We are trying to plan a cruise next spring for family. There will be 1 teenager, 1 pre-K, 3 young adult 1st time cruisers and 4 previous cruisers. I'd like some information from those that have experience on both lines as to pros and cons. Hubby has suit, but the other 2 guys work jobs that don't require them. How strict is RCCL's formal night attire. Any help here would be appreciated ...

Worse comes to worst, you have two options on formal night: a sport jacket & slacks (similar, dark colors best, with tie), or eating in the buffet area and not dressing up. You probably won't be denied admission to the dining room if not dressed according to formal night standards, but you may feel seriously out of place if you show up in slacks and polo shirt that evening. My husband has gotten away with a navy blazer & slacks on formal nights, as he didn't have a suit until more recently.

I agree with Karen. However; are you going on a 7day or a short 3/4day? I have been on CCL 28 times and RCI 5 times. Often on the shorter cruises I have noticed people dressing up with just Hawaiian shirts and dress slacks on formal night. I think it tends to be more casual on shorter cruises.

I have cruised on both CCL and RCCL, and all cruises were 7-8 days in length. We did notice that people with children tended to go to the buffet on formal nights. That being said, no one forces you to wear formal attire to dinner on those nights.

On Adventure of the Seas last summer, there were 6 of us at our table, and 2 of them men didn't even wear ties on formal night. The other two men wore blazers and ties, and the other woman and I wore cocktail dresses. We did notice that there was a family at a table across the room, and they had on very casual clothing. . . . .

I also noted that while the cruise lines ask you not to wear shorts in the dining room, they don't stop you if you do. There were a lot of people who walked in in shorts and t-shirts.

Have fun!!