Would you wear your uniform on a cruise?

COL Thomas F. — Tue, 13 Dec 2022 18:47:17 -0500

What's the communities' thought on wearing a uniform on a cruise? I was watching a video for a cruise and there was an army officer in his ASU. I thought it weird. Although I joked about during this with my wife, I'm pretty sure I wouldn't do this. Thoughts?

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Dec 13 at 2022 8:46 PM

CAPT Kevin B. — Tue, 13 Dec 2022 20:46:36 -0500

One of my bigger mistakes. On our first ever cruise, there was a scheduled Tux night. Ever being cheap, vowing never to buy one, I packed my dinner dress sans cover and gloves. It worked for about 20 paces as people were stopping me and asking questions about the ship. My wife wanted a photo op with the ship's Skipper. OK. Told him I got stopped about 10 times and he just lamented "welcome to my world". Good laugh. Copious alcohol soothed the pain as the evening went on. It did score us an invite to the Skipper's table for dinner later in the cruise. Got interesting as the JO's aboard started a discussion on which Captain was funnier. I won mostly because they heard their Skipper's jokes before. Thank you cards were later sent with the one coming my way thanking me for taking the heat off him for one night. Good times.

Response by Maj John Bell made Dec 13 at 2022 9:02 PM

Maj John Bell — Tue, 13 Dec 2022 21:02:44 -0500

Response by SFC Casey O'Mally made Dec 13 at 2022 9:15 PM

SFC Casey O'Mally — Tue, 13 Dec 2022 21:15:06 -0500

Most cruises have a formal night. I wore mine for that night and that night alone. There was a second night it would have been more or less appropriate. I stayed in that night.

Ultimately, there is nothing *wrong* with it. But it did make me a bit of a spectacle, as CAPT Kevin B. mentions. Up to you if you want to be a spectacle.

Response by SMSgt Henry Kiester made Dec 14 at 2022 11:57 AM

SMSgt Henry Kiester — Wed, 14 Dec 2022 11:57:59 -0500

I wore my uniform on a cruise ship - the Cunard Princess, tied to the dock in Bahrain. It was an R&R spot for DESERT SHIELD and DESERT STORM and I didn't have any civvies, because it was a deployment. But, I digress...
No, do not wear your uniform

Response by CW4 Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 14 at 2022 12:56 PM

CW4 Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 14 Dec 2022 12:56:50 -0500

My wife asks me to bring my ASUs when my family and I cruise in order to wear it on Formal night for the photos. I'm enough of a tight wad (and my wife understands) that these photos count as our annual fancy dress family pictures. Plus, I paid enough for the dang things that I at least want to wear them once a year, if to just see if they still fit.
You do tend to get a lot of questions when wearing them, and you usually get to trade jokes with the ship Captain when he bumps into you.