How many people Actually DO formal Night?

[Happy ks]

Thanks all... We have never cruised before so it is just good to know if formal night is one of those things that just SOME people take part in. I think my DH and son would just have more fun doing other activities rather than dressing up... neither are complaining about it, just don't see it being necessary if its not something that's really a big thing.... that's all. And Weely, you're a real charmer aren't you? :rolleyes: far be it for MY family to dumb down YOUR cruise.....

 

You may be a bit surprised when you are onboard your cruise ship. You will find that most are participating in formal night and SOME do not. You'll see a handfull who really stand out in the crowd wearing casual clothes.

 

I don't happen to care one way or the other any more, if others were dressed up or not. I used to be insistent that everyone should be formal, but the years and many cruises have changed my outlook. Just a few short years ago formal night was really formal and beautiful to see, now it is not-so-formal for many, you hardly see men in tuxedos anymore...pity.

 

The good news is that cocktail dresses are now completely acceptable and far easier to pack than gowns. I actually would love to see every night as semi-formal and have everyone dressed nicely for dinner. The dining rooms are beautiful, casual clothes just don't seem suitable in the evening.

 

To those who are concerned about packing, it can be done within the limits if you pack the right things, wear clothes more than once and leave the "what-if's" at home. Mix and match seperates, send things out for cleaning and don't take too many shoes.

[cruisegirl1]

I won’t get into a debate but help me here. Putting on slacks uses the same action and energy as putting on shorts. A collar shirt or dress shirt vs. a “T-shirt” – still putting on a shirt. Is buttoning a shirt that hard? OK – slip on a sport jacket. There - What's the big deal.

 

 

I agree that most do formal night, even on short cruises. We have wonderful photos from formal nights 15-20 years ago when our children were younger. My husband generally wears a Tux and looks and feels great. He sees no difference in putting on a tux and a suit. Basically the same jacket and pants.

 

M

[VTcruisenut]

Personally, I wouldn't miss formal night for anything! All the glam, the party atmosphere the great food! I think it would be enjoyable for you and your daughter, but also for your husband and son. What a great opportunity to teach them about formal wear, dinners etc. In any case, go with your daughter at least.

[GORDONCHICK]

To the OP - since it's your first cruise, see if DH will dress up for you for one of the formal nights. But make a deal with him - if he doesn't like it, he won't have to do the other formal night or any formal nights on the next cruise. Get formal photos taken. And most likely, you will get another cruise out of the deal. Who knows? He may like it, or he may do it just to make you happy.

[QueensChick]

I DO formal nights and love every one of them. I think formal night aboard ship is a unique and lovely affair. It's a little sad to see cruise evenigs becoming less and less formal.

Commentary aside, I think it would be a lovely mother/daughter experience for you. It'd be even better if you could get the guys to come along. :)

 

Enjoy your cruise.

[PJBUCHEIT]

We have done formal night all three of our cruises. I like getting dressed up and seeing DH in his Tux. We will be taking our 7 kids on a cruise in March of 09 and can't for formal and to have our family picture taken with us all dressed up.

[caviargal]

We have never cruised before so it is just good to know if formal night is one of those things that just SOME people take part in. I think my DH and son would just have more fun doing other activities rather than dressing up... .

 

Not sure what posts you are reading to reach that conclusion but the VAST majority here state that MOST do participate in formal nights and enjoy them. Frankly, I have never been on a cruise where the overwhelming majority did not participate. Some folks think the food is better (not me) and some like having pics taken all dressed up (also not me). We just enjoy the overall ambiance.

[Scylersmom]

I have notice quite a few people seem to own a tux. I am not sure if it is an american tradition, however here in Canada, I don't know one person who owns a tux. My husband had worn one at our wedding. Come to think of it, he doesn't even own a suit. He will be wearing a nice shirt, tie and his dockers on our formal night. I would never torture him (or myself) and make him wear a suit. Have fun whatever you decide.

[WisCruiser2]

My husband & I enjoy dressing up for formal night, since we seldom get a chance to do so in Real Life -- well, at least I do, and DH wears a dark suit without complaining :) I recently bought a "new" dress at a resale shop for our upcoming cruise for $30, so you don't have to spend a lot it you look for sales. Our 2 daughters (20-somethings) have cruised the past 4 - 5 years, and they "dress" every night for dinner & the evening. I have read other posts from people who never do formal nights, and just eat at the buffet -- to each his/her own, I guess, that's what so great about cruising!

[paul1959]

Formal nights are simply part of the tradition of cruising. I am puzzled why you would even pay for a cruise line that has a formal night. Simply go on a cruise that does not have them. Stick to the low end party barges and forget the pressure of a more formal cruise. Remember, you asked to go on this cruise. They did not beg you to come.

 

Then, the reason some men find dressing up uncomfortable is because the poor guys have no clue what size of clothing to wear. If a tux is uncomfortable, you simply are wearing the wrong tux. Shirt necks should be nice and comfortable - not tight. Pants should feel pleasantly loose. There should be no binding anywhere. Also, tuxes can be had for so cheaply (www.budgettux.com) there is simply no excuse to not own one if you ever plan on cruising again.

[arlodog]

We love formal nights,and we are not usually the type to get dressed up! Our usual idea of dressing is anything beyond pajama pants and sweats! We are getting ready to go on our 4th cruise and I went shopping last weekend with my DD to get her a dress. This is part of the fun for us finding the clothes and planning. We have spent time looking on e-bay and looking through clearance racks to find just the right clothes to bring. We found one dress for $15 on e-bay and another one $30 at the mall. You don't have to spend alot to look great! Some of my favorite pictures of my kids are at the dining room on formal night or at the captains receptions. We really like to atmosphere and enjoy spending the time together. I say just go to formal night and enjoy the time together!

[blkspy]

I would like to do formal night and so would my daughter, by my son (15) and husband are just not interested... I could skip, honestly, but I don't want to feel left out if the whole ship is participating. We are on RCCL over Spring Break, not sure if that makes a difference. I would also feel really weird walking around the ship in shorts when everyone else is dressed to the nines..... Also, is the dinner just fabulous that night too? Will we be missing, let's say Filet mignon, or Lobster if we don't go? Sigh... what to do????

let me see if i can make this perfectly clear...if the cruise didn't have formal nights---I WOULDN'T GO ON THAT CRUISE we are on AOS march 9, 2008... i love formal nights...i go through CRUISE LINE FORMAL WEAR-my suits are in my cabin when i arrive....i order the combo---BLACK DINNER JACKET AND A WHITE DINNER JACKET....WE RARELY IF EVER BLACK TIE IT DURING THE YEAR.....I REALLY LOVE GOING TO THE CASINO AND WINNING IN A WHITE DINNER JACKET---MAKES ME FEEL LIKE JAMES BOND I AM HOSTING A FAMILY AND FRIENDS CRUISE IN NOV. WE HAVE 82 PEOPLE GOING. ALL MALES OVER THE AGE OF 21 MUST HAVE A TUX FOR THE GROUP PHOTO AS A CONDITION OF GOING ON THE TRIP....CARNIVAL IS GIVING US A $20 PER PERSON DISCOUNT FOR THOSE WHO DON'T OWN A TUX--WE HAVE 26 TUXES ON ORDER THROUGH THEM..

 

SO PLEASE GET DRESS, WALK TALL, AND HAVE A GREAT TIME WITH YOUR DAUGHTER AT FORMAL NIGHT---SHE WILL REMEMBER IT FOREVER!!!!

[Jakdgr]

Having never cruised before, I'm really looking forward to the formal night. My hubby is hiring a tux via Cruise Line Formal Wear so we don't have to lug it from Australia. On the Cruising Fashion link, there is a thread showing some ladies wearing their dresses on past cruises or pictures of what they are going to wear - wide range of outfits. Enjoy your cruise:)

Jo

[GORDONCHICK]

I have notice quite a few people seem to own a tux. I am not sure if it is an american tradition, however here in Canada, I don't know one person who owns a tux. My husband had worn one at our wedding. Come to think of it, he doesn't even own a suit. He will be wearing a nice shirt, tie and his dockers on our formal night. I would never torture him (or myself) and make him wear a suit. Have fun whatever you decide.

 

If we cruised more often and I leaned more towards full-length gowns instead of cocktail dresses, DH would own a tux too.

[RetireeWannabee]

I have notice quite a few people seem to own a tux. I am not sure if it is an american tradition, however here in Canada, I don't know one person who owns a tux. My husband had worn one at our wedding. Come to think of it, he doesn't even own a suit. He will be wearing a nice shirt, tie and his dockers on our formal night. I would never torture him (or myself) and make him wear a suit. Have fun whatever you decide.

If you know any professional musicians, they might own tuxes. That is the only reason my DH has one. Some of the 'serial cruisers' on this board own them to participate in formal night.

 

I, however, do not own anything that would be called a gown unless it refers to slumbering. I would have no place to wear it but on a ship at formal night and I choose not to store such an item only to wear it once or twice every couple years. We just don't travel 'in those circles' where this is common attire :o

[Abear2]

I had to have an opinion on here. :) LOL Ok I think formal nights are great for people that like to dress up. I personally don't like to dress up with fancy dresses and all, but I would not go into the dining room with jeans on formal night. I usually wear nice slacks with a nice blouse and I have never been turned away from the door. I don't think you should be pressured to dress up in a tux or cocktail dress while you are suppose to be on a relaxing vacation. Some people look forward to dressing up, which I think is perfectly fine. I am just not one of those people. :o I do enjoy the dining room very much, but I don't think I am a different person with what I wear compared to what you wear. Ok just wanted to give my opinion on formal night. :)

[qorc]

I would like to do formal night and so would my daughter, by my son (15) and husband are just not interested... I could skip, honestly, but I don't want to feel left out if the whole ship is participating. We are on RCCL over Spring Break, not sure if that makes a difference. I would also feel really weird walking around the ship in shorts when everyone else is dressed to the nines..... Also, is the dinner just fabulous that night too? Will we be missing, let's say Filet mignon, or Lobster if we don't go? Sigh... what to do????

 

We do. I usually bring a tux. To us, it's part of the cruise experience.

[poshmom]

OMG!! It is so much fun to get dressed up and do the formal nights. I agree with all the others. It would only be for an hour to an hour and a half. DH and ds could go to the casino or something maybe that ya'll aren't interested in. Not many times in my life do I get to get that dressed up and enjoy wonderful, quiet meals like that. Do it once and then if you don't like it, don't go back for the others. You need to try at least though. And do get your picture on this night. You'll be glad later. Enjoy! :)

[poshmom]

And about the jeans on formal night...I wouldn't. JMO, but I would definitely feel out of place.

[iheartbda]

I have notice quite a few people seem to own a tux. I am not sure if it is an american tradition, however here in Canada, I don't know one person who owns a tux. My husband had worn one at our wedding. Come to think of it, he doesn't even own a suit. He will be wearing a nice shirt, tie and his dockers on our formal night. I would never torture him (or myself) and make him wear a suit. Have fun whatever you decide.

 

I am NOT singling you out personally, only using your quote as an example as I've read the same thing on other threads.:)

 

What is so torturous about wearing a suit? If he's wearing a shirt, tie and pants, a suit has a shirt, tie, pants and a jacket.

[scot cruiser]

Don't miss out on formal night, yes, you could very well be missing the best food of the entire cruise but also the atmosphere in the dining room is splendid, the staff go all out for these evenings. You're husband and son don't have to be too dressed -just no jeans or shorts and they must have a colar on their shirt. Usually the formal nights are steak and lobster nights. You and your daughter should get dressed up and go and enjoy with or without the boys!

Don't forget to have the cheesecake for dessert!

[poshmom]

Oh, yeah, sorry to keep posting again, but I remembered this is usually the nights the waiters and help perform with the music and all, I think. It's very entertaining.

[greatam]

I only cruise for three reasons: get away from phones, faxes, etc., see some out of the way place that I would not be inclined to get on a plane to see AND to get REALLY dressed up.

 

I have eliminated Carnival, RCCL, NCL and Princess due to the noise (cell phones, walkie talkies) and the lack of dress.

 

I lean towards X BECAUSE of the dress code, although I LOVE Cunard and Seabourn. Ambiance is a BIG part of my cruise experience. If I want khakis and polo shirts, Appleby's or Chili's is not far.

[RetireeWannabee]

I forgot to mention formal night is a good time to wear all the expensive jewelry that your spouse bought for you over the years.

what expensive jewelry? Even if I had it, why would I risk travelling with it?

[RetireeWannabee]

BUT- gotta get the formal night pictures. That is a must-do.

Disagree. Our best pictures are in port having fun.