Suggestion to End Formal Night Bickering

[1cats1]

Thought you should know that Tom had posted this last July of 2006. He may not be on anymore.

 

marilyn

 

Marilyn,

Thank you so much for pointing that out. I was scrolling through most recent posts and saw this thread and began reading without noticing dates. I have a very strong opinions on the formal subject and specialty restaurants. After realizing this is a Princess thread, it really doesn't matter to me what Princess does because I will NEVER sail with them again. Crown Princess was probably the biggest disappointment I have had in a vacation in quite some time. I have two more cruises booked on other cruise lines. No more Princess for me.

[pris993]

Let's look at the reverse of this. Would any of you be offended if someone dressed "formally" on a "smart casual" evening? From what I've been reading lots of people think that the "suggested" dress should be followed by everyone. That should include those "over" dressing. Let the flaming begin.

 

I kinda of like this idea, why don't those of us who like to dress up simply dress up whenever we choose on cruises. My husband and I often do this now, regardless. We have never been turned away for over dressing, afterall it's our vacation. If we wish to live it up why not. I once met a woman who said she liked to dress every night!!

 

:D

[spongerob]

Seems like the suggestion to end the bickering is like the idea that there could be a war to end all wars. This thread's been going for 16 months now and seems to revive itself regularly. :rolleyes:

[jff50]

Seems like the suggestion to end the bickering is like the idea that there could be a war to end all wars. This thread's been going for 16 months now and seems to revive itself regularly. :rolleyes:

There was a 2 month gap in this thread between posts 149 and 150. Why would anyone in their right mind dig that far back and resurrect this post. I doubt anyone is saying anything that hasn't been said before. Can't we just let it die.

[Nicola26h]

Can anyone tell me if a man wears just a dark suit for the formal evenings can he wear any colour shirt and tie? or does it have to be white?

My partner would like to wear his pink shirt and tie (not bright) for one of the formals but I just wanted to check incase we got any funny looks lol. (not all men can wear pink but he looks rather fetching!)

[dgreeney]

I suspect those of us who are professionals and dress in business attire daily prefer not to participate in "formal night". The concept reminds me of little kids playing "lets get dressed up like mommy and daddy". (I'm dating myself here).

 

 

As far as tank tops are concerned, the cruise line should have a policy prohibiting them anywere on the ship.

 

I think formal nights will become a thing of the past. Like dressing up for church, going out to dinner, and going to a Broadway play.

 

If you want to get dressed up, have at it! I'll be dressed business casual and enjoying dinner in the buffet. Then I'll visit the casino and whatever other venues I chose to visit.

[kodiac]

And, I would make the formal requirement in these specialty restaurants "black tie" (tuxedo required). This would eliminate some strange things I have seen in the dining room on formal nights trying to pass as a suit.

 

 

Princess would lose money from us if that were the case. We always like to dress up and go out to a specialty restaurant, but I refuse to wear a tuxedo. In addition, I would probably not cruise with Princess if they did not have formal nights as I like to dress up and enjoy a nice dinner with my wife.

[Poulsbo Cruisers]

I suspect those of us who are professionals and dress in business attire daily prefer not to participate in "formal night". The concept reminds me of little kids playing "lets get dressed up like mommy and daddy". (I'm dating myself here).

 

 

As far as tank tops are concerned, the cruise line should have a policy prohibiting them anywere on the ship.

 

I think formal nights will become a thing of the past. Like dressing up for church, going out to dinner, and going to a Broadway play.

 

If you want to get dressed up, have at it! I'll be dressed business casual and enjoying dinner in the buffet. Then I'll visit the casino and whatever other venues I chose to visit.

 

I couldn't have said it better. On our first 10 cruises we participated in formal nights. I am now retired and if I never had to dress up again I would be a very happy person. For this reason, we opted not to dress formally on our recent cruise on the Tahitian Princess and instead ate in the buffet.

 

The fact remains that on all of our previous cruises, we didn't enjoy dressing up either. We did so to participate in formal nights. When many of the posters state that 90% of those on their cruise were dressed formally, I wonder how many actually enjoyed doing so. I know that many posters do enjoy dressing formally, but I bet if Princess were to poll all of their customers they would find that a majority would actually like to see formal nights go away. For now, I will eat at the buffet and hope that at some point in the future the dress code for each evening will be smart casual.

[phillipahain]

Some of us spend half our lives in casual or gardening clothes and going on a cruise is our one time to dress up since so many restuarants these days have positively no dress code

[AliceS]

Oh my. We enjoy the formal nights and like the atmosphere all over the ship to be a little dressy on a special night. If I didn't like that, I'd go on NCL. On Celebrity, they have informal nights as well. The two formal nights are fine on Princess. You don't have to go over the top to be dressed up. We don't want to go to the speciality restaurant for that purpose or for many other reasons. I get more than enough to eat in the restaurant or at the buffet. Even my grandkids like to dress up for a special night on the cruise.

[mek]

Personally, I've reached a point in my life and cruise history where I would be very happy without formal night - country club casual would do just fine for me. I understand why some like dressing up and why others do not. If I go to the dining room on formal night, I dress up, if not then I go to the buffet - especially on Princess where I love the Caribe Cafe.

[cruiser9999]

I am curious as to the age of the people that want formal night (I would guess that it is on the upper end of the scale). We have cruised Princess several times and did dress up (But not in tuxedos, evening gowns, etc.) for formal night. I would say that about 75% of the other cruisers did as well. Our last cruise was NCL where there is' "dress up night or not" (2 nights out of 10). The first night we dressed up but the second I decided that it was freestyls and I was going to wear what I wanted (just casual slacks) - I dress up enough for work as it is. Surprisingly I enjoyed it just as much, if not more! I was on vacation and no-one should dictate to me how to dress, at what time to eat, who I have to sit with, etc. etc. About half the people were dressed up that night - it didn't bother me that they were dressed up so why should they be bothered by the fact that I wasn't!

[marinearchit]

Not sure if anybody has mentioned this before...

 

My idea would be to come up with some new dress codes altogether.

 

Resort Casual dress code- Anything but tank-tops, bathing suites, cover-ups, or shirts that would offend somebody. If you wouldn't wear it to Olive Garden than don't wear it. (C'mon, thats not bad! It's not even a real Italian restaurant!:D )

 

Resort Formal dress code- No shorts, jeans, tank tops, or shirts that would offend somebody.

 

Club dress code- Jacket required for guys, but jeans are permitted.

 

Gala Dress Code- Never more than one per cruise. A big night at the middle of the cruise. Big celebration throughout the ship (mini-New Years). Night is formal. Guys wear suits, tuxs, etc. Women wear dresses, gowns, etc. The dress code would be required for main restaurants and theater. All other venues require Resort Formal.

 

Also, I'm 15 and I actually kind of like formal night. It doesn't take any longer to put on a suit than it does anything else.

[impartfish]

I like it! Great proposal IMO. I'll go with it. I'm easy to please! ;)

[kingsgirl]

I think it is fair to say (if everyone takes a step back and looks at what is really being said) that REAL problem here is that....

 

EVERYONE IS SELFISH.

 

There has to be some give and take otherwise everyone would run crazy and naked in the streets killing each other with cream wafer pies....

 

That said...really...who cares?

 

Dress formal, dress smart casual, dress casual.......it's not going to kill you to be flexible.

 

If you want to get naked or wear your formal 24/7 or really fight about such a TRIVIAL issue when there are children starving in this world (and who we could feed with our cruises...) then buy you're own ship and go for a sail yourself. No one wants to be with you.

 

 

Cheers!! :) :) :)

[mek]

quote=kingsgirl;12038149I think it is fair to say (if everyone takes a step back and looks at what is really being said) that REAL problem here is that....

EVERYONE IS SELFISH.

 

You're kidding - right? I believe there are great many of us who post on this particular subject who don't give two hoots what someone else wears to the dining room on formal night. Personally, it's not up to me to be the fashion police and since the cruise lines sporatically enforce their policies, I have no intention of letting it ruin my cruise.

 

 

If you want to get naked or wear your formal 24/7 or really fight about such a TRIVIAL issue when there are children starving in this world (and who we could feed with our cruises...) then buy you're own ship and go for a sail yourself. No one wants to be with you.

Oh please... again, I hope you're not serrious with this one.

[alphazeta]

I like the idea.

[Georgetown Mike]

As I age - and I am getting older - I am disappointed at the continuing loss of classic and mannerly behaviour in our society. We see it everywhere - the use of cell phones in crowded public places such as restaurants and even in church. We see "gentlemen" wearing their hats in restaurants. I remember not too long ago when upscale restaurants required jackets and ties. Alas, that time is gone. I truly enjoy formal nights on my cruises because it is one of the few opportunies in our current culture where one can dress appropriately for the occasion. I respect the wishes of those who don't wish to participate, but I sincerly wish they don't try to change the rules - please respect those who enjoy formal nights. If you don't wish to join in, that's okay, but please let those who do enjoy.

[marinearchit]

I am disappointed at the continuing loss of classic and mannerly behaviour in our society. We see it everywhere.

 

I have to agree there.

I'm a big 20's/30's/40's/50's liner fan. And for lack of a better phrase, it sucks I won't ever get to REALLY experience that. Even though the ships today are great, there wont ever be a ship like Normandie, Big-U, or Queen Mary ever again. Even if there was, it wouldn't be the same because about 80% of today's society, (Especially we Americans) have no idea how to act.

That has nothing to do with people who like formal night or hate it, so nobody be insulted. I'm just adding to what he said about society in general.

[CaliforniaMama]

I would respectfully disagree. If you don't want to dress formally as defined by Princess (EVENING GOWNS FOR WOMEN, TUXEDO OR DARK SUIT FOR MEN), then consider other options. NCL has cruises with NO formal nights. You know these recommendations prior to boarding the ship, why should there be any questions about what to wear on FORMAL EVENING other than the color of the GOWN.

 

Rob

 

Because, well frankly, I don't have to eat in the dining room on formal night. I am entitled to eat in the buffet or the pizzeria or even order room service. I paid the same fare as you did.

 

And evening gowns for women? Most women really wearing a true eveing gown look silly. For most of us our bridesmaid days are over. (And bridesmaids generally look lame too.)

 

I vote for classy dresses or pantsuits. I don't want to look like I'm going to the Prom. DH, he'll wear the tux even though he hates them, just to please me. But I don't think I should be banished to another cruise line just because I perhaps don't feel like doing both formal nights. Yes, people should be dressed nicely in the dining room on formal nights! But if men can wear a suit (which many wear to work, anyway!) why do women have to wear an evening gown? I think if I am dressed the way I would for an evening at the theatre, and neatly groomed, then that is sufficient.

 

Double standard for women? :confused:

[pris993]

I am disappointed at the continuing loss of classic and mannerly behaviour in our society. We see it everywhere.

 

 

I sadly must agree to this comment. What has happened???:confused:

[Poulsbo Cruisers]

I am disappointed at the continuing loss of classic and mannerly behaviour in our society. We see it everywhere.

 

 

I sadly must agree to this comment. What has happened???:confused:

 

And 50 years from now those who are currently in their 20's will be making this same complaint. Times change and those things once thought to be indicative of proper behavior may have also changed.

 

At the same time I think it important to point out that the rude behavior some discussed in this thread such as belching and just being plain obnoxious can be done in a tux just as easily as it can be done in a pair of casual pants.

[RumbLine]

Before I'd taken my first cruise I thought a formal night would be like I'd seen in the old movies. A large ball room with live band, dance floor, and cocktail tables with all the passengers in attendance. I pictured tuxedos and evening gowns with champage and shaken drinks flowing. I was a bit disappointed that formal nights did not have an actual Ball on those evenings. I still adhere to formal attire on those nights and enjoy it.

[jannandjohn]

There was a 2 month gap in this thread between posts 149 and 150. Why would anyone in their right mind dig that far back and resurrect this post. I doubt anyone is saying anything that hasn't been said before. Can't we just let it die.

 

so why did YOU post to it????

[Palms2Pines2Sea]

It seems these formal night "debates" are among the most prevalent topics on Cruise Critic. Regardless whether it's Princess, HAL, Celebrity, you name it.....sentiments are strong on both sides of the equation.

One element that I don't see addressed with enough frequency is the impact that the airlines have made on the issue of formal dress aboard cruise ships. For any passengers who have to fly to their point of embarkation, the decision to "go formal" takes on added weight - pun fully intended! And the prospect of lost luggage, if you read the news, seems more prevalent every day.

My personal experience is that formal wear adds a significant bulk and weight to my suitcase. If I am traveling on an airline with a weight restriction, then the packing of formal wear will definitely take a back seat to my ability to meet the airline's requirements. It's not because I don't want to dress up, but sometimes it's just not practical.

There are so many considerations now when we travel great distances from our homes. We are in an age where change is the ONLY thing that we can count on. Let's give each other a little extra leeway on this subject - none of us truly know what each other might be dealing with when we pack for any trip.