Is Formal Night Optional?

[caribbeandreaming]

This is our first 7 night cruise, and I'm just wondering if everyone participates in formal night? I'm a jeans/yoga pants and sweatshirt kinda girl, and I'm not big on dressing up or having to buy a dress that I'll never wear again. I have a few above the knee dresses that I've worn to Christmas parties and such - will that be okay? Or will I be out of place? I know we could always go somewhere else for dinner or get room service, but I love the MDR's and would hate to miss a night. Thanks for your help!

 

[iloverags2]

I have often worn above the knee dresses for formal night. You should be fine!

 

[PrincessShmoo]

This is our first 7 night cruise, and I'm just wondering if everyone participates in formal night? I'm a jeans/yoga pants and sweatshirt kinda girl, and I'm not big on dressing up or having to buy a dress that I'll never wear again. I have a few above the knee dresses that I've worn to Christmas parties and such - will that be okay? Or will I be out of place? I know we could always go somewhere else for dinner or get room service, but I love the MDR's and would hate to miss a night. Thanks for your help!

For formal night I've gone the full blown ball gown route (with and without tiara). And I've also worn a nice pair of slacks with a fancy top. DCL is pretty forgiving in the dress code area (to the dismay of many on these boards).

You'll find there are some who will "dress as I like, it's my vacation". Yes, that means there will be shorts and tshirts for formal night, as well as those who dress up with their fanciest.

You'll be fine with what you've mentioned.

 

[tajz90]

I have a pair of black pants and a cute "dressy" top that I wear. I never wear dresses in my normal life and feel highly uncomfortable wearing one. No way that I will buy one for a cruise so I can feel horrid

Good luck. Remember "dressy" is subjective. Have fun!

 

[wendyoconnor]

Yes formal night is optional, it's your vacation and you won't be out of place with what you mentioned you would wear. On formal nights people dress from cruise casual to formal gowns.

On our last cruise, one couple at our table was a mix, he was cruise casual, she was dressed in a formal.

I go middle of the road with a cocktail dress or simple sundress.

 

[KPetty725]

Yep! Wear what you like! I've never seen anyone turned away from a restaurant due to what they're wearing (even Palo) and you'll see everything from jeans to tuxes on formal night. Some people may mutter but I say who cares?!? You'll never see them again and you're paying just like they are!

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Yep! Wear what you like! I've never seen anyone turned away from a restaurant due to what they're wearing (even Palo) and you'll see everything from jeans to tuxes on formal night. Some people may mutter but I say who cares?!? You'll never see them again and you're paying just like they are!

Unlike the MDRs, Palo and Remy do turn people away when dressed inappropriately.

Yes, I've seen it happen at Palo. Flip-flops, shorts, tshirt - all a big NO in Palo.

 

[MikeAndNick]

You are going to get lots of different answers on this topic. I will just tell you, on our last Disney Cruise we had a table of 5 single adults with a single child. On the formal night a grandma and her 14 year old grandson did not realize it was formal night. They showed up, grandma in a pantsuit and grandson in blue jeans and polo shirt. It was half way through dinner before they realized it was formal night. At our table there were one mom in a formal dress and two moms in knee length dresses.

 

[tajz90]

I saw a gentleman in khakis and a short sleeve Hawaiian type shirt in Palo. Now, I don't know his story and he may have lost his luggage, but he certainly wasn't dressed as well as I thought you were required to.

 

[KPetty725]

Unlike the MDRs, Palo and Remy do turn people away when dressed inappropriately.

Yes, I've seen it happen at Palo. Flip-flops, shorts, tshirt - all a big NO in Palo.

Wow!!!! We had brunch there on our last cruise (two weeks ago) and there was a woman wearing capris, flip flops, and a t-shirt. (this proves my point that people may notice what you're wearing but it's really no big deal! )

Maybe because it was brunch and not dinner? It's less formal but we still wore "country club" type clothes.

*Note to self - don't go to Palo for dinner!!*

 

[sayhello]

Wow!!!! We had brunch there on our last cruise (two weeks ago) and there was a woman wearing capris, flip flops, and a t-shirt. (this proves my point that people may notice what you're wearing but it's really no big deal! )

Maybe because it was brunch and not dinner? It's less formal but we still wore "country club" type clothes.

*Note to self - don't go to Palo for dinner!!*

Yes, brunch at Palo is far less strict than dinner. Although a T-shirt & flip-flops still sound a bit casual even for brunch!

Sayhello

 

[ajjcarlin]

I am just like you...t shirt and jeans. I have been nervous about the formal night because I am not a dress up kinda person. I do have a black knee length dress that I will probably wear, but I'm not going out and spending money on fancy clothes I rather spend on a massage or something.

 

[Aby]

On my first cruise to Alaska last year, I wore nice dress slacks and a dressy top, and my husband wore nice tan pants & a dark short sleeved dress shirt & tie. That's about as dressy as we get, and we did not feel out of place.

I know it's controversial, but I don't feel it is right to judge people for what they wear on the cruise, as I don't know all the factors or circumstances in that persons life that led to their decision. I enjoyed looking at some families really dressy clothes, but it did not bother me one bit to see others dressed in their casuals - as everyone seemed to be having a great time and that was all that mattered!

I think the dresses you have will be fine!

Aby

 

[GoHabsGo]

I thought I didn't care what anyone other than my family and I wore to formal night or any other dinner...then, last week, I saw a shorts, baseball cap with sunglasses on brim and t-shirt with crocs ensemble heading into formal night.
That's when I realized that I'm not as "forgiving" as I thought I was.

(1) no wearing of crocs, anywhere, ever;
(2) I know I'm old and maybe now I just figured out that I'm old-fashioned but I wouldn't dress like that to go to Applebee's on a Tuesday.

It really kind of seemed like it was done purposely to offend.

Yes, I know, I need therapy

 

[kddlm]

I too am stressing over formal night for our fantasy cruise in 17 days. Even considering not doing mdr that night but depending on rotation, dont want to miss anything. Will bring a cocktail style dress and dressy palazzo style pants and decide when there I guess.

 

[MikeAndNick]

I saw a shorts, baseball cap with sunglasses on brim and t-shirt with crocs .... Yes, I know, I need therapy

OK, I am not that OLD unless you ask my teenager. I was raised... you always wear a shirt when eating anything... You do not wear shorts to dinner (for some reason breakfast and lunch is OK)... and you take your hat off when you enter the dinning room.

 

[smootenloopers]

Maybe because it was brunch and not dinner? It's less formal but we still wore "country club" type clothes.

Palo brunch is cruise casual.

(1) no wearing of crocs, anywhere, ever;

Crocs are one ofd the ugliest shoes out there; however, I'm willing to live with that since they provided a significant decrease in my back & knee pain levels. A fashion plate I'm not, but I'm definately less cranky!

 

[Queen2]

Palo brunch is cruise casual.



Crocs are one ofd the ugliest shoes out there; however, I'm willing to live with that since they provided a significant decrease in my back & knee pain levels. A fashion plate I'm not, but I'm definately less cranky!

I love my crocs, yes ugly but comfortable. Every time I go on a cruise my feet swell three times there normal size. One cruise they were so bad I had to wear my son's size 11 Miami Dolphins slippers. It was Formal night I had on a gown & slippers. I didn't care what people thought . It was either that or sit in the cabin. So like PP I try not to judge. I was on a Disney Cruise on FN & the lady entering before me had on bib jean overalls, & her breast almost hanging out of her too small low cut shirt.
Didn't keep me from eating my dinner

 

[ajgardner]

Is there a formal night on the 4 night cruise or is it only on the longer cruises?

As a first time cruiser, how would one know about this if they weren't reading forums and researching?

 

[mmouse37]

I too am stressing over formal night for our fantasy cruise in 17 days. Even considering not doing mdr that night but depending on rotation, dont want to miss anything. Will bring a cocktail style dress and dressy palazzo style pants and decide when there I guess.

What you describe is fine for formal night...don't stress about it. Go to the MDR.

MJ