I am going on a cruise?

Question

I need advice on the formal nights and what is proper cruise...etiquitte. I know some of these can be quite formal. So, any good links you would be greatly appreciated.

Answer 1

First, wear dressy attire, formal night means cocktail dresses or gowns for women, and dark suits or tuxedos for men. Also proper dinner etiquitte would consist of always saying please and thank you, no elbows on the table while eating or waiting for your food, politely ask for refills, menu changes and selections, and no rude comments towards anyone.. The table can be quite confusing. There is a wine glass, and a water glass, that the assistant waiters always fill for you when you get to the table, and the wine steward will ask if you would like wine, and the bar steward will ask you if you would like something from the bar, like Coke, beer, or another alcoholic drink. Then the menu consists of Appetizers, Soups, Salads, Pasta is sometimes there on Italian cruises, Entrees', and desserts. A rule ot thumb to remember, with silverware work your way in, or start from the outside and move inwards as you eat your meals. For instance there is 3 forks, on the left side, and 2 knives and a soup spoon on the right hand side, and a smaller fork and spoon above for dessert. The appetizer uses the first fork on the outside left and the knife closest to the outside on the right. The soup spoon is on the right, the salad fork is the middle fork on the left, and the dinner fork is the last fork you'll have left, and the dinner knife is the only thing on the right side, unless you ordered beef then the waiter will give you a steak knife. Then you use the fork or spoon above the plates for dessert depending on what you are having. Hope that helps.

Answer 2

I have been on th Virgo 3 times and again this year. The only formal night is the captains dinner where dress is formal. Men should/could wear a suit but many wear trousers, shirt and tie. Ladies usually wear a nice dress - many a cocktail type dress - others are semi formal - but always neat and tidy. Most other dinners are of a neat tidy dress standard - nothing over the top. Hope this helps - enjoy your cruise

Answer 3

It depends upon which cruise line you are taking.

On Carnival, you will see everything from long gowns and tuxs to summer dresses and dockers on formal night.

More of the guest dress up on the Royal Caribbean and it is very dress on the Holland America line.

For ladies, a little black dress is always in vogue.  Gentlemen can wear a dark suit and tie and be comfortable.

It is a great opportunity to get a great picture of the travel group all dolled up.

Surprisingly, this is one of my pre- and teens favorite night.  They get a new dress that they would never wear at home.

Enjoy the night!  This is also the night they typically serve lobster in the dining room.  Don't miss out!

Answer 4

What cruise line are you on?

Answer 5

http://www.cruise-information-center.com...

Answer 6

I have not been on Holland America, but have been on many Norwegian, Royal CAribbean, Celebrity and Princess cruises.  Most 7-day cruises have two formal nights when you can wear your best stuff and get pictures taken, and maybe meet the ship’s Captain.  If the cruise is for more than 14 days there will probably be 3 formal nights.  The formal nights are REQUESTED not required attire. But most people do dress up in a tux for men and a long dress (any color) for women. Some men just wear a suit and tie and some women wear a nice dress but not a gown. You will not be denied access to the dining room or anything else if you choose not to dress up. (we usually take off the formal stuff after dinner and pictures anyway).  Since most ships have two dinner seatings there are always people walking around in casual clothes.  Some waiting to get dressed for a late dinner, and then those who have finished dinner and changed back to casual.

Dinner on formal nights is no different from dinner on other nights, unless you are selected to sit at the Captain's table.  The meal is usually something special like lobster, or Beef Wellington.  

Regardless of where you are going the dress on cruises is otherwise casual,,i.e. shorts, slacks, "T" shirts, sandals, sneakers, during the day and "Sports Casual" (i.e., what you would expect to see worn in a business office) after 6:00 PM. If you are going to the Caribbean you can wear your swim wear at/in the pool area, but a wrap while headed there. The sports casual dress is required in public areas like the dining rooms, casino, show rooms, disco, bars. You don't have to dress up for dinner unless you want to; sports casual is fine.