Conference abbott::cruise_travel

    My husband & I have been on 2 cruises, both have the captains
    dinner and another "suit" night.  On the last cruise I found that
    alot of men had either brought with them or rented a tux for the
    captains nite and then wore the tux for the other nite too.  For
    other nights just dress pants and a sport shirt are more than adequate.
    You may want to check to see what "theme nights" your particular ship
    will be having.  We had a western night and another theme which escapes
    me, so if you are into that type of thing you can bring jeans, rope
    tie,checkered shirt, the whole works.  A dark suit works just as well
    for the 2 formal nites.  Don't overpack, I can't stress that enough, if
    you want further advice feel free to call me.  

    Travel light!  During the day you end up living in your bathing suit. 
    A jumper, t-shirt and/or shorts to go over it is enough for the day. 
    Only two formal evenings, dark suit or tuxes are what most men wear. 
    Women's dresses ranged from casual dress to ball gown.  The rest of the
    evenings are pretty informal.  Polo shirts, casual slacks, sundresses
    etc.
    
    Good walking shoes for touring and rubber soled shoes for the deck are
    musts.
    
    It seems most first time cruisers always over pack - I was the
    guiltiest of them all.  My second one I packed much lighter. 
    The next time will be even less (only 5 more weeks!)
    
    Suzanne

    RE: basenote
    
    I am back from my cruise.  Wow, what a great time!  
    Your advice was absolutely correct.  Plan your wardrobe
    for the formal nights to avoid overpacking.  Pay attention
    to the brochure that the cruise company gives you regarding
    the themes for each night.
    
    Also, make absolutely sure that your walking shoes are the most
    comfortable ever.  I wound up walking for miles.  I had comfortable
    shoes, which turned out to be a real blessing.  Don't forget to bring
    a sun hat or cap, sunglasses, and plenty of sunblock.  Prices aboard
    ship are rather prohibitive, so make sure to plan properly and take
    all the essentials.  Do not buy film or any sundries aboard ship unless
    you plan to spend a bundle.
    
    
    Gordon
    

    My husband and I are leaving on the Costa Romantica on March 27th and
    we've just received our tickets.  Enclosed was an offer for a tux
    rental; there will be 2 formal nights.
    
    What percentage of men actually wear a tux versus a suit?  Is it
    worthwhile to rent a tux (they want $70 for the week, we didn't think
    that was too bad) or should he bring his suit ( a medium brown) which
    will be in addition to his sport coat which he'll need for the two
    semi-formal nights.
    
    Susan

    The number of men in tuxedos varies by ship with some at 0-5% and some
    at nearly 100%.  I don't know what the ratio on the Romantica would be
    but the rule we follow is something like this:
    
    	I love a man in a tux and my husband is comfortable wearing one. 
    	Unless we are on an extremely casual ship he usually dusts off
    	the formal wear.  It is only for two nights and he is almost
    	guaranteed to have a good time (nudge,nudge).  
    
    In other words, it is really up to you!  After all, for most folks
    a cruise is a romantic, dream vacation.  It should be whatever you
    want it to be!  
    
    Oh, BTW, have a GREAT cruise!!
    -jer

    It is really up to you. I've been on 9 cruises and range of tuxes
    varied from 25% to maybe 55% tops. You will not feel out of place
    just because you do not have a tux. If you really like to dress
    up then do it, otherwise just use the money on something else.
    
    			Harold
    

    
     I was on the Costa Classica last year and the ship was rather casual
    even on the formal nights. Not all that many men wore a tux., you will
    notice that MOST of the passengers are going to be European with the
    majority of them being Italian (after all it is an Italian ship). Many
    of the Europeans wore suits, many of the Americans were more casually
    dressed then that, saw lots of sweaters and collars or jackets and
    ties. I, did the suit one night jacket and tie the other. On my first
    cruise I was debating whether to spend money renting a tux or not..
    decided not to, and with the money I didn't spend on a tux I went out
    and bought a garment bag that I could pack the suit and my wife's
    dresses in without getting them all wrinkled up. Best investment I
    ever made and I've never felt like I should have rented that tux.
    
    
    al

    Thanks for the responses.  While I'd love to see my husband in a tux,
    we thought about it and decided we'd have more fun spending the money
    on something else.
    
    I think we'll just tote along his suit and sports coat.
    
    Outta here on the 27th, can't wait!!!
    
    Susan

    Regarding 313.7, was your cruise in Europe or the Caribbean ?? The reason
    I was asking is my understanding is Costa cruises in Europe 
    are more European in style with a international mix of passengers, vs.
    a more traditional style while in Caribbean with mostly North Americans
    as passengers.
    
    					Harold
    
    

    I've been on about 35 cruises world wide. I've never been on a cruise
    where someone didn't wear a Tux to the Captain's night; I've never
    been on a cruise where someone didn't wear jeans to the Captain's
    night. Like every other aspect of a cruise (or any other vacation for
    that matter), the object is your entertainment. If you like to dress
    up, by all means go out of you way, e.g., cruise ships are one of the
    few places in the world that wearing thousands of dollars worth of
    jewels probably wouldn't attract thieves. If you are unconfortable in
    a suit or a Tux (as I am), be considerate of your fellow passengers
    who do get on to this sort of stuff and dress until its appropriate to
    change. By dress, I mean exacly what it said in your brochure that was
    appropriate for the night in question.

    Hi, 
    
    We're back.  Had a great time, I'll post info in my Costa Romantica
    note.
    
    Regarding the tux situation, we ended up not renting one and it was
    fine.  I'd say only a few dozen men at our sitting were wearing them
    (we had a table for four and the other man was wearing one).
    
    It was definitely a wear what you feel comfortable in situation.
    
    Susan