4/10/2010 eb ta "bound for barcelona"

[emma'smom]

My DH and DF are having this "pack light" vs. formal wear issue too. Are you taking a blazer to go with your dress pants? Given the "packing" issue (and we are traveling afterwards too), is is unreasonable to plan for dress slacks/dress shirt/tie/blazer for all the formal/semi-formal evenings?

There's some availability on board if you decide to rent a tux while you're on the ship. However, if you're an odd size, and you want to rent one, it's probably best to do it early. I've rented one while on board (I was traveling alone and didn't think I'd participate in dining - and I came out of my shell and did) with no problem. The caveat is that was not a Disney cruise, although Disney does have a selection on board for rental like other cruise lines. I've had tablemates on previous Disney cruises that did tux rentals, and had no problems as well. One actually had a tux whose sleeves were a little on the long side, he called Guest Services and housekeeping apparently came to alter the jacket and gave it a quick press before the next formal evening. That's a bonus.

For two formal nights and one semi-formal night, the four of us (all guys) aren't packing a suit or a tux. I know I'll get flack for it, but it's the sacrifice necessary to ensure we're packing light. We will have dress shirts and slacks, but no plans to rent or bring a tux. That may change as we go along, but that's not something we're planning for such a small number of formal nights, and $85 for the rental just doesn't seem that value added to me. Neither does carrying an additional bag around Spain and the UK for a week after the cruise.

I seriously sound like I'm going on this cruise with like a pair of swim trunks, a t-shirt, a pair of khakis, and a shirt. I'm not, I promise you! However, we're trying to challenge ourselves to pack light, especially when one is absolutely ADAMANT about having to bring two laptops (and another one wants to bring one as well). That, in addition to a CPAP, enough mobile equipment to run a small office, video cameras, still cameras, sound machines...

I should correct myself and say that I'm pestering/challenging the others to pack light. This past little 3 day cruise was a real eye-opener to two of them and the amount of clothes they packed. They literally came home with more clean clothes than dirty. Each stateroom still looked like a mobile office...

Krisann:

Woody's right on the money here. I could care less, honestly. I'd still want 4 lanyards for me and the boys, irregardless of color. Given it's now about 79 days and change before the cruise, whatever color they turn out to be will be fabulous because you stood up and took charge of them. For that, I'm grateful to you!

-Steve

 

[Dishy24]

Krisann, yes I know, we had lime green lanyards together on the Panama Canal cruise.

While lime green is not my favorite color, it worked out well for DIS lanyards. It was easy to spot and identify fellow DISers.

With a distinctive lanyard color:
-- It was easy to approach someone at Castaway Cay to ask if they could keep an eye on our stuff while we were away.
-- When trying to find seats at breakfast or lunch, it was easier to join a table of DISers.
-- I felt more comfortable going up to a table at Rock 'n' Bar D or at activities and asking if we could join them.
-- It was a good "ice breaker" when standing in line.

Woody

I agree with everything Woody pointed out-- for this reason, I too wish I had picked red... I just think it would be nice if the color we chose for lanyards was exclusive to our group.

 

[dee47]

Hey, my CafePress order shipped! I can't wait to see it! I'll post pictures when I get it So it looks like the Disney name wasn't a show-stopper (heh...pun intended).

 

[woody73]

For two formal nights and one semi-formal night, the four of us (all guys) aren't packing a suit or a tux. I know I'll get flack for it, but it's the sacrifice necessary to ensure we're packing light. We will have dress shirts and slacks, but no plans to rent or bring a tux. That may change as we go along, but that's not something we're planning for such a small number of formal nights, and $85 for the rental just doesn't seem that value added to me. Neither does carrying an additional bag around Spain and the UK for a week after the cruise.

My DH and DF are having this "pack light" vs. formal wear issue too. Are you taking a blazer to go with your dress pants? Given the "packing" issue (and we are traveling afterwards too), is is unreasonable to plan for dress slacks/dress shirt/tie/blazer for all the formal/semi-formal evenings?

Mrs. Woody and I are also having the "pack light vs. formal wear" discussion.

On ALL of our Disney cruises, I brought a tuxedo. (We are Castaway Club Platinum.)

All cruises were on the Magic (7 to 14 nights: Eastern, Western, EB PC, and WB PC).

We will spend several weeks in Europe after the cruise (Spain, Italy, England), and I want to pack light since I know who will be loading the bags on trains, planes and automobiles. Plus, the airlines' baggage restrictions are brutal. (It's not like taking Southwest from L.A. to Orlando!)

Mrs. Woody thinks we should dress appropriately for formal night, or dine at Topsiders.

So, my questions are:

Do you think the Formal Night attire will be relaxed on the Transatlantic cruise?

If we don't wear formal attire, will we be out of place in the dining rooms?

Woody

 

[disneymum2201]

I voted black but after discussions I would be just as happy with the red. I am thankful for all your legwork and am happy with whatever you decide.

 

[dee47]

I am thankful for all your legwork and am happy with whatever you decide.

Same here! Thanks for all your hard work!

(But I'm really glad pink was never an option!)

 

[dee47]

does DISboards have a chat room we can use? I know they have weekly chats but is it open for regular people like us to "meet up" ?

I want to nail some things down and get the order ready to be placed by the end of Feb. But we need to decide some other things first and I would like to not clog the board up with little particulars.

Krisann

Krisann,

I run a live Disney Vacations chat for my travel agency each week. I'll check with our sales person if I can create a chat room just for us. I don't think it'll be a problem, but you know what happens when you assume...

 

[auntlynne]

Same here! Thanks for all your hard work!

(But I'm really glad pink was never an option!)

Shhh...don't spoil the surprise; they are pink and lime green.

 

[adedward]

For those wondering if they will be all alone if not dressed to the nines, we also are packing light, so there will be simple, easy to pack regular length dresses for me and slacks, dress shirt and tie for DH on formal and semi-formal nights, and we will be eating in the dining room. I imagine it will be like the other Magic cruise we have experienced, about 25% really dressed up, another 25% sort of dressed up, and everyone else nicely and neatly dressed. Works for me.

 

[thossink]

Are any of the men planning on renting a tux for the cruise from the cruise line? Has anyone done this before? Does it work out - or should I just pack a suit?

I a planning on a tux. you can set it up here.
http://www.cruiselineformal.com/

t

 

[thossink]

I agree with everything Woody pointed out-- for this reason, I too wish I had picked red... I just think it would be nice if the color we chose for lanyards was exclusive to our group.

As stated above, I have no issue changing my black vote to red.

T

 

[joius24]

Yay ...lots of conversation...fun to read.

Like I said earlier (many people may thing this is icky but...) I buy a suit jacket from the salvation army or goodwill for my son...and we simply don't bring it back home.... makes room for souveniers on the way back

Just to get him in a jacket of any kind is a hoot (14 yo)...so I like to try ...last cruise he looked so darn cute ( I could be biased)

I like many are OK with any color lanyard and appreciate all of the work everyone is doing keeping track of it all. I start back to school tonight...so it may impact my time looking at the boards...or I can just skip sleep hmmmm.

Anyhow , you guys are lotsa fun and I'm glad I found the boards/you

 

[Happy Goofy]

Let us know about the shirts. Would love to order the sweatshirt for myself. Do you know if they have men's in 3X? Thank you for doing this for the group.

 

[dizmomof2]

I also voted black but was thinking red would be a good idea after reading the posts. Really I would be happy with any colour. I'm just really happy some one has done all of the organizing of this huge undertaking. I'm great with any colour you pick. Thanks for all your hard work!

 

[dizdadof2]

I am good with any colour lanyard as well - as my sister said - just glad someone is taking this on! Thank you to all who are doing so much!


Mike

 

[Brooklyn]

For the record....I really don't care about the color. I say the person in charge just pick and move on. We vote, then we discuss, then we change, and the cycle continues. make them Lime Green, make them pink, make them yellow, make them red, make them orange.....this could do on forever!

 

[Dishy24]

For the record....I really don't care about the color. I say the person in charge just pick and move on. We vote, then we discuss, then we change, and the cycle continues. make them Lime Green, make them pink, make them yellow, make them red, make them orange.....this could do on forever!

Do I hear BLUE & ORANGE for the METS???

 

[susanowen27]

I need to know if anyone who voted for the black laynard wants to change their vot to the red one after discussions on the board? As it stands the black has won - please let me know (or should we do another poll between the black and red?)

Krisann

I would change my vote.

 

[Michelle2]

Mrs. Woody and I are also having the "pack light vs. formal wear" discussion.

On ALL of our Disney cruises, I brought a tuxedo. (We are Castaway Club Platinum.)

All cruises were on the Magic (7 to 14 nights: Eastern, Western, EB PC, and WB PC).

We will spend several weeks in Europe after the cruise (Spain, Italy, England), and I want to pack light since I know who will be loading the bags on trains, planes and automobiles. Plus, the airlines' baggage restrictions are brutal. (It's not like taking Southwest from L.A. to Orlando!)

Mrs. Woody thinks we should dress appropriately for formal night, or dine at Topsiders.

So, my questions are:

Do you think the Formal Night attire will be relaxed on the Transatlantic cruise?

If we don't wear formal attire, will we be out of place in the dining rooms?

Woody

I think with all of the baggage restrictions that are even worse than 2007, yes, I think Formal night will be more relaxed on this TA.

NO, I don't think you will, there were many people that were coming back from excursions that were in normal clothes...not many but some. I think people can understand with packing issues that it is more of dilemna.

 

[grlzmom]

Mrs. Woody and I are also having the "pack light vs. formal wear" discussion.

On ALL of our Disney cruises, I brought a tuxedo. (We are Castaway Club Platinum.)

All cruises were on the Magic (7 to 14 nights: Eastern, Western, EB PC, and WB PC).

We will spend several weeks in Europe after the cruise (Spain, Italy, England), and I want to pack light since I know who will be loading the bags on trains, planes and automobiles. Plus, the airlines' baggage restrictions are brutal. (It's not like taking Southwest from L.A. to Orlando!)

Mrs. Woody thinks we should dress appropriately for formal night, or dine at Topsiders.

So, my questions are:

Do you think the Formal Night attire will be relaxed on the Transatlantic cruise?

If we don't wear formal attire, will we be out of place in the dining rooms?

Woody

My personal observation is that formal dress has gotten way less formal in the last year to year and a half. I think in part due to luggage constraints and also due to alot of frequent repeat cruisers not dressing up so much. Who know?

You will not be out of place in the dining room!

We are debating for dh to rent the tux for convenience as he will not be packing formal wear.