Formal Nights

B

bwalla

Guest
What is the real scoop on formal nights for dinner? Would a dark sports coat, slacks, and tie do the trick, or does it have to be a tux or dark suit? Thanks.
 
J

jedgar

Guest
Is there a dress code for the dining room?

Depending on the length of the cruise, either formal dress or casual resort wear is required in the Dining Room. The dress requirement for children is the same. For those not wanting to dress up, the Lido restaurants are open nightly (with the exception of the last evening of the cruise), and have a casual dress code. Formal Wear: tuxedo (optional); suit and tie; sport coat, tie and slacks; evening gown; cocktail dress; pantsuit . Casual Resort Wear: sport shirts and slacks; dresses; skirts; pantsuit NOTE: Shorts, t-shirts and bathing attire are not permitted in the Dining Room during dinner.
 
M

maw

Guest
Just back from Spirit saw many dark sports coats and slacks on men on formal night.
 
C

cruisegary

Guest
Okay, on formal night, how many guys with jackets also wore a tie? Required?
 
J

Jeff & Susana

Guest
It does not have to be a tux nor a dark suit on formal nights.
I have a light gray suit and I was not denied service...... :)
You will see men in tuxes (a few), dark suits, light suits, sport coats, shirts and ties, dress shirts and no ties..................

Ties are not required.

The real scoop is do what you feel is comfortable, within reason.
(obviously no swim suits or shorts)

You are on YOUR cruise to have fun.
If you like wearing a tux have at it.
If not a jacket or dress shirt is fine.
Do not dress to make others happy.
You don't know those other 2,000 people and will probably never see them again.

Yes, believe it or not, there are people that have nothing better to do than worry about what others are doing.
(the 'PC' group)

I say give them something to talk about and wear your tie around your head...................

;)
 
C

Cruisin Gal

Guest
Here's the deal. Formal attire requires certain clothing. If you're not wearing the attire that is defined as formal then you are not dressed according to the evening's dress code.

More than likely on the Carnival line you will be admitted into the dining room as Carnival is not really considered to be one of the more formal cruiselines. That's why so many people love Carnival..it's relaxing and pretty informal, but allows the passengers who want to dress to the code to do so and gives them guidelines.

You'd be surprised at how many people actually enjoy dressing to the nines for a few days out of the year. What I have noticed is that when one dresses formally, the staff treats them more formally and there's just a tad more class added to the whole dining room experience on that night. People who don't mind or aren't used to it probably wouldn't noticed that they're not getting the "formal" treatment.
 
B

bwalla

Guest
Thanks everyone. W do like to dress up at times. In 2003 we went to the Dominican Republic (Secrets) and dressed for the "fancy" restaurant. I think we were the only ones!My main concern was conservation in packing clothing! So, I think I'll bring my dark grey suit and fully abide by the intent of the evening.

Tom
 
R

randy

Guest
While the "suggested attire" may be dark suits or tuxedos, you will in fact find that it is more like whatever you want to wear (hopefully sans swimsuits!). Anyone who suggests otherwise on this board is quickly disciplined! ;-) If "formal" to you is a shirt with a collar, then you will find others dressed exactly the same way. If it's a prom dress, then likewise you will see people dressed in this manner. I think that "formal night(s)" represent an opportunity to dress up if you want, as opposed to any kind of enforced, or as I am learning (slowly) expected attire. On the Carnival cruises I have been on, I would feel quite comfortable considering a blazer and button-down oxford as dressy enough for formal, while on Celebrity, I found a tuxedo more appropriate. Your mileage may vary. Oh--and don't open the "sneakers on formal night" can of worms! <VBG!>
 
J

Jeff & Susana

Guest
Randy pretty much hit the nail on the head.

If I ever drive a limo I'll wear a tux.
When I am horizontal they can put me in a dark suit.

I may not preach my formal intentions here but I do clean up a little bit on "class wannabe" nights............
Formal_Night2.jpg


That's about as good as it gets for me.

Beer over w(h)ine, anytime! =twobeer
 
J

jedgar

Guest
If you read my post, 8 entries above, which is copied and pasted from Carnival's web site you will see that Carnival does not have a suggested dress code, it has a required dress code. That code has 2 kinds of nights, formal and casual resort wear and it defines both. It also states that if you do not care to dress you can eat in venues other than the dining room. Yes believe it or not there are people that worry more about what they can get away with outside of the rules instead of just obeying the rules..



Post Edited (05-23-04 11:44)
 
D

Dan40

Guest
I agree with jedgar.
To those who insist on underdressing for formal nights:

When your host suggests or requires a certain dress and you do not comply, you are showing your rudeness, ignorance and lack of proper manners.
Yes, its your vacation.
Yes, you paid for it.
No, I don't care what you wear, but I can see and I do know what your lack of formal wear means even if you do not.
No, you will never see me again[my pleasure] and you don't care what I think. [Ha]
Yes, you will be admitted to the dining room even if you're wearing slacks and a collarless shirt---only because you are a paying "guest".
If you want to dress casual, go to the Lido deck buffet. You can wear shorts there and be totally casual. I have done that twice in lieu of wearing my tux. [tired from the days activities]

Flame all you want, rights Right. Wrong's wrong.
Dan
 
C

Cruisin Gal

Guest
I agree with you Dan. I don't think anyone here whoever went to their high school prom went in shorts or casual wear.

Some people have class...some are peasants. It doesn't matter to me. I like getting treated with respect and with class when I'm enjoying formal night. If I don't want to get dressed as the dress code requires...I'll eat at the buffet.

If I'm at my table on formal night and someone from my table comes in dressed as though they just got picked up off a raft...I'll ask them what part of "Formal" they don't understand. Then I'll tell them I paid for my vacation too and I'm entitled to sit at a table with people who have a little class who can read and follow rules. <G>

I think it's time those of us who enjoy the whole idea of formal nights and who want to follow the rules should get in touch with Carnival and request them to start adhering to their rules instead of letting slackers slide.

There's plenty of other places for them to slop at the trough if they don't want to follow the rules Carnival created.

Some people "just ain't had no fetchin' up". <G>
 
C

cruisegary

Guest
I did not realize the comments above were from Carnival. Thought they were just one persons opinion, or take on it. Here is that posting,taken exactly from the Carnival Web Site :

"Depending on the length of the cruise, either formal dress or casual resort wear is required in the Dining Room. The dress requirement for children is the same. For those not wanting to dress up, the Lido restaurants are open nightly (with the exception of the last evening of the cruise), and have a casual dress code. Formal Wear: tuxedo (optional); suit and tie; sport coat, tie and slacks; evening gown; cocktail dress; pantsuit Casual Resort Wear: sport shirts and slacks; dresses; skirts; pantsuit NOTE: Shorts, t-shirts and bathing attire are not permitted in the Dining Room during dinner. "
 
S

Sharkin

Guest
I am aware people will wear what want, if Carnival will let them get away with it. I start getting irritated when they try to pass it off as formal. If you are comfortable with a style of dress, fine. Please don't try to convince me it is formal if it is not. By the way, most of the time my darling wife doesn't wear what I consider to be formal on "formal night". She is still my favorite one aboard, or on shore!!



Post Edited (05-23-04 17:26)
 
J

jedgar

Guest
danvel

Yes you can hire a tux on board. A plain tux is $85 US ($75 without shoes). If you plan on doing so it is best to do so ahead of time to insure they have your size. You may hire one ahead of time up to 2 weeks prior to your cruise at Carinval's web site.
www.carnival.com then click on gifts then on formal wear, it will give all the options, prices and ordering instructions.
 
J

Jeff & Susana

Guest
Woooooah.......I have no problem with formal night.

(I gots me a new suit and gets all gussied up fer it as yall can sees in da pitcher)

:)

jedgar

You're correct, Carnivals dress code has changed in the last 2 years.
The suggested has become "required".

However, last year on our first Carnival cruise they announced at dinner, in the dining room the night before formal night, that they would like to see everybody show up, regardless of the 'requirements'. I wish that I could recall exactly what was said.

Shoot fire I ain't gonna flame nobody over this subject.

I respect everybodies opinion.

Actually, I wonder................

........... if I overpaid for my "A" suit by several hundred dollars does that make me more formal than someone wearing a $200.00 mens warehouse closeout???

;)
 
C

Cruisin Gal

Guest
Ahhh Jeff, it's not how much you pay for the clothing...it's how you wear it! <G>
 
T

TomD

Guest
But what can I get my 14-year-old to wear? The suit seems easy, or at least a sport coat. The tie is pushing him.
 


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