Is Ebay about to be flooded with Formal Wear?

Male cruisers will be cartwheeling with delight following the latest announcement from Celebrity Cruise Lines! Honestly, if I had a pound for every lady that has said to me that her husband hates putting on an Evening suit I could afford to retire. Formal nights seem to be a real bugbear for some cruisers, especially the men who probably have to wear a suit to work every day so it is the last thing they want to have to wear while they are on holiday.

Celebrity Cruises are to replace formal nights on their cruises with ‘evening chic’, and the good news is, it starts 4th December! No need to pack the evening gowns and tuxedos any more.

Here is the official word:

What is evening chic?
Dressier than Smart Casual, Evening Chic will allow you more freedom when deciding on your best outfit for an evening out. Nothing is taken away, as you will still have the freedom to wear formal attire if you so choose – it’s all about glamour, sophistication and giving you more choice.Women should feel comfortable wearing elegant tops and cocktail dresses.
What to wear?
While also having the option to wear your formal best, Evening Chic nights will be a more relaxed, yet sophisticated, attire.

Women should feel comfortable wearing a cocktail dress, skirt, trousers, or designer/smart jeans with an elegant top.

Men should feel comfortable wearing trousers or smart jeans with a dress shirt or button-down shirt or sweater, with blazers optional.
Although we’re saying farewell to Formal Nights, Smart Casual evenings are staying the same. Women can continue to enjoy wearing skirts, trousers or jeans with a casual top, while men can wear trousers or jeans with a sport shirt with sleeves.

What else is new?
To celebrate the start of Evening Chic, we’ll be hosting a range of Evening Chic Nights where you’ll have unique photo portrait opportunities, plus the chance to meet the Captain and Senior Officers throughout the ship, at one of the “Meet and Greet” events. Also, when you first step onboard, you’ll see a professionally produced film of the Captain’s Welcome Speech, on the Cruise Director channel.

We’re giving the traditional champagne toast a glamorous refresh, too, with a new destination-based cocktail instead of the usual toast. You can also enjoy luxurious new spa packages, designed exclusively for Celebrity Cruises guests, so you can pamper yourself before getting ready to shine at an Evening Chic night. There will also be Art and Casino Evening Chic events, so keep a look out.

How will the new dress code be applied?
6 night cruises or less à One Evening Chic night
7 night cruises or longer à At least two Evening Chic nights
All other nights are “Smart Casual”

Can I still dress formally if I want to?
Yes. Evening Chic means that you can feel glamorous and sophisticated in your own way. If you’d rather wear a tuxedo or formal gown on Evening Chic nights, you absolutely should.

Of course, this change of dress code won’t suit all cruisers. Some guests who have been cruising for many years enjoy the more formal approach to dress of an evening and see it an an integral part of the cruise experience. They will, I am sure, see this as another step towards lowering standards and will not be embracing the move.

Time will tell if ‘Celebrity Chic’ is a success or not but if I had to put money on it I would go with it being a resounding success and a move that many guests will welcome with open arms.

For more information on Celebrity Chic or Celebrity cruises in general please feel free to get in touch and I will be delighted to help you – 0800 408 6084 or 0330 303 8184 from a mobile, or email me at [email protected].