Topic: Casual / freestyle cruises?

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Very grateful for a bit of advice please - my girlfriend and I are planning to take our first ever cruise later this year, to Northern Europe (fjords, Baltic, etc), but we're finding it very difficult to figure out which companies and ships might suit our needs.

What we are looking for specifically is a ship that will have a relaxed and informal atmosphere, without dress codes, but still be a relatively civilised and adult environment (ie not a "Butlins on a boat" type of feel!). We both really don't like dressing up and are completely put off by the prospect of formal evenings, tuxedos etc.

I've seen a lot of references to "freestyle" cruising which sounds like it might fit the bill, but the only company I've seen specifically offering this is NCL. Are there any others that might be suitable? Thanks for any help!

Have a look at Princess they have an exhalant buffet that you can use on formal nights. Most of the passengers who join in are on the Promanade deck Go to there web site and have a look around :D

Choose any cruise line you fancy and on formal nights use the buffet for dinner.All other nights just be smart casual, no problem.

QUOTE:

Choose any cruise line you fancy and on formal nights use the buffet for dinner.All other nights just be smart casual, no problem.

This won't work as some cruise lines apply the dress code throughout the ship and not just the MDR and bars

QUOTE:

This won't work as some cruise lines apply the dress code throughout the ship and not just the MDR and bars

Not sure if Celebrity enforce the dress code on formal nights in the buffet , I would not expect it, seems silly to queue up for service wearing tuxedo/ evening dress.

We missed a formal night because my husband was unwell but had the same menu for room service and dined on the balcony.

Just because there are foral nights doesn't mean you have to wear a tux.
Ok you may not feel comfortable eating in the main dining room but most ships have
other dining options.
Celebrity have introduced select dining which means you can eat anytime from 6 to 9pm.
They also have a casual dining area at the back of the ship.
They have soome great deals for Baltic cruises this year

QUOTE:

This won't work as some cruise lines apply the dress code throughout the ship and not just the MDR and bars

Name that line ;) :D

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Name that line ;) :D

PPPPPPPP and OH!!!!! maybe :D

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Not sure if Celebrity enforce the dress code on formal nights in the buffet , I would not expect it, seems silly to queue up for service wearing tuxedo/ evening dress.

We missed a formal night because my husband was unwell but had the same menu for room service and dined on the balcony.

I'm sure I'm right in saying that with Celebrity the dresss code applies to the MDR and speciality restaurants only. Not really looked into it even though it's only 5 weeks now until I'm on Eclipse as we are planning on dressing up for formal nights for a change (our last few cruises having been informal)

QUOTE:

PPPPPPPP and OH!!!!! maybe :D

Are P and O the only line that have a ship-wide dress code? I did wonder if there were others the same. If P and O were the last to have this policy this would explain why the regulars defend it so rigorously. They make the point so often on forums that I know the dress code for their ships far better than the ships I'm due to travel on this year and I've never set foot on a P and O ship yet!;)

With airlines only allowing 20 to 23 kgs, I have to think if i realy want to pack something that i might wear only once, I much prefer to take mix and match smart casual with perhaps a nice pashmina to dress it up.I have never felt out of place doing this.