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amy718426
Guest
I am dreading having to buy clothes for two formal nights. I would rather skip out and eat somewhere else on the ship. If you have done this, let me know. What are your alternate dining options? Thanks!
J
Jamman
Guest
It is your vacation, so if you don't want to bring formal clothes, that is totally up to you. All Carnival ships offer alternative dining for those nights when you don't feel like the dining room. I do believe that all passengers should follow the evenings suggested dress code in the dining room, though you will notice people that don't wish to follow it. There have been times when we have utilized the alternative dining, but we try to make it to the dining room, as it is usually one of the highlights of the day.
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MoJo2Rusty
Guest
I always look so forward to formal night, I wouldn't think of missing it. However, like Jammin, I think if you plant to eat in the dining room those nights you should follow the suggested dress code of the evening. You don't need to spend a lot on formal. Keep your eyes pealed for sales at places like Dillards or Penneys. You can find some fantastic buys on formal wear when they put them on sale. I find my bust bargins at Dillards the day after Thanksgiving. My last bargin was a long gown with a jacket, beading on both, $180 outfit and I paid an amazing $15 for it. A couple years ago I got a 3 piece formal outfit that was around the $180 on the tag. I didn't get as good a deal on this one but still only paid $30 for it. So you can find nice stuff that you won't feel guilty buying to wear maybe a couple times.
C
Cruizer
Guest
You have a couple of options:
1) Carnival is not FORMAL - it's formal. Basically if you wear what you would wear to church on Sunday, you will be fine. There will be people dressed a lot worse than you.
2) You can dress casually and eat at the buffet that night. The buffet is always casual.
3) You might want to look at NCL. All of NCL's formal nights are optional. When I am on NCL, I wear a Hawaiian shirt on formal nights.
1) Carnival is not FORMAL - it's formal. Basically if you wear what you would wear to church on Sunday, you will be fine. There will be people dressed a lot worse than you.
2) You can dress casually and eat at the buffet that night. The buffet is always casual.
3) You might want to look at NCL. All of NCL's formal nights are optional. When I am on NCL, I wear a Hawaiian shirt on formal nights.
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Babushka
Guest
We always used to dress up on both formal nights but the last couple cruises we have only dressed up for one formal night. I just don't like getting dressed up as much as I used to so we just relax on the 2nd formal night and eat at the buffet where attire is casual. But if your concerned about having to buy clothes for 2 formal nights there are ways around that. My husband would just take one suit and 2 different ties. After the first formal we'd send his shirt out for cleaning so it would be back by the 2nd formal. For me in the past I've either taken 2 different dresses but made sure the shoes and accessories could go with both to cut down on that....or I have also taken either a really dressy pair of black pants or a skirt and taken 2 different dressy/formal tops to go with that, again keeping accessories and shoes the same. I found that that really cut down on cost and it didn't take up as much room in the suitcase. Hope that helps a little. Enjoy your cruise!
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amy718426
Guest
Thanks for all the great advice! Maybe I'll try to find bargains and dress formally for at least one night. I have several formals from my college and bridesmaid days, but those dresses must have shrunk hanging in my closet. The switching ties idea would probably work with my guy! We'll see! thanks amy
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Gayle V
Guest
Hey Amy before you spend a lot on that formal wear, take a look at the post by jleq1 , labeled CCL modifies/clarifies dress code
Check out his link to Carnivals NEW dress code. They are now allowing shorts to dinner on casual days, and their requirements for what consititutes "Cruise Elegant Dress" for their formal nights, is not very demanding, to say the least. You will likely be fine wearing something you already have..
Check out his link to Carnivals NEW dress code. They are now allowing shorts to dinner on casual days, and their requirements for what consititutes "Cruise Elegant Dress" for their formal nights, is not very demanding, to say the least. You will likely be fine wearing something you already have..
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icemaiden
Guest
I just came back from a cruise and there were people in the dining room wearing jeans on formal night. They got through the door dressed like that.......maybe there luggage never made it on ship.
I am a professional and work in an office environment. I basically just wore my usual business casual clothes on every other night and then added an extra touch for formal nights. I fit right in. You DO NOT need a floor length ball gown or a dress for that matter!! Sure if you want to dress up and find it fun go with it, but it isn't necessary.
I wore a plain black dress with a pretty shawl the first night and dress pants and a sparkly top the second.
For men, the gentleman I was sitting with wore a dress shirt and dress pants on formal night. Sure there were tons of guys in tuxs but there are also lots that aren't (aka the jeans family). Anywhere in between in just fine.
It's not like they will refuse to serve you if your not dressed appropriately
I am a professional and work in an office environment. I basically just wore my usual business casual clothes on every other night and then added an extra touch for formal nights. I fit right in. You DO NOT need a floor length ball gown or a dress for that matter!! Sure if you want to dress up and find it fun go with it, but it isn't necessary.
I wore a plain black dress with a pretty shawl the first night and dress pants and a sparkly top the second.
For men, the gentleman I was sitting with wore a dress shirt and dress pants on formal night. Sure there were tons of guys in tuxs but there are also lots that aren't (aka the jeans family). Anywhere in between in just fine.
It's not like they will refuse to serve you if your not dressed appropriately
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Mbandy
Guest
I got my tux on E-bay. It was like new. I got it from a rental company who's owners were retiring. Pants, Coat, Shirt, Vest, Tie & Studs, shoes; the whole thing for $100 bucks and it fit perfectly.
I never miss formal night, just part of the fun for us to dress up.
I never miss formal night, just part of the fun for us to dress up.
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larsfun
Guest
Amy check out what Gaylev said in her post. I second that! There are some cruisers out there who go back to the day when formal night was Tux and gowns. Those sorts of things have relaxed in recent years. I do enjoy doing a suit or sports jacket and My wife wears a nice evening or cocktail dress. I have seen people come in completely casual attire and it doesn't phase me a bit. You should enjoy your vacations on your terms as you are paying the freight. My last cruise to the Bahamas was a three day weekender and for this one I just wore a dress shirt and slacks. Point here is don't feel uncomfortable, Enjoy yourself. Carnival is called the fun ship for a good reason. HAVE FUN!!
Lars
Lars
