Alaska dinner attire

[sdjen]

Working on my packing list for our upcoming cruise. From what I have read, the Alaskan cruises are a little more casual than some. For our Caribbean cruises I usually wear sundresses or dress pants/capris with a dressy shirt for MDR dinners.

I am thinking that it might be quite a bit cooler in Alaska so I am wondering if for the cruise casual nights dark jeans and a nice shirt might be okay?

We also will be dining in Cabanas one night for dinner since our helicopter excursion doesn't get us back to the ship until after our early dinner time has already started. What is the dress code there? Wondering if we can just wear our jeans and sweatshirts there?

For the ladies who have cruised Alaska, was it warm enough in the evenings to wear sandals? I'm hoping to keep shoes to a minimum for our trip I will pack one pair of heels for the formal and semi formal night but hoping to be able to wear low heeled sandals the other nights.

Any input would be appreciated! I know we can pretty much do what we want but I don't want to stick out or feel uncomfortable by being underdressed. Thanks!!

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

Our cruise to Alaska was warm and there were no changes in clothing, bar less swimsuits.

 

[NAB]

Well jeans are allowed in the dining rooms so you will be ok and Cabana is not formal either

 

[ThisGirlLovesDL]

There were some people wearing jeans on the formal night last year in Alaska, but it wasn't many people and in my opinion they kind of stood out, especially since most people dressed very nicely. I would at least wear khakis.

 

[sdjen]

I already have dresses picked for myself and my daughter for the dress up nights. I don't get to dress up often so I like to do that when I can. I'm hoping to not pack as many pants etc... since we have to pack bulkier jackets and hats/mittens/hiking boots etc...

I was lucky this weekend as I wore a Columbia jacket that I assumed was waterproof (just got it) out in a heavy rain and got soaked. It won't be coming to Alaska with me!

 

[lorimay]

I was cold much of our cruise, I wore pants every night except formal night and our Palo dinner.
I just brought a wrap for formal night and a sweater dress and boots for Palo.
But it was one of the best cruises we have been on!!
The sites are amazing.

Enjoy

 

[disneyfaninaz]

I wore slacks and nice blouses for dinner on the cruise casual nights. Only one night I wore jeans to dinner, but changed my shoes, because our excursion got back right before dinner and frankly I was just too tired to change. Not a problem. Whatever you wear on your excursion will be fine for Cabanas for dinner.

Layering is the key. I bring a sweater to the dining rooms. Never know what temperature they are going to be and if I'm going to be sitting under a vent.

I also have a Columbia jacket that is waterproof (Omnitech) and worked great. Do not get a jacket that is just water resistant.

 

[sdjen]

Thanks. I'm usually pretty warm but I'll make sure to pack a light sweater for the dining room.

 

[dotfurio]

I wasn't really that cold. I wore flip flops around the ship, though the deck was a little slippery in flip flops. Most of the time we were comfortable in short sleeves or lightweight long sleeves and jeans. Dining was very casual - people pretty much wore what they wore for the day. On formal night I saw everything from very casual jeans and printed t-shirts to cocktail attire. The majority of people seemed to be work or church dressy.

 

[jahber]

I wore sandals to dinner on our Alaska cruise--I was pregnant and wanted to be comfortable, and sandals are what a pregnant Floridian find comfy, even in Alaska. I also wore tee shirts and capris to dinner a lot on our most recent Caribbean cruise because babies like to spit up, spit out food, and wipe messy hands and faces on nice clothes. And anyway, I'm still nursing, so formal wear is out. I'm sure some people just assumed I was being lazy or have no class, but who cares? Follow the dress code and your individual needs (have you ever tried nursing in a formal gown??? Or 99% of the dresses out there?) and you'll be fine.

 

[Karlzmom]

I found that I was frequently chilly, particularly my feet. I wore open shoes on formal night and was certainly ready to slip into warm socks after. In fact, on my list for this year is more socks! LOL. I was glad to have picked a formal with a 3/4 sleeve bolero over the dress. I have no idea how the strapless gals managed to no freeze. Most of the rest of the time I was in trousers and a sweater, turtle neck or 3/4 sleeve tee under a pendleton style shirt. The best FE gift I got was a fleece scarf.....somehow just having the layer over my chest made everything ok. What's funny is that I never really needed my coat.

To the nursing mommy- sorry you have had such a time finding clothes that make it easy to nurse. I guess I got lucky and was more easily able to find dresses than tops to go with pants.

 

[jenf22]

We wore jeans every night except formal night... we even wore them on semi-formal night because the Navigator said it was "casual". Apparently the seasoned cruisers knew it was semi-formal night but about half of the folks were like us. I was pretty bummed because I PACKED semi-formal wear and didn't use it. Anyway, we were comfy in jeans and I wore the DCL Alaskan sweatshirt I bought the first day pretty much every night too. Best vacation ever!

 

[missyp]

We wore jeans every night except formal night... we even wore them on semi-formal night because the Navigator said it was "casual". Apparently the seasoned cruisers knew it was semi-formal night but about half of the folks were like us. I was pretty bummed because I PACKED semi-formal wear and didn't use it. Anyway, we were comfy in jeans and I wore the DCL Alaskan sweatshirt I bought the first day pretty much every night too. Best vacation ever!

Interesting that they really didn't have a semi formal night. On our last 4 night carribean cruise there wasn't a dress up optional night. Kind of annoying to bring the dressy clothes and not need them. I may give DCL a call before I pack for Alaska or hopefully some early Alaskan cruisers will get the info or navigators out here