Gala Nights Question

[Ineke]

Thank you so much for posting, as this is the same cruise we will be on this winter. Can you tell me if most men wore a jacket/tie on Gala nights? If not, how were they dressed? My husband also doesn't like to "stand out" from everyone else. He usually brings a tux, but we haven't cruised the Caribbean in 2 years, and a lot has seemed to change since then. He was going to bring a couple sports jackets and ties, but from what I am reading on these boards, even that attire is in the minority. If that is the case, did you find any difference in Smart Casual vs. Gala attire?

For Gala nights, we observed that the vast majority of men wore either a dark suit with dress shirt and tie, or dress slacks, dress shirt, tie and blazer or sports jacket. Those who did not, wore a tux or dinner jacket, but there were not very many, I saw perhaps 10 - 15 during late fixed seating. But all the men (and ladies, too) were dressed very nicely and definitely several steps up from Smart Casual. For those nights, men generally wore slacks, a collared shirt, about half wore a tie, and a blazer or sports jacket for some as well. There definitely was a difference between the two dress codes. I did not observe any jeans, but there may have been some.

[Miles Davis]

For Gala nights, we observed that the vast majority of men wore either a dark suit with dress shirt and tie, or dress slacks, dress shirt, tie and blazer or sports jacket. Those who did not, wore a tux or dinner jacket, but there were not very many, I saw perhaps 10 - 15 during late fixed seating. But all the men (and ladies, too) were dressed very nicely and definitely several steps up from Smart Casual. For those nights, men generally wore slacks, a collared shirt, about half wore a tie, and a blazer or sports jacket for some as well. There definitely was a difference between the two dress codes. I did not observe any jeans, but there may have been some.

 

We sail holiday cruises every year. We dress to the nines every formal(gala) night. We do so for us not other cruisers, it makes us feel good and special and that is the way we want to feel when we sail. I do not begrudge the casual direction that the cruise lines have moved to, matter of fact most of the time I am in shorts and sandals. But for dinners we dress up. We will be sailing Nieuw Amsterdam on the 18th.

[bUU]

Would you be kind enough to understand how I felt ...?

The key is to be confident in your own choice and at the same time respect the right of others to make and be confident in their own choice. Never let the choices of others affect your enjoyment of your trip.

[bUU]

Reading some of these posts, I am wondering what the difference is between dressing for a "Gala" night and dressing for a "Smart Casual" night. If men are wearing shirts and slacks (no jacket) on a "Gala" night, what are they wearing on "Smart Casual" nights. Seems these 2 attire suggestions have become very blended.

From all I've read about the change, it was made to give those who wish to have specific nights on which they wish to dress up a clear understanding of which nights those would be, while relieving the rest of the passengers from having to comply with a formal code. Everyone can therefore get what they wish (except those whose wish is to control what others decide to wear, I suppose).

[msmayor]

The key is to be confident in your own choice and at the same time respect the right of others to make and be confident in their own choice. Never let the choices of others affect your enjoyment of your trip.

 

Well said.

 

When my husband has his tux on and I'm wearing a gown as we stroll through the casino, its our James Bond moment...

[blizzardboy]

Amen, sister! I eventually end up at the Blackjack table enjoying a HAL Tanqueray 10 Signature Martini, or two, with my gorgeous bride in a cocktail dress providing moral support.

[TrolleyGirl]

For Gala nights, we observed that the vast majority of men wore either a dark suit with dress shirt and tie, or dress slacks, dress shirt, tie and blazer or sports jacket. Those who did not, wore a tux or dinner jacket, but there were not very many, I saw perhaps 10 - 15 during late fixed seating. But all the men (and ladies, too) were dressed very nicely and definitely several steps up from Smart Casual. For those nights, men generally wore slacks, a collared shirt, about half wore a tie, and a blazer or sports jacket for some as well. There definitely was a difference between the two dress codes. I did not observe any jeans, but there may have been some.

 

I agree. On our recent 14 Eurodam cruise I thought almost everyone make the extra effort to look lovely on gala nights. Most ladies wore sparkly, flowing or velvet attire. I even noticed a few ladies topped off their outfits with tiaras. How fun!

[marco_polo11]

From all I've read about the change, it was made to give those who wish to have specific nights on which they wish to dress up a clear understanding of which nights those would be, while relieving the rest of the passengers from having to comply with a formal code. Everyone can therefore get what they wish (except those whose wish is to control what others decide to wear, I suppose).

 

Personally, I question the need to even have 'gala nights'. Why can't people simply dress the way they would for a nice restaurant back home any time they go to a dining room (buffet excluded)? There should be minimum requirements for men (open collared shirt, dress slacks) and women (blouse, skirt/slacks or dress); no t-shirts/shorts/grubby jeans - after all, we wouldn't normally dress that way to a nice restaurant.

It should be 'smart casual' all the time. People shouldn't have to comply to a formal code at any time. Those who do like dressing more formally in suits/ties or tuxedoes may do so all the time if they wish.

It shouldn't matter to anyone what others are wearing as long as they meet the minimum requirements.

[iancal]

I think that some people get far too bent out of shape on this subject.

 

Just go and have a good time without concern to what others happen to wear.

 

Besides, how boring would it be if everyone dressed the same?

 

If a cruiser really wants formal and wants everyone to conform then select a cruise line that truly caters to this option. The mass market lines have moved on with their customers' changing tastes while still providing options to as many as possible.

 

We keep reading about slovenly guests, dirty hair, shorts, tshirts, flip flops. Yes we see it in the MDR but very, very infrequently. It would be like me saying that everyone wears tux on formal night. It is just not so. We are not the clothing police nor do we want to be. We mind our own business and get on with enjoying ourselves. Nor do I know where casual crosses the line to slovenly. I suspect that is opinion not fact. Is someone slovenly because they happen to be wearing shorts/tshirt when some one else thinks that alternate attire is more suitable? Or because they happen to be wearing a baseball hat? On our last cruise we saw an older gentlemen wearing a baseball cap in the MDR at dinner. It from some navy ship veterans re-union. So was he a slob? Slovenly perhaps? We certainly did not think so. Or is this really a combination of attire and age hangup?

Edited December 13, 2016 by iancal

[RuthC]

Those who do like dressing more formally in suits/ties or tuxedoes may do so all the time if they wish.

They probably can't. People who like having a standard like to dress within the range of that standard. Just as there is such a thing as being underdressed, there is such a thing as being overdressed.

[bUU]

Personally, I question the need to even have 'gala nights'. Why can't people simply dress the way they would for a nice restaurant back home any time they go to a dining room (buffet excluded)? There should be minimum requirements for men (open collared shirt, dress slacks) and women (blouse, skirt/slacks or dress); no t-shirts/shorts/grubby jeans - after all, we wouldn't normally dress that way to a nice restaurant.

It should be 'smart casual' all the time. People shouldn't have to comply to a formal code at any time. Those who do like dressing more formally in suits/ties or tuxedoes may do so all the time if they wish.

It shouldn't matter to anyone what others are wearing as long as they meet the minimum requirements.

But that's pretty much the way it is, as far as I can tell. The Gala nights just carry suggestions, not requirements, and so are just tacit deference to those who want the cruise line to tell them which nights are the nights that you would dress up if you're motivated to do so. Yes, people can dress up whenever they want, but if 10% of the people are going to do it twice during a week, then perhaps those people would enjoy it more if all the other people doing it would do it on those same nights, no?

[marco_polo11]

They probably can't. People who like having a standard like to dress within the range of that standard. Just as there is such a thing as being underdressed, there is such a thing as being overdressed.

 

Actually, tuxedoes do fall within the range of the standard I was suggesting. I only suggested a minimum standard. Otherwise, people can wear what they want.

I cannot see anyone objecting to people dressed in tuxedoes. They might be celebrating a special occasion or they might just like to. That's nobody else's concern.

[Sequim88]

From way back on page 1....

I would expect a 14 day Caribbean to be a little less formal.

 

OK that begs the question... 7 night Alaska? Are Alaska cruises more likely to have people leaning more formal on Gala nights than Caribbean? For us we figure since we will have no airline luggage restrictions in June we can afford to pack the extra-special dress up stuff. Besides we want to get some anniversary pictures.

 

Also, is it safe to figure 2nd night (a sea day) would be 1st Gala night?

[bUU]

OK that begs the question...

It is an interesting question... What is the accurate ranking of different itineraries from most likely to be more formal to least likely to be more formal? I think the earlier implication, that location alone will govern, is a misdirection. The reality of Caribbean cruises is that they are generally short cruises of 6-9 days. My instinct is that a more reliable rule of thumb starts with the length of the cruise, rather than strictly the location. As I read these threads my suspicion is regularly confirmed that the 22- to 67-day cruises probably are those most likely to be more formal. (The 15- to 21-day cruises are probably going to be a mixed bag, because most if not all are itineraries which are made up of what is also sold as two or three separate voyages. If most passengers are taking 7-day cruises, then the cruise will reasonably be dominated by 7-day ethos.)

[iancal]

I don't see how you could be overdressed on formal night if you want to wear a tux. Why not enjoy it if this is what makes the cruise more enjoyable for you?

 

Why care about how many other people may or may not be wearing one? What does it matter? Besides, what is so wrong with standing out in the crowd?

 

No reason to be like the rest of the sheep or to feel uncomfortable about doing it.

 

And wear it any other evening if you so wish. Why not?

Edited December 13, 2016 by iancal

[rkacruiser]

I don't see how you could be overdressed on formal night if you want to wear a tux. Why not enjoy it if this is what makes the cruise more enjoyable for you?

 

Why care about how many other people may or may not be wearing one? What does it matter? Besides, what is so wrong with standing out in the crowd?

 

No reason to be like the rest of the sheep or to feel uncomfortable about doing it.

 

And wear it any other evening if you so wish. Why not?

 

Exactly! That is my opinion as well.

 

For some of the previous posters who made comments about my postings on this thread, I am comfortable with my choices[/u as to how I dress in comparison to other cruise guests. Since they were not present in the Star Princess's Showroom on that evening, these posters seem to be unable to understand how this t-shirt, shorts, flip-flop clad couple sitting next to me appeared in comparison with, not just with me formally attired, but with all of the other Star Princess guests seated around me who were perfectly dressed in attire that properly suited the requested Dress Code for that evening on the Star Princess.

 

Did they have the right to enter the Showroom and enjoy the entertainment as much as those of us who honored the Dress Code for the evening? Of course. Was their selection of attire in doing so being respectful of their fellow guests? I don't think so. To me, that is the issue.

[bUU]

That's one of those things that one cannot complain about without risking casting aspersion on one's self. How respectful is it to characterize other folks in a disparaging manner due to their legitimate choice of attire?

Edited December 14, 2016 by bUU

[nacsivmw]

We and friends have been on several HA cruises and the gala nights have always been an issue for our husbands. Due to "light packing", we've gone without a sports coats for my husband, but on our European cruise, he was given a jacket to wear because he had a short sleeve dress shirt with a tie. Our friend had a long sleeve dress shirt with tie and that was okay. On other cruises, ties and short sleeve shirts without jackets were okay. In order to defer any issues, our husbands have sports coats and ties for our next cruise, nothing fancy, just the travel Eddie Bauer sports coats. But, after reading this thread, sounds like that might not even be needed. Still, think we will be covered with jacket and tie.

 

 

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[iancal]

At DW's suggestion we stopped doing formal nights in the MDR one evening several years ago. Then after an absence we tried it again. What we discovered was that either out preferences had changed, the whole event had gone downhill, or both. So we stopped entirely.

 

Now retired and travelling with only carry on we simply have no desire to attend. We may try gala night as I suspect our attire will meet the request. But based on our perception that the dining experience, service and food, has gone downhill, we may pass. For us it is not worth the bother nor does the cruise line do anything special other than flog photos. This is not simply a HAL issue either-we do the same on Princess and Celebrity.

 

But one thing is certain. We have never hidden in our cabins on formal evenings simply because we were not dressed for the MDR, nor do we expect to in the future. I suspect that we will never select a Cunard cruise....much more likely is an Azamera. So like it or not, you may find yourself beside us or near us in the lounge, the casino, or perhaps the first half hour of the show. And I have been known to wear shorts at night when it is particularly warm and we plan on spending time topside. When you live in a snowy climate you have to take advantage of those days.

 

We don't bother ourselves with what others wear. Not our issue, nor do we even care. That is for the cruise line to decide.

Edited December 14, 2016 by iancal

[PCruzer]

That's one of those things that one cannot complain about without risking casting aspersion on one's self. How respectful is it to characterize other folks in a disparaging manner due to their legitimate choice of attire?

I believe that cruise lines, HAL included, need to decide what they want to be. As someone else mentioned previously, HAL can't be everything to everyone. They need to make up their mind. Either they have gala/formal nights...whatever you want to call them...or they don't. If they insist on defining gala nights as an option, you end up with a mixed bag of all kinds of attire. I'm sorry, but this just does not work on a cruise ship. It can be a very magical evening when all passengers make an effort to dress nicely on the same night. It also inspires a certain behavior. A very special feeling. My husband and I have been seated on a gala/formal night with other passengers in various modes of dress. The most outrageous was a couple in shorts/tank tops. (I thought shorts were not permitted in the DR at night???) It was very uncomfortable for us. Not sure how the shorts people felt. As you can tell, I like the gala/formal nights, but if HAL was to discontinue them and make all nights Smart Casual, I would be fine with it. Just so long as some semblance of a dress code was enforced. No shorts, sneakers, tank tops, Teva's, etc.

 

I would like to thank everyone who responded to this post. I didn't realize when I asked about Gala nights that the discussion would erupt like it did. I guess I should have known better. As for our 14-day winter cruise, my husband will leave the tux behind and go with blazers and dress slacks.

 

Wishing all the Cruise Critic family a very joyous holiday season!:)

[bUU]

I believe that cruise lines, HAL included, need to decide what they want to be.

And the answer may be that they need to be, "changing."

 

As someone else mentioned previously, HAL can't be everything to everyone.

That's not the danger here. They've established a middle-of-the-road approach that satisfies a number of guests in the middle. It is true that it doesn't satisfy those who are looking for a barefoot cruise, and it doesn't satisfy those who are looking for regimented formality on a schedule. However, there are folks like my spouse and I who favor precisely having the choice - a choice we will likely make at the time, perhaps even on the day-of (though more likely while we're packing). We are as likely to pack something more formal as less formal for this cruise, and I won't know which until the time comes. Holland America's policy fits that to a 'T'.

 

They need to make up their mind. Either they have gala/formal nights...whatever you want to call them...or they don't.

No, they don't need to choose between the options you outline for them. They have more options than that.

 

If they insist on defining gala nights as an option, you end up with a mixed bag of all kinds of attire. I'm sorry, but this just does not work on a cruise ship.

It does. I've seen it work a couple of times now. Some people may not like it, but that's different.

 

It can be a very magical evening when all passengers make an effort to dress nicely on the same night. It also inspires a certain behavior. A very special feeling.

Ask yourself how much your preference is coloring your perspective on whether this will or won't "work" on a cruise ship. I have to say from reading how much you extol the virtues of what you prefer that I believe it has a prodigious impact. And it should: The more passionate you feel about something the more it naturally will cloud your judgement. As me about my politics and you'll see me cast the perspective I prefer and the perspective I abhor as polar opposites, while many who aren't as passionate about politics will say there's not that big of a difference between the two extremes. That's simply human nature.

 

My husband and I have been seated on a gala/formal night with other passengers in various modes of dress. The most outrageous was a couple in shorts/tank tops.

The first question is whether that is in keeping with the regular dress code (much less the regular dress code with the gala guidance). If not, then it is completely irrelevant to this discussion. It would therefore be a transgression and not representative of the broader view of the acceptable dress code that Holland America is now offering.

 

The second question is whether that is the general case. If not, then you're effectively trying to overweight your concern about it by bringing extreme examples up as the contrast to what you want, rather than the more typical case (men in nice slacks with a neat collared shirt). Again, it is natural for that passion to slip through. However, such over-the-top efforts to demonize what you don't like ruin the credibility of your comments in my eyes. We should feel confident in our own perspectives enough to accurately relay our experiences in a balanced manner - as a dispassionate statement of objective observation - leaving our clearly-subjective comments about liking or not liking the result to express the subjective aspect.

 

It was very uncomfortable for us.

It shouldn't have been. You were dressed properly. How one is dressed is all that should matter to that person; if you're being embarrassed for others you're working too hard (especially on vacation).

[iancal]

I suspect that for many this is all about conformity and the inability to think or step out of the box as it were. We notice this much more with friends and relatives who live in the east vs those who live in the west, most especially the west coast.

 

Not sure why there is such a desire to look/dress the same or in the same manner as everyone else. Perhaps a generational issue?

 

I notice it most when I occasionally attend DW's church-a very large one. The generations are dressed so differently. From shorts and t's in the summer, jeans to dockers and collared shirts etc for middle aged, then on to jackets and then suits for the older members. Yet no one seems to care what others are wearing. Nor should they.

[bUU]

I suspect that for many this is all about conformity and the inability to think or step out of the box as it were.

I've never thought of it in those terms. Just to be clear: Which is which? A straightforward interpretation would be that you are implying that modern adjustments, such as gala nights, are "stepping out of the box" but I bet that fervent fans of formal nights would read your comments and perhaps think that "stepping out of the box" was aimed at those who never dress formally.

 

Not sure why there is such a desire to look/dress the same or in the same manner as everyone else. Perhaps a generational issue?

That sounds more plausible than east/west or "in the box"/"out of the box". I think there is also an element of classism involved. I know I was brought up to view formal wear as a sign of the upper class, and so some, like myself, may be positively inclined toward formal nights by the sense that it places us in that sphere, while others may be negatively inclined by formal nights for the same reason.

[sapper1]

It all makes for great people watching. I have said for a long time that there is no better place in the whole world for people watching than on a Holland America ship. :D

[PCruzer]

bUU & iancal,

 

Looks like we will have to agree to disagree! Wishing you a very happy holiday season! Happy travels!