Expert: Linda - 7/29/2005

Question
my sister and i will be taking our first cruise in october. we don't enjoy dressing up but would
like to go to the evening dinners. what are the
least dressy clothes that we can wear? we will be going on the victory and would like to pack as little as possible is there a self serve
laundry on board? any info you can give me would be greatly appriciated
thank you  

Answer
There is no laundry on the Victory.  Since you're going in October, I'll assume you're doing the cruise out of New York to Boston etc?

In Boston, most peple ate in town as everyone wanted t try the New England lobsters and seafood....

As for dressy, most people do get dressed up, but you can also be dressy in some long crepe or wool slacks and a dressy sweater.  The Holiday fancy sweaters should be out by October.  So either a winter white or a black and pair it with dressy sweaters, or easy to dress is a long black skirt, don't need nylons etc.  You also see a lot of that "little black dress" and just change jewelry, or add a jacket over it.  The dining room on formal nights is fun just to people watch, plus it's special food, so you really don't want to miss that, especially since it's your first cruise, you want to experience everything!  It is acceptable after dinner to change closes also, though not back to shorts.  Many of the men ditch the tie and jacket, many of the ladies ditch the high heels.  
It's your cruise, be comfortable.  Do make sure to take a jacket or heavy sweater, the outside decks get chilly at night or if the winds blowing.

Ask away if you have more questions

Linda