is a jacket really necessary for men at dinner?

[mrsmouse]

as first time cruisers, i'm trying to digest the formality of dinner. i don't mind dressing for dinner. i love to wear sundresses and sandals when i'm out after a day sunning. my dh on the other hand... a jacket is the LAST thing he would want to wear.

would a button down shirt and nice pants be enough? how about a tie with the shirt?

how necessary is the jacket is what i'm primarily asking?

thanks veterans!

[mrsmouse]

we're traveling on the april 25th 3 day wonder, if that makes a difference.

i thought maybe the 7 day might be slightly MORE formal.

?????????

[fireplug]

On the three and four day wonder cruises I have gone with the nice shirt and dress slacks look myself and it was no problem. My theory is be comfortable. I think the 7 night does have a more formal night though.

[inkkognito]

Disney's ships are not very formal. My hubby enjoys dressing up for dinner at Triton's, but he is often in the minority. You would be fine without a suit. Palo is the most formal, but even there it is not uncommon to see "business casual" (suits are still the majority there tho').
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.*****************

[Parrotheader]

We're only going on the three-nighter and I feel your husband's pain. I too hate to put on a coat and choker. I've gotten too spoiled to business casual and even THAT's a stretch for my shorts and sandal wearing soul. For our trip I AM planning on bringing a sport coat and some nice pants, but not a full suit or anything. Maybe a camel hair coat or knit sportcoat. I figure I might also use it one night in Orlando if we want to go somewhere nice for dinner. I'm tempted not to bring a coat at all though and just go with a very nice pair of dress pants and one of my stylish, rico suave (as I jokingly call them) dress shirts. To me that looks FAR nicer and more stylish than the same old, same old boring coat/tie combo anyway.

I can CERTAINLY understand his thinking though. I have to wear decent stuff (at least from our pespective) all the time and now that I'm paying good money to go on vacation, I have to dress up?!?!? ARGHH!!! What's next, I have to mow the lawn at the terminal too? :)