Do I need to dress up or not?
You'll probably find that passengers have strong opinions on dinner clothing when you bring up the subject of formal nights on cruise ships.
You can usually find me without makeup and dressed comfortably, such as in leggings or jeans, whether I'm at home or on board.
But I'm a willing participant during formal events, with my hair done, a full face of makeup, and many pounds of taffeta, lace, glitter, and jewellery.
Many of you will doubtless say that I'm being ridiculous, but that's fine.
To each his or her own.
I suggest wear what you like because your pants don't enhance or detract from my large, puffy dress.
But with that in mind, here's my dedication to excess: five justifications for why I routinely dress up for formal nights on cruise ships.
It's fun for me to experiment.
For me, getting dressed is a change from the everyday.
It's an opportunity for me to travel, which is something I don't typically do.
If I had to dress up every day for some reason, I have a feeling I'd be just as happy to put on sweatpants if given the chance.
Simply said, when else will I have the chance to feel and look like a queen?
It's a cruise custom.
The traditions that distinguish and elevate cruising as a vacation style are strong.
Some things, like bingo, buffets, or ballgowns, are just associated with vacations by the sea.
It also has to do with obeying the law.
I like dining in the main dining room, and on formal nights, most main dining rooms have a more upmarket dress code.
I am aware of what is expected of me and am willing to comply if I want to dine there.
It compel's self-awareness
It may sound strange, but dressing up encourages me to pay more attention to the things I prefer to focus on in a time when interactions are so casual.
When I dress the part, I find that I'm more considerate in general, have better posture, and pay more attention to how I eat and walk (heels are no joke).
That makes me feel really good about myself as a result.
I enjoy the activity
When I'm getting ready for a special occasion, even formal nights, there's something that's both enjoyable and exciting about the process.
Whether it's choosing the ideal set of earrings, doing my makeup, or arranging my hair, I schedule my evenings around preparation.
I also have a perfect excuse to go to the spa because I can use getting my nails done for formal night to make the purchase seem more necessary than frivolous.
I don't want to take this chance for granted.
The COVID-19 outbreak brought a whole new meaning to the adage "you don't know what you've had 'til it's gone," even though I've always been a willing and enthusiastic participant in formal evenings when I sail.
I had no regular excuse to dress up other than cruising even before the world collapsed.
I had no reason to dress up when my journeys stopped for more than a year and I stopped going into an office for work.
The distinctions between pajamas and actual clothing were so hazy that I was concerned I could lose the ability to walk out in public once more.
It made me miss little things like applying lipstick to the point where, in the summer of 2020, when my neighborhood mall reopened, I snatched up an iridescent, sparkly gown for a great deal thanks to the 2020 high school proms that never happened.
It took up space in my closet for a full year while serving as a tangible reminder of my desire for cruises to resume soon.
Since sailings have begun, it has been my go-to outfit for formal nights and provided me something to look forward to.
It serves as a continual reminder for me to get dressed whenever possible.
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