Question for those who've been on the Zuiderdam

[Machforce1]

We're sailing this Saturday and I have a few simple little questions. Hopefully I don't sound silly. Okay, here goes:

 

1. I have absolutely no intention on dining in the dining room on formal nights. What do men normally wear on non-formal nights? Are khaki pants, collared shirt (no tie!) and dress shoes appropriate?

 

2. Regarding Half Moon Cay - do you have to rent those clamshells or are they free? If they are free, how is it decided who gets one? There doesn't appear to be enough of them for everyone who might want one.

 

3. When you are in port (St. Thomas/Tortola/Nassau), are there enough taxis to take most everyone where they want to go? What's the best beach in Tortola to hang out for the day for a couple who loves beautiful beaches?

 

Thanks guys and gals! :)

[jhannah]

1. Yes, that will be fine for dining in the Lido.

2. You have to reserve them at a fee. Your TA can arrange with HAL ship services.

3. Taxis should be no problem, although you won't really need one in Nassau or St. Thomas unless you want to travel away from the town area to a beach. I haven't been to Tortola, so someone else will have to answer that for you.

 

Enjoy your trip!

[ekerr19]

1. I have absolutely no intention on dining in the dining room on formal nights. What do men normally wear on non-formal nights? Are khaki pants, collared shirt (no tie!) and dress shoes appropriate?

 

Depends on whether it is "casual" night or "informal" night... on casual night, Dockers and a collared shirt are fine. On informal night a jacket is requested... you don't have to wear a tie with it - just the jacket.

 

My DH usually wears a nice knit "collarless" shirt, slacks and his sport jacket.

 

If you are eating in the Lido instead of the D/R - khakis and a collared shirt are fine.

[dakrewser]

Do note that the dress request is for "the evening," not just the dining room. It's expected you will follow the dress code in the lounges, bars, casino, etc. even if you don't eat in the dining room.

 

Have a great cruise!

[Machforce1]

Thanks so much for all your help. I'm assuming that the 'Lido' is not the main dining area? Is that correct?

 

What's the name of the buffet area? :)

[S.S.Oceanlover]

Depends on whether it is "casual" night or "informal" night... on casual night, Dockers and a collared shirt are fine. On informal night a jacket is requested... you don't have to wear a tie with it - just the jacket.

 

My DH usually wears a nice knit "collarless" shirt, slacks and his sport jacket.

 

If you are eating in the Lido instead of the D/R - khakis and a collared shirt are fine.

 

does that mean that if I show up in the dining room on semi formal nights with dockers and a golf shirt I'll be refused service?

 

Bill

[sail7seas]

We have seen Maitre d's request a gentleman return to his cabin and get his jacket. If he does not have one, Maitre d' might request he dine in Lido.

 

Admittedly, the Matire d's are not all doing that. But how can you know in advance. I would recommend you bring along a jacket. As long as you have brought it, you may as well wear it.

 

Or, if Lido is your preference you can avoid the jacket issue for dinner, however, DAKrewser, correctly pointed out the dress code is for the evening.....not just dinner.

[dakrewser]

does that mean that if I show up in the dining room on semi formal nights with dockers and a golf shirt I'll be refused service?

 

Bill

 

One would hope so. The "buffet" (which is much more than that) is the Lido.

 

I'd also suggest you plan on showing up for lifeboat drill on the day you board.

 

Happy Cruising!

[doone]

I feel sad when I hear people don't want to dine in the dining room on formal nights. Its such a wonderful experience, if possible, please re-consider and go to the dining room on formal evenings, its truly part of the whole cruise experience. If you truly don't want to dine on formal nights in the dining room then the Lido is a great option.

[Cathy p]

We will be on that cruise with you. DH does not own a tux but will have his funeral suit on. He looks great in it and I am sure you would also. There is nothing fancy about us, just hard working folks. My DH has been a nuclear pipefitter for 40 years so his ties are at a premium also. However, I think we can squeeze by for two formal nights. Enjoy the company that is what we hope to do.:)

[RayinIllinois]

Doone, in reading your post you seem like a real up person. We will be sailing with you March 12 on the Zui. Hope to see you at the black jack table.

[jcrandle]

We have seen Maitre d's request a gentleman return to his cabin and get his jacket. If he does not have one, Maitre d' might request he dine in Lido.

 

Admittedly, the Matire d's are not all doing that. But how can you know in advance. I would recommend you bring along a jacket. As long as you have brought it, you may as well wear it.

 

Or, if Lido is your preference you can avoid the jacket issue for dinner, however, DAKrewser, correctly pointed out the dress code is for the evening.....not just dinner.

To better use packing space, a navy suit (with dress shirt and tie) can double for informal nights as the jacket, with open neck dress shirt and dockers.

[spcl4cs_gal]

Doone, in reading your post you seem like a real up person. We will be sailing with you March 12 on the Zui. Hope to see you at the black jack table.

 

Hmmm did someone just mention black jack????? ;)

[Machforce1]

Anybody else going to be sailing on the Zuiderdam this Saturday? I can't wait! :p

[cruzingqueen]

 

3. When you are in port (St. Thomas/Tortola/Nassau), are there enough taxis to take most everyone where they want to go? What's the best beach in Tortola to hang out for the day for a couple who loves beautiful beaches?

 

Thanks guys and gals! :)

 

I've been to Tortola twice and loved it. Not much in the way of downtown or shopping so you do need to book an excursion or head to the beach. The first time, I took the Tortola Highlights tour ($29) for 3 hours and you end up at Cane Garden Beach for about one hour. I really enjoyed the tour too, but loved the beach. This time, I just grabbed one of the shuttles ($6 per person) and went to Cane Garden again. It's beautiful and normally peaceful, but when I was there, the Westerdam was there too and had quite a lively bunch on board! So the beach was packed. I didn't do snorkeling or diving or anything so I can't comment on how this beach would be for there. They have all kinds of restaurants, bars and souvenirs here too. You can use the beach chairs for $5 each.

 

Enjoy....I'm having withdrawals and I just came back from the Z Saturday!

[S.S.Oceanlover]

I have a tux for the 2 formal nights but I won't be bringing a jacket. If they want to escort me out of the dining room so be it I guess.

 

I must be one of those riff raff y'all wanna keep off HAL. :(

 

I had better go back to Princess.

 

Bill

[Cathy p]

From what I have heard as long as you don't wear jeans to dinner they won't kick you back to Princess. Enjoy:)

[S.S.Oceanlover]

Cathy,

I see you are cruising on the Zuiderdam 3/5. Bon Voyage! :)

 

Let me know about the dress code when you get back please. If they are that rigid about your attire I might just try to talk the rest of our group into canceling and changing cruiselines. :confused:

 

Bill

[Machforce1]

Bill, I totally agree with you. I'm not going to either of the formal nights and I will not be wearing a jacket to dinner on the non-formal nights. If they choose to escort me out of the dining area even though I'll be looking sharp, then so be it. It's not like we'll be showing up in jeans and tennis shoes. Hey, maybe you guys should sit with us and we'll get tossed out together? LOL! ;) +

[dakrewser]

Bill, I totally agree with you. I'm not going to either of the formal nights and I will not be wearing a jacket to dinner on the non-formal nights. If they choose to escort me out of the dining area even though I'll be looking sharp, then so be it. It's not like we'll be showing up in jeans and tennis shoes. Hey, maybe you guys should sit with us and we'll get tossed out together? LOL! ;) +

 

I'm puzzled why you would choose to sail on the Zuiderdam if you find it's policies objectionable?

[dinscoe68]

Our 10 year old son is choosing not to participate in formal night. Does anyone know if Club Hal is open during those times? I'm assuming he can dress like a kid and go there to hang out while we grown ups get gussied up. :)

 

 

Also, I'm a little confused on the dress code for informal nights. Please help me, are jackets required even on those nights? Can jeans be worn in the Lido on informal nights? Sorry to sound stupid, but I want to be sure and "fit in" and follow the rules.

 

Thanks!!

[Cathy p]

MACHFORCE1, we are meeting with some other 3/5 Zui cruiser at 5:15 in the Oak Room. I was told it is up by the crow's nest. We would love for you to join us. Seabiscuit is wearing her New England Patriot's Hat....no jacket required. Hope to see you there and anyone else that has not sighned up on the roll call. :)

[S.S.Oceanlover]

I'm puzzled why you would choose to sail on the Zuiderdam if you find it's policies objectionable?

 

Dave,

I don't know about Machforce1 but I picked the Zuiderdam for the itinerary. We have cruised to the Western and Eastern caribbean about 10 times now. I can't do it anymore.

When I saw Tortola (we want to go to Virgin Gorda to the Baths), and Half Moon Cay it sounded like something different. There is not another ship out there that does anything but the same old, same old routes otherwise I'd be on that ship.

I have no problem complying with formal night but I don't have a jacket (that fits) and I'm not going out to buy one for 2 nights. It'll never get worn again as no other cruise line that I've sailed has semi formal nights anymore.

 

I'm sorry if my appearance on semi formal nights ruins the ambiance for some. :(

 

Bill

[Machforce1]

Dave, partly for the same reasons as Bill listed. I didn't sign up for the cruise to participate in the adult costume parties. I liked the itinerary and wanted to visit Baths and check out Nassau. Renting tuxedos and buying expensive clothing JUST to simply put food in my face is a ridiculous concept to me. I realize some people really like getting all decked out just to go eat, but not me. I'm on the cruise to check out the places where the boat will be docking. In fact, the less time I have to spend on the ship, the better. That's not to say there's anything wrong with hanging around on the ship the entire time and dressing up just to go eat, but that's just not what we want to do. It's all about preference.

 

And I mean, c'mon, do you honestly think that I would be hurting anything by wearing the same attire as everyone else minus the jacket? Seriously, it's dinner, not a world leader summit. And if the dining room is filled full of people who get offended by something as ridiculous as not wearing a jacket to stuff food in your face, then I'd rather eat in the Lido anyway.

 

Bill and I are destined to get tossed out of dinner at least one night when we're there. Lighten up guys...it's vacation, not boot camp! LMAO!!

[Machforce1]

Dinscoe, I don't think you can wear jeans to the Lido on any night. You can wear them for lunch and during the day, but in the evenings, I'm almost 100% positive that jeans cannot be worn to the Lido. Someone correct me if I'm wrong.