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2nd Officer
 
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Last Login: 17 November 2009 21:49
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| Hi, Are the formal nights very showy??? My hubby and I don't tend to get dressed up very often and I don't want to spend a fortune on dresses that i'll never wear again. My hubby owns 1 suit that he wears to weddings and he hates it! We would like to experience at least 1 formal night but i'm worried i'll feel underdressed..... Also will they refuse you entry if you don't meet their standards, cause that would be very embarassing!!!! Thanks xx
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Senior Captain
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| I would say that 99% of gentlemen wear tuxedos and the vast majority of ladies really ''go to town'' However, these days both tuxedos and ladies'evening wear are quite inexpensive. My husband bought a new tux last year and with our cruise later this month will have worn it 8 times-not a bad investment. One of my evening dresses will also have it's 8th outing! Happy Cruising
- Dizzydog
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2nd Officer
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Last Login: 15 November 2009 21:58
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| We're looking forward to our first P&O cruise next year, so I will be interested in replies. I have been on 2 Celebrity cruises and formal nights were 'no holds barred' when it came to dressing up on formal nights. There were some absolutely beautiful dresses and the guys looked equally as good. We were on the second dining time and used to go to a bar, during the early part of the evening as I loved watching some of the gorgeous dresses being worn as the ladies went in for their meals. I bought a couple of Monsoon dresses before we went - I'll be taking these on our next cruise, I love dressing up. I tend to buy clothes during the year as it hurts less than going out and buying 2 dresses at the same time and I have also picked up some bargains on EBay. I think if you're not keen on dressing up, a plain black dress, with some nice jewellery, can look equally as good, as you can dress it up or down. Whatever you do have fun xx
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2nd Officer
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| Whatever you do, this is YOUR holiday ! You must enjoy it. We are due to go on our 4th cruise (and the first one was with NCL so that doesn't count formal-wise). My husband dug his heels in for a long time as " we don't do dressing up !" but after persuading him he really enjoyed his first formal night on Arcadia last year. This year Ventura did it for him and we are going again on Ventura in May 2010 with a son-in-law who doesn't dress up either. However, our daughter has bought a £49 dress suit from M&S for him plus a couple of charity shop (perfect condition) dress shirts so they are sorted. Even the teenage grandchildren are dressing up to the nines. Daughter has bought some e bay beauties and I have post Christmas,gorgeous sale evening dresses which I shall wear again (with a couple of new ones as I am now in the swing of it) There will always be FABULOUS dresses and I love to see them, but I feel as good as they do. A bit of bling, a lot of slap on the face, a G&T or two in the cabin beforehand and "go girl" . Don't be intimidated by ANYONE. They have paid the same price (and probably less) for their cabin as you have, and you are on holiday too. ENJOY !!!
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Commodore
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What has been said more or less covers the dressing part.
You did ask about being refused entry if you do not meet their standards. This is a tricky one. The rule is that the dress code applies to all bars a restaurants for the entire evening - but to what extent the rule will be applied is a very cloudy area. I have heard of gentlemen being refused entry to the main dining room on formal nights if they are not wearing a jacket and tie - but I have also seen them allowed in. Basically I would say that on a formal nigh if your husband was to wear a jacket and tie (colour irrelevant) then you should have no problems. It is far easier for the ladies as most things (barring jeans and t shirt) will be acceptable.
David
Remember: You only know what you know and-
You do not know what you do not know!
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Captain
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| Heather, there is a huge amount of information on this topic within the forums. If you click on "search forum" and type in "Formal nights" in Headings, it should bring up dozens of questions and answers. The bottom line is that if you want to avoid feeling at all uncomfortable then it's Dinner Jacket for the men and evening gown for the ladies - as splendid as you wish! Enjoy your cruise, and it really is worth the effort to dress up, almost everyone does on P&O ships. K
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Commodore
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| [quote]Hi, ..... Are the formal nights very showy .... heather They are certainly an occasion but not perhaps for everybody. Hubby could buy a £50 Tux from M&S or the both of you could dress smart caj and simply opt for an alternate dining venue. In any event it is likely that you may wish to cruise again and could even learn to enjoy the formality. It is not a bunch of toffs situation, just a few folk dressing up as part of the overall cruise experience. We had similar reservations at first but not any more. Go for it is my advice, you will then feel part of it all. .
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Commodore
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mob - "you could dress smart caj and simply opt for an alternate dining venue" - whilst that may be accepted in some alternate venues on some ships the "official" line from P&O is that "in the evenings all restaurants and bars comply with the dress code of the evening" (First Edition P&O Cruises 2010 page 231) - but let's not start this debate again.
David
Remember: You only know what you know and-
You do not know what you do not know!
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2nd Officer
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Last Login: 17 November 2009 21:07
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| Hi Heather This is our first cruise and like you the formal nights worried us... my hubby never has to wear a suit but I have managed to talk him into buying a cheap one (he is going this weekend) . Dress wise have alook at sales section in the catalogue I picked up a Prom dress for £35 ... I was just telling my hubby your dilema and he suggested maybe we should meet up and dine in one of cabins instead ...he would do his best to get out the formal nights!!!
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2nd Officer
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Last Login: 17 November 2009 21:49
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| Thanks for all for the replys!! I've spent most of the afternoon looking on the internet for frocks and shoes... Much to my hubbys annoyance as I should have been working!! I think I might treat myself to a nice dress (or 2) and hubby will just have to put up with the shirts and ties. My parents are also on this cruise, they're 1st timers too and my mum can't wait to get all dressed up! But I can guarantee you my shoes will be off as soon as possible as i'm hopeless in heels I suppose being 1st timers it's all a bit overwhelming!!! Thanks again. xx
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