POLL: What is the reason behind formal nights?

[mcd2745]

This is a spin-off from another thread, so I'm hoping you all can humor me...what do you think is the main "purpose" behin formal nights? To provide guests with an elegent nighttime experience...or to sell photos?

Edited May 6, 2015 by mcd2745

[DeadPhish]

I'm sure they have been doing formals nights long before they've been selling the pictures.

[Paul65]

I suspect there will be a number of people who will answer with "sell photos," because you get that a lot from those who are not fans of formal nights and are looking for an excuse to degrade it. But, honestly, I don't think selling photos is the reason for formal night, any more than selling beer and cocktails is the reason for a pool.

 

The company exists to make money, so you can't really separate making money completely from any of the things they offer, but they offer things that their customers want (or at least that they perceive the customers want). So, I think the main purpose of a formal night is to please the customers who like having it.

Edited May 6, 2015 by Paul65

[ryano]

............

Edited May 6, 2015 by ryano
nevermind

[PCWalton1]

............

 

Well said, my thoughts completely. :p

[bouhunter]

We aren't fans of formal nights no longer participate. But I think it's a silly question and highly doubt the original or ongoing purpose is to sell photos.........:rolleyes:

[MagicNMe]

:rolleyes: You forgot poll option 3: 'To provide return cruisers with lively, if ever-stale debate on CC!'

[Scrapnana]

Once upon a time almost every night was formal on a ship. For me, a chance to dress up is one of the benefits of cruising that I seldom get at home and brings back some of the glamor of those past days. It is nice to see people putting an effort into looking good (and no blue jeans or ball caps) even it is only for a night or two.

 

No big deal about the pictures. You don't have to have them taken or buy them.

[mcd2745]

We aren't fans of formal nights no longer participate. But I think it's a silly question and highly doubt the original or ongoing purpose is to sell photos.........:rolleyes:

 

I understand it's somewhat a silly question on it's own...however, it's more to gague people's perceptions than anything else.

[Capella Black]

I would guess it's for people like me who like an opportunity to wear black tie outfits - I used to wuss out and wear a cocktail dress so I didn't stand out, on my next cruise I will be taking ball gowns!

[bluegirlum]

What would happen if people decided to wear formal wear every night, not just on formal night? Do you think people would mock them and stare at them and there would be threads and polls about it on CC?:D

[snorkelman]

There are a LOT of things tied to formal nights that generate money - not just pictures.

 

The spa makes a ton of sales with hair cuts, coloring, facials, etc.

 

Passengers also tend to order wine and other expensive alcoholic drinks when they are dressed nice for formal nights.

[CT Sean]

[Summerknight]

We have been cruising for 18 years so we have see a lot of changes. I think formal night is simply a part of the "cruise" experience. For many people it is not their normal mode of vacation. For those celebrating something special or rare they probably love the thought.

 

As for us, it is now a cocktail dress and suit and tie. No more tux and long gown. Uh oh...our 25th wedding anniversary is coming up. I see a new dress/gown in my future!

[Mikew0805]

I agree it didn't start as a way to sell photos. However, I am sure that photo profit is a big factor in why it continues the way it has always been, unlike everything else.

[Cruzfan34]

Honestly, I never think about why they do it. I enjoy it and my husband seems to enjoy it also. I've asked him several times if he hates wearing a tux and he is always pretty flexible. I think he secretly likes looking like James Bond LOL. Anyway....I love getting dressed up in my gowns and taking pictures. It's something I never get to do in everyday life at home. I don't think the cruise lines have formal nights to sell pictures. You can take all of the pictures you want (at no charge!) and you don't have to buy any of them. :)

[OCruisers]

 

Agree! It's a tradition still expected by some. ;)

 

LuLu

[Sitzmark]

Honestly, I never think about why they do it. I enjoy it and my husband seems to enjoy it also. I've asked him several times if he hates wearing a tux and he is always pretty flexible. I think he secretly likes looking like James Bond LOL. Anyway....I love getting dressed up in my gowns and taking pictures. It's something I never get to do in everyday life at home. I don't think the cruise lines have formal nights to sell pictures. You can take all of the pictures you want (at no charge!) and you don't have to buy any of them. :)

 

I don't hate dressing up for the right reason. Caribbean vacation doesn't make the list though.

[marteuge]

Love dressing up long gown on a formal night. People look so beautiful ! I make my 2 boys dress up in their best. They don't seem to mind dressing up on formal night.

[Bigtex1622]

I noticed cruising more and more.

The less and less pictures I buy.

 

I use to rent the tux on board, but now, it is just a suit.

But I am thinking about doing the tux thing again.

I do not want to bring a suit with me around Amsterdam and Barcelona.

Let alone all the flights.

So if I do I see another picture I will buy !

 

 

:rolleyes:

[woodyren]

Undoubtedly the reason is to provide those who love tradition and dressing to the nines an opportunity to do so.

 

 

The problem is that many of those people also think that everyone else should think the same...and if they have different tastes that this is somehow a problem to their enjoyment of the night.

 

Apparently from what have read on here it even directly relates to where they shop:D

 

If all would do their own thing and be comfortable in their own skin and just be happy to see people smile when they do the same the result would be ..........................a lot less threads on CC;)

[Swath]

LOL

Thanks for the laugh

 

[emileg]

This is a spin-off from another thread, so I'm hoping you all can humor me...what do you think is the main "purpose" behin formal nights? To provide guests with an elegent nighttime experience...or to sell photos?

Like others have said, formal nights are a throwback to an era of the elegant ocean liners when people in first class dressed to the nines and pretended not to be hot in non-air conditioned ships. When some of us dress up for formal night, it provides us the nostalgic experience of the way cruises used to be.

 

In the past I was a big supporter of formal nights, but lately I have found them somewhat tiring, especially when there are three of them.

 

I might add that to get the full ocean liner experience, I would recommend Cunard Line. On transatlantic crossings, all nights are formal, except for the first. We have been on Caribbean cruises where even on casual nights, probably at least 90% of the men were wearing at least sport jackets, but many wore ties as well. Cunard probably offers the best experience for those who want more than just a taste of a bygone era.

 

I did not answer the poll because I believe there are other valid reasons for the formal nights in addition to the two suggested.

 

P.S. The photo of Krys and me below was taken by Cunard's ship's photographers on the QM2 on "informal" night. On that 12 night cruise, we had four formal nights, three informal nights and five elegant-causal nights.

Edited May 7, 2015 by emileg

[xpcdoojk]

I must say, I love the post of tradition...

 

That said the reality is. Marketing, they are selling a vision. A vision where we can all go back to a time when James Bond went to the casino in a tuxedo and ordered a martini shaken but not stirred. We can fantasize about the Titanic, etc. Nostalgia... nothing is more important to most people than livng out their dreams no matter what the reality is.

 

That said modern travel is all about the cheapest way to do things. I am as guilty as anyone. In the golden days the uber rich travelled to far off places on ships, now anyone who can squirrel away a couple of months pay can do what a 100 years ago only dukes and duchesses could do. We are so rich as a world that what would have been unattainable a 100 years ago for 99% of the planet any of us that is on the government dole or who has a full-time job can now do. It is super awesome to be poor in 2015 as compared to 1815... just saying.

 

jc

[tserface]

You need a "Both" option. That's likely the most accurate.

 

Tom