Paml514 Posted February 28, 2020 Report Share Posted February 28, 2020 We will be sailing on Symphony of the seas this July and I was wondering if I could get some information on formal night. We were on Harmony in 2018 (first cruise in many years) and I was unclear as to what night of the week will be formal night, and what differentiates it from the other nights, is it just attire and the pictures? I must admit it was somewhat confusing to see people dressed very well sitting next to people in shorts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
darketower Posted February 28, 2020 Report Share Posted February 28, 2020 If it’s a 7 day cruise, it’s usually on night 2 and night 5. The only difference is some people dress up and they have photos. It used to be more formal and everyone would dress up. Not so much anymore.... WAAAYTOOO 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pima1988 Posted February 28, 2020 Report Share Posted February 28, 2020 Formal nights are called dress your best. It really is up to you. I have noticed over the course of my cruises that the 2nd formal night (lobster tails in the MDR) people dress up more, including myself. I also have seen many couples that use the 2nd formal night as the night to celebrate an anniversary or a wedding, hence another reason why it may appear more formal. We dress up and make it our special date night. We always get a balcony. Hubby gets ready 1st. He than takes his Bourbon and diet coke, and watches the sunset on the balcony. I close the curtains, and get ready. MY TIME to MYSELF. At the time we have agreed upon he knocks on the balcony door just like if he was picking me up for a date some 37 yrs ago. We than head for cocktails prior to dinner. OBTW, we never do pics. We have no desire to stand in line. We take selfies, we ask the waiter to take pics, etc. Fwiw, we also immediately after dinner go back to our room and change before going to the shows. carrie76, Trish D, RWDW1204 and 12 others 7 8 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WAAAYTOOO Posted February 28, 2020 Report Share Posted February 28, 2020 So sweet ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KWong Posted February 28, 2020 Report Share Posted February 28, 2020 37 years together... amazing! Wife and I have only been together for half that. ahem, anyway, I think the second formal night might end up on day 6, depending on itinerary. As for attire, yeah it runs the gauntlet now. I personally like getting a little dressed up, and what others do doesn't bother me. They do set up photo stations on other nights, so keep an eye out, or just ask one of the photographers. if you're doing pictures, I would look at getting a photo package, especially if they have a sale going on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melmar02 Posted February 28, 2020 Report Share Posted February 28, 2020 We do the opposite of some and make the first formal / dress your best night our more formal one. Usually day 2 is a sea day, so we have more time to get ready. The second one always seems to land on a port day so we feel a little rushed to get back, showered, hair fixed, etc. Also, by time the 2nd dressy night comes around, we're usually in full relaxation mode, and while we still like to dress up that night, it's usually not as 'formal' as what we wear on that first formal night. WAAAYTOOO 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChessE4 Posted February 29, 2020 Report Share Posted February 29, 2020 7 hours ago, Paml514 said: We will be sailing on Symphony of the seas this July and I was wondering if I could get some information on formal night. We were on Harmony in 2018 (first cruise in many years) and I was unclear as to what night of the week will be formal night, and what differentiates it from the other nights, is it just attire and the pictures? I must admit it was somewhat confusing to see people dressed very well sitting next to people in shorts. Sometimes the 2nd formal night is also a "white night" for a late party on the pool deck. We noticed on the Harmony that many folks wore white to dinner in the MDR. Not sure what folks on the Symphony do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paml514 Posted February 29, 2020 Author Report Share Posted February 29, 2020 Thanks! I don't know how they expect you to be prepared when they don't promote the themed nights in the cruise planner! newcruiser77 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saytheb Posted February 29, 2020 Report Share Posted February 29, 2020 Anecdotally, our sea days for 2/15 Symphony sailing were nights 2 and 6, with the 6th being the lobster night. My wife and I only went on the 2nd night and while we were dressed formally (tux and dress), there was a guy who showed up in sandals, shorts, and a NASCAR shirt. I wouldn't worry too much about it Ogilthorpe and Mikeb1892 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brobbins246 Posted March 1, 2020 Report Share Posted March 1, 2020 Look for a Cruise Compass posted on this site for the same ship and itinerary as yours to confirm the nights for formal night. It's different for eastern vs western Caribbean, or something like that. It's good to know if your formal nights are on a sea day or port day for planning time to get back on the ship to get ready if you're going all out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Atlantix2000 Posted March 2, 2020 Report Share Posted March 2, 2020 On 2/29/2020 at 4:48 PM, Paml514 said: Thanks! I don't know how they expect you to be prepared when they don't promote the themed nights in the cruise planner! Most first time cruisers go in having no idea about most of the activities available on the ship. If they find out about a "white party" (or any other fun thing) and end up thinking "hey, we could do that next time" then they've succeeded in getting someone to plan another cruise! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paml514 Posted March 9, 2020 Author Report Share Posted March 9, 2020 We have cruised before and still don’t know how to pack to participate in the themed parties. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike.s Posted March 9, 2020 Report Share Posted March 9, 2020 Just returned from a week on Rhapsody, was shocked by the low participation in the formal nights, a handful of tuxedos (including me on the first night) and a few suits and ties, other than that not much change for most other nights. Makes me wonder if it's worth bothering in future. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KWong Posted March 9, 2020 Report Share Posted March 9, 2020 4 hours ago, Mike.s said: Just returned from a week on Rhapsody, was shocked by the low participation in the formal nights, a handful of tuxedos (including me on the first night) and a few suits and ties, other than that not much change for most other nights. Makes me wonder if it's worth bothering in future. Well, if it's something you like to do, then it's worth it. if you're finding it a chore to pack stuff, I would dress it down a bit, maybe sports jacket and slacks instead of the tux, and see how that works for you. Mikeb1892 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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