Not 'Dressing Up' for Formal Night

[mzbiggs]

Hubby and I are thinking about not participating in formal night........no, we don't plan to go to the dining room in jeans, but we figured we wouldn't dress up and just do our own thing (we dress up 5 days a week and that's just not appealing to us on a vacation). Would we be in the minority? I'm worried about sticking out like a sore thumb.........

 

We are on the 12/3 sailing of the Conquest........

[GoinCruisin]

Hubby and I are thinking about not participating in formal night........no, we don't plan to go to the dining room in jeans, but we figured we wouldn't dress up and just do our own thing (we dress up 5 days a week and that's just not appealing to us on a vacation). Would we be in the minority? I worried about sticking out like a sore thumb.........

 

We are on the 12/3 sailing of the Conquest........

 

Yes, you will be in the minority but no, you will not stick out... I have always seen ALOT of people eating in the buffet instead of the dining room on formal night... alot of people will only do one formal night, or none... there are so many other options for eating, do whatever you want!!! :D Have a great cruise!

[mzbiggs]

Thanks for the quick response GoinCruisin!

[cuyahoga11]

I know this will sound really strange but I am going on my 4th cruise this month and I have never seen the inside of the formal dining room.

[bensona]

on our last cruise we all dressed up for the first night but it wasn't worth it. we got really hot and ended up leaving before the meal was served. we dragged all of our kids back to our cabin and had room service.

 

this time i'm bringing a dress i case i decide to meet up with my sister & co but we're basically planning on skipping it.

[hdawson]

The buffet dining area is there just for your reason. Those that don't wish to dress for dinner.

[LKYGSR]

Good for you OP! It's your vacation, go and have a good time. Buffet is great and think how comfy you'll be in your casual clothes! We skipped both formal nights last cruise, just did not use the dining room those nights and did everything else we wanted to. Nobody cared.

[Tightlinerods]

The wife and I have decided to do this very thing, Last cruise we tryed every photographer on the ship and not one set of pictures worth buying so we are not even taking dress up (formal) next summer look out Lido deck......

 

Besides it gives us more sun time and Casino time!

 

Often they have the same main course and it's still just as good....

 

John

[Tightlinerods]

oop's double post

[brandylaw]

I am feelin ya on this one....although I have gone to the dining room 6 of the 7 evenings each cruise (only have done 2 so far), the 1 nite each I decided to take some ME time and just enjoy myself.

NO MAKEUP,

NO HAIRSPRAY,

NO HASSLE.

 

Although I thoroughly enjoy the different meals offered in the DR that I dont get to experience in real life, the ME time is so worth it too.

 

No, you wont stand out....it is YOUR vacation....enjoy it. There are a lot of folks just like you. :)

[RJ7591]

Hubby and I are thinking about not participating in formal night........no, we don't plan to go to the dining room in jeans, but we figured we wouldn't dress up and just do our own thing (we dress up 5 days a week and that's just not appealing to us on a vacation). Would we be in the minority? I'm worried about sticking out like a sore thumb.........

 

 

I don't think you'll regret skipping it at all! My husband and I never participate in the formal nights and seldom even go to the trouble of having dinner in the dinning room. We enjoy a more relaxed atmosphere and just don't see the point of taking formal attire on a cruise of all places. I guess if you never have a chance to dress up it would be a nice opportunity but for us it's just not worth it! For us the beauty of a cruise is all the freedom and options you have - if you don't want to dress then don't!

 

I agree the majority of people will participate but there are plenty of people who share our philosophy as well. The only time I regret our decision is when I see how wonderful everyone looks in their pictures...but I have enough of those from my daughter's wedding. :)

[jdfloyd]

Can you order the "formal night" dinner through room service...lobster tail/prime rib??

[GoinCruisin]

Can you order the "formal night" dinner through room service...lobster tail/prime rib??

 

Nope. You can't order anything from the dining room through room service... they have a very limited menu for room service. If you want lobster and prime rib, you'll have to go to the dining room to eat.

[kujobie]

We're pretty split. Some times we go, some times we don't. We've always found the food in the buffet really good. I always bring a suit, just in case though. I will admit, not a huge number of people will be in the buffet on formal night, and most of those that do dress up, stay that way for the night. So if you go walking thru the casino at 9:00 p.m. in a bathing suit, t-shirt and flip-flops, you do feel a little like a sore thumb. I'm all for doing what makes you comfortable though. It's your vacation.

[boundingmaynard]

Hubby and I are thinking about not participating in formal night........no, we don't plan to go to the dining room in jeans, but we figured we wouldn't dress up and just do our own thing (we dress up 5 days a week and that's just not appealing to us on a vacation). Would we be in the minority? I'm worried about sticking out like a sore thumb.........

 

We are on the 12/3 sailing of the Conquest........

 

As long as you are decently dressed you will not stand out. Only those who dress like bums stand out. Don't worry about it.

[boundingmaynard]

Can you order the "formal night" dinner through room service...lobster tail/prime rib??

 

No, room service has a very limited menu.

[vegasnvcruiser]

Formal night brings a mixture of dress styles. DH doesn't like suits, and I wasn't one to force the issue. He wore slacks, shirt and tie. By the end of dinner the tie was gone. Some at our table actually rented tuxes. The tuxes were worn first formal night, but second formal night, there wasn't even a tie to be seen at the table. I agree.. as long as you don't look like a bum, you're fine. Go, enjoy the lobster, have fun!

[ladymacwilly]

I must agree...wear "nice" clothing....(not jeans or shorts, for example), feel comfortable in the dining room, (after all you are paying for the experience), feel fine with those who desire to dress up as much as you feel comfortable to dress more casual. Hey, it's your cruise....do what feels right and you'll be fine.

 

My only tip would be to not "pass judgement" on those who want to dress up as you would not want judgement placed on you for opting out of dining formal. (Somehow, you don't strike me as that type anyway...) :rolleyes:

 

Skip the buffet and sit proudly at your table dressed as YOU feel appropriate.

 

^..^ ~

[rfrey]

Most nights I change into jeans after dinner for casino and piano bar. Have never felt uncomfortable...It's a huge party...enjoy.

[minxkelly]

Nope. You can't order anything from the dining room through room service... they have a very limited menu for room service. If you want lobster and prime rib, you'll have to go to the dining room to eat.

 

I sort of remember one review mentioning they were pleasantly surprised to learn they could ask for and get the lobster/prime rib on ANY dinner on the cruise.. Can anyone confirm this? hubby is curious.

Colleen in Chgo

[GoinCruisin]

I sort of remember one review mentioning they were pleasantly surprised to learn they could ask for and get the lobster/prime rib on ANY dinner on the cruise.. Can anyone confirm this? hubby is curious.

Colleen in Chgo

 

That is incorrect. Lobster is offered on one night, prime rib on 2 nights. On any night you can get a steak... but not lobster and prime rib.

[Bunkie103]

We chose not to take our formal clothes on our last cruise. We ate dinner on the formal night at the buffet. They offered prime rib, which DH enjoyed and I had salmon. They also had delicious jumbo fried shrimp on skewers. Desserts were the same as served at the dining room that night.

[JAXCRUISER]

Just thought I'd tell a funny story about our experience on formal night. My husband and I were sailing a 4-night on the Fantasy a few years ago and decided we wouldn't take "formal wear" and skip the dining room that night. What a surprise when we received a call inviting us to join the Captain at his table for dinner on formal night. We regrettfully said no, and 23 Carnival cruises later we've never been invited since!

[nimbex1970]

I've been on both ends, we normally dress (for us, we enjoy this), one cruise we had no luggage and missed fomal night and felt left out... but mind you this was not by CHOICE, now we've a celebration cruise comming up and i'm thinking like you... just don't want to bother this round...

 

to make yourself more comfortable, plan activities away from the promanade deck where everyone will be walking and displaying for photos, or decide to people watch at the casino bar. after 10pm, most change and get on with the night life or bed. It's only a few hours and every ship, 6 cruises in, the lobster is over done ... so you're not missing a fabulous meal... to each their own, but you might feel in the minority and how you FEEL about that is your deciding factor. Me, could care less... we're going casual this next one. been there done that... but it's great to watch as people simlply look grand. It's a fun atmosphere to partake in, or watch. up to you

 

carol

[tigerdadky]

Who says u cant eat in the dining room and not dress up. I think if ones doesnt wish to dress up he shouldnt have to miss out on the lobster. i saw several people in the dining room on formal nite in the same attire they wore the other nites. I plan to dress for formal nite on my next cruise because I think its neat with all the photo ops but I still feel its ok to dress less than formal and enjoy your lobster.