(Cruiseline Formal) OK, h3ll has frozen over, I am admitting I was wrong

[flagger]

Stop the presses, I am admitting that I was wrong. No more BS at least on this subject. Please no ugly comments, just answers if you know what I am asking as it pertains to Cruiseline Formal.

 

After much internal thought and deliberation amongst all the voices in my head, I have decided to at least partake in one formal night. I have also convinced Ms. Flagger to do so as well. We were supposed to go to Australia for our 10th anniversary, but the arrival of our daughter put that on hold. Alaska is to be our 10th anniversary (belated) gift to ourselves. As we would easily be spending as much on that vacation as we are on this cruise, we have decided to extend our planned budget for a few unplanned extras.

 

I decided to hire a tux from Cruiseline formal. Is it normal to be charged the fee so far in advance of the actual sail date? I noticed the charge whilst looking at my online statement tonight. I know I can cancel up to 72 hours (I think) prior to sailing. I was just wondering from those who have used CLF before, if this is SOP?

 

Now just in case I gave anyone a heart attack, we are actually thinking of hiring a matching tux for Ms. Flagger and one for our daughter. To me there is just something sexy about a woman in a tux. Plus it would make for some great pictures. We might arrange a babysitter on that night, but depending on the hours they do in-cabin babysitting, we might try to request a switch to late seating. I really do not know if our girl will sit through a long meal. We have main seating specifically because of the three hour time difference to try and keep her on some sort of routine for our and our fellow passengers sanity.

 

TIA for your responses.

[tuggers]

Sorry, it's out of my system now! I knew your wife was thinking about those lobsters. Although last I heard I thought you were not eating in d/r at all? ?That must have changed?

I had thought a while back about the tux for women thing, but with all the gowns and long dresses available I never persued it. I think I checked one time and I would have had to go to a special place not the regular onboard rental, right? I would think a woman would be much harder to fit. Not so one size, take in a little here, does it as it is for men.

Flagger, I'm proud of you! Hang in there! You may become one of us yet! :D

[davehau]

Flagger,

 

First, enjoy the evening -- Formal Nights are great fun, even my 16 year old got into them (though he'll never admit it.) The ladies' tuxes could be cool... I'll admit I haven't seen enough of them to really make an opinion.

 

As to switching to late seating one night, my experience has been that it's the main seating that's most in demand, so might not be a problem. The Assistant Maitre'des (sp) are very accomodating.

 

As I recall, the charge for the tuxes came through shortly after I did the reservations for them, not when the cruise stuff did. Didn't mind it too much as it sort of lessened the impact on the statement the month of the cruise.

 

Dave

[flagger]

Sorry, it's out of my system now! I knew your wife was thinking about those lobsters. Although last I heard I thought you were not eating in d/r at all? ?That must have changed?

Not eating in the d/r had to do more with the fact of not knowing what our daughter will do during a two or more hour meal. Believe it or not, we do plan on being kind to our fellow passengers as far as our daughter is concerned. We have already worked out a tentative schedule of who will be the one to take her for walks should she act up.

 

However honestly, she was with me all the way on not dressing up. I was the one who convinced her as really we NEVER dress up. The lobster is not for me since I cannot eat any shellfish. CLF does not specifically rent tuxes for women, but for us fluffy sized folks their offerings for women are a bit limited.

[flagger]

As I recall, the charge for the tuxes came through shortly after I did the reservations for them, not when the cruise stuff did. Didn't mind it too much as it sort of lessened the impact on the statement the month of the cruise.

Ok that helps and is good to know. Yeah I can hear you about the impact on the statement. Our one credit card statement will close mid cruise, which will be nice to have that grace period post cruise before having to make payment.

[davehau]

Flagger,

 

One other point... as to your daughter dealing with a long meal. While the wait staff obviously isn't there as entertainment, and their food service duties are paramount, I've been amazed on Celebrity to see how much many of them will work to keep the young ones happy throughout the meal. Whether it's napkin animals, toothpick tricks or treats from the kitchen, many of the waiters and assistants really seem to go the extra mile. I've even seen one assistant waiter pushing a fussy infant in his/her stroller around in the corner of the dining room for several minutes, which seemed to calm the child long enough for the parents to finish their meal.

[toni1266]

Flagger, I hope all of you have a wonderful evening!! Make sure you take plenty of pictures, I want to see how wonderful you all look.

[Nitemare]

Did you get the tux with the dinner plate sized belt buckle?

 

;)

[Boo's Mom]

Flagger..... I am so excited for you!! Really!

 

How old is your daughter? If she is old enough for the children's program..... you could bring her to dinner...for a while...and then take her to the children's program ...as you slip back to the dinner table. Been there and done that!

 

I do not recall seeing a woman's tuxedo. Someone enlighten me as to what that looks like, please. Maybe I have....but I am not thinking "tuxedo".

 

We have used cruiselineformals.....4 times now. They are very good. You should be pleased with the product.

 

:p

[flagger]

She will only be 15.5 months at the time of our cruise, so the children's program is out. However, Celebrity we know does offer in-cabin babysitting which is one of the reasons we picked the line.

[ashleysmm]

We cruised with our then 2 1/2 yr old granddaughter last May. Since it was a family group of 7 we had our own table at late seating. They have a special children's menu and their order is taken first and on most nights her dinner arrive prior to ours. I agree the dinning staff are great with the children and go the extra mile to speak and play with them. In our experience waiters other than our assigned came over to talk with her and proceeded to tell us about their children which they missed. Our granddaughter loved the drink umbrellas and cherries. Every night she was presented with her own plate of umbrellas and cherries. They also did a 2 l/2 birthday for her one night and helped her blow out her candles. By the 3rd day everywhere we went she was greeted by name throughout the ship and enjoyed the added attention. We were mindful of the other diners around us to ensure they also enjoyed their dinner without any disruptions from a child. By the last night we new these people as well, and they also joined in singing happy birthday and asking her about what she had done that day.

 

 

Every fall a group of us get together (prior tablesmates on previous x cruises) and take a reunion cruise. We've been doing this for the last 4 yrs. This past Oct during our Panama Canal cruise Halloween fell on the last formal night. Knowing this in advance our group decided prior to the cruise that the women would wear their husband's tux and the men would come in drag. On the last formal night all our husbands were in formal dresses complete with wigs and heels and us ladies were wearing their tux( we brought black pants but wore the jacket, shirt and cumberbuns). We had a great time, and our matire de loved it. We even were introduced to the Captain and his officers later that evening at the nightclub at the Captain's request. All this aside, wearing the tux was the hottest thing I've ever worn. I don't think I want to do it again anytime soon. I much prefer a dress, etc to that nonbreathable jacket. I don't blame you men for not wanting to wear them, it was unbearable.

 

Enjoy your cruise and don't sweat the small stuff, things have a way of turning out better than you anticipate.

 

Carol

[wallie5446]

Flagger,

When we went on our 1st in 87 we had never talked to another person who had ever been on a cruise. We were luckie enought to book a small ship full of 500 regular folks (yes there were out there) After our second we began to look forword to the things you do there that we never do at home. That is what makes this a different type vacation. Call it make believe or what ever, but that one night of white glove service in the tux will be better than you can imagine. Not saying that you will like it enought to do it again (lol) but it aint as bad as tax's !

[hdawson]

Flagger. My compliments to you and good wishes for a great first cruise. I think you will be very happy with your change of plans.

[satchiesmom]

Flagger, I know you will have a wonderful time on your formal night and I think the women's tux idea is very sexy, kinda like something Sharon Stone would do. Maybe I'll be brave enough to try it in Jan (although any comparison of Sharon Stone and I would stop with the fact that we both have short hair). I commend you also as parents who are concerned about your daughters welfare and also about the the effect a 15 mo old could have on other passengers, not all parents are that way. Sigh. Most of us love kids and I'll bet she will be adorable in her little tux also. I hope you have a dream 10th anniversary cruise, tho it be belated. Can't wait to hear about your trip and see some photos.

[cruising with marti]

Way to go Flagger, I knew that you have been putting us on, now the real guy is comming through. congrats, I know that your wife will have a great time as well as yourself.

 

 

 

Phil:)

[winediva]

Greetings Flagger,

I think you will definitely enjoy the formal dining night , now that you seem to be in the spirit of it. As you mentioned that you and your wife are a bit "fluffy in size" I wanted to direct you to my (I am rather fluffy, too) favorite inexpensive source of formal wear - eBay! Tons of folks sell their wedding gear and fancy dresses (in every size) for less than what you might pay to rent something. I have to attend a fair amount of formal events for work and I can't afford to get something new each time! Since you mentioned that you and the Mrs. don't dress up a lot - this might be a fun option for you without spending big bucks on something you probably won't wear much. Check it out! Plenty of fancy stuff for your little one, too.

[nealberk]

Glad to see you are getting into the formal "thing", Flagger.

 

You should be okay with "short person" and if you are lucky you will be at a table with several sets of doting grandparents who will love spoiling your daughter for you! We had two infants on our last cruise. I think the parents had to issue a "dance card" system to give everyone time with the babies.

[flagger]

Did you get the tux with the dinner plate sized belt buckle?

 

;)

No but you should see the sneakers I plan on wearing with it. They light up!!! :D

[stretch]

Flagger, good to hear of your plans to go formal. :) I've rented my tux from Cruiseline Formalwear the last 3 times and have been very satisfied. :p The tux has always been in my cabin when I got there and if there is any problem at all they can fix or replace the item on the ship. I think you're making a good choice and applaud your decision. You might want to reconsider the sneakers part though. A comfortable pair of black shoes (with BettyBoop Hose) is much more stylish. :eek:

Stretch

[WeBeCruisin']

On our last cruise on Summit last Thanksgiving, my wife wore a tuxedo on one of the formal nights. She was the only one we saw in such apparel, but received numerous praise and compliments, particularly from the female staff members, who were delighted at the concept. We hadn't planned to buy one for her, but she had talked me into buying one for that trip, as I had been doing the dark suit thing on our previous cruises. I loved wearing the tux, particularly in the casino where I felt so James Bond-ish. We were at Steinmart (the haven for cheap people who like name-brands) and ran across a black velvet woman's tuxedo jacket complete with black satin lapels. On another rack about ten feet away we found matching black velvet women's pants with the satin stripe up the legs. I think the cost of each was around $50, making it a stunning outfit for about $100. She had her hair done onboard that afternoon in a French twist which went well with the ensemble. Tres sophisticated. I tried to talk her into getting some kind of 1930s gangster had to wear with it, but she wouldn't go for that. I thought her "tuxedo night" was one of the highlights of our trip, and the formal pictures with it were great. She plans to wear the tuxedo again on our upcoming July 31 Baltics cruise on Constellation (if it still fits!).

 

Allen

[msiowa]

A number of years ago, when I was heavier and couldn't find any fancy dresses that I liked and looked good on me, I bought a woman's tuxedo for a number of formal events I needed to attend. This one was designed for women - had a jacket that flared a bit and the pants fit well. I wore a red silk camisole under the jacket that just peeked out. It was great! Very comfortable and everyone did seem to like the idea a great deal.

 

I think it's great that you all are going to formal night. It really is fun.

 

Enjoy your cruise!

Joanie

[winediva]

Overall, i hear ya Flagger. I always feel a bit "senior prom" goofy when I first don the beaded gown or other finery. You're not the only one who feels ridiculous in formal wear. I find if I just channel that James Bond movie type atmosphere, i really enjoy it. Hit the casino after dinner and get a martini. Playing craps is really fun in formal wear.

[Host Walt]

I must break in and ask Flagger what happened! Was it the new child? Was it going to Alaska vs. downunda? I'll bet it was our new Message Board format that triggered the "NF" (New Flagger!)

[flagger]

Walt it was reading how "wonderful" everyone says that formal night is. Which is why we have only committed to one, even though I have the tux for the whole cruise. The original post was really to ask if it is SOP for Cruiseline Formal to charge for the rental at the time of rental instead at the time of sailing. Someone said that it is, which answered the original question.

 

As far as to the poster who said check eBay for formal wear for Ms. Flagger. Under what listing should we search? She looked under evening wear but found nothing in her size today and with limited offerings. Very very little in the sizes for fluffy folks. Any other categories we should be searching?

[tuggers]

You can try evening, special occassion, mother of the bride, prom, cruise wear, formals, etc and you can add your size like womens special occassion dresses 18W. There should be pages! There is also one company, I can't remember the name, that sells all kind of long and short little black dresses in all sizes.