Hello, hello!. My friend loves the princess cruise line and last time she went (on the Grand Princess I think) she took some formal clothes but never needed them. She says capris and nice shirts is the norm now. Is that true?

The way one feels comfortable dressing on formal nights is usually the norm. There are those that love to dress to the nines, other not so. I sometimes wear tux's, most of the time a suit. Most ladies dress in an evening gown, though.

David Landry

We were on Golden Princess to the so. Carib. in Feb. and I was surprised how many passengers dressed up very formally - long gowns, tuxes, the works. I'd say at least 60% were dressed to the nines on formal night. Being my first time on Princess and also to the so. Carib., I can't say if the reason was the timing, the itinerary or the cruise line. Perhaps your friend went during a time when more families (instead of couples) were on board?

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Originally posted by Lady Vidora:
Hello, hello!. My friend loves the princess cruise line and last time she went (on the Grand Princess I think) she took some formal clothes but never needed them. She says capris and nice shirts is the norm now. Is that true?

Perhaps your friend ate up in the Horizon Court on Formal Nights?? Usually for 7 day cruises there are 2 formal nights, Welcome Gala & Farewell Dinner. Can't say I have ever seen anyone in capris.

We were on the Diamond during spring break. Just about everyone dressed for dinner on formal nights. Most men in suits, some in tux. Women for the most were in gowns, others in fancy dresses.
I was a little put out that the head waiter allowed a group in jeans and western style shirts to be seated. One knows what is exspected when getting on the ship and should abide. However it sure wasn't going to spoil my dinner or vacation. In my opinion getting dressed up is part of the fun

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. In my opinion getting dressed up is part of the fun

I definitely agree. I want to dress comfortably yet classy for other things, and maybe more rugged for shore excursions. My concern was that if there was not dress code any more then I think things might be a bit distasteful. I know I'm younger than some cruise passengers, but I would like to see people a little more put together than on the city beach, if you know what I mean.

I know and agree with you. I enjoy getting dressed up for dinner on a cruise, sort of a special occasion each night. And I am sure the wife, after spending hours to look her best, doesn't want to sit next to someone in jeans.

David Landry

I too agree & enjoy dressing for dinner

There are no longer semi-formal nights on most cruises--its either smart casual or formal. On the formal nights (2 for a 7 day cruise) most ladies wear cocktail dresses or evening gowns, while the men wear suits or tuxes. Feeling sophisticated and seeing others in their fancy clothes in the dining room is part of the fun. There are a few people who don't comply (maybe 10-15%)and were generally allowed to eat in the dining room anyway, but I would be embarrassed. I'm usually a casual person, but I thought in that fancy room, with dressed up people, they looked rather trashy and cheap.

If you wish to be casual the whole time it is possible to do it without ruining anyone else's fun by eating at the buffet, at a pizza place/grill (availability by ship) or room service. You can request the fancy food to be delivered to your room and they will bring it to you. This actually could be fun if you have a balcony, and want a romantic meal for the two of you. Oh,and the fancy food is available later in the evening at the Horizon Court too.

Bottom line is, please take the clothes that match the kind of experience you want to have, and thanks for considering others

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Bottom line is, please take the clothes that match the kind of experience you want to have, and thanks for considering others

Wow, I don't think I have ever heard it put so succinctly. You have hit the nail on the ead with this statement. Most cruise lines offer the opportunity to do just that.

Tom

Hi beachgirl,
I agree with most of what you say and love your comment about matching the clothes you wear to the kind of experience you want.....However, as for dress code terminolgy: Some cruise lines have gone to formal, smart casual and casual as the 3 options - but smart casual is just another name for "semi-formal". So technically, there are semi-formal nights - they have just renamed them. It sure can become confusing, which is one reason I particularly like your clothing mantra.
Nancy

I dont know, if you have special cruise lines in the U.S. like we have in Germany, named AIDA. They have different ships and the dress code is always casual.

So, when I book my cruise, I decide for a special cruise line and also for the dress codes they have.
When I book on a RCCL or Celebrity ship, I know that they have a dress code for the dining room.
So Ladies, most of us want to dress up in the evening. It has not to be an evening gown or a tuxedo (by the way I have a red one).
And when I am dressed up, I dont wanna see people in lets say too casual clothes.
When I dont wanna dress up, I choose the Buffet Restaurant and everybody is happy.

Marita

I have to agree. I like to dress in my tux on a cruise and really resent those folks that come to the restaurant not dressed appropriately. It really takes away from the overall experience.

Walter

I know I'm in the minority when I say this but ... I don't enjoy the dress up nights. I have to dress up for work every day and when I'm in the Caribbean I want to be casual and comfortable.

With that being said, I would NEVER go to the dining room without appropriate attire. I have gone to one formal night and someone near our table with wearing jeans, another person was wearing shorts. I thought - why did I bother dressing up?

I did have an experience on Princess where my husband and I decided to go to the buffet on formal night. Most passengers were milling around dressed up for dinner and we were in our shorts and tops heading for the buffet. One lady I passed made a rude comment to the effect of "Look at them, wearing shorts!". I was very offended. I had no intentions of trying to sit in the dining room (or go anywhere near it) so casually dressed, but I do have the right to walk around the ship.

I agree with what was said earlier - I dressed casual and comfortable because that was the experience I wanted. I never intruded on other people's enjoyment of getting dressed up.

When I cruise to Europe next year, I will be bringing and wearing formal attire on occasion because I want that to be part of that particular experience.

I agree with Kate. My husband and I do not like to dress, but dine in the buffet on formal nights. We are on vacation and I just don't like the hassle, but we would never intrude on those that do like to dress up by dining in the main restaurant.

Lois

In todays society you seldom get the opportunity to dress up. So I enjoy taking my cocktail dresses and long skirts on formal nights.We take a tuxedo and find it appropriate to wear formal attire for the captains cocktail parties.
There are always a small percentage who wear beach clothing to these functions and no one is going to say anything, but they sure stand out.
I vote for dress up since you've paid alot of money for the cruise why not go the whole way and enjoy the good times.

There is something I want to add to the discussion. Years ago some of my family members were intimidated by formal nights and hesitated to cruise because they lacked formal wear. I've run across friends with the same concerns. I encourage everyone to cruise. I tell them to wear their best but not to be discouraged, to take part in the excitement and magic of formal night. I know they could go to the buffet but I want them to come to the party in the dining room!

I started out cruising in long formal dresses but lately I've begun to wear dressy black slacks, evening wear, not something you'd wear to the office or mall. I pair it with lovely long tunics and blouses and a pair of shazam heels. These things travel so well and I love the way I feel in them.

I think you are discussing people who wear jeans or shorts but I kind of worry you might be discouraging the folks who wear their Sunday best and it doesn't quite measure up.

I want EVERYONE to cruise because it is absolutely the most wonderful vacation in the world.

I think when you cruise part of the fun of it is getting the opportunity to dress for dinner and I love putting on one of my gowns while my boyfriend dons his tuxedo. Neither of us judge others by what they choose to wear but I certainly would not be happy if I were enjoying my formal dinner in the dining room next to somebody in capris. You aren't forced to dress; you can always eat in the buffet or another venue that night but on formal nights in the dining room - on Princess, RCCL or Celebrity I would say the majority of the passengers are dressed up.

I guess you all have a point about dressing up for formal night. My guy gets so irritated if he sees anyone dressed casually. We both like the dress-up experience. But I also think everyone should lighten up. I couldn't care less if the couple next to me looks like slobs. If they don't mind making fools of themselves, why should I care. Plus, the slobs make the rest of us look better by comparison.

Wow! I think too many of you spend too much time worrying how you fit in with everyone else. I wonder why it bothers you so much if someone doesn't like ball gowns and tuxedos! I myself like to dress up but don't care a bit if someone wore a carribbean calypso shirt and shorts if thats what works for them. Who cares... hope this is not like a stuffy country club where everyone likes to feel good about themselves and has to look like everyone else. Yikes how boring to be so in the box all the time.