Objection to Tuxedos and Gowns?

[kyriecat]

Thanks - I've noted these numbers. It will (unfortunately) be a year or more before we're able to cruise again, and this is the first I've started thinking about it for DS. We love dressing up and the idea of having a tux there really appeals. (I'd bet we'll do this!)

My husband has used them 3 times now for tuxes. It's been a good experience so far. One word of advice, have your DS try on the tux on the first day. My husband got a shirt once with the sleeves too short. The other shirt was fine. :confused: We were able to exchange it onboard for one that was correct. If your DS waits until right before formal-night dinner to find out something doesn't fit right, there might not be time to exchange it or make adjustments before dinner. They have a tailor onboard who can take care of minor adjustments.

[bh2359]

Formal wear or not seems to be the subject that always gets the second highest number of posts and opinions (smoking is first).

 

As stated on this board, some people like to dress up on formal night and may I say that most of them I've seen look very nice.

 

I'm in the other camp, never liked dressing up and with airline baggage weight restrictions, usually don't even bring a jacket anymore. That said, I fully understand that on formal night, we eat at the Lido. I have no complaints about that and certainly do not make derogatory comments at those who are dressed in their finest.

 

I've stated this on another board, let me repeat it here. We got off the elevator one formal night (the photographers always like to park right by the evevators) and we saw a couple, he in a tux, she in a long gown. Then we noticed their two children. A boy about 10, a girl about 8. He was also in a tux and the little girl was in a long gown.

 

We told the parents how cute they looked and that they should be happy to have such good looking children, looking better in those clothes.

 

Anyway, we do not do formal nights, we know the rules, so if you want to yell at someone, come to the casino. We'll be there!

 

By the way, another reason we don't do formal night is because I'm in a wheelchair.

[djhsolara]

I respect your opinion, however most people choose the ship and itinerary, not the dress code. Again, no one has the right to tell another that they should not cruise on HAL.

 

I say that I agree with what you say here, however if you do choose to cruise on any cruiseline, then you are bound by the rules of that cruiseline...so while you may choose by ship and itinerary, dress code certainly should play into your choice because if you plan to eat in the MDR every night, then there are rules to which you must abide by regarding how you need to dress to do so.

[E-500]

To be honest I don't know, but just can't imagine that Cruiseline Formalwear would be responsible for cleaning bills. Spill soup on your tux and need to wear it again or wearing it many times on a long cruise? I certainly think it fair that the pax pay his own cleaning bill.

 

My cost for a tux for a 20 day cruise with 5 formal nights is $95 + a 'repair' fee, I think $5. This a T/A from Europe back to FLL. Laundry/dry cleaning during the rental period is my responsibilty.

[happy cruzer]

Yes, we had the reverse snobbery.

 

On formal night on RCCL, we were dressed formally and DH was in tux. The other men at the table wore their usual plaid short sleeved work shirts and blue jeans. They "teased" my DH for letting the cruise line push him around and making him wear a monkey suit. This was a few years back, the nice part was that DH just let it roll off of him like a gentleman should. Tolerance does work in all directions.

[sail7seas]

That's so rude, Happy Cruzin. No one should have to be spoken to that way while trying to enjoy a lovely dinner and evening. I hate hearing someone has to put up with that sort of ignorance.

 

[bcd2010]

My husband has used them 3 times now for tuxes. It's been a good experience so far. One word of advice, have your DS try on the tux on the first day. My husband got a shirt once with the sleeves too short. The other shirt was fine. :confused: We were able to exchange it onboard for one that was correct. If your DS waits until right before formal-night dinner to find out something doesn't fit right, there might not be time to exchange it or make adjustments before dinner. They have a tailor onboard who can take care of minor adjustments.

 

Thanks for the caveat!

[AZNative2000]

Thanks - I've noted these numbers. It will (unfortunately) be a year or more before we're able to cruise again, and this is the first I've started thinking about it for DS. We love dressing up and the idea of having a tux there really appeals. (I'd bet we'll do this!)

 

Just one more satisfied Cruiseline Formalwear customer!:):)

[velotaco]

We've had a number of comments about folks who object to lack of jacket and tie for gents and reasonably dressy clothing for ladies on formal night but I wonder if there are some who actually object to seeing tuxedos and gowns?

 

Are they so uninterested in requested dress code they would far rather not have to see tuxedos and gowns at all during their cruise?

 

I'm not being facetious, I'm really curious if some people have totally had it with dress codes?

 

I really don't care what others wear. I do, however, prefer the "casual" atmosphere of Azamara and Oceania to the "High-school-prom-dress-up" of some other cruise lines.

[newcatintown]

"...the rest are of no consequence to me" - says a lot about the unfortunate self-absorbed attitude which too many cruisers seem to pack with their casual-only clothes.

 

 

paraphrasing here, but, 'those that matter don't mind, those that mind don't matter'.... wasn't that Dr. Suess??? Long before the casual-only cruisers you are pointing a finger at? Just askin'

[WhansaMi]

We've had a number of comments about folks who object to lack of jacket and tie for gents and reasonably dressy clothing for ladies on formal night but I wonder if there are some who actually object to seeing tuxedos and gowns?

 

Are they so uninterested in requested dress code they would far rather not have to see tuxedos and gowns at all during their cruise?

 

I'm not being facetious, I'm really curious if some people have totally had it with dress codes?

 

Nope. As a person who has been a pretty vocal critic of the necessity of formal nights, I have to say, it goes both ways for me. I don't object to people wearing non-formalwear OR formal wear, any night of the week. Frankly, I don't even notice it, unless it is pointed out to me.

[Trader Ron]

Yes, we had the reverse snobbery.

 

On formal night on RCCL, we were dressed formally and DH was in tux. The other men at the table wore their usual plaid short sleeved work shirts and blue jeans. They "teased" my DH for letting the cruise line push him around and making him wear a monkey suit. This was a few years back, the nice part was that DH just let it roll off of him like a gentleman should. Tolerance does work in all directions.

 

I would have excused myself and left the table. There's no way i'm taking that garbage from some ignorant strangers. :)

[m steve]

but too many cruises and I don't fit in it any more. My partner loves to dress up but not in a long gown. I enjoy seeing those who are formally dressed and wished that the ship set aside one dining room and time for those who are formal and can all enjoy each other's company. They look great and the rest of us can enjoy our dinner in a less formal dress but still dressed as adults, jacket, long pants and a tie. It's only 2 evenings a week.

[Trader Ron]

I was on a cruise a few years ago and the gentleman at my table wore separates. He happened to be a career Army Officer of twenty plus years. From what i gathered in the conversation, he had to be at least a Colonel. I thought to myself, if a Colonel can wear a sport coat and slacks on formal night, I see nothing wrong with it. Hence, i have worn separates on a few occasions.

I know I'm a bad boy. :)

[serendipity1499]

I was on a cruise a few years ago and the gentleman at my table wore separates. He happened to be a career Army Officer of twenty plus years. From what i gathered in the conversation, he had to be at least a Colonel. I thought to myself, if a Colonel can wear a sport coat and slacks on formal night, I see nothing wrong with it. Hence, i have worn separates on a few occasions.

I know I'm a bad boy. :)

 

You are NOT a bad boy..:)

HAL states that men usually wear a JACKET & TIE, dark suit or Tux on Formal nights....

This is from the "Know before you go" site:

Quote On festive Formal evenings, ladies usually wear a suit, cocktail dress or gown and gentlemen wear a jacket and tie, dark suit or tuxedo. There are approximately two formal nights per week.Unquote

http://www.hollandamerica.com/cruise-vacation-planning/PlanningAndAdvice.action?tabName=Cruise+Preparation&contentMenu=Baggage,+Packing+%26+Dress+Code&contentSubMenu=Clothing+%26+Dress+Code

Therefore go, enjoy your cruise & don't pay attention to the naysayers when you wear your separates!:):)

Cheers.....:)Betty

[sail7seas]

but too many cruises and I don't fit in it any more. My partner loves to dress up but not in a long gown. I enjoy seeing those who are formally dressed and wished that the ship set aside one dining room and time for those who are formal and can all enjoy each other's company. They look great and the rest of us can enjoy our dinner in a less formal dress but still dressed as adults, jacket, long pants and a tie. It's only 2 evenings a week.

 

 

As a couple who dresses formal, we would strongly object to having to be segregaged to a separate room because we dressed formal per HAL's request. Why would you think we would want to be seated anywhere but at our usual table in the MDR every evening we choose to dine there? :confused: I wouldn't want to be served dinner in a room they put some tables and made to 'serve' as a dining room. I want to sit in THE dining room.

[serendipity1499]

Sail,

 

I hear what you are saying. I worry if you will open pandora's box if the cruiselines do away with formal nights. People might figure, no formal nights, I can wear anything I want. And downhill we go.

 

Ron I disagree with you..As much as I enjoy HAL's Formal nights, we've also cruised on Oceania, which does not have formal nights..Their dress code is County Club Casual

However, they have strict rules about what you can & cannot wear in all their venues..And they normally enforce those rules...Passengers were beautifully dressed every evening..

Only once on our 26 day cruise did I see one younger Psgr.who had a ball cap on the last night of the cruise, in one of the specialty restaurants.. But his wife was still beautifully dressed in her little black dress.. Go figure!:rolleyes:

As a matter of fact, I wear the same clothes on Oceania that I wear on HAL sans glitzy beaded tops & chiffons...DH did not wear his Tux or suit, but did occasionally wear a Jacket, even though it was not required..

 

Cheers.....:)Betty

[brooklyn66]

We are renting a tux this year for close to the same reason: don't want to have to pay for packing suit, etc and seems easier to have tux waiting for us. And I am packing lightweight dresses for formal nights.

If anyone looks sideways at my hubbie in a tux, they'd better watch out. I'll smack them with my evening bag!!!!

[navybankerteacher]

As a couple who dresses formal, we would strongly object to having to be segregaged to a separate room because we dressed formal per HAL's request. Why would you think we would want to be seated anywhere but at our usual table in the MDR every evening we choose to dine there? :confused: I wouldn't want to be served dinner in a room they put some tables and made to 'serve' as a dining room. I want to sit in THE dining room.

 

Seconded! If anyone should be relegated to an alternate area, it should be those who do not observe requested dress code. Oh, come to think of it - they are invited to use the Lido.

[Trader Ron]

Ron I disagree with you..As much as I enjoy HAL's Formal nights, we've also cruised on Oceania, which does not have formal nights..Their dress code is County Club Casual

However, they have strict rules about what you can & cannot wear in all their venues..And they normally enforce those rules...Passengers were beautifully dressed every evening..

Only once on our 26 day cruise did I see one younger Psgr.who had a ball cap on the last night of the cruise, in one of the specialty restaurants.. But his wife was still beautifully dressed in her little black dress.. Go figure!:rolleyes:

As a matter of fact, I wear the same clothes on Oceania that I wear on HAL sans glitzy beaded tops & chiffons...DH did not wear his Tux or suit, but did occasionally wear a Jacket, even though it was not required..

 

Cheers.....:)Betty

 

Betty,

 

There is a more upscale crowd on Oceania, so I think they would adhere to the dress code.

[trailercruiser]

Seconded! If anyone should be relegated to an alternate area, it should be those who do not observe requested dress code. Oh, come to think of it - they are invited to use the Lido.

We all know clothes is what makes the person. If your dressed nice(tuxes are not nice by the way), then obviously you must be classy, rich and intelligent (sarcasm). Get over yourselves, your eating banquet food.:cool:

[mamaofami]

I cannot imagine what kind of person would make a derogatory remark to someone( they don't know ) on their attire (should they be under or over dressed.)

 

How someone else dresses has no beatring on my choice of outfit and how I dress should be no concern of theirs (short of wearing a bathrobe to dinner;))

 

My smart casual may be someone's idea of "code acceptable" formal and my idea of formal maybe over the top to some.....

 

I dress to please myself and one other person....the rest are of no consequence to me.

 

Seems to me it's very hard to misinterpret this post. Here is someone who says she over dresses and doesn't care if anyone else cares. So, she's dressed to code and a bit more. How could her not caring if people think she's overdressed be self absorbed?

[m steve]

and didn't think that I was suggesting a negative. I would think that if you are in formal wear you would prefer to be dining with others formally dressed and not being seated with someone dressed casually. I would expect that there would be a real dining room or even using the Pinnacle that night at no extra charge for the formally dressed. If they did, I might bite the bullet and buy a new tux.

[iancal]

When we are dressed for formal evenings in the MDR we do not care if our tablemates are dressed casually. We are more interested in what they have to say rather than what they happen to be wearing. This does not take away from our experience in any way. Maybe that is just us and we could be in the minority.

[wildwoods]

Part of the anticipation of cruising is buying my cocktail dresses , gowns,shoes and handbags for the formal night. DH has his tux and can pretend hes James Bond for the night (he has matching bow ties to my dresses ) Each to their own re formal nights but I like dressing up its great fun and the photos normally look fantastic . I Can wear my casuals at home any time ................cant wear my formal attire anytime.