Welcome aboard, Larry,
More and more you see people dressing down for the formal nights. Personally, my wife and I enjoy the chance to dress up, but that's just us. The cruise is yours, so you can do whatever you want. If you don't want to dress up, there is always the buffet dinner. If you don't mind, nobdy will really say anything to you if you do go to the dining room for dinner. Either way, you are bound to love your first cruise. It will only get better after that. :grin: