Talk to me about 7 night cruises….

Clojel

DIS Veteran
Joined
Mar 10, 2016
Messages
578
Looks like our Dec 7 night cruise is going to happen….it will be our first longer cruise! We’ve only done 4 nights on Dream before. How formal is formal night?? Do people really dress up? Any other specific to 7 night things I should know? Thx!!
 
It’s been a while since I’ve cruised, but in my experience the formal night on a 7 night is MUCH more formal than the dress up Night on a 4 night. There is also a semi-formal night. In general, you will just feel so much more relaxed on the longer cruise!

Jason
 
Looks like our Dec 7 night cruise is going to happen….it will be our first longer cruise! We’ve only done 4 nights on Dream before. How formal is formal night?? Do people really dress up? Any other specific to 7 night things I should know? Thx!!
7 night cruises are our "short" cruises (we prefer 14+ night ones). Formal night can be as formal as you want it. You'll see everything from full on ball gowns, to t-shirts & shorts on any given night (formal or otherwise).
 
Formal Night is my "once every so often" time I get to dress up for dinner. As @PrincessShmoo stated, it can range from as formal as you want to least formal (I've seen and heard the significant others punch the guy in the shoulder and say why didn't you tell me it was formal night, I look ridiculous). I take the classic little black dress and dress it up with jewelry.
It is just so relaxing because you already know the basic cruising routines, it just lasts longer: more dining, more shows, more ports, more relax time, just more of everything. Enjoy. BEWARE: 7 Nights are the next step to 10+ nights.
 

Also remember it is only a recommended dress code. You are welcome to wear shirt/shorts cruise casual every night in the main dining room including formal night.
 
Our next cruise over Thanksgiving is lucky cruise 13 for us mostly 7 days or more..on Fantasy. The game is at our house now is “how light can you pack?” It was not always the case. Now it’s a challenge. I have an under the seat carryon that and my snorkel gear.
 
In my experience, formal night is just a little dressy, not a truly formal experience. There are too many people who choose not to dress up at all (i.e. still go to dinner in t-shirts & shorts) to give the ship a formal feel.

That said, many people do choose to dress nicely. Ball gowns & black tie would be over the top, but a nice dress or suit would fit in with the many other cruisers who choose to make an effort on formal night.
 
Also remember it is only a recommended dress code. You are welcome to wear shirt/shorts cruise casual every night in the main dining room including formal night.

I am glad dress code for "formal" night is not strictly enforced. I probably would have just gone to the buffet or get room service if it were. I would want to dress up on vacation, especially on a family/kids-oriented cruise line.

LAX
 
I haven't been on a DCL cruise since 2016. It was a 7 night cruise on the Fantasy. There were people really dressed up in gowns, suits and a tux and then there were those a lot less formal from collared shirts for men (even seen a few T shirts and shorts) and flat casual sandals on women.
 
Sailed on the fantasy 10/16 - 10/24. Not everyone was in a tux or ball gown, but most people did dress up.
 
Looks like our Dec 7 night cruise is going to happen….it will be our first longer cruise! We’ve only done 4 nights on Dream before. How formal is formal night?? Do people really dress up? Any other specific to 7 night things I should know? Thx!!

I've only done one 7-night itinerary and LOVED it! Doing another one in fall 2022. As others have said, we saw plenty of people in ball gowns/cocktail dresses/suits/tuxes on formal night. But also plenty of people who either didn't dress up at all or dressed up a little bit. My group (all women) did nice summery dresses-like a step up from a sundress but not quite cocktail dress.

Aside from that, enjoy the sea days! While I loved the ports on my itinerary, I also loved having days on the ship. Plenty of time to explore and do things I wouldn't likely have 'time' for on a shorter itinerary that's more 'port-heavy.'
 

GET UP TO A $1000 SHIPBOARD CREDIT AND AN EXCLUSIVE GIFT!

If you make your Disney Cruise Line reservation with Dreams Unlimited Travel you’ll receive these incredible shipboard credits to spend on your cruise!

























DIS Facebook DIS youtube DIS Instagram DIS Pinterest DIS Tiktok DIS Twitter DIS Bluesky

Back
Top