Formal Evening Dilemma

Carnival Dream Cruise Review to Caribbean - Western

Cruises: 4-6 cruises
Review: 1
Helpful Votes: 6

Overall rating:

3 out of 5
Verified Review
Carnival Dream

7 Night Western Caribbean (New Orleans Roundtrip)

Sail date: August 09, 2015

Ship: Carnival Dream

Cabin type: Balcony

Cabin number: 11265

Traveled as: Family (older children)

Reviewed: 9 years ago

Review summary

The pools were overcrowded and too small.  The lines for the water park were extremely long.  Needed to wait on lines for breakfast and lunch buffet.  

We were not informed of formal evenings.  My son had a dressy pair of shorts and long sleeve shirt and they would not allow him to attend the sit down dinner.  We spoke to maitre d' and he informed us to go eat to the buffet section for dinner.  It was quite embarrassing for us overall.  My husband went back to the room to give my son his long pants to wear ( the only pair my husband had).  My daughter, my son, and I had dinner together without my husband.  My son then went back to the room to give my husband back his pants in order for my husband to come down to dinner. 

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

3 out of 5
Only one specialty restaurant and one major restaurant.

Onboard Activities

3 out of 5

Entertainment

3 out of 5

Children's Programs

3 out of 5

Service and Staff

5 out of 5

Cabin / Stateroom

5 out of 5
Well kept and maintained. Very clean and comfortable.

Ship tip

11th floor ideal. Walk right out and are next to the pool area and the dining area for breakfast and lunch.

Ports of call

New Orleans, Louisiana

5 out of 5

Mahogany Bay, Roatan, Bay Islands, Honduras

5 out of 5

Belize City, Belize

5 out of 5

Cozumel, Mexico

5 out of 5
Was this review helpful? 6

25 Comments

pipoetic    9 years ago

For formal nights, exactly what attire is acceptable for boys? 6 and 16

kfrancis393    9 years ago

Your Bio said 4-6 cruises. By this time you know how formal nights work. It is a special night for people to go elegant and act civilized as cruising was once the most elegant form of transportation. For two nights out of seven, if you don't want to dress up or didn't bring sufficient apparel to comply with the rules, GO TO THE BUFFET!  It seems in your review, you are laying blame on Carnival when you are very likely mad at yourself for poor planning. They do post the expectations in the FUN TIMES bulletin and they post the hours of operation for the buffet. I hate it that you did not enjoy your cruise and I hope that with better planning your family will get the most out of your next voyage. 

mlcrew    9 years ago

What is this?? you both should grow up. people come here to read reviews and get advice they can use at their discretion. not read idiotic posts.

andreashaeee    9 years ago

It didn't. You're just cynical. And you look not even 30 so I'm sorry but....back in the day?

WhodatRalph    9 years ago

We dressed up for formal nights on our first cruise but have done so since. It seemed a waste to bring dress up clothes just to go to dinner. I believe it is just so that they can take more pictures for people to buy.

andreashaeee    9 years ago

I dress up any chance I can get. But what others wear around me has no bearing on whether I have a good dinner or not

tooteebug    9 years ago

you have a good point...I agree bc I'm one of those who likes to look pretty lol

tooteebug    9 years ago

I don't think you should wear khaki shorts to church, but why so hostile? lol

lbk1009    9 years ago

even if you just looked at the pretty pictures on the website, youd see how people were dressed in the restaurants, etc.

andreashaeee    9 years ago

Yeah? Lol

tooteebug    9 years ago

@tngurl they did on my last 2

tooteebug    9 years ago

you must do your research beforehand! I'm a researcher naturally so I knew...that sucks but you can't be mad, it's all over the website

andreashaeee    9 years ago

I think khaki shorts would be totally acceptable for a formal dinner

chrst2dn    9 years ago

I've been on one carnival and one on another cruise line and I've seen lots of people in the elegant dining nights not wearing the appropriate elegant clothing but they were never kicked out. Flip flops and tank tops and shorts.

andreashaeee    9 years ago

I mean people can be the same size in things. That doesn't really have anything to do with anything lol

lbk1009    9 years ago

It's all available in the Carnival website under FAQs...lot of good information there if you choose to fo a little research. Just sayin'...

pepper0430    9 years ago

We are in 10 days for our anniversary cruise.

andreashaeee    9 years ago

Any cruise over five days has two elegant nights. Under five days has one.

tngurl    9 years ago

Thank you!

andreashaeee    9 years ago

They do publish it in the fun times still.

tngurl    9 years ago

They used to publish Elegant nights and dress code in the Fun Times... Do they not do that anymore? We leave in 2 weeks and any info in if this changed is appreciated.

andreashaeee    9 years ago

Ah, first cruise. Bummer you didn't know about the formal evenings but yes there are lines for most things since well, you aren't the only person on the boat.....

alison35452    9 years ago

That is crazy. My son wore nice shorts and dress shirts except for the steak house

CHIRPIE    9 years ago

So silly.

jeanmccarter65    9 years ago

I have seen men wear shorts in dining room :(

Other reviews of this sailing