Suit or Tux on Formal Night?

[ImDMous]

We've done 4 cruises and have done tux and gown on all of them. DH rents a tux so it takes no luggage space, he usually gets 2 shirts with it so he can use pants and shirt for semi-formal night also. He just has to bring shoes, which is good since he doesn't own a suit.

 

[Cousin Orville]

Do what makes you happy. I usually just bring a sports coat. But then we often book Palo on formal night. On the med cruises, I don't see a lot of people wearing tuxes. A few, but not many.

 

[squirk]

I don't begrudge anyone wanting to dress fancy. However, for me, part of a family of five, it just seems like a bit of waste to pack five additional sets of clothing and five additional pairs of shoes that we will wear once, for maybe three hours, on the entire cruise.

Our van is packed pretty full with luggage as-is, and cramming in another medium-sized suitcase would probably require us to add a $500 Thule on top. If flying, that's another $50 in round-trip baggage fees for the extra suitcase (unless on Southwest, of course).

 

[summerskye]

I bought a few matching tie and vest sets on Amazon for about $20 each and wear one of those with my black suit on formal night. I usually bring all 4 so I can coordinate with my wife. It's a much cheaper alternative than renting a tux.

We actually dress up for dinner every night on our cruises which is why my wife brought 7 pairs of shoes and 4 handbags on our last cruise which was only 4 nights! I don't have the guts to ask her how many she brings on our 7 night cruises. But I will say, she always looks fantastic

If I remember correctly, didn't you make the mistake of packing only one bra once. I recall that you spent each night washing it for your mistake... lol. If you do the 7 night cruise don't make that mistake again. Shoes and bras... Make her happy.

 

[Sir William]

I don't begrudge anyone wanting to dress fancy. However, for me, part of a family of five, it just seems like a bit of waste to pack five additional sets of clothing and five additional pairs of shoes that we will wear once, for maybe three hours, on the entire cruise.

I can appreciate this, which is why I wear my tux for both formal and semi-formal night so that I can justify the weight and space it takes up. We have second seating so we usually get dressed about 7pm and then go to the piano lounge for a pre-dinner drink, and often we'll return after dinner for a nightcap, so end up wearing our formal attire for 4-5 hours each night. My tux is lightweight and takes up about the same space and weight as a sports coat, though the shoes are another issue.

 

[Club Disney Chandler]

If I remember correctly, didn't you make the mistake of packing only one bra once. I recall that you spent each night washing it for your mistake... lol. If you do the 7 night cruise don't make that mistake again. Shoes and bras... Make her happy.

Yeah, that was me, not my finest move. That's why I don't question what she packs anymore.

 

[Viviene Anthony]

we went all out on our cruise, but it was New Year's. If you like getting dressed up and making a night of it. Go for it.

What a great photo you posted... beautiful family!

I am of the mind that since Disney designates a "formal" night, my hubby and I go with the theme and dress accordingly. ( as other have expressed, personal choice )... There's just something about a man in a tux that makes me swoon so I enjoy seeing my DH all gussied up for the evening.

Yes, I agree. People just don't dress up like they used to back in the day. I'm not concerned with what other people wear, but since DCL designates a formal and semi-formal night, it would be nice to see people dress nicely in a suits or tuxes and fancy dresses. Everyone should do what they feel comfortable with and not worry about what anyone else is doing, though. This is your time with family, friends or whoever you are cruising with. And any man in a tux or suit is swoon worthy!

I think formal attire can be worn anywhere... even on a cruise. DH and I attended a formal event in Yosemite National Park last December. Although tuxedos were not mandatory, my DH rented one anyway. The fun part was shuttling around the forest in fancy dress while everyone else was in hiking gear! Did I mention it was also raining, so we had umbrellas? The last time that DH wore a tux was almost seven years ago on our wedding day (also in YNP). I'm going to let him decide if he wants to wear one again this time, but I'm almost certain he'll want to because not only will this be a vacation and our first ever cruise, it'll be his 40th birthday celebration. And since I'm forever in scrubs at work and he's usually in jeans and a t-shirt, getting all dressed up will be fun and extra memorable for us.

 

[summerskye]

Yeah, that was me, not my finest move. That's why I don't question what she packs anymore.

Smart man, very smart man...

 

[MunFam]

I honestly think it has to do with your cruise itinerary and length. Everyone told us "no one dresses up on formal night"...but on our WBPC cruise there was a good chunk of people in ball gowns and tuxes. Maybe 20 or 25% and then I would say 75% of the total guests were in semi formal attire. I only saw a few families without formal wear and you could tell they were uncomfortable (and probably not expecting so many people to be dressed up).

Now, if I was only on a 4 night, there is no way I would pack a tux. We will be doing excursions and spending every spare minute having fun.

On a 7 night, my husband may pack his tux, but we would not go all out formal unless we had the luggage space.

 

[2-pointdoe]

We are doing the WBPC this may. Although I won't classify my dresses as ball gowns, they will be nice dresses (I am a jeans and t-shirt girl so huge step) 8 year old DD has some that would be considered ball gowns. We will all be coordinated thought including DH's tie as I want the pictures. LOL, we will also be dressing up for more than 3 formal/semi-formal nights as I went a little overboard with DD's clothes.

To me, $50 to add one more suitcase is such a very minor cost compared to the rest of the trip .

I honestly think it has to do with your cruise itinerary and length. Everyone told us "no one dresses up on formal night"...but on our WBPC cruise there was a good chunk of people in ball gowns and tuxes. Maybe 20 or 25% and then I would say 75% of the total guests were in semi formal attire. I only saw a few families without formal wear and you could tell they were uncomfortable (and probably not expecting so many people to be dressed up).

Now, if I was only on a 4 night, there is no way I would pack a tux. We will be doing excursions and spending every spare minute having fun.

On a 7 night, my husband may pack his tux, but we would not go all out formal unless we had the luggage space.