Appropriate dress on HAL ships

[JJGlanton]

Dont suppose you know how much laundry was or how long it took to get back. The land tour company we are thinking of going with we have used before and the tour guide was really good about letting us know ahead of time where there will be places to wash our clothes.

 

I also love buying tops with the name of the place i have been on it. Then wear them on tour so i dont have to pack as many shirts initially. Just dont tell my sister i wore the t shirt i bought for her before i gave it to her :p

 

Nelie as I remember it was $20 US for a bag of laundry - it's a rather small plastic bag but if you're creative you can stuff a *lot* of laundry in it :). It comes back warm and very clean - shirts are pressed and hung. I believe there is also an option for unlimited laundry, the cost of which varies depending on the length of cruise - others here probably have more details or you could talk to HAL or your TA - but I hope that gives you an idea of what to expect. Turnaround time is one day, at least in our experience.

 

BTW its a great idea to leave room in your bags for the souveniers and stuff you accumulate on your journeys :)

[sophienfred]

From one "kiwi" to another, please don't hide in your cabin on "Formal" night.

 

You can always have dinner in the Lido, or the Canaletto ( reservation necessary.)

On formal nights we have seen all types of attire in the Main Dining Room, from a lady wearing a track suit type oufit, nice trousers or skirts with a pretty blouse, "little black dresses", sunfrocks, to long dresses.

 

Have seen men wearing what sounds like your husband wears to work, plus a tie, as for men in jackets have seen what appeared to be nylon "windcheater", blazers of assorted colours, tweedy sports jackets, linen jackets, business suits, tuxedos and kilts.

 

Everyone looked neat and tidy.

 

May I suggest that on the first formal night you have dinner in the Lido, and have a stroll around the ship, you will probably be surprised to see what others are wearing, then consider eating in the Main Dining Room on the second formal night?

You will probably find that you will fit in just fine.

 

Last year we were on board the ship for 36 days, we only took 2 suitcases and 2 cabin bags, plus of course my handbag, we used the ship laundry service, which was very good.

 

Congratulations on your 40th Wedding Anniversary.

Have wonderful time on the Noordam, we have friends sailing on her later in the year. We have told them not to stress over "Formal "nights.

oh wow thank you Erewhon ( I know I have seen you before, maybe on the Noordam Roll Call?) I actually feel much more relaxed after reading yours and others posts. :-) Yes we will be away for 28 days all told and 2 suitcases and 2 cabin bags isn't a lot of space. I have made enquiries re the laundry on other threads and think I have that sussed. Being a little creative with a clothesline in the bathroom and the laundry bag at 20 dollars now and then should suffice. I think we will look very respectable and certainly don't intend wearing anything like tracksuits! lol

Thank you for your anniversary wishes!

[erewhon]

oh wow thank you Erewhon ( I know I have seen you before, maybe on the Noordam Roll Call?) I actually feel much more relaxed after reading yours and others posts. :-) Yes we will be away for 28 days all told and 2 suitcases and 2 cabin bags isn't a lot of space. I have made enquiries re the laundry on other threads and think I have that sussed. Being a little creative with a clothesline in the bathroom and the laundry bag at 20 dollars now and then should suffice. I think we will look very respectable and certainly don't intend wearing anything like tracksuits! lol

Thank you for your anniversary wishes!

 

sophienfred,

Before our first cruise, we shared your concerns.

 

For any handwashing, I always take a small plastic bottle of a woolwash

laundry liquid, double sealed in "Glad" snaplock bags( available in 3 sizes at supermarket). Pack in the checked luggage. I ask the cabin steward for an extra towel, which I use to wring excess water out of the laundered items before hanging on the little line in the bathroom.

 

There is a tremendous amount of helpful information available on this site.

When you return, would be pleased to hear about your cruise.

[edmusic]

Just returned from 7 nights aboard the Nieuw Amsterdam. Regarding the formal nights, I, too, had read how much more 'formal' HAL was compared to the other cruise lines. Not so. On the first formal night, I was the only man in a tuxedo (I own one for other purposes and so decided why not wear it on the formal night). Most every other man wore a suit or sport coat & tie combo. On the second night, there were a few other tux wearers, but not nearly as I thought there would/should be. To HAL's credit, I did see them turn away a gentleman who dared show up to the MDR on formal night wearing a short sleeve shirt and NO tie. HAL was no more formal than our Princess cruise to Alaska last year.

[Gotta Go Cruisin]

... To HAL's credit, I did see them turn away a gentleman who dared show up to the MDR on formal night wearing a short sleeve shirt and NO tie. HAL was no more formal than our Princess cruise to Alaska last year.

 

If you put it to a vote here on these boards, many would have had that gentleman flogged and keel hauled. ;)

[Kini12]

when I saw a thread here somewhere that asked what gowns people were wearing to the formal nights! With pictures!!! Hubby doesn't put much effort into the planning, he leaves it all happily to me and just says 'yes dear' usually :)

But he was dragged in to view the CC site and we both agreed that it's our cabins for us on formal nights.

For one thing, he doesn't even own a jacket except winter tweedy ones for business and certainly not a black dinner styled one. He dresses nicely for work in business shirts and pants but this formal stuff is beyond us.

For another thing we have severe restrictions on our baggage and lugging big dresses and jackets half way round the world just doesn't make sense.

 

We'll look a mass of dash on every other night and won't embarrass any of our table mates ;) I am praying they'll allow us into the Pinnacle on the first night (our 40th wedding anniversay) with him just in shirt and tie ... oh well trousers too of course.

 

I guess for us the top priority for our trip is the PLACES we'll visit and the ship is what's carrying us to these places. Having said that we are looking forward to the great food and the super people we'll be meeting. It's going to be great!

40 years! That is wonderful, congratulations.

[F5Loar]

"To HAL's credit, I did see them turn away a gentleman who dared show up to the MDR on formal night wearing a short sleeve shirt and NO tie."

So happy to see someone post this besides me. It seems there are several "newbies" that pride themselves in telling others it's okay to just show up in a polo shirt and slacks with no tie. They chime in on every dress code question saying don't pay attention to those recommendations.

Being turned away at the door is almost as embarrsing as being alowed into a formal occasion in which you are the one not so formal. The cruise lines have bent over backwards to please everyone they can. They have lowered the traditional tux and dark suit rule to a jacket and tie will do and they go out of their way to offer alternate dining elsewhere at a great expense so those that don't want to get dressed up on formal nights can go elsewhere. Yet you see a few that sneak in without that jacket and tie and someone sees it and reports back here that it's okay to do so and then next cruise you get turned down for no jacket and tie. This is great news that HAL is at least making attempts at keeping their formal nights more formal than other ship lines.

[iancal]

Should you decide to wear casual clothing, youi will have no issue attending other areas of the ship on formal evenings. Many people do. Even if we dress for dinner in the MDR, we often change to go to the show, the casino, or the shops.

 

As others have said, HAL's provision of a casual dining venue for formal nights and their request that cruisers wear formal attire throughout the entire ship is inconsistent to say the least, and lacks common sense. HAL will never enforce this becasue they do not wish to negatively impact those revenue generating areas.

Edited March 16, 2011 by iancal

[dockrocker]

they go out of their way to offer alternate dining elsewhere at a great expense so those that don't want to get dressed up on formal nights can go elsewhere.

 

I don't disagree with the rest of your post (when we decide to skip formalwear, we eat in the Lido), but I think it may be going too far to imply that providing a buffet is "going out of [HAL's] way at great expense." The buffet is offered every night on every cruise line, after all.

[Cheshire Lady]

We cruised Australia/New Zealand last year with RCI. 2 of our table companions (who we have become firm friends with) had never cruised before, didn't realise the dress code and had not brought formal clothes. Whilst they were allowed in MDR in their more casual attire, they both felt very uncomfortable. And they did stick out like the proverbial sore thumb!It was actually worse for the gent as he only had short sleeved shirts with him! The lady was able to get away with some smarter dresses. I know it wouldn't bother other people but it did them! Both loved cruising and swore to invest in a couple of formal outfits in future.

[Bearnaise]

We cruised Australia/New Zealand last year with RCI. 2 of our table companions (who we have become firm friends with) had never cruised before, didn't realise the dress code and had not brought formal clothes. Whilst they were allowed in MDR in their more casual attire, they both felt very uncomfortable. And they did stick out like the proverbial sore thumb!It was actually worse for the gent as he only had short sleeved shirts with him! The lady was able to get away with some smarter dresses. I know it wouldn't bother other people but it did them! Both loved cruising and swore to invest in a couple of formal outfits in future.

Isn't that what rentals are for?

[Plnrboy]

Do you have to have a tux? or a dark suit? Once again the pro-formal attire people have spoken. Keep things the same. Never bend. Change is bad. Really? Do you want to see peoples kids squirming and tugging at the tie all night just so they “look good” ? Do you like seeing men in the 20 year old tux dragged out for a cruise again? How about a rental??? Are you getting married?

Enjoy your cruise, relax, go to dinner. I think this thread has scared off enough newer cruisers that they will not touch a cruise anytime soon. I tell people all the time how much fun a cruise is and then read this. No wonder cruises have such a stigma attached to them. No one wants to battle the fashion police. So on the next cruise you will see me in the Lido (probably in jeans and flip flops):cool: along with everyone else who wants to enjoy their vacation.

[agabbymama]

Do you have to have a tux? or a dark suit? Once again the pro-formal attire people have spoken. Keep things the same. Never bend. Change is bad. Really? Do you want to see peoples kids squirming and tugging at the tie all night just so they “look good” ? Do you like seeing men in the 20 year old tux dragged out for a cruise again? How about a rental??? Are you getting married?

 

Enjoy your cruise, relax, go to dinner. I think this thread has scared off enough newer cruisers that they will not touch a cruise anytime soon. I tell people all the time how much fun a cruise is and then read this. No wonder cruises have such a stigma attached to them. No one wants to battle the fashion police. So on the next cruise you will see me in the Lido (probably in jeans and flip flops):cool: along with everyone else who wants to enjoy their vacation.

 

FORMAL night is a time honored tradition of sailing. Why would you want to change it? SO you can be comfortable in your flip flops? Not every one wears flip flops (I don't own a pair of flip flops or jeans). And I didn't own any formal dresses until I started cruising, but now I wouldn't be without one. I ACTUALLY HAVE FUN SHOPPING FOR THEM, THEN WEARING THEM. If the crew can dress in their dress white uniforms to serve you, the least we as passengers can do is dress appropriately to honor them for doing so. It's the ambiance of a special festive night that is lost.

 

There are plenty of other choices out there. When you plan your cruise, look for a line that will fit your needs. Don't try to change all the lines so they become the same, or think only of yourself. I'm not trying to scare anyone away, just trying to be realistic when making my selection of a vacation vehicle, and ask that others do the same. Whatever ship you choose to sail on, follow the suggested dress code. And yes, it is only SUGGESTED (because the cruiselines aren't going to alienate revenue paying passengers). Just because you may get away with it, doesn't make it right!

[Gotta Go Cruisin]

 

Enjoy your cruise, relax, go to dinner. I think this thread has scared off enough newer cruisers that they will not touch a cruise anytime soon. I tell people all the time how much fun a cruise is and then read this. No wonder cruises have such a stigma attached to them. No one wants to battle the fashion police. So on the next cruise you will see me in the Lido (probably in jeans and flip flops):cool: along with everyone else who wants to enjoy their vacation.

 

Thats exactly what we did on our one and only HAL cruise last summer. Lido, no MDR, based on the warnings from the Fashion Bullies. Big Mistake on my part. I spoke with one of the cruise staff later in our cruise and he told us that attendance in the MDR on Formal Night has steadily dropped since he has been with HAL. He said on a normal night the MDR was about 95% full, on a Formal night it drops to about 75%, sometimes less. His explaination was that many people really don't want to bother with the Formal Attire hassles. He did also say that the staff do not enforce "da code" strictly anymore.

Edited March 16, 2011 by Gotta Go Cruisin

[iancal]

We have not really noticed that formal nights on HAL are any more formal than those on Celebrity or Princess. For that matter, we found it about the same on our eight day Carnival cruise two years ago.

[Cheshire Lady]

FORMAL night is a time honored tradition of sailing. Why would you want to change it? SO you can be comfortable in your flip flops? Not every one wears flip flops (I don't own a pair of flip flops or jeans). And I didn't own any formal dresses until I started cruising, but now I wouldn't be without one. I ACTUALLY HAVE FUN SHOPPING FOR THEM, THEN WEARING THEM. If the crew can dress in their dress white uniforms to serve you, the least we as passengers can do is dress appropriately to honor them for doing so. It's the ambiance of a special festive night that is lost.

 

There are plenty of other choices out there. When you plan your cruise, look for a line that will fit your needs. Don't try to change all the lines so they become the same, or think only of yourself. I'm not trying to scare anyone away, just trying to be realistic when making my selection of a vacation vehicle, and ask that others do the same. Whatever ship you choose to sail on, follow the suggested dress code. And yes, it is only SUGGESTED (because the cruiselines aren't going to alienate revenue paying passengers). Just because you may get away with it, doesn't make it right!

 

Well said!

[iancal]

We have only been on one Carnival cruise. We did not really see any difference in dress, particularly on formal evenings in the MDR, between Hal/Princess/Celebrity and Carnival. We expected to because of the great deal of misinformation pertaining to Carnival that one reads on the board but this was just not the case on our cruise.

Edited April 14, 2011 by iancal

[GORDONCHICK]

The buffet is offered every night on every cruise line, after all.

 

 

This is simply not always true. Of the 2 X cruises we did, neither's buffet was open in the evening. There were other casual options, but the buffet was not among them.

[RudyBC]

Enjoy your cruise, relax, go to dinner. I think this thread has scared off enough newer cruisers that they will not touch a cruise anytime soon. I tell people all the time how much fun a cruise is and then read this. No wonder cruises have such a stigma attached to them. No one wants to battle the fashion police. So on the next cruise you will see me in the Lido (probably in jeans and flip flops):cool: along with everyone else who wants to enjoy their vacation.

 

Okay, so I have to add my thoughts to this thread with me being a "newbie" and all. :p

 

The appropriate dress attire almost did turn us away from HAL. We are going on our first cruise this June to Alaska and after reading so many threads about what to wear--we got really nervous!

 

We did go out and buy DH a nice black suit, a couple of ties, dress shirts, dress pants, and new shoes. We bought me 2 cocktail dresses and some fancy tops.

 

We are looking forward to dressing up, don't get us wrong. But at some point it seemed that all the focus was on what to wear for only a couple of hours each night. It no longer was about the fact that we are celebrating our anniversary, his sobriety, our first vacation, and seeing Alaska. It was only about what to wear! :eek:

[iancal]

Don't sweat the small stuff. And never think that the people who post on this board are representative of your fellow cruisers.

 

Go and have a great cruise. The only thing to concern yourself about is having a wonderful time.

[agabbymama]

Okay, so I have to add my thoughts to this thread with me being a "newbie" and all. :p

 

The appropriate dress attire almost did turn us away from HAL. We are going on our first cruise this June to Alaska and after reading so many threads about what to wear--we got really nervous!

 

We did go out and buy DH a nice black suit, a couple of ties, dress shirts, dress pants, and new shoes. We bought me 2 cocktail dresses and some fancy tops.

 

We are looking forward to dressing up, don't get us wrong. But at some point it seemed that all the focus was on what to wear for only a couple of hours each night. It no longer was about the fact that we are celebrating our anniversary, his sobriety, our first vacation, and seeing Alaska. It was only about what to wear! :eek:

 

 

Don't let the dress code scare you, and certainly not take the focus off all your wonderful reasons to celebrate on the cruise. What to wear should only enhance the cruise, not detract from it. And it isn't only for a couple of hours, it's to make the WHOLE EVENING SPECIAL!!!

 

Not everyone abides by the dress code, but it is certainly nice to see the staff in their dress white uniforms, and the passengers in their finery.

[tip]

Don't sweat the small stuff. And never think that the people who post on this board are representative of your fellow cruisers.

 

Go and have a great cruise. The only thing to concern yourself about is having a wonderful time.

 

Well said!

[Taz]

Don't sweat the small stuff. And never think that the people who post on this board are representative of your fellow cruisers.

 

Go and have a great cruise. The only thing to concern yourself about is having a wonderful time.

 

Thank you!!! I'm taking my first cruise ever in June - Alaska, southbound. After years of wearing suits and heels to work and having to dress up for corporate functions, I just don't do it anymore and have been silently planning to just skip anything requiring "formal" attire. I've got a black cocktail dress with dress flats and that will just have to be good enough.

[Plnrboy]

I am some what a "newbie" on here but i am sure i am one of those who hit that last nerve for some people. I in no way intend to anger anyone and am always looking for the true debate and reasons. It is frustrating when all people can say is "tradition". One persons ideas of what is right and wrong always scratches a last nerve with me if it is put the way it is around here. I have always preached "live and let live" on here and for some reason that becomes looked at as change everything. I seem to be hearing on here that change is coming, like it or not, so let it, enjoy it, go with it. Just don't sneer at me while i am doing just that. :cool:

[jp2001]

Reading this thread, I now worry to be overdressed!

 

I am planning long gowns for formal nights and dressy casual dresses or skirt and nice tops for other nights. They are not over the top but still, they are much dressier than slacks and blouse.

 

But I don't think I'll change my plans (unless you all agree that I should change them) because I like cruise dinners to be special and if I wear pants + blouse, I'll just feel like I am at work.