Formal nights on Ovation of the Seas

[AP1959]

I’m going on Ovation of the Seas. Is it compulsory to wear a suit on the Formal nights in the main restaurants? Last year on the Explorer of the Seas not many suits were worn. Almost felt overdressed wearing a suit. Young people turned up wearing shorts and hoodies. 

[Clarea]

Nope, a suit is not mandatory.  The company no longer enforces a dress code, so you will see a wide variety of attire.

 

Welcome to Cruise Critic.

[tinkr2]

It is not compulsory but is recommended. Do not worry about the slobs, Be confident that you look awesome.

 

[AP1959]

Thanks for the replies. Last time I also packed a sports coat for the Smart Casual nights and they didn’t happen. I’ll take a sports coat only this time to save suit case space as being a larger build (ok fat), the clothes (suits) take more space 🤣

[megsie]

That’s exactly what my husband wears now on RC formal nights.

The days when there were a lot of tuxedos on formal night have long gone on RC.

 

Edited January 20, 2019 by megsie

[ONECRUISER]

1 hour ago, AP1959 said:

Thanks for the replies. Last time I also packed a sports coat for the Smart Casual nights and they didn’t happen. I’ll take a sports coat only this time to save suit case space as being a larger build (ok fat), the clothes (suits) take more space 🤣

Yeah it's changed no longer have all 7 nites being Formal, Semi-Formal or Smart Casual. First cruised when was required just for Dinner's: 1 Suit, 1 Tux, 1 Sport Coat, 4 slacks, 7 Dress Shirts, 7 white T-shirts and pairs Dress Sox, 2pr Dress Shoes and 2-3 belts....Does save on luggage space and cost. But back in mid-80's wife had me in a Speedo. Some changes are for the better...

Edited January 20, 2019 by ONECRUISER

[AP1959]

They say 3 Formal, 3 Smart Casual and 6 casual nights on this 12 night cruise.  I’ll take a few ties and a sports coat and make them 6 Smart casual nights. 

[tinkr2]

It does seem longer cruises, more people are dressed more formally.

 

[Chiliburn]

From my experience long pants and shoes and maybe a dress for ladies 

[Biker19]

Dress to impress.

[IslandHopperPro]

We always make an effort to dress to impress on formal nights.  I used to wear a dark suit and tie but now feel more comfortable in slacks, a tie and a blazer.  We do this on formal nights for either the MDR or speciality dining.  IMHO,  you owe some respect to your fellow travellers to certainly avoid sloppy or casual clothing on formal nights, most especially in the MDR. I mean you will only stand out by not joining in...and seriously, who really wants that?

Edited January 28, 2019 by IslandHopperPro

[AP1959]

Oh I intend to dress as best as I can, but was just asking if a suit was really necessary to pack for only 2 formal nights.  Thought it might be easier with a lighter jacket and tie.  I’m cruising this weekend and have started packing already.  I think the suit will just fit.  I don’t want to carry the larger suitcase.  Thanks for your advice. 

[IslandHopperPro]

When I took a full-on black suit, I put it in a suit bag which was then an extra burden.  I then started taking a linen blend blazer and folded it as best I could into my suit case. Yes, linen can crush and crease but my stateroom attendant could organise to have it pressed splendidly if needed! Just make sure he gets it soon after you board.  So, this is my preferred strategy now to deal with formal nights.  Enjoy your cruise!

[AP1959]

I too took a linen jacket last time and got it pressed. Cost me about $10AUS to press it and never wore it. I wore the suit on the formal nights but they didn’t have the advertised smart casual nights. 

[AP1959]

Actually bought the silly thing (linen jacket) specifically for the cruise and have only worn it once in a year.  Better check that I can still fit in it 🙂

[jg2256]

I just got off the Ovation on Saturday and although there were two formal nights I saw one tux and not even that many suits. Many more women were dressed up than Men. I wore dress slacks and a dress shirt on formal nights and was dressed better than most. Throughout  the cruise I was pretty was shocked how many T-shirts, shorts and flip flops I saw in the dining rooms. I wore long pants but frankly would prefer shorts.

[AP1959]

I just got off Ovation today.  Same thing.  Not many suits. More men with shorts than suits.  And forget Smart casual nights. Felt overdressed in a jacket.  I’ll save some 

luggage space next time. 

[jg2256]

9 minutes ago, AP1959 said:

I just got off Ovation today.  Same thing.  Not many suits. More men with shorts than suits.  And forget Smart casual nights. Felt overdressed in a jacket.  I’ll save some 

luggage space next time. 

Could not agree with you more. Ran out of shorts and had too many pairs of pants.

[Frankdownunder]

Will be attending my first cruise in April this year - 8 nights. From the sounds of the above, Formal nights is not such a big deal now.

 

But, with any theme nights that will happen on your cruise, do you get an email prior to sailing advising what these may be?

[AP1959]

No, they don’t say what theme nights are on board. It’s usually the crew that get dressed.  Maybe take a Hawaiian shirt or something black & white, but not really is really necessary. 

[Frankdownunder]

Excellent, many thanks AP!

[jackaboo]

I am glad to read this - I am sailing on Ovation next weekend - travelling from UK so no way I am taking formal gear!

[kentuckytravelgirl]

We were on the Harmony in January.  We have been cruising for the last 20 years.  We ladies gussy up every night, not necessarily formal dresses but something a step above "church" clothing.  Our guys wear suits on formal nights and usually a dress shirt and slacks the other evenings.  I saw a table (every night actually) of 10.  The women looked like they stepped off the runway,  the guys wore t-shirts and jeans most nights (they looked very inappropriate)

[AP1959]

I saw similar too.  At least the men should wear a business shirt (and tie) on a formal night.  Pacific cruises in summer get too warm to wear jackets for dinner. I hated seeing shorts and caps on formal nights.  They should just have Smart casual nights on these cruises.

[The_Big_M]

As the number of Aussies cruising increased, the crew seem to have gotten tired of trying to stop the many wearing t-shirts, shorts, and less (which is a pretty thankless and painful job), and just gave up.

 

And then when other passengers who did dress more formally saw that, it just made them feel out of place or not need to bother, so the standards fell.

Edited March 31, 2019 by The_Big_M