Dress Code

[Emperor Norton]

Yes, but how many times does it need to be discussed. And those who are unhappy with the way people dress on any particular line also have the option to go elsewhere.

 

Until people stop thinking the rules shouldn't apply to them and cruise lines get near 100% enforcement of their own codes I don't see an end to dress code threads.

[commodoredave]

Until people stop thinking the rules shouldn't apply to them and cruise lines get near 100% enforcement of their own codes I don't see an end to dress code threads.

 

Completely agree.

 

These threads will disappear when cruise lines either do away with all dress code rules, or rigorously enforce them.

[pacheco18]

Yikes. Another few decades of these threads to look forward to. Lolol

 

 

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[commodoredave]

Kind of like the no smoking and no children cruising threads!

[pacheco18]

You nailed it. Exactly. They will be with us forever

 

 

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[wripro]

Until people stop thinking the rules shouldn't apply to them and cruise lines get near 100% enforcement of their own codes I don't see an end to dress code threads.

 

That will never happen.

[Dmgmd50]

Seabourn should suggest that everyone fly business or first class so they can bring two 70 pound suitcases and not have to worry about how much clothing to bring. Then everyone could easily bring multiple sport jackets and dinner jackets and not offend those who object to men being improperly dressed. I personally prefer packing lighter and that is why I prefer "country club casual" since I don't need as many sport jackets. But when I sail with SB I Know I will need more so I go along with it.

[GerryDoc]

I know: they should include business class airfare with the cruise (as Regent does in Penthouse or above)!

 

 

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[wripro]

Regent doesn't include it. You are paying for it in your fare. Just like all the other "free" things like shore excursions.

[HappyFeet13]

Back to the "black tie optional" issue: The problem is the word "optional". This particular issue is not a question of the cruise line enforcing its dress code rules. By definition of the word "optional", black tie is NOT required, or even "requested", on these evenings.

We've seen in the past year or two that 75% of the men on Seabourne cruises will NOT opt to wear black tie. That puts men who go to the trouble of packing all the extra tux gear, and women getting "formal" dresses or gowns, in the position of showing up for dinner and being seated at a table where NO OTHER man is in black tie, and the other women are in various stages of "business", "cocktail", "semi-formal" and "formal" attire. What a mess!

I think the solution is to recognize that "black tie optional" events will continue because some small percentage of guests WANT the formal experience and are willing to go to the additional trouble of hauling all that stuff around, but that the majority do not. The cruise line can't win by eliminating the dress-up opportunity, and they can't win by mandating black tie, either. So we will just go on with dinners once a week that look like Central Casting just sent over all of the extras from a bunch of unrelated movies. The solution may be to get on "Roll Call" for your cruise and find people who agree to do black tie, and agree to arrange to be seated together on formal nights.

[oxypete]

Simplified Dress Code for Evening Attire

 

We want to let you know that starting in October, the dress code on all Seabourn ships will be simplified to just two standards for evening attire (dress after 6pm).

 

Simply stated, the two standards for in the evening (after 6pm) are:

 

Elegant Casual

This is the dress standard for all dining venues (except during Formal nights in The Restaurant)

• Men: slacks with a collared dress shirt or sweater; Jacket Optional

• Ladies: slacks / skirt, blouse, pant suit or dress

 

Formal nights in The Restaurant

• Men: Tuxedo, suit or slacks and jacket required

• Ladies: Evening gown or other formal apparel

 

Jeans are welcome in all dining venues during the day, but not appropriate in any public venues after 6pm.

 

 

So, basically the only time-and-place a jacket is required for men is on Formal nights in The Restaurant – and a tie is never required. The schedule of Formal nights stays the same, and if you do not wish to dress formally you can use any of the other dining options.

Start dates for the new dress code are as follows: 


 

• Seabourn Legend, October 17 


• Seabourn Sojourn, October 20 


• Seabourn Spirit, October 20 


• Seabourn Odyssey, October 22 


• Seabourn Quest, October 25

 

We are sure you will be pleased with this simpler set of standards on your next Seabourn cruise.

[GerryDoc]

Wripro, I know nothing is "free," but I suspect Regent and Seabourn fares are similar, although I've never been on Regent. I was aiming at levity, but I guess it flew by.

 

 

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[secoma4]

Seems that the times and realities of the current pax mix are now being taken into account. Formal nights are now no more than once a week and this affects how you pack, particularly if formal is optional.

 

This is particularly so as Seabourn is attracting more pax from the Southern Hemisphere for northern cruises. These pax are traveling 24+ hours each way just getting to and from the ports. In addition, they generally add some other travel to their itinerary, having travelled so far to get there. The other point is many will be flying economy/coach and have a luggage limit of 23kg. (The difference in price between economy and business is equivalent to another 7 day cruise). And in any event won't want to be lugging more than that around for prior or subsequent touring.

 

On Asian region cruises the climate is less conducive to "formal" attire and again, if traveling outside of the Seabourn cruise itinerary, there is no need for that outfit.

[wripro]

Wripro, I know nothing is "free," but I suspect Regent and Seabourn fares are similar, although I've never been on Regent. I was aiming at levity, but I guess it flew by.

 

 

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Actually, Seabourn fares are typically lower. Do a comparison and you'll see.

[GerryDoc]

Thanks!

 

 

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[HappyFeet13]

The new Seabourn dress codes mark the end of an era. Surprised no one commented on the posting. I understand all the reasons why black tie was difficult. But it looked very nice to see so many well dressed people at the Captain's receptions at the beginning and end of segments, and in the dining room afterwards. Now, not even a tie will be required on "formal" nights?! I wonder if anyone at all will dress in REAL black tie attire, or will the Captain receive his guests in Bermudas, open shirt, and sport jacket? Maybe it's ok, but I am glad I sailed in the days when on black tie night the women looked beautiful and the men looked like appropriately attired escorts, and the evening wasn't just another dinner.

[T&C Fulham]

Isn't the big problem that few people have access to places where you can buy 'Elegant Casual' ?

 

Consequently requesting it is demanding the impossible for a lot of people.

 

Tony

London UK

[HappyFeet13]

I think "yes" for several reasons: Many travelers do not live in places where there is ever a need for "black tie" attire, so they don't own the tux's and gowns. Going on a Seabourn trip that requires such attire represents a significant additional expense, just for a couple of dinners. Unfortunately, there is little utility for black-tie gear except for the rare black tie event. It is useless for any other purpose. Secondly, there are tighter and tighter weight limits imposed by carriers, and not just by airlines. You can't always upgrade air passage or pay more to solve the problem. For example, my wife and I were on the brand-new "platinum" rail car on a journey from Sydney to Perth a few years ago. (It was shockingly expensive...3-4 times the cost of biz class airfare) We each had a 54 pound and a 30 pound suitcase. Flying First Class on our around-the-world trip was no problem...all the airlines just put "heavy" tags on them. But the TRAIN in Australia , because of union rules, refused to handle a bag weighing over 44 pounds (20 kilos). They gave each of us a large plastic bag and told us to unpack 10 pounds from each suitcase on the floor of the station and transfer it to the plastic bags and re-weigh the suitcases until they weighed no more than 20 kilos. Then, we each carried our 10 pound bags of books and underwear aboard with us as hand baggage. It was humiliating and uncomfortable, unpacking our bags on the floor of the station...and maddening that this was a TRAIN that was only a few feet from the check-in counter. So...the cost, weight, bulk, and relative uselessness of 'formal" attire, together with the newly imposed and increasingly more spartan weight limitations of the transportation industry have conspired against those of us who like to get all gussied-up once in a while. If you saw my wife in formal attire, you'd know why I am such a fan of the idea!

[T&C Fulham]

Happy,

 

Agreed about the challenge of packing black tie. What I did last week on the Formal Evening was to wear a black bow tie and cummerbund with one of my jackets paired with dark slacks and black shoes.

 

The point I was attempting to make in my message was how hard people may find it to buy things (particularly the men) that make them look Elegantly Casual. On the Quest last week a lot of men came down to dinner in dark suits with open necked white shirts. Yes they looked Casual but far from Elegant and therein lies the problem.

 

Tony

[HappyFeet13]

Great idea. I have been thinking about creating an "almost" tux, that would have additional utility in that pieces would have other uses. Start with a very dark blue suit. The jacket could be worn by itself as a blazer...and the pants could be worn as slacks with just about anything. Put them together, with a white or very pale blue shirt with French cuffs, and a bow tie and cummerbund, it would certainly look formal. Or even with a regular tie, and without the cummerbund, I think attire would look quite "formal" enough to be appropriate to escort a well-dressed lady. I'm sure you could get by with wearing black loafers. I may try that on next cruise in February, our 7th on Seabourn.

[T&C Fulham]

Happy

 

Indeed. My jacket is black and white stripes - a bit like a zebra - and I tell folk I could not decide whether to pack my black or white tuxedo so I brought the combo instead.

 

You could also get away with a velvet smoking jacket that would double as formal or informal depending on the shirt and accessories. Likewise a double breasted blazer can be made to look either formal or informal.

 

I have never understood this suit and tie-less shirt look. It is very popular as a work attire here in the UK but to me it looks neither one thing or another. When I was in business not once did I go to work without a tie - even when wearing formal shorts and long socks. Now, if I am not wearing a tie (or if it is tropical hot) I always wear what we call a cravat and the Americans call an ascot.

 

Tony

[Able Seaman H]

I am guilty of being one of those men who wear a jacket and shirt without a tie. I simply don't do ties but I hope that I still cut a dashing figure in the bars and dining rooms.

 

I like good shirts and I also like interesting jackets. We are extremely fortunate in England that we are blessed with a wide array of outlets from which to purchase, often at surprisingly sensible prices (compared to the bespoke tailoring alternative).

 

Even a dinner suit for somewhere like good old Moss Brothers can be had for £150-200 and I will always wear a DJ so long as there is the option to do so. It's my duty as an English gentleman :)

 

I am not averse to removing my jacket once at the table in warmer climes.

 

Henry :)

Edited September 14, 2014 by Able Seaman H

[T&C Fulham]

Well done Henry.

 

" cut a dashing figure"

 

Maybe we could persuade Seabourn to regard 'dashing' as a dress code :)

 

As an English eccentric with a penchant for what the New World call 'ascots' the word 'spiffing' was re-invented on the Pride at Christmas. I say re-invented as the last time I remember it being used was in books about Flying Officer Kite (or am I confusing it with a Kenny Everett sketch?). All of which will mean nothing to our cousins across the pond - but it ought to ring a bell where you come from.:)

 

Dashingly spiffing - maybe not:o

 

Tony

[HappyFeet13]

As a Yank, I don't know what "spiffy" means in the vernacular in the UK. To us, when we say, "Don't you look spiffy today?", it is kind of a tongue-in-cheek way of saying, "You are dressed better than I am,...why?".

I think that only Brits can be "dashing". One needs the rest of the package to be "dashing", I think. Like being able to play polo or understand cricket, and always saying "Sorry" instead of "Excuse me", and "Brilliant!" in response to absolutely anything. And of course being able to say, "Bond,...James Bond" with the right accent. But would James Bond EVER be tie-less at dinner? I think not. You should know that all Americans fear wearing ascots. I'm talking visceral, raw, fear. Only George Hamilton IV ever did that, and he also sported a large mole (beauty mark?), and he never really made it. That about killed ascots for us. (Oh, and I think the club president in "Caddy Shack"wore one, and he didn't make it, either). I think wearing ascots, being dashing, and saying "Brilliant", are trademarked British things, best left to the originators. But I still think a well-dressed lady in cocktail or formal attire should be complemented by an escort who bothered to wear a tie. "A tie is a tie is a tie".

[Flamin_June]

Having been born with a genetic predisposition to rebelling against the status quo, I have spent the last 40 years of my life trying to avoid wearing a tie whenever possible. Now that wearing a jacket and shirt without a tie is virtually the norm, indeed almost convention, I find myself drawn to wearing a tie more and more frequently.

 

I was seriously considering ditching the white tux with shawl collar in favour of a couple of light jackets for our upcoming cruise through the tropics. Now that the new 'dress code' has been announced I will make a point of bringing it along, so that I may 'cut a dash' while everyone else dresses like greyhound trainers or market stall-holders.