Traditional cruising losing its way?

When I use to think of cruising I use to think of the traditional cruises were all about the fine dining and the dressing up on formal nights. With so many cruise lines and many with their own unique style, are we losing touch with what cruising use to be about? I appreciate not everyone is a fan of the formal nights and would like a more casual style. But is this going to ruin what cruising was all about? Before I’d ever been on my first cruise I use to think that all cruises were the same. I was naive and thought that they were all quite stuffy and very formal. I always thought I’m not sure I’m going to like this. Being at sea a lot and having to put on a Dinner Jacket every night, not my cup of tea and probably why it always appeared to be the older generation that cruise. How wrong I was. Once I did my first cruise I was pleasantly surprised at just how casual and smart casual that being and with only a couple of formal evenings it was really nice and most enjoyable. I remember thinking to myself this is why people cruise and now I know what it’s all about.

Working in travel and selling cruises for a living, I’ve learned a lot about cruise lines over the years and seen a lot of changes. I’m genuinely worried that the traditional cruise lines maybe just perhaps losing their way with the dress code and formal evenings. I’ve always known cruise lines like NCL were always resort casual and not very formal at all. Cunard you always thought of as very formal. Different clientele in each brand. With cruises now attracting a younger market and that more and more families for example are cruising, is this having an effect on the cruise lines policy on dining and dress codes? Celebrity for example, are going down the route of  a more of a relaxed feel and to me that’s just going like NCL. No disrespect to NCL because they have always advertised their brand this way.

What really worries me is that all cruise lines will end up being resort or just smart casual. I heard rumours even Cunard are thinking of this approach. 20 Years ago you would have thought that cruising was for the older generation, now we get much younger people wanting to cruise. Back then you thought of cruising as quite formal with the evening attire being formal for the dress code now it seems everyone is keen on the relaxed smart casual approach. I personally would hate to see this happen as I think it would ruin what cruising is all about.

I’m all up for the fact that cruises should be for everyone of all ages but are we going to destroy the image of what cruises use to be all about. Who’s to blame for this? Is it the younger generation? have we come along and thought we like the idea of cruising but not so keen to dress up like perhaps the older generation like to and now we don’t. Personally I like the formal nights. I still believe it’s what a cruise should be about and when I book a cruise I look forward to that one night that everyone is making an effort. I think it creates a nice atmosphere and it’s nice to see the Ladies looking elegant and the gents all in a Tux or a Jacket and Tie.

I agree, that not everyone should be forced to wear something formal and that said, it be a free choice but if only one or two nights on the cruise please respect the dress code and if you don’t want to dress up then please go to the self service and not spoil it for everyone else.

I think everyone should have the choice but I also believe everyone should have a choice to participate or not. Cruise lines should also do more to make sure people respect the dress code. They should have a leaflet put in all cabins advance warning of the formal night and that the dress code must be respected and adhered to or entry will be refused. Cruise lines could put this on their website, in the cruise tickets and even on the board outside the restaurants.

Anyone who turns up without any respect for the formal night should be turned away. Personally, I would feel rather embarrassed if I’d seen this on the website, my cruise tickets and a leaflet in my cabin and then still attempted to enter the restaurant on the formal night not appropriately dressed. We should all respect the dress code and it should be in the terms and conditions that when you book a cruise you’re expected to attend in a formal outfit or entry will be refused and you will be expected to dine elsewhere like the self service restaurant. It’s only one or two nights depending on the cruise duration. People should think of others on board. I would hate to see the cruise lines all go resort casual and the formal nights disappear. What do you think? Are you a fan of the formal night? Do you think cruise lines should make people adhere to the dress code and enforce this rule without exception? It would be interesting to see what you all think and your opinions on this matter. Feel free to comment. I’d love to hear from you.