DCL formal night: Do more people dress black tie?

[dankevork]

We are so excited about dressing up on this cruise. We've never done black tie on other boats, but it seems that more people dress up on DCL. Is this true? I guess the "magic" of Disney makes you feel like you're in a fantasy land. My dh is wearing a tux! I found a gorgeous gown. My dream has always been to wear a tiara. What do you guys think? My dd (21 months) is wearing a cinderella gown. I wish I could find a Prince Charming costume for ds (4). We didn't feel like we could spend another $100 on a tux for him.
Any input is great.
Thanks!
Ashley
10/16 Magic

 

[dap]

On our cruise in 2002, our formal night was wonderful. The women with all their glitz and glamour dresses, it was great. Seeing everyone all dressed up is very nice, expecialy when all you see them in is tee shirts and jeans! I bet the tiarra will look wonderful... even for your daughter as well ... if you could keep it in her hair.

My DH was going to rent a tux but is was actually less expensive to buy one.. and with our next cruise in May, all he needs is dry cleaning.

 

[mostyn17]

I rented a tux and we usually get very dressed up....you see all kinds though...I have seen people in JEANS ON FORMAL NIGHT!!! I know that they paid for the vacation just like us, but I think it's just plain rude! You spend a lot of money on the formal ware and those 2 nights they should at least try to dress up...if not, GO TO THE BUFFET!!

Ok...i'm done venting now! lol

It sounds like your family is going to look great! Have a great cruise and take lots of pictures!

Travis

 

[Helene]

Can a tux be rented on board??

 

[aprilgail2]

We saw more people NOT formal than formal...one family was in shorts but the rest had on either a nice normal dress, not glitery gowns though there were a few of them or nice slacks nad a nice shirt. We were totally gong to skip it and told our wator we wouldn't be there but he brought over the head waitor and he said that it is only recommened and you don't have to get all dressed up, you wouldn't feel out of place wearing nice slacks or a simple dress.

 

[luvalldisney]

I say go for it! Dress up and be a princess! Why not try costume shops for a prince charming outfit for ds...perhaps just the shirt/vest and his own pants. We ordered tiaras online from info we found on these boards (sorry forget the online address, but you can find it in a search). We got quick delivery and 2 tiaras (a childs and adults) for less than $35 which included s/h. We also had them in less than 2 weeks. Have a great cruise! On our summer cruise we saw many families dressed and many of the teens were wearing their prom clothes, I know mom's were happy they got a second wear out of them.Bridesmaids dresses, prom clothes and even a wedding gown were on our cruise. Not too many tuxes, but many men and children in suits. (and even a family with dds in princess gowns and ds in a mickey mouse outfit..so many flashes went off as that family stood near the characters...it was so cute!) Also, we dressed early and spent time in line to get pictues and people watch, had a leisurely drink and went to shows then dinner. We really spent our time dressed and we found many others did the same, it was truely Magical!

 

[dankevork]

Yes, you can rent a tux on board if you are quick to get it. We just went through renting one last minute, ourselves. The company onboard is the same one Disney uses in the brochure you'll get with your cruise docs. Very reasonable price, and delivered to your state room. When you leave you just leave it in the room.

 

[DVCajun]

We didn't feel like we could spend another $100 on a tux for him.

You can get an awesome price on a child's tux on ebay. Typically about $25.

Michael's craft stores also have tiarras (in the wedding section)-- and there's usually a 40% off coupon in their ad in Sunday's paper!

 

[marie2004]

We love to dress up, we don't get to do this very offen. My husband rented a tux on our 1st cruise, but he ended up buying a nice suit, since we decided to cruise every year.(our 4th this year) My son wears a nice dress shirt & tie, and I get to buy a new dress each year, this makes for some wonderful pictures.

 

[wdwoldtimer]

Originally posted by dankevork
Yes, you can rent a tux on board if you are quick to get it. We just went through renting one last minute, ourselves. The company onboard is the same one Disney uses in the brochure you'll get with your cruise docs. Very reasonable price, and delivered to your state room. When you leave you just leave it in the room.

And if they run out, they'll rent you a nice waiter's uniform. The only problem is, everyone will be asking you for stuff during dinner.

 

[TootyJane]

Originally posted by dankevork
I wish I could find a Prince Charming costume for ds (4). We didn't feel like we could spend another $100 on a tux for him.
Any input is great.

Halloween is just around the corner. You might find Prince Charming costume for him at one of the costume or party stores. HTH

 

[dthogue]

I have to agree, when we cruised last May, we didn't see many tuxes and gowns. Most wore very nice dress clothes, and lots of pants/blouses for the ladies and most men in suits, althouhg my husband just wore a black dress shirt and black pants (tie of course) and didn't fell out of place.

We had the early seating and did see more formal attire heading to the late seating.

Tammy

 

[RobinMarie]

I was sort of stressing over formal night but shouldn't have in retrospect. There were a couple of people in tuxes and glitter, but for the most part it looked like semi-formal night to me. On semi-formal night our table mates asked why we were dressed up!

 

[Masonpips]

DO it, you won't regret it! Check ebay; I've bought my DS two tuxes there (luckily his one from last year fits this year)

We LOVE getting dressed up - dh wore his tux 3 times on our first cruise - the first time since our wedding!

Not everyone will be dressed up, but those that aren't WILL look at you in awe and even jealousy. Especially when you do the pictures. You can see the other moms going "ohhhh, I wish my family was all dressed up"

 

[Donalds_best_pal]

I understand people payed for the vacation but in my opinion its really rude to not dress up on formal night. When they say its formal attire that means formal attire. People showing up in jeans and shorts bugs me. Its suppose to be a nice dinner with nicer clothers, why cant even adults follow the rules. I wish DCL would enforce dress code more like other cruise lines. We ate at California Grill once were attire is formal or semi formal and people were there in tank tops and shorts when i was dining there recently for my birthday. People these days
Done venting now too,
Matt

 

[DVCajun]

I wish DCL would enforce dress code more like other cruise lines.

That would make me very uncomfortable. Speaking as someone who intends to dress more "semi-formal" on formal night, if I read that the dress code was "enforced" I would assume that meant I had to wear a glitzy dress and rent a tux for DH. We have two boys under 3, so we've decided to forgo formal attire this trip.

I do understand your frustration over folks who wear shorts to dinner on formal evenings. I'm amazed that they're not embarrassed. Consider the number of posts on this board from folks worrying that their clothing isn't appropriate-- most of us would rather skip the entire night than look like a doofus. Obviously, not everyone cares if they look like a doofus, though!

 

[musicgirl]

Dh and ds just wore suits. I wore a "little black classic dress" that dh gave me for my birthday. I loved dressing for dinner even though we only stayed dressed up for a little while.

Now, remember even the best plans may take a little "detour". Ds was cool about wearing the jacket until 30 min. before dinner. Yes, my duel personality 13 yr. switched identities. I have a picture to prove it!!!!

Needless to say, after all the finger waggings and rolling of the eyes (him not me!), he wore the jacket......for about 2 minutes into dinner and then promptly took it off and put it on the back of his chair!!!! I showed him didn't I!!!! LOL

Lorie

 

[smchan]

My my 2/28/04 Western, most men were in suits or tuxes with it probably being 49% tuxes, 49% suits or coat & tie, and 2% non-formal dress. One of my tablemates said he "didn't pack a jacket", so I offered him one of my extras but he politely refused.

I felt my wife and I were fairly typical of the dress I saw around the ship on formal night. Here's a self-portrait to give you an idea... (Boy, oh, boy... I love my pretty redhead in that black dress. Can't wait to see it again!)

Sam

 

[mississaugamom]

Originally posted by smchan
My my 2/28/04 Western, most men were in suits or tuxes with it probably being 49% tuxes, 49% suits or coat & tie, and 2% non-formal dress. One of my tablemates said he "didn't pack a jacket", so I offered him one of my extras but he politely refused.

Sam

I agree with you, Sam. We were on the same cruise and all the families we saw were very nicely dressed. My DH was wearing a tux, my uncle wore a nice navy blazer and grey slacks. Both looked very handsome and we have some awesome family photos. I'm looking forward to more formal/semi-formal nights on my next cruise!

Arlene

 

[DaddioTN]

Come on now. THis is vacation. If people want to dress informly for dinner it should be okay. THey aren't hurting you. Afterall, some shorts and pantsuits can be very dressy looking. I hope that DCL continues to let people dress the way they want for dinner. THe formal dinner attire is not a requirement for the formal night and I think it should stay that way.