How "formal" is "formal night?

ohanafour · #1 (**permalink**) February 7th, 2006, 08:54 PM

I'm going on my first cruise on the Golden Princess to the Southern Caribbean and wanted to know how formal I need to dress for the two nights...Are a very nice pair of slacks and a sequined top with jacket (all black) and heels appropriate enough or do you HAVE to wear a cocktail dress? Any suggestions would be appreciated for relieving the stress! Thanks...

Rev22:17 · #2 (**permalink**) February 7th, 2006, 09:37 PM

ohanafour,

I'm going on my first cruise on the Golden Princess to the Southern Caribbean and wanted to know how formal I need to dress for the two nights...Are a very nice pair of slacks and a sequined top with jacket (all black) and heels appropriate enough or do you HAVE to wear a cocktail dress? Any suggestions would be appreciated for relieving the stress! Thanks...

By all standard of social etiquette, "formal" means "black tie" -- "tuxedo" or other dinner jackets for gentlemen (worn with bow tie and cummerbund or vest, ruffled or pleated shirt with studs and cuff links, the formal pants that have the silk tape stripes in the outer seams, etc.) and gowns, full length dresses, or formal cocktail dresses for ladies. Most cruise lines, including Princess, admit dark -- and I do mean DARK -- business suits as an accommodation to genlemen who don't own "black tie" outfits. IIRC, Princess also admits formal pant suits for ladies.

You probably can wear your sequined top with a full length skirt (either black or coordinating) on a formal evening, either with or without the jacket. With the slacks, it would be suitable for a "smart casual" evening, again either with or without the jacket.

There probably will be a few people who don't conform to the dress code, but they probably will be a fairly small minority on a Southern Caribbean itinerary. You'll feel much more comfortable in the event if you conform.

Norm.

ohanafour · #3 (**permalink**) February 7th, 2006, 10:11 PM

Thanks! thats what I needed to hear......I'll stop stressing and start shopping!

LisaK · #4 (**permalink**) February 8th, 2006, 08:56 AM

Norm is exactly right!
i would pair up your sequined top with a dressy full-lenght skirt or a pair of dressy palatzzo(sp?) pants. You can never go wrong with a dressy little black cocktail dress.

ohanafour · #5 (**permalink**) February 8th, 2006, 09:37 PM

Thanks again! shopping here I come!

hazelson · #6 (**permalink**) February 9th, 2006, 01:48 AM

I wore black silky slacks and a fancy sweater on our Princess cruise on formal night and fit right in - didn't even see anything overly fancy. Go with what looks good on you and you feel good in.

Have fun!

ttfn Jennifer

Fern · #7 (**permalink**) February 9th, 2006, 08:07 PM

Hi ohanafour,

I agree with Jen.

A silky, satiny pair of slacks and a "sparkly" top will be fine. There will be women in everything from "church, go-to-meeting" clothes to leftover prom dresses and the "I'll NEVER wear this again!" bridesmaid dresses!

I think what you described will be fine! I've always worn silk slacks and a "sparkly" top and never felt out of place.

Have a wonderful cruise!

ohanafour · #8 (**permalink**) February 9th, 2006, 08:57 PM

Thanks for the help...it helps takes the stress out of it...I hear the word "formal" and like you said I think of prom dresses..and theres no way! Can't wait till the trip!

LisaK · #9 (**permalink**) February 10th, 2006, 08:43 AM

glad that we can be of some help. That's what we are here for, a lot of people totally "freak out" when they think about formal dressing, only because they don't truly know what it means, so if we can de-stress your shopping just a bit then all is well!