formal wear at dinner

[lindab24]

I understand that their is a requirement for formal dress at dinner, we are sailing on the destiny. Is there the availability to hire formal wear for men on board ship and what is the likely cost?

[Bdog]

I would no go so far as to say there is a requirement! I think that you have the choice of how formal you would like to go here. Many men simply wear a suit on the formal night. I must say that this is a great time to take those special pictures of you and your loved one. You can rent formal wear but I am thinking you should contact Carnival ahead of sailing.

[Jerome]

IT UP TO YOU ABOUT FORMAL NIGHT MY HUSBAND WORE HIS BLACK SUIT AND DRESS SHIRT AND TIE I WORE A LONG DRESS BDOG IS RIGHT IF YOUR LOOKING FOR A SPECIAL PICTURE THIS IS THE TIME TO DO IT

[mooneydiva]

I have been on cruises where, on formal night, men were dressed in everything from tuxedos to t-shirst, and women wore everything from gowns to capris. If you don't want to dress up and are uncomfortable going to the dining room in anything less than at least a cocktail dress, there are plenty of other dining options on the ship.

[Samdel]

Hi,
I agree with Jerome, this is a wonderful time to have a special picture made. We have had pictures made at church by Olan Mills, which cost MUCH more than those onboard, which in our opinion are wonderful. They make great Christmas gifts to family members, and at $21.95 per picture, are a great price. Our last ones at Olan Mills Studios, a prof. photographer, were $45 per 8x10! That's outrageous. So, my suggestion is to get that dark suit, or look around at the tux shops, which are probably in the middle of changing seasons on the formal wear and you can get some great prices on a used tuxedo, probably for about $50! Our local store had their used shoes, ties, vests and cummerbunds 75% off. My DH got a pair of patent leather shoes which looked like new, bottoms were hardly scratched, for $10! New vest and tie for $12. So, check out the stores and make that one in a lifetime picture. Plus your hubby will have a "cruise tux" for your future cruising. Have a blast and happy sailing.

[Samdel]

Better still, just have DH wear his black suit, you in a pretty dress, and still have a wonderful picture made...no expense.

[Tat]

I was told that the men could easily just wear a sportcoat, button down, and slacks. We are not into dressing up more than that. IS this correct?

[Karen Knowlton]

You will probably be a bit underdressed that way, but not too badly. I would suggest a tie. The sport coat, button-down & slacks would be very appropriate for the informal nights, and if you have slacks & sport coat that nearly match, you can call it a suit. Casual nights in the dining room call for slacks and a polo (or other collared) shirt; jeans, t-shirts, and shorts are generally frowned upon in the dining room for dinner.

If you really don't want to dress up at all, you have the option of eating in the buffet area, but I don't suggest doing that - the dining room ambience is definitely nicer, and the formal nights, as well as others, can be fun.

[Jerome]

MY HUSBAND AND I DON'T GO FORMAL VERY OFTEN BUT I CAN TELL YOU OUR ADULT CHRILDREN WANT A NICE PICTURE AGAIN THIS TIME AND THE PRICE IS VERY GOOD FOR THE PICTURE IF THIS IS THE ONLY TIME YOU DO IT ENJOY IT NOW

[Jim C.]

Linda-

I read your question slightly differently than the others. So, let me ask, were you talking about the "formal nights" or just the normal dinners? The normal dinner nights are "smart casual" meaning no jeans for the men. No T-shirts or shorts. Women can do skirts, slacks etc.. but again no t shirts or shorts.

The actual formal nights, (there are normally 2 on a 7 day cruise, 1 on a 5 day...) are what the other are talking about. You can be as formal as you want to be. Normally a sport coat is as casual as I would be comfortably with. I have not done the Tuxedo thing, but they are available for rent on the ship (pre book one to make sure you have it reserved). And like the others, its a great photo-op the wife always wants family pics on formal night. Of course, she buys so many of the pictures, the photo shop crew know her by name by the 3rd day..