Formal/Semi Formal Night on Alaska Cruise

[mimmiepnp]

For all of those that have sailed to Alaska, I am sure this has been discussed lots of times but I can’t find the thread so please forgive me .....

We are leaving for Alaska in 3 weeks..so excited !!! Starting to think about packing, putting outfits together and all the layers which is fine but does everyone dress up for Formal night and semi formal night? We have dinner and brunch at Paolo’s so I need a dress for dinner as dress pants will be fine for brunch but trying to decide if I need 2 more dressy outfits as I have heard Alaska is a bit more casual than the other cruises. Black pants and a nice top will do for the other nights but stuck on how many dressy outfits we need. As you can guess, luggage space is at a premium and I only want to pack what I need.

Thank you

 

[Kennywood]

We were on the May 20 - 27 Alaskan cruise. For the men, there weren't a lot of tuxedos but there were plenty in suits. Of course, there are those that are "on vacation" and wore whatever they wanted. The women's clothing also ran the range from elegant to very casual.

There are a couple of things to keep in mind. First, how often do you two get to actually dress up? If it's not very often, then take advantage of the opportunity. Speaking of opportunities, you'll also be able to get pictures taken. My wife and I use these opportunities to get pictures that we send out with our Christmas cards.

Don't be bothered if you wear the same outfit for Palos and Formal night or Semi-formal Night. You can save luggage space by wearing the same outfit or slightly altering it for each occasion.

If you're worried at all about where to put luggage on the ship, suitcases will most often slide under the bed.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

For all of those that have sailed to Alaska, I am sure this has been discussed lots of times but I can’t find the thread so please forgive me .....

We are leaving for Alaska in 3 weeks..so excited !!! Starting to think about packing, putting outfits together and all the layers which is fine but does everyone dress up for Formal night and semi formal night? We have dinner and brunch at Paolo’s so I need a dress for dinner as dress pants will be fine for brunch but trying to decide if I need 2 more dressy outfits as I have heard Alaska is a bit more casual than the other cruises. Black pants and a nice top will do for the other nights but stuck on how many dressy outfits we need. As you can guess, luggage space is at a premium and I only want to pack what I need.

Thank you

You can wear the same thing for Palo brunch/dinner and formal/semi-formal nights.

No need to bring separate outfits for each activity. No one will notice that you "wore it already".

There's no real "dress code" in the main dining rooms, either, beyond "no swimwear or tank tops for dinner" So, you will pretty much see everything from fancy dress to shorts and t shirts (even on formal night).

 

[ofcabbagesandkings]

I was on the first cruise too. Saw everything from full ballgowns that must have taken their own suitcase to people dressed more business casual. I wore a slip dress because I am forever a child of the 90s and felt like I was one of the more underdressed people, but I didn't mind because I'm also someone who doesn't like to pack single-wear clothes. (I may have also had that impression because we were in Tritons and that was by the Atrium where people who made more of a fashion effort congregated to meet the officers and take formal photos. People at Tiana's or Animators may not have noticed as many formally-dressed folks). It was chilly on deck so I was happy to have a thin sweater layered on too. We posed for a picture with Tuxedo Mickey that night but we didn't do any of the other Shutters pictures at dinnertime. I wore a skirt to Palo dinner and jeans and a cardigan to Palo brunch.

 

[Cruising Engineer]

I have one little black dress that I have taken on 8 cruises. I change the jewelry for different dinners. Just bring one outfit and change the jewelry or belt/sash. A knockout pair of earrings or necklace, hey, no one will notice your outfit ( unless its red sequence) !!!!!!!