Formal nights

The traditional formal night concept has past its due date for a large segment of the cruising public. Yes, there are those who have cruised for decades and remain ensconced in the old school ways. There seem to be a couple holdouts willing to maintain the old school approach. People who do not want to change will gravitate to those options (assuming loss of their advanced frequent cruiser status doesn't override their desire to get dressed up on designated nights). I've stated this previously, there is an opportunity for keeping dining options open so that one's assigned dining room is not only traditional dining times BUT also traditional dining dress codes. As new ships come online, I expect to see many more MDR options.

We too have noticed the changes in dress codes on all cruise lines. We still dress up a bit but I have to say sometimes for me, even on a formal night, I will wear dark (indigo or black) dress jeans with a sparkly top. My husband always wears a dress shirt & tie and sports jacket. On HAL he brings a Tux for long cruises. We now get free laundry.

On Carnival, specifically, we dress less formally - my husband never brings a Tux for Carnival. I do not wear long dress on any Carnival cruise now. My husband will take a dark sports jacket, dress shirts & ties for the dressier nights.

Sad to say, the days of elegant formal clothes on cruises is going by the wayside. Passengers still should not show up in the dining room looking like they just left the pool. I've seen men wearing baseball hats and flip flops at night in the MDR. Even on Carnival that should be discouraged. I have heard announcements in the MDR explaining what should not be worn into dinner. However, with weight limits on luggage for air travel, I accept that passengers can no longer lug formal clothes on cruises.

Actually, one of the reasons we like cruising on Princess is being encouraged to dress in formal clothing. We both enjoy dressing-up and seeing others dressed to the nines is enjoyable. The world needs more "James Bond" type fellows. I have several gowns from all the years my DH was active duty, it is so nice to have a place where I can wear them.

[quote=ToddTheCruiser]

I hope the formal nights don't leave. I know its YOUR vacation and dress the way you want to but I don't see what the big issue is dressing nicely for a evening.

I think even for the worst of us. The Tux is a James Bondish thing.... Even I look good in a tux....

I hope the formal nights don't leave. I know its YOUR vacation and dress the way you want to but I don't see what the big issue is dressing nicely for a evening.

The formal nights will probably be done away with as the cruisers change. I kind of like the notion of dressing up, It's like getting all spruce up for Christmas dinner when we were kids.

And, Yes, I own a tux....

We wear church clothes - dress or skirt and pretty top with heels for me, and dress pants with button down shirt for hubby- a tie on the first elegant only.

On the Ecstacy a year ago, men in dress shorts and nice shirts were turned away but a few minutes later a different hostess permitted a couple of guys in torn jeans and muscle shirts in. We were by the MDR entrance, watching an entertainer below in the lobby lounge so we saw the difference in what was permitted.

What people wear has no affect on my dinner or diningroom enjoyment but I wish it was constant, especially for each evening.

I usually wear dress pants & a shirt with a collar & tie.

I was just on the Victory last May for the 4 night Concert cruise, I wore nice jeans and a fancy long sleeve shirt and dark shoes, I was fine. Two years ago I was on the Glory for a 7 night cruise and I wore a pair of Dockers with a dress shirt and tie and was fine, some people still dressed up in sport coat or suite, but shirt and tie were just fine. When I have to fly cross country for a cruise I do not like to have to pack a large case and a suite (then I have to pay for checked bag).

It is your vacation, be comfortable and dress how you like, It is Carnival after all not Cunard.

I cruised on last June and wore my suit. The one in my photo. I dont think I will bother with it again. Just pants shrt and tie or skip it all together.