The long debated formal attire...

[ThisIsTheAnthem]

So I have made a few posts now about my upcoming first cruise. Well today I went out and purchased two suits which are off to be tailored. I have read plenty of people don't bother dressing up, but I thought I may as well since i rarely have an opportunity too. I'm still not quite sure how I feel about it considering after the cruise they will sit in a closet for who knows how long. If I get the cruise bug and go again I suppose it's worth it. So I realize there are two formal nights on rci 7 night cruises. Also there's a bunch of speciality restaurants that look kind of fancy. I'm just wondering between the two formal nights and possibly going to something like wonderland I guess that gives me three opportunities to dress up. So let's say I get dressed for dinner and eat around 6 or 7, is it commonplace if I then wear the suit around until calling it a day and going to bed or do people change right after dinner? I just hope that it wasn't overkill and that I feel justified in having bought two suits. So basically I'm just putting what's on my mind out here to get some input.

 

 

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[Clarea]

Some change after dinner, some stay dressed formally all eveing.

[cruzgryphon]

It's not unusual to see people dressed up well after dinner. I've seen people (who I know were early dinner seating) in the disco who were dressed up at 12:30am. It's really whatever you're comfortable with and what you're doing after dinner.

[reallyhooked]

My husband changes after dinner.

Enjoy your cruise.

[marci22]

I would only bring one suit that's a lot to fit in your luggage.

 

 

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[Kissmya63]

My husband brings 1 suit with 2 different dress shirts and 2 different ties. We have done both - changed after dinner and other times we've stayed in our formal attire. Neither of us dress up very often so it's kind of nice to have a reason to dress up!

[riclop]

Lots of people change after dinner to be comfortable, it's all up to you.

[reallyitsmema]

If my DH brings a suit, he will only bring one with two shirts and two ties. Lately, he has only brought a dress shirt, tie and dress pants since we have been skipping formal night in the MDR.

[Ocean Dancer]

As you said, this is your chance to dress up........go for it especially if you go to the theatre.

 

 

Have a great cruise :D

[Pipo]

It depend's on the kind of activity after dinner... If it's the theater, I stay formal. If it's party, I switch to casual.

[Johnamac123]

Many times I've walked into the MDR and men have their jackets hanging over the back of their chair. Long sleeve dress shirt and tie is fine for formal night attire.

[Desert Cruizers]

We have a 7 day cruise coming up with friends and have recommended my husband bring one jacket and change of pants & shirt for the two formal nights. Since we are casual 24/7 at home, we enjoy dressing up for dinner whether it is casual or formal. For us it does seem to make the evening more special, however we do change out to more casual wear afterwards.

[sr4mjc]

I'd only bring one suit and two shirts and two ties. Can you cancel the tailoring on one and maybe return one, save some money? DH now only brings the shirt and ties these days.

[papaflamingo]

So I have made a few posts now about my upcoming first cruise. Well today I went out and purchased two suits which are off to be tailored. I have read plenty of people don't bother dressing up, but I thought I may as well since i rarely have an opportunity too. I'm still not quite sure how I feel about it considering after the cruise they will sit in a closet for who knows how long. If I get the cruise bug and go again I suppose it's worth it. So I realize there are two formal nights on rci 7 night cruises. Also there's a bunch of speciality restaurants that look kind of fancy. I'm just wondering between the two formal nights and possibly going to something like wonderland I guess that gives me three opportunities to dress up. So let's say I get dressed for dinner and eat around 6 or 7, is it commonplace if I then wear the suit around until calling it a day and going to bed or do people change right after dinner? I just hope that it wasn't overkill and that I feel justified in having bought two suits. So basically I'm just putting what's on my mind out here to get some input.

 

 

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To actually answer your question and not interject opinion of whether or not you should bring 2 suites, dress up at all, etc. do as you wish. You will see people dressed formally all night and you'll see people dressed casually all night. You will not likely see people dressed up in specialty restaurants unless it's formal night. However if you want to wear a suit for a special dinner, that is totally up to you. We dress for formal night for the very reasons you cite. We do late seating so we don't change after. Enjoy your cruise. Dress as you wish. Take lot's of pictures. :cool:

[Painter]

Hubby dressed for formal night. Great chance to get some nice photos.

[trev71]

I always change after dinner too. I remember one time a comedian made some comments towards my DW and I for wearing Canada tshirts on formal night. But of course we changed. I figure we have to be dressed well at work every week. After dinner we change back to regular clothes

[dschultz56]

I change after dinner to something more casual. Like others suggested, I would take 1 suit and 2 shirts. If you change after dinner, you can easily wear the same suit another night or two if you want to dress up again.

[Big_G]

Normally, we don't change after dinner. I rent a tux on-board so I get my monies worth. It comes with two shirts, shoes, and other options. Lightens the luggage load and I don't need to worry about pressing. It's in my cabin when I arrive and they pick it up the day after the last formal night.

[bowler15547]

Like others, I take one suit and two dress shirts and ties to match. If I go to the theatre after dinner, I will stay dressed. If I decide I want to rent out a bar stool for a few hours, I will change into something more comfortable. Typically the Captains Reception is one of the formal nights, so I will stay dressed for that, as it is a classy evening. To each their own.

[davekathy]

My wife and I don't change after eating no matter the evening. Well with one exception. We change in to our shorts and T-shirts for QUEST.

[widallas]

Our kids barely make it through dinner with a tie, but for my husband and I it's kind of nice to stay dressed up and head out to one of the shows or a bar for the night. Our "formal" night dressing has been pared down though to dress pants with a shirt and tie for him, and a long dress and nice sandals for me. I love seeing the variety when people go "all in" for formal night -- wish they had a designated dining room for those who want a truly "formal" experience.

[cb at sea]

We keep our dressy clothes ON for the entire night. Why go to the bother, and wear it for an hour? You won't be "out of place", no matter how you dress.

[johnjen]

We change after dinner; however since this upcoming cruise we're on late dining - since nearly every port we have excursions all day - we'll just retire after dinner into our PJ's and hang out on our aft balcony looking at the moonlit med:D

[TominNC]

We change. I prefer more comfortable clothes.

[Sancho_proudfoot]

We don't change. We always have late dining, ( more time to get ready on shore days) so will go back to the room, prepare, have a nice cocktail before dinner....... afterwards we stay glitzed up - theres something James Bond-esq about joining the casino table in a tux!