Please help with advise on first cruise

[Jamie Girling]

Hi my names Jamie and in October I am going on a 17 night cruise around the med with my parents. We haven't been on a cruise before and we don't know what to expect. Can you please assist in the following so we enjoy the cruise without worrying about fitting in.

 

How many formal nights will we have?

 

How do you dress for formal nights. I am 19 and my parents are 45 and 44

 

how do you dress for informal nights?

 

All silly questions I know but we want to enjoy the cruise and not arrive on the ship ill prepared

 

Thanks everyone

Jamie

[travelntreats]

Hi my names Jamie and in October I am going on a 17 night cruise around the med with my parents. We haven't been on a cruise before and we don't know what to expect. Can you please assist in the following so we enjoy the cruise without worrying about fitting in.

 

How many formal nights will we have?

 

How do you dress for formal nights. I am 19 and my parents are 45 and 44

 

how do you dress for informal nights?

 

All silly questions I know but we want to enjoy the cruise and not arrive on the ship ill prepared

 

Thanks everyone

Jamie

Probably would be best if you post this on the cruiseline board you are sailing on and be specific to the ship as well. There will probably be many members that have sailed that ship and possibly that itinerary that can help you out more. Also check out the "Roll Call" boards to see if others are on your specific sailing as well. Best of luck and enjoy your cruise !

[138east]

Not silly questions at all. 17 nights is a long cruise. Sounds like a fabulous trip. On most ships the women can get away with a cocktail dress, a long dress (not a gown), or black dressy pants and a fancy top. The men can wear a suit and a tie. Some cruise lines will be a bit more formal and some more casual. Check the boards for your particular cruise line. For less formal nights, a nice pair of pants and a top are acceptable. The reality is on a 17 day cruise you will have to do some laundry at some point. Check if your cruise line has laundry facilities or if you must pay them to do the wash. Plan to wear your outfits more than once. I think of my long dresses as my costumes. I put them on before dinner and take them off immediately after. I have no problem wearing them more than once. You probably have stuff in your closet already that is appropriate. There are no fashion police - and you will never see these folks again.

[Solo Cruiser]

Hello Jamie and welcome to Cruise Critic. Congratulations on your first cruise and such a nice one!!

 

I typically wear a floor length black skirt (1 black chiffon and 1 black travel knit) with a sparkly top for formal nights but sometimes substitute fancy black pants for the skirt. These take up next to no room in the suitcase and are completely appropriate. If you have some old prom or bridesmaid's dresses around you may want to wear them. If not, hit the discount stores (Stein Mart, Ross, TJ Maxx) and enjoy getting ready for great dress up nights. Have a super cruise.

[Valeen]

If you are male or female think "PROM NIGHT" for the on ship formal events. You'll likely have 2 to 3 formal nights. If your cruise includes going to Monte Carlo, I'm told they no longer permit casual dress in the casino during the day, (and they charge a fee to get in too, so you will need to be "dressed up" if you decide to go inside.) For men a tux or a suit is fine on formal nights, some men just wear a sports coat, dress shirt and tie. Women have more options - long gowns, shorter "cocktail" dresses, long skirts or palazzo pants with mix and match tops - any of those will be seen on formal night. The P. pants with a variety of tops will be a good choice for most night and some day activities. For casual nights think about what you would wear to a wedding party as a guest. For day and tours, Guys are fine in "Dockers" brand type casuals - pants and shirts. People all ages still wear jeans on the ship and everywere else. NICE JEANS!!! Not the hole in the fabric kind. During the day and for most tours, nice, conservative, casual sports clothing will do. On tours women and men should avoid short shorts and tank-tops. It WILL be HOT weather, but shirts with at least short sleeves, and pants, or skirts, that at least touch the knee, will not get you glared at, leered at, or turned away. Avoid: transparent clothing, tight clothing, showing cleavage, and shirts with any words or pictures that could be offensive to anyone. Avoid "looking American" - Avoid wearing jewlery and toting a "designer" bag or anything else looking worth snatching. Women might find it handy to pack a pretty shawl to use for a variety of situations on and off ship. Since you are in the MED. most of the passengers will be older people - older than your parents. PLUS you will be going to places on shore where "Conservative - modest" dress is the key to being considered "respectable and appropriate" When packing clothing think "elegant/dignified/comfortable", not "sexy" or "designer". For the pool on the ship or the beaches, in most places what ever is popular is fine, but between the beach and the ship you'll need to be covered up again. Take good walking shoes, no thin high heels for ladies (you are on a moving ship - take fat heels - a fall or a twisted ankle can put an end to your fun), take a pair of non slippy sole shoes/sandels for the pool area. If you have to buy new athletic shoes do not buy a high priced pair - get cheap comfortable. Honestly! - We were warned in a port in Africa that tourists are grabbed and their new looking, popular style, shoes are pulled right off their feet. (I always take a slightly shabby comfy pair for walking). If you are male or female - DO NOT get into any "alone with a new friend" situation, on ship or off. Keep together with your group when on land. English is spoken everywhere, but not by everyone. May you all have a wonderful trip!