Big Time Unhappy Passengers

[Karen@Steve]

My DH loves his tux and got one specifically so he would have it to cruise. Where else would he have the opportunity to dress up like James Bond? :cool:

 

Now if the Casino only had Baccarat he could really live the fantasy! At least I've managed to stop him from telling the bartender he want is Martini shaken, not stirred. He just beams in the Martini bar when they shake them. :D

[Nonna and Papa]

im just curious, is it only people wearing shorts/tee shirts being denied entrance or any man without a jacket? We will be on solstice soon and only are able to bring carry on luggage so we pack light. Is a shirt and tie with dress pants and shoes dooable? I know there will be some backlash for asking this as I see this is a heated topic but I really can't imagine offending someone by wearing a shirt and tie....

 

Perhaps your husband could wear a jacket on the plane (or however you'll be traveling) and thereby save room in his carry on, and still be dressed for dinner in the MDR. My husband frequently wears a jacket (although usually a casual one) to travel, yet packs his tux, or has rented a tux on the ship.

 

Mary

[TeaBag]

I say kudos to the Maitre'D too. The guy who appeared in shorts has other problems. It's not like he would have starved if he wanted to wear shorts the whole day. there are plenty of places to eat on the ship if you don't want to dress up.

 

We had a man appear at our table on formal night on Summit without a jacket and the waiter just silently went and got one and helped him on with it. He didn't return for the second formal night. This was great as he and his wife were consistently about 30 - 50 minutes late every night.

[cruisemom42]

I'm very happy to hear this and other similar reports. Makes me want to book Celebrity sooner than later. :)

 

I was sort of hoping Kitty9 would continue on to say that afterwards the dining room burst into spontaneous applause...!

[johnb0529]

With the number of cruiselines, offering different options to fit almost everyones taste, why do people continue to select cruiselines that don't offer what they are looking for and then complain about it :confused:

 

Some people just like to stir up trouble because they have little else in life...

[1 HappyCruiser]

Brad1185 wrote :

"I will continue to push and push until we can wear what we want to dinner. Hopefully everyone else will join in. I know the men here side with me. Just man up to your spouse and let them know how you really feel."

 

 

Celebrity has already eliminated formal dining in Blu. They allow whatever you want to wear at the buffet. It makes sense that the MDR remain a dressier venue, especially for those of us that like smart casual at dinner. I'm a guy that rarely wears a suit, but I enjoy putting on a jacket for dinner on the ship.

Brad, you can wear whatever you want at home....I like Celebrity's dress code policy and. Hope it never changes.

 

Sure they relaxed it but from what I understand they charge extra for the privilege.

On Celebrity I'll continue to dress in the least amount of formal clothing necessary to gain admittance into the DR & remove clothing as desired once seated. It's my vacation & it should be relaxed, not something that requires extra clothing to satisfy those who feel the need to play dress up.

I hope the Maitre D' who refuses to seat people has a good explanation when those people file a fictitious report on his conduct.

[Oxo]

Same ole Stuff from the Same ole complainers who don't want to dress. LOL

[Olive1950]

There are cameras in the MDR.... so don't get any stupid ideas.

[kymbakitty]

...I hope the Maitre D' who refuses to seat people has a good explanation when those people file a fictitious report on his conduct.

 

Yeah, um, don't think that is going to happen.

 

I'm surprised the Maitre D' didn't receive a standing ovation from the other passengers in the MDR.

 

Look, this is not rocket science. You do not have to dress up to have dinner on a cruise ship. However, there are a few designated evenings where the dress for the evening happens to be suit/tie. And if you've "been there/done that," then there are so many other options available JUST FOR YOU so that you aren't forced to dress in a manner foreign or uncomfortable/inconvenient, and you still get to eat really good food!

 

Why do some people feel the need to try to change policies to meet their own beliefs/positions? It's just another form of being a bully. At best, it is so incredibly inconsiderate of others. Funny to see the reaction of these same bullies when someone wants to break a tradition/rule/policy that they happen to support. Hilarious actually.

 

I'll say it again--it is simply the World According to Garp syndrome. "If I want to do it, it should be allowed. If I don't think it should be done, no one should be allowed to either."

 

:-)

[ForeverAtSea]

I think that Celebrity has provided an option for everyone when it comes to dining and dress codes, and I applaud them enforcing their dress code in the MDR.

[DebbieMacG]

Hmm, I think I'll get a kilt for my DH. He's got MS, and is really sensitive to heat. So putting slacks on him in the daytime on a warm-weather cruise is just not an option. We had to skip the Elite daytime events because of that on our last cruise. (I asked and explained, they still said no).

 

(Still can't see him going into the MDR with shorts, though, just as he'd never wear shorts to church).

 

 

You may want to re-think the kilt! It is not a thing to wear in heat, :) you've got wool socks up to your knees and nine yards (or 18 if the heavy one) of wool from your waist to your knees, then a shirt, wool waistcoat and wool jacket, there's only one thing that's likely to be getting air :eek:

[Happy Cruiser 6143]

Can't believe they would kick someone out of the mdr. People should be able to wear what they want. That's so wrong what the Md did. Celebrity needs to ditch the outdated Titantic dress code.

 

No, actually you need to choose your cruise line more carefully. Find one that will permit you to dress as you want in the MDR.

[1 HappyCruiser]

Yeah, um, don't think that is going to happen.

 

I'm surprised the Maitre D' didn't receive a standing ovation from the other passengers in the MDR.

 

Look, this is not rocket science. You do not have to dress up to have dinner on a cruise ship. However, there are a few designated evenings where the dress for the evening happens to be suit/tie. And if you've "been there/done that," then there are so many other options available JUST FOR YOU so that you aren't forced to dress in a manner foreign or uncomfortable/inconvenient, and you still get to eat really good food!

 

Why do some people feel the need to try to change policies to meet their own beliefs/positions? It's just another form of being a bully. At best, it is so incredibly inconsiderate of others. Funny to see the reaction of these same bullies when someone wants to break a tradition/rule/policy that they happen to support. Hilarious actually.

 

I'll say it again--it is simply the World According to Garp syndrome. "If I want to do it, it should be allowed. If I don't think it should be done, no one should be allowed to either."

 

:-)

 

I happen to like the dining room food and just like dressing casually to get it.

You can applaud all you want but when he has to answer to his boss as to why he had a nasty disposition to individuals requesting special arrangements (not mentioning anything about dress), it'll be his reputation on the line for future advancement. Let him explain himself. I'll be long gone.

 

There are cameras in the MDR.... so don't get any stupid ideas.

 

Really. How much do they charge for candid shots? I suspect $25 each. :p

[Taxguy77]

im just curious, is it only people wearing shorts/tee shirts being denied entrance or any man without a jacket? We will be on solstice soon and only are able to bring carry on luggage so we pack light. Is a shirt and tie with dress pants and shoes dooable? I know there will be some backlash for asking this as I see this is a heated topic but I really can't imagine offending someone by wearing a shirt and tie....

 

Sorry, wrong cruise experience.

[KeystoneKop]

I for one don't understand the "it's MY vacation and I'll dress the way I want" attitude. Yes, we have all paid good amounts of money for a cruise vacation...to relax on someone else's ship, sleep in someone else's bed and dine in someone else's MDR. Each of those accomodations are subject to the terms and conditions we entered into willingly when we booked the cruise. In essence, aren't we just really "renting" our seating in the MDR for the duration of our cruise? We didn't "buy" anything...or else I'd be able to have my table and chair delivered to my stateroom on our last night so I could take it home with me. Dinner accomodations in the MDR are subject to dress code terms and conditions just like any other service offered to a guest, and I for one applaud the Maitre'd for holding the line on this issue.

[Sloop-JohnB]

Walking into the MDR this evening, late seating at the Captain's table, and I had to wait because the maitre'd was involved in a dust up with a passenger, and they were blocking the aisle. This man was wearing shorts and a Costa Maya t-shirt and was told he had to leave. The guy was livid with some very colorful language, to say the least. This was the third time this week that I personally saw men being denied entrance into the MDR while wearing shorts--one formal night and two regular nights. BTW, I'm on Solstice.

 

TO KITTY9,

 

First off, THANK YOU for posting this topic. It is important that Cruisers (particularly fellow happy Celebrity Cruisers) know that there is an effort to enforce THE RULES...

 

Second, it also tells those who say "Nah it doesn't matter what you wear"... That YES IT DOES MATTER to both your fellow Cruisers, but also more importantly TO CELEBRITY.

 

THANK YOU CELEBRITY, for listening to the majority of your passengers who actually like the Dress Code. It is part of what makes travelling on Celebrity such a wonderful and "special" vacation for us... you put the =X= in luXury !!

 

Those who "push" the limits or violate them totally, do run the risk of finding themselves "embarassed" publicly if you get as far as the Maitre D'... he will make the call. And if he finds you out of line, then he will refuse you entry / ask you to leave.

 

Shorts, T-Shirts & Flip flops are not permitted in the Dining Room in the evening. Evening Dress Code is "Smart Casual and Above" for most evenings, and "Formal"... Tuxedo, WHITE Dinner Jacket, or Suit (with Jacket) for Formal Evenings.

 

All of this info is not NEWS... it is printed in several spots in the Celebrity "fine print" sections of their Brochures etc. (These are the same clauses that form part of your cruise contract)

 

You don't want to respect THE RULES, then don't sign the contract... or better yet... look for a cruise line that more is "in line" with the objectives of YOUR vacation.

 

Nothing wrong with that.

 

=== === ===

 

Now back to the Solstice...

 

KITTY9 I am guessing that "the man" in Question was the Solstice's highly respected MDR Maitre D' (PHOTO shown below)... he has many many years service with Celebrity and is both admired and highly respected by those on the Food & Beverage Team (not to mention the Passengers who find him to be helpful, professional... and an all around "nice" guy). That was certainly our experiences with him back in January.

 

I am sure there are days his job isn't easy... (tough to keep your cool when someone is swearing a blue streak at you)

 

But I hope he (and perhaps Celebrity thru this posting) knows that so many Celebrity Passengers applaud him !!

 

CONGRATULATIONS, keep up the good work !!

 

Cheers!

[hughdm]

Don't expect to be treated like a Celebrity when you dress up for Burger King. If you don't want to dress up, don't cruise with Celebrity! I hear Carnival has no formal nights so that may be a better choice. The last time I looked in the mirror I saw a man and I sure don't need my wife to tell me to dress up. I consider that part of the juice of life. Without dressing up for occasions, life becomes a bore. I don't think anyone would dare to ignore the dress code if they were invited to a formal wedding or show up in shorts at a corporate event. :eek:

I also am "a man" who enjoys dressing up occasionally. Bravo!!!

[CathyCruises]

I'm sick of the dress code and I know many others feel the same way.

 

The last thing I want to do on vacation is dress up. I'm sick of packing all this extra weight.

 

This dress code has to go.

 

I want to dine in the mdr and not at the buffet.

 

I will continue to push and push until we can wear what we want to dinner. Hopefully everyone else will join in. I know the men here side with me. Just man up to your spouse and let them know how you really feel.

 

You can wear anything you like on NCL!!!

[frediver]

I don't like "Codes" but I also know the Tradition of Formal nights so I will respect it for the others that do like to Dress and Show for the occasion.

If we decide not to dress then we also will not intrude on those that do.

After meal times is a different matter.

I don't think I would poke guests in the eye with my shorts but I don't want to

be made to feel out of place wearing my long pants in public areas after the

early/late dining hours and that has happened. IMO during these times the

Fancy Dressers need to "suck it up".

Funny, the one time we did not pack Formal Clothes we were invited to the

Captains Table. Let me tell you that was a scramble, it is lots easier for a lady

to find a dress in a foreign port than for a guy to find a decent Jacket. I was forced to borrow a officers jacket that night.

[USVI-4-me]

DH always takes a dark suit and long sleeve white shirt w/assorted ties on cruise ships.

 

I always take a little black dress and a black outfit for every evening on a cruise ship. It's easy and convenient packing.

 

But, I don't read all the fine print on Celebrity's website or the contract long after I've paid my money. I assume many passengers don't, and they don't read these message boards either. I understand the confusion regarding dress codes and wonder why others are so set on dictating with another person wears.

 

It seems the majority of Celebrity passengers posting on CC msg boards are a bit hung up on other people reading all the fine print and knowing all the rules.

 

So, I wonder, is there a dress rule for the hemline on a "little black dress"?

 

Is there a regulation regarding the shoes worn in the MDR? Is open toe okay? Must I wear heels?

 

When Elite passengers are corraled for the complimentary drinks and given their instructions regarding attire, does anyone wonder why they weren't given a coupon for a free drink(s) elsewhere on the ship.

 

Maris

[Kruzeagain]

Ironically enough Celebrity has twice failed to get my spiffy suit back from pressing in time for the first formal night. RCI did it once, too. Weird, because I always paid the surcharge for express service. One of these days I'll actually unpack an unwrinkled suit...:-)

 

But as a minor backup plan I have a beautiful Tilley white dress shirt that can be rolled into a ball and dragged behind a 767 and still look good upon landing, so I combine that with dress pants, nice shoes, a very nice silk tie and away we go to formal night. Never any problems.

 

Do I feel self-conscious? In a word, yes. But it fades quickly upon being seated and once again I can focus my attention on my beautiful elegant bride in her gown.

 

Packing problems? Weight? Please. We've given up on the 2-suitcase deal. Too much aggravation, especially with the three-season weather we tend to cruise through, and all the gym workouts. So we pack 3 suitcases and pay a surcharge and Yours Truly is blessed (cursed?) with lugging them around but guess what?

We.

Don't.

Care.

 

There is something special--magical, almost--about formal night. It adds to the mystique of cruising, and it's appealing on so many levels as to be almost impossible to capture with mere words.

 

From young couples who haven't dressed up since their wedding day, to older folks celebrating 60 years of wedded bliss there is more sweet love in the air on formal might than any other night of a cruise.

 

Real men love their wives. And real men love it when their wives put considerable effort into looking their best. Real men appreciate that effort immensely. Real men always--always--return said effort.

 

A real man will move mountains and fight rabid hyenas to protect the honor and dignity of his wife. Slipping a jacket over your shoulders is nothing within this context.

 

If you won't do that little thing, that one simple thing, for the most important woman in your life, how do you think that makes HER feel?

 

A real man has a burning desire to be her knight in shining armor.

 

Formal night is your night to prove that you are indeed that amazing man. The choice is yours.

 

 

Happy Cruising,

Alan

PS...the entire opinion above is predicated on the idea that one's spouse enjoys formal night. That's the case with us. But if both parties are happiest in casual clothes please don't feel belittled, insulted or looked down upon in any way; we're just having a dress up day in a very specific part of the ship and we will be thrilled when you join us for dinner again the following evening.

[dimiegirl]

Glad to hear Celebrity is enforcing the dress code. Agree that dressing for dinner is part of the fun. Too bad the passenger made such a scene and caused an issue for everyone else.

 

Dimiegirl - your husband will be fine with dress slacks, shirt and tie, jacket is not required.

 

Brad1185 - lucky for you that Celebrity offers alternative dining options, and.....NCL and Carnival have no dress code whatsoever, so you might want to consider those lines.

 

Ridolphi, Thank you so much for answering my question in a non confrontational manner. I appreciate it. Happy cruising to you!:)

[Karynanne]

I happen to like the dining room food and just like dressing casually to get it.

You can applaud all you want but when he has to answer to his boss as to why he had a nasty disposition to individuals requesting special arrangements (not mentioning anything about dress), it'll be his reputation on the line for future advancement. Let him explain himself. I'll be long gone.

 

 

 

Really. How much do they charge for candid shots? I suspect $25 each. :p

 

All the Maitre 'D's that I have met onboard, have never displayed a "nasty diposition". They are extremely professional, gracious and know how to handle every situation with respect to the passenger.

 

And there are security cameras in the MDR. Don't forget to smile!

[dimiegirl]

Sorry, wrong cruise experience.

 

Tax guy,

Im sorry, I do not understand your comment "wrong cruise experience". COuld you please clarify?:confused:

[Waterlily777]

Ironically enough Celebrity has twice failed to get my spiffy suit back from pressing in time for the first formal night. RCI did it once, too. Weird, because I always paid the surcharge for express service. One of these days I'll actually unpack an unwrinkled suit...:-)

 

But as a minor backup plan I have a beautiful Tilley white dress shirt that can be rolled into a ball and dragged behind a 767 and still look good upon landing, so I combine that with dress pants, nice shoes, a very nice silk tie and away we go to formal night. Never any problems.

 

Do I feel self-conscious? In a word, yes. But it fades quickly upon being seated and once again I can focus my attention on my beautiful elegant bride in her gown.

 

Packing problems? Weight? Please. We've given up on the 2-suitcase deal. Too much aggravation, especially with the three-season weather we tend to cruise through, and all the gym workouts. So we pack 3 suitcases and pay a surcharge and Yours Truly is blessed (cursed?) with lugging them around but guess what?

We.

Don't.

Care.

 

There is something special--magical, almost--about formal night. It adds to the mystique of cruising, and it's appealing on so many levels as to be almost impossible to capture with mere words.

 

From young couples who haven't dressed up since their wedding day, to older folks celebrating 60 years of wedded bliss there is more sweet love in the air on formal might than any other night of a cruise.

 

Real men love their wives. And real men love it when their wives put considerable effort into looking their best. Real men appreciate that effort immensely. Real men always--always--return said effort.

 

A real man will move mountains and fight rabid hyenas to protect the honor and dignity of his wife. Slipping a jacket over your shoulders is nothing within this context.

 

If you won't do that little thing, that one simple thing, for the most important woman in your life, how do you think that makes HER feel?

 

A real man has a burning desire to be her knight in shining armor.

 

Formal night is your night to prove that you are indeed that amazing man. The choice is yours.

 

 

Happy Cruising,

Alan

PS...the entire opinion above is predicated on the idea that one's spouse enjoys formal night. That's the case with us. But if both parties are happiest in casual clothes please don't feel belittled, insulted or looked down upon in any way; we're just having a dress up day in a very specific part of the ship and we will be thrilled when you join us for dinner again the following evening.

 

 

This is my favorite post on a dress code thread. Ever.