Abolish All Formal Nights - all in favor speak up!

[reallyitsmema]

I see your Cruises are with RCI & am I aware of the dumbing down of standards on formal nights, brought about by people like you. I was on Celebrity Galaxy recently & witnessed guys in Very Smart Casual turned away from the Main DR because they were not wearing a jacket, on formal nights, never mind a Tux. I have to say this was the first time I've seen this in many years, & a big yes to Celebrity for their stance. Formal Nights on cruises were always part of the event for most people & that's the reason they don't book Easycruise or some of the other "Casual" lines. The problem with "Smart Casual" is that, this also gets dumbed down. The NCL ship I was on last year, looked as if some passengers came straight from a building site.

We finally found the answer, it is all Cruisinmike's fault:rolleyes: Someone find the dead horse and lock this thread down pleaseeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee:cool:

[Esmerelda]

Sorry...count us out...we LOVE formal nights...and so do our teen son's.

 

 

Esmerelda :)

[xpcdoojk]

We finally found the answer, it is all Cruisinmike's fault:rolleyes: Someone find the dead horse and lock this thread down pleaseeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee:cool:

 

 

Why would anyone want the thread locked down? All that will happen is a new thread will pop up in a few days and then we will all feel compelled to participate again. With this one floating to the top we don't have to fight it out again and again and again. Locking and poofing just cause the dead horse to reanimate. IMHO.

 

jc

[Babo02]

I don't want to have to spend money on a dress that I'm likely never (or almost never) to wear again. My husband dresses for work and wants to have a relaxing vacation and not worry about packing a dressy suit.

 

Our next cruise will be to the Mediterranean and we want to spend as much time as possible seeing the sights and as little time as possible worrying about dressing up. We selected RCI because it had the best itinerary for us and for no other reason. We didn't choose NCL for that reason.

 

We'll go to the dining room, but will be wearing what we want.

[grvdggr71]

Don't like formal night? Don't eat in the dining room.

 

Don't like that other people are enjoying formal night? Cruise on NCL.

[huntingdon]

ooohhhhh nnnoooooo.....................

pleeeez do NOT get rid of formal night, otherwise, i have no where to wear my gowns!

[CLQ]

LOL :D I'd be more into pirate night.

Pirate night was the best night on the ship!

[Ohunion Cruzers]

I don't want to have to spend money on a dress that I'm likely never (or almost never) to wear again. My husband dresses for work and wants to have a relaxing vacation and not worry about packing a dressy suit.

 

Our next cruise will be to the Mediterranean and we want to spend as much time as possible seeing the sights and as little time as possible worrying about dressing up. We selected RCI because it had the best itinerary for us and for no other reason. We didn't choose NCL for that reason.

 

We'll go to the dining room, but will be wearing what we want.

 

Well, then, why would you spend money on a cruise that you'll not likely be on again?

[amybear912]

Gladly!!!

 

The dress code itself is NOT suggested. The dress code does offer some suggestions as to what is acceptable.

 

If you read what is posted on RCI's website:

 

http://www.royalcaribbean.com/beforeyouboard/whatToKnow/whatToPack.do;jsessionid=0000HPZhX-rItqMSt5oky9AUhXz:10ktdmqkf

 

 

You will note that it says: "For formal nights you'll need cocktail dresses for women, suits and ties - or tuxedos - for men. And for the smart casual nights bring dresses or pantsuit for women, jackets for men.

 

Remember, shorts, T-shirts, and bathing suits are not considered appropriate attire in the dining rooms at dinner. Casual dress dining is available nightly in the Windjammer Cafe. And be aware you'll also need smart casual attire for some of our specialty restaurants."

 

Note the words 'YOU'LL NEED'. This does not sound like a suggestion. And it also states that CASUAL DRESS dining is available in the Windjammer. (not FORMAL DRESS dining available in the Windjammer).

 

If everyone followed the rules, there would be no need for argument.

I think you have misinterpreted the website... it does say "suggested" guidelines... I don't interpret this to mean that I am required to participate in formal night, but rather that if I choose to, these are the suggested guidelines... My point being that the entire schpiel is vague enough to allow for various interpretations and since the cruiseline doesn't enforce it, I see no reason to take your interpretation over mine or anyone else's...

[amybear912]

For those of you who insist on formal attire worn in the dining room on formal night?????

 

What do you consider acceptable??? What is the bare minimum that you find acceptable???

 

Ladies: What do you consider a "cocktail" dress???

 

It occurs to me (based on some of the responses here) that what I wear for formal night probably wouldn't pass inspection with many of you...

[MakinGold]

What is the bare minimum that you find acceptable???

 

Well, for some of the ladies, I'd prefer that they bare as much as possible . . . :o

 

 

[horsesandcruises]

Our group likes formal nights and the dress "code" that goes with it. Our wives are in their 50"s and still wearing outfits that have the numbers less than 10 on the collar and they look beautiful in their outfits. Most of the women i see on formal night that don't dress up wear do so for a very simple reason. I leave that up to you to figure out........

[Ohunion Cruzers]

I think you have misinterpreted the website... it does say "suggested" guidelines... I don't interpret this to mean that I am required to participate in formal night, but rather that if I choose to, these are the suggested guidelines... My point being that the entire schpiel is vague enough to allow for various interpretations and since the cruiseline doesn't enforce it, I see no reason to take your interpretation over mine or anyone else's...

 

Then how do you interpret "For formal nights you'll need cocktail dresses for women, suits and ties - or tuxedos - for men."?

[wildcatlh]

A bit of a newbie take n the whole formal night thing.

 

Going on a short cruise (4 nights, Enchantment of the Seas) in November. It's with my wife and her parents. For them, it's their first cruise. For me, it's my first cruise in over a decade. So we all count as newbie cruisers.

 

My wife and her parents don't want to participate in formal night. My wife's stressed out about shopping for a dress, and her parents don't want to have to schlep formal stuff down for a vacation, especially if it's something they're going to be wearing once, for two hours.

 

As for me, I could take it or leave it. I wear a suit and tie to work 5 days a week, so I'm used to dressing up, but at the same time, it's vacation, and I don't really feel like dressing up.

 

So, we'll eat at Windjammer that night. To each their own. Getting rid of formal night is silly, so long those of us who don't want to participate have that kind of option.

[madhatter's wife]

I really look forward to formal night. I love people watching in the champagne bar before dinner on formal night and enjoy the extra elegance in the dining room. I would be unlikely to cruise on a line that did away with formal night. Actually, I would like to RCL start to more strictly enforce the dress code.

I agree with you...I enjoy formal nights and wish the dress code was more strictly enforced. Cruise NCL if you want slob dress.................

[MaryZ]

Our group likes formal nights and the dress "code" that goes with it. Our wives are in their 50"s and still wearing outfits that have the numbers less than 10 on the collar and they look beautiful in their outfits. Most of the women i see on formal night that don't dress up wear do so for a very simple reason. I leave that up to you to figure out........

 

Quite honestly, the ones 50 and over tend to be the "fluffy ones" stuffed into their two sizes too small clothes that they drag out for their cruise.

oh sorry I see you were talking about women :p :D

[curley23]

Wrong.... It does not say "suggested what to pack"...it says "WHAT TO PACK"

 

It states some "suggested" guidelines - for the various types of evening attire

AND it states "For formal nights you'll need cocktail dresses for women, suits and ties - or tuxedos - for men. It does not say "we suggest you'll need".

 

Go ahead - click the link

Or are you afraid of what you may see?

 

Different catalogs, the web site , etc. say different things. the word Suggested comes right from every cruise compass. It is in the upper right hand portion of the front page and always starts with the heading "TODAY's TIPS Suggested attire for this evening is............. whatever be it Formal, Smart Casual or Casual. Maybe the energy focused here should be more spent on writing letters to RCI and asking them to change the policy and not let the "dumbed down, underdressed pax in the dining room if it means so much to them on the formal nights. We are all for the formal nights, however, I could care less what the guy across from me at the table, or at the next table, or across the room is wearing. If he wants to look like an idiot, that is his business. Until they make it mandatory and not let you in the room unless you are dressed correctly, SHUT UP, and take it up with RCI. It is wonderful that RCI still keeps the formal tradition alive, and it would be even better all the pax dressed on formal night, but face reality, some people don't get it. SO WHAT! What makes anyone here better than them. Let's get back to bit...ing about the alcohol.

[JTJ]

I don't participate but like seeing people all dressed up. The gowns and tuxes are fun to watch, especially when people are beet red with sunburn. I do put on a long sleeve shirt and sometimes a tie, but watching the families all dressed up with little kids is entertaining.

[cruisinMike]

I see your Cruises are with RCI & am I aware of the dumbing down of standards on formal nights, brought about by people like you. I was on Celebrity Galaxy recently & witnessed guys in Very Smart Casual turned away from the Main DR because they were not wearing a jacket, on formal nights, never mind a Tux. I have to say this was the first time I've seen this in many years, & a big yes to Celebrity for their stance. Formal Nights on cruises were always part of the event for most people & that's the reason they don't book Easycruise or some of the other "Casual" lines. The problem with "Smart Casual" is that, this also gets dumbed down. The NCL ship I was on last year, looked as if some passengers came straight from a building site.

 

I think you're best to stay with any line you feel comfortable with. Happy cruisin.

 

And by the way, I knew it was all my fault. :D

[Bakincakes]

And by the way, I knew it was all my fault. :D

 

Thank God I didn't have to be the one to tell you.;) :D

[cruzincurt]

Perhaps instead of "God bless America" how about "God bless that American dollar".

 

Singing and dancing waiters is a whole other thread.

[Wilba]

As a Brit I know I'm in the minority here, but I can take the "Flack". I go back to the day's when Formal Nights Were Formal. Gent's who only had a Lounge Suit (usually first timers) were very much in the minority & you could bet your boots they had Hired or Purchased a Tux for the next Formal Night. But of course this is when we had respect for fellow passengers & complied with the rules. This culture of "I'll Do What The Hell I Like & Stuff You Lot Attitude" exists on both sides of the Atlantic & filters down to the younger generation, we call it "Yob Culture" in Britain. To those of you who Cruising the Med for the first time, be it RCI Carnival Celeb NCL, you will see the Europeans do make more effort in the Main DR & more Tux's on show on Formal Nights.

My first Cruise from the US, did come as a culture shock to me as Baseball Caps & Flip Flops would never be seen after 6 pm on a European Cruise. To those I have Enlightened or Amused,Cheers. To those I have Offended, TOUGH

[Ohunion Cruzers]

Different catalogs, the web site , etc. say different things. the word Suggested comes right from every cruise compass. It is in the upper right hand portion of the front page and always starts with the heading "TODAY's TIPS Suggested attire for this evening is............. whatever be it Formal, Smart Casual or Casual. Maybe the energy focused here should be more spent on writing letters to RCI and asking them to change the policy and not let the "dumbed down, underdressed pax in the dining room if it means so much to them on the formal nights. We are all for the formal nights, however, I could care less what the guy across from me at the table, or at the next table, or across the room is wearing. If he wants to look like an idiot, that is his business. Until they make it mandatory and not let you in the room unless you are dressed correctly, SHUT UP, and take it up with RCI. It is wonderful that RCI still keeps the formal tradition alive, and it would be even better all the pax dressed on formal night, but face reality, some people don't get it. SO WHAT! What makes anyone here better than them. Let's get back to bit...ing about the alcohol.

 

Interesting....my Cruise Compasses from Legend of the Seas, Spring '07 reads:

 

"Attire: FORMAL" or "Attire: Casual"

 

No 'suggestion' or 'suggested' etc.

[Lawrence22]

As a Brit I know I'm in the minority here, but I can take the "Flack". I go back to the day's when Formal Nights Were Formal. Gent's who only had a Lounge Suit (usually first timers) were very much in the minority & you could bet your boots they had Hired or Purchased a Tux for the next Formal Night. But of course this is when we had respect for fellow passengers & complied with the rules. This culture of "I'll Do What The Hell I Like & Stuff You Lot Attitude" exists on both sides of the Atlantic & filters down to the younger generation, we call it "Yob Culture" in Britain. To those of you who Cruising the Med for the first time, be it RCI Carnival Celeb NCL, you will see the Europeans do make more effort in the Main DR & more Tux's on show on Formal Nights.

My first Cruise from the US, did come as a culture shock to me as Baseball Caps & Flip Flops would never be seen after 6 pm on a European Cruise. To those I have Enlightened or Amused,Cheers. To those I have Offended, TOUGH

 

Well said:D . I couldn't agree more. If I want to socialise beside baseball cap wearing non-conformers I need only walk to a local street corner with a 2 litre bottle of cider and hang with the teenagers. Not my idea of entertainment!

[curley23]

Interesting....my Cruise Compasses from Legend of the Seas, Spring '07 reads:

 

"Attire: FORMAL" or "Attire: Casual"

 

No 'suggestion' or 'suggested' etc.

 

Have em from 9/28-10/1 '07 Majesty, 7/26-30 '07 Enchantment 5/04 5/04-07 '07 Majesty 12/04-08 '06 Enchantment 11/28-12/04 '05 Explorer ALL have it shown as "Suggested" Maybe the printer on Legend is missing a word.

I am not against the formal nights, and we always participate, just get off your high horse about it. If some pax don't want to get dressed up, they don't have to. Show me where it is a rule where you may be turned away from the dining room if you are not dressed properly on formal night, other that wearing a bathing suit. Focus your energy to RCI about it if you do not want pax in the dining room improperly dressed on certain nights.