Who Wants an End to HAL Formal Nights Entirely?

[Mary Ellen]

If HAL drops the formal night they might as well change their name to Holland America Ferry Line. It seems that some here just want transportation for one port to another, not the cruise experience.

[mnbruce]

If HAL drops the formal night they might as well change their name to Holland America Ferry Line. It seems that some here just want transportation for one port to another, not the cruise experience.

 

That is pretty much why I cruise, and it's why I prefer to choose an itinerary that is port intensive.

[ctsally]

Do I sense more and more snobbery as this thread continues? Why do we who choose not to go to the expense of formal clothes and really are a lot more comfortable in non-formal (no, not rags!) wear to be regarded as backwoods yahoos? As long as we don't infringe on your formality in the MDR on formal nights, why are you so bothered by us?

 

We choose HAL because we like the ships, the crews, and the itineraries. Why do some of you insist that we shouldn't contaminate the HAL ships if we don't enjoy formal evenings? We don't condemn you for your choices, why do you choose to condemn ours?

[matondo]

I vote yes, keep the formal night. I think DH would be thrilled if he could follow the NCL dress code. Thankfully, he is a HAL only man and does dress up for formal night. I am a lucky woman.:D

[granpsnd]

No need to go formal. Top line cruises have done away with this link to the grand days of cruising. With airllines getting stingier with luggage and cruising getting more causul, we vote for NO FORMAL NIGHTS.

[shootr]

This thread is pointless, absolutely pointless. Just got off the Oosterdam today - people just do what they want at dinner now, so policy schmolicy.

 

Jerkoffs walking the decks and casino in sorts and muscleshirts. Half didn't have a tie on at dinner, let alone a jacket.

 

Pretty F'ed up when old people dressed for golf come up to your table in the dining room in their clown pants and Birkenstocks and tell you how nice it is that you're upholding the tradition!!!??? I did appreciate the Dining Room Manager (if that is his title) thanking me for taking the dress code seriously.

 

I enjoyed it, I commented snidely (?) to myself about those that didn't, and went on with life. If the staff doesn't want to stop them at the door, I sure as hell ain't going to be the fashion police - but yes, that was a dirty look I just gave you. Deal with it, change your clothes, or eat in your room next time.

 

And hell yes - I look "DAM" GOOD IN MY TUX!!!:p:p:p

[sailtheoceanblue]

We don't mind formal nights....but they are not the reason we cruise. We've also not participated and dined in the lido .. I think curise lines need to figure out how to make both camps happy, and those that wish to cruise HAL and not participate in formal nights should not be told to consider cruising elsewhere .. there are many other reasons to cruise HAL than a formal night. We've enjoyed many cruises .. we've dressed up and enjoyed it .. but frankly, we've been there/done that and with the pain of traveling these days we're quite happy to reduce the amount of luggage and leave our formal duds behind.

[themerle]

I want formal nights to stay!!!!

[NileQueen]

I agree with you completely. It is disheartening to dress and have other passengers come to the table wearing jeans and a golf shirt. Trousers, white shirt and tie would even be acceptable but jeans and T shirt or sleeveless shirt ruins the atmosphere. NCL and Carnival would be more appropriate. It shows a lack of respect for other people

[2buggers]

This board is not supposed to represent the majority who cruise. It is the HAL board.

 

Dennis

 

Well excuuuuuuse me!!!

[Candy]

This thread is pointless, absolutely pointless... snip

 

Pointless? No. Threads like this keep my juices flowing between cruises.

 

Unfortunately, this subject would better have been brought up to a staff member or on the comment sheet, so that change, or lack thereof, could be considered.

[m steve]

and not at a buffet like the Lido. That's ok for breakfast or lunch. I will dress for dinner either formally or in a suit, jacket and tie or other appropriate outfits. I wouldn't wear jeans, t shirt, flipflops etc. But that's me. I do miss wearing a long sleeve shirt, tie and jacket in a restaurant.

[iancal]

Like others, we enjoy the cruise experience, and we enjoy it on a number of lines. But the formal night experience for us is not the keystone of our cruise experience-it is just another meal. The formal night event is worn off for us and the more we travel, the less we want to carry along. Airline baggage charges are not really part of our issue, it is just that we no longer feel a need to carry every piece of clothing we own on a vacation. I strongly suspect that true premium lines such as Azamara and Oceana are setting the tone for the industry with regard to formal and that the industry will find a way to accomodate both groups or will go the way that their marketing and sales strategy gurus direct. Cruise line demographics are changing-well maybe not on HAL-and I suspect that this in itself will trigger changes over time. HAL is a mass market cruise line, right in there with the Princesses, the Carnivals and the rest of them. They will focus on mass market appeal.

[Sharkin]

My wife and I enjoy dressing formally and hope it continues to be encouraged, suggested, requested etc. If the HAL or the other lines we are likely to patronize discontinue these nights we will most likely dress formally once or twice a week anyway.

[sail7seas]

It is the 21st century....formal nights are a pre 21st century anachronism.....they have no place in modern cruising....at least IMHO

 

 

I'm the OP of this thread and I HAVE brought up the subject to senior officers about the question being put into the comment sheets. This is the only place I can independently ask the question. I would be VERY surprised to ever see it asked on an HAL survey. Corporate will make the decision and I think that probably is how it should be.

 

There's Senior Management Conference coming up...... :) Maybe it will be talked about there? Probably not.

[Hal&Rob]

My wife and I enjoy dressing formally and hope it continues to be encouraged, suggested, requested etc. If the HAL or the other lines we are likely to patronize discontinue these nights we will most likely dress formally once or twice a week anyway.

 

Like others, we enjoy the cruise experience, and we enjoy it on a number of lines. But the formal night experience for us is not the keystone of our cruise experience-it is just another meal. The formal night event is worn off for us and the more we travel, the less we want to carry along. Airline baggage charges are not really part of our issue, it is just that we no longer feel a need to carry every piece of clothing we own on a vacation. I strongly suspect that true premium lines such as Azamara and Oceania are setting the tone for the industry with regard to formal and that the industry will find a way to accommodate both groups or will go the way that their marketing and sales strategy gurus direct. Cruise line demographics are changing-well maybe not on HAL-and I suspect that this in itself will trigger changes over time. HAL is a mass market cruise line, right in there with the Princesses, the Carnivals and the rest of them. They will focus on mass market appeal.

 

Well put!

[RevNeal]

My vote is to eliminate all formal nights. I have eaten at some of the best restaurants on land and not been forced to dress formally and I think the practice of cruise ship formal nights is outdated. I think the attire should be country club casual meaning no shorts, t-shirts or jeans, but also no coat and tie for men.

 

So ... if I want to wear a coat and tie, I can't?

[suse]

So ... if I want to wear a coat and tie, I can't?

You can do whatever you want. I always do. I'm usually so much in trouble for it, but don't you worry. I'll be so dressed up too! How fun!:)

[RevNeal]

But if they were .... well we could just dress up anyway.:)(they wouldn't ask us to leave the dining room would they?;))

 

No ... but some of the stares and people asking each other who you thought you were, "putting on airs" like that might be a little unnerving. Some people don't like "standing out."

[suse]

No ... but some of the stares and people asking each other who you thought you were, "putting on airs" like that might be a little unnerving. Some people don't like "standing out."

I love it. I really do. Let them talk. Mama always told me it's better to be talked about. It's way worse to be ignored.;)

[iancal]

Yes, and make sure they spell your name correctly. So, would we care, on a casual evening, if someone showed up in a jacket/tie, suit, or tux? Not in the least...whatever floats your boat. The last thing we would be is uncomfortable nor would we ever want to make anyone else feel uncomfortable. Its a vacation.

[cruznseas]

No ... but some of the stares and people asking each other who you thought you were, "putting on airs" like that might be a little unnerving. Some people don't like "standing out."

 

Give me a break already! If you want to wear a suit and tie on casual night, do it! Who's going to stop you? Who cares about "the stares" and "little comments" from others. The people who do that need to get a life!

I love it. I really do. Let them talk. Mama always told me it's better to be talked about. It's way worse to be ignored.;)

 

Great attitude!

[classicwhaler]

It bothers me that folks don't "dress-up" much anymore. It bothers me that I see jeans, shorts and tee-shirts at church. One of the reasons I choose HAL is the higher level of sophistication of the passengers, officers and crew, including smart dress. I appreciate the chance to dress up in my tux and see my wife in her finery, too. How often do we get the chance at home? Don't get me wrong---I'm not a coat and tie guy on a daily basis, but I do enjoy getting spiffy for special occasions!

[babyher]

I love it. I really do. Let them talk. Mama always told me it's better to be talked about. It's way worse to be ignored.;)

 

 

See another reason I like you :)

 

My dad used to say walk in the door like you own the place.

 

Not in the way of being pushy or overbearing, but with confidence and your head held high.

 

Let em look let em stare *LOL*

[cruznseas]

See another reason I like you :)

 

My dad used to say walk in the door like you own the place.

 

Not in the way of being pushy or overbearing, but with confidence and your head held high.

 

Let em look let em stare *LOL*

 

I like it! That's the attitude:)