Should we go to "formal nights" in Alaska or not?

[sharp_cruiser]

Hi there! We will be going on our first cruise to Alaska this summer. I am trying to decide if we want to bring formal clothes or not. Well be on the Coral Princess.

 

I know we can go to the buffet if we don't dress formally. Can we still do other things on the ship that night without being dressed formally (shows, casino, other bars)?

 

Is it true the dinners on formal night in the dining rooms are better, like Lobster tail and the Baked Alaska Parade (we are in Anytime dining).

 

Thanks for the help!

[MilliesMom]

Dinner in the main dining room is definitely better than in the buffet area. Why not pack something easy but elegant like a long black skirt and dressy blouse. They make some great travel knit skirts that don't wrinkle and always look nice. Coldwater Creek, Chico's, etc have a good line of travel knits.

 

We have gone to Alaska twice and each time truly enjoyed formal nights. Most people still dress up. Except for Celebrity, I have never heard of anyone being banned from a show on formal night if they were in casual clothes.

 

We are going to Alaska in Sept and have 3 formal nights. We plan to dress up for each one, but it truly is a personal choice. Have a wonderful cruise.

[Seal]

Hi there! We will be going on our first cruise to Alaska this summer. I am trying to decide if we want to bring formal clothes or not. Well be on the Coral Princess.

 

I know we can go to the buffet if we don't dress formally. Can we still do other things on the ship that night without being dressed formally (shows, casino, other bars)?

 

Is it true the dinners on formal night in the dining rooms are better, like Lobster tail and the Baked Alaska Parade (we are in Anytime dining).

 

Thanks for the help!

 

Your first cruise or your first cruise to Alaska???????

Normally you won't have the Baked Alaska Parade at Anytime Dining--You really won't be missing a thing as far as I'm concerned--There's no parade since there isn't a set dessert time because you may dine from 5:30 - 10 pm.

 

Why wouldn't you want to go to farmal night???

 

If you haven't gone before--no time like now !!

 

Nancy:D

[lovingretirement]

You don't have to dress formally to go to the theater or other places on the ship on formal night. I often run to the room and change before going somewhere else, so I will be more comfortable. I personally think the meals are better in the dining room on formal nights, but I have never eaten at the buffet on formal nights. We always check the dining room menu before dinner to see if it is worth dressing up.

Ruby

[paul929207]

As mentioned, there is no Baked Alaska parade in Anytime Dining. When would they do it? They do serve it for dessert. Baked Alaska is always served the last night, which is not a formal night.

[can786]

You don't have to dress formally to go to the theater or other places on the ship on formal night. I often run to the room and change before going somewhere else, so I will be more comfortable. I personally think the meals are better in the dining room on formal nights, but I have never eaten at the buffet on formal nights. We always check the dining room menu before dinner to see if it is worth dressing up.

Ruby

 

 

I thought I remembered seeing a request in the Patter asking passengers to observe formal night dress throughout the entire evening. Mind you, I am not passing judgement, just pointing out what is in the Patters.

[sharp_cruiser]

Thanks for the tips! This is both our first cruise and first time to Alaska so we'll be new to it all.

I don't mind to dress up too much, and the travel clothes are a bit easier for a woman than a man. I am hesitating asking my husband to pack the suit? Still thinking, but I'm a sucker for that lobster!

 

How are the dress clothes going to look after I unpack (we are doing a 5 day land tour prior to boarding the ship). Any tips?

[snowmc]

Hang up everything as soon as you can...should help with the wrinkles. I always go back to the cabin to change before the show. I like to be able to breath! (by that time, the clothes are a tad snug!) Formal night is fun...but don't stress of over the clothing. We have seen everything from dressy pants (for women) to full tux and gown. This year, to economize with packing, guys are wearing jackets and ladies skirts. This way we can dress up or down, depending on the evening. Have a great cruise!

[8 Bells]

You should definitely go to at least one formal night while you are on the cruise. We are taking the Coral to Alaska soon, and I am bringing a long black velvet skirt and two dressy tops.

 

As far as wrinkling the clothes when you pack, use those bags you get from the dry cleaners to separate the layers in your suitcase - not many wrinkles at all when you unpack. If you do have some wrinkles, just hang your clothes in the bathroom with the shower turned on hot - the steam will take any wrinkles out.

 

Have a great cruise!

[DrivesLikeMario]

You don't have to go to the formal nights, but I think you might feel like you're missing something if you don't do at least one formal night. Give it a try and if you don't enjoy it, skip it next time. I know packing the formal clothes is a pain, but I think you'll feel more like you're participating in the entire cruise if you do.

[Bilyeu5]

I am just back from Alaska on the Star Princess. Formal night is just not that formal anymore. We were in the traditional dining room, early seating. Many men were in slacks and long sleeved shirts...no tie and no jacket. Others had on a nice sweater and slacks. They were neat and clean, and no one looked askance at them. The people on CC who rant and rave about dress code going downhill do not speak for the majority of folks you will find on your cruise. Also, there was no Baked Alaska parade in the traditional dining room this trip. (thank goodness!) Great dessert selections each night, BTW.

[LoveSanibel]

If you are doing a Princess land tour before your cruise, you will be allowed one suitcase each and one piece of hand luggage(backpack or smaller ~ not roller bag) for the land portion of the trip.

 

 

They send the rest on to the ship for you. We packed one small hanging bag with DH's suit, shirt, and 2 ties and I took the ever popular long black travel knit dress with 2 different shawls. Oh, and of course, much to his dismay, the khaki pants, blue sport coat and shirt/tie for the 12 yr old!

 

The clothes were not in bad shape when we hit the ship. Hung them up right away and let them hang in the bathroom for the first set of showers. They were good to go.

 

We find the formal nights fun to dress up for and enjoy the people watching. I noticed in the photo gallery that a lot of people had really beautiful formal night pictures taken.

[lovingretirement]

I am just back from Alaska on the Star Princess. Formal night is just not that formal anymore. We were in the traditional dining room, early seating. Many men were in slacks and long sleeved shirts...no tie and no jacket. Others had on a nice sweater and slacks. They were neat and clean, and no one looked askance at them. The people on CC who rant and rave about dress code going downhill do not speak for the majority of folks you will find on your cruise. Also, there was no Baked Alaska parade in the traditional dining room this trip. (thank goodness!) Great dessert selections each night, BTW.

 

Why don't you write up a review of your trip? I have been checking the member reviews for the Star, and there have been no reviews posted for the 2008 trips to Alaska. Many people are anxiously awaiting. We would appreciate everything you can tell us about your cruise.

Ruby

[SeattleCruiselover]

I am just back from Alaska on the Star Princess. Formal night is just not that formal anymore. We were in the traditional dining room, early seating. Many men were in slacks and long sleeved shirts...no tie and no jacket. Others had on a nice sweater and slacks. They were neat and clean, and no one looked askance at them. The people on CC who rant and rave about dress code going downhill do not speak for the majority of folks you will find on your cruise. Also, there was no Baked Alaska parade in the traditional dining room this trip. (thank goodness!) Great dessert selections each night, BTW.

 

Doesn't hurt my feelings any. I dress for formal night just because DD wants to get a formal portrait done. Do that then immediately head for the hills (back to the suite), so to speak and undo the whole thing.

[RaeVynn]

Our first cruise, to Alaska, is in September.

We fully plan to dazzle on formal nights! :)

 

DH is getting a suit (we talked around the tux idea, came to the conclusion that a spiffy suit will have lots more usage, and we have a local men's shop that is to-die-for), and I'm already 'window shopping' for my formal gown/cocktail dress. I've been in weight-loss mode for a few months now, and I'm looking forward to showing off my progress in something clingy, glittery, and probably velvet-y :p

 

I love dressing up for special dates with my honey.

[amapola]

I am just back from Alaska on the Star Princess. Formal night is just not that formal anymore.

 

I'm so glad to read this! DH and I have been on 6 cruises and we've always dressed up for formal night. We're on the Star in July and just yesterday I asked DH what he thought about skipping formal this time. He was surprised that I'd suggest something so radical :D but I think he's not opposed to the idea. You just added the personal observation that seals the decision for me ;) . I always take nice clothes ("casual elegant" is we call it here :rolleyes: ) for casual nights, so it's not like we're planning to schlep around in rags.

 

I don't care all that much whether we eat in the DR or HC. We don't eat lobster or beef, so there's really nothing in particular that we'll miss if we don't eat in the DR on a particular night, KWIM?

 

As to the dress code being for the entire evening, we've always stayed dressed up ('cause I'm not going to all that trouble just for a couple of hours) but each time we notice fewer and fewer people in formals in the theater or around the ship after dinner.

[Solara]

OMG.....go to formal night.....it's part of the cruising experience. You have never been on a cruise before.....go both nights even if you have to wear the same outfit. We would never miss formal night and we would never miss dinner in the dining room. To us that's what cruising is all about. I still get excited to go just like it's the first time. That is what makes cruising so wonderful. Enjoy!!!!

 

Also there is a laundry room on every deck if you have to iron....go for it

[Lorey2007]

Dinner in the main dining room is definitely better than in the buffet area. Why not pack something easy but elegant like a long black skirt and dressy blouse. They make some great travel knit skirts that don't wrinkle and always look nice. Coldwater Creek, Chico's, etc have a good line of travel knits.

 

We have gone to Alaska twice and each time truly enjoyed formal nights. Most people still dress up. Except for Celebrity, I have never heard of anyone being banned from a show on formal night if they were in casual clothes.

 

We are going to Alaska in Sept and have 3 formal nights. We plan to dress up for each one, but it truly is a personal choice. Have a wonderful cruise.

 

What did you mean "Except for Celebrity" They do or don't dress up on Celebrity on formal nights?

[MichTraveler]

I like formal night -- one of my only chances all year to dress up.

If packing the clothes seems a problem, Princess has rentals of men's tuxes and women's formal wear too. One of my friends does the tux rental each time to reduce luggage and plus no pressing.

[Times Prince]

I thought I remembered seeing a request in the Patter asking passengers to observe formal night dress throughout the entire evening. Mind you, I am not passing judgement, just pointing out what is in the Patters.

As it says in the Princess Patter, formal night dress is a shipwide thing, although there is some mingling of dress in casinos and some entertainment venues. The majority of people will be dressed within the guidelines.

 

We've found that going formal adds some class and some romance to the overall cruise experience. My wife and I recommend it.

[caribill]

Is it true the dinners on formal night in the dining rooms are better, like Lobster tail and the Baked Alaska Parade (we are in Anytime dining).

 

 

It is true (although one poster said there was no parade on her trip recently)

[cruisingalaska]

I really don't think that the food is really all that great.

 

It's just banquet food for 3000 people.

[Cruising Photographer]

Because we're doing a 7 day land tour after our Alaska cruise, we are packing light. I am planning on wearing a nice shirt, pants, and tie to the formal nights. I don't plan on bringing or renting a coat or tux. Too bulky for the two evenings I would wear them. I know this isn't "formal", but I hope this will be acceptable.

[whale-watcher]

...Is it true the dinners on formal night in the dining rooms are better, like Lobster tail and the Baked Alaska Parade (we are in Anytime dining).

 

Thanks for the help!

It is true that Lobster is not available on the Buffet, but IMO the lobster served on cruise ships is not reason enough to dress up...

We plan to dress up for at least two out of the three formal nights on our upcoming AK cruise (I bring my own tux), but might still opt to eat in the buffet so we can still enjoy the scenery as we dine!:)