Should formal and semi-formal nights end?

[southerngirl528]

Jenmiller, I say take and wear your nice clothes since you enjoy it. I'd bet money you won't be the only ones. Perhaps you don't have to take your fanciest clothes but still something that you feel festive in. I say enjoy!

While I entirely understand that not everyone wants to dress in semi-formal or formal wear, as in tuxes and gowns, but I really don't get that some folks have no problems dressing rather schleppy for the MDR's. I guessing the same folks would not go into an equally nice restaurant back home in their tee shirts and shorts. Before I get flamed folks, I am not talking about bringing formal wear if you don't have it or don't want to wear it. But I'm saying if you are dining in the MDR's, at least wear something just a tiny bit nicer than you would wear in the theme parks here in Orlando? I rarely wear what I would call formal wear but I bring dressy tops, jewelry and accessories to go with what I would call business wear or church clothes. I still feel "dressed up" but I'm not literally in "formal" wear. I love to see folks that dress to the nines, and also love to see families with their kids dressed like they might for say, church or a wedding. It's only for dinner in the MDR's. Tee shirts and shorts for everyone all the rest of the time! (okay, not Palo or Remy….)

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I didn't realize this is something they were fazing out but on our 5 night Wonder sailing in May, they did not have an optional formal night. I thought that was just because it was a repo and the itinerary was different. But maybe it is.

I am sailing on the Wonder on December 18, 6 nights, and I just received an email saying that there is no formal or semi-formal dining on that cruise. I am hugely disappointed. I enjoy dressing up and I love having my boys wear a nice shirt and tie. I take a pic of them with a character in their formal wear on every cruise and we hang it on our wall. I don't really care that not everyone else is dressed up but I do enjoy seeing people who enjoy the experience and who have fun with it as much as we do. If I am being honest, I do wish people enjoyed dressing up for dinner as much as they enjoy dressing for pirate night. I guess I am just old fashioned and I don't get out that much

That being said, I know we still have the option to dress up but it seems pointless if we are the only people on the ship. And my boys would probably kill me!

Jennifer

Interesting - we just did a 5 night Baja cruise on the Wonder and we had a Dress Up Optional night. I hope they're not phasing it out.

 

[texas disney mom]

I do think formal night is an important part of cruising and shows respect for the staff and fellow cruisers. You wouldnt want the captain walking around in sandals and a tommy bahama shirt and shorts. Or your waiter serving you looking like he or she had not showered or was wearing pool/deck clothes. I think it is offensive that some people cant be bothered to dress up once in a while. It is sad. And kids love to see adults dressed up. It definitely reassures them that everything is alright in the world.

 

[jenmiller114]

Jenmiller, I say take and wear your nice clothes since you enjoy it. I'd bet money you won't be the only ones. Perhaps you don't have to take your fanciest clothes but still something that you feel festive in. I say enjoy!

While I entirely understand that not everyone wants to dress in semi-formal or formal wear, as in tuxes and gowns, but I really don't get that some folks have no problems dressing rather schleppy for the MDR's. I guessing the same folks would not go into an equally nice restaurant back home in their tee shirts and shorts. Before I get flamed folks, I am not talking about bringing formal wear if you don't have it or don't want to wear it. But I'm saying if you are dining in the MDR's, at least wear something just a tiny bit nicer than you would wear in the theme parks here in Orlando? I rarely wear what I would call formal wear but I bring dressy tops, jewelry and accessories to go with what I would call business wear or church clothes. I still feel "dressed up" but I'm not literally in "formal" wear. I love to see folks that dress to the nines, and also love to see families with their kids dressed like they might for say, church or a wedding. It's only for dinner in the MDR's. Tee shirts and shorts for everyone all the rest of the time! (okay, not Palo or Remy….)

I agree with you! People don't dress up for anything anymore... not even church. When we cruise, I make my boys wear khaki pants and collared shirts every night to dinner. They may change back into their other clothes before going back to the kids club but I appreciate the effort. And it's not a lot of extra packing. I bring a pair of khaki and black and they usually re-wear them since they only have them on for 1-2 hours/day. Going on a cruise is a big deal and it should be treated different than a trip to McDonald's or Chili's so I think the way they dress should reflect that. I really would have loved sailing back in the days of the Love Boat.

And I totally would dress up anyway but it doesn't seem the same if Mickey & Minnie don't.

BTW, here is the email I received. So sad.

Jennifer

 

[SleepyDeb]

My DH and I like formal night as well. We think it's fun to dress up.

 

[over50visits]

We can't wait for our cruises where we get evening after evening in first class, upscale restaurants with servers dressed to the nines. We love the ambiance and elegance of the dining rooms, and somehow the experience is better when we dress to match the setting. We've had servers and head servers make a point to come over and appreciate it. And our outfits are comfortable - I don't own any uncomfortable clothes at all, including the formal/semi-formal ones, and don't understand why anyone would buy any that are uncomfortable.

But, that's just how I feel. I of course understand others feel really different about their vacation, and luckily Disney accommodates all of us. We have a great time at dinner, and so do others who can't wait to cruise and wear very casual clothes.

 

[sweetpee_1993]

I do think formal night is an important part of cruising and shows respect for the staff and fellow cruisers. You wouldnt want the captain walking around in sandals and a tommy bahama shirt and shorts. Or your waiter serving you looking like he or she had not showered or was wearing pool/deck clothes. I think it is offensive that some people cant be bothered to dress up once in a while. It is sad. And kids love to see adults dressed up. It definitely reassures them that everything is alright in the world.

That would be awesome.

 

[sweetpee_1993]

I hate dressing up. I dress up for weddings & funerals in my daily life. Haven't been to either in over 2 years so there ya go. My life just doesn't require dresses. Thankfully. So wearing dresses and uncomfortable shoes is uncomfortable for me. Not fun. Not just physically uncomfortable, it's how I feel inside, too. It's so out of place for me. Odd. Awkward. Yuck! I'd rather not. So, for dressy nights we usually let our servers know not to expect us because we don't want to dumb-down the specialness for others. The servers always pitch a fit saying we should come, that it's fine. Doesn't feel fine. I'd rather skip it.

I wouldn't say eliminate formal nights for others. Some people like that stuff. Just as I want to be happy & have fun, I want those people to have that, too.

 

[Tozzie]

I been on 2 DCL cruises this year and I can't remember what anyone else was wearing probably because I don't care. If I am going to go to Palo then I bring the right clothes to wear and that is my choice. I also think if what other people are wearing ruins your experience then you have bigger problems than formal night on a cruise

 

[texas disney mom]

It does not ruin my experience if people do not dress up when requested, but it does show that they have little respect for the cruise staff, cruise line, and fellow passengers. It is also smacks of teenage rebellion. I'm not talking about spending large amounts of money on clothes. You can find stuff at old navy that qualifies in most cases. I would not endorse forcing people to dress up, but for me if the cruise line asks or suggests you to dress up on a particular night, what is the big deal? It is not a political statement or anything. Or maybe for some people it is.

 

[xQuizx]

I enjoy dressing up on formal nights.

Like what others have posted there aren't as many occasions to dress up.

We went on a 4 night cruise and I brought my tux, my wife brought 2 dresses, and formal stuff for the kids. It didn't take up that much extra room.

There were longer than usual lines at the picture spots on the formal night.

It's really up to you if you want to dress up or not, but I don't think they should remove formal/semi formal nights.

 

[Tozzie]

It does not ruin my experience if people do not dress up when requested, but it does show that they have little respect for the cruise staff, cruise line, and fellow passengers. It is also smacks of teenage rebellion. I'm not talking about spending large amounts of money on clothes. You can find stuff at old navy that qualifies in most cases. I would not endorse forcing people to dress up, but for me if the cruise line asks or suggests you to dress up on a particular night, what is the big deal? It is not a political statement or anything. Or maybe for some people it is.

Then you and I have a very different interpretation of the word respect. It isn't a political statement at all it is the fact that I pay for my vacation and I wish to be comfortable and when someone else pays for my vacation then they can tell me how to dress.

 

[texas disney mom]

Then you and I have a very different interpretation of the word respect. It isn't a political statement at all it is the fact that I pay for my vacation and I wish to be comfortable and when someone else pays for my vacation then they can tell me how to dress.

Just as long as you are happy.

 

[ladypiph]

I am a bit different from most I actually dress up just about every night mainly a cocktail dress. But that's because I like to dress up if they did get rid of the formal/ semi formal night chances are I would still dress up anyway. Since I also purchase the picture packages on all of my sailings I like to be camera ready at all times.

 

[lisadam]

I hate dressing up. I'd dress like a slob all the time if I could - I say this in a dress at my desk. That said, on our 7 night in August we all dressed nicely... I wore dresses all but one night (Pirates night - white capris and a red or blue top) and the two nicer dresses were what I wore on the formal and semi nights. I just do it to fit in a bit. I do NOT think of dressing nicely as part of the cruise experience (and my suitcases would be happier without the extras) and I especially don't think level of dress signifies level of respect. My actions convey respect.

If I notice how anyone is dressed it's the little ones... who look adorable if they're dressed like royalty or wearing what can be pajamas. It seems most people dress themselves (and family members) the way they'd like and let others live and let live. There are some that read more into what people wear which smacks of old-time class-ism to me. Enjoy your time with your friends/family and try not to let what others look like cloud your experience.

 

[Quellman]

I would prefer if they continued to keep them. It gives us an opportunity to elect to be fancy for a night when we otherwise would not at home. Life is sometimes chaotic and I like being fancy. I do not feel that others choice to not participate impacts my evening at all.

 

[southerngirl528]

Enjoying all the comments. I wholeheartedly agree with Lisadam about the little ones. SO fun to see them dressed up, whether in costume or dressy clothes. Darling!

And just to be clear, this girl doesn't wear dresses either. Including on semi-formal and formal nights on a cruise. I wear dressy pantsuits because I am far more comfy in them. It is just "me". And for the record, I don't really pay much attention to what anyone else is wearing unless they "stand out" for some reason. That reason could be that they are dressed like celebrities (who knows, maybe they are!) which is always fun to see, or I think most folks notice if someone is really dressed down. This is no different at your favorite special occasion restaurant in your home city. I just did the 10 night Hawaii cruise and it was all women at our table, six of us. The only outfit I even recall noticing (other than my dressed-to-the-nines DD) was one night when one of our solo lady travelers showed up in sweats for dinner, hoodie and all. And that I remember because it stood out from folks dressed less casually. It did not impact my enjoyment of her company. I enjoy meeting new people and focus much more on who they are rather than what they look like.

 

[mcd2745]

Celebrity Cruises has now done away with the traditional formal night. It's a real smart approach they took, IMO. Probably just a matter of time until all others do something similar.

http://www.cruisecritic.com/news/news.cfm?ID=6642

 

[wilkeliza]

I like the option dress up nights. We don't mind dressing up and do it pretty often. Not full formal but at least once a year we are at a full formal dinner in NYC and then on a weekly basis eat at restaurants that range from shorts and t-shirts okay to business casual to semi-formal just depends who is in town as the in laws like to go out to nice places.

Disney cruises are actually more casual than my fiance is use to. He grew up with parents who only cruise on luxury liners (sea-born and the like). He would tell me how it is jacket and tie required every night or you don't get to eat in the dinning room. They didn't care how much you paid or what you thought was your legal right if you didn't have a jacket and tie with your dress shirt, pants, and dress shoes then you weren't eating in their dinning rooms and were free to pay extra for room service.

We dress up on the option nights as that is apart of cruising to us. Cruising is suppose to be elegant.

 

[P'colaBeachBum]

Well, the way I look at it, I'm in the military and for 27 years I've been told what I'm going to wear and how I'm going to wear it so when I get a chance to get away and go on a vacation with my family I would like to dress in a way that makes me comfortable. If Disney was to come out with a new policy saying on formall nights you "had" to dress up I would simply eat at the BBB instead of the MDR. I have no problem with that.

When DH retired from the Marine Corps (Happy 240th Birthday USMC) after 32 years I got rid of all my formals, cocktail dress and heels. I don't even own a dress now. I dress nicely for the MDRs and I don't mind if others dress in formal wear.