Do you have to eat in the dining room?

[cruiselover999]

My husband (28yo) is not sure if his clothes will be dressy enough (he doesn't own a tux obviously or even a suit jacket, but he does have ties, dress shirts, dress pants, & dress shoes) for the two formal nights on our Carnival Liberty Cruise in September.

 

So my question is, do we have to eat in the dining rooms during formal night or is there another area that we can eat at? I'd rather find something else for dinner on those nights than for him to think he's embarassing me, as he's stated he's afraid of doing. He knows how much this cruise means to me! :p

 

There is no way I would let the lack of a suit coat from enjoying the delicious meals in the main dining room! I have seen people dressed in all manner of style, and the food tastes exactly the same, regardless! Of course, there are a few "hardliners" who think you are ruining "their" experience, but they are so few and far between as to not really matter. This is YOUR vacation...go and enjoy! ;)

[kruisecat]

DH and I love to dress up. That said DH does not need to wear a suit every day (really other than cruises ... no days :) ) but what we have found to be a good "investment" was a sports jacket. Basic black. We bought it probably close to 10 years ago but because it gets limited use it still looks brand new. We didn't spend a lot on it (probably less than $100) and now he has it for any time something comes up. Truthfully you will have weddings, funerals and other more formal affairs that a jacket will come in handy for. And again without a huge investment you won't feel like you wasted your money.

[millerboy88]

If your husband wears dress pants and polo shirt he will fit in just fine. You will see a lot less than that worn for sure. Last year on our cruise, we sat at the table on formal night with guest that had shorts(swim trunks), a tee shirt, and ball caps on. Carnival never daid anything to them, so just casual dress of any sort will be better than a lot of people. Remember, it's your cruise and vacation, don't let what others may think get in the way of you having a great time. ENJOY!!!!

[Earthworm Jim]

:eek: Surely you are kidding. Most of us cannot afford to spend an extra $300 just for a suit that he'll probably only wear to a wedding or something.

 

He doesn't need a suit for the cruise, but every adult man should have a dark suit in the back of their closet. Sooner or later you're going to have to go to a close relative's funeral, or go to a formal wedding, or some other thing. You might as well bite the bullet and buy it ahead of time. If (heaven forbid) a parent or someone close to you were to die you wouldn't feel much like running out to the tailor so you could have a suit before the funeral.

 

I don't even think it would cost $300. For example I just looked at the Men's Warehouse site and they have a black suit for $160. I'm sure it's not that great a suit, but if it will only be worn rarely it would be fine.

[dommer573]

He doesn't need a suit for the cruise, but every adult man should have a dark suit in the back of their closet. Sooner or later you're going to have to go to a close relatives funeral, or go to a formal wedding, or some other thing. You might as well bite the bullet and buy it ahead of time. If (heaven forbid) a parent or someone close to you were to die you wouldn't feel much like running out to the tailor so you could have a suit before the funeral.

 

I don't even think it would cost $300. For example I just looked at the Men's Warehouse site and they have a black suit for $160. I'm sure it's not that great a suit, but if it will only be worn rarely it would be fine.

 

This was the point I was trying to make. He could go to J.C. Penny's or Mervyns for example, and buy a pair of slacks, and a dress shirt for less than $50. American. As for Yukon's post that you could get an upgrade for $300.00 that is true, but why would you pay more for a cabin on your cruise and then not go out and enjoy all the things on-board that are there for you. You could afford a suite if you didn't drink, go on any excursion, stayed out of the casino, got no pictures, etc.

If you're fine with the buffet, than go for it, but if you ask me, my advice would be to spend a couple of dollars and go to formal night. Enjoy!!;)

[DavidandPaula]

The only reason I had a suit to wear on the cruise was due to a family wedding four days before we left for Europe. Due to weight loss on the cruise and since I now have another suit that does not fit me and will hang in the wardrobe until the annual clean up and collection for the opportunity shop. Another wedding in April so you can guess what is coming up.

 

We ate every night in the dining room and for all but the formal nights wore the suit without the jacket, formal nights wore the jacket. I am not sure if our cruise had more missing luggage than normal but I felt I was more than dressed up enough.

 

But do not avoid the dining room as the food is much better than what you get at the buffets etc. Add to that the difficulty with finding a table in the busy times in the buffets. We liked it so much that we only missed eating in the dining room on 2 mornings due to sleeping in and then having to rush to join excursions.

 

David

[scuabacruiser]

Due to weight loss on the cruise.

David

Holy Crap!! How did you manage that! That sounds like the next weight loss book in the making.

[LADYBUG34113]

DH and I only ate in the dining room one time and that was towards the end of the cruise. We are glad we didn't go more times. Most people at the table were nice but one couple over did it with the "airs". We also felt we were alittle snubbed by the wait staff since we hadn't been there. Everyone was asked for their drink orders but the 2 of us. We did not have a problem not finding food at the buffets, etc. Overall though, the trip was great. Going again in April and will probably bypass the dining room except on a formal night and going to Scarlets.

[californiacruisers]

My brother-in-law is required to wear a suit/tie every day for work - so he refuses to dress up on cruises - much to the dismay of my sister-in-law. He wears a nice dress shirt - she goes all out. Don't feel you have to wear a jacket/tux. There are plenty of men wearing nice pants and shirts.

 

Relax and enjoy!

[AZ Karaoke Girl]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yukon111

:eek: Surely you are kidding. Most of us cannot afford to spend an extra $300 just for a suit that he'll probably only wear to a wedding or something.

 

For those that are replying to my post above, let me clarify. My DH does own a suit coat and plans to wear it. I was just letting the OP know that she doesn't need to spend $300 to get a suit coat for her DH. That is a lot of money to some of us and I personally wouldn't want my husband to spend that much on something that is going to sit in the closet. Money could be saved by going to a thrift store or as one poster mentioned Ross has some great deals too so definately look into that if he feels like he will be out of place without a suit coat. I personally think he will be fine with dress pants, button up shirt and a tie. A suit coat is always a good idea to have but I don't think an investment of $300 is the right choice unless they make a lot of money. Just my opinion.

[DiveCruiser]

No if you don't like the buffets go to your room and order the sandwichs are good

 

Bob