Formal Attire

[Potstech]

Refer to Post #6 and close the thread.

Edited April 10, 2023 by Potstech

[d9704011]

1 minute ago, Potstech said:

Refer to Post #6 and close the thread.

What about the %age of people going to formal night without wearing formal attire?  This needs debating!

[JimmyVWine]

4 minutes ago, Potstech said:

Does not prove anything ...

Wasn't intended to.  A poster said "I wish people would post pictures of the MDR's on formal nights on their cruises so we could see what is being talked about and actually have some factual evidence instead of constant hearsay."  As @Steelers36 noted: "It would be hard to take in the whole DR and discern who wearing what" and that is, of course, correct.  So in the absence of lining every person in the MDR up for a "class photo", the best visual evidence is going to be myopic photos, per the poster's request.  What seems to be abundantly clear is that people who think that really casual attire cannot be worn on Formal Night with the expectation of gaining access to the MDR are simply mistaken.  And people who think that casual attire has overtaken blazers, jackets, suits and tuxedoes for men in the MDRs on Formal Night are likewise mistaken. The problem is that all of the Dress Code threads seem to focus on "What can I wear?" or "Can I get away with wearing X?" to which the answers are, of course, "anything you want" and "yes you can".  Case closed. Never need another Dress Code thread as long as we live.  Those two answers are absolute and immutable.  But in actuality, what a lot of people want to know is: "What do most people wear?", or "What would one wear to fall in the middle range of attire on formal Night", or "What should I wear such that I won't stand out in the crowd as a rube (or a royal)?".  Those are an entirely different questions, and ones that are fairly answered with photos.   

[mtnesterz]

4 minutes ago, d9704011 said:

What about the %age of people going to formal night without wearing formal attire?  This needs debating!

If this thread does close, the OP also asked the same question on the Canadian Cruisers board, but only got six responses. Take it up with them.

[Lady Arwen]

1 hour ago, Steelers36 said:

Alright, so I actually did drop by the X forum for a few minutes and skimmed through the first 10 pages.  On Princess forum, I would expect to encounter multiple dress code debates in that space since we seem to have one about once per week. 

 

I noticed about three threads on their formal/gala/chic nights (folks were asking questions using different terms).  Two questions were the typical that we see here: How many nights for my cruise and on which nights?  None of the responses got into debates about what to wear.  The third was inquiring about wear and coincidentally had been posted 9 hrs ago - the same amount of time this thread had been posted when I first noticed it.  However, on X forum, there were only 5 replies and not 5 pages of replies in 9 hours and there were no debates about the dress.  How much of this is due to what I read as a much clearly worded dress code for X versus Princess (or at least what is on paper appears to align more precisely with what happens on board), IDK.  But some remarks recently about X situation got me taking a closer look.

 

As an aside, I smiled when noticing some familiar themes we see here such as can I make a 9:30am flight upon return to port, can I use OBC in the casino.  I also noted that X also doesn't include table size in their dining res app. 

 

That's it, FWIW.

 

Celebrity cruisers don’t need to be reminded what is acceptable attire, unless, of course, they’re new to the line.   We follow the dress code and we look really, really nice.  No bickering, no mudslinging, no insults.  Just mature adults discussing and enjoying their cruise knowing what’s expected of them and happily doing so.  If this is not for you, then just avoid Celebrity or any luxury line. There are many other lines who have the “anything goes” attitude that is appealing to those who so desire a more casual experience.  Something for everyone.

[Lady Arwen]

Just now, Lady Arwen said:

1 hour ago, Steelers36 said:

Alright, so I actually did drop by the X forum for a few minutes and skimmed through the first 10 pages.  On Princess forum, I would expect to encounter multiple dress code debates in that space since we seem to have one about once per week. 

 

I noticed about three threads on their formal/gala/chic nights (folks were asking questions using different terms).  Two questions were the typical that we see here: How many nights for my cruise and on which nights?  None of the responses got into debates about what to wear.  The third was inquiring about wear and coincidentally had been posted 9 hrs ago - the same amount of time this thread had been posted when I first noticed it.  However, on X forum, there were only 5 replies and not 5 pages of replies in 9 hours and there were no debates about the dress.  How much of this is due to what I read as a much clearly worded dress code for X versus Princess (or at least what is on paper appears to align more precisely with what happens on board), IDK.  But some remarks recently about X situation got me taking a closer look.

 

As an aside, I smiled when noticing some familiar themes we see here such as can I make a 9:30am flight upon return to port, can I use OBC in the casino.  I also noted that X also doesn't include table size in their dining res app. 

 

That's it, FWIW.

 

Celebrity cruisers don’t need to be reminded what is acceptable attire, unless, of course, they’re new to the line.   We follow the dress code and we look really, really nice.  No bickering, no mudslinging, no insults.  Just mature adults discussing and enjoying their cruise knowing what’s expected of them and happily doing so.  If this is not for you, then just avoid Celebrity or any luxury line. There are many other lines who have the “anything goes” attitude that is appealing to those who so desire a more casual experience.  Something for everyone.

Expand  

Exactly.

[d9704011]

8 minutes ago, mtnesterz said:

If this thread does close, the OP also asked the same question on the Canadian Cruisers board, but only got six responses. Take it up with them.

No... I think we ought not propogate this.

[PrincessLuver]

It is fascinating how dress codes threads on Princess run almost daily and there is no resolve.  

Most people know that dress codes everywhere are dying a slow death from many reasons.

 

Princess has even started to refer to its' "formal nights" as "elegant nights."  We all know that no passenger will be turned away from a Princess MDR on formal nights as long as they are not wearing flip flops or shorts.  There may be exceptions to even that low bar.

 

It appears that some on here think Princess is sailing in the Victorian Age.

[SiliconCruiser]

9 hours ago, Torfamm said:

. On cruises in Europe it could be 75%

It is indeed more common on the European cruises, but bear in mind that there are also a lot of non-Europeans on those cruises as well.  That said, a Baltic cruise was the last time I packed a tuxedo.

[Thrak]

12 hours ago, DrewCC2225 said:

I just got back yesterday from a Princess cruise and the dress code is not as strict as it was years ago. Most people I saw were wearing a nice pair of dress shorts and a button down.

 

I sincerely question the above text. Out of our (admittedly not a huge number) 16 Princess cruises I have never seen anybody wearing shorts in MDR on a formal night. I can't say it never happens but for someone to say that "Most people" were wearing shorts is beyond my capability to believe. I actually have seen someone turned away for wearing shorts to MDR and it wasn't even a formal night.

 

As for the people in the photo who are watching the Champagne Waterfall... Only a very small percentage of those people ever actually participate in the photo op of pouring champagne. The vast majority of them are just there watching either before or after dinner.

 

Nothing in these posts or the (apparently never ending) threads regarding this issue will change anybody's opinion in the slightest. I had intended to ignore this thread but foolishly started reading it and decided that some of the comments are so ridiculous that I would chime in. Like I said, nobody's opinion will be changed. Some, such as MissP22 - who insists that shorts are fine and flaunts the use of Rum Runners to smuggle alcohol aboard - will always state categorically that their opinion is correct despite multiple examples to the contrary.

 

It's a no-win situation for all concerned. Whether adamant in defense of "formal attire", moderate in opinion as to formal or merely "smart casual", or even those who may insist that shorts, motorcycle club jackets, and do-rags are fine in MDR on formal nights they will all retain their original opinion regardless of what is posted here.

 

Note:  While not in MDR I have seen a gentleman who was quite obviously a biker on one of our cruises. He did wear his do-rag around the ship but I don't know if he frequented MDR or not. Both he and his lady companion were always clean, presentable, and polite and I saw no reason to fault them for their mode of dress or their demeanor.

Edited April 10, 2023 by Thrak

[roadster08]

This keeps coming up because cultural differences won't allow it to be resolved.

 

We Americans break rules because it's often the start to secular change. Before the American Revolution tea was dumped in Boston harbor. Before civil rights an unassuming black woman refused to move to the back of the bus and young black men sat in the white section of the lunch counter.

 

We dress up when we have something to celebrate. It's weird to dress up without purpose. The formal dress rules are weird too. Why are long pants formal and short pants not? Why are top hats formal but baseball caps not? Some caps are OK, however. Would the Pope be denied entry to the Princess MDR unless he removed his cap? 

 

Who elected those who set these arbitrary standards that are mindlessly followed? 

[trbarton]

5 hours ago, Princessfan20 said:

 

Thanks for the photo but I want to see ones of the actual dinning rooms of formal nights.   Maybe a hundred at the Champagne Waterfall which is often a photo opportunity which some people dress up for.  

If you can wait until my April 23  cruise I post any photos if you like. Just tell me YES & I’ll shoot a bunch. 
 

 Here’s one photo from October of last year on Formal Night. 
 

Tom😀

[Lady Arwen]

14 minutes ago, trbarton said:

If you can wait until my April 23  cruise I post any photos if you like. Just tell me YES & I’ll shoot a bunch. 
 

 Here’s one photo from October of last year on Formal Night. 
 

Tom😀

 

15 minutes ago, trbarton said:

If you can wait until my April 23  cruise I post any photos if you like. Just tell me YES & I’ll shoot a bunch. 
 

 Here’s one photo from October of last year on Formal Night. 
 

Tom😀

You all look very nice.  Thank you for sharing with us.

[bjkTX]

9 hours ago, david63 said:

 

 

 

"For more formal settings, men should bring a dinner jacket, slacks, or a dark suit and a nice pair of shoes, while women may want to bring an evening gown, cocktail dress, or elegant pant suit."

 

Considering that the "formal setting" is exactly the same the setting as every other night .....

 

 

[c-boy]

Ya, like he said. Refer to Post #16 and close the thread.

Edited April 11, 2023 by c-boy

[JimmyVWine]

OK Tom.  What's your secret?  You're like friggin' Hugh Hefner!!

[Potstech]

3 hours ago, d9704011 said:

What about the %age of people going to formal night without wearing formal attire?  This needs debating!

Why? Princess sets the policy and then decides how to enforce it. A discussion on here does nothing but confuses people.

[JimmyVWine]

1 hour ago, Thrak said:

Nothing in these posts or the (apparently never ending) threads regarding this issue will change anybody's opinion in the slightest.

Remember the old saying: "A picture is worth a thousand words"?  Well, that was coined long before keyboard jockeys learned that they could post fluff on chat boards! The evidence stares at them in their eyes, and yet "Most people wear shorts."   Yeah.

[trvlwrld]

In answer to your question why Americans wear shorts… probably because the average temperature in the area where I live is over 100 degrees for about 6 months of the year!  Last August & September the average temps were over 110 for over 2 months.  If you want to avoid heat stroke, you wear shorts…that’s not an obsession, it’s reality!

[trbarton]

11 minutes ago, JimmyVWine said:

OK Tom.  What's your secret?  You're like friggin' Hugh Hefner!!

I guess some ladies are attracted to me & I love the attention. 
 

Tom😀

[mtnesterz]

1 hour ago, roadster08 said:

Why are top hats formal but baseball caps not? Some caps are OK, however. Would the Pope be denied entry to the Princess MDR unless he removed his cap? Who elected those who set these arbitrary standards that are mindlessly followed? 

Both top hats and baseball caps are considered outerwear, just like a raincoat or overcoat. These are not worn at the table. Why?  Good point. Used to laugh watching Columbo showing up fancy places in a rumpled raincoat and not removing it.

Have seen folks, presumably Jews, wearing a Yarmulke in the MDR, no problem. The Pope's zucchetto is also a type of kippah and religious and ceremonial wear gets a pass.

[xamsx]

5 hours ago, Steelers36 said:

Alright, so I actually did drop by the X forum for a few minutes and skimmed through the first 10 pages.  On Princess forum, I would expect to encounter multiple dress code debates in that space since we seem to have one about once per week. 

 

I noticed about three threads on their formal/gala/chic nights (folks were asking questions using different terms).  Two questions were the typical that we see here: How many nights for my cruise and on which nights?  None of the responses got into debates about what to wear.  The third was inquiring about wear and coincidentally had been posted 9 hrs ago - the same amount of time this thread had been posted when I first noticed it.  However, on X forum, there were only 5 replies and not 5 pages of replies in 9 hours and there were no debates about the dress.  How much of this is due to what I read as a much clearly worded dress code for X versus Princess (or at least what is on paper appears to align more precisely with what happens on board), IDK.  But some remarks recently about X situation got me taking a closer look.

 

As an aside, I smiled when noticing some familiar themes we see here such as can I make a 9:30am flight upon return to port, can I use OBC in the casino.  I also noted that X also doesn't include table size in their dining res app. 

 

That's it, FWIW.

I have been on three Celebrity cruises (none less than 10 days) in the last six months. I saw one tux during that time. On the transatlantic, I saw more people dress up for Halloween than any of the formal nights (there were supposedly three). They don’t call them “formal” anymore (evening chic), but it is supposedly a step up from “smart casual.”

Hubby and I only take carry on when flying. We no longer bring formal clothes of any sort to Europe. We are “smart casual “ people these days, and that works for us. We have a Celebrity Scandinavian cruise booked in 2024, two weeks on our own, then a month on Princess for the UK and then the Princess TA home. That will be accomplished without dressing up (carry on only). 

 

[AZjohn]

2 hours ago, trvlwrld said:

In answer to your question why Americans wear shorts… probably because the average temperature in the area where I live is over 100 degrees for about 6 months of the year!  Last August & September the average temps were over 110 for over 2 months.  If you want to avoid heat stroke, you wear shorts…that’s not an obsession, it’s reality!

I wore shorts my whole life in the Phoenix/Tucson areas. I mean everywhere for any occasion.

I now live in the Bay Area but I still wear shorts all the time (yes, people think it’s strange).

People not from Arizona (or hot climates) will never get it.

Just like I don’t get the concept of ice fishing🤣😁

[Bobbiegentry]

2 hours ago, mtnesterz said:

Have seen folks, presumably Jews, Both wearing a Yarmulke in the MDR, no problem. The Pope's zucchetto is also a type of kippah and religious and ceremonial wear gets a pass.

Curious. Who is it exactly that’s vested with the authority to decree who “gets a pass” and who doesn’t?

[mom says]

4 minutes ago, Bobbiegentry said:

Curious. Who is it exactly that’s vested with the authority to decree who “gets a pass” and who doesn’t?

Your momma.