Bow ties and ballgowns: 5 reasons I always dress up on cruise ship formal nights
To dress up or not to dress up? Bring up the topic of cruise line formal nights, and you're likely to find passengers polarized by dinner attire.
Most of the time, whether at home or on board, you'll find me makeup-less and wearing comfy clothes like leggings or jeans. But, when it comes to formal nights, I'm an eager participant: hair styled, a full face of makeup and several pounds of taffeta, lace, glitter and jewelry.
I know a number of you will argue that I'm being ridiculous, and that's OK. To each their own. Your jeans don't add to or take a thing away from my big, poofy dress, so I say wear what you like. But, with that in mind, here's my ode to overdone: five reasons why I always dress up on cruise ship formal nights.
I like mixing things up
For me, dressing up is a departure from the mundane. It's a chance to do something I don't normally do in honor of something special: traveling. I suspect that if, for some reason, I wore fancy clothes every day, I'd be just as eager to pull on sweatpants given the opportunity.
Quite simply, when else do I have the opportunity to look -- and feel -- like a queen?
It's a cruise tradition
Cruising is a vacation style steeped in the traditions that set it apart and make it something special. Whether it's bingo, buffets or ballgowns, some things are just synonymous with at-sea getaways.
It's also about respect for rules. I enjoy eating in the main dining room, and most main dining rooms maintain a more upscale dress code on formal nights. If I want to eat there, I know what's required of me, and I'm OK with it.
It forces self-awareness
It might sound odd, but at a time when interactions have become so casual, dressing up helps me to be more mindful of things that I like to work on.
I find that I'm generally more polite, my posture is better, and I'm more careful about how I eat and walk (heels are no joke) when I look the part. In turn, that leads me to feel pretty darn great about myself.
I enjoy the process
For me, there's something simultaneously relaxing and exciting about the process of getting ready for a special event, and formal nights are no exception.
I plan my evenings around the prep, whether it's styling my hair, applying my makeup or picking out the perfect pair of earrings. Having my nails done for formal night also gives me a great reason to visit the spa, as I can justify the purchase as one of necessity, rather than frivolity.
I don't want to take the opportunity for granted
Although I've always been an active and willing participant in formal evenings when I sail, the COVID-19 pandemic gave a whole new meaning to "you don't know what you've got 'til it's gone."
Even before the world shut down, I had no consistent reason to dress up, other than cruising. When voyages ceased for more than a year and I was no longer going into an office for work, I had no cause to wear anything other than loungewear. The lines between pajamas and actual clothes were so blurred that I was afraid I'd forget how to go out in public again.
It made me miss simple things such as putting on lipstick so much that, when my local shopping mall reopened in the summer of 2020, I scooped up an iridescent, glittery gown for a steal, thanks to 2020's high school proms that never were.
For a year, it hung in my closet, taking up space as a physical symbol of my hope that cruises would be back soon. It gave me something to look forward to, and it has become my go-to getup for formal nights since sailings have resumed. It remains a constant reminder that I should dress up every chance I get.
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- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
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| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
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Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.