Hi Hanrahan, We've been on numerous cruises with all different...

Hi Hanrahan,
We've been on numerous cruises with all different lines (before the GFC wiped us out now it's all just a dream again...lol) & at first thought there is no way we'd bother with those formal evenings either but in the end we decided we'd take the gear anyway 'just in case' so went to the Op shops & got a black jacket for $5, a tie for 50c (he already had black dress pants from our wedding that still fitted!) & myself a nice dress & high heels etc (Tip - tell your wife to always take a nice cardigan or shawl as Air Cond on ships is ALWAYS cold even if the weather is hot outside) & we did attend most of them especially once we realised you always get served free wine, beer, cocktails etc outside before you go in to dine then the menu at these is really top notch - much flasher than burgers as in lobster, crab, bugs, oysters or fillet steak etc & Dessert is always presented in a big pageant event with all the crew (usually Malaysians & Filipinos) parading in & greeting everyone & they usually set the Bombe Alaska on fire & have amazing desserts which you never ever get at the usual dining areas - you often have to advise upfront you'll be attending as in 1st or 2nd sitting etc.

Well worth joining in for the experience & as Jako said you will see some outfits that will make you laugh & thats part of the fun sitting back watching all this unfold so you'll have some good talking points afterwards to tell everyone about life on the cruise so make the effort & join in! Go see all the shows which are usually 5 star on a US ship - not so hot on P&O ships where they round up crew to participate rather than hire professionals & you can tell though I've heard newer P&Os have picked up their act ha?

Also you have to attend at least 1 midnight buffet event (if they haven't banned it as yet or maybe they don't do it when cruising over our side of the world?) or should I say just go & watch the people eating out (hmmm...pigging) as you'll never see anything like it again - you may find yourself even recognising some of them from prior in the daytime as they lolled about taking up the whole pool & straddling themselves over 2 deck lounges wearing the tiniest of G-strings & no shame to boot...lol - a sight to behold!

So...attend everything on board you can even if the events sound silly as you'll have lots of laughs & fun so make the most of it!
Katy