re: formal wear

by **oaky doaky** on Sat Aug 11, 2007 22:32 pm

hi,my husband and i are sailing on sea princess july '08 we are first time cruisers and want to make the most of it.it's for my 40th birthday which i will spend on board the port of call being monte carlo!! I have read and understood the general idea of tips dining etc but it's the dress code i have a problem with when there is a formal night is it simple ****** dresses for the ladies or full ball gown attire and is the captains night more dressy than any other formal night?

by **HW tenpin** on Sun Aug 12, 2007 09:14 am

Hi,
A simple ****** dress will be fine; in fact anything with a little bit of sparkle is good.
Both nights are really just an excuse to dress up a little for dinner. Regardless of whether you are in fixed or anytime, you will find most will make the effort. Both will give you the opportunity to have a formal photo taken, and although these are expensive they really make a good souvenir.
The other nights are smart casual, which can range from a polo/golf shirt to shirt and tie for the men, and virtually anything nice for the ladies. (Jeans or shorts not allowed, or halter tops, or swimwear) Please note these rules only apply at night, during the day they are more laxed.

The Princess Patter which is delivered each night to your cabin, will tell you the next nights dress code.
Do join the Captains Circle at the Atrium Plaza on deck five, this starts your Princess privilege card which can also be used with P&O, you can even join on line you may also book trips, register your passport and credit card, which will save loads of time when checking-in.
If you are going from Southampton & back you may take as much luggage as you like, and if using your car, do drop of cases before going to car park.

I love this ship, so if you have any more questions please just ask.

by **oaky doaky** on Sun Aug 12, 2007 11:33 am

thanks tenpin,
the excitment is getting too much enjoying every minute of planning this cruise and want everthing to be perfect it's like getting married all over again that just sounds silly doesn't it?we actually have to fly from belfast to heathrow where we plan to stay over the night before so we can get the coach down and have a leisurely journey we could just fly into southampton but with only two flights a day am and pm, i would be just too worried about cancelled delayed flights it could end up too stressful so the coach is included in our price and it will add to our holiday.Please fell free to tell me anything you think we should know we have a cabin on aloha deck with balcony a442 it's great to talk to someone who has been on this ship,i have only known anyone who has cruised on holland and america so thanks again.

by **nanabo** on Sun Aug 12, 2007 11:41 am

Hi Oaky Dokey

Monti Carlo is a gem enjoy every minute, I am sure you will

Bo

by **oaky doaky** on Sun Aug 12, 2007 12:06 pm

hi bo,
thanks i'm sure i will it's great to hear from people who have been to these places we haven't done much travelling but kids are now at a good age to leave with relatives and husbands health alot better the only places in europe we have visited are malta and of course the canary islands did canada once but that was along time ago. other ports of call are cadiz ,barcelona,monte carlo,florence&pisa,rome,alghero,palma,gibraltar.many thanks.
oaky doaky

by **nanabo** on Sun Aug 12, 2007 13:57 pm

You will find plenty of people who have travelled around those places on here Okey
Rome is best done by excursion that way you will visit all the major sites as the ship docks to far away from these places.

The rest you can make your own way about by taxi bus or train.

Bo

by **HW tenpin** on Sun Aug 12, 2007 15:21 pm

Hiya oaky,

As Bo said, most ports you can 'do' under your own steam, I would however say follow Bo's advise & use the ships tours for Rome
There is plenty of posts that tell you about most ports, but just generally, walk outside dock gates & pick up hop-on hop-off bus that will do for most of them.

As I said worth going into the Princess site entering your booking number, that will give you access to all the ships tours for that cruise plus costs, this also can be used as a indicator on how far sights are from where ship berths. Anything over 1 Hour in the coach is better done by them, & its only money splash out and enjoy your holiday I say.
If you prefer to sit at the same table each night with the same guests then you need to inform your TA you want fixed dinning, you will be wait-listed. Anytime means just that, you turn up and are given first available table, large is better. you may enter the anytime dinning room & use the buffet even though you are on fixed dinning. You may also book a table in anytime should you meet up with some friends and want to eat with them.
Check out Library each morning for daily quiz sheet, and news letter.

Thats all for now will add more should I think it would help you.

by **oaky doaky** on Sun Aug 12, 2007 16:37 pm

hi tenpin,
yes we are going to go on the ships organised excursions that don't seem easily to do on our own we are going to spare no expense researching the ports of call is all in the fun of the holiday i had already decided that rome and florence&pisa would be best done with the ships excursions.many thanks oaky doaky.

by **nanabo** on Sun Aug 12, 2007 17:23 pm

Hi Oakey

We did Pisa on our own by hopping on a bus outside the terminal then jumped off the bus on to a train that took you to Pisa all for a couple of quid. Florence was the same day so we missed out on that one. But like ten pin said easy to do your own thing

Bo

by **tiggz53** on Sat Aug 25, 2007 09:11 am

Hi I dont which cruuise line you are going with but as a rule formal nights are tuxedo for men and either ****** or full evening dress for ladies I prefer full evening dress and it is nice to see all the ladies in full evening ball gowns I love em Princess cruise add $10 a day to your bill but we always go to the pursers desk and have this charge removed becos i tip for good service which is important to me