Cruise Ship Formal Night

by Shannon Kietzman, writer for Your Wedding Place.com

The cruise ship formal night may be one of the most special evenings of your honeymoon cruise. On this one splendid night, all of the guests dress up in elegant clothing and enjoy the ship’s fine dining and entertainment. To truly get the most out of formal night, you and your sweetheart will need to come prepared.

A Look at Honeymoon Cruise Ship Formal Night

The day on which formal night falls will not necessarily be the same for each cruise line. The special evening is not, however, ever offered on the first or last night of the voyage. Some cruise lines always have the formal night on the second or third night of the voyage, while others may schedule it for a night when the boat has been to sea all day so guests have plenty of time to prepare for the event. Some cruises even have more than one formal night per voyage.

The type of clothing that constitutes “formal” is not the same from cruise line to cruise line. On some cruise lines, such as Carnival Cruise line and Royal Caribbean Cruise lines, formal wear may simply be a shirt and tie and, perhaps, a suit jacket for men. Women can wear cocktail dresses, dress slacks, or skirt suits. Other cruise lines, such as Celebrity Cruise line and Cunard Cruise line, formal wear may be stricter – such as tuxedos and ballroom gowns.

If you forget your formal clothing, many of the larger cruise lines offer rental options for men and women. Of course, the sizes and colors will be limited. Therefore, it is best to visit the shop as early as possible to get the best options.

In addition to the usual entertainment, formal night offers additional perks. First, the dining opportunities are usually a step up from the normal fare. In addition, photographs are all around on this special night in order to help commemorate the event. You can always get your photo taken without obligation to purchase.

There are also a number of special shows on formal night. The times of the shows, however, may be adjusted to accommodate photograph opportunities. Typically, it is not necessary to be dressed formally in order to take in the shows. Special events, such as newlywed cocktail parties, may also take place on formal night.

Staying Informal On A Cruise

If you are not a fan of dressing up formally, it is ok to forego the special night because it is always an optional event. Even if you are wearing sandals and a t-shirt, you can still take in the shows, pose for photographs, and attend many of the special events. In fact, you will only be restricted from entering the main dining room if you are not dressed to code. Nonetheless, there is plenty of dining still available at the many other restaurants on the ship.

Formal nights add to the romance, glitz, and glamour of a honeymoon cruise. But, if you and your sweetheart got your fill of elegant wear on your wedding day, it is perfectly acceptable for you to choose to remain casual instead.

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