What should kids wear in MDR?

[davekathy]

I could give rats behind if other Cruisers, adults or children don’t dress IAW the Cruise Lines recommended/suggested dress guidelines. What frost my rocks are those that are trying to justify their young children being exempt based on age.

[Bakincakes]

Teaching children that they are "entitled" to skirt rules starts at early ages, it seems.:(

 

I've heard it all...or most all from parents all of the time.

 

My kid should be able to do X because....happens far too often.

 

Not sure why so many people today see rules as something everyone should follow BUT them and their families.

[galavant3]

Yes, the dress code is "suggested" BUT there is a RULE that says no shorts in the dining room totally different IMO.

 

 

What others wear is not my issue. I am not spending one second of my hard earned vacation worrying about something so trivial. I have yet to have an underdressed cruiser affect my enjoyment.

 

However, I interpret it differently. The dress code is set for each evening, formal, casual, smart casual etc. The "suggestions" are what you might wear in order to be in compliance. The dress for the evening is not a suggestion but you are free to comply or not to comply.

 

The cruise line designates the dress code for each evening. They can't force people to dress in accordance with it.

 

It is not a "suggestion" that an evening is designated as formal. The suggestions are listed so that one might be able to determine, specifically, what would be appropriate.

[galavant3]

Teaching children that they are "entitled" to skirt rules starts at early ages, it seems.:(

 

I've heard it all...or most all from parents all of the time.

 

My kid should be able to do X because....happens far too often.

 

Not sure why so many people today see rules as something everyone should follow BUT them and their families.

 

Agreed. The "dress code" has never been an issue for us. My kids either dress appropriately or they don't go. Their choice. Fortunately, not a single one has ever voiced even the slightest complaint. They know better :)

 

Everyone has a different opinion but in my family I have absolutely no tolerance for someone refusing to do something as simple as putting on a pair of pants and a tie.

[Sugar*Magnolia]

I also dont quite understand what the issue is. We started recruising with our kids when DS was 9, DD almost 13, neither ever complained or asked questions regarding what we said they will wear. DS loved wearing a tuxedo and still does..DD loves wearing dresses...they both enjoy looking swanky. I want to beleive it is demographics, but it truly isnt.

 

It is a dining room, NOT a cafeteria.

 

Honestly, I dont get it..:eek::cool:

[Morecruisesplz]

Sorry! I was just joking. Haven't you ever seen Joan Rivers on the red carpet and her Fashion Police shows? :D But, okay, perhaps your photos were more like the "Who Wore it Best?" or "Fashion Don'ts" photos in trashy magazines. :p (Kidding again! :D) That's good to know that these just happen to be people caught in the background of photos taken for other reasons. I know this is a very touchy subject on CC, so I thought that perhaps there were some who are SO outraged by what other people are wearing, that they go to the extent of seeking them out and photographing them. Honestly, that probably wouldn't surprise me. ;)

 

No need to be sorry. I got your joke and I also understood why you would wonder. I just wanted to make clear that until RCL begins enforcing their own rules on adults no one can answer the OPs question regarding children. They can express their opinion only.

 

The sign at the MDR says no hats and no shorts and people wear them every night in the MDR. They might stop you from coming into the Windjammer without a cover up but a head waiter in the MDR is not about to take a chance on you not tipping him because he asked you to remove your ball cap. The MDR needs a "host" just like the Windjammer has.

[Puffinater]

Wow how interesting:rolleyes: a thread about the dress code!!!

[Paul65]

No need to be sorry. I got your joke and I also understood why you would wonder. I just wanted to make clear that until RCL begins enforcing their own rules on adults no one can answer the OPs question regarding children. They can express their opinion only.

 

That's not true. The company publishes both dress suggestions and examples of clothing that are considered inappropriate for dinner. So, the question of what one "should wear" is pretty clear cut. What will be "enforced" is a different question.

[Paul65]

Wow how interesting:rolleyes: a thread about the dress code!!!

 

Interesting enough for you to open and post a comment, I guess. :p

[Puffinater]

Interesting enough for you to open and post a comment, I guess. :p

 

Would never miss a chance to read the opinions of others especially when it is one of the "hot topics". Its all good.

[jonbgd]

The MDR needs a "host" just like the Windjammer has.

SO this would be one person per deck to make sure each cruiser is dressed appropriately(@ least suggested attire) for entrance to the dining room each evening

Someone that doesnt depend on tips

Someone that wouldnt get in trouble from their superiors

Something like the fashion police for the MDR

[Puffinater]

SO this would be one person per deck to make sure each cruiser is dressed appropriately(@ least suggested attire) for entrance to the dining room each evening

Someone that doesnt depend on tips

Someone that wouldnt get in trouble from their superiors

Something like the fashion police for the MDR

 

Posts like this is why I read the "hot topic" threads. Thanks for the laugh.

[krewzin]

 

If your son is going to be going to the kids club, he won't have the pants on for long.

 

 

 

Oh my goodness! This sounds extremely inappropriate....hopefully, somebody has reported this to security!:eek:

[sandinmypants]

The "entitled kids" (I just call them brats) are every where. We had a quartet of them on our cruise. Their parents let them roam at will. They sat in the first row at the shows we attended - their parents were back quite a bit further..... heck, I wouldn't want to sit with them, either! They showed up during our tour of the Butterfly Farm on St. Maarten. They apparently thought the object of the tour was to swat down as many butterflies as possible. It ruined my outing there, it was sickening to see the parents doing absolutely nothing about it, just watching their kids chasing the beautiful butterflies around swatting at them. Then on our last night, the four kids were sitting in the Champagne lounge area as we were leaving St. Croix. It was a bit of a bittersweet moment for us, we were sad about going home and talking a bit amongst the three of us about our cruise memories while we played a few hands of Uno. The four kids ran around their booth, yucked it up loudly, and generally ruined the atmosphere of the lounge at sail-away until one of the parents came to get them - I think the parents were in the casino.

 

Very sad.

 

(Sorry I went off-topic on my rant here, but it just kind of struck a chord.....)

[Sugar*Magnolia]

I guess the "Host" at the windjammer on Explorer once missed the barefoot man walk in!! YUCK! Eww.

 

Now, why would someone want to be barefoot there....? Am I alone in finding that gross? lol

[sparky-elpaso]

I also dont quite understand what the issue is. We started recruising with our kids when DS was 9, DD almost 13, neither ever complained or asked questions regarding what we said they will wear. DS loved wearing a tuxedo and still does..DD loves wearing dresses...they both enjoy looking swanky. I want to beleive it is demographics, but it truly isnt.

 

It is a dining room, NOT a cafeteria.

 

Honestly, I dont get it..:eek::cool:

 

Obviously, you're a great mom. You don't say how old your son in now but I'll bet he found out that the girls love his "James Bond" look in a tux.

 

I don't understand parents who say, "my son/daughter refuses to dress up". Who's the parent here? My sons (who are now 37 and 38) wore what we told them to wear - especially in grade school.

[Sugar*Magnolia]

Obviously, you're a great mom. You don't say how old your son in now but I'll bet he found out that the girls love his "James Bond" look in a tux.

 

I don't understand parents who say, "my son/daughter refuses to dress up". Who's the parent here? My sons (who are now 37 and 38) wore what we told them to wear - especially in grade school.

 

Thank you.

 

My son is 18 and my daughter is 22. We love the times that call for formal..We spent DD's 21st birthday in the city (oops, Manhattan, less than an hour away) and we loved it! All dressed up!!!

 

And, yes, DS knows the girls like it! :D

[jerin]

 

And, yes, DS knows the girls like it! :D

This is what has my ds convinced to wear a tux on formal nights. Well, that and the fact that they don't usually serve lobster in the Windjammer, which is where we'd send him if he decided he didn't want to follow the dress code. (I suppose he could pay to go to JR's as well )... but at 12, we figure he can read just fine, and so if he doesn't feel like honoring his host's requests, he can use a venue where such requests aren't made.

[SciFiCruiser]

Kid's should be always expected to dress exactly as the adults are dressed. Really, for the amount of the cruise, can't everyone spend an extra $20.00 to buy 2 nice pants?

 

Where on earth do you shop that $20 gets you 2 pair of nice pants...even for children?

 

But seriously, people spend a good deal of money on good cruise. It is a shame that some can't be bothered to look presentable.

[jerin]

Where on earth do you shop that $20 gets you 2 pair of nice pants...even for children?

Wal Mart has some decent looking slacks for $15 or so. I don't know how they'd hold up, but for a cruise, they'd work.

[Havingfun2010]

Where on earth do you shop that $20 gets you 2 pair of nice pants...even for children?

 

But seriously, people spend a good deal of money on good cruise. It is a shame that some can't be bothered to look presentable.

 

At JCPenny, with a discount, at Ross's, and TJ Max. Nice pair of khaki pants for boys can be found for $10.00. If they are teenagers and big you might find it at $15.00. I once dressed a 7 year old in a suit at JCPenny's for $40.00. Included shirt, tie, and jacket. Collared polo shirts are also easy to find for $10 or less.

 

Older son, in Middle School, bought a "nicer adult suit" for $100.00, wore it at 3 cruises, on MS graduation, and with a small amount of tailoring, wore it at High School Graduation. Also, 2 weddings, and one funeral. 5 years and still uses it. (if you do the math, it is about $20 per use when you buy new shirts.)

 

I know girls could be more money, however, they will probably find more uses for a dress.....

[Merion_Mom]

Where on earth do you shop that $20 gets you 2 pair of nice pants...even for children?

 

 

 

There are amazing bargains to be found in your local thrift shop.

 

craigslist

 

ebay

[Sugar*Magnolia]

There are amazing bargains to be found in your local thrift shop.

 

craigslist

 

ebay

 

Very, very true! It isnt hard to find a good deal/bargain at thrift shops and eBay.

 

Im about to list a new w/ tag baby doll Royal Caribbean T shirt on eBay for half what I paid! Maybe I should list the slacks that dont fit my DS anymore too!!

 

:)

[Bound4Bermuda]

In my son's case, it wasn't a matter of not being able to "afford" nice clothes or a sense of "entitlement." Rather, MY HUSBAND also refused to dress up, too. Yes, he's "one of those people" who goes on and on about how it's a vacation so why wear work clothes, etc. Of course, my son had to agree with dad--and dad and son backed up each others' clothing choices. Am I supposed to "make" my husband wear a suit so that son would too? lol. As long as the children are clean and presentable and well-behaved, who cares what they're wearing?

 

For those who put such an emphasis on the clothing: Would you rather be seated with children with polite table manners who are well-spoken wearing casual clothes, or loud-mouthed, spoiled brats in tuxes and evening gowns?!

[Paul65]

Well, the main question of the OP of the thread was whether or not shorts were OK. So, if your husband is one who thinks it's OK to wear shorts to dinner, even though the company says specifically that shorts are not appropriate for the evening meal in the main dining room, then I would expect your hubby to have an attitude I would not particular enjoy.

 

With younger children, I don't generally think what they are wearing reflects as much on them as on their parents.

 

But thankfully, your either-or scenario as presented is not usually a choice one has to make. Most of the children I've been seated with at dinners on my various cruises have been both well-mannered AND well-dressed. Yes, it is possible. :)