Formal or informal.. which is your preference?

The majority of cruise lines still have formal evenings on board, this is a tradition that goes back to the start of the first cruise liners that for the wealthy was an opportunity every evening for the men and women to dine in their best attire showing off their wealth in their clothes.

A common question I am asked regularly by first-time cruise bookers is regarding the formal dining, some still have a preconception that every evening requires formal dress.

A lot of cruise passengers in this day and age still revel in the opportunity to take part in the formal dining events on board their cruise ship.  A typical 7-night cruise will have at least 2 formal evenings and most will be when the ship is at sea rather than after a day in port.  Giving all the ample opportunity to get ready for the evening ahead, maybe a trip to the beauty parlour for the ladies to get their hair or nails done.

I must admit, the first time I cruised I didn’t really want the hassle of having to participate and having to purchase suitable dresses for the cruise (I raided my mum’s wardrobe in the end). However, after my first formal evening, I absolutely loved it.  The stunning dresses were worn by the ladies of all ages and the men dressed in dinner jackets or in their formal dress from their days in the services. A sight to behold and I am so pleased I was a part of that. I now even have my own collection of formal cruise dresses, which I think most regular cruises will admit too.

Cunard & P&O are still very much renowned for their very British formal evenings and also have themed evenings and balls. My first experience on P&O and Cunard was a black & white evening, where the dress code was exactly that. On my transatlantic cruise with Cunard last year we also had a formal 20-30’s style evening.

The Roaring Twenty’s Formal night on QM2

It is not compulsory to dress formally for such an evening, but if you choose not to dress formal, you will be asked to refrain from dining in the main restaurants.  Most are happy to skip the night and eat in the buffet restaurant rather than be dressed in a manner to which they may not be comfortable, but I must always think they would feel a bit out of place. Especially as the evening continues to the bars, the theatre and the other public areas.

Over the years more cruise lines have been very relaxed with their formal dress code and this is something that is a regular topic of conversations when speaking with guests on their welcome home call. Royal Caribbean seems not to enforce guests to dress formally when required and will allow the person to dine in the incorrect attire to the annoyance of other guests, so it seems from the feedback I have received. Celebrity cruises changed their formal evening to chic nights to be more modern.  I have attached a handy guide for the way cruise lines expect (but may not carry out!) dress code.

Cruise Line Dress Codes

I said before this is not to everyone’s taste or comfort zone and Norwegian Cruise Line are a freestyle cruising option, they have no set dining times and no formal evenings. Which for some cruisers is perfect because they are not governed by dress code or meal times.  I also like this option too. It’s perfect for those just wanting to cruise but without the restraints of not being able to eat in the main dining restaurant if they choose not to dress up.

Of course though, like any holiday, regardless of the ship or dress codes most of us will still dress up even if it is not a set code on board.

So what is your preference? Do you prefer to glam up and go all out or opt for the more casual look?

Dawn

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