Formal and Semi-Formal

[TheLeonhardts]

Okay, I have a pretty good idea how to dress the gang on formal night. But, what do folks wear on semi-formal?

Just a little background -- my husband went to college for 12 years, in my opinion, for the primary reason of not wearing a suit and tie everyday. He puts them on begrudgingly for work purposes only about every 6 months, as needed. So -- we've never really done the formal or semi-formal thing -- unless one of us was in a wedding and our wardrobe was picked out for us.

I imagine for men it's tuxes on formal and suits on semi-formal -- but do you see any tuxes on semi-formal? I'm thinking that the tux rental comes with 2 shirts -- so maybe DH can get both nights out of it and not have to pack his suit. What have your families done?

Okay -- DD, age 12 at cruise time, is already chomping at the bit for formal wear. I'm thinking we'll do a long dress for formal night - something simple and classic. But, what the heck do we wear for semi-formal? Tea length? I tend to have 2 speeds -- suits and business casual (sweater set & skirt). The latter works well for the dining rooms on the 3 day cruise, but this semi-formal thing has me a little puzzled.

Any helpful suggestions for the wardrobe-impaired will be greatly appreciated. . .

Thanks!

Judy

 

[Verandah Man]

Don't get stressed out like we did before our first cruise last August. We almost didn't do a 7 day cruise because of the formal and semi-formal nights. We decided to go with what we had and still had a very nice time. I wore dress pants, dress shirt, a Mickey tie, and a sport coat for both formal and semi-formal night (no tux for me). Yes, I had shoes and socks on too. My DW and DD 13 both wore very nice long dresses for the formal and semi-formal nights. I would have to say, that the men on our cruise that wore a tux, although they looked very sharp, were in the minority.

This is the photo we had taken on Formal night during our 2003 cruise.

 

[kcashner]

First, relax! You can wear anything you want on any night. Most men wear suits or tux on formal and semi night. If you don't want to mess with a tux, a suit is fine for both. For a 12 year old, a shirt and tie is fine. If he has a sports jacket or suit, that's obviously OK too, but you don't have to go out and buy special clothes for the cruise.

As to dresses, DD (age 13) and I wear "formal" type dresses both nights. We've been cruising on DCL since she was 7, and she loves the "dress up" dresses. There's really no distinction between formal and semi night....they used to be "Captain Mickey's party" and Captain Tom's party....but are essentially the same as far as dress. Women can be short or long...just sort of dress up clothes. Some people will be really in full blown formals, others more in "church clothes." It's a matter of what you are comfortable with.....You and husband will not be out of place no matter what you wear.

Since you are "wardrobe impaired", go with suits or sports coats for the guys....whatever you feel comfortable in is fine.

 

[CAMICKEY]

Andy - Is that a picture of Angelina? And you said she was how old? Looks about 18 in the picture. - Mike

Jacket, slacks, white shirt (top button not buttoned and hidden under Mickey tie - LOL), tie (loosely tied), loafers - for formal and semi formal for me. - Mike

 

[Verandah Man]

Andy - Is that a picture of Angelina? And you said she was how old? Looks about 18 in the picture

Angelina was just 3 weeks away from turning 13 when this photo was taken.

 

[Mickeyhugger]

Many of the men who rent tuxes for the cruise wear them on both formal and semi-formal night. It's the same w/women as far as formal wear. A few will be wearing full-length formals, and most will be wearing 'cocktail' (or semi-formal type) dresses. What helped me decide for semi-formal is 'what would I wear to a wedding?'

You'll probably (as we did) think it's a lot of fun to 'dress-up' for formal/semi-formal once the nights finally arrive!

 

[DreaminDisney]

I just want to say....
Andy, that's a very nice picture of your family. -Debbie

 

[jgalecpa]

I used the analogy for dress code:

Formal Night:
Where what you might to a wedding (of someone you liked!).

Semi-Formal Night
Where what you might to church.

Andy:
Get out the stick to fight the boys away!

Seriously, you guys make a terrific family.

Jim

 

[Verandah Man]

Originally posted by jgalecpa
I used the analogy for dress code:

Formal Night:
Where what you might to a wedding (of someone you liked!).

Semi-Formal Night
Where what you might to church.

Andy:
Get out the stick to fight the boys away!

Seriously, you guys make a terrific family.

Jim

Thanks, and, I have a baseball bat sitting next to the front door!!!

 

[Ella2]

I've noticed a VERY wide range of dress on semi-formal nights. MANY people just dress casually, as they do on the other nights. A few in suits and cocktail dresses. VERY few in tuxes and formal wear that night. It seems like on the Magic most everyone dresses up for formal night and that's pretty much it for the formal wear. There used to be TWO formal nights when they first started the 7-night itinerary, and people did dress up more then, but once they switched to one semi-formal night it seems to have gone by the wayside.

DCL is really more casual than most cruise lines when it comes to dinner dress, I've discovered. Don't stress about what to wear for a semi-formal night. You'd be perfectly dressed in a skirt and sweater and your daughter in any type of dress that she wants. Your DH can wear a sport coat and slacks, with an open collar shirt, and he'll fit in just fine.

Enjoy your cruise!

 

[steverog]

Andy,

You sure did look good there, however this year Thomas wants his picture made with Mr. ANDY and Mickey so I guess we better find you a tux.

Steve

 

[Verandah Man]

Originally posted by steverog
Andy,

You sure did look good there, however this year Thomas wants his picture made with Mr. ANDY and Mickey so I guess we better find you a tux.

Steve

Lordy, Lordy, now what am I going to do. I guess I'll be renting a tux. I can't disappoint Thomas, no pressure here my good man!!! Can't wait to meet you and your family in August.

 

[CAMICKEY]

Andy - What's the baseball bat for? Are you coaching a softball team this year? LOL

 

[Verandah Man]

Originally posted by CAMICKEY
Andy - What's the baseball bat for? Are you coaching a softball team this year? LOL

The baseball bat is to chase the boys away with!!! LOL!!!

 

[CAMICKEY]

Are those boys bothering you again? Give Angelina the bat and have her chase them away. ROFLOL - Mike

 

[Verandah Man]

Originally posted by CAMICKEY
Are those boys bothering you again? Give Angelina the bat and have her chase them away. ROFLOL - Mike

Oh Mike, right now I'm so groggy on pain meds I can't sit up straight, and after reading your post, I'm nearly ON THE FLOOR!!!

 

[CAMICKEY]

Andy - What are you doing on the floor - Your'e suppose to be giving the bat to Angelina to chase the boys away. Glad I could give you a laugh. Hope you are off those pain meds soon. I know the surgery is going to proceed as planned and the outcome will be nothing short of a miracle (Totally pain free walking and able to chase teenage boyrs with a baseball bat). Chat back later. Take care of yourself. - Mike

 

[TheLeonhardts]

Thanks so much, everyone!!

Verandah Man, I hope all goes well and you feel better. I understand well about the need for the baseball bat. We've done something similar to what CAMickey is suggesting -- our daughter has been in kung fu for 2 years. So far, her only interest in teenage boys is how quickly she can take them down. We're hoping she keeps that sentiment until she's about 30.

You have a beautiful family. I also want to let you know how much we appreciate your posts!!

Judy