Whole ship formal on Formal nights?

[Gixer]

Is the whole ship formal on formal nights, as in the public areas such as bars etc? or is it only the dining room? We want to skip formal nights altogether and know we can eat in casual clothes in the Buffet, but what about the rest of the ship, are you supposed to be in Jacket & tie to enter the lounges/bars? will we be turned away if hubby doesnt have a jacket on? Or do most people just eat in their dress up clothes then go back to the cabin to change before going for a drink or to the club etc?

[Powriv]

You have basically answered your own question. If the ship was all formal on formal nights you couldn't dress casually eating at the buffet.

 

Formal dress is suggested on formal nights in the dining room. Some will change into casual clothing right after dinner while others will enjoy staying as they are while strolling around the ship

[mompolo]

I think most ppl who enjoy formal night will stay in their dinner clothes. But it is not required anywhere else on the ship (although it sure looks nice when the whole ship is dressed to the nines).

 

Have Fun!!

[Mark_K]

Is the whole ship formal on formal nights, as in the public areas such as bars etc? or is it only the dining room? We want to skip formal nights altogether and know we can eat in casual clothes in the Buffet, but what about the rest of the ship, are you supposed to be in Jacket & tie to enter the lounges/bars? will we be turned away if hubby doesnt have a jacket on? Or do most people just eat in their dress up clothes then go back to the cabin to change before going for a drink or to the club etc?

While in theory it is formal night, not formal dinner, and some cruise lines restrict those dressed casually to areas designated as being casual allowed (pool decks, buffet, etc.), RCI doesn't. And never has, at least in the 7-8 years I've sailed with them. There will be a wide variety of attire around the ship and you will not feel out of place being dressed casually.

[silentbob007]

In the past, I've always been quick to get the formal clothing off ... not just a comfort issue, but if I was going to be spending time in the casino, I didn't want my clothes reaking of smoke. There will be a mix of people around the ship ... some formal, some not.

[jules815]

In the past, I've always been quick to get the formal clothing off ... not just a comfort issue, but if I was going to be spending time in the casino, I didn't want my clothes reaking of smoke. There will be a mix of people around the ship ... some formal, some not.

 

This is exactly why I change -- I don't want my nice dresses smelling like smoke. That being said, even though I changed after dinner, I never felt out of place or uncomfortable if the person sitting at the slot next to me is in a ball gown and I'm in my capris.

[mpbmark]

So, is it OK if your informal clothes "sink" of smoke????????? :confused:

 

The "suggested" attire is formal "for the evening". We stay in our dress up clothes because we like doing so. Or maybe we're just sheep. :)

 

Many people, for a number of reasons, think formal means dinner only and you will see them in swimming gear before the 2nd seating.

 

Most cruise lines don't seem to care anymore about dress codes, so do what you want. The worst that will happen is someone will look askance at you. So what?

[cruisePRN]

I change after dinner into comfy clothes and walking shoes so i can walk a mile around the decks after dinner. I've noticed the dinners are becoming more country club casual and less formal over the years. With the airlines limiting us to one suitcase i will be dressing down more and more.

[amybear912]

In my experience...

 

 

Formal night is more an individual state of mind than a hard and fast rule...

 

You'll see a whole range of "state's of mind"... some who change after the photos and dinner, others who never dress for the event and still come to dinner and are welcomed... some who stay in formal wear for the entire evening... DH does, says he feels luckier in the casino when he's wearing a tie... strangely enough, it does seem to affect his luck in a positive sense... hence the "state of mind" mentioned earlier...:)

[Sea and Me]

When we first started to cruise we dressed up for formal night. The long gown and the tux. As the years went by we still dress for dinner (no longer the gown or the tux) but nice clothes and DH in a suit. After dinner we sometimes change our clothes to be more comfortable. More & more we are seeing passengers changing into other clothes. We never felt out of place on any cruise ship we traveled on. Everyone is on their vacation, please yourself:)