Formal Night? How formal?

[Kelcin]

Some of the treads on here mention 'tuxedos' for dinner. :cool:

 

Is this on the longer cruises? Because I'm only 13th - 16th and I hate the idea of having to pack an evening gown. I mean seriously, if guys are expected to wear tuxedos, then I'm thinking a little sundress or cute top with capris won't do.

 

And I'm really hoping this 'formal' doesn't apply to the Monarch for this few days.

 

Any input is greatly appreciated.

[Houndmom]

Some of the treads on here mention 'tuxedos' for dinner. :cool:

 

Is this on the longer cruises? Because I'm only 13th - 16th and I hate the idea of having to pack an evening gown. I mean seriously, if guys are expected to wear tuxedos, then I'm thinking a little sundress or cute top with capris won't do.

 

And I'm really hoping this 'formal' doesn't apply to the Monarch for this few days.

 

Any input is greatly appreciated.

 

 

I took a three nighter on the Monarch, and unfortunately, "formal" pretty much means "formal."

 

That doesn't mean evening gown, though. Not all the guys will be in tuxes. Some guys will be in shirts and ties with sport coats. If your guy isn't wearing a tux, you could easily get away with a skirt and sparkly top, sundress in a flowy fabric like georgette or charmeuse, or even a matte jersey Little Black Dress with some pretty accessories! Cocktail dresses are always appropriate on formal nights. Evening gown packing is not necessary.

 

Here are some ideas:

(I have this one in purple)

 

 

 

Crinkle cotton sundresses with a dressy feel:

 

 

Hope this helps.

[cb at sea]

That's what "formal" means---tuxes and gowns. If not, then a dark suit and cocktail dress will do. You don't have to wear a "ballgown", but formal does imply a bit of "effort" in as far as you don't wear "everyday" clothes!

[63Corvette]

Last Month on the Miracle, I wore a dark suit and my Wife wore a nice dress. There were a few tuxedos, but not as many as we have seen on previous cruises. Carnival no longer calls it "formal" night - they refer to it as "Elegant" night, and the sugested dress is much less formal than before. I think that a lot of people were under dressed for Dinner, but doesn't bother me. Everyone had a great time and wonderful meal.

[JSQ01]

I have seen all kinds of outfits on formal nights, but rarely do I see a tux on men on Carnival or RCI. Dresses range from the pictures posted above to sparkly cocktail dresses. You don't have to wear a cocktail dress. Something more than capris and a nice top will be expected though. I usually wear a dress with a wrap. I am soooo not in to cocktail and ballgowns.

[forensic]

Some of the treads on here mention 'tuxedos' for dinner. :cool:

 

Is this on the longer cruises? Because I'm only 13th - 16th and I hate the idea of having to pack an evening gown. I mean seriously, if guys are expected to wear tuxedos, then I'm thinking a little sundress or cute top with capris won't do.

 

And I'm really hoping this 'formal' doesn't apply to the Monarch for this few days.

 

Any input is greatly appreciated.

 

I am afraid you hit a real hot button here!

 

Formal! You know: F O R M A L

 

Black tie (known in the United State and Canada generally as a tuxedo)

 

is today worn at a wide variety of functions, and the corresponding female attire can range from a short cocktail dress to a long gown, depending on fashion, local custom and the hour at which the function takes place.

[Houndmom]

This is copied directly from the Royal Caribbean website regarding dinner dress code:

 

"Suggested guidelines for these nights are:

Casual: Sport shirts and slacks for men, sundresses or pants for women

Smart Casual: Jackets and ties for men, dresses or pantsuits for women

Formal: Suits and ties or tuxedos for men, cocktail dresses for women"

 

No matter how anyone else defines "formal," this is what RCI calls "formal" as it applies to their dining room. If you follow the guidelines of the cruise line, you'll fit right in. I've worn both long dresses and cocktail-length dresses on RCI, and never felt out of place.

:)

 

Of course there are other dining options available for those who just don't like to dress up. The same menu is usually available in the Windjammer Cafe, or you can order it via room service in your own stateroom.

 

The debate rages on, and probably will for a loooooooooooooong time. I think of "formal" as black tie. What I see on RCI is what I would call "semi-formal," but they have chosen to call it "formal night," and I doubt they will change it anytime soon. Semantics, semantics. As long as people follow the guidelines set by the cruise line, I don't get my panties in a bunch about it. And if they don't follow the guidelines, I assume they'll get turned away at the door. Problem solved.

 

OK, now that the can is open, worms, anyone? :)

[Essiesmom]

There is nothing more versatile than the proverbial 'little black dress'. Most catalogs offer a black dress for travel...you add jewelry and voila! You have your formal. Another formal night, different jewelry and a different shawl...new outfit. They take up minimal space and don't wrinkle. EM

[Houndmom]

There is nothing more versatile than the proverbial 'little black dress'. Most catalogs offer a black dress for travel...you add jewelry and voila! You have your formal. Another formal night, different jewelry and a different shawl...new outfit. They take up minimal space and don't wrinkle. EM

 

 

So true! Jewelry, shawls or beaded jackets, and beautiful shoes can really dress up a LBD. :)

[trish1c]

I love formal nights & getting dressed up but in my experience, the shorter the cruise the more liberal the definition of formal. I would never again pack a tux & gown for a short < 4 night cruise. A LBD for me & a suit for him (OK maybe a tux b/c it's the same amount of schleping). I may even opt to skip it.

 

On a longer cruise it varies -- flyaway pants & a sequined top seems to be the outfit of the day but you will see everything in between.

[Kelcin]

Wow, such an innocent question, or so it seemed...lol

 

Thank you everyone.

 

I'm dressing formal every time you turn around for one thing or another. These few days will be 'My Time' so rather than stress over whether or not someone will be offended by my 'semi-casual-not-black-tie-long-short-black-sequined' outfit, I'll chill in the Windjammer.

 

:)

[Houndmom]

Wow, such an innocent question, or so it seemed...lol

 

Thank you everyone.

 

I'm dressing formal every time you turn around for one thing or another. These few days will be 'My Time' so rather than stress over whether or not someone will be offended by my 'semi-casual-not-black-tie-long-short-black-sequined' outfit, I'll chill in the Windjammer.

 

:)

 

Hey, its your VACATION! Do whatever makes you happy! ;)

 

Have a wonderful time!

[2sunny]

Hey, its your VACATION! Do whatever makes you happy! ;)

 

Have a wonderful time!

 

 

I am glad you feel that way - because what makes me happy is having people thrown out of the dining room on formal night that have not followed the rules.

 

You can write on this board until the cows comes home - telling folks to do what they want "it is your vacation" BUT if you come dressed like you are going to a Biker Bar instead of a Formal Dinner you need to hope I am not there with you. The last one that made the mistake of being at the table next to me showed up in his jeans, graphic tee, black leather jacket, and motorcycle boots and a rag on his head. Maybe that was his idea of formal but not mine and not RCCL. I nicely asked that maitre d' to ask him to leave, when he saw the way the man was dressed he apologized to everyone at our table and immediately ask the man to leave the dining room. He assured him he could have the same dinner somewhere else but NOT in the main dining room and NOT dressed like THAT!

 

Loved it - if you act like a fool you get to be shown up as a fool!:rolleyes:

[Kelcin]

:rolleyes: uh, I'm not even sure I know where to start with that one 'Houndmom'

 

All I can say is I hope you and I are never seated at the same table. I'd love to see you try and have me removed because I was wearing capris and a nice top as I 'asked about' previously. Wow.

 

What if someone couldn't afford any better? What if they were given the trip, won the trip or something, who knows but what if all they wanted was to experience what dinner with someone like you would be like.

 

The purpose of this forum is to get questions answered. Not to have judgement passed.

 

By requesting that person be moved you could have missed one of the most entertaining dinner conversations ever. Now, if he were not clean, or was smelly, that's different but I'm sure it wouldn't have killed you to sit there for an hour or so. Or maybe it would have, who knows.

 

I'm surprised you tolerate the 'staff' being around you long enough to serve you.

 

I have to dress formal all the time as part of being an affluent business owner so, I will enjoy my formal-free few days. And happily mingle with those dressed than 'formal'

[Kelcin]

My reply was directed to 2Sunny

 

NOT Houndmom.

 

(yep that's how angry I got reading it, couldn't even see straight)

 

To you Houndmom, my sincere aplogies.:)

[Houndmom]

I am glad you feel that way - because what makes me happy is having people thrown out of the dining room on formal night that have not followed the rules.

 

 

Loved it - if you act like a fool you get to be shown up as a fool!:rolleyes:

 

 

What a pleasant sentiment.

 

If you bothered to read my previous post, I said "IF YOU FOLLOW THE GUIDELINES OF THE CRUISE LINE YOU WILL FIT RIGHT IN."

 

The post you are ranting about was telling her it's HER VACATION, and if she wants to spend formal night in the Windjammer, and that makes her happy, then to go for it. I believe 100% that everyone should follow the rules. Had you bothered to aim before you shoot, you would know this from my previous posts.

 

If being nasty about what people post / wear makes you happy, you go for it too. I'm all for people having their own opinions.

 

Personally, I'd rather spend my vacation having fun with my husband, not getting my panties in a bunch over what other people wear. It's the cruise line's job to allow of disallow them in the dining room, not mine.

 

PS: With a degree in theatrical and costume design, I'd put my fashion sense up against anyone, any day. Bring it on. :p

[Houndmom]

My reply was directed to 2Sunny

 

NOT Houndmom.

 

(yep that's how angry I got reading it, couldn't even see straight)

 

To you Houndmom, my sincere aplogies.:)

 

No worries, doll. ;) I knew it wasn't directed at me.

Thanks for being considerate enough to say it, though.

[Houndmom]

By requesting that person be moved you could have missed one of the most entertaining dinner conversations ever.

 

Brava! :D I used to be a road musician (trying to pay my way through grad school), and some of my most interesting conversations were with people who, shall we say, "marched to a different drummer." Once we were playing a ski resort, and there was this guy that had raggy hair, beard, and generally looked like a homeless person. He was clean, wearing jeans and a sweatshirt. Nothing weird, but not "ski bunny chic" like the others in the bar. He was very well spoken, but no one would talk to him, and some even asked that he be removed. Turns out the guy was walking his way across the entire United States! Walking! For charity! Holy cow. I am SO glad I looked past my own prejudices to talk to this really interesting person (whose trek later turned up in an article in Newsweek.)

 

I have to dress formal all the time as part of being an affluent business owner so, I will enjoy my formal-free few days. And happily mingle with those dressed than 'formal'

 

Really? What kind of business are you in? Sounds interesting and stressful.

 

(And hey, I would be honored to have you come sit by me anytime.) :)

[Cymro1953]

Quote

I have to dress formal all the time as part of being an affluent business owner so, I will enjoy my formal-free few days. And happily mingle with those dressed than 'formal'

 

This is the one common element I've noticed in all the Dress Code threads. They take no account of those of us who have to wear uniform or suit, collar and tie all week for our professions and are glad to be casually dressed in our free time.

Going onthe stress levels induced by the topic you'l probably find the wife and I in the Windjammer on formal nights despite having the necessary clothing for dinner

[Houndmom]

Quote

you'l probably find the wife and I in the Windjammer on formal nights despite having the necessary clothing for dinner

 

I just don't get what some people find wrong with this! I stand by what I said before, flames and all. If it makes you happy to "eat casual" in the Windjammer on formal nights, do it and be happy. If you have to dress up at work all the time, I can understand why you want to dress down for a change!

 

(Putting on my flame-proof undies)

 

It's YOUR vacation. Be happy!:cool:

[asburyfamily]

I buy a new cumberbun and tie for My tux every year. We love to dress up and strut on the cruise. I also like flip flops and shorts during the day. It is fun to be james bond for a few hours( love seeing how many tuxes go play rulette in the casino after dinner lol:D

[trish1c]

There are a couple of different points being missed here.

1). the OP is going on a short cruise.

2). the discussion seemed to be wearing whatever someplace other than the dining room. Even the poster who mentioned having the other passanger in jeans removed from the dining room didn't seem to care where he went as long as it was out of that room.

[Houndmom]

I buy a new cumberbun and tie for My tux every year. We love to dress up and strut on the cruise. I also like flip flops and shorts during the day. It is fun to be james bond for a few hours( love seeing how many tuxes go play rulette in the casino after dinner lol:D

 

Hehe! I never thought of hubby as James Bond For A Day, but it's true! We don't get to dress up much at home, so it's one of the highlights of our vacation to get beautiful for each other. :rolleyes:

[2sunny]

Quote

I have to dress formal all the time as part of being an affluent business owner so, I will enjoy my formal-free few days. And happily mingle with those dressed than 'formal'

 

This is the one common element I've noticed in all the Dress Code threads. They take no account of those of us who have to wear uniform or suit, collar and tie all week for our professions and are glad to be casually dressed in our free time.

Going on the stress levels induced by the topic you'll probably find the wife and I in the Windjammer on formal nights despite having the necessary clothing for dinner

 

 

WOW you wore a suit, I am SO impressed:rolleyes:- my DH is a surgeon and when not is surgery and thus wearing scrubs he too wears a suit and tie. I worked in a business for 30 years where I was an Administrator and I dressed professionally also. I am retired from that business, but now own and run my own my business where I also dress as the occasion calls for.

 

None of this has 'anything' to do with people following the rules. If it is formal night on a ship, the passengers that wish to eat anywhere, other than their stateroom, are suppose to follow the dress code of the evening. My point was, if they do not wish to follow those rules, they should either stay in their stateroom for the evening OR choose not to cruise. I am not being mean, I am just being honest. I 'really' dislike all of the politically correct stuff. I do not say ANYTHING behind someone's back that I would not say to their face.

 

It is like a red light on the highway do you only have to stop if you feel like it? Or is 'everyone' suppose to follow the rule? I happen to believe if their is a rule or guideline it is for 'everyone'. I do not consider myself 'above' the rules why do you?

[63Corvette]

Formal Night dress codes only apply to the Main dining room/s. You do not have to dress in formal wear for other locations on the ship - so you do not have to stay in your room or quit cruising.