Formal Vs Semi-formal

[Mark_F]

How does the dress differ (not differ?) on the semi formal night versus the formal night?

Are tuxedoes worn on both or just the formal night?

 

[dizneyusa]

DCL cruising is a bit different from other
cruise lines. Due to their dining room rotation......

On Lumier's night on the Magic, that is their
(dress up) night. On the Wonder, the night
that you eat in Tritons is the (dress up) night.

As to how dressed up do you want to get
is up to you.

We have been on the ship were you will
see from Life Styles of the Rich and Famous
to someone wearing a t-shirt and jeans??????

You got me. Guests that have cruised for
a long time remember the times when on
the 2nd night out usually is considered the
Capt.s Dinner and all would respect the Capt.
and dress. Now, who knows........

Or maybe it is just the lack of knowledge or
some guests just do not want to dress up
period, they feel they paid and they will go
as they wish?????

BUT, we love to dress for dinner and do
like the tradition of the dressing for the 2nd
night out or on DCL the dressing to go to
Palo's or Lumiere's or Tritons.......

Whatever makes you feel good!!!

Dana

 

[invaderzim]

On formal night, tuxedos are "suggested". My husband has always just worn a very nice suit and tie. But there were a LOT of families who looked like they just walked out of GQ.

Semi-formal night was basically the same. My DD and I have very nice evening gowns we got on sale because we thought it would be fun to dress up. Again, my husband wore his suit. On other nights, depending on the theme, men wore sport shirts or shirts and ties and tropical shirts on tropical night.

They do rent tuxes on the ship and you can actually reserve and pay for them ahead of time. You get two dress shirts and get to keep the tux for the week. We may do that next year on the repo cruise since I hear that they are going to have more than one formal night.

 

[mickey minder]

Tuxedos are considered formal attire. There is one night on the Magic that is formal. Semi-formal is usually jacket and tie. Usually one would not wear a tux to a semiformal dinner, but it is okay if you do. Semi-formal night is on a separate night. Lumier's on any night is" jacket recommended." So if you are in Lumier's on formal or semiformal night would you would already be appropriately dressed. Palo is also jacket-tie on any night. The formal and semiformal nights are shipwide, not just in one dining room. Depending on your rotation, you could be in any of the dining rooms on those nights. Relax, enjoy. Don't forget the formal portraits. They are a great opportunity for family pix when everyone is all dressed up.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

Originally posted by dizneyusa
DCL cruising is a bit different from other
cruise lines. Due to their dining room rotation......

On Lumier's night on the Magic, that is their
(dress up) night. On the Wonder, the night
that you eat in Tritons is the (dress up) night.

That's not correct.

On the Disney Magic, the formal and semi-formal nights are determined strictly by the day of the week, not by your dining rooms. For example, on the Western Caribbean itinerary, Monday and Thursday are the formal and semi-formal nights, respectively. (We were in Animator's Palate for both.)

On the Disney Wonder, there is neither a formal nor a semi-formal night. Jackets are suggested when dining in Triton's, but that can just be a blazer over a polo shirt -- not a tuxedo or dark suit.

For a good list of definitions, see http://fashion.about.com/cs/glossary/a/partydefinition.htm

Formal night on the Disney Magic is essentialy "Black Tie Optional" -- usually with more men in dark suits than in tuxedos. But it's really not that strict. You'll also see light colored suits, sportcoats, button-down shirts with ties (without jackets), and a few clueless folks who make no effort whatsoever.

Semi-formal night is all over the board. On average, people are more dressed than on casual nights, but it tends to be far less formal than formal night. For a man who wore a dark suit on formal night, it's easiest to wear the same suit on semi-formal night.

Get with the spirit. Have fun. Dress up. And don't sweat it.

 

[Horace Horsecollar]

Originally posted by mickey minder
Lumier's on any night is" jacket recommended." So if you are in Lumier's on formal or semiformal night would you would already be appropriately dressed.

Up until a couple of years ago, the Navigators suggested a jacket for any night in Lumiere's. But that's not the case any more. The suggested attire in Lumiere's is now the same as in Animator's Palate and Parrot Cay.

The suggested attire in the three main dining rooms is always exactly the same. It is based only on the the day of the week. (There's still some DCL literature floating around with the old suggested attire, but you can safely ignore it.)

Also, just wearing a jacket does not mean you are dressed in formal or semi-formal attire. If you are in Lumiere's (or in one of the other two dining rooms) on formal night or semi-formal, I would recommend following the suggested attire. I'm someone who is glad I don't have to wear a suit and tie to work any more, but I have to say it was fun being part of the festive, dressy atmosphere of formal and semi-formal night of the Disney Magic.

 

[Mark_F]

Get with the spirit. Have fun. Dress up. And don't sweat it.

Oh I intend to ... was really interested in whether it was proper if I wore my tux on both formal and semi-formal night.

I have had my own tuxedo for almost 30 years so dressing up is not a problem, in fact I used the trip as an excuse to retire my old tux and get a new one ... and wouldn't mind showing it off twice.

So I am not sure there is any agreement here. Formal night - of course ... Semi-formal - have you seen men in tuxedoes and do they look out of place?

 

[invaderzim]

There were men on our cruise in tuxes on semi-formal night.

 

[Mark_F]

Originally posted by invaderzim
There were men on our cruise in tuxes on semi-formal night.

Thanks!

 

[mickey minder]

The DCL website still states that Lumier's is "more formal" than the other dining rooms. However, people do vary in their choice of attire. It isn't a big deal. Just have a good time. Just trying to anwer the OP's question.

 

[Tinkmom]

Originally posted by Mark_F
... Semi-formal - have you seen men in tuxedoes and do they look out of place?

A fairly large number of people did not "dress up" on semi-formal night. What really surprised me was that of the ones that did not, I heard MANY comment that they wished that they had, and I heard more than one child asking "why aren't we dressed up like them?" when they saw about half the crowd dressed more formally. I certainly didn't care one way or the other how everyone else was dressed, we had just decided to go more formal than less and were particularly glad that we did!

What I am trying to say is that I think there is more of a risk of underdressing than overdressing. To answer your final question: not nearly as many tuxes on semi-formal night, but those guys wearing them looked great and got compliments.

 

[Mark_F]

... to make me look good , but hey, any help I can get, right?

(This trip marks the retirement of this tux ... was time for a new one! Of course the cuff links and cumberbund/tie are still in fashion )

 

[callahanjulie10]

My DH always wears his tux on formal and semi formal because of the packing issue. I do not pack another jacket. Usually I will pack him 1 pair of khakis, 1 pair black, & 1 pair dk green dress pants along with the tux. I do pack a seperate shirt/matching tie (just in case) for each night. This really cuts down on the luggage required. Usually he will wear the polo shirts that he wears to dinner on port days as well.

 

[pittcrew]

Whenever we cruise my husband wears his tux on both the formal and semi-formal nights. Since he brought the tux he may as well wear it more than once, and it is nice to have a chance to dress up. They also have the photographers available to take your picture and the lines are much shorter than the ones on the formal night.

 

[Mark_F]

callahanjulie10

Does he pack a jacket for use in Palo's or in Triton/Lumiere?

 

[Mark_F]

Originally posted by pittcrew
Whenever we cruise my husband wears his tux on both the formal and semi-formal nights. Since he brought the tux he may as well wear it more than once, and it is nice to have a chance to dress up. They also have the photographers available to take your picture and the lines are much shorter than the ones on the formal night.

Thanks ... that is what I was hoping to hear. Heck, even I look better in a tux!

 

[dizneyusa]

Yes on the Magic (7 day) there are formal vs semi formal
like on other ships. BUT, do guests dress like old times......
hhhhmmmmm, really look around next time, you might
be surprised what you see.

Alot of guests do not dress up, which I think is sad
I LOVE the old time cruising atmosphere it adds to
the beauty of cruising (JMO)......

Again Palo's and Lumiers is where we saw the guests
dressing up (most). Maybe it just was our rotation the times
we were on the sailing?

On the Wonder, TRITON'S and PALO's, they still dressed
up like I mentioned the first time........Again, must have
been on the sailings we were on.

I think it is great to dress for dinner and once again
we are one of the lucky ones who has cruised some and
love the pictures, seeing everyone especially the kids
all dressed up!!! They are to gorgeous and the pictures
are priceless!!!!!

My daughter and I have even gone to the beauty salon
and had our hair and nails done when she was younger
and made a day of it. Had alot of fun........would not
have changed it for the world.

GO FOR IT!!!! It is fun and especially if you own your tux
wear it proud and sure you will look great!

Again have a GREAT TRIP!!!

Dana

 

[mmouse37]

On 10 DCL cruises I have to say the MAJORITY of people do dress up on both formal and semi formal nights. I saw a very small percentage not dressed up...maybe 5 percent.

Just walk through the atrium on formal night and you will surprised how dressed everyone is......just like the old cruising days!!!

MJ

 

[Mickeyhugger]

Good for you Mark_F!

I'm so glad that you enjoy dressing for 'formal and semi-formal.'

It's such a casual world anymore, that some people even balk at following suggested guidelines. (Though not many, thank goodness.)

No, I'm not blasting anyone on these boards. My sister and her DH and two sons cruised NCL a few years back, and they loved the whole experience but her DH and sons were whining about having to 'dress up.' (It was a requirement back then.) To this day, they gripe about anytime they have to don 'nice clothes.'

I hope there are many out there who will continue to enjoy 'formal and semi-formal' activities.

 

[traycie2201]

okay i know what DH is going to wear but what do you wear yourself ladies, the only time i wore a dress is on my wedding day and so i really don't want to wear one and feel uncomfortable but i don't want to look out of place either , did anyone wear pantsuits or anything other than a dress, does anyone have photos of formal night so i can guage what level of dress is needed, thanks, also same for kids DS13 only want to wear jeans and shirts he know it's not an option for 2 nights on the cruise and i won't be getting a tux for him so again what did your DS wear ? thanks for your help .