Tired of Formal Night?

[bdjam]

Usually, I don't post but I had the conversation about this subject today and I thought I would ask what others think? It seems odd that some people have to attack others? Why is that? I would in no way want to stir the pot or cause a big fight?

 

It makes you wonder what these people are like in person? Should we wear body armour to board?

I think the second point of advice for you would be to use the search function on the board and then read over some of the responses. If you've always cruised with Princess and you're not a first time cruiser, then you know how others feel about formal evenings from your on board experiences.

Wouldn't it be nice to have one restaurant available for country club casual attire on formal nights? Sometimes we feel like formal attire and sometimes we don't. It would be nice to have a middle of the road choice.

No it wouldn't...the alternative choice on Princess is Horizon Court and from what I hear, the spread they put out on formal night is pretty close to the dining room. Plus the view up there is much nicer than the dining room.

Two of the latest cruise lines to debut (Oceania & Azamara) do not have formal nights, presumably representing the latest preferences of cruisers.

I think they are actually trying to represent the more "upscale" cruise lines that sail smaller ships to more exotic destinations and have country club casual dress codes. But they are both great alternatives for those who would prefer to cruise on ships with no formal nights...as you've found.

[Ron n Jon]

What is the point of formal evenings if those that do not wish to partake of it simple ignore and flaunt the rules and the management of the line allows them to get away with it? If the line cannot support and supervise a formal evening then for heaven sake get rid of it.

 

Quite frankly, when those that subvert the formal evenings in their reversed snobbery can no longer afford to cruise, which is not that far into the future by market readings, perhaps we can have our formal evenings back. Let the market decide!

[WOWJr1]

What's everyone elses take on this subject? Does anyone else feel that formal night is soon to hopefully be the thing of the past?

 

My wife and I agree (she even more than me, believe it or not!), but we use the dining room alternates rather than choosing a different line. We really enjoy those nights in a much more quiet and intimate setting, away from the hustle/bustle/noise of the DR.

 

In my opinion, it's silly to avoid a particular line / itinerary because 4 hours per week are formal in the main dining rooms. If NCL (or Azamara or Oceania) go where you want when you want for the price you want, great. If not, don't hesitate to stay with Princess or any other line that retains formal on some nights. Just plan to make the most of those wonderful non-formal alternatives.

[Seal]

For the life of me I'll never know why formal night is sucfh the big problem--it's no more difficult than getting ready for dinner a different night--as for the men packing a tux--it can always as can other items be pressed. We didn't bring formal attire once about a year ago on teh Tahitian Princess--my idea--I was concerned about leaving our luggage at the flower shop across from the airport--anyway--it was a mistake on my part--we did have a full suite and didn't miss the lobster dinner swince you can have whatever is being served.

 

I'm all for formal nights--quith having pictures taken about 7 cruises ago--who knows may just pose again.

 

Happy Formal Night Everyone !!!!

 

Nancy:D

[rdsqrl]

I adore formal nights and love the ambiance onboard on those nights. I hope that Princess never does away with them; there are plenty of other cruise lines as options for those who don't care for the whole formal "vibe." As far as designating one dining room as non-formal, the whole point isn't to dress up just to sit in the dining room, the dress is for the entire evening and that's what makes the ambiance so special. It's in walking around the ship, visiting the show lounges, dropping in at the casino, having a drink in the piano bar, that we're showing off our finery, not so much at the dining room table. . . except for that entrance stroll, slowly, to one's seat . . . the two nights per cruise that I wish Princess had a grand staircase!

[Paulchili]

 

Quite frankly, when those that subvert the formal evenings in their reversed snobbery can no longer afford to cruise, which is not that far into the future by market readings, perhaps we can have our formal evenings back. Let the market decide!

 

I think the market has already decided - see Oceania and Azamara. They usually cater to people that can easily afford Princess cruises, if they preferred them.

[cdngrl]

. . except for that entrance stroll, slowly, to one's seat . . . the two nights per cruise that I wish Princess had a grand staircase!

what a wonderful image! stroll elegantly to the table. eat my fill of the lovely dinner and waddle off to the theatre--okay, the waddling part not so glamourous!

[spongerob]

As long as it's formal :cool:

Good one! :)

 

Usually, I don't post but I had the conversation about this subject today and I thought I would ask what others think? It seems odd that some people have to attack others? Why is that? I would in no way want to stir the pot or cause a big fight?

 

 

 

It is a sensitive topic here. And, it often gets started because it produces a lively (if short-lived) debate. Personally, I don't have a problem with dressing up. And I don't have a problem with people who don't. What I do have a problem with is the likelihood of having to pay extra just to take that bag full of nice clothes with me. I've said it before and I will repeat it...arguments here won't put an end to formal nights, but the airlines probably will.

[bdjam]

I think the market has already decided - see Oceania and Azamara. They usually cater to people that can easily afford Princess cruises, if they preferred them.

Are you sure? Oceania and Azamara have four ships between them (if I'm counting correctly) and they all carry no more than 700 passengers...I think that's a small percentage of the market.

[hubofhockey]

Just wondering... why is that some people have to so... rude and mean? It was just a friendly question? Nothing more nothing less?

 

For some reason, this topic is very emotional for devotees of formal nights. I actually agree with you about formal nights. One of these per weeklong cruise is more than enough. We'll go to one and go to a specialty restaurant the evening of the other. We like specialty restaurants anyway so missing one formal night is not a big deal.

[bdjam]

It is a sensitive topic here. And, it often gets started because it produces a lively (if short-lived) debate. Personally, I don't have a problem with dressing up. And I don't have a problem with people who don't. What I do have a problem with is the likelihood of having to pay extra just to take that bag full of nice clothes with me. I've said it before and I will repeat it...arguments here won't put an end to formal nights, but the airlines probably will.

Oh come on Rob - the way you look dressed up - formal tux or regular suit - is worth the extra fee for the bag on the plane.

One of these per weeklong cruise is more than enough. We'll go to one and go to a specialty restaurant the evening of the other. We like specialty restaurants anyway so missing one formal night is not a big deal.

Now I would not go to the trouble of packing formal wear for only one night.

[JustinPlusLauren]

I LOVE formal nights!! It is really the one chance that I get to dress up and wear my nice jewelry and dresses that otherwise just sit in the closet! My fiance loves getting dressed up too. I have even been tempted enough to buy a new dress each time we cruise :)

 

I can totally understand that it might not be some people's thing. The only thing I would think of is to maybe eat in the dining room for breakfast or lunch, and go to the buffets / the grill / pizzeria for the formal nights? I guess there are enough places to eat on the cruise ship where you could avoid getting dressed up if you wanted to!

 

With that said, I think it is important to abide by the "rules" of the dining halls - to dress appropriately on the evenings where nights are "formal" and "smart casual" ... I have seen people wear jeans on the smart casual night, and I don't really feel that is appropriate, especially since I tend to get dressed up a bit even on the smart casual nights ;) Maybe I just like getting dressed up, hehe.

 

Also, I have seen people wear their bathing suits into the Horizon Court buffet area...thank goodness someone told them that they can't eat in any dining rooms in their bathing suit, even if it is just the buffet!

[rdsqrl]

what a wonderful image! stroll elegantly to the table. eat my fill of the lovely dinner and waddle off to the theatre--okay, the waddling part not so glamourous!

Hey, hey, hey! Okay, so maybe I did have a totally-unneeded piece of chocolate cake at teatime this afternoon, but I most certainly DON'T waddle. It's physically impossible to waddle in my Jimmy Choos! Teeter precariously on those stiletto heels, maybe, but waddle? -- never! But, you have a point, formal night is definitely NOT the night for seconds on dessert!

[katier825]

I'd say someone is trying to stir up another raucous discussion. The answer to this poster is that there are plenty of cruise lines that do not offer the formal nights that he or she feels are dreaded. Princess is not the cruise line for you, there are better choices, cancel your Crown Princess cruise before you regret it.

 

I'll wait to say any more until the discussion gets interesting. :rolleyes:

 

I think it's rather rude to say that Princess isn't the line for the OP just because they don't want to participate in the formal nights. I am Platinum on Princess and also do not participate in formal nights. I've been on other lines, and prefer Princess for their food, entertainment and service. So I will continue to cruise Princess and most likely, will not participate in formal nights. I don't care what others do and I will never understand why people would care what I do. If someone I never met before has a lousy cruise because I wore dress slacks rather than an evening gown, I feel sorry for them!

 

To the OP: don't cancel! Go and enjoy your cruise!

[Clutterlady]

On our Emerald cruise in March, we have decided (for the first time), not to take formal clothes with us. Yes, we will eat at the buffet.

 

My DH will dress in dockers, nice shirt and I will wear something "pretty". We always dress this way for dinner. And no, I will not cruise another line because I don't want to do formal this time around. I happen to enjoy Princess very much and totally respect those that like formal. And probably on our cruise we are planning after the Emerald we will do formal again....who knows:)

 

When we were on our CB cruise in May, many people changed into casual clothing after formal night. I really don't think it's a matter of right or wrong. Just what's comfortable for cruiser:D

[bdjam]

I think it's rather rude to say that Princess isn't the line for the OP just because they don't want to participate in the formal nights. I am Platinum on Princess and also do not participate in formal nights. I've been on other lines, and prefer Princess for their food, entertainment and service. So I will continue to cruise Princess and most likely, will not participate in formal nights. I don't care what others do and I will never understand why people would care what I do. If someone I never met before has a lousy cruise because I wore dress slacks rather than an evening gown, I feel sorry for them!

 

To the OP: don't cancel! Go and enjoy your cruise!

The original poster indicated that he or she would not be happy with the casual alternatives that Princess offers on formal nights. There are other cruise lines that would give him or her the exact type of on board experience they seek. As another poster has indicated, Oceania or Azamara are two places to start.

 

If one is on a Princess ship and chooses not to participate in formal nights, and then flaunts the guidelines by dressing casually and entering the dining room instead of taking advantage of the casual alternatives offered...who's rude?

On our Emerald cruise in March, we have decided (for the first time), not to take formal clothes with us. Yes, we will eat at the buffet.

 

My DH will dress in dockers, nice shirt and I will wear something "pretty". We always dress this way for dinner. And no, I will not cruise another line because I don't want to do formal this time around. I happen to enjoy Princess very much and totally respect those that like formal.

Thank you for being good Princess citizens.

[SheltieLady]

I love formal nights love to get all dressed up and dh looks good in a tux, especially in the white dinner jacket.

 

Christine

[hubofhockey]

Oh come on Rob - the way you look dressed up - formal tux or regular suit - is worth the extra fee for the bag on the plane.

 

Now I would not go to the trouble of packing formal wear for only one night.

 

It's nothing I don't already do for out-of-town weddings and bar mitzvahs. I guess it has more to do with not wanting to get too dressed up on a Caribbean vacation. Before we had kids, we'd take land vacations and go to great restaurants in Grand Case, St Martin. People there dressed nice but not formal because it's the Caribbean and that's the way I feel on a cruise. But I don't mind doing one of them. I may even lug the tux. For the other, it will be Crown Grill or Sabatinis. Of course, my wife very well could talk me into going to both formal nights and it's not worth an argument, especially on vacation. :eek:

 

I don't know why someone wouldn't like alternative to formal night. You can get buffet or crown grill/sterling or sabatinis. Those seem to be reasonable choices.

[kruisey]

There are only a very few of them in any cruise for instance on a 29 day cruise only 5 nights are formal......24 are smart casual.

For heavens sakes moaners and groaners most of the nights are casual.Let we who love formal nights dressing up also enjoy the very few formal nights

we are given .;)

[e71465]

I dress every night for dinner in a skirt and blouse or nice pants and blouse. Liking or disliking formal night has nothing to do with being able to afford Princess? Just because some of us prefer not to participate in formal night, doesn't mean we are lower class? Everyone has likes and dislikes and just because someone doesn't think the way you do, it doesn't mean they don't have the right to their opinion?

 

Oh and by the way, I am Platinum on Princess and I don't want to cruise another cruise line as I enjoy it very much.

[jwave]

I agree with the OP. I love Princess and don't want to go to another line. I am however, sick of dressing up on vacation. Apparently, I am different than many other posters, as I DO get to put on the formal wear several times a year. I would love to be relaxed on vacation and not get dolled up. I don't want to eat in the buffet.

 

However, if that is the attire for the evening I will abide or eat in the buffet. I am, if nothing else, an anal retentive rule follower. One day, maybe, I will feel like spending the extra money and get a suite, so I can be served the dining room menu , course by course, on my balcony, in my casual attire. Ahhhhhhhhhhhh, one can dream.

[jwave]

I don't think there is anything wrong with the OP asking the question. Maybe he just wanted to see if it really was the majority longing for formal night.

 

 

Apparently it is.

[Bookish Angel]

Not that we don't own formal wear - we do. However, neither of us want to dress formally, for any amount of time, on vacation.

 

Really, it's not a big deal - we just go to an alternate dining venue on formal night.

[Sissy Ruth]

I would suggest that you choose a line without them, or with enough alternative restaurants in which you'd be more comfortable. For some of us, formal night is an unusual treat. I get a little tired of wearing my everyday clothes, but would be a little out-of-place in my formal gown otherwise! I love the old-fashioned bustle of putting on one's very best, enjoying one's resplendent countenance, and admiring the finery of others. Certainly nobody will force you to dress formally, but perhaps another line would suit you more. Otherwise--when in Rome, you know--

 

It matters not to me, one way or the other, but we just returned from

Rome, and everyone I saw was wearing designer jeans.

[49er]

When we were on the Emerald this past May (12 day Med cruise) we chose to dine at the Crown Grill for both formal nights. We were dressed in Formal attire but many others were not (but still neatly dressed) and it did not bother us one iota. We had great meals in a wonderful atmosphere and that was the most important thing for us.

We did feel that the bar had been lowered a bit on the "smart casual" attire requirements. We saw several folks in jeans, tee shirts and flip flops in the main dining rooms. That was a first.

 

49er