Different type of Formal Night Question

[Vicki106]

We are getting ready to sail (in 10 DAYS!) on a 7 night cruise on the Fantasy. We've only done a 4 night Dream cruise before and that cruise didn't have a formal night. My teenage daughters wonder how fancy is too fancy for formal night. They have prom gowns and would love to wear them. I know most formal night questions are "Do we have to dress up?" and "Would my khakis (pjs) be too casual for formal night?" We have the opposite question. Would prom gowns be too formal? (One has a beautiful floor length yellow ball gown and the other has a floor length black and sequin gown.) They like the idea of dressing up, but they are worried they'll look too dressed up. So my question is: Have you seen people this dressed up on Formal Night? Will they look crazy?

TIA

 

[Vicki106]

Of course the real question is: How much luggage are we going to need to take if we bring these gowns?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

We are getting ready to sail (in 10 DAYS!) on a 7 night cruise on the Fantasy. We've only done a 4 night Dream cruise before and that cruise didn't have a formal night. My teenage daughters wonder how fancy is too fancy for formal night. They have prom gowns and would love to wear them. I know most formal night questions are "Do we have to dress up?" and "Would my khakis (pjs) be too casual for formal night?" We have the opposite question. Would prom gowns be too formal? (One has a beautiful floor length yellow ball gown and the other has a floor length black and sequin gown.) They like the idea of dressing up, but they are worried they'll look too dressed up. So my question is: Have you seen people this dressed up on Formal Night? Will they look crazy?

TIA

If there's an actual "formal" night, you'll see all manner of dress. From full on formals to shorts & t-shirts.

IMO, if someone want to "dress to the nines" then they should go for it. I have. Even did the tiara on one cruise.

I pack my formal dress in the plastic wrap from the cleaners. It helps with the wrinkles. You can also send the gowns out as soon as you're onboard for pressing, if you want.

 

[Tractortom]

I'm no expert, only been on one Disney cruise, but as a 60 something year old man I say "go for it!" Life is much to short to not do as much as you can do. One additional bag for the two gowns is a small price to pay to spend a night all dolled up.

Tom in Okeechobee, FL

 

[Vicki106]

If there's an actual "formal" night, you'll see all manner of dress. From full on formals to shorts & t-shirts.

IMO, if someone want to "dress to the nines" then they should go for it. I have. Even did the tiara on one cruise.

I pack my formal dress in the plastic wrap from the cleaners. It helps with the wrinkles. You can also send the gowns out as soon as you're onboard for pressing, if you want.

Thank you! I actually bought them tiaras last night at Kohl's. 16 year old thought that was great - "If I'm in, I'm all in!" 14 year old looked worried and said "I don't want to look crazy or weird." I told her it is a cruise full of princesses and if she wouldn't wear it, I would.

 

[Cackyschmackers]

@Vicki106 You will see that formal and even semiformal nights on a 7nt are very different from optional dress up on the 4nts. I say go for it! My husband brought his tux, and my daughters and I were all decked out on each formal and semiformal evening on all of our longer cruises. The characters are dressed up too, and we have the most wonderful family portraits from the professional photographers. Yes, your luggage will suffer from it though! Coming up we only have the ODU nights, my husband is glad but my daughters still do want to dress up. You'll see all manner of dress, so, really, it's up to you! Happy cruising!

 

[apathetic]

There is nothing too formal on any night. You will see people dressed up even on cruise casual nights. You will definitely not look out of place and probably get a ton of complements.

 

[stephmarty]

Another vote for "go for it!" I'm going to encourage my daughter to do the same. When they were younger, my girls wore their Disney princess gowns on formal nights, as did many others. It doesn't get much dressier than that.

 

[Msmit002]

You will have ah-maaaazing photos dressed like that. Enjoy!

 

[_auroraborealis_]

Formal nights are one of the rare occasions you can pull out prom/bridesmaid/etc. dresses and not be embracing camp in some way with them. DO EET

 

[Anchors Away 2016]

You will have ah-maaaazing photos dressed like that. Enjoy!

This! Who cares what others will be wearing (although to be sure SOME people will be VERY fancy and others will dress like it is just another night). But it will be great for photos. If you aren't buying their photo package, be sure to take plenty of your own. In addition to the places their photographers line you up, there are plenty of great settings for formal photos! Have a blast!

 

[pezgirlroy]

Go for it. Just have fun with it. When I told my daughter about formal night (she is 6) she said I should wear my wedding gown. Now that would be a bit too much.

 

[com_op_2000]

You are never too old to dress how you feel comfortable. IF your DDs want to go full on dress up I say go for it.
DW and I dress up every night of our cruises for ourselves and we have gotten many positive responses including:
I wish I had brought my prom, bridesmaid, etc gown.
I wish I had thought to dress up a little as I do not get to do so at home.
You two look so good all dolled up, I think it is nice.

 

[cmph]

Tell them to do it!! This takes me back to my own teenage years... my sister and I absolutely wore our homecoming and prom dresses on cruises! I can't remember if the norm was 2 formal nights back then, or if we took it upon ourselves to turn a semi-formal night into a formal night (this was the 90s), but we each brought 2. We'd hang them in the bathroom when everyone showered. 4 people showering one after the other in the evening creates some good steam! Bonus: my dad had to stop asking "Why do I keep having to buy these fancy dresses that they'll wear exactly once?"

My own daughter (who is 12 but tall and looks like a teenager, but doesn't own any actual prom dresses obv!) wore a fairly formal dress earlier this year - taffeta on bottom, with sequins. She's totally the kid who would feel awkward if it seemed like she was sticking out and would insist on changing, but she felt perfectly comfortable all night in her dress. No way will your kids be the only ones in floor-length gowns, we saw plenty of them.

 

[ladyofthetramp]

Some dress to the "nines" on formal night, others not so much. And neither group looks out of place! I dress every night of our cruises-not formally, but on formal night I do. It makes me feel good and absolutely no one will make you feel out of place. Go, pull out those fantastic dresses and enjoy!

 

[Travel60]

Yes, Yes, Yes! Young ladies (and young men) should know how to dress up when the occasion calls for it. It will be on a sea day so maybe schedule them some hairdo and mani/pedi time in the salon!

 

[Vicki106]

Thank you for all these wonderful responses! My girls were thrilled when I passed on your comments. They are definitely packing the gowns! I really appreciate the input.

 

[adg06]

I'm glad you asked this, we almost never have the opportunity to dress up, but I am so excited about doing it! In our family, even weddings are super-casual usually. The extra suitcase is totally worth it!

 

[SteveMP]

Yep on formal nights you can go all out. Makes the pictures that much more fun and memorable. Rather than yet another picture in a black dress.

 

[Carrie in AZ]

They will SHINE!!