Men's Formal Night Attire Question

[Editor]

Hi All:

 

My husband does not want to attend the two formal nights because he does not want to wear a jacket and tie. I'm not crazy about the idea of him eating at the buffet and me at traditional seating without him.

 

I just read a review on the Diamond (which is the ship we'll be on) where the staff was letting men dine on formal nights in shorts and jeans.

 

What's the deal??

 

If my husband shows up in a long-sleeved shirt and tie will they let him in or turn him away?

 

What's been your experience?

[askworldtraveler]

the reveiw also mentioned that they basically let any dress in, Sweats and tee shirts.... really?

[LARGIN]

They will probably let him in wearing a shirt and tie, however he will be in the minority. As for shorts and jeans on formal night, thats an urban myth.

[Smart Freak]

They won´t tell him anything but he will probably feel rejected by the situation itself, I mean, formal nights it's a tradition on cruises and if you don't like to wear a jacket and a tie then just do not attend to this special night, anyway there are many other ways you can have dinner, for instance at the buffet or service room.

[GuyInLA]

Look, I don't love the idea of putting a monkey-suit on either... but after a number of cruises I've realized (a) that I (personally) will NEVER feel comfortable in the main dining rooms on a formal night without a jacket, and (b) there are ways to make it easier.

 

For one thing, if I'm on a 7-day... I bring one suit and just a jacket that can be worn with the pants from that suit. On the first formal night I change into the suit at 7:45 (15 minutes before dinner)... enjoy the meal then go immediately back to the room and change into casual clothes. The entire night doesn't need to be spent in a suit. People at the shows and bars will get over it.

 

The second formal night I wear the jacket that works with the suit pants. It looks like a completely different outfit.

 

But to answer your question about whether a shirt and tie(sans jacket) would work... maybe. Men often take their jackets off to eat anyway... but I just think the few ounces of space a jacket takes in your suitcase isn't worth the possible feeling of discomfort... which often leads people to avoid the main dining rooms altogether on those nights.

 

Just my opinion.

[tvaud]

My DH wears a tuxedo for formal nights. The first one he'll wear a wing tip collar shirt with bow tie and cummerbund, and the second he wears a down collar shirt with a long tie and silk vest. Normally, he's a very casual guy, but he was very comfortable in his formal attire. And I have to mention how terribly sexy he looked in it.:D

If he absolutely refuses to wear even a tie or jacket, then go to the buffet or better yet, order the ultimate balcony dinner and stay in for the evening...very romantic! You may be happy you did...;)

[flvol77]

Hi All:

 

My husband does not want to attend the two formal nights because he does not want to wear a jacket and tie. I'm not crazy about the idea of him eating at the buffet and me at traditional seating without him.

 

I just read a review on the Diamond (which is the ship we'll be on) where the staff was letting men dine on formal nights in shorts and jeans.

 

What's the deal??

 

If my husband shows up in a long-sleeved shirt and tie will they let him in or turn him away?

 

What's been your experience?

 

try this, wear a tie and jacket, at dinner if he feels uncomfortable take the jacket off...I can't wear a jacket for very long....mainly because I get really over heated, so I take my jacket off.

[GSDsky]

Sure I wear a tux at formal night to pre dinner beer on balcony, dinner and then a short walk around the ship. Maybe casino for a few minutes. Then back to cabin and change back to slacks and golf shirt. Hey I am on holidays but do abide by the majority. Most get dressed up and great for people watching. I would feel out of place otherwise.

Shorts that night in dining room. I DON'T think so!

[hill6]

Tell your husband that you would really appreciate it if he would "suffer" by wearing a jacket and tie for the 60-90 minutes it will take to consume dinner. If you feel adventurous also throw in there that you would really, really like a nice picture of the two of you all dressed up since the last one was probably taken at your wedding.

 

Guilt trip, guilt trip, guilt trip!!

[JGR01]

Tell your husband that you would really appreciate it if he would "suffer" by wearing a jacket and tie for the 60-90 minutes it will take to consume dinner. If you feel adventurous also throw in there that you would really, really like a nice picture of the two of you all dressed up since the last one was probably taken at your wedding.

 

Guilt trip, guilt trip, guilt trip!!

 

NOT ENOUGH of a guilt trip!

 

Tell hubby that 'yes fine you can dine in Hoizon on formal nights .. and I will dine in (insert)' .. however I need a new diamond (or insert fav stone) bauble (insert ring or necklace or pin or ..) to show off at the dinner since you will not be there to hold up your end of the conversation.

 

Oh . and BTW there are TWO formal nights hon and I will need a new jewel for the second night also so I can tell my table companions how much you love me and cannot bear to be away from me .. but you do not like to get dressed up.

 

THAT would be sufficient guilt to make hubby dress up for the 2 hours of cocktails and dinner!

 

OR else major shopping for you!!!! :)

[LARGIN]

Tell hubby if he dresses up for dinner you will give him a great dessert... :D:D:D

[JGR01]

Tell hubby if he dresses up for dinner you will give him a great dessert... :D:D:D

 

Um .. i would call that a reward . not guilt! :D

 

Next thing you know you will have to 'pay' for him to mow the lawn ... :eek:

[JGR01]

Tell hubby if he dresses up for dinner you will give him a great dessert... :D:D:D

 

Um .. i would call that a reward . not guilt! :D

 

Next thing you know you will have to 'pay' for him to mow the lawn ... :eek:

[MauiLvrs]

Tell hubby that 'yes fine you can dine in Hoizon on formal nights .. and I will dine in (insert)' .. however I need a new diamond (or insert fav stone) bauble (insert ring or necklace or pin or ..) to show off at the dinner since you will not be there to hold up your end of the conversation.

If it works that way, Wify will be encouraging me to eat in the buffet while she picks out some new jewels

[RickSt]

On both formal nights the photographers will be set up in several locations for formal portraits. I recommend having your pictures taken both nights. Each photographer will have a different backdrop and possibly different poses so you never know which will turn out the best. They make great Christmas presents. I'm a truck driver and didn't own a suit until we started to plan for our cruise. Now that I have one I'll have to wear it to the grave to get my monies worth out of it if I don't wear it any other place than formal nights on a cruise.

Rick

[jennbill]

I'm with Rick. I own one suit-change up shirts and ties-that I only wear on cruises. Don't like getting dressed up but it's kinda fun seeing everyone else in their finest. He SHOULD stay in formal dress all evening as that is the dress code for the entire night. It's really a lot of fun.

[Cap'n Cork]

I prefer to wear formal to formal nights.

 

I tend to wear tuxedos these days. The tux, trousers, and shoes are rented, but I do bring an appropriate shirt.

 

My feeling about formal night is that it's not just a tradition; it's also a sort of fantasy. Other passengers in the dining rooms and in the passageways have paid big bucks to act out this fantasy. Why should I spoil someone else's fantasy scene by showing up wearing a tee shirt, cut-offs, and flip-flops?

[NSWP]

Us Aussies don't like getting dressed up. But I recognise the need for some formality, so on our cruises I take a navy blue blazer (think you call them Bermuda jackets), nice slacks, nice shirts and ties. That has been acceptable so far, but sure even in that I feel a little underdressed seeing those tuxedos and all. But I was a little dissapointed to see a few guys with just shirts and pants, no jacket and tie on formal nights, not doing the right thing in my opinion. :mad:

 

On one of our cruises we met an Aussie who just brought T shirts,shorts and sandals, no good shirts, no long pants, guess what he just ate at the Pizza bar every night, ugh. Did not worry him though. Such is life.

 

Best wishes from the land down under:cool:

[Buddy604]

If he's really really uncomfortable in a jacket and tie, there are some options, like a banded collar formal shirt, or a standard shirt with a loose and cofortable bow tie. He could also wear the jacket into the dining room, sit down for a moment and then, in a few minutes, casually rise and drape it over the back of the chair whilest fanning himself as if overheated.

 

If you're going for anytime dining, you might also want to consider a table for two those nights. Although very few people would have the nerve to comment on his attire, you might get unlucky and get stuck with one of the rude ones at your table, or the type that just makes passive-aggressive sighs and eye-rolls at the table, and then comes on to cruise critic and evicerates you publicly. :D

[aebalc]

Like Rick I'm also a trucker and never have need of a suit in my day to day life. I used to be a one suit guy but have swung to the tux renter side. That darn suit kept expanding and contracting in the closet and therefore never fit right. So now I rent get a different style each time and I use and return the tux before it can morph into a different size. I love always being able to have the contemporary styles and comfortable fit.

[pnjkeith]

Tell him to wear a Shirt and Tie. Lots of other people will be. Dont let others spoil your fun

[JKJoannie]

My brother in law and his family recently went on their first cruise. He didn't read the guidelines and only brought very casual clothes. He looked in the main dining room on formal night and realized that he was totally out of place in his casual clothes. He started to walk away to go to the buffet and the staff wouldn't let him leave. They told him he was dressed just fine. He said there were other families and couples in the dining room that were just as casual.

 

So the staff will not prevent you from entering the dining room. Just the opposite!

[Pam in CA]

While it's true that you probably won't be turned away if you're dressed in casual clothes on formal night, it could turn out that you are refused. It depends on the Maitre D. There are times when a jacket and tie are appropriate and formal night on a cruise ship is one of them. If you like the atmosphere and service on Princess, then there are certain guidelines which are part and parcel of the cruise atmosphere. Formal night is one of them. If you really prefer a totally casual atmosphere, then perhaps Princess isn't the right cruiseline for you.

[stellalimelight]

They will probably let him in wearing a shirt and tie, however he will be in the minority. As for shorts and jeans on formal night, thats an urban myth.

 

I was on the Diamond in Sept and I swear there was a man who was seated that had on a T-shirt the said "Bite Me" and a pair of jeans.

 

Now what woman would let her husband go to dinner like that.

 

 

BTW the will seat you in the dining room of the Diamond if your husband has on a nice long sleeve shirt and a nice pair of pants. Just leave the "Eat me" shirt for daytime:)

[stellalimelight]

While it's true that you probably won't be turned away if you're dressed in casual clothes on formal night, it could turn out that you are refused. It depends on the Maitre D. There are times when a jacket and tie are appropriate and formal night on a cruise ship is one of them. If you like the atmosphere and service on Princess, then there are certain guidelines which are part and parcel of the cruise atmosphere. Formal night is one of them. If you really prefer a totally casual atmosphere, then perhaps Princess isn't the right cruiseline for you.

 

 

As in my earlier post, because this is a 7 day Mexican Riviera cruise, I think alot of the passengers are less formal...If he doesn't wear a jacket, only way he will feel uncomfortable is if another passenger tries to make him feel that way. On the itineraries I have been on the majority of people are dress very formal on formal night. Just remember the rude or snooty passengers will be the same way no matter what they are wearing.