Princess Survey about Formal Nights

[Cruise Junky]

I totally agree. If they drop formal nights, cruising will be not much different than going to the mall....soon, as it deteriorates further, it will be like going to walk-mart at 3 am....

 

Not a happy picture....

 

Oh for heavens sake. Stop the drama. HAL, Celebrity, Azamara, Oceania, Seabourn, Regent haven't turned into Walmarts

Edited December 18, 2015 by Cruise Junky

[Thrak]

I would love to see candid pictures taken of some people on formal nights, that totally abuse the policy, put up on the photo boards in the photo gallery. Polo shirts on guys and/or shorts and the like. This would send a subtle message.

 

I have actually worn shorts on a formal night. It was after dinner and we were going up on Lido to watch MUTS. It had been a bit wet and I had no desire to wear my suit for sitting in a lounger watching MUTS. I ran down to Explorer's to snag a BOGO drink at one point and, even though I hurried, I encountered a number of very disapproving looks.

 

My wife loves formal nights (although we only did 2 of the 3 nights on our last cruise). I think she would be extremely disappointed if the formal nights went away. While it may seem selfish to many I feel that making my wife happy trumps all the rest of you. (No, I don't care if your wife hates formal nights. My wife is far more important to me. :p) I would hate to see the formal nights disappear.

Edited December 18, 2015 by Thrak

[waltd]

We also received the survey and I would hope that Princess drops Formal and goes to Dressy but no need for Formal wear. I think it is only a matter of time before all cruise lines will drop the term Formal.

[Thrak]

We also received the survey and I would hope that Princess drops Formal and goes to Dressy but no need for Formal wear. I think it is only a matter of time before all cruise lines will drop the term Formal.

 

I can't see lines like Cunard ever dropping formal nights.

[mrobstad]

I used to love formal nights, but no more...l

[dandonna]

Oh for heavens sake. Stop the drama. HAL, Celebrity, Azamara, Oceania, Seabourn, Regent haven't turned into Walmarts

 

Can't speak for the other cruise-lines you mentioned but Celebrity is turning into Carnival Cruises at least on the 7 day we experienced. So disappointing.

Hope Princess holds its ground.

[RocketMan275]

Is it really that much of an imposition to ask someone to put on a long sleeved shirt and pair of slacks?

(Which is really what the limits of the formal night designation have become.)

 

Is it really that much of an imposition to allow someone in the MDR who is wearing a pair of blue jeans and a polo?

[waltd]

I can't see lines like Cunard ever dropping formal nights.

 

Only time will tell with Cunard. They had or are going to have country western celebrities on board one cruise. Country Western dress will be allowed. Big to do on the Cunard boards. Hate to say it but as the older generation drops out things could change.

[SteelMagnolia9]

I think Princess should name their new night "Denim and Diamonds". It should accommodate almost everyone's preference. Wear your sparkly denim, your tux/ballgown or semi-dazzle. Could be a fun night in the MDR and at your table.

[Colo Cruiser]

I voted the same way as you did. In the comments I stated that formal nights are a part of cruising and if someone doesn't want to dress up then there are plenty of options available to them. I love formal nights and will be very disappointed if they change them.

 

 

For sure. :(

[CHIPPY49]

Perfect description of a the perfect storm. My wife spends a couple of hours getting ready and looks fantastic. I'm so proud to be seen with her. Then we get sat next to a couple that look like they just stepped in for a quick bite after sitting at the pool all day.

 

My DW has just pointed out that a lot of women have built up a collection of nice jewelry and like the opportunity to take it out for a walk occasionally. If you live on a farm, the animals really do not appreciate it & the locals would think it weird to wear it when curling, (throwing rocks down the ice, to the uninitiated).

[Wehwalt]

I have actually worn shorts on a formal night. It was after dinner and we were going up on Lido to watch MUTS. It had been a bit wet and I had no desire to wear my suit for sitting in a lounger watching MUTS. I ran down to Explorer's to snag a BOGO drink at one point and, even though I hurried, I encountered a number of very disapproving looks.

 

Formal night only applies in the dining rooms, not including the buffet or premium venues. Elsewhere people are free to wear what they care to.

[Zooguy]

My formal wear takes up a quarter of my suitcase. I only wear it twice every 7 days, and I can't use it for any other occasion. We fly to all our sailings and are limited to one checked bag each. Each garment we bring must be able to be worn in multiple situations. For this reason, I suggest formal wear be made at least optional.

Let's change the name from formal night to smart casual night. The daily patter could provide a description of what qualifies as smart casual.

Edited December 18, 2015 by Zooguy

[floridalover5623]

I have actually worn shorts on a formal night. It was after dinner and we were going up on Lido to watch MUTS. It had been a bit wet and I had no desire to wear my suit for sitting in a lounger watching MUTS. I ran down to Explorer's to snag a BOGO drink at one point and, even though I hurried, I encountered a number of very disapproving looks.

 

I do likewise & hang around long enough to shoot photo's of the wife pouring champagne. I think half the people don't realize that formal clothing is not required.

[SteelMagnolia9]

Let's change the name from formal night to smart casual night. The daily patter could provide a description of what qualifies as smart casual.

 

The new alternative night will be an eclectic mix of people dressed up and in casual attire. It will be called something other than formal night (and not smart casual night) and one will probably be able to dine in the MDR as long as you are not wearing shorts. Any 'suggested' attire in the Patter will not be enforced for fear of offending someone. Eventually, those 'dressing up' will no longer do so as it will not be worth the effort. Tablecloths will eventually be removed...

[pris993]

Does not matter to us, what they do, we will still dress for formal nights... we actually like to dress up for dinner every night... not just on formal.. We can't imagine dress down....just not part of what we do traveling any where on board or on land.

[Brisbane41]

I personally hope Princess stays the same.

 

To be 100% honest here, my smart casual was far better dressed than all of what Australian cruisers tend to wear. I recently did a 3rd December cruise with Royal Caribbeans Radiance of the Seas out of Sydney and the dress code there was pretty much turtle neck t-shirts, singlet tops, shorts, jogging shoes or thongs (flip flops) and it was all welcome in the main dining room.

 

I felt out of place in my "smart casual" being a short sleeved collared button up shirt with long trousers.

 

If I had been on Princess I would have blended in.

 

As I felt uncomfortable with the majority going extreme casual I just went with the flow and wore my t-shirt and shorts as well.

 

Its a case of majority rules on the ship and not too many people will feel comfortable dressing nicely if the rules were changed to allow them to dress down.

[TravelingEA]

Perfect description of a the perfect storm. My wife spends a couple of hours getting ready and looks fantastic. I'm so proud to be seen with her. Then we get sat next to a couple that look like they just stepped in for a quick bite after sitting at the pool all day.

 

My DW has just pointed out that a lot of women have built up a collection of nice jewelry and like the opportunity to take it out for a walk occasionally. If you live on a farm, the animals really do not appreciate it & the locals would think it weird to wear it when curling, (throwing rocks down the ice, to the uninitiated).

 

I come from a town that is big in curling - even the HS physical ed classes include curling. I would love to see curing in formal wear!

[TravelingEA]

Even though my DW & I do not participate in formal night, I am in favor of Princess keeping it. Look at all of the revenue they get from the formal pictures that are taken. I would hope that helps to keep the cruise cost a little lower. We normally eat at a specialty restaurant on formal night. We usually eat at a specialty restaurant at least once per cruise anyway. We are normally at just under the weight limit for airlines, and another change of clothes and shoes would put us over.

[ready2cruzagain]

The cross section of Princess passengers who were selected to be part of the survey community are used to get a statistically accurate feel for subjects Princess may feel can be improved. The posting of a survey on a subject doesn't mean that Princess is determined to change it.

When I was asked to be part of this survey community, Princess asked me to not discuss the survey subject on any public forum. I presume that request was made to prevent them from being deluged with a bunch of messages about something no decision had been made to change. I am sure they get a deluge of irate messages after they make some change and I can understand why they want to avoid getting a deluge before deciding on a change.

Unsolicited responses are almost always negative and are not scientifically or statistically useful in determining public opinion.

 

Nothing in my survey stated I couldn't talk about it on a forum.

Edited December 18, 2015 by ready2cruzagain

[GUT2407]

I wonder if this is USA only haven't had it.

 

Whatever they do I hope they enforce their code or abolish it totally and anything goes.

[cruzsnooze]

I've just never understand why there is an issue at all?

 

I don't gamble but I am not asking Princess to remove the casino. LOL

I don't get your point at all. Just avoid the casino. I can't and won't avoid the dinner in the MDR that I paid for.

[swilliams1660]

Why not have a dress up or not night?

[kennicott]

Apparently we are not privy to the email questionnaire Princess is sending to their loyal guests regarding formal nights. Maybe you have to book through a TA in order to get one, we only use the Princess "Personalizer". Anyway, here is our pertinent two cents worth.

 

"We do love formal nights, they had three on a cruise we just got off of with Princess. Some do appear to prefer no formal nights at all. For us, it hearkens back to the days of yore, days of romantic ocean travel which many yearn for the return thereof.

 

First order of business for us, after boarding, is to make reservations in the specialty restaurants on all formal nights, table for two only. That allows us to enjoy what a formal night is all about and avoid any potential hassle that the MDR might subject us to. We will soon surpass 225 total days sailing on Princess since 1990.

 

When Celebrity made their announcement to discontinue formal nights a friend asked me what I thought about that, even though we have never sailed on Celebrity. I answered, "When a line gets rid of formal nights they have got rid of us."

[kennicott]

Formal night only applies in the dining rooms, not including the buffet or premium venues. Elsewhere people are free to wear what they care to.

 

Interesting observation, as two months ago I was emailing a friend regarding the formal night subject, from on board the Caribbean Princess. Here is my quote:

 

Those who shun the penguin suit nights try to avoid the MDRs in favor of the buffet and other venues. It appears that among those other "venues" the specialty high end restaurants are being targeted. So, Princess has responded by requiring formal dress in their specialty restaurants on formal nights, you have to agree to that or you get no reservation. They are supposed to not sit those who dress inappropriately. Coincidentally, as I was composing this email for you we had a formal night dinner reservation in the Crown Grill. Soon after being seated, there erupted a heated altercation between the maitre d' and a guest, the guest, dressed in a white short sleeve T-shirt with a collar, commonly called a "polo shirt", was getting the heave-hoe, and not liking it at all."