dressing for dinner

[Tiptoeonthewaves]

We're going on the Miracle in March and were wondering if there is still formal nights and if so, does everyone still wear dressy clothes? Some people have told me that it isn't like that anymore and you can wear a nice dress or pantsuit or nice pants and a top. I also understand that capris are now allowed in the dining room on nights that aren't formal. Can anyone please help me with this one?

 

[suer182]

I was on the Dream last month. They had 2 'elegant nights'. I did not notice what others wore to dinner in the dining room, as I generally dont care plus their lower body is under the table anyway. I am way too old to start crawling under tables.

I wore slacks and a blouse on formal night. They let me in. I am sure capris would be fine on the other nights. Have a great time.

If you want to dress to the nines, then go for it and enjoy.

 

[Lurline63]

I agree. We were on Carnival Elation in July, and there was a variety of dress on the formal nights. I was surprised to see a lot of women in gowns while at the Captain's party in the Atrium. I wore cocktail dresses both formal nights and did not feel out of place. Pantsuits are OK, too... whatever makes you comfortable. As for the other nights, capris are certainly fine. Enjoy your cruise!!!

 

[Cruizer]

The following is from the Carnival website ...

Most evenings we have a Cruise Casual dress code, but there are those Cruise Elegant evenings one or two nights throughout your “Fun Ship†voyage, where you will have the opportunity to showcase your more elegant attire. For those who want casual attire for dinner time, the Lido Restaurant is open nightly, and has a more relaxed theme. However, shirts and shoes/footwear (flip-flops) must be worn at all times inside the Lido Restaurant.

Both dress codes for the dining rooms are described below.

Cruise Casual Dining Dress Code: Gentlemen - Sport slacks, khakis, jeans (no cut-offs), dress shorts (long), collared sport shirts; Ladies - Casual dresses, casual skirts or pants and blouses, summer dresses, Capri pants, dress shorts, jeans (no cut-offs).

Not permitted in the dining room during the Cruise Casual dinner for ladies and gentlemen: shorts, gym shorts, basketball shorts, beach flip-flops, bathing suit attire, cut-off jeans, sleeveless shirts for men and baseball hats.

Cruise Elegant Dining Dress Code: Gentlemen - Dress slacks, dress shirts. We also suggest a sport coat. If you wish to wear suits and ties or tuxedos, by all means we invite you to do so. Ladies - Cocktail dresses, pantsuits, elegant skirts and blouses; if you‘d like to show off your evening gowns, that's great too!

Not permitted in the dining room during the Cruise Elegant dinner for ladies and gentlemen: shorts, gym shorts, T-shirts, beach flip-flops, bathing suit attire, jeans, cut-off jeans, sleeveless shirts for men, sportswear, and baseball hats.


Frequently Asked Questions, Information | FAQs | Carnival Cruise Lines

 

[Jeanie]

It is so nice to dress up on Formal night, a cocktail dress or gown. I am glad that many are still enjoying this part of cruising

 

[Mbandy]

All of the above have given good advice.

I always wear my tux on formal night and Susan always looks so lovely in her formal gowns. It reminds me of prom night....but that was 35 yeard ago.

 

[Los Abuelos]

Michael and I are from the same era I think and all of the info so far is right on. I used to Tuxedo to keep up with my beautiful wife's appearance but as airlines became so fee&weight driven I've opted for slacks and a blazer that also "flies" well.

Even the blazer is not required unless you're dining in one of the optional steakhouses aboard the Spirit class ships on Carnival Legend, Carnival Miracle, Carnival Pride, Carnival Spirit, Carnival Conquest, Carnival Glory, Carnival Valor, Carnival Liberty, Carnival Freedom, Carnival Splendor and Carnival Dream.

PS My first steakhouse aboard Pride they got me a loaner jacket from the Formalities Shop!!

 

[Cruizer]

Michael and I are from the same era I think and all of the info so far is right on. I used to Tuxedo to keep up with my beautiful wife's appearance but as airlines became so fee&weight driven I've opted for slacks and a blazer that also "flies" well.

Even the blazer is not required unless you're dining in one of the optional steakhouses aboard the Spirit class ships on Carnival Legend, Carnival Miracle, Carnival Pride, Carnival Spirit, Carnival Conquest, Carnival Glory, Carnival Valor, Carnival Liberty, Carnival Freedom, Carnival Splendor and Carnival Dream.

PS My first steakhouse aboard Pride they got me a loaner jacket from the Formalities Shop!!

Things are a bit relaxed now. A couple of weeks ago I dined in the Spirit steakhouse wearing a tux-t shirt.

 

[kamestey]

I have been on several cruises and I love "dressing up" for dinner. I actually dress up every night for dinner in either a nice sundress or a pantsuit and save my formal gown for the first formal night and then I wear a cocktail dress for the 2nd formal night. I really do not feel as if they would ask anyone in fairly nice clothes to leave the dining room. Don't come in your bikini and I think you will be fine. I know my husband wore a nice pair of jeans and a polo shirt to dinner on a non formal night.

 

[Calgon1]

Carnival has always had a more relaxed attitude. That's one of their big selling points. Example: They have "Elegant Nights" as oposed to "Formal Nights". If you wish to go formal, you will certainly be allowed. Likewise, If you wanted to try the tuxedo silk-screened on a T-shirt, you could probably get away with it.

I am way too old to start crawling under tables.

Well, that certainly takes all the fun out of it!

 

[PA Dutchman]

It seems anything goes, even t shirts/jeans on elegent night. The last 3 cruises we saw everything from the top to the bottom. I think the future is a dress down. More and more people don't want to dress up to eat. we have always did the dress up but its becomeing a pain. 27 cruises with carnival and the last 2 we went to the lido deck 2 nights on both cruises because we didn't feel like going and changing for the MDR. First time we ever did it and we went outside and it was nice, we were almost all alone. When we start changing we know times are changing.

 

[Gayle V]

Just in case anyone is still interested: We just got off the Miracle on March 3. There was an unusually large number of tuxes on Elegant Nights. (I mean unusual for my expectation of a Carnival cruise.) At the tables surrounding ours, there were almost all tuxes and suits on the fellows. Ladies were dressed like they were on Celebrity on Formal night. Of the very few fellows not dressed formally, the one I spoke to had gotten the days mixed up, and felt uncomfortable in his khaki's.

I theorize that the large group that made up much of those seating around us, might have influenced the clothing choice among them. And I didn't get a look at the farther back parts of the dining room. I will say that the later seating passengers looked even fancier than our early seating fellows.

So you never know what you're going to find once on board. All I can recommend is that if you are the type to feel uncomfortable and out of place, in the event that the others around you actually dressed elegantly, and you did not, then take the suit and gowns. I know I was very happy to be dressed formally.

 

[Kruzr41]

I wear a tux on every cruise, Carnival or any other line. Carnival downgraded from Formal Nights to "Cruise Elegant" nights a couple of years ago. But in truth, Carnival has had an "anything goes" dress policy EVERY NIGHT for at least 10 years. They are the leader in the dumbing down of cruise elegance.