Anyone Not Dress For Formal?

[sandygirl]

We are booked for our 4th cruise in Aug 2004. My DH would prefer to forgo the formal festivities and not have to dress for them. DD6 would be very disappointed, she looks forward to dressing up and being part of all the formal stuff. I'm not sure I would be upset either way.

We are looking for a more laid back cruise this time around. Has anyone not participated in the formal events and not gotten dressed up? I would not feel comfortable going to the Captain's Champagne Party or dinner in our regular rotation unless we were appropriately dressed.

It would make packing easier. But will we be sorry?

 

[kcashner]

There's no way my DD would let me skip formal night. However, you can easily do it in a "regular" dress and let your DD dress up. We skip the lines for pictures, but still go to the gala, etc. DO the cruise the way You want to vacation...make it fun, not an effort.

 

[jrabbit]

Anyone Not Dress For Formal?

I always wear clothes to dinner (you wouldn't want to see me without them!!

But seriously, I (a DH) wear a dress shirt with slacks and a tie to the formal and semi formal dinners. I'm easy to spot because I'm also the one wearing sandals and dark socks. The ladies enjoy dressing up (DW nice but not overly "fancy/formal") and DS wears about the same as me and he can't wait for dinner to be over so he can change back into shorts, sneakers and a tee shirt.

Dress comfortably and go and enjoy!!!

 

[disneydebk]

Hi!

I didn't pack anything for the dining rooms besides dress slacks and nice polo shirts for my DH and son, and then I had dress slacks and nice tops, hoping to just skip formal night and eat elsewhere.

But of course, we were assigned to Animator's Palate on that night, and it was the only time the show would run in there as it was the first night through the rotation. We had PLA, so AP was on Monday night on our western cruise, which was formal night.

We wanted our DS to see how AP changed from black and white to color so we went in what I had packed. Most people were dressed up, but there were a number who were dressed the same if not less dressy than we were. I figure we weren't in swimsuits, shorts, or jeans, so they served us, LOL!

 

[MrsPete]

If you don't want to dress up, you have plenty of casual dinner options. I wouldn't go to formal night in the dining room without being dressed formally -- it doesn't seem right.

As for the 6-year old, if you don't take her to the dining room that night, will she really know it's formal night? If you take her up to the pools (which should be empty during dinner) and let her swim and have pizza for dinner, will she really know that she "missed something"?

 

[westjones]

We wear the same type of clothes whether it is formal night or not. You shouldn't have to miss out on your rotation just because they call it 'formal' night. Just dress for dinner like you would any other night and go and enjoy.

DJ

 

[Mickeyhugger]

While I agree that it is more of an effort to pack more for formal night, and 'dressing up' is not some people's ideas of fun, it IS still formal night, and the Disney brochures have the recommended dress for such nights. Also, while true that one won't be refused service, why not show the respect and dress as recommended? I agree with another post to dine at a more casual restaurant.

Personally, I couldn't enjoy AP on formal night if most others around me were dressed according to suggested attire, and I just wanted to be more comfortable.

 

[westjones]

Personally, I couldn't enjoy AP on formal night if most others around me were dressed according to suggested attire, and I just wanted to be more comfortable.

Well, if it makes you uncomfortable, then it would be better to try other dining options. It didn't bother me a bit, nor will it bother me on our next cruise to go to dinner on formal night dressed like we would on other nights. There will be 12 in our party and none of us are taking formal wear, so I will be in good company.

We are flying and we are only taking 1 suitcase per person, and won't be filling it up with extra clothes we don't really need.

So I guess everyone should just do what makes them happy. After all, it is vacation.....a very expensive vacation, and everyone should enjoy their time the way that is best for them.

So, sandygirl, just decide what works best for your family. If you don't want to skip Formal night dinner, then just dress like you would on other nights and you won't be alone. I remember quite a few others in regular dresses when we went to 'formal' night on our cruise and we didn't feel out of place at all.

Go....enjoy....have a great cruise!
DJ

 

[sandygirl]

Thanks for the replies, I appreciate each one.

I guess it is because we have been on 3 cruises already and enjoyed each experience that we are maybe looking for something a little different this time. I have loved the formal attire and all that goes with it, I'm just thinking of giving my DH a break and "really" taking it easy this trip. If we don't dress formally for dinner we will try a casual alternative dining experience. That would be new and different, too.

As for the 6-year old, if you don't take her to the dining room that night, will she really know it's formal night?

LOL!!! You do not know my DD. She is a good girl, she will do what I plan, but trust me, she WILL know that she is missing formal night .

I was really just wondering if anyone had regretted not going with the program. Thanks, again.

 

[wide awake]

I agree with West Jones...on formal night wear your dressiest clothes, and enjoy yourself. My DH wore a suit, I wore a silk dress, and my DS (13) wore dockers and a button down shirt...and we will do the same when we cruise in October. I refuse to buy a formal dress that I will never wear anyplace else, and I'd rather spend the tux rental money on a scuba diving excursion for my DH. I am not showing disrespect to anyone in dressing this way...as far as I know the people cruising with me are families, as we are, we've all paid pretty much the same price, and I am not going to try to impress anyone with clothing that is not part of our regular lifestyle. I am very honest...my DH is enlisted military, and I am a teacher. We are not rich, and we are not the type to wear formal wear on a regular basis. I handle money very well, so we are able to take wonderful vacations and pay cash. But I refuse to buy into the formal routine. And there were quite a few in the dining room that were dressed even more informally than we were.

 

[trishy]

So, sandygirl, just decide what works best for your family. If you don't want to skip Formal night dinner, then just dress like you would on other nights and you won't be alone. I remember quite a few others in regular dresses when we went to 'formal' night on our cruise and we didn't feel out of place at all.

Exactly! Your servers WILL tell you the same the night before formal. Nobody will stop you at the door and as long as you're not "dressed down" in gaudy apparel, nobody of any importance will notice you. Please enjoy yourself, let your dd have a great time, and have a terrific cruise.

 

[disneydebk]

Sandygirl,

You sound like you will be just fine. I didn't think it was right for my son to miss AP because he didn't have a tie and jacket with him. The Navigator suggested formal, but then says no shorts or jeans please. Well, I guess since my hubby wears jeans and workboots every day, pleated dress pants and a Ralph Lauren Polo short are formal for him, LOL!

We knew for sure that we wouldn't dress for Palo, so we just had it delivered to the suite. That filet sure was good....

 

[PinClubs]

Originally posted by wide awake
I agree with West Jones...on formal night wear your dressiest clothes, and enjoy yourself.

This subject always makes me laugh. At least this time around the thread has been pretty tame. Most times it gets pretty heated.

To wide awake: You do make an assumption that wearing formal attire would be enjoyable to everyone.

I do have a tendency to adhere to DCL's suggested attire, but what I think is most important is I couldn't care less what everyone else is wearing and I certainly don't care what they think about what I am wearing.

Finally I think it is important for some to realize that going on vacation regardless of where you are in the world has nothing to do with dressing up.

When my family goes away the last thing we want to pack is dress clothes.


Have fun on your cruise,

Jeff

 

[softfluff]

I think much of America's attitude is it is requested but do what you want as no one is going to stop you. I could go into a diatribe on how this is part of why we have so many problems in our society.

I applaud the people respectful enough to find alternate dining, including Sandygirl.

When we went I found it offensive people didn't respect the other diners enough to continue to create the magic of formal dining. Many people do enjoy it. Part of the experience of the cruise of our family and many others is the idea of formal dining. Many of us seldom experience this and want it. It kinda of took away the idea of the magical night at sea, when the people next to us came in their shorts and laughing as us idiots. But then again, no one stopped them so what the heck.

 

[disneydebk]

I agree that you shouldn't show up in the dining rooms in shorts, jeans, bathing suits, etc. However, I don't see a problem with folks dressing neatly in pants, polo tops, etc. Heck, most men who wear jackets take them off any way unless they are in a tux, don't you think?

If the show had been running on a "casual" night, I would have gone then. But I didn't get the right rotation, and I wasn't going to see my son miss out on the "magic" of the show there. We all have our opinion as to what magic is.

So I'm sorry if that is disrespectful, but it isn't my fault that some folks don't get out much or want to put on some false airs about who they are when aboard.

 

[The4OfUs]

Originally posted by disneydebk

So I'm sorry if that is disrespectful, but it isn't my fault that some folks don't get out much or want to put on some false airs about who they are when aboard.

Hold on here. Wanting to dress up in a beautiful outfit because I actually have a place to wear it means I don't get out much or am putting on false airs about who I am?

Rough words, disneydebk...DH is a chef, so that means he's usually cooking for everyone else and we do not get to go out at night...so now that I have an opportunity to get all dolled up, I'm going to take it, and that's not me putting on airs, nor is it a sign that I'm a shut-in...

Formal night and semiformal night are recommendations that I think most people follow...and as long as someone is dressed in a neat way, I'd think that's fine, but as mentioned by softfluff above, there are apparently some that mock the recommendations and ruin the atmosphere for everyone else, and those are the people that are upsetting. Don't want to at least put on something you'd feel comfortable (ie. not out of place) in if you were to go to a fancy restaurant or church - you know, NOT jeans, not shorts, not tshirts...well then, find somewhere else to eat on those nights, as far as I'm concerned.

 

[disneydebk]

I agreed that you shouldn't wear jeans, shorts, etc. in the dining rooms, and we had no problem with the way we were neatly dressed. We looked fine in our "place".

The previous poster stated it was disrespectful to not find alternative dining if you weren't "formally" dressed. When Disney chooses to run the AP show on formal night, then there is no other alternative to see it another night.

They cited that they didn't get the chance to experience dressing up, etc. so they liked it on the ship. I'm glad they enjoy it. But I don't think anyone's need/want/desire or whatever you may call it should supercede my right to see the show with my family. If my son hadn't been there, I wouldn't have cared.

My BIL is a chef, so I am familiar with your predicament via my sister. They have to go out mid-week when he has his day or two off. The weekends are a no-no for sure.

We didn't venture to Palo since it was a place where being dressy is more prevalent, and kids can't eat there any way. I have eaten there before, so I must say the filet and chocolate souffle still tasted great when I wore shorts in the cabin, LOL!

 

[4cruisin]

Anybody got a fire extinguisher?

Nancy

 

[disneydebk]

The flames are heating up, LOL!

 

[QueenTrident]

I think much of America's attitude is it is requested but do what you want as no one is going to stop you. I could go into a diatribe on how this is part of why we have so many problems in our society.

That's funny. I know it's not supposed to be, but it really is.

Also, to poorly paraphrase Dr. Phil. If other people ruin your magic by not dressing to the nines, it's not their problem, it's yours. Get over it.