Do people still get dressed up on cruises?

Do cruise passengers still dress up for formal nights and events?

Ugh, formal nights on cruises? So last century, right? Wrong. Totally surprised me, actually.

My family and I sailed on the Carnival Breeze last July. They still had formal nights. Seriously.

Several couples were all decked out. Tuxedos, floor-length gowns – the works. It felt a bit weird.

Felt like stepping back in time. I mean, it's 2024, people. I wore a nice dress, but I wasn't going full formal.

Honestly, the whole thing felt a little stiff, but hey, some folks loved it. They seemed to enjoy it immensely.

Many lines still do formal nights; it's less common than before, though.

It's a choice, really. Dress up or not. Your call.

Do people dress up on a cruise?

Ugh, cruises! Do people dress up? Okay, yeah, kinda.

Formal nights, right? Or gala dinners, whatever they call 'em now in 2024. I think dad wore a blazer. A blazer! Suit, jacket thing. Okay.

• Suits/Jackets: Menswear, apparently.
• Cocktail Dresses: For the ladies. Obvs.

Wait, are jeans okay? Jeans are ALWAYS okay. My cruise in 2024 confirmed it. Like, seriously, who cares?

Swimwear? NO SWIMWEAR. I guess? I wouldn't wear swimwear. Seems weird.

I saw someone in ripped jeans once, and no one batted an eye. Fashion faux pas? Nah, cruise life.

• What's a blazer even for?
• Do I have a cocktail dress?

Dining rooms. Yeah, that's where the dress code applies. Outside? Anything goes. Loud Hawaiian shirts are a must.

Speaking of dining, booked that Chef's Table for October. Fancy schmancy. Wonder if I need a real dress.

Do cruise ships still have formal dining?

So, big fancy dinners on a cruise? Still a thing. Like tailcoats on penguins. But, fear not, burger aficionados. Poolside patties exist. Salad bars? Oh, they exist alright. Lusher than my Aunt Mildred’s prize-winning begonias. And midnight room service? A beacon of hope for those late-night cheese cravings. My weakness, I admit. Especially after losing a heated shuffleboard match.

• Main Dining Room: Think chandeliers, multiple forks (I still haven’t figured out which one is for escargot), and that awkward moment when you realize you dressed way too casually. Like showing up to a black-tie affair in Crocs. Don't be that person.

• Casual Buffet/Cafeteria: The wild west of cruise dining. Grab what you can, when you can. Elbow your way to the last slice of pizza if necessary. No judgment here. Survival of the fittest, darlings. Except, you know, with more carbs.

• Specialty Restaurants: Extra cost. Extra fancy. Worth it? Sometimes. Like finding a twenty in your old jeans. Pure joy.

• Room Service: Pajamas, pizza, perfection. My personal heaven. Once ordered six desserts in one go. Don't tell my doctor.

• Poolside Grill: Because who wants to put on pants to eat a hot dog? Not this gal. Especially not after conquering the mini-golf course.

Cruising in 2023 is like a culinary choose-your-own-adventure. You can live on lobster and champagne one day. Then, rock a burger and fries the next. It's a beautiful thing. My stomach thanks me. My wallet… less so. But hey, YOLO, right? Remember to pack that stretchy waistband, though. You'll thank me later. Trust me on this one. I learned the hard way. Mediterranean cruise, 2018. Never again.