nikki128

Hi -

My fiance and I booked our honeymoon last night. We will be cruising to the Eastern Caribbean for 5 nights. We have never been on a cruise before. Does anyone have advice on what to bring or what to do?? How formal is formal night ? Will a black dress be ok ?

Thanks in advance
Nikki

Lynn Luker

Congrats on your upcoming wedding! My husband and I love to cruise, we've done 3 and hope to do more. I really learned alot from a site called Cruise Critic. There are board members similar to the nice people here, and you can get lots of tips and advice. You can read posts from people who did the same cruise you will, and they'll give tips on shore excursions, clothing, shows on board, etc.
Have a wonderful honeymoon!

BKrenning

My husband is on the cruise critic board more than I'm on this one. http://www.cruisecritic.com Your cruise line may also have a board on their site. Sounds like you booked through Carnival & I know they do.

But, to answer your question, formal night is pretty laid back on Carnival but it will also depend on who you are seated with as to how dressed up some people get. I have heard that the ship out of Galveston allows blue jeans & cowboy hats in the formal dining room (because of some Texans' ideas of formal)

Before I get flamed I would like to point out that I attended a small country church growing up and the men's idea of church clothing was their least faded pair of blue jeans with a shiny belt buckle, western style shirt and to clean off their boots before church so I completely understand and am not offended by this idea of formal. To someone who wears bib overalls 7 days a week--newish blue jeans, western shirt & clean boots is formal.

redquilter

Formal night varies from line to line. We cruise Holland America and their formal night is truly formal. But, I have worn cocktail dresses and not long gowns and that was acceptable. If people do not care to dress formally, that is their choice, but they are not allowed in the dining room. However, they can go to any of the other restaurants. We no longer want to do formal so we choose to be casual as do many people. I would call the line you will be cruising with and see what their idea of formal is. Many lines have no formal nights at all.

Keep in mind that even though you will be in the Caribbean, the ships are air conditioned and at night on the water it's cool - so I would bring a pashmina or something to wear at night. During the day it's not a problem. Clothing during the day is shorts/capris & bathing suits. All of the islands are very casual, so again, shorts, etc. are just fine.

Congratulations on your upcoming wedding. You will love the cruise and hopefully it will be the first of many.

nikki128

Thanks for the advice. Yes we are cruising on carnival and at the captain's dinner they will be sharing with all the guests that we are on our honeymoon. I'm nervous about that I hate attention lol. I was thinking a little black dress should work. I certainly don't have the money to go buy a gown. I did not even think to bring a sweater for at night lol. I'm thinking sun and heat ! Thank you sooo much :) Now I just need to figure out how to pack 2 weeks worth of clothes in one bag !!!!

redquilter

I cruise a lot and I've learned to pack only a few colors - (I do black, white and khaki and throw in a piece or two in red or yellow) This way you can mix and match and get a lot more mileage out of your wardrobe. Why 2 weeks of clothes? I thought you said 5 nights? Don't forget, you can wash out a few things and wear again. Believe me, no one remembers or cares if you wear things twice!

And don't forget sunscreen and hats. The sun can be brutal.

sewgull

Best wishes for the new the life together. Dressy casual is fine. Dress or nice pants outfit is be good. We have taken a cruise twice and both times people were dressed all kinds of ways. Remember you have limited luggage space. Wear cute slacks or skirt that you can mix with a top for another outfit. Have fun and remember you will never see these people again. Plus you are paying for your trip so wear what you like.

renee765

My husband and I used to cruise alot, and it seems to me that your black cocktail dress will be fine. Many women I have seen on cruises dress up their black dress with something that has bling, like a jacket with sequins or a shiny scarf.

nikki128

Redquilter - We leave our home July 1 to fly to NY for our wedding which is not until July 11th. We have a lot of pre wedding stuff to do. Then Fly out on the 12th for 5 nights. So we will be away from home for 2 weeks. I thought of having clothes washed and cleaned for me but we leave for the airport at 5:30 am Sunday I doubt anyone can get me my laundry in time. Unless I drop clothes off at my dad's house and ask him to do laundry for us!

fun2quilt

Why not just UPS your unneeded clothes home??
That way, you don't have to worry about it. Lots of people ship their luggage ahead of them for vacations these days due to the airline charges for suitcases, you wouldn't be the first not the last.. Enjoy your honeymoon and a long happy life together.

Kathy