Originally Posted by
Badenoch
My wife and in-laws are discussing a 7-night cruise to Alaska out of Vancouver. Of the lines that do this route which one has the most flexible requirements for "formal" night? My intention would be to do carry-on luggage for the flight and bringing a suit would require I check a bag. Which line is most tolerant? Is there a line we should avoid?
Quite frankly most cruise lines have dropped the hardcore formal dress requirement or at least offer enough casual dining venues that not having a tux/dark suit or a gown is not an issue. I think NCL led the way years ago and slowly but surely the other mainstream mass market lines have followed. One of the holdouts was Holland America but even they have significantly softened their formal nights and now call them gala nights but still have a coat and tie requirement. I’ve heard that’s not strictly enforced but I gave up on them seven years ago for reasons not connected with their dress code so I have no personal experience. I think that Cunard is still pretty formal, at least per their website, and that Silversea in the small ship/small cruise line luxury category is still pretty formal. That said even Silversea isn’t as formal as it once was and there are casual dining venues even on formal nights.