Formal night dress down - Why complain?

[ahracer]

I admit I change out of my formal clothes when I'm going to the pool to enjoy a late night swim....Sorry I tried it in my tux once but people were pointing and laughing

 

Scott

[argosy]

I don't see how high quality dress pants and a silk collared shirt are offensive to someone who is dressed in a tux. If it is, then so be it. And to be perfectly truthful about this, my last cruise in Alaska was the ONLY time I ever changed out of my formalwear. Why'd I do it? Our luggage was LOST the entire trip. We did not have any formalwear, and so the ship loaned us tuxes to wear. We appreciated it very much, and we wore them so we could use the dining rooms on that night. However...we looked identical to the waiters, and these were not hi-quality tuxes. The pants were double knit, 100%. Also, the clothes loaned to us did not exactly fit. In actuality, we were MUCH better dressed in our own clothes (which we bought in Vancouver, once we realized our luggage was probably not gonna make it).

 

The next time you see someone who isn't dressed according to your specifications, or the Patter...you might consider the possibility that their luggage never made it on the ship, and they are making do as well as they can. We had nothing but a single pair of jeans and the shirt we wore on the plane for quite a LONG time.

 

And let me say I have seen some Ellie Mae Clampitt formal dresses and some bizarre vests, ties and cummberbunds on formal night. "Formal" does not necessarily mean "in good taste." However...I reserve judgement on why or how they come up with outfits like that. Doesn't bother me in the least. For all I know...THEIR luggage was lost. Maybe they had to put something together out of Lost and Found!

 

[This message was edited by argosy on 06-10-04 at 09:08 AM.]

 

[This message was edited by argosy on 06-10-04 at 09:10 AM.]

[Crowsie]

We stay dressed in formal attire all night.

 

Although, I must admit, it's much easier to do on the first formal since everything still fits as it should.

 

I, for one, am sorry that Princess gave up on the semi-formal nights...we liked dressing for those, too!

 

Sky Princess 01/1999 Australia and New Zealand

Sky Princess 03/2000 China

Royal Princess 02/2002 South America

Golden Princess 05/2003 Med

Sapphire Princess 03/2005 Sydney to Bangkok

 

 

March 2005 - Sydney to Bangkok on the Sapphire

 

[Druke I]

I agree with Crowsie above.

 

We also liked it better when there were three levels in the dress code - Formal, semi-formal, and casual.

 

I for one also liked it better when the dress code was enforced at the entrance to the dining room.

 

I guess my kids are right - I am a dinosaur.

 

Michael

[argosy]

On the 5/22 Coral, it was enforced. People without jackets were turned away. I didn't see any females in non-formal clothing try to get in.

[aggieastrosfan]

If I'm planning on attending the evenings shows, or pre-dinner coctail party, or anything of that nature, I absolutely stay dressed in formal attire. I think the evening's main activites, (shows, parties, etc.) as well as dinner, should require formal attire.

 

However, most of the time I spend my evenings in the casino, on deck, or in the bars/dance clubs. While my formal attire is perfectly comfortable to wear, I'm a non-smoker - there's NO way I'm wearing my formal gown in a smoking environment so it can stink forever.

 

Forgive me if I'm not abiding by the formal dress code of the entire evening, but I just don't want to ruin my nicest, most expensive dresses.

 

'Till the Grand Princess 12/4/04

 

Holiday 12/00 - Baja

Elation 05/02 - Mexican Riviera

Elation 05/04 - W. Carribbean

Grand Princess 12/04 - W. Carribbean

 

See my pictures!

[Northender]

OMG - I thought this was supposed to be a funny thread. I think we should do what is comfortable for ourselves. (And sometimes that can also mean affordable). We did stay dressed the first formal eve but changed on second one as we wanted to go to the pool and I am not wearing those knee highs whilst I swim. Maybe what we should do is put on our bathing suits under our formal gear and then just take off the first layer when we get to the pool or jaquzzi.

 

 

 

Grand Princess 4/4/04

 

[sue d. miller]

I agree!! Be ready for anything at all times!!

 

Sue

7 days on Star Princess 10/24

 

GROWING OLD IS MANDATORY..... GROWING UP IS OPTIONAL

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[serene sea]

bdjam posted 06-10-04 01:26 AM

 

Actually, it’s not absurd. Princess requests formal dress for the evening, not just for dinner. So I think that running back to your cabin and throwing on less than formal clothes, then partaking in the rest of the formal evening is a social mistake and shows a lack of manners. But then, I was brought up properly.

 

Excuse me, the lack of manners here are those who actually walk into the dining room with casual clothes. If something so petty like this bothers you, just maybe you are the one that needs to change to a luxury, upper class cruise line. The red carpet you are looking for may be there. As stated above, if you decide to skip formal night in the dining room, does this mean I have to confine myself in the cabin? The comparison of using a wedding is really silly and makes no sense. This is a vacation, not the Oscar Awards.

[luv2cruise99]

I think cruising is slowly becoming more and more casual and, eventually, formal night will be done away with altogether (or made optional like on NCL). I, for one, can't wait!

[gardencat]

Okay, how many of you go swimming in your formal wear?

Or are the pools closed by then?

[ahracer]

The pools don't close on Princess.

 

Scott

[sue d. miller]

If the urge arises, yes!! Pools and hot tubs are open 24/7, and are freshwater.

 

Sue

7 days on Star Princess 10/24

 

GROWING OLD IS MANDATORY..... GROWING UP IS OPTIONAL

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[BJS]

Might be wrong but don't think many that are dismayed by the lack of following the formal evening dress code, for the entire evening, mean for those that are going to the pool, walks on deck, movies, and to smoke filled casinos (Why not a smoking area there so us non-smokers are not forced out?).

 

Certainly they could not mean for anyone whose luggage might have decided to take a separate vacation but doubt that has happened very often to 1/3 of the ship.

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>I don't see how high quality dress pants and a silk collared shirt are offensive <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> If only others would dress that way should they need an alternate type of dress but they dress in shorts, jeans, and active wear type clothes that only belong in the gym.

 

One last comment: Formal wear does not have to be expensive. Our daughter & husband outfitted themselves, in new not used clothes, for less than $175 total for both and that included a complete tux outfit for him.

 

Future cruises:

9/04 Star Princess-Med.x2 Venice to Barcelona/ Barcelona to Rome

11/04 Dawn Princess-Southern Caribbean

Jan. 05 Diamond Princess-Mexican Riviera

July 05 Star Princess-Baltics

Aug. 05 Star Princess-Baltics

Past cruises:

04 HAL-Amsterdam-Alaska

04 Dawn Princess- Southern Caribbean x2

03 Grand Princess-W.Caribbean

03 Sun Princess -Mexico

03-Tahitian Princess-Tahiti/ Cook Islands

03 Royal Princess-x2 British Isles & Norwegian Fjords/ Iceland

03 Island Princess-Panama Canal

01 HAL Ryndam x 2-S. America San Diego to Valpariso/ & around Cape Horn to Rio

00 Sky Princess-China/Orient

79 Sitmar's Fairwind- Caribbean/Panama Canal

[BJS]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>On the 5/22 Coral, it was enforced. People without jackets were turned away. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> Had read some where they tried that on the TP and the people got down on the floor blocking the entrance to the dining room and refused to move. Apparently they were in jeans. After a big back up of unhappy cruisers trying to get into dinner they had to let them enter.

 

Future cruises:

9/04 Star Princess-Med.x2 Venice to Barcelona/ Barcelona to Rome

11/04 Dawn Princess-Southern Caribbean

Jan. 05 Diamond Princess-Mexican Riviera

July 05 Star Princess-Baltics

Aug. 05 Star Princess-Baltics

Past cruises:

04 HAL-Amsterdam-Alaska

04 Dawn Princess- Southern Caribbean x2

03 Grand Princess-W.Caribbean

03 Sun Princess -Mexico

03-Tahitian Princess-Tahiti/ Cook Islands

03 Royal Princess-x2 British Isles & Norwegian Fjords/ Iceland

03 Island Princess-Panama Canal

01 HAL Ryndam x 2-S. America San Diego to Valpariso/ & around Cape Horn to Rio

00 Sky Princess-China/Orient

79 Sitmar's Fairwind- Caribbean/Panama Canal

[argosy]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Certainly they could not mean for anyone whose luggage might have decided to take a separate vacation but doubt that has happened very often to 1/3 of the ship.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Totally agree. But then, how would a person know, out of the 1/3 not in formalwear...which ones lost their luggage and which ones didn't? Over 50 people on our cruise alone lost theirs, as confirmed by passenger services.

As for me, I just prefer to enjoy myself and not worry about what everyone else is doing. If it is formal night and I am in formalwear, seated next to a person in shorts, flip flops and t-shirt, I don't understand why I should be offended. I have dressed appropriately. The inappropriately dressed person is the one who should be embarrassed and uncomfortable, and whether he [I]is[/I] or whether he [I]isn't[/I] ...it's his problem and not mine. As I say, there may be extenuating circumstances I don't know about.

[BJS]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>The inappropriately dressed person is the one who should be embarrassed and uncomfortable, and whether he is or whether he isn't ...it's his problem and not mine. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> AMEN [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img]

Future cruises:
9/04 Star Princess-Med.x2 Venice to Barcelona/ Barcelona to Rome
11/04 Dawn Princess-Southern Caribbean
Jan. 05 Diamond Princess-Mexican Riviera
July 05 Star Princess-Baltics
Aug. 05 Star Princess-Baltics
Past cruises:
04 HAL-Amsterdam-Alaska
04 Dawn Princess- Southern Caribbean x2
03 Grand Princess-W.Caribbean
03 Sun Princess -Mexico
03-Tahitian Princess-Tahiti/ Cook Islands
03 Royal Princess-x2 British Isles & Norwegian Fjords/ Iceland
03 Island Princess-Panama Canal
01 HAL Ryndam x 2-S. America San Diego to Valpariso/ & around Cape Horn to Rio
00 Sky Princess-China/Orient
79 Sitmar's Fairwind- Caribbean/Panama Canal

[IScubaSlo]

I don't care how the person next to me is dressed as long as they are clean.......shorts, tank top, flip flops, halters, cutoffs, bathing suits, ........I dont care......

A persons clothing doesn't make them who they are, as a matter of fact theres alot of "wolves in sheeps clothing" thats the problem with this whole world......to many medlers.....

Dawn Princess 2/2005
Tahitian Princess 2/2003
Grand Princess 3/2002
Windstar 12/2000
Dawn Princess 12/1998
Dawn Princess 11/1998
Nordic Empress 2/1998
Splendor of the Seas 12/1997
Windward 12/1996
Windward 12/1995
Starward 12/1994

[AmyinGA]

We are in formal wear for dinner and change later in the evening. I would love to stay in the formal clothes, but my DH hates it. So we split the difference on the night. Our cruises are the only times that I get him in a suit other than a funeral, so I have to take the 2 hours of suit time and make the most of it.

[spongerob]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by serene sea:
This is a vacation, not the Oscar Awards.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

There are those among us who view cruising as more than just a vacation. It is an event. Part of what makes cruising a unique and different experience is the sense of tradition that has been carried forward from what many would call better days. Dressing up shows respect for those who value the experience and creates an atmosphere unlike that which can be found anywhere else. A cruise is too much of a shared experience to be "just about me". It's about us, all of us, and if formal nights help separate our ship-board community from the day-to-day rabble, so much the better.

Completed:
Sea Princess, Royal Princess, Grand Princess (3X), Caribbean Princess, Golden Princess

[argosy]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Dressing up shows respect for those who value the experience<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I'm sorry, but I just have to respectfully disagree. My philosophy about formal nights is that it's a chance for interested passengers to make the evening special, raise it up a notch, take it out of the ordinary. I don't view it as a responsibility to make someone else on the ship happy, though it is great if it does.

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>A cruise is too much of a shared experience to be "just about me". It's about us, all of us, and if formal nights help separate our ship-board community from the day-to-day rabble, so much the better.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I agree with the first sentence here, as far as being cordial to other passengers and getting to know them, and being courteous, and receiving courtesy in return. Because...after all...we are all sharing a lot of the same space. However, I simply don't understand the second part of your post. I personally do not believe that we all become 'The Borg' while onboard a cruise ship. We are still individuals with different interests and different views. If some don't want to dress formally, they have that option...and they should not be doomed to spend the evening in their cabin. The dining room is very specific about dress, and that is understandeable. The patter, which mentions that formalwear is suggested for the entire evening is simply that; a suggestion. At the same time, while I don't think shorts and flip flops should be worn to a production show on formal night, that does not offend me in the least, as I've stated earlier in this thread. I'm simply a little embarrassed for the offender. There is no reason for me to snub them or look at them oddly.

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>There are those among us who view cruising as more than just a vacation. It is an event. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Very true, and include me in that concept...but that doesn't negate the fact that there are others who DO view it as simply a vacation. I am simply suggesting we allow a little diversity on this.

[spongerob]

A little diversity is OK. I don't mind military dress uniforms, kilts, or other ethnic outfits. I just hate to see things go from bad to diverse. [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img]

Completed:
Sea Princess, Royal Princess, Grand Princess (3X), Caribbean Princess, Golden Princess

[argosy]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR> I just hate to see things go from bad to diverse.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Ha! Good one. I think you should send that to George W. Bush. He could get some mileage out of it. [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img]

[Northender]

argosy, some one would have to tell GW how to pronounce the word.
Can you say charismatic - he just murdered that one the other day [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]



Grand Princess 4/4/04

[Guest]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR> I admit I change out of my formal clothes when I'm going to the pool to enjoy a late night swim....Sorry I tried it in my tux once but people were pointing and laughing <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> I would say this is within the boundaries of social manners…and as long as they’re not laughing at you in your swim suit, all is well.
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR> The next time you see someone who isn't dressed according to your specifications, or the Patter...you might consider the possibility that their luggage never made it on the ship, and they are making do as well as they can. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> I would certainly consider that a possibility, but I think the loss of luggage is an isolated incident. Personally, I wouldn’t feel comfortable not dressed…even if I did lose my luggage. I would have either remained in the loaned tuxes or remained in my cabin or the Horizon Court…
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR> We also liked it better when there were three levels in the dress code - Formal, semi-formal, and casual.
I for one also liked it better when the dress code was enforced at the entrance to the dining room.
I guess my kids are right - I am a dinosaur.
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE> No you're not - I'm right there with you and am far from dinosaur-ia.
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR> On the 5/22 Coral, it was enforced. People without jackets were turned away. I didn't see any females in non-formal clothing try to get in. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> I think a lot has to do with the Matre'd. Congratulations to whomever it is on Coral.
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR> While my formal attire is perfectly comfortable to wear, I'm a non-smoker - there's NO way I'm wearing my formal gown in a smoking environment so it can stink forever. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> A bottle of Febreeze will take care of that. I am a smoker, but am sensitive to others not liking the smell. A spray before hanging my clothes up does the trick. Besides, most areas of the ship are segregated for smoking and non-smoking…it should be relatively easy to stay out of the stench.
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR> Excuse me, the lack of manners here are those who actually walk into the dining room with casual clothes. If something so petty like this bothers you, just maybe you are the one that needs to change to a luxury, upper class cruise line. The red carpet you are looking for may be there. As stated above, if you decide to skip formal night in the dining room, does this mean I have to confine myself in the cabin? The comparison of using a wedding is really silly and makes no sense. This is a vacation, not the Oscar Awards.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>Actually, I don’t need to change to a luxury, upper class cruise line – I just need the executives at Princess to realize what’s going on and bring the old cruise line I learned to love back. Then these posts will be meaningless as the dress guidelines will be enforced. If you decide to skip formal night, you can actually order in a nice dinner in your cabin – from the dining room menu, I might add – and enjoy it on your balcony. Quite romantic and I highly recommend it. Or, you could spend the evening at Horizon Court and then take a late-night swim up on deck. Maybe champagne and a hot tub? Princess provides the alternatives – enjoy them and stop trying to undermine the formal night I paid for when I booked the ship. Finally, I don’t think the comparison to a wedding silly – if a vacation is an excuse to forget our manners and respect for others, then I submit something’s wrong with your definition of a vacation. You don’t state where you’re from, but if from the US, it explains where the term “ugly American” comes from.
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR> Had read some where they tried that on the TP and the people got down on the floor blocking the entrance to the dining room and refused to move. Apparently they were in jeans. After a big back up of unhappy cruisers trying to get into dinner they had to let them enter.
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE> See - it's not only a lowering of dress standards.
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR> A persons clothing doesn't make them who they are, <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> See the above quote.
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR> There are those among us who view cruising as more than just a vacation. It is an event. Part of what makes cruising a unique and different experience is the sense of tradition that has been carried forward from what many would call better days. Dressing up shows respect for those who value the experience and creates an atmosphere unlike that which can be found anywhere else. A cruise is too much of a shared experience to be "just about me". It's about us, all of us, and if formal nights help separate our ship-board community from the day-to-day rabble, so much the better. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> 'rob - you and I should cruise together some day.
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR> If some don't want to dress formally, they have that option...and they should not be doomed to spend the evening in their cabin. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> I agree and on Princess, there is also the alternative of Horizon Court. But my question is still – because no one seems to be able to answer it and maybe you can – why would someone book Princess when they know formal dress is expected if they don’t want to participate? There are other cruise lines which are totally casual. Adding salt to the wound is the fact that dressing casually on formal nights for many is almost done in spite of the guidelines. This isn’t a matter of diversity, it’s a matter of disregard and disrespect.

-------------------------
Sun Princess, 03/2004; Pacific Princess, 07/2003; Star Princess, 05/2003; Grand Princess, 10/2002; Grand Princess, 10/2002; Sun Princess, 05/2001; Sun Princess, 04/2001; Sun Princess, 09/2000; Sun Princess, 09/2000; Regal Princess, 10/1999; Sun Princess, 08/1998; Holiday, 05/1998; Westerdam, 09/1997; Regal Princess, 11/1996; Royal Odyssey, 09/1995; Starward, 11/1993