Formal Night Disaster: How I Almost Started a Mutiny on the Norwegian Escape

The moment I saw the email about formal night on our Norwegian Escape itinerary, I felt that familiar flutter of excitement mixed with mild panic. You know the feeling—the same one you get when you realize you agreed to something that requires actual effort and possibly uncomfortable shoes. My husband, Derek, took one look at the dress code requirements and basically checked out of the entire concept right then and there. "It's just dinner," he mumbled, scrolling through his phone while I frantically Googled "what is formal night on a cruise ship" for the hundredth time. "I'll wear a button-up." A button-up. As if showing up in a button-up to formal night was the same as showing up to our nephew's graduation in flip-flops. Which, for the record, Derek has done, so I should have seen this coming. I'd packed exactly one dress for this cruise—a black number I'd found on clearance at Nordstrom Rack that made me feel like I might possibly have my life together. I'd even splurged on spanx, which, if you've never experienced them, feel like a full-body bear hug from someone who's angry at you but is trying to hide it. I was committed to this formal night situation. Derck was committed to…