Casual dress on Alaska cruises?

Are Alaska cruises generally more casual dress than other destinations. I
haven't even looked into the idea of a cruise for more than 20 years, and it
was all a little too formal for my taste. I know it varies with cruise line
(and possibly itinerary), but I'd appreciate suggestions on which lines that
cruise Alaska would be the most casual. I don't mind wearing nice slacks,
etc., but I haven't owned a dress since I retired and don't plan to start
wearing them again.

Thanks,
Jamie

Jamie Brinkoeter wrote:
Are Alaska cruises generally more casual dress than other destinations. I
haven't even looked into the idea of a cruise for more than 20 years, and it
was all a little too formal for my taste. I know it varies with cruise line
(and possibly itinerary), but I'd appreciate suggestions on which lines that
cruise Alaska would be the most casual. I don't mind wearing nice slacks,
etc., but I haven't owned a dress since I retired and don't plan to start
wearing them again.

Hi Jamie,

If you stick with the mass market lines, you'll still encounter formal
evenings. Two of the cruiselines, NCL and Princess, offer a more
relaxed dining option, giving you the opportunity to dine when and
where you want, and with no suggested dress code (there are optional
formal evenings). Even on the cruiselines that have traditonal dining
and "required" formal evenings, you always have the option of buffet
dining or room service. And, more than likely, if you dress a step or
two up from what you'd wear on casual nights, attending formal night in
the dining room shouldn't be a problem.

There are also some small ship cruising options to Alaska, which are a
lot more casual than the big ships. And, these small ships tend to
attract a more mature passenger base (no kids).

As an aside, you don't have to wear a dress to formal nights. Most of
my formal night outfits are pants/top combos. I'll pair a sparkly top
with some velvet or chiffon-type pants. Usually, my formal night
get-ups are my most comfortable outfits I bring with me.

Lee

Thanks,
Jamie

LeeNY wrote:
Jamie Brinkoeter wrote:
Are Alaska cruises generally more casual dress than other destinations. I
haven't even looked into the idea of a cruise for more than 20 years, and it
was all a little too formal for my taste. I know it varies with cruise line
(and possibly itinerary), but I'd appreciate suggestions on which lines that
cruise Alaska would be the most casual. I don't mind wearing nice slacks,
etc., but I haven't owned a dress since I retired and don't plan to start
wearing them again.

Hi Jamie,

If you stick with the mass market lines, you'll still encounter formal
evenings. Two of the cruiselines, NCL and Princess, offer a more
relaxed dining option, giving you the opportunity to dine when and
where you want, and with no suggested dress code (there are optional
formal evenings). Even on the cruiselines that have traditonal dining
and "required" formal evenings, you always have the option of buffet
dining or room service. And, more than likely, if you dress a step or
two up from what you'd wear on casual nights, attending formal night in
the dining room shouldn't be a problem.

Lee,
On Princess they have anytime dining where you can dine when you want
but you still must adhere to the suggested dress code for the evening.

Bill
--
Visit my Caribbean Princess website:
www.cruisingthecaribbeanprincess.com

"Bill C" wrote in message
news:T05gg.834$9c7.646@trnddc06...
Lee,
On Princess they have anytime dining where you can dine when you want but
you still must adhere to the suggested dress code for the evening.

Bill, are you saying that you must wear a tux or dark suit even in the
buffet area?
I'm curious as I've been on Princess many times but have always eaten in the
dining room on formal nights.

--Jean

Jean O'Boyle wrote:
"Bill C" wrote in message
news:T05gg.834$9c7.646@trnddc06...
Lee,
On Princess they have anytime dining where you can dine when you want but
you still must adhere to the suggested dress code for the evening.

Bill, are you saying that you must wear a tux or dark suit even in the
buffet area?
I'm curious as I've been on Princess many times but have always eaten in the
dining room on formal nights.

--Jean


No of course not. But if you eat in the anytime dining rooms you have to
dress as if you were in the traditional dining areas.
I was commenting on Lee's statement...."If you stick with the mass
market lines, you'll still encounter formal
evenings. Two of the cruiselines, NCL and Princess, offer a more
relaxed dining option, giving you the opportunity to dine when and
where you want, and with no suggested dress code (there are optional
formal evenings)."

Bill

--
Visit my Caribbean Princess website:
www.cruisingthecaribbeanprincess.com

I don't remember the cruise line, but I recall a request that on formal
nights, everyone remain formal throughout the ship for the entire evening.
Has anyone heard that lately?
Don


"Jamie Brinkoeter" wrote in message
news:iz0gg.1079$td6.666@trnddc02...
Are Alaska cruises generally more casual dress than other destinations. I
haven't even looked into the idea of a cruise for more than 20 years, and
it was all a little too formal for my taste. I know it varies with cruise
line (and possibly itinerary), but I'd appreciate suggestions on which
lines that cruise Alaska would be the most casual. I don't mind wearing
nice slacks, etc., but I haven't owned a dress since I retired and don't
plan to start wearing them again.

Thanks,
Jamie

Don & Lynn wrote:
I don't remember the cruise line, but I recall a request that on formal
nights, everyone remain formal throughout the ship for the entire
evening.
Has anyone heard that lately?
Don

Hi:

Yes, the last few we have been on (RCI, Celebrity, HAL) have asked that.
Not sure about Carnival as it has been awhile I have been on one.
Anyway, most people did stay "dressed" the whole evening rather than run
to their cabin and change into tank tops and cut offs. I do change from
heels to flat heeled shoes for the evening.

I am interested in this thread because we leave in a couple of weeks on
Princess (1st time on that line) for Alaska. When we went many years
ago on HAL, I noticed the dress was more informal than the Caribbean
cruises. I have some friends out now on Princess that are suppose to
report to me when they return this weekend on the evening dress.
Documents said formal two nights, smart casual the other nights. Tuxedo
for husband is not on the radar. Depending on what I hear, may take a
dark suit for him or go with blazer and slacks. Myself I plan to take
slacks and a dressy top rather than the usual long/short black skirt and
beaded top I go with on the Caribbean cruises. My guess is the
definition of smart/casual is no cut offs and t-shirts and flip flops.
RCI does not ban jeans or shorts on casual nights I noticed on our last
cruise--not sure about Princess. I will go with slacks and a knit top
and hubby with khaki's and golf shirt.

Tucker in Texas

We have been on 4 Princess ships in the past year and have not heard the
request to stay dressed up on formal nights. We are up to 31 cruises so now
and then we skip the formal and go to the buffet. I usually wear a jacket
but most people don't. I came to the conclusion that an important part of
formal nights is to take and sell pictures. We have all we need.
On our last cruise, a coastal to Vancouver last month, couples were lined up
all over the atrium to have portraits taken, dressed to the hilt. At the
same time, there were people walking through the Atrium dressed in shorts
and tee-shirts. I would not have the gall to do that.
Smooth Sailing,
Don


"Richard Whitlock" wrote in message
...


Don & Lynn wrote:
I don't remember the cruise line, but I recall a request that on formal
nights, everyone remain formal throughout the ship for the entire
evening.
Has anyone heard that lately?
Don

Hi:

Yes, the last few we have been on (RCI, Celebrity, HAL) have asked that.
Not sure about Carnival as it has been awhile I have been on one. Anyway,
most people did stay "dressed" the whole evening rather than run to their
cabin and change into tank tops and cut offs. I do change from heels to
flat heeled shoes for the evening.

I am interested in this thread because we leave in a couple of weeks on
Princess (1st time on that line) for Alaska. When we went many years ago
on HAL, I noticed the dress was more informal than the Caribbean cruises.
I have some friends out now on Princess that are suppose to report to me
when they return this weekend on the evening dress. Documents said formal
two nights, smart casual the other nights. Tuxedo for husband is not on
the radar. Depending on what I hear, may take a dark suit for him or go
with blazer and slacks. Myself I plan to take slacks and a dressy top
rather than the usual long/short black skirt and beaded top I go with on
the Caribbean cruises. My guess is the definition of smart/casual is no
cut offs and t-shirts and flip flops. RCI does not ban jeans or shorts on
casual nights I noticed on our last cruise--not sure about Princess. I
will go with slacks and a knit top and hubby with khaki's and golf shirt.

Tucker in Texas

The dress you mentioned for smart/casual is right on. We have been cruising
about 10 years and I think I see fewer and fewer tuxedos.
Don


"Richard Whitlock" wrote in message
...


Don & Lynn wrote:
I don't remember the cruise line, but I recall a request that on formal
nights, everyone remain formal throughout the ship for the entire
evening.
Has anyone heard that lately?
Don

Hi:

Yes, the last few we have been on (RCI, Celebrity, HAL) have asked that.
Not sure about Carnival as it has been awhile I have been on one. Anyway,
most people did stay "dressed" the whole evening rather than run to their
cabin and change into tank tops and cut offs. I do change from heels to
flat heeled shoes for the evening.

I am interested in this thread because we leave in a couple of weeks on
Princess (1st time on that line) for Alaska. When we went many years ago
on HAL, I noticed the dress was more informal than the Caribbean cruises.
I have some friends out now on Princess that are suppose to report to me
when they return this weekend on the evening dress. Documents said formal
two nights, smart casual the other nights. Tuxedo for husband is not on
the radar. Depending on what I hear, may take a dark suit for him or go
with blazer and slacks. Myself I plan to take slacks and a dressy top
rather than the usual long/short black skirt and beaded top I go with on
the Caribbean cruises. My guess is the definition of smart/casual is no
cut offs and t-shirts and flip flops. RCI does not ban jeans or shorts on
casual nights I noticed on our last cruise--not sure about Princess. I
will go with slacks and a knit top and hubby with khaki's and golf shirt.

Tucker in Texas

"Jamie Brinkoeter" wrote in message
news:iz0gg.1079$td6.666@trnddc02...
Are Alaska cruises generally more casual dress than other destinations. I
haven't even looked into the idea of a cruise for more than 20 years, and it
was all a little too formal for my taste. I know it varies with cruise line
(and possibly itinerary), but I'd appreciate suggestions on which lines that
cruise Alaska would be the most casual. I don't mind wearing nice slacks,
etc., but I haven't owned a dress since I retired and don't plan to start
wearing them again.

Thanks,
Jamie


Does this work - No need for any dressy outfits
Freestyle Cruising gives our guests the freedom to dress as they please.
Resort casual attire is always appropriate morning, noon and night. However,
NCL/ NCLA does not allow any blue jeans, t-shirts, shorts, cut-offs, tank
tops, bare feet, etc. in any of our fine dining restaurants for dinner,
including all main restaurants, alternative restaurants, and cover charge
venues.

Guests are allowed to wear blue jeans, shorts and t-shirts, in the evenings
at the buffets, outdoor barbeques, and 24-hour venues, such as the Blue
Lagoon, the Cadillac diner, etc.