FORMAL CRUISE NIGHTS

The formal nights on the cruise ship is an elegant highlight of the voyage for most cruise passengers.  There is an excitement in the air and usually they have a captain's party or photo night.   On formal nights, the sea comes alive with the pomp and passion of the old days of luxury cruise adventures.  Formal night does not mean you have to buy a tux, you can rent one or wear a dark suit.

What to expect on a Formal night: an evening aboard the ship when passengers have the opportunity to dress in their finest attire, try the best dishes the ship’s gourmet chefs can provide, and pose for photographs to commemorate this special cruise vacation. Formal nights are unique to the cruise industry, because while a land-based resort or restaurant may require a particular standard of dress, they will not offer photography and elite activities as well. For many passengers, formal night is reminiscent of the golden age of transatlantic cruises, when patrons were required to dress formally each evening.

All cruise lines will have different guidelines for balancing their formal nights during each voyage, but the event will never be held on either the first or last evening of the cruise because of luggage handling and the safety of the guests.  Some cruise lines schedule formal nights to occur while the ship has been at sea all day, guaranteeing that each passenger has ample time to prepare for the gala event. On other lines, it is a set evening, maybe the second night of the cruise voyage.

Depending on the length of your cruise vacation, there could be more than one formal night. Most seven-day cruises will offer two formal nights, but the first is usually the more elaborate event. Always ask about the formal nights when having us book your cruise vacation.

On most premium cruise lines, including Carnival and Royal Caribbean, men’s formal attire requires a shirt and tie, preferably with a suit jacket. Ladies are encouraged to wear dress slacks, cocktail dresses, or skirt suits. While the most formal attire is not required, many passengers choose to indulge in elegance with suits, tuxedos, and ball gowns. Some of the upscale premium cruise lines, such as Cunard and Celebrity, have stricter requirements for dress, and the maitre d’ of the dining room can offer suggestions and advice if passengers have any doubt about the proper attire.

It is common for some passengers to forget their formal wear or want to rent formal clothing, larger ships are equipped with a tuxedo rental shop offering elegant tuxedos and classic formal options for both men and women. Styles and sizes could be limited, so in order to insure the best selection, guests who choose this option should visit the shop early in the cruise to make their arrangements.

On formal days of the formal nights, the spa is usally booked solid.  You may want to pre-book the spa for the day of formal if you have any special needs like hair, nails or massages.

Formal night dinners are typically among the best of the voyage. This is the night when luxurious entrees such as lobster, prime rib, and other delicacies are likely to be served, as well as provoking appetizers and exotic desserts. While every night on a cruise ship offers sumptuous fare, formal nights are known for going a step beyond normal dining.

Every night on a cruise is filled with activities and entertainment, and formal night is no different.  The Casinos will still be open, movies will still be shown, and all the onboard lounges will still be lively with revelry. In addition to those nightly events, however, formal nights also offer several additional activities.

Photographs on a cruise ship are a mainstay of formal nights – after all, how many passengers want to take the time to dress elaborately without pictures to commemorate the event? In public areas, photographers will set up assorted backdrops for individual, couple, and group photos. Scenes may include a stock image of the ship, a tropical beach, underwater reef, plain neutral backgrounds, or some picturesque area of the ship itself such as a grand staircase or archway. Some ships will offer black and white photos.

On cruise ships formal nights, scheduled shows and performances will continue as they have on other nights. The times may be adjusted slightly to accommodate photography sessions and the performances may be slightly more elaborate, but the entertainment is just as enjoyable as during other nights. Despite the fact that it is formal night, passengers do not typically need to be dressed formally to enjoy all the cruise ship shows.

Many cruise ships choose to schedule special events on formal night, such as the captain’s welcoming talk or party when passengers can meet and mingle with the ship’s officers. Other special events may include past passenger receptions, group events, single meet and greets, or newlywed cocktail parties. Some of these events will conflict and you may find yourself picking one event over others.

The most important thing to remember about formal night is that like any event on a cruise, it is entirely optional. You can still be on the ship, but the areas of activities available to you may be restricted by dress code and ship policies.  Most restrictions will only have to do with the formal dining during the formal night activities.  As always, check your individual cruise line for the proper advice when taking a special cruise vacation.