Help with my kids clothing for our cruise

[sandi1967]

Hi,

We leave in 10 days and I am starting to pull what they will wear....I am sure during the day it will be shorts and bathing suits.....We will be on Carnival GLory...my main concern is dinner. We have 5 kids, three boys 15, 11 and 6 and two girls ages 13 and 3. My girls are easy. Our older boys have khakis and button downs. Will that be fine for the dressier nite? Our little boy has a couple of summer type suits. I bought the boys nice knee length shorts. Would that be fine in the dining room?

 

I don't want to overpack, but also want to have enough.

 

Thanks for any advice!!

Sandi

[purplefrogs]

I think what you've picked out would be fine. My husband wore linen shorts with a nice shirt each night to dinner except formal night.

[abitaturbodog]

Carnival won't allow shorts in the dining room, even on kids.

 

You are fine with button downs, polos and khakis-even on formal night.

 

I have always packed only 2 pair of pants for each of my boys and they wear them just to dinner. Right after dinner, they change and hang up the pants for the next night. It cuts down on packing and cost. If they drop food on the pants, just spot treat it in the bathroom sink.

 

No matter how hard I try to "Underpack" I alway end up with tons of clothes that the boys never wore. It seems that they just put on the same shorts and t-shirt every day!

[purplefrogs]

From the Carnival FAQ section regarding dining...

 

Is there a dress code for the dining room?

 

Depending on the length of the cruise, either formal dress or casual resort wear is required in the Dining Room. The dress requirement for children is the same. For those not wanting to dress up, the Lido restaurants are open nightly (with the exception of the last evening of the cruise), and have a casual dress code.

 

Cruise Casual Dining Dress Code: Gentlemen - Sport slacks, khakis, jeans (no cut-offs), dress shorts (long), collared sport shirts; Ladies - Casual dresses, casual skirts or pants and blouses, summer dresses, Capri pants, dress shorts, jeans (no cut-offs). Not permitted in the dining room during the Cruise Casual dinner for ladies and gentlemen: gym shorts, basketball shorts, beach flip-flops, bathing suit attire, cut-off jeans, and sleeveless shirts for men.

 

Cruise Elegant Dining Dress Code: Gentlemen - Dress slacks, dress shirts. We also suggest a sport coat. If you wish to wear suits and ties or tuxedos, by all means we invite you to do so. Ladies - Cocktail dresses, pantsuits, elegant skirts and blouses; if you‘d like to show off your evening gowns, that's great too! Not permitted in the dining room during the Cruise Elegant dinner for ladies and gentlemen: shorts, T-shirts, beach flip-flops, bathing suit attire, jeans, cut-off jeans, sleeveless shirts for men, sportswear, and baseball hats.

[SelectSys]

From the Carnival FAQ section regarding dining...

 

... Cruise Elegant Dining Dress Code: Gentlemen - Dress slacks, dress shirts. We also suggest a sport coat. If you wish to wear suits and ties or tuxedos, by all means we invite you to do so. Ladies - Cocktail dresses, pantsuits, elegant skirts and blouses; if you‘d like to show off your evening gowns, that's great too! ...

 

Seems like Carnival has given up on a true formal night. It seems like formal dinner attire is all optional now - "if you wish ... we invite you to do so"

[jimswims]

I was just reading this since we are leaving in 3 weeks. The way I read this is that shorts are not permitted in the dining room for dinner on the formal nights but they are ok on the other nights.

 

My son is 13 and will be wearing pants, a nice button shirt and a jacket on the formal nights for dinner. We have compromised that he does not have to wear a tie if it is not required but can if he chooses to. He can get changed after dinner if he wants to be more casual.

[winkingchick]

Or my old favorite is to BORROW BORROW BORROW!