Are Gala Nights just about dinner?

[bobpatj]

I hear and read about what to wear on Gala Nights, but does anything special follow dinner? On Formal nights, there would be a production show by the Singers & Dancers or a special party, such as the Black & White Officers' Ball, or special holiday dance party, such a Valentine's Ball. Are these occasions still happening?

[BumperII]

When we started cruising in 2002, the answer to all of your questions would have been yes. Probably 95% of the passenger men would be in black tie. Such is no more.

 

The first formal night will include the introduction of the ship's officers and captain's toast.

 

Other than that, formal night is more like prom night, get dressed up so the ship's photographers can take pictures to sell you. Then it is pretty much like any other night.

[LMaxwell]

HAL references special events shipwide, but never mentions them, and no one on this forum has mentioned any either. I believe it is just for dinner.

[WeLoveCruising]

I agree with what was said above. In year's past, yes - it was a very festive night with a welcome aboard toast, meeting the Captain, etc. We always liked how festive the ship felt, and enjoyed all the people watching. Nowadays, most people still dress in party attire (more like a nice wedding or cocktail party vs what is technically formal), but except for a few photo opportunities there isnt much else in the way of organized activiites.

 

Longer cruises, I think, have more, like the Black and White ball. I havent seen that on a cruise less than 14 days in years.

[kazu]

I agree with what was said above. In year's past, yes - it was a very festive night with a welcome aboard toast, meeting the Captain, etc. We always liked how festive the ship felt, and enjoyed all the people watching. Nowadays, most people still dress in party attire (more like a nice wedding or cocktail party vs what is technically formal), but except for a few photo opportunities there isnt much else in the way of organized activiites.

 

Longer cruises, I think, have more, like the Black and White ball. I havent seen that on a cruise less than 14 days in years.

 

We had a black and white ball last April on the Westerdam. It was a 20 day cruise.

 

And it was a very nice affair. I know I will pack one black and white dress for our upcoming 33 day cruise in hopes of the same ;)

[Krazy Kruizers]

On our recent Eurodam cruises -- October -- the Welcome Aboard Toast on the first formal night in the show room -- gone!!

Many people did not dress up for Gala Night.

There was a production show -- but nothing like previous years -- barely 40 minutes.

Parties -- they are pretty much gone unless you are on a longer cruise. There may still be a Valentine's party on most ships.

Black and White Ball -- only had them on our repositioning cruises of 21 days. They are also on the longer Grand Voyages and World Cruises. And you bet that the Prinsendam will have parties and maybe a Ball on many of their cruises.

[KirkNC]

I think the more festive events are just on world cruises, grand voyages or select longer cruises.

[iancal]

On many cruises formal nights in the MDR is not even about dinner.

 

About the only thing that has not changed is the place settings.

 

The menu selections and the food quality/preparation have changed. And not for the better. For us there is an expectation gap.

 

Some traditional cruisers try to keep up a brave face in order to justify the formal attire but frankly the MDR dinners on forma/Gala evenings are far from memorable. This is our experience. Decorating the chairs does not alter our view of the event.

 

We do not feel that we are missing anything when we skip the MDR in favour of the Lido. Sad but true.

Perhaps it is better on longer cruises. We tend to stick with 14-20 day itineraries.

Edited December 30, 2015 by iancal

[idiebabe]

We had the Black and White Ball on our recent 14/15 day Cruises on Prinsendam and Eurodam in October and November as well as the Captain's Toast. Also had one last April on the 14 day TA on Nieuw Amsterdam.

 

We found that the majority was dressed and saw no change to when it was called Formal Night. We will be on the NA on January 10th for a 7 Niter and curious to see how many are not dressing up!

[Krazy Kruizers]

On many cruises formal nights in the MDR is not even about dinner.

 

About the only thing that has not changed is the place settings.

 

The menu selections and the food quality/preparation have changed. And not for the better. For us there is an expectation gap.

 

Some traditional cruisers try to keep up a brave face in order to justify the formal attire but frankly the MDR dinners on forma/Gala evenings are far from memorable. This is our experience. Decorating the chairs does not alter our view of the event.

 

We do not feel that we are missing anything when we skip the MDR in favour of the Lido. Sad but true.

Perhaps it is better on longer cruises. We tend to stick with 14-20 day itineraries.

 

It was on our 2012 (or 2013) 21 day repositioning cruise that we noticed very few tuxedos. DH wore his but was very disappointed in how informal everyone was. When we got home, his tuxedo was cleaned and retired to the back of his closet. Now he wears either a suit or jacket and tie.

 

We just go to the Pinnacle and if possible depending on the ship, the Tamarind.

[Stratheden]

Do not expect Gala food on Gala night. In my opinion the Gala night food is worse than the other nights in the MDR.

[take us away]

It seems HAL tries to have a bit better (which I admit is subjective) entertainment on gala nights.

[blizzardboy]

I'll be in my tux, ordering vodka martinis "shaken, not stirred" in less than 3 weeks aboard the Oo'dam. I enjoy an opportunity to dress up without paying for weddings or being asked for a donation (other than to the casino).

[colonialinnkeeper]

I'll be in my tux, ordering vodka martinis "shaken, not stirred" in less than 3 weeks aboard the Oo'dam. I enjoy an opportunity to dress up without paying for weddings or being asked for a donation (other than to the casino).

 

Agreed totally.

[earljr]

On many cruises formal nights in the MDR is not even about dinner.

 

About the only thing that has not changed is the place settings.

 

The menu selections and the food quality/preparation have changed. And not for the better. For us there is an expectation gap.

 

Some traditional cruisers try to keep up a brave face in order to justify the formal attire but frankly the MDR dinners on forma/Gala evenings are far from memorable. This is our experience. Decorating the chairs does not alter our view of the event.

 

We do not feel that we are missing anything when we skip the MDR in favour of the Lido. Sad but true.

Perhaps it is better on longer cruises. We tend to stick with 14-20 day itineraries.

 

I have yet to read one of your posts that I disagree with

 

:)

[RMLincoln]

I think putting the white slip covers on the MDR chairs is the only thing Gala on Gala nights now. The production shows with the singers and dancers may or may not mesh up with Gala night.

 

Does anyone have the menus, or a link, from recent Gala nights? All I remember is that I enjoyed the rack of lamb and DH asked for the salmon, which was not on the menu.

Thanks, m--

[Crew News]

I think putting the white slip covers on the MDR chairs is the only thing Gala on Gala nights now. The production shows with the singers and dancers may or may not mesh up with Gala night.

 

Does anyone have the menus, or a link, from recent Gala nights? All I remember is that I enjoyed the rack of lamb and DH asked for the salmon, which was not on the menu.

Thanks, m--

 

Here is are the Gala Night Menus from last month aboard the Oosterdam:

 

http://www.rogerjett-photography.com/here/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/Menu-Oosterdam-2015-Day-02-Day-Gala.pdf

 

http://www.rogerjett-photography.com/here/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/Menu-Oosterdam-2015-Day-10-Gala.pdf

[Crew News]

I'll be in my tux, ordering vodka martinis "shaken, not stirred" in less than 3 weeks aboard the Oo'dam. I enjoy an opportunity to dress up without paying for weddings or being asked for a donation (other than to the casino).

 

Here is what you will be having to eat in the Lido and MDR during your time on the Oosterdam:

 

http://www.rogerjett-photography.com/specialty-2/hal-caribbean-ms-oosterdam-menus-2015/

[kevingastreich]

Here is what you will be having to eat in the Lido and MDR during your time on the Oosterdam:

 

http://www.rogerjett-photography.com/specialty-2/hal-caribbean-ms-oosterdam-menus-2015/

 

Man, looking at those menus is making me hungry! I think the food is STILL awesome! Try eating like that at home.

[Jalex63]

We just came off a one week cruise (Dec 21 - Dec 28) on the Zuiderdam. It was, I am sad to say one of the worst HAL cruises we have ever been on. "Gala nite" meant nothing, I mean no dress code what-so-ever was enforced in the Vista Dining room that night. There were everything from Tux's to Jeans and T-shirts, with sandals I might add. I would say fewer than half of the men even had a tie on. The was no dress code being enforced on the Zuiderdam last week.

 

Also, while I have been told that the 1900 figure on guest capacity is based upon double cabin occupancy, because of the Xmas week period there were over 2100 aboard. Most children I have ever seen on any HAL cruise, I would guess 200-300 children and teens. If you went up to the Lido for the later continental breakfast, there was nothing left! It looked like a group of army ants had just passes thru. Not a Danish, doughnut or anything left. Couldn't even get an orange juice. Place was absolutely picked clean!

 

I am hoping that this was an abnormality for HAL due to the timing of the cruise, in fact first seven day HAL we have been on in over 10 years. We are sailing again on the 7th of Feb for a two week on the Veendam and I hope things might return to normal.

Edited December 31, 2015 by Jalex63

[SeaBands]

I'm glad we are doing a B2B as there are several items I would like to order and with 2 weeks I can eat both. I'll wear a tie and jacket but no tux this time. I usually wear a jacket when I eat in the Pinnacle.

[Lizzie68]

I'll be in my tux, ordering vodka martinis "shaken, not stirred" in less than 3 weeks aboard the Oo'dam. I enjoy an opportunity to dress up without paying for weddings or being asked for a donation (other than to the casino).

 

Absolutely. It's about how you feel when you enjoy dressing up, not about what others wear. We like to dress up too, but we also do not care what other people may choose to wear. On topic, unfortunately there seems to be nothing special about Gala night, or as it was formerly known, Formal night, anymore. Sometimes there is the Black and White Ball on longer cruises, but I can't think of anything else that makes it a special evening, including the menu.

[DaveOKC]

I'm glad we are doing a B2B as there are several items I would like to order and with 2 weeks I can eat both. I'll wear a tie and jacket but no tux this time. I usually wear a jacket when I eat in the Pinnacle.

 

We are seeing fewer Jackets and Ties in the Pinnacle lately as well (even though I wear one as it is a special dinner).

[LMaxwell]

"Gala nite" meant nothing, I mean no dress code what-so-ever was enforced in the Vista Dining room that night.

 

When you say nothing, are you referring to the dress code only, or were there NO other events/entertainment related to a gala night theme?

 

If your avatar a Hatteras LRC?

[Watson's aunt]

Hi

 

leaving on the Zuiderdam on Jan 15 to Panama canal almost same cruise I took a few years ago. they had a black and white ball. Does anyone know If they still have the ball on this cruise.

 

Thank You

 

Mary