New to HAL--should I pack a gown?

[signora]

Alas, I think my gowns are outdated or just plain don't fit anymore! I do have a beautiful black cocktail dress I recently bought, but I'm wondering how many women will be wearing full-length gowns. I'm on the Eurodam, President's Week 2/19/11. Any suggestions?

[Bakincakes]

A cocktail dress will be fine.

 

There are plenty of women who still wear gowns but a fair amount also wear cocktail dresses....

 

Depending upon the cruise I'll wear a long gown the first night and then maybe a cocktail dress the second....longer cruises I'll bring a couple of gowns and shorter dresses as well.

[shoghig]

We just returned from a 26 day cruise on Eurodam, a cocktail dress is just fine, or black dressy slacks with different tops , I noticed the Duty Free Signature on board has a good selection of tops and ensembles.

 

Have a great time, we did!

[Virgil]

I have only been on 5 cruises but I have NEVER seen a ball gown...lots of cocktail dresses. That little black dress will be perfect.

[fann1sh]

Don't know what lines Virgil is cruising, but I always see long gowns on HAL....lots of cocktail dresses....quite a few "little black dresses"....quite a few ladies using accessories to dress up their not formal (usually black) clothing, and often succeeding very well. Always an assortment!

 

If you had a gown you loved, I'd say "pack it!" Since you don't have a gown you love, pack the black cocktail dress. And enjoy!

[zelker]

I'd say it also varies according to where you are sailing. You will definitely see more tuxes and long gowns in Europe (at least on HAL and X which is the limit of my experience) but not so much in Alaska and probably not so much in the Carib anymore either. Not sure about other places. YMMV. ;)

[janmcn]

With all the luggage restrictions, I'm not even taking my beaded tops anymore (which I loved to use for cruises)...black Chico's ensembles work fine and are "lightweight" and can be mixed and matched with lightweight fancy tops more easily. Haven't seen but a handful of gowns on cruises in the last 10 years.

[rjm1cc]

Pack light and skip the gown. The black dress will be fine.

[bajakiter]

Just finished a 26 day cruise, Atlantic,Med. Didn't see more than a few gowns. In fact most women seem to wear black dressy slacks. Not as many tuxes either. Most guys wore jacket,tie and slacks on "formal" nights.

Go with the cocktail dress, easier to pack.

[PennyAgain]

Baggage fees and weight restrictions have nearly killed off the wearing of ball gowns on HAL cruises.

 

I do the Chicos thing as well. Great for travel and if my bag goes missing, I don't cry over the loss.

 

Don't let the photos in the cruise brochures mislead you.

[sevenseasnomad]

Take the "little black dress" & wear a different set of jewelry with it each night & you're good to go. So many people aboard, how can anyone remember what someone wears one night to the next? And if they do recall, what difference does it make?

 

My new motto, even when driving to a cruise port, "pack light, pack smart."

 

Have a great trip!

[jcrandle]

As long as it is OK with your cabin mate, you don't need a gown, but can "go commando."