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Ideas for alternative options on formal nights on Silversea?


PAJJJ
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I know there will be many conflicting thoughts and ideas but wanted to perhaps give SS some ideas around the current approach to formal nights. I completely understand a large segment of customers look forward to and enjoy participating in formal nights but I wonder if there is a way to also keep the other segment of customers happy. We just left the Whisper and it became very apparent that many people do not want to dress formal during their vacation. I noticed this on formal nights when the dining room was half full and in talking to fellow passengers.

I know the easy solution is to say dine in your room or at The Grill or La Terrazza. However, these venues fill up on formal nights and do not have the capacity to house all cruisers who do not want to be formal (which I think is a growing segment). I know there must be a real struggle at SS, but I also believe there might be a solution. Perhaps, on formal nights you could open the dining room early and have it be less formal from 6-8PM so those of us who want to just throw a blazer on can go dine early and then hit the bar or casino. Those who want to don their tuxedos/gowns can then take over after 8. Just a thought (and I know many formal folks will disagree) but I am sure there are other options too.

Was thinking this might be a good thread to post some productive ideas to SS management. :)

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I haven't been on a SS cruise yet but have one booked. Isn't the 'dress' on formal night supposed to be ship-wide for the evening? I have no problem with 'dressing up'; unfortunately, I gave away my tuxedo two years ago (kicking myself now). What percentage of men wear tux on formal night? I'll be on a expedition cruise if that makes any difference.

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If Silversea didn't have formal nights we would not cruise with them. For me that's a very important point. Back in the UK it is very difficult to "dress up" to go anywhere so our cruises give us the opportunity to do just that. Some years ago, before I retired we had this discussion in the office. Those in favour of dressing up were almost all ex military and those in favour of shorts and t shirts 24/7 were mostly thirty somethings. The younger ones saw no point on going on cruise at all !

 

Peter

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As soon as available, I book La Terrazza for formal nights.....

 

We're new to Silversea. (most of our cruises have been on Regent.) How do you find our when formal nights are scheduled? It's not in our voyage confirmation, on the public part of the web site, or in My Silversea. Maybe our 7/24/18 voyage is too far out for us to get this information.

 

Contrary to what our Zombatar posted, I'm in my 70s, and don't like the idea of formal nights. I've never owned a tuxedo, and the last time I rented one was probably 40 years ago. Even our son's wedding 5 years ago was a business suit occasion, not a tuxedo occasion. The last time I packed a suit for a cruise was 10 or more years ago. I wore a suit (often 3 piece) most of my career as an attorney, and was happy when the dress code shifted to business casual.

 

I'm willing to pack my only dark suit; but is that acceptable for formal night? My wife wears mostly caftans and pants suits for dress up occasions. Are they acceptable?

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We just came back from our first Silversea cruise about 4 days ago. Although the cruise was lovely, we did not like the formality. There were only 2 formal nights and, yes, a dark suit is fine. In fact, there were less than half that had a tuxedo. It was the remaining nights that were good but my husband never felt comfortable without a sports jacket. There was no place to eat that one could just put on a pair of slacks and a nice top and be done. All the restaurants are sit down and you do need a reservation in those. People were stopping by to get in and they were told that it was sold out until later in the evening.

 

We may or may not go on Silversea again. They have some interesting itineraries we like and could book because of those.

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I think I'm also a bit apprehensive about the formality in the evenings. It was the itinerary and ability to book a land tour to follow in India (something my husband has wanted to do for many years) that persuaded us to book with Silverseas. We were aware of the dress code when booking and will go along with it as I know it's popular with lots of loyal Silverseas cruisers. However, whilst as a female I'm not too bothered as I like to wear dresses and look smart of an evening I do think for men having to put on a jacket in a warm, sometimes hot, climate is really unnecessary. Men can look very smart in nicely pressed trousers and collared shirts.

Still we have taken the decision to cruise with Silverseas and will decide after our first time next February whether it's the line for us or not in the future.

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We have been on two expedition cruises and never had formal nights. On the other cruises, my husband has worn a suit and tie and always fit in with the crowd. Some gentlemen wear a tux while some women wear floor length gowns - they have fun dressing up and look gorgeous - but it certainly isn't necessary.

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We just came back from our first Silversea cruise about 4 days ago. Although the cruise was lovely, we did not like the formality. There were only 2 formal nights and, yes, a dark suit is fine. In fact, there were less than half that had a tuxedo. It was the remaining nights that were good but my husband never felt comfortable without a sports jacket. There was no place to eat that one could just put on a pair of slacks and a nice top and be done. All the restaurants are sit down and you do need a reservation in those. People were stopping by to get in and they were told that it was sold out until later in the evening.

 

We may or may not go on Silversea again. They have some interesting itineraries we like and could book because of those.

 

What ship? I sailed on SS for the first time back in August and LOVED IT:D...I sailed on SPIRIT and there were multiple

restaurants to choose from if a person didn't want to dress formally in the main dining room. I wore a pair of dressy

slacks and pretty top and felt totally acceptable. I ate in the main dining room and had no issues.

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