So what exactly is formal night?

[DoubleDeuce]

Besides playing dress up, what exactly else does formal night include? Is it like a prom for cruisers with music and dancing, or is dressing up about all that happens?

[quikin]

I have always considered it just playing dress up. We have taken to eating on the Lido deck on formal nights. I prefer dressing comfortably when I am on vacation.

Formal night is always a hot topic on Cruise Critic. People seem to get really passionate about the way others dress. On Carnival it runs the gamut from Tuxes and Floor length dresses to a more business casual look. I've never seen anyone get turned away from the dining room because of their clothing.

Formal night is always when they serve the lobster tail. Otherwise, the food is about the same.

To me it seems like formal night is a pretty huge money maker for the ship since there are soooo many photographers taking formal pics. People also tend to drink more on formal night. I have witnessed some dancing on formal night.

We're big people watchers on formal night. Some of the outfits are jaw dropping....in more ways than one.

[S.S.Oceanlover]

Besides playing dress up, what exactly else does formal night include? Is it like a prom for cruisers with music and dancing, or is dressing up about all that happens?

 

You mean "elegant night"? Some dress up with suits, a couple wear a tux, some just shirt and tie.

 

They may get dressed up for pictures but that's about all there is to Elegant night.

 

Me I wear the bare minimum when I cruise on Carnival, which is long pants and polo.

 

Bill

[firefly333]

You mean "elegant night"? Some dress up with suits, a couple wear a tux, some just shirt and tie.

 

They may get dressed up for pictures but that's about all there is to Elegant night.

 

Me I wear the bare minimum when I cruise on Carnival, which is long pants and polo.

 

Bill

 

True, formal night is long gone.

 

You can wear your best capris and a nice top or a formal, whatever you want.

 

Formal night has been gone for at least 3 years?

 

Its now called elegant night.. as long as you dont wear your track shoes or shorts, you are good to go.

[rainbowflag]

Besides playing dress up, what exactly else does formal night include? Is it like a prom for cruisers with music and dancing, or is dressing up about all that happens?

 

None of the above!

[chipq]

My DW enjoys dressing up for the dining room on the cruise elegant nights so I go along with her but, as soon as we have completed dinner, I am back at the cabin getting into my dress shorts and a Hawaiian shirt. Others stay dressed up through the night and go to the theater and some dancing or casino etc. Not really a big deal anymore.

 

http://luv2cruise.blogspot.com

[CDNseekingheat]

I like formal night because it's about the only time I can scam my whole family into dressing up all at the same time ... then I get them to do several pictures. We always find at least one great family picture.

If not for formal night.... I would not have any "professional" family pictures since the days I was able to bribe them with an outing afterward. lol.

[cannockfrodo]

We always enjoy formal/elegant night and these nights on non-US cruise line seem to be more popular.

We did our first Carnival cruise last summer and were disappointed in the lack of adherence to the elegant code not only by fellow cruisers in the MDR but by the Maitre'D in not enforcing it, something that we have seen happen on other cruiselines.

Firefly 333 states that as long as you don't wear shorts and trainers you're good to go, this was not the case on our Mex/Riv cruise as many cruisers idea of elegant was to wear their baseball cap the right way round and we saw a few male passengers in Hawaiian shirts,cargo shorts and sandals. Elegant beachwear perhaps but not what we were expecting.

Not sure if I will be taking my tux to the Med this cruise.

[PortSideCruzan]

Besides playing dress up, what exactly else does formal night include? Is it like a prom for cruisers with music and dancing, or is dressing up about all that happens?

 

 

Hi DoubleDeuce. :)

 

For many passengers, cruise ship formal/elegant nights are an elegant highlight of the voyage.

On formal/elegant nights, the true splendor of the sea glitters along with the polished shoes,

gleaming jewelry, and fabulous gowns of fellow cruisers.

 

Formal/elegant night is exactly that, an evening aboard the ship when

passengers have the opportunity to dress in their finest attire, try some

scrumptious dishes from the ship's gourmet chefs, and pose for

innumerable photographs to commemorate their vacation.

 

Formal/elegant nights are unique to the cruise industry, because while a land-based

resort or restaurant may require a particular standard of dress, they will not

offer photography and elite activities as well.

 

For many passengers, formal night is reminiscent of the golden age of

transatlantic cruises, when patrons were required to dress formally each evening.

 

Formal/elegant night dinners are typically among the best of the voyage.

This is the night when luxurious entrees such as lobster and other

delicacies are likely to be served, as well as tantalizing appetizers and exotic desserts.

While every night on a cruise ship offers delicious fare, formal nights are

known for going a step beyond normal dining.

 

Every night on a cruise is filled with activities and entertainment,

and formal/elegant night is no different.

Casinos will still be open, movies will still be shown, and lounges will still be bustling.

 

In addition to those nightly events, however, formal nights also offer several additional activities.

Many cruise ships opt to schedule elite special events on formal night, such

as the captain's welcoming speech when passengers can meet and mingle with the ship's officers.

Other special events may include past passenger receptions, group events and so on.

 

My wife & I view formal/elegant evenings as a night out on the town, enjoy!

 

:)

[Merrymate]

We view it as a night on the town. A time to get all of the family dressed up and get great pictures. My DD and I enjoy going on the hunt for clothes to match.

[Ksea1961]

We like elegant nights. Who doesn't like to look at great outfits? I love seeing my husband and son dressed in their finest and I know my husband likes seeing me all dolled up. It's very disappointing to see the khaki/polo crowd, but we don't let that ruin our evening.

[88Wildcat]

What about the kiddos? What do most 11 yr old boys wear on Elegant Night? It might be a battle getting my DSS to wear a tie! Suggestions?

[Ksea1961]

When my son was younger I got him the clip on ties and made sure the dress shirt was not too tight around the neck.

[firefly333]

What about the kiddos? What do most 11 yr old boys wear on Elegant Night? It might be a battle getting my DSS to wear a tie! Suggestions?

 

Ties are in the miniority even among adult men. Many wear a nice shirt and long pants and thats it.

 

Remember there is no such thing any more as formal night on Carnival. If you bear this in mind .. you will be fine.

 

Why does your son have to wear a tie? Because you want him to for pictures? Its for sure not required. It is cute, but seems it is mostly the older crowd to me and teen girls who really get dressed up. The rest are somewhere in the middle.

 

Ive seen women in cotton sun dresses, or pants .. for sure nothing formal about most of the people who will be in the MDR. Dressing way up is in the minority. I see a lot of men in dockers on formal night. Hardly formal wear.

[mikewrit]

We like formal or elegant nights. We usually hit three or four photo spots, enjoy a bit of added elan in the dining room and dance a little at one or two venues before seeing the late show in the theater. We were a little surprised there were more tuxes and gowns on the Splendor than had been the case on all of our other cruises (with Norwegian Jade coming closest to the Carnival mark.)

[nodogkisses]

Ties are in the miniority even among adult men. Many wear a nice shirt and long pants and thats it.

 

Remember there is no such thing any more as formal night on Carnival. If you bear this in mind .. you will be fine.

 

Why does your son have to wear a tie? Because you want him to for pictures? Its for sure not required. It is cute, but seems it is mostly the older crowd to me and teen girls who really get dressed up. The rest are somewhere in the middle.

 

Ive seen women in cotton sun dresses, or pants .. for sure nothing formal about most of the people who will be in the MDR. Dressing way up is in the minority. I see a lot of men in dockers on formal night. Hardly formal wear.

 

Totally agree.

[Warm Breezes]

What about the kiddos? What do most 11 yr old boys wear on Elegant Night? It might be a battle getting my DSS to wear a tie! Suggestions?

 

Since Formal became Elegant, my DS wears a button down collared shirt with dress pants. No ties are required unless by Mom.

[Carnivaluver]

Besides playing dress up, what exactly else does formal night include? Is it like a prom for cruisers with music and dancing, or is dressing up about all that happens?

 

It is called 'elegant night" and there is really nothing really special about it compared to any other night of a Carnival cruise. No special gala ball, party or Red Carpet event. Just an excuse to get a photo with a suit on....much ado about nothing IMHO ....;)

[Ksea1961]

We were able to meet the Captain and other crew members on the first elegant night. My husband chatted with him for a few minutes and we had our picture taken with him. No, not a gala ball but it was a nice evening...and the Captain was dressed Very nicely too! ;)

[Gayle V]

Hello DoubleDeuce, PortSideCruzan gave the best answer to your post, considering what you asked about was: What happens on Formal night (aka: Cruise Elegant Night) ?

 

I believe it really is the dressing up, that distinguishes that night from the others on a ship, simply because there are always things like music and dancing, happening every evening on a ship. And yes, there are likely to be a few of the other events that night (Captains reception, etc). And yes, it is also like Prom, because what else is Prom, besides dressing up and music and dancing and celebrating? It's the dressing up that makes it special, which is why people showing up in their casual clothes can diminish the event for others.

 

I don't think you were really asking for input on what to wear for that night. For accurate info on that, just refer to the FAQs on Carnival. Just be sure to note this statement on that page:

 

..there are those Cruise Elegant evenings one or two nights throughout your “Fun Ship” voyage, where you will have the opportunity to showcase your more elegant attire. For those who want casual attire for dinner time, the Lido Restaurant is open nightly, and has a more relaxed theme. .

 

Cruise Elegant Dining Dress Code: Dress slacks, dress shirts. We also suggest a sport coat. If you wish to wear suits and ties or tuxedos, by all means we invite you to do so. Ladies - Cocktail dresses, pantsuits, elegant skirts and blouses; if you‘d like to show off your evening gowns, that's great too! .

 

I seriously doubt that polos and khakis could ever be called "dressy", much less "elegant", it seems clear to me that anyone who is dressed in khaki's and a polo is being asked to dine in the Lido Restaurant that evening. The Carnival staff may not choose to physically bar them admittance to MDR, but they are clear about what they want them do.