Information about formal nights?

[marie1971]

OK I will be a first time cruiser this time next year, could someone please advise me exactly what a formal night is? Apart from best clothes, is there anything else involved. As I said our first cruise will be on the Brilliance, Dubai cruise which sails next 13th Feb 2012. I think the first formal night is the next night the 14th (making it valentines day) I was kind of hoping to do Chops that night for a more intimate dining experience. `What would all you expert cruisers advise. Thank you

[Jolimont]

Cruisers dress up, take formal family photos (if they wish to), staff also dresses up. It's just like any other day but with fancier clothes ;-)

[Bothofus]

Some people (like me) dress for dinner, then immediately go back to room and change into comfortable clothes. Others make a night of it in their fancy wear.

 

Then again, some folks don't dress up at all.

 

Rachel

[traveling1969]

The specialty restaurants are Smart Casual every night so some folks prefer to dine there on formal nights (although formal wear is encouraged there as well). Whenever I opt out of bringing a suit or tux, I don my sport jacket and head to a specialty restaurant on formal night. Bon Voyage!

[cruiseguy1016]

The first formal night is usually the Captain's Gala Event (or something like that). There will be some free drinks and you will have an opportunity to meet the Captain.

[cb at sea]

Formal night: men will be wearing tux or suit, women, gowns or cocktail dresses....it gives dinner a more "elegant" feel.

Many folks will change clothes after dinner, but many won't...if you're looking good, why mess with that?!

The "dress code" for the specialty restaurants is "smart casual", even on formal nights. So if you choose NOT to dress up, you won't be out of place.

[sailawayjack]

OK I will be a first time cruiser this time next year, could someone please advise me exactly what a formal night is? Apart from best clothes, is there anything else involved. As I said our first cruise will be on the Brilliance, Dubai cruise which sails next 13th Feb 2012. I think the first formal night is the next night the 14th (making it valentines day) I was kind of hoping to do Chops that night for a more intimate dining experience. `What would all you expert cruisers advise. Thank you

 

:cool:If you are the romantic type enjoy Chops. I tend to stay away from specialy restaurants on formal nights because MDR usually has their best menu option on those nights. I go to CHops the night after:cool:Why night hit MDR on VD Day and order bottle of champagne, or have flowers delivered to stateroom??

[MikeNJ1109]

From our experience ...

 

1) Chops and/or Portofino are a terrific alternative on ANY night for a romantic dinner, and we've seen folks dressed to the 9's in those restaurants regardless of whether it's formal night or not.

 

2) We long ago gave up going to the MDR on formal night, as we have no desire to pack formal clothing with us. We'll hang in the Solarium, using the whirlpool and then dress "reasonably" casually at one of the bars on the Promenade (god forbid I offend anyone's sensibilities for not being in my penguin suit). That allows us to watch the comings and goings for a while, before we head to the WJ for what to us is a wonderfully quiet & lovely dinner.

 

Michael and Silke

[isdoo]

nothing to stop you going to the MDR in casual wear on formal night - they will not refuse you entry.

 

I think that the formal night is become diluted by many, which is a shame.

[MikeNJ1109]

nothing to stop you going to the MDR in casual wear on formal night - they will not refuse you entry.

 

I think that the formal night is become diluted by many, which is a shame.

 

Understood. And in candor, when sailing with family, we'll suck it up and go to the MDR (again, with nothing "formal" but dressed nicely enough so as not to offend). When it's just the two of us, however (or with our 4 year daughter), the less formal & structured the better.

 

That works for us ...

[griffy116]

Stick a little black dress and heels, along with some jewelry and a wrap in the luggage, along with a suit, tie, shirt and dress shoes for the man. We no longer find it necessary to carry a long formal, red-carpet gown. You'll see some dressed in tux and long evening gowns, but they will be in the minority. We tend to change after dinner to hit the casino or to shop around in the Promenade. I would be uncomfortable, even if they let me in, wearing capri pants, but I also know that I'm now uncomfortable in the whole nine yards of dressing to the 9's. That being said, I'm not one to care what anyone else wears to the MDR.

[Sugar*Magnolia]

Time of cruise plays a big part. On all our holiday cruises the majority is formal, wether it be cocktail dresses and gowns (yes, many gowns) and definitely tuxedos (& my DH and DS defintely do not look like penguins :rolleyes:), women like their men looking hot. Call Bond a penguin. Anyway, the OP asked, "apart from the best clothes, is there anything else involved"? They didnt ask about what to wear or what not to wear. Thats another 100 threads! lol No pun intended! :D

 

On our summer cruises there are more cocktail dresses....Im not commenting on menswear. :eek::cool::p

[Sequim88]

Apart from the clothing part a couple other things we noted recently (based on Radiance class so could vary some by ship)...

1. One deck around the Centrum area gets set up with several photographer "studios" with different background pictures (or just white). More so than other nights anyway.

2. As noted meal options tend to be a little more upscale - like having Lobster or Lamb -although these should be avalable in Windjammer too.

3. Singing and dancing waiters happened on these nights

4. I believe the casino was non-smoking on formal nights but can't recall for sure

 

We sort of stayed dressed up but like at a wedding party somewhere along the way us guys all shucked the ties and jackets. We noticed the gals switched to more comfortable shoes too.

 

Our next cruise I suspect we will just pack for one formal night and skip the others. Luggage charges are going to utlimately be the nail in the coffin for "true" formal nights. If carrying extra clothes means need for one more checked item we'll gladly save the $50-60 for the bar bill.

[Droop]

Re: CB Formal night: men will be wearing tux or suit, women, gowns or cocktail dresses....it gives dinner a more "elegant" feel.

Many folks will change clothes after dinner, but many won't...if you're looking good, why mess with that?!

The "dress code" for the specialty restaurants is "smart casual", even on formal nights. So if you choose NOT to dress up, you won't be out of place.

 

I agree with CB

 

Like some of the others we usually change after dinner to get more comfortable. (we usually go to a show) But if we are pressed for time to make it to a show after dinner we go as is. There are times where you will not want to go to the formal MDR (Main dinning room) and go to the WJ Windjammer or specialty restaurant instead.

 

As for the attire, the ladies usually where anything from an elegant evening gown or cocktail dress to a nice dressy pant suit. As the others have said before, the men can where a tux or a suit. Usually in the MDR they do not prefer/allow people to wear jeans except on the first night due to luggage issues. Note: I know some people would disagree but this is just my experience. Try not to get overwhelmed, just have a great time.