Am I the only one who'd love to cruise without formal night?

[Pam in CA]

Clarification' date=' please: Princess has Personal Choice Dining? Do I understand this is a table assignment but you just pick your time of preferred dining? I'm very mixed up! All the nice comments about Princess have made me think about this line the next time I go to price a cruise - I know I could "research" this Personal Choice, but more fun to ask you [i']guys[/i]:rolleyes:

Personal Choice, aka Anytime Dining, is essentially open seating for dinner. On most Princess ships (not all), there are one or more dining rooms set aside for Anytime dining. The menu and dress is exactly the same but you can walk up (theoretically) and be seated. However, the two times I've done PC dining, there were very long lines every night with a 30 - 45-minute wait. You can also make a reservation for a particular time in the Anytime dining room but even then, you can experience a 10 - 20-minute wait. Some people have been able to just walk up and be seated whenever they want. That hasn't been my experience.

[Kruznut]

To each his/her own. But personally, we love Formal nights and love dressing up for them. It's just part of what makes our cruise experience special !

[EmJakeBubbie]

Pam in MA[/b]]Personal Choice, aka Anytime Dining, is essentially open seating for dinner. On most Princess ships (not all), there are one or more dining rooms set aside for Anytime dining. ...

Post #133 by MaryPoppinz sounded (to me) like you had a table assignment, which of course "open seating" is anywhere/anytime/with anybody, yes? sometimes the assigned table arrangement is a good thing / sometimes it's better to go with a freestyle/personal choice kind of arrangement, yes? IMHO, it depends on the length of the cruise, how "fancy" (a.ka. new) the ship is, the itinerary...I don't know what we'll do on the Sovereign 9/12/05 as tis only 4 nts but I think they call 1 nt "formal" - this is a de-stressification cruise for us - we have even booked an inside cabin so as to maximize our catch up on sleep time! (plus, what a deal:D

[britsbest]

Just like turning up at a restaurant, no reserved table is waiting for you you may have to wait, different table mates may be nearly finished I guess or maybe starting as you leave, we always go second and on a table for 8 you should get on with some one that way!

[bjkTX]

"I don't know what we'll do on the Sovereign 9/12/05 as tis only 4 nts but I think they call 1 nt "formal" - this is a de-stressification cruise for us - we have even booked an inside cabin so as to maximize our catch up on sleep time! plus, what a deal"

 

It looks like you aren't going on a Princess ship - I'm not sure how the other cruise lines handle anytime dining. Our experience with Personal Choice is we could show up when we wanted to and take our chances (the wait was never very long) or we made reservations the day we got onboard for the whole cruise - or called and made reservations early each day and had no wait at all. Your mileage may vary.

[bdjam]

Not necessarily. Princess offers Personal Choice Dining based on the suggestions made by people who had made a decision that they were satisfied with Princess, but complained about some aspect of a well-known part of their services (fixed dining room seatings.)

I’m not sure this is correct…Princess brought Personal Choice Cruising (which includes either Traditional or Anytime Dining) online not long after Sun Princess was inaugurated. Sun Princess just happened to have been built in a design that facilitated Anytime Dining (the two dining rooms). At the time – 1995 – the serious push to make cruising a mass market appealing and therefore more casual endeavor hadn’t quite begun. I really doubt that Princess took the step toward Anytime based on customer expectations…there weren’t any of that type at the time. Princess just happens to be an innovator…like with MUTS. :rolleyes:

I don't like lugging the formal clothes in addition to our water gear...

How much does your formal wear weigh? :confused:

As cruises become more casual, as I prefer, it seems they are listening to someone...In my opinion letting a cruise line know your preferences can be very productive.

Right – letting the cruise line know your preferences is a good practice. But knowing what is included in the product offered, disagreeing with what is being offered and buying it anyway and then complaining about it is something completely different…

Since you bring up the subject of changing minds, it does not seem to be those that would prefer some flexibility that are being close minded. It has been stated on this post that people should either be dressed formally from 6 PM on, or be relegated to their room, the pool area, or the Horizon Court for buffet dinner and entertainment. Based on what I've seen in venues other than the dining room, there are a lot of people that prefer formal attire only at dinner.

Relegated really has a negative connotation, doesn’t it? I think you’re attributing what you post here to my posts, and I think you’re taking what I’ve said out of context and that’s really not fair. A recap would be that you asked what the alternatives were; I stated them; you think that means those who dress casually are being punished because the alternatives don’t measure up to what you expect from your cruise. I would venture to say that for a good number of passengers, the alternatives are positive ones and those who don’t want to dress are happy. If I were your travel agent, based on your preferences, I’d suggest another cruise line that offers a casual atmosphere. Then you can have it all.

My sentiments and feelings too. Like those not formally dressed must be hidden from the rest of society

It seems those who prefer casual wear are feeling a bit like pariahs. No one is asking anyone to be hidden. All I ask is that you respect my desire to have a formal evening on board just as I respect your desires (and the alternatives presented to you) to have a casual evening on board. You can join me anytime – just show some respect for the evening by making some effort to put on the appropriate clothing like I do.

Tell you what, I love seeing my wife dressed up. We're no spring chickens, but she can still light up a room. The most important thing is that she totally enjoys being dressed to the nines and the smile on her face is priceless. I wouldn't want to miss that for the world.

Now THAT is sweet. :D

What's so hard about accepting those who don't want to (for whatever reasons they choose), but still want to enjoy the things that the ship offers (and that they paid for)?

I’ll reiterate…the fare paid for tickets on Princess Cruises include as many formal evenings as are appropriate for the length of the cruise or the casual alternatives that are offered. There's really no way to truthfully say that anyone is being cheated out of what they've paid for.

Patronize a casual line? It really is not your place to tell me what line to patronize, or where to have dinner either. The attitudes on this board are disgusting

Not disgusting…just practical. I would venture to say that this debate isn’t happening over on the NCL board and those who choose to cruise casually aren’t trying to defend themselves there as they are here. Wouldn’t that be easier?

Those who have suggested this won’t be resolved here are absolutely correct. But to answer the original question – once again – there is no need to do away with formal night as there are viable cruising alternatives for those who don’t want to participate in them…the problem lies in the fact that some want to have their casual cake and yet eat the formal evening too.

[allen2005]

I have a friend who has been a on 80 cruises and he has started not wearing coat and ties and just wearing slacks and nice shirt on formal and informal nights....noboday has said anything to him about it....

[sradogna]

It seems those who prefer casual wear are feeling a bit like pariahs. No one is asking anyone to be hidden. All I ask is that you respect my desire to have a formal evening on board just as I respect your desires (and the alternatives presented to you) to have a casual evening on board. You can join me anytime – just show some respect for the evening by making some effort to put on the appropriate clothing like I do.

You certainly have the right to ask for what you desire and I certainly have the right to politely decline and wear the clothing I think appropriate. I think we'll coexist just fine ... I'll keep cruising ...you'll keep cruising ... everyone will be happy.

I’ll reiterate…the fare paid for tickets on Princess Cruises include as many formal evenings as are appropriate for the length of the cruise or the casual alternatives that are offered. There's really no way to truthfully say that anyone is being cheated out of what they've paid for.

Here is where you are absolutely right. There is no way to truthfully say that casual dressing is cheating anyone out of what they have paid for. I'll reiterate ... based on 20 years of cruising experience, people are free to dress as they deem appropriate (outside of the formal dining room) despite the debates on these boards and princess will happily take their money and invite them back again.

[bdjam]

I have a friend who has been a on 80 cruises and he has started not wearing coat and ties and just wearing slacks and nice shirt on formal and informal nights....noboday has said anything to him about it....

One of the issues with casual vs. formal is that the guidelines are not consistently applied across Princess Cruises. I was on a 15 day Island Princess cruise and your friend would not have been allowed in the dining room (if that was where he was trying to go) on the formal nights in slacks and a nice shirt.

[bdjam]

You certainly have the right to ask for what you desire and I certainly have the right to politely decline and wear the clothing I think appropriate. I think we'll coexist just fine ... I'll keep cruising ...you'll keep cruising ... everyone will be happy.

As I posted above, I don’t think it as cut and dry as all that. I think that on some Princess ships one will not be able to wear what they think is appropriate if it’s outside the guidelines.

Here is where you are absolutely right. There is no way to truthfully say that casual dressing is cheating anyone out of what they have paid for. I'll reiterate ... based on 20 years of cruising experience, people are free to dress as they deem appropriate (outside of the formal dining room) despite the debates on these boards and princess will happily take their money and invite them back again.

Isn’t that the real shame? Rather than social graces, manners, deference to fellow passengers, a sense of well being, doing something out of the ordinary, having a sophisticated evening while on vacation…it all comes down to the money that the cruise line can make and they’ll do whatever it takes – including allowing the ruining of what made cruising so appealing in the first place – all for the sake of money. But on the other hand, Princess still offers formal evenings and on my last cruise, enforced it. Hmmm – maybe they realize something different.

By the way, I read in Cruise News Daily a couple of days ago (www.cruisenewsdaily.com) that easyCruise will soon be in the Caribbean…another casual alternative for those of you who aren’t enamored with formal evenings…

[Pam in CA]

I have a friend who has been a on 80 cruises and he has started not wearing coat and ties and just wearing slacks and nice shirt on formal and informal nights....noboday has said anything to him about it....

You're absolutely right. Some people do and no one will toss them out of the dining room. However, it doesn't make it appropriate just because one can get away with it.

[serene sea]

No one is asking anyone to be hidden.

 

Oh really? You and other posters on this board have said "stay up on deck" you have no place in the casino or production shows if you want to change after dinner. And, might I add that you also have mentioned that "your cruise experience is ruined" because of dress down passengers.

 

I was on a 15 day Island Princess cruise and your friend would not have been allowed in the dining room

Nonsense, my boss with his family was on that ship recently, and walked into the dining room with no jacket with no problems whatsoever..........on FORMAL NIGHT.

[sradogna]

But that's the rub... it IS about money. That is the primary reason they are in business. I choose a vacation that is within my budget that I enjoy and they try to be the one to provide that. If they stop providing it, I stop cruising with them.

 

I've never been on a cruise where the dress guidelines were enforced in any place other than the dining room (and even there it is extremely hit and miss). If I do experience that on Princess, it is then and only then that I will choose another line. Frankly, they can't afford to do it ... too many choices for my vacation dollar and cruising prices aren't as competitive as they use to be.

 

Even though we are completely at odds in our opinions on this issue, I do appreciate your right to have an opinion and that it has remained a civil entertaining discussion. I bet if we were sitting in a darkened theater and struck up a conversation ... we'd even enjoy each other despite the fact that when the lights came up you'd realize I was wearing a nice pair of slacks and blouse instead of a gown.

[jff50]

Relegated really has a negative connotation, doesn’t it? I think you’re attributing what you post here to my posts, and I think you’re taking what I’ve said out of context and that’s really not fair. A recap would be that you asked what the alternatives were; I stated them; you think that means those who dress casually are being punished because the alternatives don’t measure up to what you expect from your cruise. I would venture to say that for a good number of passengers, the alternatives are positive ones and those who don’t want to dress are happy. If I were your travel agent, based on your preferences, I’d suggest another cruise line that offers a casual atmosphere. Then you can have it all.

I don't think I took anything out of context. You stated that the formal event is not limited to dinner, and that if someone chooses to dress casually, they are limited in their entertainment options. If you want to use limited instead of relegated, that's fine with me. I have yet to see another poster take a similar position in terms of limiting people's entertainment options from 6 PM on.

As far as my preferences, I don't think you have a clue. I have had 17 cruises with Princess going back to 1983. I prefer Princess to any other cruise line I've sailed. I do like to dress up for formal evenings, but I don't get bent out of shape because others prefer casual. I think that it's more important who you are and how you treat others, than how you dress. I don't think that people that dress casually for formal night (or wear jeans in the dining room) are doing so because they are anarchists or have some deep seated need to disrespect me. If people decide to wear something outside the published dress code, they take a chance that they may be turned away. If they want to take that risk, it's OK with me either way.

My preferences are that Princess try to find a way to accomodate people with different tastes on this issue. As I've stated earlier, with up to 7 dining rooms (aside from the buffet) on a ship it seems that Princess should be able to handle this.

[luv2cruise99]

This makes perfect sense to me. Everybody dine in the place that is suited to their chosen attire and leave the rest of the ship as common ground to be enjoyed by all.

 

But of course you will always have those casual dressers who aren't happy missing the formal dinner and those formal dressers who aren't happy sharing the rest of the ship with those not as well attired as themselves. And so the debate goes on and on and on...

 

Actually I think that is where the debate is. Noone has any doubt that there are formal dinners on a cruise ... there are also alternative dining choices for those that don't dress up. If you choose the alternative dining you don't then have to go back to your room or stay up on the top deck. You are entitled to enjoy the show, the casino and all the other amenities you paid for as long as you respect the formal dining room. If princess didn't want this they wouldn't offer an alternative dining selection AND they would enforce a dress code in the show room and the casino. They simply don't and therefore the debate is pointless (albeit entertaining).

 

It really just seems like common sense ... you dress your way for the evening and go to the dining room that is appropriate for the way you are dressed. Just like at home when you choose to go to a fancy restaurant and then a show while someone else chooses to go to Hometown Buffet and then the same show. They don't run home to change to respect your dining choices. It really is easy.

[kryos]

John,

What if someone really likes to cruise Princess? He or she doesn't want to go to another cruise line; they would just prefer to not have formal nights. I'm sick of people telling others to "just got to another cruise line"; it's getting really rude.

The nice thing on Princess is that formal nights are formal in the dining room only. You can opt to go back to your cabin and change into something more comfortable after dinner. What I would do is just make arrangements to dine in the casual restaurant on formal night and wear whatever makes you comfortable.

 

My problem with my cruise in January is that Holland-America designates the dress code as the standard for the entire evening ... on all public decks. That really sucks if you don't want to do formal night because then you can't go to any of the lounges or other things during that evening. But, of course, in my case, I can always enjoy a good read and a cigarette in the cigar lounge up in the Crow's Nest. :)

 

Blue skies ...

 

--rita

[LARGIN]

This makes perfect sense to me. Everybody dine in the place that is suited to their chosen attire and leave the rest of the ship as common ground to be enjoyed by all.

 

But of course you will always have those casual dressers who aren't happy missing the formal dinner and those formal dressers who aren't happy sharing the rest of the ship with those not as well attired as themselves. And so the debate goes on and on and on...

 

Sounds good to me... Kinda like the old days with passengers in First Class, Second Class, Third Class and Steerage.. :eek:

[kryos]

Aside from casual dining, I've never seen Princess designate a casual entertainment site for formal evenings. I must have missed that communication?

You didn't miss anything ... because none was designated. On Princess, at least the cruises I've taken on the line ... observance of formal dress guidelines was only required in the dining room. If you were not dressed appropriately, the maitre d' would politely turn you away at the door and direct you to alternative dining venues.

 

However, after dinner, people were free to change into something more casual and enjoy the rest of their evening wherever they chose. On my Sun cruise last January, everyone at our dining room table went back to their cabins to change after dinner on formal nights.

 

If there is a requirement on Princess to remain dressed formally for the entire evening, someone had better let the crew in on the rule, cause no one was enforcing it on that cruise.

 

Blue skies ...

 

--rita

[bdjam]

Oh really? You and other posters on this board have said "stay up on deck" you have no place in the casino or production shows if you want to change after dinner. And, might I add that you also have mentioned that "your cruise experience is ruined" because of dress down passengers.

I’m sorry – if directed at me – which I think it is since a quote from my post was included in this one – this is totally incorrect. If one was to go back and read my posts, it would be apparent there is no support behind this statement. In fact, in post number 107, I state that my cruise experience is not ruined by those who choose to dress casual.

Nonsense, my boss with his family was on that ship recently, and walked into the dining room with no jacket with no problems whatsoever..........on FORMAL NIGHT

Then he must either be telling you a fib or was met by a different Head Waiter than the people who were in front of me in line and who were denied entrance into the dining room because they were not wearing formal attire. I am not fabricating what I saw. Kyros has posted the same thing and she and I were on the same cruise.

If they stop providing it, I stop cruising with them.

Right-o…and I don’t think Princess will stop their formal evenings anytime soon, because like it or not, the majority of passengers on their ships comply with the formal guidelines…so when it comes to this issue – as I said in one of my first posts – Princess offers what I want and I will continue to sail them.

I don't think I took anything out of context. You stated that the formal event is not limited to dinner, and that if someone chooses to dress casually, they are limited in their entertainment options. If you want to use limited instead of relegated, that's fine with me. I have yet to see another poster take a similar position in terms of limiting people's entertainment options from 6 PM on.

Please re-read my post. When I referred to dressing after six, my reference was to when I first started cruising and if a passenger was not dressed appropriately and was up on deck after 6:00, they were spoken to by ship’s personnel. I believe you have taken this out of context and somehow applied it to the present. I realize this is no longer the case, especially on Princess ships.

As far as my preferences, I don't think you have a clue.

You’re right – I don’t have a clue … I can only go from what I’ve read here, and what you have indicated you support sounds like NCL to me. For some reason, because I’m steadfast with my opinion, people who are posting here seem to think that I want everyone who is dressed casually “relegated” to steerage. That’s not the case – I’ve only indicated the available alternatives – what that means to people has been interpreted by each in his or her own way. As for treatment of others, I was taught that the way you present yourself to others is part of the way you treat them.

If there is a requirement on Princess to remain dressed formally for the entire evening, someone had better let the crew in on the rule, cause no one was enforcing it on that cruise.

There is no requirement on Princess. From ship to ship, enforcement of the guidelines varies. And if Princess is at fault it’s because it’s trying to be the cruise line for everyone. Princess should choose a direction and stick to it. Then those of us who find that direction does not appeal to us can choose another cruise line. Quite frankly, I think bringing formal clothes on a vacation and then wearing them for two hours one night – most of which is spent sitting at a dining room table – a real waste.

[margeg]

I realize that formal night is a tradition for cruising. But, it is my vacation...and I'd love to be able to relax and forego the dress and heels for a week. Am I the only one who feels this way?

 

I'm NOT looking for an education on the etiquette of cruising. I don't wear jeans to the dining room. I do follow the rules and bring/wear my black cocktail attire when we cruise. I'D JUST RATHER NOT! (So flamers find another victim!!)

 

What I wish is that I could JUST ONCE go on a cruise without having to go through the enire hassle of getting so dressed up...so that they can sell more photos. My opinion.

You are definitely not alone. We dont llike to dress up either. On Princess, they have a special buffet where they set the tables and have a great buffet where you dont have to dress up. I think they call it the Caribe Buffet.

[MaryPoppinz]

Anyone following this thread can plainly see that there are many passengers who are willing to comply with the dress codes -- but who are not necessarily satisfied by the experience.

 

It's unrealistic to think that Princess either offers or discontinues any amenity or service based upon passenger compliance rather than on passenger satisfaction. If more people expressed an interest in Pepsi products than in Coke products, you can bet that when the agreement with Coke expired, Princess wouldn't make the decision to re-sign with Coke based simply on the fact that the passengers had previously been able to "make do" with what was available.

 

The same is true of this discussion. Decisions about formal night continuing or changing will undoubtedly be made on overall passenger satisfaction rather than on what passengers have previously been willing to comply with.

[Infocus]

I love love love to dress up. We are taking our two 14 y/o to Europe and I can't wait to see our son in his first tux and our daughter in her first formal! Not to mention that the SO looks fabulous in a tux!

 

I dress the way I want- dressier than most, perhaps. I have no qualms about sitting next to Mr. and Mrs. Informal at all. Viva la difference.

[Momj47]

I just finished the Alaska cruise, and I thought formal nights were silly. I would have enjoyed a "Pendleton Night" more. After all, we spent all day bundled up in jeans and cold/wet weather gear. It is Alaska, most people there don't own formal clothes. Resort wear for me is jeans, hiking boots and fleece, my next cruise will not include formal clothes.

[cruisnfool]

I do not think formal wear is supposed to match the attire of the region you are cruising in.

Its tradition. Luckily for those that don't want to dress formal you now have an option.

Pretty simple.....formal night you dress formal or go to the buffet

Why can't people let this topic die............

[kryos]

Quite frankly, I think bringing formal clothes on a vacation and then wearing them for two hours one night – most of which is spent sitting at a dining room table – a real waste.

So true! So, let's abolish formal nights then! :)

 

Seriously, though ... while I don't care for playing "dress up," I do follow the rules. I agree that Princess should pick a direction and stick with it, and then those who don't like it can just find another line to sail with.

 

I can't help but wonder, though, how the broad range of passengers (not just the relatively small minority of us who post to this board) feel about the issue? Wonder if it wouldn't be a good idea for Princess (and other lines as well) to survey their past passengers on this topic ... find out what the current trend is ... and make their policy decisions as a result of what the majority of the guests think.

 

I realize that dressing up for dinner ... those glorious formal nights ... is a longstanding cruising tradition, and a lot of people love the whole process. But then, to be fair, there is a new breed of cruiser too, and they definitely do not like the prospect of having to don a gown or a tux ... nor having to pack it. It would seem that in their efforts to satisfy their customers (past and present) Princess should have the most up-to-date information on passenger preferences, and it would seem that a survey would be the best way to garner this data.

 

I'd be willing to bet the results of such a survey might show that it is at least pretty close as to the number of passengers who want formal nights to continue, and those who would like to see them done away with ... at least on certain itineraries (such as Alaska and the Caribbean).

 

I know that I ... for one ... would love to know what the answers to such a survey would be.

 

Blue skies ...

 

--rita