14 hours ago, Airbear232 said:

Hmm, “Pro” Photos is a stretch.  I think there are two main reasons for the decrease in people picking up packages.  1: Price, they’re just too expensive.  Have a reasonably priced package.  2: Most of the Ship Photographers don’t know how to use their equipment properly or compose shots well.  Bad pictures at a high price don’t sell.

 

In terms of “formal” or “dress up” nights, I think the limits on luggage and tendency of a lot of people to have carry on luggage, limits what can be brought.

 

Personally, I always enjoyed the formal nights.  For holiday cruises, I still bring a tux or tails.  For most others, a couple of suits and some sport jackets.  I know, I’m very much in the minority.  But my DW and I enjoy ourselves. 

 

Unfortunately, true professional photographers have become unappreciated even outside of the cruising industry.  Of course people can avoid expenses by using cell phones, but the talented photographer goes through painstakingly detailed efforts to make sure you look good in the picture.  Slight movements of the head, arms, etc can make a big difference.... and they have an interest in doing so because they want you to buy the pictures.  It is becoming a lost art even at formal occasions such as weddings.  In contrast, the photographers on a cruise ship who are paid anyway don't have as much interest in whether you buy the pictures, and they don't have the time that a real photographer would take in getting the best most flattering pose.  Add that to the improved cameras on cell phones over the past 10 years and the demand has really dropped.

[vacationlover_mn]

Next year we are doing our first cruise out of LA… a 7 + 4 B2B.  Are dinners more casual, less casual, or similar to the one from FL ports?

[darthvadrouw]

On 9/19/2022 at 3:14 AM, Babyjax12 said:

Well, there’s surely a lot to be said on THAT topic! 😁 Having just sailed on the Symphony, I’d say formal is back on that ship. 2 nights of runway fashion. The vast majority of guests were very dressed up - gowns, glitter, suits and tuxes galore sailed the promenade. It was fun to see. Dining room clientele was a step down, but still quite dressy. We were in the dressy dress/shirt & tie group. BTW it was in the Caribbean (for the member who asked specifically). 

Odyssey doing the Greek islands last week was more t-shirts, shorts and baseball caps for formal nights.
On the other hand white night seemed to be vastly respected ...

[EBFURR]

On 9/13/2022 at 12:33 PM, Ptroxx said:

It’s a lot different from any other logo tshirt.    
mine gets compliments from everyone all night long.   
on another cruise line in August(discovery princess in alaska) I got so many i stopped counting at 25 compliments.    
 

I have a similar shirt. I only wear it on cruise formal nights with either a white or black dinner jacket. Black dress pants. I also get tons of positive comments and compliments. These days I am almost over dressed it seems. A lot of people don't even realize it's a tshirt. Once I was in Chops Grill and a guy across the room kept glancing over. When we passed by on the way out he stopped me and asked if that was a tshirt. He thought it was the coolest thing he'd ever seen. 

I have a tux and used to wear it every cruise. For some reason it seems to have shrunk over the years.