Being a woman, formal is easier for me!
Originally Posted by Cholula
It may depend on the particular cruise line. We just got off a 7-day Holland America cruise to AK and 2 of the nights were "formal" and on two of the other nights we dined at the Pinnacle Grille. The Grille requested, but didn't require, formal wear.
The biggest problem we had in packing was the wide variation in temps. The cruise stared out in the high-80's from SEA and then rapidly dropped into the 40's and 50's in AK only to reach the 80's again as the cruise came to an end.
It required summer and winter clothes.
I always travel with a dark suit (with a skirt). I can doll it up for formal. Looks a lot better than what a lot of women wear. I also always have a black skirt and dressy top. Very easy to travel with this sort of stuff. You guys and your tuxes! Usually my Alaskan travels are during the colder months; so I'm used to shlepping along a very big and heavy coat. I sometimes try to catch the last cruise north for the season just for the fun of it.