Dining Alternatives on Formal Nights

[TudorSue]

I am having a hard time getting DH "on board" - so to speak - with formal night dress-up. He says he'd rather spend the two formal nights eating at alternative restaurants.

 

Since we're first-time Celebrity cruisers, I'd welcome suggestions about alternatives that come closest to approximating a sit-down meal rather than buffet-style. Thanks!

[Lois R]

I am having a hard time getting DH "on board" - so to speak - with formal night dress-up. He says he'd rather spend the two formal nights eating at alternative restaurants.

 

Since we're first-time Celebrity cruisers, I'd welcome suggestions about alternatives that come closest to approximating a sit-down meal rather than buffet-style. Thanks!

 

Hi:)

 

First, Celebrity doesn't offer a "Regular Buffet" for dinner on the

ships.

They do have options other than the maing Dining Room.

One option is called "Alternative Dining". It is located upstairs

near the buffet, but you order off a menu and are waited on.

It is a casual venue but they do suggest reservations and

it is requested a 2.00 per person gratuity.

 

Depending on which ship you are sailing, the M-Class offers

food at the Aqua Spa Cafe, which is opened until 8:00pm.

It is more of a healthy style of food and its quite good.

 

You can also eat at the Grill (by the pool) though I can't remember

the hours there because I have never had dinner there myself.

 

They have a Sushi Bar too. I think the hours are 5ish-8ish (PM)

range. It is upstairs on the Lido Deck too, usually Starboard

or AFT~depending on the ship.

 

And there is always room service as well.

 

Oh, the M-Class ships and CENTURY offer the Specialty Restaurant

too, but that is a more dressy venue. Just wanted to let you know

about it, but since formal nights are not in the picture I would guess

that would not be one of your choices. The food is outstanding,

and it is 30.00 per person. It is (in my opinion) like a 5star

restaurant at home.

[lvtotrvl1]

Don't worry! Mine is the same way..We went to one...I made him;) but the next we ate off the buffet area (ordered off menus) , he ate sushi and it was a great time! Next time I will probably do that both nights!

[bububr]

The specialty restaurants on X follow the same dress code of the evening as the main restaurant.

 

The option would be to dine in the 'casual dining' area which is basically the buffet area. It is NOT a buffet, but waiter service with white linen table cloths and a nice menu selection. It is not the full menu that the main restaurant serves, but there is something for everyone. the only difference is that you can dress casually.

 

I would suggest working on your DH to bring a dark suit or rent a tux. being part of the formal nights is part of the cruise on X and you'd be missing out on the lobster tails and baked alaska.

 

The only other alternative would be room service, but who wants to stay cooped up in their room when there is SO much more available to you.

 

Good luck with DH! and have a great cruise!

 

Dave:eek:

[TudorSue]

Duplicate post. apologies.

[TudorSue]

DH has no issue getting dressed up for the Specialty Restaurant...go figure. We're sailing on Century. Our preference is the dine-when-you-want, no- formal-night style of Oceania. But we're looking forward to this Norwegian-fjord cruise. We're in CC, so I'm already "dreading" the calorie-buster temptations of the room service breakfast menu.:)

 

Thanks so much for the suggestions.

[Lois R]

Sue, if he doesn't mind dressing for the Specialty Restaurant,

I would suggest going there for sure:)

I will be sailing Century in December and plan on it...then again

I love dressing up;)

But if you want a wonderful meal, from everything I have

read the new Specialty Restaurant on Century is FABULOUS:D

It is called Murano's~Go for it!

[dkjretired]

I am having a hard time getting DH "on board" - so to speak - with formal night dress-up. He says he'd rather spend the two formal nights eating at alternative restaurants.

 

Since we're first-time Celebrity cruisers, I'd welcome suggestions about alternatives that come closest to approximating a sit-down meal rather than buffet-style. Thanks!

 

 

You have numerous options from room service where you can get the regular meal offered in the dining room during regular dining hours to various other dining options as mentioned earlier.

 

You should keep in mind however that the formal dress is not just for the dining room but for the entire ship for the evening except for certain areas such as the casual dining, pool, gym, etc. This includes theaters and lounges after dining room hours are over. I am not passing an opinion on this but am passing on to you what Celebrity's stated policy is...

[DrKoob]

As a guy who wears a tux on every formal night and always wears a tie on informal nights I can honestly say I do it for my bride. Guys who will not dress up to take the most beautiful lady they know to a beautiful dinner with new friends in a gorgeous dining room are just plain selfish. Sorry, that's the way I feel. Do it for the woman you love. She needs to feel you love her enough to put on a suit or tie.I just don't get people who don't.

 

Let the flaming begin.

[Cruise Arizona]

We ladies love to see our men dress up! Thanks for accommodating your wife.

[xke_uk]

As a guy who wears a tux on every formal night and always wears a tie on informal nights I can honestly say I do it for my bride. Guys who will not dress up to take the most beautiful lady they know to a beautiful dinner with new friends in a gorgeous dining room are just plain selfish. Sorry, that's the way I feel. Do it for the woman you love. She needs to feel you love her enough to put on a suit or tie.I just don't get people who don't.

 

A true gentleman.

 

[Sky Sweet]

Tudor Sue, I can understand why your husband doesn't mind getting dressed up for the specialty restaurant, but doesn't feel the same way about the main dining room.

 

In my opinion, it is comparable to wearing a tux to a special event that is held at an upscale hotel or private country club vs a typical catering hall. Even though I will always honor the dress code of my host, formal attire in some venues appears to be natural while it can feel rather contrived in others.

[hcat]

Way to Go Dr, Koob...My DH does the dress up fine but wish he would dance more! (hint hint)

[TudorSue]

I'm sure that DH would don anything for me if I felt strongly about it. But this is a case where I'm fine with accommodating his inclinations.

 

Everyone's suggestions have been helpful, plus it finally occurred to me to read the official CC ship review of Century, which has good detail about dining options on board.

 

Thirty-six years of wedded bliss and counting....:)

[Rev22:17]

TudorSue,

 

I am having a hard time getting DH "on board" - so to speak - with formal night dress-up. He says he'd rather spend the two formal nights eating at alternative restaurants.

 

Since we're first-time Celebrity cruisers, I'd welcome suggestions about alternatives that come closest to approximating a sit-down meal rather than buffet-style. Thanks!

 

In that case, I strongly recommend that you seriously consider cancelling and rebooking a similar itinarary on another line. Celebrity still follows the tradition of "informal" evenings in addition to "formal" evenings, so you will need to dress up about half of the evenings of your cruise. A typical fourteen night Celebrity cruise, for example, will have three (3) "formal" evenings, four (4) "informal" evenings, and seven (7) "casual" evenings. In addition, Celebrity clearly states that the presecribed dress code is required throughout the ship, except designated "casual" areas, after 6:00 PM.

 

Celebrity does offer "alternative casual dining" (with full table service) in the buffet area, but there's very little in the way of "alternative casual enterainment" so you may find that your only options are "pay per view" movies and reruns of old television programs.

 

I should also mention that the "formal" evenings are the evenings when Celebrity really pulls out all the stops with the best featured menus and many extra touches that don't appear on other evenings in the dining room, the best production shows in the Celebrity Theatre, and very classy special events that tend to be quite memorable -- and to which you will want to bring your camera! If you don't participate fully in these evenings, you will miss out.

 

Norm.

[flagger]

Regardless of the stated policy, I have never seen anyone removed from the theatre or the casino because of how they were dressed. Others state they have, but considering the Casino is a revenue generator you are going to be hard pressed to find someone who is going to toss you to the curb.

 

There is always the pool for entertainment. There is nothing like swimming in an empty pool while at sea. The T-pool on the M-class ships at sea are also heavenly. There is a pizza and pasta station as well as a Sushi Bar in addition to the Casual dining venue. There is the AquaSpa which I believe serves food until 8pm.

 

Ms. Flagger said the Lobster tail was tough and frankly we find the Baked Alaska parade to be sort of disgusting with everyone waving around their used napkins. The thought of all those flying crumbs and germs floating about just skeeves me to no end.