The food? The dress?

Question

Is there other options other than the formal dining on formal night. Also is room service extra?

What is smart casual?

Answer 1

Smart casual is dressy casual, never jeans or cargo pants

Answer 2

Yeah, there are several restuarants that you can choose from - even on formal night you can go in if you are wearing something nice.  NOt everyone dresses up in real fancy stuff for this.  Room service - it's free but they expect a tip.  Smart casual is nice casual clothes - like nice jeans with a t-shirt with a collar and shoes.  In a simpler way - they don't want bathsuits and bathing suits with coverups.  They don't want cut offs and anyone with flip flops.  I think that still leaves a wide variety of clothing options.  Try not to worry too much - we did on the first cruise and it is so unnecessary to freak out about it.  Just go and have a good time!

Answer 3

just don't forget the condoms

Answer 4

Depending on the cruise lines, there are ALWAYS other dining options!  There is the buffet which is open at every meal (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) and is very casual.  I saw people eating in their bikinis!

You can also eat in the formal dining room each night as it is not always formal dress.  I think the fanciest thing I wore was a pair of slacks and a dressier top.  There are some nights when you can go in a skirt and tank as well- the cruise lines will let you know each day what the dress is in the dining room.

As for 'smart casual' it is similar to Sunday wear.  A nice pair of slacks or skirt with a nice top.  People don't wear tuxedos or anything like that at anytime on my cruise.

Answer 5

You have an option to cruise on two major lines that do not have dress codes for dinner: Norwegian Cruise Lines and Princess Cruise Lines.  Norwegian calls it "Freestyle Cruising" and Princess calls it "Personal Choice Dining", and they (Princess) offer it in addition to the "traditional, assigned, dress code" dining.  You do, however, need to choose one or the other when you book with them.  Both cruise lines offer 6-10 restaurants for you to choose from, and you eat when, where, and with whom you want - and dress as casual as you please.  Given a choice between these two, Princess is the higher rated line, although NCL has been building many new ships. They have a pretty young fleet.

What you might want to consider is that most other major cruise lines transform a section of their buffet into "smart casual", waiter service restaurants, just for folks that do not want to dress up.  These are usually by reservation.  The rest of the buffet remains as a self-service restaurant - again with a "smart casual" ambiance.

Smart casual for men = dockers and golf shirt.  For women = pants and blouse.

Room service is included in your cruise fare, but a small tip is in order when it's delivered.

What ever your choice, bon voyage!

Answer 6

I went on a carnival cruise and on formal night there is also a bistro and an all night pizza bar / buffet and you can be as casual as you want it is your vacation.and room service was FREE , we did tip though.it was great our room was always clean when we came back to it. our bed was turned down and a chocolate on my pillow.and they had so many hot foreign waiters and staff members .it was awesome and cheap!

Answer 7

wear the best you got and love the dinner...it's not that big of a deal.. just have fun and remember you don't know any of them people so who cares ......your on vacation don"t miss any thing!!

Answer 8

On formal nights the formal dress is actually optional, but 85% of the people are usually in at least a suit or dress.  You can wear a suit and tie if you want or go smart casual.  

Smart casual is, for men slacks, not jeans, and a shirt that has a collar.  Tie is not required.  For women skirts, dress pants and blouse.  No shorts, tank tops, T-shirts, flip flops and sandals or sneakers for men or women.  Dress like you would dress if you were going to a business office to work, or, like the sales people at department stores.

Most cruise ships have alternative restaurants that you can go to for a fee ($10 to $20) any night.  NCL, which advertizes "Freestyle cruising" has a bunch of alternative restaurants, all of which charge a fee for dinner; not what I WANT on a cruise where all food is supposed to be free.  You will need to reserve your day and time for these.

The other alternative on formal and other nights is the dinner buffet that all ship usually run starting about 6:00 PM until maybe 10:00 PM or later.  The buffets are always casual, but no shorts after 6:00PM.

All room service food is free but you may want to tip the waiter who brings it  a few dollars.  On our last cruise they even had a menu in the room for you to order breakfast in your cabin.  You could pick what you wanted and just hang it on your door outside before 3:00AM.  You indicate the half hour in the morning when you wanted it delivered (like between 7:30 and 8:00AM) and they had it right there.  You could order other menu items on the services menu on the TV in the room, or just pick up the phone and order.

Answer 9

There are non-formal dining area on all ships, but they may not serve the same food as in the formal dining area.  Room service for the most part is included.  Some lines might charge a delievery fee 2.50 - 5.00 per service.  If you are buying an item that normally you would pay for then you would pay for it through room service

Smart casual is no jeans and t-shirt.  Think of Country clubers or golfers.