IrishCruiser Posted August 25, 2022 Report Share Posted August 25, 2022 First time cruiser here and wondering about formal nights. I'm on harmony of the seas this Sunday and just looked at a previous cruise compass and seen formal nights. Panic has set in as I hadn't thought they happened anymore so not prepared. Are they mandatory? Do people not go black tie? Would I pass with shirt tie and trousers? I fly to Florida tomorrow so not blessed with time. Any help welcomed or any advice is much appreciated RCIfan1912 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AshleyDillo Posted August 25, 2022 Report Share Posted August 25, 2022 There are two formal nights. Once they refer to as formal night and one as dress your best. You will see dress from all along the spectrum on these nights, from jeans to tuxes (though not many). You will pass just fine with a shirt, tie and trousers and not feel out of place. Pooch, Okgladgal, RCIfan1912 and 3 others 5 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pooch Posted August 25, 2022 Report Share Posted August 25, 2022 Try not to look like a slob, you’ll be fine JustMeJoe, tjcruisers, RCIfan1912 and 3 others 3 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roiemike Posted August 25, 2022 Report Share Posted August 25, 2022 I always wear a shirt and tie with khakis on formal nights and it is never an issue, you will see some wearing fancier and some wearing a lot more casual, I figure they are asking for a little formality so I will give in on my no tie stance for those two nights gladly for an awesome experience such as a Royal Caribbean cruise Enjoy your trip. IrishCruiser 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
asquared17 Posted August 25, 2022 Report Share Posted August 25, 2022 i often encourage my fam to wear what they feel their most confident in; for many, a tux is over the top and uncomfortable -- and that will translate into your body language during the evening. a nice pair of pants, shirt and tie is elevated for so many, especially while on vacation, and lends an air of confidence much better than it would to be fidgeting uncomfortably all night in a tux or a suit that is never worn and doesn't fit properly. plus, the pants can likely double for the second night, with another nice shirt, and then you can save space when packing! SewerUrchin43, IrishCruiser and The Fox 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OCSC Mike Posted August 25, 2022 Report Share Posted August 25, 2022 You'll see men dressed even more casually than khakis and a polo. Wear whatever you are comfortable with. IrishCruiser, JustMeJoe and MikeK 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IrishCruiser Posted August 25, 2022 Author Report Share Posted August 25, 2022 The panic is over and you're legends for the quick responses! Thanks everyone for the advice. Was worried I'd stick out like a sore thumb but glad now I'll more than likely blend in haha AshleyDillo and KristiZ 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Srp431 Posted August 25, 2022 Report Share Posted August 25, 2022 Just wear pants and you should fit in with the crowd ellcee, IrishCruiser and Dlove707 1 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MikeK Posted August 25, 2022 Report Share Posted August 25, 2022 49 minutes ago, IrishCruiser said: The panic is over and you're legends for the quick responses! Thanks everyone for the advice. Was worried I'd stick out like a sore thumb but glad now I'll more than likely blend in haha You will see everything from shorts, Tshirt, and flip flops to tuxedos. Your on vacation! enjoy your self and don't worry about what you are wearing or anyone else is wearing! IrishCruiser 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vancity Cruiser Posted August 25, 2022 Report Share Posted August 25, 2022 1 hour ago, IrishCruiser said: The panic is over and you're legends for the quick responses! Thanks everyone for the advice. Was worried I'd stick out like a sore thumb but glad now I'll more than likely blend in haha Formal night is not what it once was. I had no problem dressing formal when I first started cruising however I now prefer the much more casual dress. I wear dark jeans with a nice shirt. On occasion I'll throw on a blazer so I don't look like a slob next to my dazzling wife, who loves to dress up. I just prefer to pack less. IrishCruiser, asquared17 and KristiZ 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leealdo Posted August 26, 2022 Report Share Posted August 26, 2022 I wore my tuxedo on formal night as it’s the only time I tend to wear it now in life but you just wear what you feel comfortable in. Enjoy your cruise fireclan and ChessE4 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeffmw Posted August 26, 2022 Report Share Posted August 26, 2022 This question comes up constantly and I think people who enjoy the romance of formal night try to paint it to be more of a mandatory thing than it is. You do NOT need to wear formalwear or even anything upscale to these dinners. While I don't think it's respectful to look like a slob (I wouldn't go in a tank top and beach flipflops or anything), there is no expectation that you bring nice clothes on your vacation (where you have minimal storage space, as it is.) Regardless of the night, I typically wear a polo shirt and shorts (not a bathing suit or anything). Do NOT believe the people who try to tell you that you have to dress up. It is OPTIONAL. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smokeybandit Posted August 26, 2022 Report Share Posted August 26, 2022 Wear what you want, as long as it doesn't look like you came right from the pool. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ellcee Posted August 26, 2022 Report Share Posted August 26, 2022 I've always brought dresses but don't think that's where my head is at this year so dressy office wear it will be this cruise. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bowen Posted August 26, 2022 Report Share Posted August 26, 2022 The only time I have ever been turned away for a formal night was when we forgot that it was formal night and Mom and I tried to go in wearing shorts and T-shirts. They were super nice about it and we had no problem eating at the WJ, but I think aside from that level of casual, you'll be fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smokeybandit Posted August 26, 2022 Report Share Posted August 26, 2022 19 hours ago, Srp431 said: Just wear pants and you should fit in with the crowd Dining without pants is a special charter a couple times per year teddy, Linda R, AshleyDillo and 5 others 1 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smokeybandit Posted August 26, 2022 Report Share Posted August 26, 2022 9 minutes ago, Bowen said: The only time I have ever been turned away for a formal night was when we forgot that it was formal night and Mom and I tried to go in wearing shorts and T-shirts. They were super nice about it and we had no problem eating at the WJ, but I think aside from that level of casual, you'll be fine. That likely won't get you turned away anymore WAYNO 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Atlantix2000 Posted August 26, 2022 Report Share Posted August 26, 2022 3 hours ago, Bowen said: The only time I have ever been turned away for a formal night was when we forgot that it was formal night and Mom and I tried to go in wearing shorts and T-shirts. They were super nice about it and we had no problem eating at the WJ, but I think aside from that level of casual, you'll be fine, This must be an old experience. If that happened to me today, I'd probably laugh, gesture at all the other people already seated in t-shirts/shorts, and keep walking to my table. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smokeybandit Posted August 26, 2022 Report Share Posted August 26, 2022 On 8/25/2022 at 9:43 PM, Pooch said: Try not to look like a slob, you’ll be fine I mean this is as accurate of the new era of formal night as I've seen Pooch 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Done Posted August 27, 2022 Report Share Posted August 27, 2022 On 8/25/2022 at 3:35 PM, IrishCruiser said: First time cruiser here and wondering about formal nights. I'm on harmony of the seas this Sunday and just looked at a previous cruise compass and seen formal nights. Panic has set in as I hadn't thought they happened anymore so not prepared. Are they mandatory? Do people not go black tie? Would I pass with shirt tie and trousers? I fly to Florida tomorrow so not blessed with time. Any help welcomed or any advice is much appreciated Just returned from Alaskan cruise on Ovation. I wore jeans and long sleeved tee shirts to formal nights and I did not feel out of place. I splurged and wore a polo shirt and jeans to Chops. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigKarl Posted August 27, 2022 Report Share Posted August 27, 2022 This is me on Formal night all dressed up for my Birthday! WAAAYTOOO 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jaedam0820 Posted August 28, 2022 Report Share Posted August 28, 2022 Where do I exactly find out when the formal/dress your best nights would be? Also if there area any theme parties? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matt Posted August 28, 2022 Report Share Posted August 28, 2022 10 minutes ago, jaedam0820 said: Where do I exactly find out when the formal/dress your best nights would be? Also if there area any theme parties? You can read a past Cruise Compass to get an idea https://www.royalcaribbeanblog.com/cruise-compass Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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