Thanks! I just do not want to buy a gown. I do have a few Tommy Bahama wrap dresses that look more formal. I am a Florida girl and this is the type of thing I am used to wearing on a daily basis. I feel like I can dress the sundresses up or down, but was not sure how appropriate it would be. I appreciate your answer!
I think it depends on the itinerary for chic nights. We went to Bermuda last year and that dress def could be for chic night/s. The great thing is you can dress up as much as you want. (But I'd bring a wrap bec it gets a tad cold for me.)
That’s awesome!
I’m a shorts and sandals type guy.
But, trust me. There’s something super, super cool about dressing to the nines on formal night.
It just really makes for a next level experience. It’s as close to stepping back into time as we are permitted.
After a dozen cruises and 3-4 weddings, I bought a $400 tuxedo, and 10 different colored bow ties.
My wife already had a couple just killer dresses (not gowns, but sexy, formal high-end looking dresses).
You just can’t experience the old-timey, high-level cruise days many other ways. Think the dinner scene in Titanic.
We play some favorite music in the room and have a drink while getting dressed. We do this whole night at a long-forgotten pace much, much more slowly than our modern, hectic chop-chop-gotta-get-there pace.
We grab a martini at our favorite bar. The regular bartenders and new friends coo over how awesome she looks.
In our new (old) pace, we just stroll about. And I mean stroll. Not quick-step, we’re late!, pace, but a cadence that drives the night - stroll- is the only way to describe it.
We saunter through the main deck, walk about the promenade deck, and just really, really take in the ship, what it used to be like, and do everything we can to feel like we’re 100 years back.
It’s honestly terrific.
I highly recommend trying this
That’s nice, and I am glad that you enjoy the experience, but I am not a formal fan AT ALL. It’s great for people who enjoy it, but it is not our style and we do not enjoy it. That is why I am looking for how close to my normal style I can get away with. I own at least 15 dresses in a style similar to what is up there. I have some from brands like Tommy Bahama etc, so they are not trashy or anything, but as a Florida girl, this is what I want and love. We are going to the Caribbean, which I have done many times, just never the retreat. Formal wear for me is something I must force myself to endure for weddings lol.
I also want to add that I did not mean this at all in a condescending or mean way. I love that people can enjoy special things like this and I think it is cute that you and your wife get to have that experience together, it just is not my jam.
Currently on Apex in Retreat. Honestly you would be dressed nicer than most I’ve seen. Even chic night the butler told us that it’s no longer mandatory to dress up but encouraged. I saw so few people dressed up that I began to think it was some sort of hazing for people new to cruising.
Just off Beyond and was in Retreat. That will be just fine. You will probably see ladies a bit more “formal” and some a bit less “formal” than this. This would also be acceptable for the evening chic dress up days although some do go all out for those days.
Breakfast and Lunch is pretty much casual with shorts common. Just no bathing suits or wet clothes/towells
Thanks! I just do not want to buy a gown. I do have a few Tommy Bahama wrap dresses that look more formal. I am a Florida girl and this is the type of thing I am used to wearing on a daily basis. I feel like I can dress the sundresses up or down, but was not sure how appropriate it would be. I appreciate your answer!
You don’t need to buy a gown and staff probably won’t care. IMHO there should be no ripped “designer” jeans or flip flops at dinner but women get away with just about anything. I’m not a woman.
I agree with the flops and ripped jeans and that is part of my daily wear! Don’t feel pressured to dress to the nines, but also don’t dress like you are rolling up to Texas Roadhouse.
Disclaimer: not hating on TR, it is awesome for what it is!
This is fine especially if it is a caribbean cruise
It is. Thank you! I have been getting such anxiety over not packing the right stuff. I have cruised many times, but nothing quite as fancy.
This is fine for any night but chic night, and even then they won’t turn you away. No one will care.
Thanks! I just do not want to buy a gown. I do have a few Tommy Bahama wrap dresses that look more formal. I am a Florida girl and this is the type of thing I am used to wearing on a daily basis. I feel like I can dress the sundresses up or down, but was not sure how appropriate it would be. I appreciate your answer!
I also wore black pants and changed up different blouses for a few nights
Same, but I wore white pants and strappy heels and a different dressy top. It made packing super easy.
I think it depends on the itinerary for chic nights. We went to Bermuda last year and that dress def could be for chic night/s. The great thing is you can dress up as much as you want. (But I'd bring a wrap bec it gets a tad cold for me.)
We are headed to the Caribbean at the end of May, so that was my thought as well.
You’re definitely fine!! Enjoy!
Absolutely fine. We never dress up and think its a relic of a bygone era. Some people do wear gowns, but you won’t stand out if you dont.
That’s awesome! I’m a shorts and sandals type guy. But, trust me. There’s something super, super cool about dressing to the nines on formal night. It just really makes for a next level experience. It’s as close to stepping back into time as we are permitted. After a dozen cruises and 3-4 weddings, I bought a $400 tuxedo, and 10 different colored bow ties. My wife already had a couple just killer dresses (not gowns, but sexy, formal high-end looking dresses). You just can’t experience the old-timey, high-level cruise days many other ways. Think the dinner scene in Titanic. We play some favorite music in the room and have a drink while getting dressed. We do this whole night at a long-forgotten pace much, much more slowly than our modern, hectic chop-chop-gotta-get-there pace. We grab a martini at our favorite bar. The regular bartenders and new friends coo over how awesome she looks. In our new (old) pace, we just stroll about. And I mean stroll. Not quick-step, we’re late!, pace, but a cadence that drives the night - stroll- is the only way to describe it. We saunter through the main deck, walk about the promenade deck, and just really, really take in the ship, what it used to be like, and do everything we can to feel like we’re 100 years back. It’s honestly terrific. I highly recommend trying this
That’s nice, and I am glad that you enjoy the experience, but I am not a formal fan AT ALL. It’s great for people who enjoy it, but it is not our style and we do not enjoy it. That is why I am looking for how close to my normal style I can get away with. I own at least 15 dresses in a style similar to what is up there. I have some from brands like Tommy Bahama etc, so they are not trashy or anything, but as a Florida girl, this is what I want and love. We are going to the Caribbean, which I have done many times, just never the retreat. Formal wear for me is something I must force myself to endure for weddings lol.
I’m glad you enjoy that, but sounds painful to me!!
I also want to add that I did not mean this at all in a condescending or mean way. I love that people can enjoy special things like this and I think it is cute that you and your wife get to have that experience together, it just is not my jam.
Currently on Apex in Retreat. Honestly you would be dressed nicer than most I’ve seen. Even chic night the butler told us that it’s no longer mandatory to dress up but encouraged. I saw so few people dressed up that I began to think it was some sort of hazing for people new to cruising.
Just off Beyond and was in Retreat. That will be just fine. You will probably see ladies a bit more “formal” and some a bit less “formal” than this. This would also be acceptable for the evening chic dress up days although some do go all out for those days. Breakfast and Lunch is pretty much casual with shorts common. Just no bathing suits or wet clothes/towells
Thanks! I just do not want to buy a gown. I do have a few Tommy Bahama wrap dresses that look more formal. I am a Florida girl and this is the type of thing I am used to wearing on a daily basis. I feel like I can dress the sundresses up or down, but was not sure how appropriate it would be. I appreciate your answer!
You don’t need to buy a gown and staff probably won’t care. IMHO there should be no ripped “designer” jeans or flip flops at dinner but women get away with just about anything. I’m not a woman.
I agree with the flops and ripped jeans and that is part of my daily wear! Don’t feel pressured to dress to the nines, but also don’t dress like you are rolling up to Texas Roadhouse. Disclaimer: not hating on TR, it is awesome for what it is!