3 night vs. 7 night- is 7 alot more formal?

[shefor24]

We are really debating if we should splurge and take a 7 night cruise in Oct 04 or just a 4 night one. We went on a 3 night Wonder this past October and it was just awesome! DH and I think 7 night would be the WAY to go! BUT I have some questions-- I keep reading on these boards about dinner rotations and formal nights and things like that. My question is- is 7 night cruise a bunch more "formal" than the 3 or 4 night? I guess that is fine, but how do I explain-- we aren't real "formal" type people- I mean we love to "dress up" and go to dinner- even with the kids -who doesn't- but night after night and on vacation?? I am not venting, I am just saying I want to eat in the dining room (dinner rotation thing) because the 3 night I really loved the service and the food, atmospheres, etc in the dining rooms, but again, I don't want to have to take a few "prom dress" type things just to go eat when I am on vacation each night. Am I reading this wrong? And see, that would have to be an added expense for us to budget for- to have to buy dresses for twin DD's and myself, plus a sport coat type thing (or better) for DH. Put it this way- on the 3 night we were on in Oct my daughters wore the same dress (their only good dress) every night we were there, and I wore the same thing 2 of the 3 nights. We have nice clothes, but not so formal type. Should we stick with a 4 night this time? Thanks for advise.

 

[prymsu]

The three night is more casual. There is no official formal night. For the seven day there is one formal night and one semi-formal night. I wouldn't worry if you don't want to get all gussied up. There are lots of folks that don't wear formal wear on formal night and still eat in the dining rooms.

 

[buzz&woody'smom]

We just switched from a 4 day to a 7 day too. I was also worried but everyone here has eased my mind.

I have 2 DS's who will be 2 & 5 when we sail in October 2003. On our 4 day they wore khacki's and polo or short sleeve button down shirts.

This board has told me that attire is also fine for the 7 day too. I plan on having little vests made for them with a Disney theme for formal night. I plan on wearing a dressy (to the knee) black dress and pearls for formal night and a dressy pant suit for semi-formal night. Even on our 4 day some people wore ball gowns. I get enough of dressing up during the year but to each his own.

I agree with a poster on another thread about what to wear who said "as long as you are comfortable and fit it you will be fine" and remember you can change after dinner.

The Moderators of this board have said I will see anything and everything.

I would not let the dress code keep you from choosing the 7 day. Have fun!

 

[Bbgrizzle]

I worried and stressed about formal night before our 7-day last May. I didn't need to. I didn't take a "prom" dress and I was mighty glad. I saw VERY FEW people who were dessed like that. I thought those that did stood out as being overdressed. I think your black dress with the pearls sounds perfect; that's what I'm planning on wearing this year. As for the other non-formal nights, it is still casual--ladies wearing capri pants and sun dresses and skorts. Just no jeans or shorts or tank tops and you'll be fine.

 

[mmouse37]

We have been on the 7 day cruise 4 times.....the most recently being 1/4....I wear various things to the formal nights...sometimes a long black floor length dress, sometimes pantsuits....as long as you don't wear shorts or jeans you will be fine. My teen DD's15 and 19 love wearing their Prom, homecoming dresses to formal and semi-formal. I am glad because they get another use out of them.

On other nights we wear capri pants and a nice blouse. No need to get super fancy even on the 7 day. Hubby wears the same suite to both formal and semi-formal, different shirt/tie.

We always see many people decked out completely and that is fine too...it depends on what mood I am in that trip!!!

MJ