We're headed to a 7 day Eastern Caribbean in December 24. My husband and adult son really do not like getting "fancy" - so if they wear a dress shirt, button up, white or black with slacks but no coat they will be fine. I know you mentioned a coat in your video but I've seen comments below that mention no coat. Just seeking confirmation. BTW - thank you for your videos - they are AMAZINGLY helpful!!
You and your son will have fun! They no longer have Gala night - so you can wear a dress shirt and slacks/khaki pants! Here's a video about "Dressy Attire" - which they replaced Gala Night with czcams.com/video/WsuOODQTUyc/video.html
Reality is that my wife always wears a formal, and I always wear a tux on gala nights, or to any specialty venue. On other nights in the dining room, my wife wears a dress and I wear a coat and tie. Neither of us have ever felt over dressed or out of place.
Yay!!! So glad to hear it!!! I don't think many men own tuxes now-a-days...how cool that you do!!! So you and your wife must cruise a lot then I'm assuming? It sounds like you do!
This comment came as a result of subscribing to your channel ;-) So yes I have done that. My heritage is 1/2 Irish, 3/8 English and 1/8 Scot from the area of Argyll in the 1850s
Hi can you pls let me know what we should be taking fir clothing as we are going to Alaska in May, and everyone says take a warm jacket and rain jacket and don't pack shorts as if will be cold etc. Also our cabin is on the first deck, right below the blues club and the dining room etc. Will there be a lit if noise to contend with especially at night?
I would say pack things you can layer, and also pack long underwear, lots of extra socks, long sleeve shirts, vests, a hat, and a windbreaker and waterproof jacket. I don't think the dining room would be noisy at night. BB King's Blues club is LOUD in my experience. We were on Deck 4 right above it once and miserable! It's the boom, boom, boom of the bass that I hated! I would personally move your room if you can...or else just plan on staying up and dancing until their last show. P.S. Please subscribe to my channel if you haven't already 😀 youtube.com/@cruisetipswithchristina?sub_confirmation=1
Gala night on my first trip in 2007 was the semi-formal shorter dresses and elegant long dresses. Men mostly tuxedos or suit and tie. My most recent trip was pre-pandemic. Women wore “Sunday Best” dresses and semi-formal. A few men had tuxedos, the rest a nice suit and tie. I sail again in August 2024. Looks like I leave my formal at home and would be over dressed in a semi-formal. Makes packing easier, but lacks the superb atmosphere with a ship full of fancy dress and using very best manners that accompany dress up.
Thank you so much for the comment. You couldn't have summarized it better!! I totally agree that it does lack the atmosphere of a ship full of fancy dress. I hope the manners are still good! I do like not having to pack my fancy high heels (I wear sandals instead now) and being able to wear a more casual dress on one of the dressy nights...because then I end up wearing it twice on the cruise (less to pack!)
@@HollyPlake That would be fine. Some suggest something shiny, but that’s not required at all. Some ladies wear more jewelry. Rings and clinking bracelets are fine for dinner, nut not for communion! Men = suit.
You are right just did a 16/day TA on HAL and I would say about half or less dressed for formal nights. We just wore regular dining room wear. Never saw them say anything except for shorts or torn up jeans on any night.
Brilliant thank you so much for the tips. We are off on a 7 nights cruise in Alaska in September and I’m already panicking about what I should and shouldn’t wear 😱🤦♀️
@@lyn8381 😃😃😃 No need to panic!! Just pack warm clothes...Alaska can be COLD! Check out the excursions too...if you are going to be hiking or going on some of the trips, you need to pack REALLY warm clothes and you may need to pack special hiking boots. For the Gala night itself...no need to worry! Just think of wearing what you would wear out to a fancy steak restaurant or something like that. You will have a great time! Sept. is less than a month away! 😄
Hee hee: Do as I do, not as I say. Yet again. HAL website copy writers need correction. My choice was dove gray slacks (ankle length) and jacket, white shirt (night 1) and black shirt (night 2) with my tartan pattern (Cameron) tie. I have a kilt in Cameron pattern but haven't appeared on ship yet but its acceptable on Cunard and Celebrity for format night and I've seen it done by a half dozen men. Sporran is not recommended at dinner..
Thanks so much for the helpful comment! I love the idea of wearing gray slacks, a jacket, and white shirt. You must have looked so spiffy!! 😍 I'll admit it...I had to google what a "Cameron pattern" and a "sporran" was. 😆😆 So like a Scottish kilt? Are you Scottish? P.S. I'd love it if you would subscribe to my channel. I'd really appreciate it and it makes my day!
i WORKED ON HOLLAND ,AND IT IS GREAT FUN AND A BIG NIGHT FOR ALL THE LADIES FOR THAT FIRST NIGHT, SPESIAL, EVERY BODY DRESS UP AND ALL THE LADIES IS IN THE SPAR FOR THERE HAIR THAT DAY,
That sounds nice!! How cool! What did you do on the cruise ship? Totally agree that the 1st night is fancier, and that the spa does a great job with doing women's hair. Was this more on international cruises? I do the Caribbean a lot, and it seems more casual. But it may just depend! We also do the earlier seating for dinner, and I think the people in the later seatings do dress up more. thanks for the helpful comment!
BEST cruises was the Olivier cruises, That is where the hole ship is booked out for that week, music cruises and so on ,Did not do Caribbean,no money, only MED ,,and yes 7 day cruises was the same dress code, i liked the 7 day cruises, and one World cruise It was amassing ,hard work but if you how to spoil your gest,you make money, when you on ship ,,I was a Hairdresser bur did healing reiki,and what ever made money😘😘,, @@cruisetipswithchristina
Yes, you are so right!!! I only realized on my last cruise that they call it "dressy night," but I guess they have been calling it dressy night for a while now. I kind of like the name. It takes the pressure off of wondering what to wear! What did you end up wearing for dressy night? I usually just wear a slightly nicer dress or a cocktail dress and sandals.
What they said about gowns and tuxedos is not a lie. Not long ago that was a fact and was so elegant. I don't know why you assume that women who want to dress with style should shop at chicos? Their clothes are very mature. I think much of what you say is ageism.
Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a comment! 😃 I actually shop at Chicos quite a bit and love it. They have cute capris that are perfect for wearing in port and comfortable tank tops. For dinner time, they have lots of simple black dresses with nice jewelry (that is often on sale) and nice travel dresses that don't wrinkle. I personally shop their quite a bit...and that includes for finding cruise attire for Gala night. And my mom loves Chicos too! In my experience, many people on HAL love that it is a bit more casual and laid back, and that they don't require gowns and tuxedos. 😀😃
What's your favorite Gala Night outfit idea for a Holland America cruise? Share your thoughts below!
A sparkly dress!
We're headed to a 7 day Eastern Caribbean in December 24. My husband and adult son really do not like getting "fancy" - so if they wear a dress shirt, button up, white or black with slacks but no coat they will be fine. I know you mentioned a coat in your video but I've seen comments below that mention no coat. Just seeking confirmation.
BTW - thank you for your videos - they are AMAZINGLY helpful!!
You and your son will have fun!
They no longer have Gala night - so you can wear a dress shirt and slacks/khaki pants! Here's a video about "Dressy Attire" - which they replaced Gala Night with czcams.com/video/WsuOODQTUyc/video.html
Reality is that my wife always wears a formal, and I always wear a tux on gala nights, or to any specialty venue. On other nights in the dining room, my wife wears a dress and I wear a coat and tie. Neither of us have ever felt over dressed or out of place.
Yay!!! So glad to hear it!!! I don't think many men own tuxes now-a-days...how cool that you do!!!
So you and your wife must cruise a lot then I'm assuming? It sounds like you do!
Guys, all you need is a tuxedo shirt.
Great suggestion!
This comment came as a result of subscribing to your channel ;-) So yes I have done that.
My heritage is 1/2 Irish, 3/8 English and 1/8 Scot from the area of Argyll in the 1850s
Yay!!! A big thank you!!! 😃😃😃😃😃😃
That sounds like an amazing heritage!!! How cool!!!
Hi can you pls let me know what we should be taking fir clothing as we are going to Alaska in May, and everyone says take a warm jacket and rain jacket and don't pack shorts as if will be cold etc.
Also our cabin is on the first deck, right below the blues club and the dining room etc. Will there be a lit if noise to contend with especially at night?
I would say pack things you can layer, and also pack long underwear, lots of extra socks, long sleeve shirts, vests, a hat, and a windbreaker and waterproof jacket.
I don't think the dining room would be noisy at night.
BB King's Blues club is LOUD in my experience. We were on Deck 4 right above it once and miserable! It's the boom, boom, boom of the bass that I hated! I would personally move your room if you can...or else just plan on staying up and dancing until their last show.
P.S. Please subscribe to my channel if you haven't already 😀 youtube.com/@cruisetipswithchristina?sub_confirmation=1
Gala night on my first trip in 2007 was the semi-formal shorter dresses and elegant long dresses. Men mostly tuxedos or suit and tie. My most recent trip was pre-pandemic. Women wore “Sunday Best” dresses and semi-formal. A few men had tuxedos, the rest a nice suit and tie. I sail again in August 2024. Looks like I leave my formal at home and would be over dressed in a semi-formal. Makes packing easier, but lacks the superb atmosphere with a ship full of fancy dress and using very best manners that accompany dress up.
Thank you so much for the comment. You couldn't have summarized it better!! I totally agree that it does lack the atmosphere of a ship full of fancy dress. I hope the manners are still good! I do like not having to pack my fancy high heels (I wear sandals instead now) and being able to wear a more casual dress on one of the dressy nights...because then I end up wearing it twice on the cruise (less to pack!)
So Sunday best attire is fine on gala night?
@@HollyPlake Yes, absolutely! Wear a fun necklace too! 😃
@@HollyPlake That would be fine. Some suggest something shiny, but that’s not required at all. Some ladies wear more jewelry. Rings and clinking bracelets are fine for dinner, nut not for communion! Men = suit.
@@RobertaHanscom thank you! 😊
Is there any difference in dress code for HAL transatlantic cruises? We have a 14 day Oosterdam coming up next year. ❤ your videos!
Not that I'm aware of! And thanks so much for the comment! 🥰
Please subscribe if you haven't already. It would make my day!!
You are right just did a 16/day TA on HAL and I would say about half or less dressed for formal nights. We just wore regular dining room wear. Never saw them say anything except for shorts or torn up jeans on any night.
Thanks so much for the comment! So did you actually see them turn people away in shorts and torn up jeans? I'd hate to have that job! 😃
@@cruisetipswithchristina yes we did except the first night
@@amybradley5821 super helpful. thank you!!I I hope you are having a wonderful weekend!!
Brilliant thank you so much for the tips. We are off on a 7 nights cruise in Alaska in September and I’m already panicking about what I should and shouldn’t wear 😱🤦♀️
@@lyn8381 😃😃😃 No need to panic!! Just pack warm clothes...Alaska can be COLD! Check out the excursions too...if you are going to be hiking or going on some of the trips, you need to pack REALLY warm clothes and you may need to pack special hiking boots.
For the Gala night itself...no need to worry! Just think of wearing what you would wear out to a fancy steak restaurant or something like that. You will have a great time! Sept. is less than a month away!
😄
Hee hee: Do as I do, not as I say. Yet again. HAL website copy writers need correction. My choice was dove gray slacks (ankle length) and jacket, white shirt (night 1) and black shirt (night 2) with my tartan pattern (Cameron) tie. I have a kilt in Cameron pattern but haven't appeared on ship yet but its acceptable on Cunard and Celebrity for format night and I've seen it done by a half dozen men. Sporran is not recommended at dinner..
Thanks so much for the helpful comment! I love the idea of wearing gray slacks, a jacket, and white shirt. You must have looked so spiffy!! 😍 I'll admit it...I had to google what a "Cameron pattern" and a "sporran" was. 😆😆 So like a Scottish kilt? Are you Scottish?
P.S. I'd love it if you would subscribe to my channel. I'd really appreciate it and it makes my day!
i WORKED ON HOLLAND ,AND IT IS GREAT FUN AND A BIG NIGHT FOR ALL THE LADIES FOR THAT FIRST NIGHT, SPESIAL, EVERY BODY DRESS UP AND ALL THE LADIES IS IN THE SPAR FOR THERE HAIR THAT DAY,
That sounds nice!! How cool! What did you do on the cruise ship?
Totally agree that the 1st night is fancier, and that the spa does a great job with doing women's hair.
Was this more on international cruises? I do the Caribbean a lot, and it seems more casual. But it may just depend! We also do the earlier seating for dinner, and I think the people in the later seatings do dress up more. thanks for the helpful comment!
BEST cruises was the Olivier cruises, That is where the hole ship is booked out for that week, music cruises and so on ,Did not do Caribbean,no money, only MED ,,and yes 7 day cruises was the same dress code, i liked the 7 day cruises, and one World cruise It was amassing ,hard work but if you how to spoil your gest,you make money, when you on ship ,,I was a Hairdresser bur did healing reiki,and what ever made money😘😘,, @@cruisetipswithchristina
I cruised in march and I think they referred to gala night as dressy night.I got a laugh about that.
Yes, you are so right!!! I only realized on my last cruise that they call it "dressy night," but I guess they have been calling it dressy night for a while now. I kind of like the name. It takes the pressure off of wondering what to wear!
What did you end up wearing for dressy night? I usually just wear a slightly nicer dress or a cocktail dress and sandals.
sports jacket and tie is the new standard.@@cruisetipswithchristina
What they said about gowns and tuxedos is not a lie. Not long ago that was a fact and was so elegant. I don't know why you assume that women who want to dress with style should shop at chicos? Their clothes are very mature. I think much of what you say is ageism.
Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a comment! 😃 I actually shop at Chicos quite a bit and love it. They have cute capris that are perfect for wearing in port and comfortable tank tops. For dinner time, they have lots of simple black dresses with nice jewelry (that is often on sale) and nice travel dresses that don't wrinkle. I personally shop their quite a bit...and that includes for finding cruise attire for Gala night. And my mom loves Chicos too! In my experience, many people on HAL love that it is a bit more casual and laid back, and that they don't require gowns and tuxedos. 😀😃