The first meeting of the founding chapter of The Tuxedo Junction
Tonight was the first of four Gala Nights for this 35-day cruise. On 7-day cruises, there are usually two Gala nights, but on longer cruises, they are usually scheduled about once a week. Initially, the schedule showed 5 gala nights, but once we boarded only 4 were scheduled. The accuracy of Gala Nights on the pre-cruise navigator itinerary is usually wrong – so don’t use that to plan.
Fewer and fewer men are wearing tuxedos these days, and on my recent cruise last November, I only counted 2 other men wearing tuxedos. There was a time when wearing a tuxedo or not on Gala night was the source of much controversy on Cruise Critic and other travel sites. Endless arguments would ensue about how someone’s appearance in something other than a tuxedo would affect your own cruise enjoyment. With the exception of Cunard line, the expectation that everyone wears a tuxedo is gone. Nowadays all you need to do on Gala nights is to avoid wearing jeans and a t-shirt. Any other type of long pants along with a collared shirt is A-OK. Arguments about dress codes on Cruise Critic are pretty much over.
With Tuxedo wearing so uncommon today, I decided to create the Tuxedo Junction Club (formerly 3% Club, but that caused a mild controversy due to its use by some groups with political agendas – and I wanted to avoid anything except promoting a fun time).
I was able to get the word out to a group of 10 people, 4 men, and 6 women, who formed the initial meeting of The Tuxedo Junction. We met at 4 PM in the Crow’s Nest. Normally this is WAY too early for me, but I wanted to allow as many people as possible to join the fun and capture the early dining crowd. Men are required to wear a Tux to join the club while women can wear anything “sparkly”.
Our next meeting will be at 4:30 PM in the Ocean Bar with a second meet-up at 7 PM. I will reserve a large table at 7:30 if anyone in the Tuxedo Junction wants to share a table.
We aren’t trying to get anyone to wear a tux who doesn’t want to, but we wanted to create a space where other like-minded cruisers could meet and mingle.
So – pass the word
I’ll see you at The Junction – The Tuxedo Junction that is….
Here are some photos from our first meetup.
The Tuxedo Junction Group
We enjoyed each other’s company for about an hour and then reassembled for dinner at 7:30 in the MDR.
Here is the Gala Night Menu. There weren’t any special decorations or Gala attire worn by the waiters.
Strings Alive, an Australian duo playing violin and guitar, were the featured performers this evening. This was their first performance on a cruise ship since the start of the pandemic. They put on an amazing show featuring hits from the Eagles, Queen, Adele, and more.
Strings Alive 2
Well done Pete! The “Tuxedo Junction” is a great idea for those of us who like dressing up for the gala nights. I hope it catches on with more cruisers. You all look fabulous!
Thanks Rick! I am 1/3 in the Holdem tournaments. They take 2 hours – blinds start at 25/50 and go up every 15 minutes…..good table with all good players – fun times!
Enjoying reading your posts, and wish we could join the Tuxedo Junction crew, as DH loves his.
Thanks – I hope it catches on!
Hey Pete. While I don’t wear a tux, I certainly appreciate those who do. And the women in their sparkly stuff look great.
As I told Lydia in an email, you should all be thankful, as I came mighty close to booking this adventure but instead opted for the 45 day’er this October. I did see Sheryl and Lydia on the Rotterdam this past November when I was on with Chris Rademaker and his girlfriend. We all had a bunch of cocktails at the sailaway!
Hopefully when you get to Nuku Hiva you and Judy won’t get stuck in the back of a tour jeep ala 2016. But I tried to get you to switch with me up front but you guys stuck with that tiny back seat.
Have a great trip!
Thanks Doug, nice to hear from you. Hope all is well
Formal nights with tuxedoes are what, honestly, keep us away from lines that require them. I do not own a tuxedo, have never worn one since high school prom, about forty years ago, and I have no interest in dressing up for dinner. So we stick to NCL, Royal and Carnival.
That said, we are taking a Holland American cruise this August, traveling to Alaska with my parents, so we’ll see how that goes. I assume that there is an option to go to the buffet on “Gala Night”?
I too neither own or wear a tux. But on gala nights I do wear a blue blazer, sometimes with a tie, sometimes just an open collar dress shirt. And do not feel out of place one bit. And in November the pre-cruise hotel in Fort Lauderdale lost my blue blazer (yeah, my fault) so I was just down to a nice pair of pants and a nice dress shirt and felt underdressed just a little. So go to the MDR!
As for RCCL, Carnival, and Norwegian … you get what you pay for!
Hi Dale,
Tuxedos are not required on ANY cruise line. Only Cunard requires a dark suit on its most formal nights. Holland America only requires long pants (no jeans) and a collared shirt on Gala nights. Most men don’t wear jackets and ties any more. There will probably only be about 5-10 people wearing tuxes on a Alaska cruise.
Have fun!!
Delighted to learn of this. Can I expect to encounter any “TJ” group on my next HAL cruise (Grand Africa) this Oct-Nov.? This would permit me to dust off my Tux and permit my wife to know how many “Wow” dresses to bring.
So far I have been the only person hosting Tuxedo Junctions. Feel free to start one yourself!