formal night wear?

[curt]

i had no intention of bringing anything but nice casual clothes for dinner. is there some requirement to dress up on certain nights--looks like i wont be eating if so

[froggie620]

99% of cruise lines has at least one formal night. For men this can be anything from wearing a tux to a nice pair of slacks with a matching dinner jacket. If you want to go "smart casual", stand at the entrance to the restaurant and watch all the other men going in. If you feel like you won't feel out of place in your casual clothes then walk in behind them and enjoy your meal.

If you think you will feel out of place I am sure you will find plenty of other people on board eating at one of the buffet lines.

From a woman's point of view - I love formal nights and dressing up even if it is just for a few hours.


Royal Caribbean's Voyager of the Seas - January 2008
NCL SUN - January 2007
Carnival :evil: Conquest - September 2005

[Donna]

Hi Curt,
Depending on the length of your cruise, there will be one or two "formal" nights. All you need is a dark suit, while some will wear tux's, thats not necessary. You can pack 2 shirts, wear the same suit. ITs really fun, and those evenings in the dining room are a lot of fun and it includes a good menu, I don't think you want to miss it.

[Irish Shark]

See if these links help any ...

http://www.royalcaribbean.com/custom...34&faqType=faq

http://www.royalcaribbean.com/before...K6TJ:10ktdmpjo

[RCscoop]

Originally Posted by curt

i had no intention of bringing anything but nice casual clothes for dinner. is there some requirement to dress up on certain nights--looks like i wont be eating if so

Hi Curt. You don't mention which ship you're booked on, I'll assume you're booked on RCI since you asked on this board. To add to what the others said, you do have other options if you don't want to dress up in either a tux or dark suit. Generally, that is the traditional and expected dress to wear on the formal nights at the main or alternative restaurants.

On RCI ships, the Windjammer is much more casual. Another option on the Voyager or Freedom class is Johnny Rockets for ultra casual. On Radiance class ships there's the Sea View Cafe.

Hope this helps, Steve

[Rev22:17]

froggie620,

Originally Posted by You

99% of cruise lines has at least one formal night. For men this can be anything from wearing a tux to a nice pair of slacks with a matching dinner jacket.

Ahh... Are you perhaps confusing a dinner jacket with a "blazer" or sport coat? They are not the same. No gentleman ever wears a dinner jacket with slacks. How gauche!

A dinner jacket is the coat of a "black tie" outfit, always worn with a pleated shirt, bow tie, formal trousers (with satin inserts in the outseams), and vest or cummerbund. A "tuxedo" actually is a black dinner jacket of a specific style that was introduced at an exclusive social club in the Adirondaks named The Tuxedo Club, from which the name stuck.

Norm.

[Rev22:17]

curt,

Originally Posted by You

i had no intention of bringing anything but nice casual clothes for dinner. is there some requirement to dress up on certain nights--looks like i wont be eating if so

One of the unique features of cruising is the tradition that started on the grand ocean liners of holding about two "formal" evenings per week or so during the cruise. Most of the major cruise lines now offer some sort of alternative dining, which may be a buffet, where casual attire is acceptable, but you might want to consider two important points before committing yourself to doing that.

>> 1. Many cruise lines have little or no alternative evening entertainment for those who choose not to participate in the "formal" evenings. I'm not sure what Royal Caribbean may or may not offer in this regard, but I also can't guarantee that your options won't be limited to reruns of old television programs and "pay per view" movies on your cabin television.

>> 2. In keeping with the tradition of the grand liners, the "formal" evenings are the evenings when the ship's staff pulls out all the stops. The dining room puts on the best menus and the ship's cast puts on its best shows. Many cruise lines also hold special events on these evenings that require proper attire, and that invariably are some of the most memorable moments of each cruise.

If you don't own formalwear, that is not a problem. In fact, most cruise lines now have fairly priced rental services that will deliver formalwear of your choosing to your cabin on embarkation day and collect it after you vacate your cabin at the end of the cruise. Thus, you don't have to pack anything. It could not be easier.

So let me encourage you to join the fancy parties during your cruise. The cruise lines really do make it worth your while to don proper attire for the "formal" evenings!

Norm.

[curt]

steve--suck it up and answer-will i have to fight my way to my table as i will not be wearing formal dress--i seriosly doubt i am the first who wont wear such garb on their vacation

[Paul B]

I would not worry about wearing formal wear around the ship after dinner on RCI, Carnival and Princess. Many men change to comfortable dress slacks and a sports shirt for the after dinner activities. In fact, you will see some in shorts and T- shirts at the show and in the casino.

So, even if you don't wish to go into the dining room all dressed up and eat in the buffet instead, you will be fine wearing casual clothing all around the ship.

[curt]

thanks for the input-rtfq