I share his sentiment exactly. It is listed as a formal evening, and Disney made that decision when they could easily have decided not to have a formal night. For example, there is no formal night on the 3 or 4 night cruises, but
RCCL does have formal night on a 4 night cruise. And there are many, like the military example, for whom dressing up is a treat and part of a fancy special event, and on a premium priced cruise that may be a trip of a lifetime, and part of the experience of a formal night is the overall ambience of the event. If the overall effect was not part of the event, there would never be any reason to have a formal night. If someone can't do a suit, or even a blue blazer, with their slacks and tie, then one of the other options for dinner is available and more appropriate. I do think everyone has the right to enjoy a
DCL vacation, no question, but smokers have to accomodate to time and place guidelines, and when the guideline is "formal", then going against that is not considerate of the other guests. Its not like DCL sprung this on you after you boarded--formal night is advertised, and it would be hard to imagine someone who did not know about formal night during the time period when their ressie was fully refundable. If you sign up for a cruise with a formal night, and dont wish to dress in something that fits within the already loosened definition of formal, please enjoy topsiders, or enjoy the privacy of room service, or palo's, or perhaps relax and have something from pluto's.
I know I may get flamethrowers to target me, but it is not anything goes--if it was, they wouldn't call it formal or semi formal. The true bottom line is that one need not wear a tux. I think the guidelines described in DCL's own materials are clear, and fair. I understand some folks just aren't into dressing up as a firm part of their lifestyle--and a bahamian cruise won't make youdo so on the 3 or 4 nighter on DCL, or even another cruise line where formal night doesn't exist, like some of the sailing ships.
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