Questions about formal nights

[rikig1969]

Hi there everyone.

 

My partner and I will be taking what will be our 2nd cruise in February, on the Diamond. (Our first was 4 years ago on the Star.) I need to refresh my memory regarding the formal nights.

 

First, is it formal for the WHOLE night? In other words, if we wanted to go to one of the bars or the theatre after dinner, is the formal attire still required? or can we change back to casualwear?

 

Second, if we wanted to pass on the formal all together, there's still plenty of places we can go on the ship with no issues, right?

 

Third, with the formalwear rentals, is the bow tie pre-tied, or do we have to tie our ties?

 

Thanks! :)

[LARGIN]

You can change after dinner however the majority does not.

You can opt to eat in the casual dining areas and skip formal night dining if you wish.

Bowties are pre-tied.

[Tina G]

You don't have to wear a tux. Lots of guys are wearing dark suits with white shirts and dark ties. I've seen sport jackets, too. Lobster night is always formal, and you don't want to miss that! I think it's better to stay dressed up for the evening as a courtesy to the other passengers (unless you're going in the hot tub, of course!:p ) Have a great cruise!

[Julia’s Journey’s]

We dress for formal night and then depending on our plans for after will change - I change if I am going to the casino as it is smoky in there and I don't want all my clothes stinking!!!!!!:D

I we are going to the show or hanging out with friends in a non smoky place I will stay dressed in my formal!!

[Pam in CA]

Technically, the dress code is for the ship for the evening. However, many people change after dinner.

[Smart Freak]

On my personal experience I like to wear formal wear (tux) for dinning and then If I go some place else (bar or casino) I still wear the tuxedo as I like to remain formal for the entire night (as many fellow passengers do), but it's a normal thing to see other people who didn't opt for the formal wear to wonder around on shorts and t-shirts, they get the funny looks but that's about it; and I also think that this dress code aplies only for the dinning room and lobby areas were the formal pictures are taken. But let's face it, if almost everybody is wearing formal clothes (dark suits or tuxedos) in certain place (bar or casino), other person NOT wearing formal clothes obviously looks funny as someone wearing a tux resting on a lounge chair; so in conclusion, if you don't like to wear a tux, you can have dinner at the regular buffet or a cheese burger by the pool.

[survivor]

We just got off The Diamond on Saturday and some people do change right after dinner. Also a suit is just fine for formal night, not that many men were wearing a tux. we saw plenty of men in sports jackets as well. Don't miss the dining room it is a fun night to be there.:)

[Sox Fan Cruiser]

Hey rikig1969,

 

Me and the husband (love massachusetts!) usually splurge on the tuxes. We opt for the two jackets. One night we wear the regular black one and then the other night we wear the white dinner jacket. It feels like two different events.

 

Go ahead and get the tuxes. It's a lot fun!

[rikig1969]

Thanks everyone for the advise... we still haven't made up our minds yet, but we have a little time (our cruise is in Feb.) to decide.

 

Hey Sox Fan Cruiser, I take it it's a good assumtion you're FOD too. ;)

Do you just use the tux rental thru the Princess site? That seems easiest I think.

 

On another topic, does Princess do may FOD meetings? I've been looking at the G&L Cruisers boards here, and there doesn't seem to be much activitiy on the roll call for the cruise we're doing.

 

 

Hey rikig1969,

 

Me and the husband (love massachusetts!) usually splurge on the tuxes. We opt for the two jackets. One night we wear the regular black one and then the other night we wear the white dinner jacket. It feels like two different events.

 

Go ahead and get the tuxes. It's a lot fun!

[Eskwire]

Hi, I was reading the thread and couldn't figure out what FOD meant, and just realized that FOD=Friend of Dorothy...and yes you will see Friends of Dorothy meetings listed in the Princess Patter...it has been on every Princess Cruise I have ever taken. Enjoy your trip!!!!

[Cruisin' Chick]

Don't worry if you feel like changing after dinner. Many people do. The interior of the ship can sometimes be on the cold side, especially for women in a lightweight dress. If I don't change after dinner, it's because we don't have time to get back to the cabin after our late traditional seating, change, then run up to the fun zone before 10pm.

 

If you're going casual, you can eat in the Horizon Court or the specialty restaurants, and then go to the shows, casino, wherever.

[Sox Fan Cruiser]

Yes, i'm a FOD too! :p

 

We have always used the link listed on the Princess Site to get our tuxes. All you do is send in your measurements and the tuxes are waiting in your cabin when you arrive. Just try them on as soon as you get on the ship and let your room steward know if there are any issues. They will fix them right away. And at the end of the cruise you just leave them hanging up in your closet when you leave. The room steward will take care it for you. So easy.

 

Actually we have never attended an FOD meeting even though they are listed in the patter. We usually just find the other gay couples throughout the cruise. Especially if you hang out at the aft adults only pool.

 

But this cruise we actually met some guys on the gay & lesbian section of the board (through a roll call) and are going to meet them for drinks the first night.

 

Enjoy your cruise!

[Tom O.]

Just letting you know that you can buy an inexpensive tuxedo for less than the cost of a tuxedo rental. And you can be assured that it will fit correctly. And you will have it for your next cruise too.

But one advantage of renting is that you don't have to pack it.

Penney's has a great on-line deal on tuxes. Unlike most inexpensive tuxes, Penney's allows you to purchase pants separate from jacket so it is easier to get a good fit. You can get a jacket and pants for $100, then it is another $30 for the shirt and accessories. They also have big sizes for a little more. Right now they have a free shipping deal. They will hem the pants for free, but I recommend hemming them after you try them on.

Here is a link if you are interested:

http://www4.jcpenney.com/jcp/Products.aspx?DeptID=469&CatID=39005&CatTyp=BRD&ItemTyp=G&GrpTyp=PRD&ItemID=0fd7b57&ProdSeq=1&ProdCount=32&Dep=men&RefPage=SearchDepartment&ShowMenu=T&ShopBy=0&SearchString=tuxedo&S4DeptID=469&CmCatId=SearchResults|SearchDepartment

[Rev22:17]

rikig1969,

 

First, is it formal for the WHOLE night? In other words, if we wanted to go to one of the bars or the theatre after dinner, is the formal attire still required? or can we change back to casualwear?

 

Princess's stated policy is that "[t]he evening dress code applies throughout the ship from 6:00 PM on, except in designated casual areas." The "designated casual areas" usually are the Horizon Court (buffet area), the pool area(s), and the fitness center. In my experience, Princess does little to enforce this, though that could change at any time. Nonetheless, those who don't comply most assuredly prove their own ignorance of social etiquette by such actions.

 

Second, if we wanted to pass on the formal all together, there's still plenty of places we can go on the ship with no issues, right?

 

No. Princess's stated policy is that "[t]he evening dress code applies throughout the ship from 6:00 PM on, except in designated casual areas." You probably can go to "Movies Under the Stars" (in the pool area) in casual attire, and there's always a few channels available on your stateroom television....

 

Third, with the formalwear rentals, is the bow tie pre-tied, or do we have to tie our ties?

 

They issue the standard bow ties with the discrete hook behind the knot and the eye on the end of the neckband that you would get with a rental from a tuxedo shop ashore.

 

Do you just use the tux rental thru the Princess site?

 

There's a trade-off. You probably can get a better rate on a "cruise package" from a local tuxedo shop near your home, but you then have to pack the outfit in your luggage. If you rent through Princess, the outfit shows up in your cabin on embarkation day and you just leave it there at the end of the cruise.

 

BTW, you don't have to rent formalwear. The cruise lines adopted a modified standard of "formal" dress back that admits dark -- and I do mean DARK -- business suits in the 1970's to accommodate the many gentlemen who did not own "black tie" outfits. On Princess, a dark business suit remains an acceptable substitute.

 

And if you plan to take more cruises, you might want to consider buying a formal outfit. You can buy a tuxedo with a couple sets of accessories for the cost of about two to three rentals.

 

Norm.

[sjbdtz]

...change if I am going to the casino as it is smoky in there and I don't want all my clothes stinking!!!!!!:D

 

 

Things that make you go HMMMMMM...... :eek: :rolleyes:

[Smart Freak]

I think this link http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Formal_wear could be intersting to read as it explains what to be understood by saying "formal wear"

[smoothdancer]

OMG... I cant imagine renting a tux with a bow tie that you have to tie yourself..... Dont know if you ever tried to do this, but it is hard.. Took me a long time to learn how to do this!

 

We attend formal events often so it was worth it to us to purchase a tux, and tails for my husband. (Tails stay home when cruising!) Another option is that you can purchase used from rental shops and they are in great condition. We dont find it much of a hassle to pack the tux anymore than a mans suit.

[stellalimelight]

I know I may be slammed for my comments but here I go. I was on the Diamond in Sept. I did a back to back. The first leg was a coastal and they were a lot more formal dressers. The 2nd leg was the Mexican Riviera and many of the people did not go overly formal. I think a nice jacket and tie would work, but it is up to you. Princess does not really inforce the rules and you will be treated no differently than those in a tux or a formal (if you were a woman). The crowd on the ship is pretty laid back and probably more resembles couples going out to a nice restaurant in Orange County on a Saturday night. Although formal night is for the whole night, alot of people change and more into nice evening clothes.

 

I personally do not care how anyone dresses, but it does amaze me that some men will go to the dining room with a T-shirt on. In those cases I wish, they would tell them to atleast go back and put on a shirt.

 

Some people on this board have claimed that it has ruined their formal night, but I dress for me and no one else, so I wouldn't let something as silly as how some people dress ruin the evening for me.

 

I will be back on the Diamond on the 9th of Dec and am looking forward to it.

 

Enjoy your trip

[rikig1969]

I know I may be slammed for my comments but here I go. I was on the Diamond in Sept. I did a back to back. The first leg was a coastal and they were a lot more formal dressers. The 2nd leg was the Mexican Riviera and many of the people did not go overly formal. I think a nice jacket and tie would work, but it is up to you. Princess does not really inforce the rules and you will be treated no differently than those in a tux or a formal (if you were a woman). The crowd on the ship is pretty laid back and probably more resembles couples going out to a nice restaurant in Orange County on a Saturday night. Although formal night is for the whole night, alot of people change and more into nice evening clothes.

 

From the sounds of it it seems like it depends on the itinerary somewhat as to how casual people will go? with Mexican Riviera being a lot more laid back than some of the others?

 

I personally do not care how anyone dresses, but it does amaze me that some men will go to the dining room with a T-shirt on. In those cases I wish, they would tell them to atleast go back and put on a shirt.

 

I agree there. I don't really care either.

But you would think that some people would at least have the decency not wear a T-shirt to dinner.

 

Some people on this board have claimed that it has ruined their formal night, but I dress for me and no one else, so I wouldn't let something as silly as how some people dress ruin the evening for me.

 

I certainly wouldn't let it ruin my evening. :D

 

I will be back on the Diamond on the 9th of Dec and am looking forward to it.

 

Enjoy your trip

 

Thanks! You as well.

[Fuzzzy]

I think this link http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Formal_wear could be intersting to read as it explains what to be understood by saying "formal wear"

This is a good link. I must remember it. I linked over to the business casual section and they have Bill Gates III as the model. What a hoot!

[Jay_NH]

I know I may be slammed for my comments but here I go. I was on the Diamond in Sept. I did a back to back. The first leg was a coastal and they were a lot more formal dressers. The 2nd leg was the Mexican Riviera and many of the people did not go overly formal. I think a nice jacket and tie would work, but it is up to you. Princess does not really inforce the rules and you will be treated no differently than those in a tux or a formal (if you were a woman). The crowd on the ship is pretty laid back and probably more resembles couples going out to a nice restaurant in Orange County on a Saturday night. Although formal night is for the whole night, alot of people change and more into nice evening clothes.

 

I personally do not care how anyone dresses, but it does amaze me that some men will go to the dining room with a T-shirt on. In those cases I wish, they would tell them to atleast go back and put on a shirt.

 

Some people on this board have claimed that it has ruined their formal night, but I dress for me and no one else, so I wouldn't let something as silly as how some people dress ruin the evening for me.

 

I will be back on the Diamond on the 9th of Dec and am looking forward to it.

 

Enjoy your trip

 

I agree!

As for stated policy. It refers to dining on the ship... not the entire ship. However who cares. Wear what you want but men... please don't wear a tank top. I personally don't care to see your hairy back and pits while eating angle hair pasta !!!;)

 

Jay:D

[Sailfish]

It's been a while since my last cruise aboard a Princess ship, so I too have a question about formal night too.

 

I will be on the Diiamond Princess in February. Will there be a formal night cocktail party? If so, how does the ship organize this?

 

On other cruise lines, the ship hosts a Captain's cocktail reception - I don't recall if there was one on my cruise aboard the Star Princess several years ago. I recall the champagne waterfall the last night of the cruise, but I don't remember what we did on the first formal night on the ship.

 

Thanks.

 

Suzi

[Tess2mommies]

Sometimes my partner and I change after dinner and go out, other times we stay in our clothes and enjoy the shows. It depends on our mood.

 

If you don't want to get dressed up for formal night you can eat at the buffet or the pizzeria.

 

Enjoy your cruise!