Eliminate Formal Night?

[JackieH]

We enjoy dressing up--everyone LOOKS better when they are dressed "to the nines" and it's nice to look good! I know alot of folks think it's a hassle--I've never understood how slipping a dress over your head is harder than capris and a shirt!!! Men still have to put on pants and a shirt--how hard is a tie and jacket???

 

I cant answer for everybody. For me, I just do not feel comfortable dressing up. I know many people who love dressing up, the nails, the dress, the jewlery, the hair etc.. I wouldnt say dressing up is a hassle, but for me its the sense of being uncomfortable. We do go to formal nights, but not nearly as dressed up as most others. My formal clothes are probably more casual for most. I think if you want to dress up, go for it..

Even when we cruise, and I wear a skirt and a nice blouse, right after dinner I race back to the cabin and put my shorts and t-shirt back on. That is what I am comfortable in;)

[G'ma]

I hope not.

 

Cruising has lost so much over the past 20 years. I'd like to see some of the traditions hang around. There is nothing like seeing everyone dressed in their best, Captain and officers decked out in their dress whites during the evenings with all the bells and whistles.

 

People seem to behave differently when they are dressed up; they carry themselves differently too. There seems to be a sense of pride people have knowing they look their very best...and they act accordingly.

 

Just for one night....how hard can it be.:p

[2TNCruisers]

One of my favorite pictures from our last cruise was taken on formal night. Each time I look at it, i'm transported back to that day when a couple of 40 year olds felt like newlyweds all dressed up and having a great time. I wore a cocktail dress, hubby work a nice suit, and we blended in just fine. Don't over-stress it, look at it as a time to become more than the over-worked couple who boarded the ship. I love seeing everyone dressed up in their best clothes.

 

However, there are plenty of other options for those not wishing to participate...so I do hope they keep formal/elegant nights.

[BobBeaSea]

It wouldn't bother me in the slightest if formal night was eliminated.

[SJS]

I'm also in the group that would be glad to see formal nights changed. We always dress up but I agree with the poster who said I'm much more comfortable in casual clothes. In the past we have needed to check 3 pieces of luggage. For our September cruise I am only going to use 2 pieces and if I run out of room then the formal items are staying home.

[DAGVBSB]

Then they should enforce the dress codes on the "traditional" cruiselines. Make a clear demarkation between the niches. It would reduce the haggling about dress codes - everyone would know just what they are getting when they book.

 

Unfortunately, reports from several lines are saying that they are not even enforcing their dress codes anymore. Even NCL, which has the easiest code around is getting bashed by their regulars because they are allowing shorts in the dining rooms on their ships when the rule specifically says: "no shorts."

 

Everyone SHOULD know what the dress code is for the cruise line that they have selected BEFORE they sail and plan accordingly. I am not saying that they have to dress up if their is a formal night, but make plans to abide by the rules.

 

The rules are there for a reason and are there for everybody. Too many people think they are exempt from the rules. ("what's it going to hurt if just one person..me.. does not follow the rule." Well nothing, but when 500 people think that... it does matter!)

 

Let me use myself as an example of what should happen: We are going on RCCL next week and none of us are taking any formal or dress up clothing. We are planning on Polo shirts and kahkis for dinner every night. (including formal night.) Now, we know the rules about formal night and, while we don't like it, we respect the rule. So... on formal nights, our party is going to either go to the Windjammer, Johnny Rockets, one of the specialty restaurants or have room service in our suite. Do I like that idea? No, but a rule is in place and it MUST be followed. We have done our research and made our plans accordingly to meet the rules set forth by the cruiseline.

 

That is all there is to it people.... if you don't like the rule, that is fine, just don't attempt to break it.

 

That is the one thing that I like most about NCL, the fact that everyone can dress as they want and still go to the main dining rooms. Neither group feels out of place.

[mousey]

I would hate to see "formal nights" done away with. However, I like people having a choice of places to eat if they don't want to dress up.

 

There wouldn't be any discussion about all of this "formal vs. casual" if the various cruise lines would enforce their rules. If you make a rule enforce it. Otherwise it just creates havoc!

 

Everyone should be able to dress as they wish, but they should follow whatever rules the line they are sailing on has posted. To do otherwise is just flat out rude!

[swimmergirl84]

No way should they get rid of formal nights altogether! I've only taken one cruise so far, but plans are the same for this one...I always dress up somewhat for dinner every night anyway...so I always pack at least two outfits per day. I do stick to the cocktail dress thing rather than the ball gowns though-those do take up too much room and I feel sexier in a cocktail dress anyway lol Oh and I am probably one of those "tattoo generation" kids sailing on Carnival being 23...but IMHO many women (and men) my age LOVE to dress up and look nice! I currently work in a daycare so I NEVER wear anything nice in fear of having it ruined, so I am really looking forward to this cruise and wearing nice clothes everyday!!!:D

[thegotogirl]

I used to "play" on the thread about formal night...but not anymore. Here's the deal....some folks really love formal night, and they should have the opportunity to dress up. We were on Princess last week, and quite frankly, nobody was turned away if they were dressed in what we call neat and clean clothing. None of our guys wore a jacket, and nobody cared. The girls wore nice slacks and tops...no glitz or sparkles, and again, nobody cared.

So....really...there is no "dress code" for formal night. If you want to participate, I get it, and go for it. Enjoy, enjoy. But the truth is that the ships are not enforcing any major rules about dress, so if you don't want to get all dressed up, you don't have to, and you can still enjoy going to the dining room. So, I guess in this situation, we can all get along!!!!!

[bakechef]

I was on Carnival in 2006 and I have to say there were more formally dressed people on it than some other cruises. I was really surprised since I had heard so many bad things about Carnival. It was not a party ship or a giant frat party. We had a great time. So I tend to agree with you. With the popularity of tattoos these days, I'm sure you'll see them on all ships.

 

Although I don't personally care for formal nights, I wouldn't get rid of them. I like having the choice of being able to do it or not and seeing other people dressed up.

 

I had the same experience on my first Carnival cruise last year, it was probably the most formal cruise that I had seen in a while. No frat parties either.

 

MAC

[bakechef]

Hello,

 

Your post is the greatest! You haven't been on a cruise and possibly you haven't seen a cruise ship up close, except on BET or reruns of the "Love Boat" And yet you know all about formal nights!

 

Maybe some enlightenment will help here. A formal night is a special night on a cruise ship, sort of like going to a nice New year's evening party. The cruise staff is dressed in the special uniforms. There is hooch, a lot of all kinds of music, lot of fine food, many folks in some nice rags, and special entertainment. Later, there are smooches and hopefully...romance. Remember, the words romance formal nights, and cruises go together.

 

The non particpants on formal nights, that is, those who want to wear their cutoffs, truckers hats, halter tops, and t shirts proudly proclaiming their membership on the Clanton City Council will be carrying their trays in the buffet. And many will look kind of wistful as to say to the formal nighters 'you folks look to be havin a fine time"! We will be because a formal night is a special night.

 

Mississippi, I hope that you do particpate in at least one formal night. A pair of black pants and a dressy top isn't going to bankrupt you. Most importantly though I want you to have a truly wonderful time on your first cruise and to experience cruising to its very fullest.

 

Fred (24 cruises so far and two more paid for)

 

I have not seen the Trucker hats, halter tops, etc.. that you describe on any cruise ship.

 

I don't dress formal and I don't fit your narrow minded elitist description of the non formal passenger.

 

"A pair of black pants and a dressy top" is not formal wear any more than my twill pants and oxford shirt are. But would be appropriate for you to wear to your Clanton city council meeting.

 

MAC

[dforeigner]

The wife and I still enjoy dressing up. So we will continue to sail with those lines that offer formal nights in the dinning room.

[houch]

I ususally cruise with girlfriends and we love the formal nights. On the 2 cruises DH has been on he has worn a black suit, white shirt, and tie and that looked as good as a tux. On all formal nights we have gone to the show after dinner and then a bit of time in the casino. Then back to the room to change to casual clothes, thus we didn't stay in formal wear all night on Princess, Celebrity, or RCI.

We don't care for anytime dining with no formal nights so won't cruise on a line that does that, NCL.

My formal attire takes less room to pack than the other clothes I take. I like to have a variety and always take 2 suitcases and a carry-on. If I have to pay extra for luggage, so be it.

I am not rich, I don't have closets full of clothes, but I do enjoy dressing to look nice. I'm sad to see the dress codes changing where people seem to look too casual and sloppy all the time, not just on cruises. JMO

[Fredr]

I have not seen the Trucker hats, halter tops, etc.. that you describe on any cruise ship.

 

I don't dress formal and I don't fit your narrow minded elitist description of the non formal passenger.

 

"A pair of black pants and a dressy top" is not formal wear any more than my twill pants and oxford shirt are. But would be appropriate for you to wear to your Clanton city council meeting.

 

MAC

 

Hello,

 

Narrow minded, elitist, twill pants, oxford shirt....you seem to have missed the point. Wear what you want anywhere you go because your money, Mississippi's money, and the Clanton City Council's money is as good as mine. The question posted was...should cruise ships eliminate formal nights? The poster did not ask what people should wear on formal nights, which is an entirely different subject.

 

As for my reference to a pair of black pants and a dressy top, I want "Mississippi" to have a great time on her first cruise, and she should attend at least one formal night. I have seen many women beautifully but inexpensively dressed on our 24 cruises, and my point is that she did not have to spend a lot of money on clothes for a formal night.

 

There are those who see a cruise as just another vacation, no different from a trip to the beach, or to McDonald's for an ice cream cone. Nothing wrong with this, but then there are many others who enjoy the wonderful traditions of travel by sea.

 

I can't wait to tell my friends, that I am an elitist. You are going to hear howls of laughter from California to North Carolina and beyond.

[satxdiver]

Standards of dress are merely a reflection of society in general. Don't complain when the people at the next table start using foul language, wear pants exposing their underwear, and start emitting vulgar sounds from various parts of their bodies. If you can't accept that premise, visit places that some of the "next" generation frequents. You will be sharing your dining room experience with them in about 10 years or so.

 

Remember, this is a ship's dining room with waiters in "their formal service wear," candles, utensils and dishes set to a more formal standard. This is not your local chain restaurant. There are other dining options on most ships. Keep the main "formal" dining room as is, "formal."

 

 

The reality of it all is that we are becoming less formal as a society. The cruise lines can enforce the "rules" and have an empty dining room and maybe even empty ship. Cruise lines need pax. They are not going to say anything to any paying pax as long as they are not too far outside the "rules". I will continue to wear my khaki pants, button down shirt, maybe blue blazer and no tie. As more join me and they will, the "rules" will become a lauging stock which they so richly deserve. Time changes - bend with it or break. I have no problem with anyone wanting to "dress up" according to their definition. This is my definition and I am standing tall. The almighty dollar has spoken. :D

[spongerob]

Airline baggage fees will kill formal nights faster than any argument on this web site. Our next cruise - no formal wear. It's not worth an extra $50 to take a bag full of clothing that we will wear for a few hours. I can throw a jacket and a tie in my normal bag, that will have to do.

[bakechef]

Hello,

 

Narrow minded, elitist, twill pants, oxford shirt....you seem to have missed the point. Wear what you want anywhere you go because your money, Mississippi's money, and the Clanton City Council's money is as good as mine. The question posted was...should cruise ships eliminate formal nights? The poster did not ask what people should wear on formal nights, which is an entirely different subject.

 

As for my reference to a pair of black pants and a dressy top, I want "Mississippi" to have a great time on her first cruise, and she should attend at least one formal night. I have seen many women beautifully but inexpensively dressed on our 24 cruises, and my point is that she did not have to spend a lot of money on clothes for a formal night.

 

There are those who see a cruise as just another vacation, no different from a trip to the beach, or to McDonald's for an ice cream cone. Nothing wrong with this, but then there are many others who enjoy the wonderful traditions of travel by sea.

 

I can't wait to tell my friends, that I am an elitist. You are going to hear howls of laughter from California to North Carolina and beyond.

 

Your post did come across as pompous. Thanks for coming back and setting the record straight. I have read so many posts from people who think that those who choose not to dress in traditional formal wear are going to show up in the dining room with cut off jeans and "I'm with stupid" t-shirts, this kinda gets under my skin.

 

Mississippi will be just fine dressing casual, but smart on Elegant evening on Carnival, no formal wear required, she doesn't need to fret about this as Carnival has changes their rules a bit.

 

MAC

[momofmeg]

I will be going on my first cruise in December. Honestly, IMO as a first time cruiser, I don't know why they have formal nights, or at least on so called "Fun Ships". I could see doing it for other types of cruises. I'm going on a cruise to have fun. No make-up, no particular way to comb my hair, wrinkled clothing are just a few things I don't care to be worried with. My travel planner told me there are formal nights. For what!? And not just 1 night but 2. For that, I need to go get my nails and toes done, so on formal night I will be looking tight! LOL I didn't want to have to worry about all that. Just slap on some toe nail polish for flip flopping around the ship and be done. Now I'll have to get a full blown pedicure for my nice, warm weather Caribbean cruise....during winter! Ok, I'm done trippin about it. :rolleyes: Oh well, still looking forward to it anyway. Whether they keep formal nights or take it away, I'll still go on cruises and participate. I've heard there's a way to skip it, but might as well enjoy it all. At least I'll get a chance to wear my Valentine's Day outfit I was hoping to wear before my ex and I broke up.

 

If you do not want to get a pedicure I doubt anyone will notice. You say you wear polish on your toes that you put on yourself. Do you believe people will be starring at your feet to see if you have had a pedicure? In fact, you CAN wear a closed in dress shoe if you are really THAt concerned aobut your feet. Women do.

 

I do not get pedicures. I trim my own toenails and care for them myself. I also take care of my feet so they are not covered in dry skin and calluses. I suppose I give myself pedicures. My feet look presentable and in 14 cruises I have not been ashamed of them, formal night or any other night. BTW, I have never caught ANYONE starring at my feet either!

 

You are obsessing for no reason!

[DAGVBSB]

The reality of it all is that we are becoming less formal as a society. The cruise lines can enforce the "rules" and have an empty dining room and maybe even empty ship. Cruise lines need pax. They are not going to say anything to any paying pax as long as they are not too far outside the "rules". I will continue to wear my khaki pants, button down shirt, maybe blue blazer and no tie. As more join me and they will, the "rules" will become a lauging stock which they so richly deserve. Time changes - bend with it or break. I have no problem with anyone wanting to "dress up" according to their definition. This is my definition and I am standing tall. The almighty dollar has spoken. :D

 

You are exactly right. And with the new luggage fees that airlines are imposing... less and less will dress up.

 

Cruise lines then will have a choice. Ships will end up with a half empty dining room on formal nights while the lines at the buffet and specialty restaurants will be huge. Those areas won't be able to serve all the passengers choosing to eat there quickly enough and passengers will start filing complaints about slow and poor food service. The only option remaining to the cruise lines is to lower the dress code levels in the main dining rooms so that more people will still go there taking the strain off the other venues.

 

Once again I point to the Freestyle Dining concept on NCL...it allows those who wish to dress up to do so and those who do not want to dress up to do so. It is a great way to attempt to satisfy everyone. Princess, HAL and RCCL are copying the open seating part of Freestyle, so why not copy the dress code part as well?

 

It is still a matter of choice.... your choice to dress up or not and in the current society.... more and more are choosing not to dress up and the cruise lines will have to respond to that at some time or lose business.

[luvscruising2007]

I believe the cruise lines should continue the tradition of formal night and enforce the dress code. We enjoy the formal nights and generally remain in our formal clothing for the evening.

I believe society as a whole as loosened the dress code for the worst and people wear what ever they want everywhere. Jeans and T's have become the norm most everywhere and personally I don't like it.

Keep formal night please.

[GORDONCHICK]

If they (cruiselines, maitre d', etc) would enforce the rest of the dress code, I would be fine with formal nights being eleiminated. I have a problem with a written dresscode not being enforced.

 

I enjoy dressing for formal nights, and my family always adheres to the evening's dresscode as outlined in the daily papers. There is nothing that would keep us from dressing formally if we wanted to, even on a non-formal evening, if the formal nights were eliminated. When we drive to a port, number of luggage pieces or weight isn't an issue. But for those who fly and cannot pack in a carry-on (and I do applaud those who can), eliminating what we can is helpful.

 

Since there are plenty of dining options on ships these days, my dream would be for the dresscode to be enforced in the dining rooms (formal or not), and those not dressed appropriately be sent to one of the many other dining options on board.

[cruisemom42]

The reality of it all is that we are becoming less formal as a society. The cruise lines can enforce the "rules" and have an empty dining room and maybe even empty ship. Cruise lines need pax. :D

 

 

Based on the responses to this thread, which appear to be about 2 to 1 in favor of keeping formal nights, I doubt the cruise lines are going to have an "empty dining room" anytime soon....

[Fredr]

The reality of it all is that we are becoming less formal as a society. The cruise lines can enforce the "rules" and have an empty dining room and maybe even empty ship. Cruise lines need pax. They are not going to say anything to any paying pax as long as they are not too far outside the "rules". I will continue to wear my khaki pants, button down shirt, maybe blue blazer and no tie. As more join me and they will, the "rules" will become a lauging stock which they so richly deserve. Time changes - bend with it or break. I have no problem with anyone wanting to "dress up" according to their definition. This is my definition and I am standing tall. The almighty dollar has spoken. :D

 

Hello,

 

I agree that we are becoming less formal as a society. I agree that you can wear whatever you want to, whenever and wherever you go and this includes cruises. And no one wants arbitrary and often foolish "rules" being enforced on the unknowing or even the uncaring. And I do not expect everyone on formal night to look like they are going to their senior prom. You wear a blue blazer without a tie and twill pants. Sorry to tell you this but a blue blazer is a very nice garment and a blazer is entirely appropriate to wear (my opinion) on a formal night. I wear a tux on formal nights because I like to look like a headwaiter in a fine Italian restaurant about three or four times a year.

 

As for the "almighty dollar" has spoken, it is a very sad day when one has to read this. I have several friends who work for American Airlines and other airlines. They must put up with abusive passengers on a daily basis and it seems that there are more abusive passengers than ever before. Airlines need passengers... Further, in today's Los Angeles Times, there were three stories related to the pursuit of the "almighty dollar". A mayor of a large suburban city (a former judge) engineered for himself a city loan that is illegal. The second story was about a judge who falsified her expense account and has been removed from office, and the third story was that the Chief Enforcement Counsel (lawyer) for the Immigration and Naturalization office in Los Angeles has been indicted for taking bribes.

 

If the cruise industry becomes "just another business", that is, and take away the ambiance, fun, and romance of a cruise then passengers by the thousands will look elsewhere to spend their hard earned money.

 

Take care,

 

Fred

[DAGVBSB]

Based on the responses to this thread, which appear to be about 2 to 1 in favor of keeping formal nights, I doubt the cruise lines are going to have an "empty dining room" anytime soon....

 

Remember that Cruise Critic only represents about 2% of all cruisers. Furthermore, most members of Cruise Critic are the ones who like to cruise on a regular basis and enjoy the "novelties" of cruising. It is the the other 98% that cruise lines need to worry about. Many out of that group are the ones which are too busy to do the research and also are the ones who are looking for the easy way out. Those are the ones more likely to avoid formal nights.

 

 

Hello,

 

If the cruise industry becomes "just another business", that is, and take away the ambiance, fun, and romance of a cruise then passengers by the thousands will look elsewhere to spend their hard earned money.

 

Take care,

 

Fred

 

Unfortunately cruising is a business that has been growing. Look at the mega ships planned by RCCL and NCL. Once all 5 of those ships are launched by the end of 2010, it will add between 26,000 to 30,000 berths. The ships to be retired will only equal about half of that number. In order to fill those new ships, the cruise lines must continue to attract new customers.

 

Younger people are less likely to care about the ambiance or the traditions of cruising. They are going to want something that is fun and easy. They aren't going to see the reasons for formal nights. It is, as so many have said, the current shift of our society. As more and more of people who could care less about and don't want to participate in formal nights begin to cruise (and continue cruising) they will become the "group" that the cruise lines will cater too. The airline luggage policies are going to push this even faster.

 

Go on your next cruise and compare the number of people who are dressed up to the number on your last cruise. I think you will see clearly where this is headed.

 

People have resisted change before.... email and text messaging being prime examples. But sometimes it can't be stopped.

 

People said that "anytime" dining would never catch on because it is not "traditional" cruising.... but now we have at least 4 major lines (NCL, Princess, RCCL and HAL) who have (or are currently) implementing some type of it on their ships. I remember a thread and a poll over on both the HAL and RCCL boards asking whether traditional dining times should be done away with.... both boards had a resounding NO to the question... but Anytime dining is now in effect on HAL and will soon be on RCCL to.

 

We can say that we are against the change, but I really don't think these changes can be stopped.

[zacc]

Can't figure out what everyone packs. My wife takes two formal outfits and I take two as well and still only use two suitcases and a carryon. I would have no problem fitting everything into the 2 suitcases....the carryon only makes things more convenient. And yes they would be under weight.

 

This issue of casual dressing goes way beyond cruising. Just watch people leaving church on a sunday..especially in summer. Jeans, shorts, t shirts, sneakers.....what ever happen to wearing your "Sunday best?" But thats a whole other subject.