Formal Dress Code?

[snoopy124]

We are going on the Grand Princess in February. How many formal nights are there? The cruise is 7 nights. If we have traditional seating for dinner, do you need to participate in the formal night? Is the formal night thing for dinner or you have to be dressed for something after dinner?

Do men really need tuxedos? or can my husband bring a dark suit?

What do you do on formal night?

Thanks for all your help.

[christinelee]

We are going on the Grand Princess in February. How many formal nights are there? The cruise is 7 nights. If we have traditional seating for dinner, do you need to participate in the formal night? Is the formal night thing for dinner or you have to be dressed for something after dinner?

Do men really need tuxedos? or can my husband bring a dark suit?

What do you do on formal night?

Thanks for all your help.

2 formal nights on a seven day cruise

Yes you need to dress for formal nights in traditional seating

your only participation is that you are dressed to the nines and are feeling great

formal night is for the night

a dark suit is fine for men

we go to a show and then dinner or the reverse.... on the second formal night is the champagne water fall in the atrium (first formal is the Captain's Welcome (free drinks on the Captain in the atrium)

[custompcsys]

A dark suit is definitely fine, you'll find many men go for that option rather than the tux. Also, if you choose not to participate and want to dress casually for dinner on a formal night, you cannot use your traditional or anytime dining rooms. You'd have to eat at the Horizon Court or order room service. I've known people who have gone that route as well. Also, if you are going to a show or other activity after dinner, you can change back to casual attire. There is no need to stay in your formalwear after dinner, but many people do!

 

You do have choices, but formal nights are a chance to dress elegantly and have fun making the eveing a bit more refined. I think you'll enjoy it, but if not, you do have alternatives.

[laurieb]

It has been my understanding that formal is for the entire evening.

[janetz]

You will notice many that "change" after dinner. :)

[cdnguy]

It has been my understanding that formal is for the entire evening.

That's correct. Unfortunately some don't go along with that.

[custompcsys]

That's correct. Unfortunately some don't go along with that.

 

I would venture to say based on my past experience, that most don't stay dressed formally into their evening activities.

[Stevesan]

What Princess says:

 

Onboard Attire

 

Princess makes it easy to know what to pack and what to wear when you're dining onboard. There are two designations for dress codes: Smart Casual and Formal.

Smart Casual Evenings:

• Passenger attire should be in keeping with what would be worn to a nice restaurant at home. Inappropriate dinner wear such as pool or beach attire, shorts, ball caps and casual jeans (with fraying and/or holes), is not permitted in the dining rooms. Shoes must be worn.

Formal Evenings:

• Evening gown, cocktail dress, or elegant pant suit for women
  
• Tuxedo, dark suit or dinner jacket and slacks for men

Princess offers formal wear rental on all cruises; this can be arranged prior to embarkation. Please review the section entitled: formal wear.