Princess dress code failure

[Host Jazzbeau]

More than 99% of Princess passengers adhere to the dinner dress code. By far the vast majority would prefer that Princess enforce their standards.

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Princess would be better served to cater to the majority than to continue to make exceptions for a small minority

 

Wait, what? Is it really the case that less than 1% of those in a MDR are causing all of this hubbub? What is that, 5 people? If so, I think you just made the point that this is kind of a non-issue.

 

Take care.

 

I think this is part of the 87.2% of statistics that are made up on the spot... ;)

[jimmybean]

We cruised Princess in January and I didn't notice any non-compliance in relation to passengers wearing formal clothes on formal nights, but I can see how it would be upsetting.

 

I do believe in following "rules" and I believe that rules should be enforced.

 

I also see it could be difficult-to-impossible to stop improperly dressed individuals from entering the MDR as the horde of waiting diners is passing the MDR threshold.

 

What about fining these people (like people smoking in their cabins are fined)? People have assigned seats in the MDR, it's not like their names are unknown to waitstaff. What about taking photos of their poorly dressed states and posting them on MUTS as a way of shaming them?

 

I'm afraid that is how wars start.

 

I don't know why people can't get into the spirit of what is intended. But, some people never do.

 

I remember the last time we were at Disney World, overhearing a couple disagreeing (loudly), dropping F-bombs in front of their children, my child, us and everyone within a 50 foot radius. Going to Disney, for so many years, had been… well, more civilized.

 

Societal changes can be disheartening. There is nothing I can do beyond expressing my opinion and trying to ignore "the bad" and focus on "the good".

 

….If we HAD seen improperly dressed people (as many of you have) I wouldn't have let it spoil MY cruise--but I would have been a great deal less than pleased...

[kendon]

rbt001, nice post...good analogies!

[Wehwalt]

What about taking photos of their poorly dressed states and posting them on MUTS as a way of shaming them?

 

I could explain, at considerable length, why this and other ideas submitted on this thread to punish and humiliate fellow passengers are terribly, terribly wrong. But by a certain point in life, you've had ample opportunity to learn it, and it's either taken or it hasn't.

[dtb55]

I could explain, at considerable length, why this and other ideas submitted on this thread to punish and humiliate fellow passengers are terribly, terribly wrong. But by a certain point in life, you've had ample opportunity to learn it, and it's either taken or it hasn't.

 

 

Multiple thumbs up!

 

 

Denise

[jimmybean]

DeWalt---You didn't quote me completely.

 

I said that things like shaming people STARTS WARS.

 

I was not advocating shaming anyone--ever. My point is there really isn't a way to force compliance--only spread more conflict.

 

I thought it was obvious that "starting wars" was not a good thing---not the way to handle problems and disagreements. Obviously, I was not clear or you didn't read my post beyond the sentence you quoted.

 

I think "starting wars" is a very bad thing. I think "shaming" anyone is both ineffective and wrong.

[hansi]

We just returned for the Star Princess Hawaii trip.

 

We are Elite members and have been cruising for many years.

 

I am disappointed in the failure of Princess staff to enforce the dress code in the dinning room for the evening meals.

 

It used to be that on formal nights men were not permitted in the dinning room without a tie. On this trip there were men in polo shirts on formal night.

 

The dress code at the door also states that you can not wear shorts and/or t-shirts to the dinner period. This was not enforced and has not been enforced for some years by Princess. There were both men and women at dinner in shorts and I observed several men each night in t-shirts.

 

The failure of Princess Head Waiters to enforce there own dress code diminishes the dinning experience, in my opinion. I feel that when the overall atmosphere is a bit more dressy the mode of the room and the feel is an enhanced dinning experience.

 

To show up in shorts make the event like a night at Denny's restuarant.

 

There are other dinning options on the ship if you don't want to dress properly for the evening.

 

When I asked the Head Waiter why he did not enforce the rule he said, "The guest say they are on vacation and will dress as they want". Then why have a dress code.

 

What about the majority of the persons in the room for the evening meal that did follow the dress code and approved of the enhanced atmosphere you gain with better dress attire.

 

Princess should enforce the policy on each and every ship period.

 

I agree with you absolutely. On our recent Emeral Princess cruise we shared a table on formal night with someone who was wearing shorts! Unbelievable:eek:. And there was a very clear notice outside the MDR. Why put it there if it's not enforced.

[i_love_cruising]

I think this is a worldwide phenomenon. My husband and I have just returned from 41 nights onboard Sun Princess. We were disappointed in the lack of effort a lot of passengers made to adhere to the dress standards, be it formal or casual, that are clearly printed in the Patter. One passenger even wore thongs (flip flops) to dinner. Not only are the dress standards slipping but it wasn't uncommon for passengers to turn up half an hour late as happened on our table. The excuse for their lateness? They were in the gym! :rolleyes: Not only is it rude to their fellow tablemates, it is downright rude to the waiters and the galley staff. I guess we shouldn't be surprised as the world seems to be all about "me" these days.

[Den53]

I too just got back from this cruise, had I known that the dress code was so lax I would have let my husband go to formal nights. HA HA. No really, I truly believe that if you don't want to dress up go to buffet, International Café, Crown Grill, etc. On the other nights, he worn long pants and a collared shirt, it was Hawaiian but it was collared!

[Wehwalt]

DeWalt---You didn't quote me completely.

 

I said that things like shaming people STARTS WARS.

 

I was not advocating shaming anyone--ever. My point is there really isn't a way to force compliance--only spread more conflict.

 

I thought it was obvious that "starting wars" was not a good thing---not the way to handle problems and disagreements. Obviously, I was not clear or you didn't read my post beyond the sentence you quoted.

 

I think "starting wars" is a very bad thing. I think "shaming" anyone is both ineffective and wrong.

 

If I misunderstood your post, I'm very sorry. But I looked at it again and it is not at all clear you are being sarcastic. And others proposed similar things. And they were clearly serious.

 

I think Princess, in general, is handling such things well, and I am willing to trust in them, and in their employees' (especially the maitres d') long experience.

Edited March 8, 2014 by Wehwalt

[wrongwaywatson]

 

That said… let’s think a moment…. Hmmmm…. Along the lines of the signs we’ve all seen, “NO SHOES, NO SHIRT, NO SERVICE,” maybe the wait staff should just ignore the improperly dressed "ones" and not take their order. Then again, with enough wine, I’d probably –brass tacks— ask first an inappropriately dressed guest at my table if they were aware of the dress code. Following up with why they felt they could violate it? Each question would become sharper and more confrontational until they either left or there was a shouting match that drew enough attention to get them escorted out.

 

 

Wow.. First off, I agree with adhering to rules. On our first 3 cruises we dressed for formal night. The last 3 we decided to not dress up, so we ate in the buffet and Crown Grill instead, on formal night. I would NOT try to eat in the dining room dressed inappropriately.

 

But, do you really think being rude to your tablemate is acceptable? Getting into a shouting match is appropriate behavior? I would much rather dine with a person in shorts, sandals and a polo shirt, than with a loud, arrogant, rude passenger dressed formally. You mention respect, that type of attitude does not convey respect. Whatever happened to being gracious?

[CRUZGAL53]

After every cruise, we comment about Princess not enforcing the dress code in the end of cruise questionairre. Maybe if Princess sees it mentioned a lot, they will either start adhering to the policy that is noted in the Patter and outside the dining room OR elimate a dress code all together. I have suggested numerous times in the questionairre to consider about making some itineries (i.e. Hawaii, Caribbean) more casual dress.

We love dressing and don't let people wearing shorts or improper clothing ruin our cruise...it is just very annoying to be at the same table with someone who is not appropriately dressed.

Edited March 8, 2014 by CRUZGAL53

[margob111]

We are young professionals and cruise Princess often --

 

I agree that the current rules should be enforced (and we DO adhere to the dress code), but I sympathize with the "I'm on vacation" mindset to an extent. Maybe Princess recognizes that the demographics are changing a bit on these ships and for those of us that wear a suit to work everyday, the last thing we want to do is dress up for "formal night" when we just left our snowy Northeast office buildings for a one-week Caribbean/Mexican/HI cruise (yes, we know the buffet is an option).

 

I wouldn't mind seeing "formal night" relaxed or limited in some way (maybe only required at one dining area/specialty restaurant that evening). IMO, slacks and a polo should be acceptable every night, as they are in most upscale land restaurants. This would also greatly simplify packing logistics.

 

Please spare us the "go on Carnival" comments -- we prefer Princess and are trying to offer a different perspective.

 

I have to laugh because I was on a Carnival cruise last year and of the party of 3 in front of us, 2 men and 1 woman, the hostess sent the two men to change but seated the woman. Carnival actually enforced the dress code. I usually pack two cocktail dresses and my husband packs a suit, tie and two shirts for formal night; however, this year we are going to Alaska and since I'm packing for layering, I may forgo the main dining room on formal nights.