Carnival's "Kid's Fun formal"

[txSherry]

Please forgive me I can't cite the location that I read this, as it was a couple of weeks back. I think i read a Carnival Capers from a prior sailing and saw it there.

First night at sea, from 6:15-7p is a 'Kids Fun formal'

What is this? DD will be 7yo on the trip, would it be something for her?

Also, I read lots of questions about formal night and what to wear, but I haven't seen the answer to this one yet! What does formal night encompass? Is it just dinner and the picture from the official photographer?

That would be a lot of gussying up for 1 hour wouldn't it? That's why I'm thinking I'm not "getting" it.

I have my dress I'm going to wear, btw. I'm not a dressy person, more of a tom-boy with little need to dress up IRL, but I found a GREAT dress on sale at a place I never have shopped before. You'd not believe the deal I got. But DH keeps calling it my $2000 dress. quoth Jeff "She bought the dress and had to get a cruise to go along with it." heehee

Anyways, if someone could help me with these two questions I promise i won't pop the rest of my "questions list" on ya'll all at once.

TIA!

Sherry

[cruisetarp]

Sherry - I can't answer you about Carnival specifically, but in general formal night usually includes some type of "Meet the Captain" reception either before or after dinner. You wait on line, are introduced to the Captain and have a photo taken. They generally take formal portraits elsewhere on the ship during this time. I don't have any information about the kids fun formal - but it does sound like fun.

My DH Jim would agree completely with your DH Jeff. Everytime I come in the house with another gown and tell him how much money I saved on it he reminds me the savings don't come close to the cost of another cruise. (I don't see him refusing to go though LOL)

You can pop all the questions you want on us. That's what we are here for. Sorry I couldn't be of more help

[Mebert]

txSherry,

It's great to see you posting.

You'll probably have to call Carnival to find out the age range for the kids fun formal. I've usually seen many dressed up young people in the main diningrooms.

Formal night is everything that cruisetarp said. It's more than just dinner and photos. It seems to be the night when there are several receptions around the ship, the videographer wanders around and sometimes captures passengers for video memories for the videolog, the big Las Vegas style show usually takes place, and people, especially the women like to walk around and show off their fancy dresses. It's like being at the Adcadem Awards sometimes.

There are some passengers who choose to wear dressy jeans or just regular attire during that evening. Personally, I would feel out of place in jeans so I wear my dark suit and nice shoes. Formal night is all contingent upon your comfort level in either conforming and dressiing up to the hilt or dressing up moderately or being a rebel and wearing jeans and a cowboy hat. I usually notice when someone is not dressed up, but it doesn't ruin my evening. I'm too busy having a great time.

[KCCruzr]

I am very new to this site as well and have been reading up to get some questions answered. My DH and I have been on two cruises but not on Carnival. Both times we enjoyed getting dressed up and getting our pictures taken before dinner. If I remember right the shows on those nights were much nicer than other nights just as Mebert mentioned

We will be going on Carnival in a couple of weeks with our 3 children ages 16, 13, and 10. My 13 yo son particularly does not like the thought of dressing up. Does he need to be in a suit and tie for the dining room? I thought they would turn you away in "improper" attire. I don't want to make them over dress but want to be prepared to enjoy whatever we wish to do.

Kim

[mercedes]

From Carnival's web site.

Is there a dress code for the dining room?

Depending on the length of the cruise, either formal dress or casual resort wear is required in the Dining Room. The dress requirement for children is the same. For those not wanting to dress up, the Lido restaurants are open nightly (with the exception of the last evening of the cruise), and have a casual dress code. Formal Wear: tuxedo (optional); suit and tie; sport coat, tie and slacks; evening gown; cocktail dress; pantsuit Casual Resort Wear: sport shirts and slacks; dresses; skirts; pantsuit NOTE: Shorts, t-shirts and bathing attire are not permitted in the Dining Room during dinner.

[Mebert]

KC Cruzr,

mercedes is absolutely right about the Lido deck for those who do not want to dress up.

Your son can get away with dress pants and a shirt and tie. He should really be encouraged to try to wear the suit so that he can share in the total experience of the cruise, however, if that's not his cup of tea than the Lido deck it is.

Some people still have the impression that Carnival Fun Ships have passengers who go to the diningroom in bathing suits and swing from the chandeliers. That could not be further from the truth. Most of the passengers do honor the formal evening code although all do not.

It's your cruise and you have to enjoy the experience within the accepted rules. There is nothing wrong with wanting to spend the entire cruise on the more informal Lido deck. You will just miss out on the total cruise experience and there's nothing wrong with that either.

Enjoy your cruise your way and please have a great time. You've paid your fare.

Please tell us all about it when you return.

[mercedes]

Mebert, I totally agree with you. On the 7 cruises I have had with Carnival, I have probaby ate in the dining room three times. I prefer the informal Lido deck and have a great time there.

[KCCruzr]

Thanks everyone for the insights. I did go ahead and purchase a suit for my son and am planning to make him wear it as a "thanks" to his mom for taking him on the trip Besides he is headed to High School in the fall and I convinced him a good black suit is necessary to get girls to go with him to the dances!

I think If we went and decided on the cruise to spend the time on the Lido deck that is fine--I just decided I didn't want to get there and not be prepared to get dressed up for dinner.

Thanks for all the input. I am still new at this but trying to post often. I will let you know how the cruise goes. The kids are very excited!

Kim

[Mebert]

KC Cruzr,

What a great parent you are. That is a good way to get young people to conform with family plans. I'll have to try to use that one. Sometimes parents have to put their foot down.

There's nothing like the family experience and the parents getting some pleasure out of being with their well dressed children after they've paid all that money. That is, if that is an experience the parents want. The children should take it as a learning experience in giving back to their parents by submitting to a few of the parents' wishes.

I'm so heavy handed. My approach is "You're gonna wear that darn suit or else....."

He won't regret it when he sees the pictures and how he fits in so beautifully. I hope you all have a great time.

[Gregswife]

Formal Night starts with photos - lots of photos - probably 15 different photo stations. As you are new to this, you may want to hit each one as they all have different backdrops and scenery. There will be one the grand staircase and the rest have backdrops. We don't hit them all now because we have soooo many pics from past formal nights. There will be some kind of event to meet the captain, on Carnival - there is a past guest cocktail party, which you will only receive an invitation to if you have sailed with them previously. After dinner, you will want to take in the show - most people remain in their formal attire for this, and I think they normally introdue the captain and crew at that time also. Sherry, feel free to ask as many questions as you like...