What to do on formal nights for non-formal folks?

[Daghis]

We don't care for dressing up on our cruise. On past cruises, we basically locked ourselves away in our cabin, avoiding the public areas of the ship so as not to avoid upsetting anyone's formal night experience.

 

I read through the recently posted Cruise Compasses and saw that on the formal nights, the Windjammer is still listed as "Casual Dining". Is it okay to be dressed decently (long pants and regular shirt) to eat in the Windjammer on formal nights?

 

What else would be considered "acceptable" activities for those who don't want to get dressed up on formal nights?

[pcbeck]

People do what you described all of the time in the Windjammer. Go for it and have a nice evening!

[karena1]

Absolutely, enjoy the ship. I would not go around in cut offs and t-shirts on formal night, but if you choose not to dress up, you sure don't have to hide in your cabin. We always dress up for 7 nights, but never for the Sovereign 3 night. I just wear a skirt/summer top and DH wears slacks and Hawaiin shirt and we go into dinner. If I wasn't going to dress for a longer cruise, I would probably do what you are thinking and go to Windjammers.

 

Have fun and don't worry. You will see all sorts of different dress on formal nights - from extremely dressed up to extremely casual.

[mcarnett]

I have seen many people in thee main dining room not dressed up for fomal night. As long as you are not wearing shorts or jeans, I don't think you would stand out that much. JMHO.

 

Mike

[holden0301]

As soon as our formal night dinner is over, we usually change into comfortable clothes (pants, jeans, etc.) and do whatever - casino, walk, attend a show. As the other posters said, as long as you are dressed nicely for dinner, you'll be fine. You don't have to avoid going out of the cabin because it's formal night.

[jstewie23]

Might be a good night to hit the specialty restaurants - Chops and Portofinos. Dress there is smart casual. I wore khakis and a short sleeve button down or a golf shirt.

[Nliedel]

I'd say enjoy the ship! I'm a formal gal, but the Windjammer is not formal and I know people who go to Chops too.

 

And anyone who looks at you and sniffs is not worth a thought.

 

Yes, I love formal night, but not everyone does and no one should feel forced to hide in their cabin.

[Daghis]

Might be a good night to hit the specialty restaurants - Chops and Portofinos. Dress there is smart casual. I wore khakis and a short sleeve button down or a golf shirt.

That's an excellent idea! Since the kids will be off having dinner with their new-found friends at Johnny Rockets or wherever they go for formal nights, it'd be a great time for a quiet, parents-only dinner.

[katiel53]

When we went on Mariner a couple of weeks ago, we decided that we weren't going to be formal. When we went to Portofino, our favorite restaurant, to make reservations, we were told the dress for the evening was (for men) long pants and a nice shirt. I asked about a jacket for my husband as he has always worn a jacket in there. I was told, it wasn't necessary. So, we made reservations for 3 nights.(2 nights were the formal nights.) We were told the same thing at Chops.

 

I did notice on the first formal night that there were some people dressed to the nines. The rest of us were dressed nicely, but definitely not in suits/jackets/ties. The women wore dressier pants/pantsuits or nice dresses. Nothing formal for most of us. It was sooooooo great to not have to be all dressed up.

 

We also noticed that after dinner most of the people changed into more comfortable clothes. At least in the lounges and casino there were NOT a lot of people in suits/fancy dresses.

 

I can't wait until we go again. I don't plan to pack a suit/jacket for my husband and we will already be comfortable for after dinner. Enjoy your cruise.

[relaxandenjoy]

While I LOVE getting dressed up for formal nights, I certainly don't expect everyone to share in my excitement. By all means, this is YOUR vacation. Do not hide in your cabin. Nobody should care how you look walking around the ship and, if they do, it's their problem and not yours. Enjoy yourselves and be comfortable!

[J9sling]

Don't believe all the fuss about formal nights that you read about on these boards. We were on the Mariner last week and I noticed that everyone seemed to be enjoying their dining experience so much that you didn't even notice if someone was not dressed up. I think the only time we noticed what someone was wearing was when we were waiting in line for photos...and that was only to admire some of the beautiful gowns or cute outfits on the kids. Only people in formal attire seemed to be waiting in line. I am guessing maybe those who weren't formal may have felt uncomfortable hanging out for photos on those nights.

 

Don't let it stop you from enjoying the dining room. I really don't think anyone pays attention, that is, unless they are the type who have nothing better to do!

[PantherFan]

I do like one formal night for fun but I dread the second one and we always change right after dinner to go to a show or up on deck.

 

I think after 8pm--ish (which is after 1st dinner) lots of people will be changing to casual clothes.

 

On the 3 or 4 day cruises I always opt for a short cocktail dress....won't pack an evening gown for those.

 

Since you will be on the Liberty you do have more dining options...........have fun and do what you want, it's your vacation!:)

[alcheme]

Agreed. Not everyone dresses up for formal night, and most of those who do are not bothered by the fact that some choose not to. Don't feel you need to hide in your room, for heaven's sake. :)

 

If you want to try one of the specialty dining places, that's not a bad idea, but if you want to dine in the regular dining room, there's nothing wrong with that either. The majority of the people will be dressed up, but you'll see plenty of "smart casual" on formal nights, as well.

[molly361]

We did what others have stated above on our FOS cruise- All other 7 day or more cruises we brought out formal attire but decided on this trip that we were not doing it- One night we ate in Chops and the other in the Windjammer. So many people get changed out of their formal wear right after dinner these days you can never tell who was dressed up and has already changed clothes and who was never dressed up at all:p

[AdMaven]

I'm lucky to get DH on his first cruise and promised him NO formal night! Since we're going on the Vision it will be Windjammer one formal night and the 2nd FN we will eat in our suite.

[birdylady]

When we cruised at the beginning of May on the Mariner, we went with my family, all of who would be getting dressed up for the formal nights. My hubby refused to wear a suit or tie on his vacation, and I was not going to argue (hey, it's his vacation!). I got dressed nicely and he wore a very nice pair of khakis and a button down shirt. He looked fine, didn't feel out of place and no-one gave him a second look (or comment). Just enjoy yourself!

 

Erika

[Apoggi]

There is no need to hide in your room on formal night. Dress casual and you will feel right at home. Go to the Windjammer or a specialty restaurant for a nice romantic dinner to two.

 

Ann

[big al]

We have done 17 cruises,and I'm with you & most posters..I also don't like formal nights,so we usually go to Chops or Portifinos those nights.Tommy Bahama shirts,dockers,closed toe sandals that are very $$ is what I wear.We go sometimes to one formal night,but no suits for me-perhaps a tie & sport coat and it comes off RIGHT after dinner to go do the evening stuff.It KILLS me when I see men in Tuxedos all night after dinner,in the bars,show rooms,on deck in 90 degree heat...my wife also runs to the cabin to change into casual,comfy clothes.I sweat everyday in South Florida working outside in a tie,long sleeves & dress pants,I ain't gonna sweat on my vacation.....There's always room servive on your balcony-not a great menu,but nice idea.....or you can go to the Windjammer,get a couple plates of food and bring it down to your cabin and eat outside under the stars (very romantic guys!!)......

 

Big Al

[budbuddies]

Okay-there is a debate at our house about the menu's at Chops and Windjammer-this being our first cruise-what kind of food can we expect from these restaurants if we decide to eat there instead of formal night?-----Thanks

[DonnaK]

I change into casual clothes immediately after dinner, and go to shows, etc, dressed comfortably.

 

I also want to echo what others have said - there will be a small percentage of men dressed in dockers and a button-down shirt (without a tie) and women in "church" casual clothes in the main dining room on formal night. As long as you aren't in jeans, sneakers, or anything extremely casual, you should not feel the you have to avoid the dining room, esp on the second formal night when many people "dress down" from the first one.