Can someone who's taken one of their cruises please give me some help. I've been on their site and they state that they have informal and a couple of formal dinners. The dress code for women being cocktail dress or gown.
I wasn't planning to take anything like this because I don't own a cocktail dress or gown. I was just going to pack dressy slacks and a nice blouse as my best outfit. I'm trying to keep my suitcase to a minimum so I don't get excess baggage charges and I'm not buying anything to wear on the cruise that I'm not going to wear at home.
Heavens above we are on holiday surely we can take a cruise without this extreme.

Winnie, we have done a cruise with them to Alaska. I wore what you're planning to wear and it was just fine.

On one of the formal nights, we decided to skip the main dining room and headed up to the more casual buffet(husband's idea!).As you said, you're on vacation. Have fun!

Winnie Pooh, I would not worry about the formal dress. You will be perfectly fine with dressy slacks. However you will also find some people dressed in very formal long gowns but don't let that worry you. I wore silky dressy black pants and changed tops, I also had a long skirt that packs very well, small and lightweight with matching top.
I was on a different line and ate all the dinners in the dining room.

Hi Winnie ~ What you are taking is just fine, what the other ladies said is exactly what happens, some people dress up and others don't.

I'll never forget on out Alaskan cruise seeing a Texan man in a tuxedo and ten gallon hat, he looked fantastic and it does contribute to the party atmosphere onboard ship.

Your holiday is about you so you do whatever you are comfortable with.

Missie and Winnie Pooh: My big sis and BIL used to go on so many cruises that she had a wardrobe of formal gowns for these nights. She wouldn't do it any more I'll tell you what with luggage charges on flights but even last Winter, she needed two large suitcases for all her gear. Too funny!!!

I on the other hand am the silky pants, dressier top kind of person and frankly don't care for dressup. So go with what you feel comfortable in as the others have said. It's good advice.

Brenda

This message has been edited. Last edited by: BrendaC,

I would say a good percentage of people on the cruise were Americans and probably had a two suitcase allowance, they looked spectacular in their ball gowns and every night there would be many people lined up for photo's on the Grand Staircase, but strangely enough nobody felt out of place in what they were wearing.

I took one pair of dressy pants and two dressy top and that saw me through a four week tour.

Thanks everyone for your advice. I just found my notes from the Flight Centre Canada show last year and I went to Trafalgar's presentation. He said 'smart casual' for the tour and also the cruise.
Also my sister-in-law went on this cruise last year and she just took a skirt, blouse and dress. She also said that one bloke who didn't have a suit went to all the formal dinners. So it seems like they are making sure that people don't wear jeans or shorts or inappropriate clothing by stating 'cocktail dress or gown'.
Another question - at the Trafalgar presentation, he also said to allow $110-120 AUD per day plus $8-10 per day for tipping. This seems quite extraordinary considering all meals are supplied on the ship, I can understand the tipping amount. He wasn't counting in the optional excursions which he said to allow more money. What do you all think?

Before my Alaskan cruise with Holland American, somewhere in the documents was a pamplet with pictures of formal or semi formal wear you could rent on the ship. I only remember the female wear.
I had a good laugh and threw it away.
Does anyone do that?

quote:

Originally posted by suegreg:
Before my Alaskan cruise with Holland American, somewhere in the documents was a pamplet with pictures of formal or semi formal wear you could rent on the ship. I only remember the female wear.
I had a good laugh and threw it away.
Does anyone do that?

Sue ~ I think some do, I was on the Princess line and they also had evening dress for rent along with some evening attire for sale.... and not cheap either.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Winnie Pooh:
Thanks everyone for your advice. I just found my notes from the Flight Centre Canada show last year and I went to Trafalgar's presentation. He said 'smart casual' for the tour and also the cruise.
Also my sister-in-law went on this cruise last year and she just took a skirt, blouse and dress. She also said that one bloke who didn't have a suit went to all the formal dinners. So it seems like they are making sure that people don't wear jeans or shorts or inappropriate clothing by stating 'cocktail dress or gown'.
Another question - at the Trafalgar presentation, he also said to allow $110-120 AUD per day plus $8-10 per day for tipping. This seems quite extraordinary considering all meals are supplied on the ship, I can understand the tipping amount. He wasn't counting in the optional excursions which he said to allow more money. What do you all think?[/QUOTE

I don't know why you would spend $110-120 per day unless you run up an extensive bar bill. I do not drink much but we would have a bottle of wine at dinner some nights, they were not cheap. I also occasionally paid for coffee at the bar since it was so much better. There is usually a spa and of course you would pay for their services, also if you use the hairdresser. They also try to sell you a lot of stuff particularly jewelery on the ship. I went on a different cruise line.

We didn't spend that much money while on the cruise. If you like shopping then yes, otherwise no. We found you could see a lot of things in town on your own without paying for the tours.

Hi, Formal dress as it used to be has almost disappeared anywhere. People did use to dress in long fancy dresses and tuxes. You will still see some, but the majority is in less dressy. I say it is whay people use to wear to church. Take something nice, wear both formal evenings and don't worry about it. Nobody will remember or will you care.
Optionals on an Alaskan cruise run a little more expensive than a regular cruise. Taking the helicopter in Juneau to the glacier is highly recommended. Tips on most ships average about $10. per day. I can remember when Holland American advertised no tipping. It does sale with a more upscale passenger.

On the Holland America cruise that my hubby & I took to Alaska a couple of years ago, there were quite a few men in tuxes, & a lot in dark suits on the formal nights. The cruise line really encourages people to remain "dressed up" on those nights, even after dinner, when many go to the entertainments. I took a simple navy blue mid-calf length skirt with a matching simple sleeveless top. I then added a bit of bling in my jewellery to make the outfit look dressy. I did wear dressy shoes on those nights, as well. The bling I took was all from Wal-Mart, so not expensive, & it took almost no room in my suitcase.

I don't know if you would be barred from a dining room without dressing up a bit, but you would definitely feel a bit "out of place" in one of the dining rooms on a formal night in casual clothes. Anyone who would prefer not to dress up at all could always go to the buffet, though. the food is similar there, but of course, you don't get "waited on" the same way.

Just back from our Holland America Alaskan cruise. On the first formal night our first full day at sea we hit a little "weather" so decided to take the easy option and go to the casual buffet for our meal. Great meal! Didn't regret it one bit,loin lamb chops for us Aussies away from home was greatly appreciated. Second formal night Wed we did "formal" in my crepe black trousers and sparkly top that fits any occassion. I wasn't the best dressed but certainly not the worst. We had open dining also but I booked in and we went down early. Your idea of smart clothes will be fine they are hardly going to throw you out if your diamond tiara doesn't come up to scratch. I used to go back to the cabin/stateroom and change in to my comfortable warmer clothes for the shows after. Hate the false formal.
We did none of the shore tours found plenty to occupy us in these lovely towns.
Will be happy to answer any Q when my "foggy brain recovers" we only landed back home 11.30 this morning.
Our TT East Coast and Canada was the greatest tour. Hope to be able to write something about it later. Right now with lost credit card (hubby not me) and aged mother in hospital after a fall and all the bills arriving while we were away I have plenty to keep me out of trouble!

Welcome back Aussiebird. Look forward to hearing about your travels when you catch your breath. Just found out we will be heading to Mexico next year for a work tour so I'm thinking my dream of an Alaskan cruise is closer than I thought. Grand Canyon too.
Hope your mum is ok.