Thread: Formal Dress on Formal Nights.

I know this topic has been beaten to death on here. But I think we have reached the point where the theoretical debate is being replaced by a real shift in practice. John Heald's blog/facebook posts last week had a lenghty discussion from all the various view points, which appeared to me to be largely supportive of discontinuing the formal dress. Honestly is seems to me that Pro-casual customers really dispise the formal nights. My wife and I do dress up, we aren't bothered at all that some people don't dress up. My wife likes to dress up and I like to see her happy. I have heard the comment "well if you want to be all formal, just book on Holland America, or Princess Cruise Lines". Is there no room on Carnival for both Formal and Casual interests? Carnival gets accused of being the low budget, low class cruise line. We know differntly, and we appreciate the diverse customer base of Carnival. Carnival is all we know, if it is going to make the Pro-Casual cause a marketing tool, we might go elswhere. I know I sound like a snob. I am not weathy enough to be a true snob. This topic is fairly trivial in contrast to all the problems in the world, but I have noticed a tendancy to embrace convenience at the cost of tradition.

You first need to understand that cruising 100 years ago was completely different than it is now. If you wanted to go to Europe (or come to the U.S.) you had to take a cruise - it was the only way to get there. It was also very expensive and it was broken down into different classes. Those in steerage were not allowed to mingle with the first or second class passengers. First class was reserved for the wealthy and they dressed formally for dinner every night. This is where the roots of cruising began and the rules are slow to change.

Fast forward and now cruising is used more as a vacation than it is for transportation to get somewhere in particular. It has also become more affordable by the masses, so now everyone is cruising.

While some cruise lines are still trying to have a 'class' distinction on their ships, for the most part, a particular ship or cruise line is a certain 'class'. As you have alluded to, Carnival attracts a certain class of people that are not the type of people who want to cruise on Crystal, and vice versa. Cruisers tend to go with what they feel comfortable with regard to their lifestyle and budget.

Luckily, there's something out there for everyone. And as I always say, "What one person loves, another will hate." So the fun part about cruising is finding the best one for you.

Obviously, this all has an effect on attire, especially at dinner. Older folks tend to like to dress up more than young people. Those traveling on Carnival are less likely to want to dress up than those on Cunard. And so on.

We've been on 41 cruises on all the major cruise lines and I do see a trend on most of them to go away from formal attire. Obviously, alot of this is because of the airlines charging outrageous baggage fees. I, for one, don't like taking formal attire because of the extra weight and space.

But from what we hear from our clients and fellow cruisers, they have the sentiment they are on vacation and can't see getting all dressed up when they are there to relax and have a good time.

It'll be interesting to see how all this plays out, but I would not be a bit surprised to see several of the cruise lines follow in NCL's footsteps and do away with formal nights altogether. I'm sure you probably won't see this happening on Celebrity, Holland America, or Cunard, but I do see the trend with Carnival, Royal Caribbean, and Princess.

Personally, I've gotten to the point where I take a tie and will wear that if I feel it's needed, but I don't take a jacket - too heavy. And I've done this on all the cruise lines without any problems.

As for cruise lines offering both formal and casual dining at the same time, the concept of formal night is not just for dinner - it's the whole idea of spending a formal night together, which includes cocktails, pictures, dinner, show, and dancing. So it would be difficult to offer both a formal and non-formal night.

Anyway, this debate will definitely continue and has proponents on both sides feeling very strongly one way or the other. Tough to satisfy both sides at the same time.

Pete

Tend to agree with Pete! Hard to offer both for the same evening! When many are not dressed formally, it's just not the same.

Wish cruise lines would either have formal evenings or completely do away with them.

Perhaps we the Pro-formal folks and the Pro-casual folks could compromise. The Pro-Formal folks could have a formal night in the MDR where coats and ties are required, while the pro-causal folks hit the buffet. On another night the Pro-casual folks could have the MDR, you know spread straw around on the floor, tube tops for the girls, tank tops for the guys! The Pro-Formal folks will be up at the buffet for the evening. Just kidding...