What is cruise semi formal attire?

[CampbellzSoup]

I’m going on a 7 night Star Wars crusie I’m assuming the dress criteria will be:

Cruise Casual
Semi-Formal
Pirate
Star Wars
Formal

What would you guys say is mens semi formal attire?

 

[Cheburashka]

I’m going on a 7 night Star Wars crusie I’m assuming the dress criteria will be:

Cruise Casual
Semi-Formal
Pirate
Star Wars
Formal

What would you guys say is mens semi formal attire?

Anything, these days. Dress codes are not enforced, which means that some men will wear a suit and tie, others will wear a nice shirt and slacks, others will wear t-shirt and shorts. I've even seen a few wearing baseball caps to dinner in the MDR.

It will be like that whether it is formal night, semi-formal night, pirate night, etc. Some people choose to dress up; others don't. This is what happens when there aren't any standards.

 

[squirk]

I’m going on a 7 night Star Wars crusie I’m assuming the dress criteria will be:

Cruise Casual
Semi-Formal
Pirate
Star Wars
Formal

What would you guys say is mens semi formal attire?

Slacks, collared shirt and a sportcoat/blazer

 

[Geomom]

Honestly, khakis and a polo/buttoned shirt would be semi formal these days, lol.

 

[GoingSince1990]

To be honest, as a non-cruiser, if there is one thing that would put me off going on a cruise, it’s this “formal” and “semi-formal” stuff. Such a concept would go down like a lead balloon if introduced in the resort hotels or theme parks, and for good reason. I can only assume it exists because it has been a traditional shipboard thing for centuries, but in 2022 I would have no desire to pack a fancy outfit for one single dinner, or to feel like the sloppy guy wearing normal clothes when many are dressed up,

 

[MillauFr]

To be honest, as a non-cruiser, if there is one thing that would put me off going on a cruise, it’s this “formal” and “semi-formal” stuff. Such a concept would go down like a lead balloon if introduced in the resort hotels or theme parks, and for good reason. I can only assume it exists because it has been a traditional shipboard thing for centuries, but in 2022 I would have no desire to pack a fancy outfit for one single dinner, or to feel like the sloppy guy wearing normal clothes when many are dressed up,

Don't let that stop you from going on a cruise. It isn't enforced and about a third of the cruisers show up in shorts and t-shirts

 

[squirk]

I never dress up for formal or semi-formal, and have never felt one bit out of place on those nights.

I know for some guys, dressing up in a suit and tie is uncommon and, as a result, feels fancy and special, and that's totally cool. I don't begrudge or look down upon anyone or any family who dresses up for dinner.

But just speaking for myself, who wears a suit for the majority of his work days, I am happy to get away from having to dress up. And I have no desire to pack an extra set of clothes and dress shoes that I am going to wear a sum total of three hours on a 7-day cruise.

 

[Cruising Engineer]

We enjoy formal and semi-formal nights because it's the only time we can wear our nice clothes other than weddings. So, to answer OP's question: what you would wear to church or a wedding. Something nice.

 

[cmph]

I agree with the above that it's not broadly followed on DCL, and that those terms are holdovers from years ago. 25 years ago, when my family went on (non-DCL) cruises that did follow dress code, we always wore church/wedding-ish clothes for semi-formal. For formal nights, my sister and I wore dresses from recent prom/homecoming dances. We loved having a chance to re-wear our favorites, b/c that was the only other time they'd get used!

On DCL, with everyone's waning interest in dressing up, the adult guys all wore button-down collared shirts but none even bothered with ties on semi-formal nights. I let my son just wear a polo and made him wear pants the first semi-formal on our most recent cruise, but he was astute enough by then to notice the informality of most everyone else and refused to change out of shorts for the second semi-formal. I wouldn't even bother packing pants for him anymore (unless for weather reasons). I'd rather not bring an extra suitcase full of clothes worn for a few hours anyway!

 

[tvguy]

We enjoy formal and semi-formal nights because it's the only time we can wear our nice clothes other than weddings. So, to answer OP's question: what you would wear to church or a wedding. Something nice.

Yup, time to wear your "get married or get buried" formal wear. As a 42 year cruiser, semi formal and formal nights were the highlight of our cruises. Not sure with the pandemic what the status of dinner buffets are on Disney but, it isn't like those who don't want to dress up don't have an optional place to go on semi-formal and formal nights. My first cruise, tuxes were REQUIRED on formal night, and that ship had no alternate dining experiences.

 

[CampbellzSoup]

I love dressing up it makes it feel special.

I have my formal wear with a bow tie and jacket that’s why I’m confused is semi formal just a shirt and tie or includes a jacket?

 

[cmph]

I love dressing up it makes it feel special.

I have my formal wear with a bow tie and jacket that’s why I’m confused is semi formal just a shirt and tie or includes a jacket?

Traditionally, this is how I think of it for guys: formal is what the wedding party is wearing (full tux), and semi-formal is what the wedding guests are wearing (suit with tie).

 

[Alaska777]

Button down and not jeans. Personally, I hate getting dressed up. And after 2 years of wearing sweats, it feels even more painful.

 

[squirk]

I have my formal wear with a bow tie and jacket that’s why I’m confused is semi formal just a shirt and tie or includes a jacket?

It is up to you. You will see many different people at all levels of dress on both nights.

Don't overthink it. There is no "right" answer, other than what feels right for you.

 

[CampbellzSoup]

I’m honestly shocked people don’t like to get dressed up but I respect it fully I just feel like it makes the crusie memorable!

 

[Cruising Engineer]

I’m honestly shocked people don’t like to get dressed up but I respect it fully I just feel like it makes the crusie memorable!

I agree. To each their own. We like to dress up to acknowledge the dining room staff that we appreciate their hard work in presenting this special dinner. Equivalent to dressing up for a wedding and acknowledging all their preparations to make us feel welcome on their special day. But that is just us.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

But that is just us.

Not "just" you. I really enjoy dressing up. Especially for a Disney cruise. It's like being a Princess for a night.

 

[Cruising Engineer]

Not "just" you. I really enjoy dressing up. Especially for a Disney cruise. It's like being a Princess for a night.

Count me in on that!!! The ship is one of the few places I can wear my jewelry and enjoy feeling like a Princess.

 

[LeiaOfAlderaan]

We like to dress up somewhat just because we are excessively casual in our daily lives and it is a nice change of pace to break out our “fancy” clothes. But what I’ve always liked about cruising DCL is that whether people are in very casual wear or really fancy evening gowns, no one seemed out of place and no one seemed to care what anyone else was wearing. Based on what I’ve read on these boards it sounds like some people are judging, but it really doesn’t feel that way on the ship (that I’ve noticed anyway). So everyone should just do what they want within the stated dress code and feel ok with it, IMO.

 

[Alaska777]

Y’all act like you didn’t gain the Covid 19