I really don't want this to lead to another arguement but I really want to know. Maybe a Carnival Cruise tech could answer this one.

As a soon to be first time cruiser on the Conquest in November I have read and reread the know before you go list provided by Carnival. I have seen some conflicting statements in the posts here and would love to get the real details about "Cruise Casual Night" in the main dining room. I don't have a problem dressing up or down but I don't want to be under or over dressed for this event.

The "Know before you go list" says this:

Cruise Casual Dining Dress Code:  Gentlemen - Sport slacks, khakis, jeans (no cut-offs), dress shorts (long), collared sport shirts;

Ladies - Casual dresses, casual skirts or pants and blouses, summer dresses, Capri pants, dress shorts, jeans (no cut-offs).

Not permitted in the dining room during the Cruise Casual dinner for ladies and gentlemen: gym shorts, basketball shorts, beach flip-flops, bathing suit attire, cut-off jeans, and sleeveless shirts for men.

Is this a fairly accurate description of what dining in the main dining room on these nights is like.

Maybe there are some real pics of real cruisers enjoying dinner on these non-formal nights in the main dining room. I would love to see them.

Thanks,

(slightly confused)

Yep, that sounds about right according to my last cruise I took last month.  If you follow those guidlelines, you should be fine. I have a couple of pictures I can email you personally if you'd like.

Hey Rooz,

You will be fine as long as you follow what you have posted.  Just remember on a cruise you have many options. One night if you want to wear gym shorts, flip flops and bathing suits there is the lido deck buffet which allows that kind of clothing and you can be relaxed.

Gym clothes (t-shirt and elastic waist pants!) are MY kind of buffet clothes for the Lido deck!!!

Everyone was dressed nice when we went in March.

that was the fun of going to the dining room to dress nice.

Buffet is for the casual. i have seen where some wore shorts. i did not see any when we were there. Capris i did see.

That's a pretty accurate statement. Some will dress a bit down from that, some will dress a bit up from that. You can't go wrong with A tucked-in Collared shirt and Khakis or slacks. If you want to up it a bit, a sports coat with the preceding. ken

Just follow the Carnival dress code and you will be fine.

It looks like this is a hot topic, on the boards and in our own house too! Our first cruise ever is coming up Feb 09 and the Mrs is quite concerned about over/ under dressing.

Thanks to all who have posted on this subject. For our cruise we plan on dressing decent for our dinners as part of the experience. We may "supercasual" it one night and eat outside, but all here are in agreement (even the kids 13 and 16) that we should make this first-in-a-lifetime family experience special and really play it up as part of the fun. The ladies already have some clothes that are suitable, but (darn) I've been told more are required. The gentlemen will need more help, as we are jeans/tshirts or shorts/tshirts kind of guys.

We all plan on hitting the local thrift stores for some cool cruise and evening wear. If we do this right we'll look faaaabulous and no-one will ever know that those clothes were not in our closets before. We have no problem in doing this and it actually adds more fun to the cruise experience as we prepare. The more money we don't spend on seldom used clothing means more money for excursions and souvenirs.

 Have others used garage sales/thrift stores for cruise wear? Were you successful?  And how much did you spend/save?

 Just sign me..................

Desperately searching for matching father/son powder blue 70's tuxedos with really frilly shirts for formal night!

ROFL at the powder blue tux and frilly shirt!!!!!!!!!!!

If this were only blue........ a nice powder blue..................... ooooh the ladies would be impressed.

Oooooooh.............this one....................must...find...this...one.

I want to say my old man would look hot in that, but I think he DID look hot in that!

There is another reason you should follow the dress code. Everynight there will be numerous photographers in the corridors to take pictures of you. Each of them will have a mini studio with a different back drop. You can have them take as many pictures of you as you want and you only pay for the ones you like. Since this is your first cruise follow the code and enjoy yourselves. Don't worry about what other people are wearing.

squiffynimrod:

Desperately searching for matching father/son powder blue 70's tuxedos with really frilly shirts for formal night!

Oh my gosh does this make me laugh.  We had powder blue tuxes and frilly shirts for our wedding!!!!  By the way we call the cruise formal nights "Prom night"

You will find most people dress very casual.  The first night of the cruise you can wear whatever you want to the dining room as there is No dress code then.  I did see people in tee shirts on other nights also, and nothing was said.   They have really relaxed the dress code.  You will find you will be in more casual clothes than anything. I did buy two dressy dresses for the formal nights and it was a waste of money..so great idea for the thrift store.. We did not even bother  dressing up for the 2nd formal night as it was no different then any other dining time.  I definetly over packed in the dress type clothes and could have used more casual stuff.  Capris are great for the women or a sundress.    Men are more dressed like they are going golfing, if that gives you an idea. Hope this helps.  Enjoy your cruise.