Formal Nights to be dropped

[Thetrail]

We have just come back from a 17 night cruise around Australia & New Zealand on the Radiance of the Seas, and we where told on our last formal night by our dining room waiter that RCL are dropping all formal nights as of 1st December. Can anyone confirm this statement?

Either you misheard what your waiter said or you got bad info...

[Ladysilver]

We have just come back from a 17 night cruise around Australia & New Zealand on the Radiance of the Seas, and we where told on our last formal night by our dining room waiter that RCL are dropping all formal nights as of 1st December. Can anyone confirm this statement?

 

Surely not! :(

[EmpressofPurple]

I think one of the most popular features of Dynamic Dining so far is the fact that guests choose their formal night.

 

The 'formal every night' venue, The Grande was the most heavily booked venue every night along with Wonderland, Jamie's and the Chef's Table.

Many at Coastal Kitchen even dressed up a little even though it was not required. Everyone who 'dressed' for dinner had chosen this option.

 

I am the type that moves around venues in the evening and I dine very late. This meant that I entered the Diamond lounge 3 to 5 times a night from very early to closing time and on the Nov. 2 TA maiden voyage, I saw many in formal attire nightly. You would also see many in 'formal' attire at Boleros, Schooner Bar and Vintages or at a show in Two70 just prior to or following their dining at the Grande.

 

So, with 'dressing up' being this popular with some, I doubt you will see it completely removed from the RCI cruise experience.

 

Alas, dressing for dinner in a formal restaurant is NOT the same as "formal night" where all passengers are dressed up... indeed, it's odd enough on formal night to be dressed to the nines and share an elevator with folks dressed in tshirts and shorts on their way to the pool deck or buffet... (I remember when you didn't run back to the cabin to change out of formal wear after dinner, but everyone stayed dressed up all night, in the casino, at the shows, etc.)

 

I'm not fooling myself, though, it's pretty clear this is a thing of the past (especially with airline baggage restrictions), and most people prefer it. I happen to love the opportunity to dress and see others in their finery... I don't consider it a burden on vacation but rather a pleasure, as this is NOT something I get to enjoy in my day to day life... perhaps I'd feel differently if I had to attend formal events every week, dress up for church, gallery opening, opera, fund raiser, etc, etc... but that's not my life.

 

Cruising is a special, fun, DIFFERENT experience... That alas is becoming more and more like any plain old land vacation... book your dining (and pay for it, often as not), book your shows, pay land prices for gym classes, drinks, photos, bingo...

 

Sent from my SM-G900P using Forums mobile app

[LetsGetWet!]

Exactly! If you want to dress formal, go right ahead. In fact you can dress formal every night if that is what makes you happy whether they ask you to or not :cool:

I know you like to make this argument in every thread about the topic. IMHO, its a silly argument. Dressing formally every night while no one else is would be akin to saying "lets get dressed in a tux & gown tonight and go to Applebee's for dinner." By now I know you understand we enjoy getting dressed up for formal nights aboard, but we'd certainly not consider dressing formally every night when no one else is, any more than we'd consider dressing formally for an evening dinner ashore at Applebee's.

 

So enough of that silly argument, ok? ;)

[LetsGetWet!]

Formal optional would be their best bet.

Would be their best bet? Formal optional is the current status quo and has been for some time now.

People can still dress up for dinner. I like it not being mandatory. Packing all that stuff for one night's dinner is a pain.

Again, its not mandatory and hasn't been for years.

Edited December 2, 2014 by LetsGetWet!

[LetsGetWet!]

I think one of the most popular features of Dynamic Dining so far is the fact that guests choose their formal night.

 

The 'formal every night' venue, The Grande was the most heavily booked venue every night along with Wonderland, Jamie's and the Chef's Table.

Many at Coastal Kitchen even dressed up a little even though it was not required. Everyone who 'dressed' for dinner had chosen this option.

 

I am the type that moves around venues in the evening and I dine very late. This meant that I entered the Diamond lounge 3 to 5 times a night from very early to closing time and on the Nov. 2 TA maiden voyage, I saw many in formal attire nightly. You would also see many in 'formal' attire at Boleros, Schooner Bar and Vintages or at a show in Two70 just prior to or following their dining at the Grande.

 

So, with 'dressing up' being this popular with some, I doubt you will see it completely removed from the RCI cruise experience.

Glad to hear that observation from someone who's experienced Quantum & Dynamic Dining. Kind of flies in the face of those who have already predicted here that The Grande would be virtually empty every night because no one wants to dress formally. Definitely reinforces my past statements that its really not the majority who want "all casual all the time" but rather a very vocal Cruise Critic minority who'd like you to think they represent the majority.

[Big_G]

Given that it's only suggested attire and there are so many other dining options, I'm not sure why this is even a concern anymore. We still like doing at least one formal night on a seven night or more but I couldn't care less what anyone else is wearing. People should just let sleeping dogs lie.

[wendychloecruiser]

I wear scrubs every day. There is nothing I get more of a kick out than to wear my Tony Bowls, Tadashi, Jovani and others' dresses on vacation. I love getting out my best frocks and heels and dressing nicely. And I do it for me, no one else, even though my husband likes it. I get so many compliments and it's really a lot of fun. Sure it can be a bit of a schlep with luggage but the joy I get far out weighs the effort involved.

If X or RCI got rid of formal nights I would merely move up the food chain to a different line. I would have to sacrifice a bit of demographics but time marches on for all!

Edited December 2, 2014 by wendychloecruiser

[phoenix1181]

Glad to hear that observation from someone who's experienced Quantum & Dynamic Dining. Kind of flies in the face of those who have already predicted here that The Grande would be virtually empty every night because no one wants to dress formally. Definitely reinforces my past statements that its really not the majority who want "all casual all the time" but rather a very vocal Cruise Critic minority who'd like you to think they represent the majority.

 

You're not taking into account the number of D, D+, & Pinnacle cruisers who were on that TA. And.......... many who have reached those higher tiers are die hard traditionalists.

[molly361]

I saw you dressed that way on Enchantment last time, very nice.:)

 

Thank you, even if you are dreaming!! D

Edited December 2, 2014 by molly361

[jp30338]

All the ships that get dynamic dining will no longer have a formal night, they will have a formal dining option however.

[Langley Cruisers]

You got punked - the waiter wanted to see how long it would take for his rumor to make CC.

 

Either you misheard what your waiter said or you got bad info...

 

Would be their best bet? Formal optional is the current status quo and has been for some time now... Again, its not mandatory and hasn't been for years.

 

Absolutely agree with all of you! Not gonna happen. We surely would have heard something by now. :)

 

.

[jp30338]

Absolutely agree with all of you! Not gonna happen. We surely would have heard something by now. :)

 

.

 

It has already started happening.... See QoS

[Langley Cruisers]

It has already started happening.... See QoS

 

No, I understand - OP made it sound like this was happening fleet-wide..

 

We have just come back from a 17 night cruise around Australia & New Zealand on the Radiance of the Seas, and we where told on our last formal night by our dining room waiter that RCL are dropping all formal nights as of 1st December. Can anyone confirm this statement?

[sthb23]

My cabin steward told me they are getting rid of all the bartenders come 1/1.

Just Bio & Nic to serve all.

[xxoocruiser]

Formal optional would be their best bet.

 

Technically formal is currently optional based on the fact that RCCL does not have a mandatory dress code rather it's only a Suggested Guideline as stated on it's website.

[LMaxwell]

I know you like to make this argument in every thread about the topic. IMHO, its a silly argument. Dressing formally every night while no one else is would be akin to saying "lets get dressed in a tux & gown tonight and go to Applebee's for dinner." By now I know you understand we enjoy getting dressed up for formal nights aboard, but we'd certainly not consider dressing formally every night when no one else is, any more than we'd consider dressing formally for an evening dinner ashore at Applebee's.

 

So enough of that silly argument, ok? ;)

 

We just see different facets of the same jewel here I think.

 

I'm just suggesting that people do what is their own preference.

 

If we want a nice photo memento, we may dress up for it.

 

If the cruise line drops "formal night" from the rotation of themed evenings that shouldn't prevent people from still dressing formally if they so choose to, just like they have the option now, and often I see men in suits every evening.

 

I don't think RCI is eliminating formal night so much as making participation optional, and it's perfectly alright with me because sometimes we participate and sometimes we scale it back to khakis and a button up for me and my wife wears a dress much more simple than what would be considered formal wear.

 

I'd never suggest anyone dress formal for Applebees. I wouldn't suggest anyone ever go to Applebees to start with either, but that's a different story.

 

I get your point; an evening seems to lose a touch of class, or some other undefinable "something" when you put in the effort, you look great, you feel great, and no one around you has done the same. It feels maybe a little awkward. BTDT. But that is why the new dining concepts offer smaller and unique restaurants to more cater to peoples tastes.

 

Edit: And I just don't think the cruiseline does their part to make it as special as it was in the past, or how it seemed to be to me anyway. Rose tinted goggles? Maybe. But service, food, atmosphere was much more elegant, to me, on older and smaller ships. Some of the big ships the service and atmosphere is chaos.

Edited December 2, 2014 by LMaxwell

[waterbug123]

Glad to hear that observation from someone who's experienced Quantum & Dynamic Dining. Kind of flies in the face of those who have already predicted here that The Grande would be virtually empty every night because no one wants to dress formally. Definitely reinforces my past statements that its really not the majority who want "all casual all the time" but rather a very vocal Cruise Critic minority who'd like you to think they represent the majority.

 

We didn't eat at the Grande, but even the Grande's definition of "formal" is simply that men need to wear a jacket.... no tie, suit or tux required. And we certainly didn't see very many people around the ship in the evening dressed in anything other than smart casual. If people dressed up more to go the Grande, they must have changed back to smart casual right after dinner, LOL.

[LetsGetWet!]

I get your point; an evening seems to lose a touch of class, or some other undefinable "something" when you put in the effort, you look great, you feel great, and no one around you has done the same. It feels maybe a little awkward. BTDT. But that is why the new dining concepts offer smaller and unique restaurants to more cater to peoples tastes.

I'm cautiously optimistic about at least that part of Dynamic Dining. Those who want all casual all the time will have every restaurant except The Grande, and those who enjoy dressing up may schedule The Grande twice or even more. We haven't experienced it yet, and whether we choose more nights at The Grande will depend on the menu. Don't want to eat the same dinner 3 times during the week, but if there are enough selections to choose from on the menu we would probably enjoy dressing up for it.

Edit: And I just don't think the cruiseline does their part to make it as special as it was in the past, or how it seemed to be to me anyway. Rose tinted goggles? Maybe. But service, food, atmosphere was much more elegant, to me, on older and smaller ships. Some of the big ships the service and atmosphere is chaos.

Certainly can't argue particularly with respect to food & service. As for atmosphere, that's an interesting thing. The way other diners as a whole are dressed is certainly a significant part of the atmosphere, wouldn't you agree? We haven't been to Applebee's in years, picked that name at random thinking of local places nearby. But the atmosphere wouldn't lend itself to formal attire, and a large part of that atmosphere would be the casual (I'm being charitable!) dress of the other diners. The atmosphere of the empty MDR venue itself is really still pretty elegant on RCI ships, but there's no doubt that the atmosphere during dinner isn't what it used to be - again, dress code & enforcement of same is a significant part of that.

[grandmarnnurse]

We have just come back from a 17 night cruise around Australia & New Zealand on the Radiance of the Seas, and we where told on our last formal night by our dining room waiter that RCL are dropping all formal nights as of 1st December. Can anyone confirm this statement?

 

I do know that the ships that go to Dynamic Dining beginning in March, will no longer have formal nights, except for the 1 restaurant. I think, but not sure, it is The Grande.

[Big_G]

My cabin steward told me they are getting rid of all the bartenders come 1/1.

Just Bio & Nic to serve all.

 

Did he mention whether they will still charge a 15 percent gratuity? :eek:

[Debde]

I do know that the ships that go to Dynamic Dining beginning in March, will no longer have formal nights, except for the 1 restaurant. I think, but not sure, it is The Grande.

 

Yes, and the funny thing was I read not once but a few times that this was something they were watching to see if it was popular to keep it a formal venue. Guess time will tell on this one.

On the other ships I would think the decline of photo sales would be the deciding factor if it does go away. I know I have noticed less and less people in formal wear and more and more people eating at the WJ that night!!

[LMaxwell]

Certainly can't argue particularly with respect to food & service. As for atmosphere, that's an interesting thing. The way other diners as a whole are dressed is certainly a significant part of the atmosphere, wouldn't you agree? We haven't been to Applebee's in years, picked that name at random thinking of local places nearby. But the atmosphere wouldn't lend itself to formal attire, and a large part of that atmosphere would be the casual (I'm being charitable!) dress of the other diners. The atmosphere of the empty MDR venue itself is really still pretty elegant on RCI ships, but there's no doubt that the atmosphere during dinner isn't what it used to be - again, dress code & enforcement of same is a significant part of that.

 

I do agree, the way people are dressed lends to the atmosphere, especially in the MDR. Dress code and enforcement is a part of it. But, again, I think we are looking two different facets of the same jewel here.

 

It sounds as if you are saying the atmosphere has declined solely due to pax deciding to dress more casually and basically steamroll the onboard staff into accepting it.

 

I'm of the opinion that as ships got larger (and MDR's got larger) they cater more to families and first timers that aren't as interested in formal wear. As MDR's got larger they got noisier and more chaotic.

As cruise lines struggled to sail full for the massive amount of cabins being added to any given market they slashed prices, and one area that can have a big impact on bottom line is the reduction of spend on food for guests. That and having the guest pick up the tab for better food via specialty dining. I certainly remember a time when RCI offered a tea time with free ice cream with toppings (now you can go buy a quality tea, or buy an ice cream cup). They offered a midnight buffet of high quality treats both to see and eat. Gone, gone, gone. Now they will sell you a cupcake.

 

The service was FAR superior in the dining rooms. Courses were more elaborate. Service was more attentive; there was simply a higher staff to guest ratio. To me, at least, formal nights used to have the feel of going out to a high end dinner. Again, maybe it is rose tinted goggles looking back, maybe it was never as good as it seemed??? Now formal nights on a cruise ship don't feel like anything to me but a photo opportunity. Which is fine. I begrudge no one wanting to get that memory or dressing well and feeling good about it. But the overall dining ambiance, the food, the service (or lack thereof)...it's like if the cruise line isn't going to meet me half way here why would I choose to be uncomfortable when I dine?

 

Maybe it's partially the guests "fault", but I'll not absolve the cruise line from cheapening the experience and making it near meaningless. When I'm asked to suit up just to get a picture sales pitch it just rubs me the wrong way; but maybe it is just because I have been there and done that so many times in the past. If the cruise lines want to bring up quality in food, aim for a more refined atmosphere (impossible on large ships) and bring back excellent service (gone because they needed the cabins for crews that do air shows and diving shows and man the ziplines, etc.) it may feel like an occasion worth going to all the effort for.

 

When Royal can blow out 7 day cruises for $179 something has to give. I understand. I get it. I'll cruise and accept what it is. But I won't pretend it's something far more grand than it is or that they are willing to provide.

It's a case where paying for a bigger/better stateroom won't change the MDR food or service, won't change the activity staff, won't improve guest service lines, etc.

 

It's a difficult thing to put into words. One day perhaps we will discuss in the diamond lounge. Unless I introduced myself by screen name you'd never know it was me because I'm always properly dressed, if not dressed to the maximum. I don't flaunt rules for the sake of flaunting them; I'm just finally at a point where my enjoyment and comfort is paramount for the dollars I spend.

[LetsGetWet!]

I do agree, the way people are dressed lends to the atmosphere, especially in the MDR. Dress code and enforcement is a part of it. But, again, I think we are looking two different facets of the same jewel here.

 

It sounds as if you are saying the atmosphere has declined solely due to pax deciding to dress more casually and basically steamroll the onboard staff into accepting it.

 

I'm of the opinion that as ships got larger (and MDR's got larger) they cater more to families and first timers that aren't as interested in formal wear. As MDR's got larger they got noisier and more chaotic.

As cruise lines struggled to sail full for the massive amount of cabins being added to any given market they slashed prices, and one area that can have a big impact on bottom line is the reduction of spend on food for guests. That and having the guest pick up the tab for better food via specialty dining. I certainly remember a time when RCI offered a tea time with free ice cream with toppings (now you can go buy a quality tea, or buy an ice cream cup). They offered a midnight buffet of high quality treats both to see and eat. Gone, gone, gone. Now they will sell you a cupcake.

 

The service was FAR superior in the dining rooms. Courses were more elaborate. Service was more attentive; there was simply a higher staff to guest ratio. To me, at least, formal nights used to have the feel of going out to a high end dinner. Again, maybe it is rose tinted goggles looking back, maybe it was never as good as it seemed??? Now formal nights on a cruise ship don't feel like anything to me but a photo opportunity. Which is fine. I begrudge no one wanting to get that memory or dressing well and feeling good about it. But the overall dining ambiance, the food, the service (or lack thereof)...it's like if the cruise line isn't going to meet me half way here why would I choose to be uncomfortable when I dine?

 

Maybe it's partially the guests "fault", but I'll not absolve the cruise line from cheapening the experience and making it near meaningless. When I'm asked to suit up just to get a picture sales pitch it just rubs me the wrong way; but maybe it is just because I have been there and done that so many times in the past. If the cruise lines want to bring up quality in food, aim for a more refined atmosphere (impossible on large ships) and bring back excellent service (gone because they needed the cabins for crews that do air shows and diving shows and man the ziplines, etc.) it may feel like an occasion worth going to all the effort for.

 

When Royal can blow out 7 day cruises for $179 something has to give. I understand. I get it. I'll cruise and accept what it is. But I won't pretend it's something far more grand than it is or that they are willing to provide.

It's a case where paying for a bigger/better stateroom won't change the MDR food or service, won't change the activity staff, won't improve guest service lines, etc.

 

It's a difficult thing to put into words. One day perhaps we will discuss in the diamond lounge. Unless I introduced myself by screen name you'd never know it was me because I'm always properly dressed, if not dressed to the maximum. I don't flaunt rules for the sake of flaunting them; I'm just finally at a point where my enjoyment and comfort is paramount for the dollars I spend.

No, I don't think that the decline in elegance is completely due to passengers dressing down and steamrolling the crew into accepting it. As I said previously, there's no doubt that the food and service levels have declined from what they were "way back then" in the "good old days." I will observe that I think some (but certainly not all!) of the perceived decline is due to those of us who have cruised a lot getting jaded or our perceptions changing after many cruises. I remember a restaurant from my college days that I thought was very "upscale" and a fine dining experience the few times I ate their during college. When I returned to my college town maybe 10 years later for a visit, I went back and was shocked at how mundane the restaurant actually was!

 

One observation from me - you, along with others here previously, talk about "being uncomfortable when you dine" when you dress formally. I honestly don't really understand that - to me, my comfort factor really isn't noticeably different on formal nights vs. smart casual nights. The only difference would be if I choose not to wear a jacket on casual nights, but I do slip on a sport jacket more often than not. Unless one buys their shirts with a neck measurement that's not reflective of one's current size, IMHO buttoning the top button and putting on a tie doesn't really make it an uncomfortable experience. Other than buttoning that top button - to me from a comfort perspective pants are pants and a shirt is a shirt, and as I say I'll often slip on a sport jacket in the evening which is no more or less comfortable than a suit or tuxedo jacket. So, honest question, what's so "uncomfortable" about dressing up?

[karena1]

I love formal nights. It is the one time of year (or two) that I get dressed to the max, DH in a tux and me in a long formal. I have all these gorgeous long dresses! Will miss it if they do away with formal. Not dressing like that if there is no "noted" formal night.