Formal Night

[DlandAP]

First time cruise, ever, unless you count the Queen Mary or watching re-runs of Love Boat. How does formal night work? Do you dress up just for dinner? Is it an all day thing? Does it continue on to the night clubs? Just curious.

 

[jdb in AZ]

It's usually just for dinner, especially if you're having pictures taken. After dinner you "slip into something more comfortable." Actually, some people don't dress up at all. Your choice.

 

[Peggytc]

I would dress up for dinner and then keep it going the rest of the night! Into the lounge or club or what have you.

 

[w.e.d 5571]

Most people just dress up for the photos and dinner. You don't even need to dress, though I would recommend dressing up if you want to take some photos. Basically, as long as you don't show up your swimsuit, you're good.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

DCL has one of the most relaxed dress codes in the cruise industry. While there might be a "formal" night, you are not required to dress up. It's "suggested" attire on the website, not "required".

You'll see all manner of dress, from fancy clothes to tshirts and shorts, even on formal nights.

You can dress up for the whole evening (we do). Or "just for dinner". Or not at all. Whatever works for you.

 

[DISNEY FANTASY]

First time cruise, ever, unless you count the Queen Mary or watching re-runs of Love Boat. How does formal night work? Do you dress up just for dinner? Is it an all day thing? Does it continue on to the night clubs? Just curious.

Normally evening so dinner and show or show and dinner.

Not a lot do it nowadays.

 

[MunFam]

**I think dressing up has a lot to do with your itinerary too. Our Panama Canal cruise in May had a ton of people dressed in tuxes and ball gowns, my family included. Now, I am not so sure I would be packing a tux and ball gown for a 4 day Caribbean cruise...people were dressed up around 4pm and stayed dressed through dinner and the show. Also, the afternoon of the Mickey and Friends group picture, lots of people were in their formal attire for that photo as well.

 

[squirk]

We've never dressed for formal night and it's been just fine. There are plenty of folks dressing up, but there are plenty still dressed in "cruise casual" and no one seems to mind.

Still it looks like fun and I would like to do it. However, for the five of us, that would be a whole 'nother suitcase to lug around, containing clothes we will use for only 2-3 hours out of the entire week. I'm not even sure we have room for another suitcase in the Odyssey's way-back.

 

[muse7mom]

We change for the show and dinner (or dinner and show--whichever order). I'm in a "church dress," DD wears a sundress, DH in khakis and a polo/golf shirt.

 

[TiffyRose]

I LOVE to dress up. I don't have enough space in my closet for all my semi-formal and formal wear. I will dress up before the show every night. I don't really believe in cruise casual for dinner though. Wear what you are comfortable with for dinner within the guidelines; don't worry about theme nights if you don't want to.

 

[Sir William]

DW and I like to dress up on cruises and I would have no problem dressing up each evening if required (too much Downton Abbey I guess).

Some years ago I bought an inexpensive tux to wear to some of her business functions and taking it on a cruise gives me a chance to wear it more often than once or twice a year. I wear it for both formal and semi-formal nights on the 7 night cruises to justify the weight and space (the tux takes up no more room than a sports coat but the shoes are a pain). We always have late seating, so I go to the show, change into the tux afterwards, wear it to dinner and to the lounges afterward. I do take an extra shirt, though I suppose I could take one and just have it cleaned. DW takes an LBD and just changes accessories for a slightly different look.