formal night attire

[ajj0624]

My husband and i are trying to make a decision about what to wear on formal night for him. He says he is on a carribean vacation that does not include a suit and tie. With the airlines charging extra for weight and the number of pieces of luggage it does seem crazy to pay extra to bring a suit for him for one night for a few hours. I have looked at renting onboard but it would be cheaper to pay for additional suitcase and bring his suit from home. Also this is less room in the luggage for my purchases. My question is would we not be allowed to attend or be embrassed if he only wore a dress shirt and tie?

[caber]

This question will start all sorts of debate. Check back previous threads.

Why doesn`t your husband just carry on or wear his jacket travelling. The trousers could be tucked in his hand luggage.:)

[G'ma]

It depends on the cruise line. Read the dress code for the ships you are interested in.

 

There are many threads on CC about dressing for "formal" or "elegant" nights.....and much controversy. Once you find what the policy is on the ship you want, you can make your own decision.

 

In my experience this year, most people dress more formally on formal evenings. There were a few who didn't bother and they stood out like a sore thumb. Men still wear suits or jacket and tie - and a few tuxes...women still wear nice evening-wear suitable for cocktail parties, etc.

[WCAB]

Not a week goes by.........

Hope you get the answers you are after.

[mii]

Welcome to Cruise Critic. As other posters mentioned this is a very, very hot subject. Just go to the top of the page where the numbered pages are and you will find a Search this Forum. Just put in formal wear and if the search engine is working trust me there are a lot of threads on that subject.

 

Marilyn

[Pam in CA]

Welcome to Cruise Critic. Actually, if you were flying to an island in the Caribbean, you'd be taking a Caribbean vacation. When you choose a resort to go to, you check what the dress will be like and plan accordingly. Your choice of taking a cruise instead means that you've chosen a vacation with suggested dress that the cruiseline respectfully requests that you respect. No, it's not required; yes, you will probably not be turned away at the door; no, no one really cares what you wear in spite of what some people will post, it won't ruin their cruise; yes, you will be very much in the minority; and finally, only you know your embarrassment quotient. If your husband chooses not to bring a jacket, you have options other than going to the dining room. The other option is to rent a tux. FYI, my brother-in-law has a lightweight, unlined Madras jacket (something like this: http://www.nextag.com/mens-madras-blazer/search-html) that he brings for formal nights on warm-weather cruises. He looks and feels fine wearing it plus it weighs very little. Most of the time, the other men look at him with expressions of, "Damn! Why didn't I think of that?"

 

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 dress 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. See below for a general evening attire schedule.

[CruisinChris]

First of all he is not going on a Caribbean vacation, he is going on a Caribbean cruise. On Princess - a line that has a minimum of 2 formal nights per cruise (excepting only <7 day repositioning cruises). Pack the suit. He will stand out...many we will be in tuxes and the balance in at least formal suits. It's airconditioned onboard sufficiently that the suit won't be stifling or uncomfortable. Take one fewer pair of dockers and golf shirt and you'll have room for the suit.

[VikingSara]

I am not planning on packing formal clothes or eating in the formal dining rooms on the formal nights. Would I feel awkward being dressed casually during the remainder of the evening (shows, casino, etc) or do other people change into casual clothes after dinner. thank you

Sara

[Pam in CA]

I am not planning on packing formal clothes or eating in the formal dining rooms on the formal nights. Would I feel awkward being dressed casually during the remainder of the evening (shows, casino, etc) or do other people change into casual clothes after dinner.

Most people stay dressed up but many change before going to the show. You'll be fine.

[B40 Tha Cruisa]

You could always use the alternate dining venues like the buffet and room service thene enjoy the rest of the night. The Maitre'd has the option of turning away underdressed people.

[cleavesteam]

If you don't really care about the dressing up experience you will find that the food in the buffet is surprisingly good.

 

The last cruise we went on we didn't even go to any of the formal dinners. This upcoming cruise I won't even bring a suit along.

[rcacace]

Don't bypass the main dining room for the buffet no matter what others say - You'll be disappointed & although the food is OK you'll be missing out on the better meal. Invest in the cheapest lightest weight suite jacket you can find. It'll get him into the dr & once past the check point :rolleyes: he can hang it on the back of the chair to be comfortable. No tie & dress shirt are required. As a matter of fact I only wear short sleeve shirts & get by fine with them.

[bdjam]

Don't bypass the main dining room for the buffet no matter what others say - You'll be disappointed & although the food is OK you'll be missing out on the better meal. Invest in the cheapest lightest weight suite jacket you can find. It'll get him into the dr & once past the check point :rolleyes: he can hang it on the back of the chair to be comfortable. No tie & dress shirt are required. As a matter of fact I only wear short sleeve shirts & get by fine with them.

Just off Dawn Princess - which some have stated is doing a very casual itinerary. On formal night, the majority of passengers were dressed appropriately throughout the ship and perhaps two passengers were in the dining room with non-appropriate attire. So if you don't mind being very conspicuous, then ignoring the dress guidelines should be fine.

 

The guidelines that Princess presents and that Pam noted hold true on board. Why do people continue to flaunt the fact they get around them? We all know you do - but ignoring guidelines and getting away with it isn't really the point is it? Isn't the point about being socially appropriate and being in community with your fellow passengers? Or is getting away with rule breaking still the thrill it was in grammar school?

[rcacace]

Just off Dawn Princess - which some have stated is doing a very casual itinerary. On formal night, the majority of passengers were dressed appropriately throughout the ship and perhaps two passengers were in the dining room with non-appropriate attire. So if you don't mind being very conspicuous, then ignoring the dress guidelines should be fine.

 

The guidelines that Princess presents and that Pam noted hold true on board. Why do people continue to flaunt the fact they get around them? We all know you do - but ignoring guidelines and getting away with it isn't really the point is it? Isn't the point about being socially appropriate and being in community with your fellow passengers? Or is getting away with rule breaking still the thrill it was in grammar school?

 

 

No. I'd say it has to do with getting a better meal & I do dress as requested. I have my jacket, a shirt & shoes just as the rules require. They may not be the same as you interpret them to look but suffice never the less.

[rbacardi]

Just off Dawn Princess - which some have stated is doing a very casual itinerary. On formal night, the majority of passengers were dressed appropriately throughout the ship and perhaps two passengers were in the dining room with non-appropriate attire. So if you don't mind being very conspicuous, then ignoring the dress guidelines should be fine.

 

The guidelines that Princess presents and that Pam noted hold true on board. Why do people continue to flaunt the fact they get around them? We all know you do - but ignoring guidelines and getting away with it isn't really the point is it? Isn't the point about being socially appropriate and being in community with your fellow passengers? Or is getting away with rule breaking still the thrill it was in grammar school?

 

Maybe you and Pam should get a table together and check out everyone in the dining room each night and make a list of those who are naughty and those who are nice !!! At the end of the evening, the only ones who are p***ed off by those who don't conform to your standards are yourselves. Gimme a break !!

[Bohemian]

I think it's a matter of good manners and common courtesy. Obviously, some ^^^people^^^ lack those but luckily, they're the minority.

[rcacace]

Maybe you and Pam should get a table together and check out everyone in the dining room each night and make a list of those who are naughty and those who are nice !!! At the end of the evening, the only ones who are p***ed off by those who don't conform to your standards are yourselves. Gimme a break !!

 

:D :D :D :D :D :D

[rbacardi]

I think it's a matter of good manners and common courtesy. Obviously, some ^^^people^^^ lack those but luckily, they're the minority.

 

If you're ^^^ ^^^^ arrows are pointing to me, then I'll let you know that I've ALWAYS dressed appropriately, shirt-tie-jacket for ALL formal nights. I have NO problem with that and actually enjoy this aspect of cruising. I do have a problem with those on these boards who appear "mighter than though". I've said before that there are those who may dress "a little" less formal than others and I have NO PROBLEM with that. I wouldn't expect to see jeans and a tee shirt on a formal night, but if someone isn't exactly up to the tuxedo or jacket thing, who cares?? Perhaps we are all not as high class as others !! Again, there will be those who post about following the guidelines to perfection, and there will be those like me who are a little less forgiving !!

[Ethel5]

:D :D :D :D :D :D

 

 

The master of misinformation has found a play buddy. How nice for you.

[rbacardi]

I think it's a matter of good manners and common courtesy. Obviously, some ^^^people^^^ lack those but luckily, they're the minority.

 

 

I'm sure that bdjam and Pam have an extra place at their table !!!!!!!!!!!!!

[coiran]

I'm sure that bdjam and Pam have an extra place at their table !!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

No - it will probably be full - I know we will be there as well as 99% of the other passengers who read the "answer book" and conform.

Ron

[janotay]

Are you freaking kidding me???? This is like watching summer TV. There's nothing new or interesting. Same cast, same dialog. signing off...

[Richie2pies]

While we're at it, let's talk about smoking on the ship.

[janotay]

Yeah let's do. Here's a question...do you wear your smoking jacket when smoking on ship? Is it suggested? Of course if you are smoking a pipe an ascot should be worn, less formal smokes? Well for a cigar I would think a suit at the least. Then there are cigarettes, well it is common to wear almost anything for this. But for heaven's sake if you chew, conform and wear your bib. Wait a minute... I bet this isn't what you meant....:o

[caber]

My husband and i are trying to make a decision about what to wear on formal night for him. He says he is on a carribean vacation that does not include a suit and tie. With the airlines charging extra for weight and the number of pieces of luggage it does seem crazy to pay extra to bring a suit for him for one night for a few hours. I have looked at renting onboard but it would be cheaper to pay for additional suitcase and bring his suit from home. Also this is less room in the luggage for my purchases. My question is would we not be allowed to attend or be embrassed if he only wore a dress shirt and tie?

Now do you see what I was talking about:D