How to dress for MDR (teens/tweens)

well, I am sure the OP never thought a simple question would create so much banter not related to her original post..

She had already decided her boys were going to wear pants...

Anyway ...I have certainly enjoyed reading the posts they have been most amusing....

I live in SO CAL, beach area and board shorts are the norm all year round...I enjoyed a change of pace when we were in the MDR on a cruise.

MaiseyM...glad you found some pts that will work for your boys.....

 

The suggestions that my pubescent boys should simply just wear the same two (stained? Sweaty?) pieces of clothing over and over all week long just to satisfy the "letter of the law" dining room guideline, is frankly quite silly. Instead, if the guideline was changed, they could easily and comfortably wear a fresh clean outfit each night, and be cool and comfortable in some dressy shorts and decent lightweight shirt.

 

 

 

!!

I am happy the OP scored some uniform sales - they are great ways to stock up!

I couldn't let this go though...I think that if your boys can get sweaty and stained pants by dressing 30 minutes before dinner, eating in the MDR, and then changing 30-60 minutes after dining - that there may be other issues at play...if you put the napkin on their lap it will stop stains on the pants, the room is air conditioned, and the suggestions have been that they not 'play' in these clothes after dining, so sweat should be at bay with a little deodorant?

My DS and DH have no problem re-wearing pants on a cruise or even at home...have you ever seen the maker of Levi's jeans and how often he washes them? It IS okay to wear things more than once..

I will say - separately all of this talk of shorts in the MDR weirds my family out - they are always cold when sitting in air conditioning - they have sweatshirts in our cars to put on if we go out to dinner and they are wearing short sleeves or shorts! They would wear pants or sweaters in the MDR even if shorts were allowed because of this - different strokes for different folks they say...

The suggestions that my pubescent boys should simply just wear the same two (stained? Sweaty?) pieces of clothing over and over all week long just to satisfy the "letter of the law" dining room guideline, is frankly quite silly. Instead, if the guideline was changed, they could easily and comfortably wear a fresh clean outfit each night, and be cool and comfortable in some dressy shorts and decent lightweight shirt.

You have accused others of being condescending toward you, but frankly, your posts seem to be the most condescending of all in this thread. Take this comment, for instance. It's a very common, and to most people helpful, suggestion that you don't really need to pack a different pair of pants for each night. And that is not just about satisfying the "letter of the law." Whether you were dressing them in shorts or long pants, you have the same option of packing "nice shorts" or pants for each dinner vs. having them re-wear the same ones a couple times.

And though you may find it a silly idea because of "stains and sweat", it has worked for my family and many others, and is just offered as a friendly suggestion to help with packing.

So, please, take LMaxwell up on his offer to dine at his table, so you can both commiserate about how condescending everyone else is, and how superior you are to them. :cool:

well, I am sure the OP never thought a simple question would create so much banter not related to her original post..

 

She had already decided her boys were going to wear pants...

 

Anyway ...I have certainly enjoyed reading the posts they have been most amusing....

 

I live in SO CAL, beach area and board shorts are the norm all year round...I enjoyed a change of pace when we were in the MDR on a cruise.

 

 

MaiseyM...glad you found some pts that will work for your boys.....

Lol. I know the 'what to wear' threads can be debatable, which is why I stated from the beginning that I intend to follow the rules/suggestions. I just wasn't sure if people dress up their younger kids too. I figured my 13 yo will be dressed up, but I wasn't sure about the younger ones. Problem solved, I just have to shop and then take a few nice family photos of us all dressed up :)

Unless they are toddlers, they should conform to the same suggested dress code as adults.

Yes!

Lol. I know the 'what to wear' threads can be debatable, which is why I stated from the beginning that I intend to follow the rules/suggestions. I just wasn't sure if people dress up their younger kids too. I figured my 13 yo will be dressed up, but I wasn't sure about the younger ones. Problem solved, I just have to shop and then take a few nice family photos of us all dressed up :)

Yes, I think you started the thread with a good attitude. Some people (regardless of which "side" they're on) just tend to get a little excited by those who disagree with them.

We actually had a little bit of an argument with our son when packing for our last cruise, because he seemed aghast that we were telling him to pack long pants for dinner. He's been on several cruises with us, and always wore long pants, but it had been a couple years, so I guess he forgot. But, after the initial reaction, it was not an issue at all. (He's 17 now.)

Agree with Paul65 and MaiseyM - you wouldn't think that 20 inches (give or take) of leg could be so controversial!

I should end with a smile ...... On the Independence in June saw a young man around 10 or 12 use his mother's shawl/cardigan over his "cold" legs! Yes, the A/C was chilly!

You are not alone! My boys will wear long pants to dinner because I'm forcing them to do it, but I'm not happy about it and wish the guideline would change. I'm 100% in favor of teaching kids proper manners and dress, but to me, a Caribbean cruise in 95 degree weather, a thousand miles away on VACATION, when I get charged for extra luggage and there's barely any closet room, is NOT the time or place for it!!

(Packing right now and feeling very irritated..)

All is well with your comments, except the fact it's 95 degrees. It's usually tops out at 90! Living in the South, where a very large population lives, I wear long pants every day of the week. My older teenagers and young 20's all wear long pants every day of the week, or maybe only 6 days out of 7 weekly. It exceeds 90 degrees every day! So the arguments about long pants are basically thrown out the door. It's not because it's hot, because for dinner you are inside and the ship is around 70 - 76 degrees. Definitely not "hot".

Also the luggage argument is a little far fetched. Yes, you have to pay, but lets face some realities. The price of luggage is part of the price, just like for me, the price to park is necessary. If I fly for vacation, the luggage charge is just part of the price.

I don't think kids should pay for soda, but guess what, they do! Yes, I despise taking a taxi to the ship, or hotel but it is part of the trip. So many things need to pay for, and do, based on the type of trip you are taking and the necessary items that it might require.

The cruise has only one price.....and that is the total prices. I don't fret about the details within that price.

 

So, please, take LMaxwell up on his offer to dine at his table, so you can both commiserate about how condescending everyone else is, and how superior you are to them. :cool:

What exactly is your problem? I would welcome anyone from having to deal with the fashion jackals. Not to talk about them, but to ignore them and have a good time. :rolleyes:

I haven't made a single condescending comment in this thread; just provided my OWN experience with a hot MDR and re-assured OP to just go have a nice time.

The other comments from people in this thread are pretty classless and tacky relating to parenting skills. Then again, I am SURE you disagree...as is your standard MO for posting here.

What exactly is your problem? I would welcome anyone from having to deal with the fashion jackals. Not to talk about them, but to ignore them and have a good time. :rolleyes:

I don't have a problem. I just think it's a good idea for you to stick together, since you both seem to overreact to other people's suggestions. Fashion jackals...:rolleyes:

Yes, you two definitely belong together. Nothing wrong with that.

But, I won't disagree with you on the other point about "classless and tacky" comments relating to parenting skills. Just point me to the specific classless and tacky comments, in case I missed them. I ask, because sometimes people just make that kind of stuff up to try to paint opposing comments as worse than they really were. But I'm sure you wouldn't do that.

I don't have a problem.

You sure seem to!

Hey guys- thanks so much for informing me about all the issues my family has- I find that really helpful, and saves me a bunch on psychotherapy! Who knew cruise critic could be so helpful!

What I want is a choice. If you get cold in the dining room or like to see your whole family dressed up every night, great. You do that. I simply want the choice to allow my family to dress nicely but comfortably, with whatever length clothing suits them. Should we require skirts to be below the knee as well?

I am well aware that the old norm for cruising was to dress up all the time. My first cruise was almost 30 years ago. But times have changed, people's vacation goals have changed, and it's time for Royal to adapt to that, like other cruise lines have.

Until then I will require my family to conform to the guidelines. Kinda grossed out though knowing now how many of you wear the same clothes all week! Lol.

We're from the government mam, here to help.

Hey guys- thanks so much for informing me about all the issues my family has- I find that really helpful, and saves me a bunch on psychotherapy! Who knew cruise critic could be so helpful!

 

What I want is a choice. If you get cold in the dining room or like to see your whole family dressed up every night, great. You do that. I simply want the choice to allow my family to dress nicely but comfortably, with whatever length clothing suits them. Should we require skirts to be below the knee as well?

I am well aware that the old norm for cruising was to dress up all the time. My first cruise was almost 30 years ago. But times have changed, people's vacation goals have changed, and it's time for Royal to adapt to that, like other cruise lines have.

 

Until then I will require my family to conform to the guidelines. Kinda grossed out though knowing now how many of you wear the same clothes all week! Lol.

I think you're overreacting to a perception of people judging your family. Most of what you got were simply suggestions. You seem very happy to through out you own judgment about how "gross" it is, though, to wear a pair of pants twice (for a couple hours each), without washing them in between.

I guess, just like you pretend how much people have judged and psychoanalyzed your family, it helps with your point here, if you pretend that the suggestion is to "wear the same clothes all week." :D

Hey guys- thanks so much for informing me about all the issues my family has- I find that really helpful, and saves me a bunch on psychotherapy! Who knew cruise critic could be so helpful!

There is a very holistic approach here to saving you money....SO YOU CAN CRUISE MORE! ;)

Hey guys- thanks so much for informing me about all the issues my family has- I find that really helpful, and saves me a bunch on psychotherapy! Who knew cruise critic could be so helpful!

 

What I want is a choice. If you get cold in the dining room or like to see your whole family dressed up every night, great. You do that. I simply want the choice to allow my family to dress nicely but comfortably, with whatever length clothing suits them. Should we require skirts to be below the knee as well?

I am well aware that the old norm for cruising was to dress up all the time. My first cruise was almost 30 years ago. But times have changed, people's vacation goals have changed, and it's time for Royal to adapt to that, like other cruise lines have.

 

Until then I will require my family to conform to the guidelines. Kinda grossed out though knowing now how many of you wear the same clothes all week! Lol.

There is nothing gross about re-wearing a pair of pants that were only worn for a couple of hours. If you wear the same pair of pants all day long at home, you are wearing them longer than my son wore his pants on three nights combined. Plus, he showered prior to dinner every night because he was always playing basketball on the sports deck prior to dinner.

Lol. I know the 'what to wear' threads can be debatable, which is why I stated from the beginning that I intend to follow the rules/suggestions. I just wasn't sure if people dress up their younger kids too. I figured my 13 yo will be dressed up, but I wasn't sure about the younger ones. Problem solved, I just have to shop and then take a few nice family photos of us all dressed up :)

And the thread goes on......:D I as a mom of boys enjoyed shopping for "little men clothes" but then I love to shop.

To be quite honest, I am happy my boys were your guy's ages 15 years ago, because at that time clothing never was debated...The first cruise my 2 older sons went on they were 9&6(3 year old stayed at home). I went out and bought them suits( not tuxes, what was wrong with me) for formal night...at that time kids clubs were just starting, on this cruise there were not enough children to staff the club so they stayed with us all the time....There were not adult and children pools...only a very small arcade, so they were thrown into an adult environment and "understood" what was expected.

Certainly..cruising has changed incredibly since my Honeymoon cruise on a converted freighter in 1983 and this first cruise with the older boys 19 years ago.

I believe it has changed for the better lots of choices, embarkation ports and ships for everyone and pricing!!! what a change so much cheaper!!!!!! for the product delivered.

Even though I have gone on more cruises that I can count of my fingers and toes tripled, I don't even know the number I still love land trips best.....

But cruises in 2015 are such an affordable option for so many families throughout the world, they have become the destination, the floating resort where as when I first cruised they were more the transportation and a short view of future land trips I might take to the same area, then family cruising took off..and the clothing debate....

Enjoy cruising everyone regardless of what you or your kids wear....;)

Obviously, I have nothing better to do today...but this story might be of interest to some....way off topic of course, but not really.....

I was on a Princess ship back in January, it was a Western Caribbean out of Houston. Seated at Anytime Dining towards the end of our cruise we were discussing with our table mates the wearing of shorts for adults. One man mentioned that one evening he noticed 3 men entering the dining room in front of him in shorts and baseball caps. He said the night prior he was denied entrance dressed in shorts...so he questioned the MD, the MD took him aside and said he would speak to him about these men later. Eventually, he found out, these "gentlemen " had threaten the MD the night B4 with bodily harm if he did not let them in. At the next port these men were escorted off the ship.

BTW..not even thinking my DH has walked into the dining room more than once in shorts, the MD really hates to say anything, you can tell.

Obviously, I have nothing better to do today...but this story might be of interest to some....way off topic of course, but not really.....

 

I was on a Princess ship back in January, it was a Western Caribbean out of Houston. Seated at Anytime Dining towards the end of our cruise we were discussing with our table mates the wearing of shorts for adults. One man mentioned that one evening he noticed 3 men entering the dining room in front of him in shorts and baseball caps. He said the night prior he was denied entrance dressed in shorts...so he questioned the MD, the MD took him aside and said he would speak to him about these men later. Eventually, he found out, these "gentlemen " had threaten the MD the night B4 with bodily harm if he did not let them in. At the next port these men were escorted off the ship.

 

BTW..not even thinking my DH has walked into the dining room more than once in shorts, the MD really hates to say anything, you can tell.

If anyone had threatened to harm someone, especially a member of the crew, they would have been confined to their cabin with a guard outside the door and then put off the ship in the next port. There is no way these men would be walking among everyone on the ship.

Obviously, I have nothing better to do today...but this story might be of interest to some....way off topic of course, but not really.....

 

I was on a Princess ship back in January, it was a Western Caribbean out of Houston. Seated at Anytime Dining towards the end of our cruise we were discussing with our table mates the wearing of shorts for adults. One man mentioned that one evening he noticed 3 men entering the dining room in front of him in shorts and baseball caps. He said the night prior he was denied entrance dressed in shorts...so he questioned the MD, the MD took him aside and said he would speak to him about these men later. Eventually, he found out, these "gentlemen " had threaten the MD the night B4 with bodily harm if he did not let them in. At the next port these men were escorted off the ship.

 

BTW..not even thinking my DH has walked into the dining room more than once in shorts, the MD really hates to say anything, you can tell.

The guy that told you that story was denied entry into the MDR by the MD because he wasn't wearing a baseball cap.

Slightly off target. I wear sneakers everyday, but change my socks, so is that gross? If I wear the same pants, but change my underwear, isn't that the same? I don't wash my baseball cap after each use, but I wonder how many people do? I wear sandals, and my feet get dirty, but why is that OK?

Just see so many double standards when it comes to the topic of "gross"!!!!!:D

Slightly off target. I wear sneakers everyday, but change my socks, so is that gross? If I wear the same pants, but change my underwear, isn't that the same? I don't wash my baseball cap after each use, but I wonder how many people do? I wear sandals, and my feet get dirty, but why is that OK?

 

Just see so many double standards when it comes to the topic of "gross"!!!!!:D

You're on vacation, you don't need underwear. ;)

You're on vacation, you don't need underwear. ;)

Even on Formal evenings. Ah ha going commando.

Even on Formal evenings. Ah ha going commando.

Silk boxers on Formal nights. It just makes me feel special. :D

Silk boxers on Formal nights. It just makes me feel special. :D

Ya know, we could turn this into a lot more interesting thread.