If I decide to eat in my cabin on formal nights..

[rogerdm]

Does that mean that I will not be welcome on the decks or in the casino in casual attire??

[29Waves]

I have seen the personel on some ships turn away people from the casino and specific areas on formal nights that were not dressed properly, however, this seems to vary on each ship and each sailing.

 

You will just have to wait and see.

 

I do have a question though. Why pick Celebrity if you don't like to dress on formal nights ? There are many other cruise lines that give you a choice of where and how to dress, such as Princess, among others.

 

IMO, Celebrity being one of the few lines still holding to traditional dining mostly appeals to those who like to dress up...

 

D~

[rogerdm]

I have seen the personel on some ships turn away people from the casino and specific areas on formal nights that were not dressed properly, however, this seems to vary on each ship and each sailing.

 

You will just have to wait and see.

 

I do have a question though. Why pick Celebrity if you don't like to dress on formal nights ? There are many other cruise lines that give you a choice of where and how to dress, such as Princess, among others.

 

IMO, Celebrity being one of the few lines still holding to traditional dining mostly appeals to those who like to dress up...

 

D~

 

I know that if I don't want to dress up, I can dine in my cabin as there is a dining room table. If I don't go on the decks, well so be it. The only thing is that I have a RT to Hawaii next year during Thanksgiving in the same accomodations. I'll be alone, I think, for this one. I don't know of any other cruise lines that offer the type of accomodations I have and the service that goes with it. ie not having to dress up. <p> I respect the dressing up, I just don't want to do it!

[29Waves]

I understand completely! I love Celebrity's service and love the fact that there are NO announcements in the staterooms. I also like to dress up on the formal nights, whether alone or traveling with some one, but I do understand that there are people who dress up frequently while home and prefer not to on vacation :D

Whatever, you will enjoy yourself no matter what!

D~

[tuggers]

When you first posted on 8/22 about wanting to eat your meals in your suite and not the 'cafeteria' I thought perhaps you had taken all of the thoughtful answers to heart and had decided to give the dining room a try!

 

One of the nicest things about X is that it tends to get people out of their comfort zones and pushes them to try new things like the formal nights. I would be so bold as to suggest that you might give it a try. A lot of the men who don't think they will like it, just blossom with all the compliments that are lavashed on them by the women who are so happy to see the guys all dressed up. Tuxes are rented if you like and are not just for weddings. They make any guy look like Tom Cruise or Sean Connery (depending on your age group). At the very least you can get a picture taken to prove you did it ONCE!

 

I just, personally, hate to think of you, in that cabin, missing out on the fun, just because you don't want to put on a cumberbund! Come on, Roger! Take a chance! Live a little! Come out and join us! It's great fun!! I wish I was going to be on your cruise! I'd come right to your cabin, excuse me, suite, amd get you!!!

[rogerdm]

Thank you for your reply. ok, I will come clean. I have a partner of 29 years and he does not want to go on a cruise. I think it might be due to "feeling confined", not able to get in the car and do antique hunting. He is not the type to "just relax..." I have read threads of gay men traveling by the signatures. I do so want my partner to travel with me but I just don't see it happening this November or Next November. This November my family from Arizona and my good friend from Binghamton will be joining me. They have their own cabins. I'll get through this, but...next November 2005 is another story. As far as the "tuxedo thing goes.." I can't stand anything constricting about my neck! I have this phobia about this. I would not enjoy my dinner. I realize I am on a cruise ship that requires this style of dress and I can certainly understand it!! <p> I just want the ambiance of Celebrity, the butler service, etc. <p> Thank you Tuggers for your kind suggestions. I do wish you were on this Thanksgiving cruise as I would like to meet you and your husband. I certainly hope that I have not turned others off to this cruise. Live and let live.....

[BellaCruiser]

Hello Roger...my cruise experience is since 1995 which includes meeting wonderful folks. I pulling for you and your partner to meet the most gracious people who will enjoy your company!

[tuggers]

Well, there must be an answer to the constricting neck thing. There are so many styles out there. The fashion gurus should work on that one for you. The tux without a tight neck. Something to ponder!

 

Your partner of 29 years? How wonderful! We were on the Zenith with a couple (Art and Larry) who just celebrated 30 years together! That is some accomplishment. I've never made it past 7 except for one time but we were seperated for 15 years and never saw each other. Actually, that was the best marriage I ever had! LOL! Now I prefer to do my own single thing but I do admire people who can make a go of a relationship.

 

Maybe he will relent? There really is no feeling of confinement. And maybe he could get his shopping fix at the art auctions? Lots of people are crazy about those. Have you shown him the dailies from a cruise? I think nealberk has some posted on his site. He might see what there is to do all day. And on port days there are the islands to explore. Now the Hawaii cruise might not be a good start with all the sea days, but something else might be a good starter cruise. I sure would like to see you both have a cruise you could enjoy!

[gracecarmo]

Re tuxedo styles: When I watch the Oscars, I like to see all the different "styles" men are wearing. There actually is a style that just has a black button at the top of the colarless shirt. Some just wore white slinky type fabric tee shirts with tux jackets and trousers. I would say to Roger...be creative. Go to the formal dinner, if the tux shirt is the issue.

[tuggers]

See? I told you there was an answer! A slinky black tshirt with the tux coat and pants! They'll probably think you are a movie star! Sorry, that's the best movie star I could find!:)

[cruisintwinsmom]

You don't need a tux for formal night (although they do look great on), a suit is appropriate--unless they've changed the rules since June. It seemed my brothers had to wear ties to high school and they could do something to relieve that top neck button.

 

 

Happy Sailing!

[excitedofharpenden]

Gail, that's Michael Flatley!;) :D

 

And Roger, it's a shame you aren't on our cruise any longer. We would have got you to Formal Night somehow:)

 

Phil

[DUCK33]

i have worn the collarless shirt with button rather than tie or bow tie. it is quite comfortable and very sharp looking. give it a whirl

[barbgazz]

I think a silk tee with a tux jacket would be really cool and not constrict the neck. I wish we were cruising with you Roger, you sound delightful. I wish your partner would cruise with you, you would probably have a great time together.

[rogerdm]

Can't you all change to Nov 20, 2005 Infinity, Hawaii?? That would be my dream . We could have a cocktail party in my cabin!! You could come join me on the verandah... I will look at Men's Wearhouse for the tux you suggested. (but..I need a support group that includes all of you!!) I am serious!!

[tuggers]

Hey Phil!

 

I know who it is, but the only other suitable one was Cher!

 

Roger,

 

Find me a good price on a single and I could be persuaded. I get back from Horizon on Nov 12th and am free until Century Dec 4th ! What ship are you on?

Not that I care! As long as it's a ship and it's on the ocean, I'm ok!

[DUCK33]

you got it pal......i am sure you will enjoy the whole experience. the formal nights ( in my humble opinion) are a large part of true traditional cruising and should be experienced at least once. if they are not your cup of tea then book freestyle cruising where you will feel more comfortable. in cruising there are always options thats what makes cruising the perfect vaction (also in my humble opinion)

[tuggers]

Let's see if we can get the duke of Earl on here to give tux advice! He just bought a new tux and a new dinner jacket. He calls himself a duke but he is the KING of getting designer stuff at bargain prices and he is oh, so fashionable! And, I must say, he looks extremely handsome in his tuxes!

 

He has some favorite stores he shops. Maybe he will share his secrets!

[judytata11]

Roger... On my last Celebrity cruise with my grandson we decided to attend only 1 formal night. On the other we dressed casually and ate in the alternate dinig area. We loved it! You have to reserve a place in advance and can chose your time. They had a good menu and table service...saw a few singles along with couples and families there. Waiters in training serve and you must leave a tip($2 I think). We did walk around the ship after and go to the show.

[jezzdogg]

Cumberbums????????

They have been out for quite some time, the new style is vests.....Also while bow ties are still be worn, if you look at some of thr fashion magazines, they show ties with the tux's. That is how I got my dh into one.

On this last cruise we had a gentleman who was cruising by himself, and we all had a great time at our table, we were always the last to leave, then even open the lights to high to get us out......sorry we are not crising with you, you sound like a delightful person. If your partner likes to shop for antigues, what about a cruise in Europe??

Also in the Chinatown in Hawaii there are some wonderful stores that have some aniques.

[Offtune Angel]

... As far as the "tuxedo thing goes.." I can't stand anything constricting about my neck! I have this phobia about this. I would not enjoy my dinner...

Roger, I know where you are at. My husband has claustrophobia and can't wear a tie without choking -- literally, not just figuratively. To complicate matters, his girth is not ideally proportioned for his height. Further, most of his life he has worn short sleeves because long sleeved shirts went way beyond his fingertips. But I so wanted to see him in a Tux again (he wore one when we married 29 yrs ago). We ordered a tux through Cruiseline Formalwear in April 2003 for our Transatlantic cruise.

 

The first problem the agency identified was that his girth could not be accommodated in a "short" size (we opted for regular). The second problem was their largest shirt's neck was 21. Doug is a 22. They telephoned to be sure the measurements were correct and said they would try their best. We crossed our fingers.

 

We arrived on board to find the tux waiting in our cabin. Following the agency's recommendation, Doug immediately tried on the whole outfit, including the tie! He was amazed. They had customized both shirts so the sleeve length fit, the body fit AND (drum roll) -- he wasn't choking when the tie went on! He looked stunning on all three formal nights! More importantly, he felt good AND comfortable. He claimed the tux was more comfortable than any of his suit or blazer/shirt/tie combinations at home.

 

He felt so good (and knew he looked so good;) ) he even posed with me for a portrait - something he hadn't done for over 24 years. I'm sure he felt taller. In fact, I'm positive he strutted into the Dining room that first Formal night. For our cruise next month, he has been the one reminding me to order the tux!:D

 

I do hope your partner will be able to work up the courage to overcome the "fear of being confined" feeling. There's something magical about being on a ship's deck and gazing out over the vast expanse of water. To be able to do so, with the person who means the most to you, is a gift you cherish for the rest of your life.

 

Good luck and happy cruising.

 

Terry:)

[NnJ2010]

I just want to say I hope you have a wonderful time on your cruise no matter where you eat or what you wear! :) ALso, I hope that your partner comes around and decides to try cruising.

 

My husband is the type who can't sit still. I figured he wouldn't like the cruise. (Also we don't have kids and we were going on DCL....it was a free cruise how could you say no....) Well, long story short, cruises are his favorite form of vacation. It is the one time I get to see him totally kick back and relax!

[NnJ2010]

Also just want to add.....that I don't think people have to attend the formal nights. I think that people can eat at alternative locations on formal night if they don't want to dress up and still enjoy all that Celebrity has to offer. There are alternative options for that reason. I wouldn't discourage anyone from giving celebrity a try just because they may not want to or may not be comfortable dressing for formal night. Just find an alternative dining solution. There's too much that is great about Celebrity to not cruise it just for a couple of dinners!

[duke_of_earl]

I have to agree with some of the others about different tux ideas. I have worn a black silk tee shirt before, I have worn a collarless white tux shirt with a button cover at the top, and I have worn the same thing in black. I don't think any of these would bother your neck and you would be very trendy. If none of this works for you, go to a basic black suit with a white or black silk teeshirt. For that matter any plain color dark suit like grey, blue.etc. I really think you would find the experience a good one like Gail said. Sure wish Gail and I were on your cruise..... we would be happy to have dinner with you.

 

By the way, I don't like to eat n my jacket so I take mine off during dinner most of the time..... I don't worry about others think, I feel more comfortable without my jacket...so I kind of understand where you are coming from with the shirt thing.... it can be a bit of a pain. Like I said, if I don't feel like a tux shirt, I go with a very nice silk tee, and I feel great!

 

Good luck with getting your partner to go......I am certain if he would try it he would love it. I am envious of your long term comitment to each other..... like Gail, I was only able to make it to 15 years and now I enjoy being single and meeting all the wonderful people on cruises! I hope to meet you on the seas one day. :D

 

Take care,

[Lorelle]

Thank you for your reply. ok, I will come clean. I have a partner of 29 years and he does not want to go on a cruise. I think it might be due to "feeling confined", not able to get in the car and do antique hunting. He is not the type to "just relax..." I have read threads of gay men traveling by the signatures. I do so want my partner to travel with me but I just don't see it happening this November or Next November. This November my family from Arizona and my good friend from Binghamton will be joining me. They have their own cabins. I'll get through this, but...next November 2005 is another story. As far as the "tuxedo thing goes.." I can't stand anything constricting about my neck! I have this phobia about this. I would not enjoy my dinner. I realize I am on a cruise ship that requires this style of dress and I can certainly understand it!! <p> I just want the ambiance of Celebrity, the butler service, etc. <p> Thank you Tuggers for your kind suggestions. I do wish you were on this Thanksgiving cruise as I would like to meet you and your husband. I certainly hope that I have not turned others off to this cruise. Live and let live.....

My Husband never wears a Tux, there are other acceptable clothes for the dress up night I am sure that you will look great join everybody and have a great time. Lorelle