How formal is formal night?

[slzer0]

What kind of things have you worn?
Just curious how all-out people go.

 

[cris0809]

Depends on the sailing. Short (3/4/5 night) Caribbean cruises can be very casual, especially with the new "relaxed" dress code I imagine you'll see everything from shorts upward.

On our Panama Canal cruise this past May on the Wonder we saw sparkly long gowns (on myself included), tuxes, lots of suits, sport coats and a few kids running around in dress shirts and pants. There were 181 under 18's on that sailing. As a contrast in January on the same ship there were about 1100.

We like it to feel special so even if others aren't dressing up for dinner we do. I typically bring a dress for every night of whichever cruise we're on plus a brunch-appropriate Palo choice.

Edited to add: We don't overpack, we're creative. One suitcase for the two women in my house up to 7 nights. No matter the destination. We did bring two for 14 nights + 2 Disneyland days but only because space for walking shoes was an issue.

 

[Purplejewel]

Depends on the sailing. Short (3/4/5 night) Caribbean cruises can be very casual, especially with the new "relaxed" dress code I imagine you'll see everything from shorts upward.

On our Panama Canal cruise this past May on the Wonder we saw sparkly long gowns (on myself included), tuxes, lots of suits, sport coats and a few kids running around in dress shirts and pants. There were 181 under 18's on that sailing. As a contrast in January on the same ship there were about 1100.

We like it to feel special so even if others aren't dressing up for dinner we do. I typically bring a dress for every night of whichever cruise we're on plus a brunch-appropriate Palo choice.

Edited to add: We don't overpack, we're creative. One suitcase for the two women in my house up to 7 nights. No matter the destination. We did bring two for 14 nights + 2 Disneyland days but only because space for walking shoes was an issue.

My family also likes to dress up each night - we get the most fantastic photos!!!! I have worn a long ball gown on formal night and a cocktail syle dress as well - depends on my mood and how much room I have in my bags to fit everything. However, most of our cruises are 7-nights and we are going on a 4-night cruise next April and since it is a shorter cruise we are wearing sundresses on casual night and then just dressing up on the one formal night they have on the shorter cruises.

 

[LoveMickey]

As formal as you want to make it.

Some people go all out. I just wear a nice long dress.

 

[jdb in AZ]

Whatever you're most comfortable wearing.

Think of what you'd wear as a guest at a nice wedding. Some cruise passengers will be dressier than that; others will be a lot less "formal." DCL tends to be less dressier than other cruise lines.

 

[mmouse37]

Many of the staff are dressed in tuxes that night to give you an idea. You will see everything from all out full length gowns to pant suits. On men, tuxes to Dockers.

Google "formal night pics - the Dis" or similar search and you will find a bunch of photo threads of what people wear on formal night.

MJ

 

[slzer0]

Many of the staff are dressed in tuxes that night to give you an idea. You will see everything from all out full length gowns to pant suits. On men, tuxes to Dockers.

Google "formal night pics - the Dis" or similar search and you will find a bunch of photo threads of what people wear on formal night.

MJ

Good idea.


I don't think dh will do a tux, nor will dd do a gown (although ahe did mention a bridesmaid dress she has and that's formal-formal).

Maybe we will hit the after-prom sames and find something cocktail-awesome or a tad dressier.
Dh loves a nice suit and is happy to have an excuse to wear one.
DS2 will look so cute in a suit lile daddy!

 

[JohnsPrincess]

We like to do it up! I'll be on the look out for a cheap prom/bridesmaid type dress...nice and ball gown-ish. Dh will be wearing his fancy uniform. My plan for DS is to make him a Prince Charming costume.

Semi Formal - I'll wear just a nice dress, Dh will be in slacks and probably a Hawaiin type shirt, DS will be in a Sailor suit.

Pirate Night - PIRATE COSTUMES! Yey!!!

 

[erocrobro]

Don't feel as if you HAVE to dress up if it is not something that suits your family. On our June Eastern we saw everything from tuxes and ball gowns to regular cruise casual clothing on formal night. My boys just wore Docker style khakis and polo shirts and I had on a nicer dress.

 

[kdeans1010]

What kind of things have you worn?
Just curious how all-out people go.

I am planning my maid of honor dress to be used on formal night. I am thinking (based on current planning) it'll be medium fancy and gold, with flats. My other fancy dress is a gold disco ball. Be as fancy as you want.

 

[jrabbit]

How formal is formal night?

The range really is from tee shirts and shorts to gowns and tuxes.

I'm a guy ...
I've packed an wore a suit ONCE (and NEVER Again - too much luggage space, not enough time wearing it)
I've rented Tuxes on board a few times (dang I clean up good!!)
usually I wear slacks and a dress shirt with a tie.

 

[christianweecare]

In the past I have worn a long glittery gown for formal night and a shorter cocktail dress for semi-formal night. We leave out on 9/21. This time I plan to bring 2 cocktail dresses for formal/semi-formal nights.

 

[trickiwoo]

It really varies! On formal night DH wore a suit and I wore a cocktail dress. The guys at our table all wore Polo shirts and Khakis and their wives wore sun dresses. But we saw a lot of people in gowns and tuxedos.

 

[slzer0]

We like to do it up! I'll be on the look out for a cheap prom/bridesmaid type dress...nice and ball gown-ish. Dh will be wearing his fancy uniform. My plan for DS is to make him a Prince Charming costume.

Semi Formal - I'll wear just a nice dress, Dh will be in slacks and probably a Hawaiin type shirt, DS will be in a Sailor suit.

Pirate Night - PIRATE COSTUMES! Yey!!!

Sailor suit!
So there's formal AND semi?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Sailor suit!
So there's formal AND semi?

On cruises of 7 nights and longer there are (typically) both a formal and semi-formal night.

 

[jimsubry]

I wore a long dress, my husband a suit, my son a collared shirt and dress pants. The table next to us, the family were all in suits and formal dresses. The table next to THEM....the man in shorts and a t-shirt!

 

[jrabbit]

A couple of the most awesome (really) formal night "outfits" that I have seen were the military guys in their dress uniforms - pretty awesome. But even more awesome (have seen this twice) - Formal Scottish Regalia - cap, kilt but no bagpipes. It was a really unique and great looking formal night dress. I would try it, but don't have the legs for it.

 

[slzer0]

That's great. My DH is Welsh, maybe I can talk him into a kilt.
I love kilts!

On a 4 night, are there both?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

That's great. My DH is Welsh, maybe I can talk him into a kilt.
I love kilts!

On a 4 night, are there both?

On a 4 night cruise there is no formal night. There is a Dress Up Optional night.

 

[slzer0]

Mehhhhhh!

Cocktail dresses and sailor suit it is!
Then there's pirate night (pirate dress for dinner, yes?)

The other two maybe less-dressy cocktail dresses or nice dresses in general? DD and I will definiyely hit the after prom sales.