We're going on a cruise and my husband doesn't want to wear a suit and tie. Can we elect not to go , , ,

Question

to the "formal" dinners. i.e. Are there other places on the ship where we can get something to eat without dressing up? Obviously, this is our first cruise!

Answer 1

Some cruise lines are more flexible than others. I haven't seen any that require a suit or a tie, although some frown upon the men not wearing a jacket at least. The theory is that some cruisers like the elegance and that by having passengers roaming around in casual wear, it spoils the ambiance. You will see that on your daily log for formal nights, they request that you remain in formal attire throughout the night. Very few men abide by that. Off comes the jacket and tie as soon as they are out of the dining room. As a previous poster indicated, the day's attire is requested not required on most lines. A couple do require a jacket for the dining room on formal nights. Also, you might feel a little uncomfortable if everyone else is wearing gowns and suits and your husband is in khakis and a polo shirt. It's really up to you. And as others have said, even on formal nights, you can eat in other places on the ship or have an entire meal delivered to your cabin at no extra cost. They have started a new trend of having specialty restaurants that charge extra. Some of them do require a jacket.
Do what makes you comfortable and happy. It's your cruise. I think you will enjoy it more if you stay away from the luxury lines if you don't want to dress up. If you need help selecting a more casual cruise line, or have other questions, feel free to contact me or another cruise specialist rather than an all purpose travel agency.

Answer 2

There is no problem to eat elsewhere besides the formal dining room. All ships have a casual buffet and alternative restaurants where you do not have to wear dressy clothes.

You also have the option to have dinner served to you in your cabin and this can be nice if you have a balcony cabin.

However, most people do like the formal dining room to see what other people are wearing and to dress up for one or two nights of the cruise.

In any case, hope you have an excellent time on your cruise.

Answer 3

I've never taken a suit and tie on a cruise.(3 cruises) Depending on the cruise line there are many places to eat. Usually only the main dining room will have a "formal" dinner and that is usually only once during the week. You can eat at a buffet of any other restaurants that evening. You can pick where you eat for any meal. Have fun.

Answer 4

What cruise line are you on? Most likely the answer is yes, there are alternative restaurants with a casual dress code. However, a few of the more upscale cruise lines do not offer this option. Others, like Norwegian, have made formal night optional, so you would not need a suit and tie, even for the main restaurant on formal night.

Answer 5

They won't stop you from eating in the dining hall on formal nights if you don't have on a suit and tie. I have been to a few formal nights on cruises and have never dressed up. If you don't want to eat in the dining hall there is always the buffet, specialty restaurants, and room service. Most ships offer free room service and you can order the same thing they're serving in the dining hall.

Answer 6

The formal night(s) on cruises are requested attire, not required attire. So if you meet the general request that they make of all passengers to dress sports casual after 6 PM each night you/he will be fine. He will not be denied access/enter to the main dining room, just wear slacks and a shirt with a collar, regular shoes, no sneakers or flip-flops, no tie or jacket needed.

On some days you/he may want to just go to the place where they will have casual dining like the buffet or other eating places. There are ALWAYS such places on all ships. Or, just stay in your cabin and order the free room service; stay in your/his shorts and then just tip the person who brings the food a couple dollars..

Answer 7

You both wear suites yes! But it really doesn't matter if you wear a skirt suit, a pant suit, a button up shirts, long sleeve shirt, 3/4 sleeve shirts, etc., etc. A nice suit for the both of you is just fine. And if you don't have a suit, as long as you look professional that is all that matters.

Answer 8

You do not need to go to the formal dinners and there are a variety of other places to eat all the time. However you will miss out on a special evening if you choose not to go. It is usually an excellent dinner and an enjoyable evening. He can forgo the tie but will need the jacket (Sport Coat). Maybe you can convince him to go.

Answer 9

They will not kick you out of the main restaurant if you choose to eat there.
This custom is maintained to some degree as historically it was 5 steamer trunks per person per holiday and everybody dressed up.
So now it is fun for some, pain in the butt for others, such as your husband.
Some respect for the others such as a nice pair of slacks adn dress shirt works well normally.
There are usually many other restaurants aboard if you just want to avoid the whole formal thing, often times they are better quality food compared to the main dining room in any event.
Have fun,
Neil.

Answer 10

I have gone on so many cruises before and you have to wear a suit and tie in the main dinnig room on formal nights. But, depending on the cruise (and you really should of put that on there), you can go to other resturants. Example: Last Month I went on another short cruise getaway on Royal Caribbean's Majesty Of The Seas out of Miami Fl. That cruise has many other resturants on the ship. You are forcing me to list all the cruise lines because you didnt put the cruise line you are going on:

Royal Caribbean- You're going to need some serious energy food for all the activities and excursions on a Royal Caribbean cruise. And whether you're hungering for a quick snack or an elegant dinner, we've got you covered!

Dining options vary from ship to ship, but here's an idea of what you'll find: Enjoy a warm, full meal for breakfast and a multi-course feast for dinner in the Main Dining Room.
Options abound in the Windjammer Café - perfect for a quick lunch or a casual meal.
Our Specialty Restaurants - like Chops Grille or Portofino - offer amazing food in a restaurant atmosphere.
If you've got a sweet tooth, grab a scoop at Ben & Jerry's or a creamy shake at Johnny Rockets - our lively onboard diner.

Meals from many onboard venues, such as the Main Dining Room and Windjammer Café, are included in the price of your cruise. There is a $20.00 USD per person service charge to dine at the Portofino Restaurant and Chops Grille. To dine in Johnny Rockets, there is a $3.95 USD per person service charge. All prices subject to change.


Carnival-The Pizzeria in the Lido Restaurant is open 24 hours a day. On the menu is oven-baked pizza with a variety of toppings along with garlic rolls and Caesar Salad.

The sushi bar is open nightly prior to the dinner hours. Saki is available at a nominal cost.

Applicable ships: Fascination, Inspiration, Ecstasy, Elation, Paradise, Fantasy, Jubilee, Celebration, Conquest, Glory, Imagination, Valor

Sushi is served for lunch at the Asian counter in the Lido Restaurant, but not nightly prior to the dinner hours. Applicable ships: Destiny, Triumph, Victory, Spirit, Pride, Legend, Miracle


NCL- No other cruise line offers 13 different restaurants on board a single ship. Heck, no other cruise line even comes close. Steak, sushi, Teppanyaki, tapas, French, Mediterranean, Asian Fusion, Italian, Tex-Mex, buffets, pizza. Your choices are endless. Choose from Asian dishes at Lotus Garden, tapas at Mambos, French at Le Bistro, steak at Cagney's and so much more.