Dining Room Dress Code on X is it new?

[Mildred]

Found this on the Celebrity Board. This dress code was printed in the daily planner....

 

"Ship's Dress Codes

 

Following are the REQUIRED (emphasis is Celebrity's) modes of attire for evening dress (after 6:00 pm nightly) THROUGHOUT the ship.

 

Formal: Gentlemen: Tuxedo, dinner jacket, dark suit and tie

Ladies: A dressy outfit, formal gown or cocktail dress

 

Informal: Gentlemen: Jacket, slacks. No Jeans

Ladies: Informal dress or pants and blouse

 

Casual: Gentlemen: Sport shirt and slacks

Ladies: Dress, pant suit or sporty outfit.

 

Please note: Jeans, t-shirts, tank tops, swimsuits, robes and bare feet are not permitted in [dining room] at any time ; Shorts are not permitted in [dining room] during dinnner. Guests are expected to maintain this sailing tradition for the ambience of the cruise."

 

In the buffet restaurant, people wore anything and everything. On fromal nights, those who didn't want to dress up ate at Alternative Casual Dining, which is available on every Celebrity ship in the buffet area. It is a seated meal, but you can dress casually every night. There was a $2.00 per person charge to your Seapass account for this service.

[Char]

Found this on the Celebrity Board. This dress code was printed in the daily planner....

 

"Ship's Dress Codes

 

Following are the REQUIRED (emphasis is Celebrity's) modes of attire for evening dress (after 6:00 pm nightly) THROUGHOUT the ship.

 

Formal: Gentlemen: Tuxedo, dinner jacket, dark suit and tie

Ladies: A dressy outfit, formal gown or cocktail dress

 

Informal: Gentlemen: Jacket, slacks. No Jeans

Ladies: Informal dress or pants and blouse

 

Casual: Gentlemen: Sport shirt and slacks

Ladies: Dress, pant suit or sporty outfit.

 

Please note: Jeans, t-shirts, tank tops, swimsuits, robes and bare feet are not permitted in [dining room] at any time ; Shorts are not permitted in [dining room] during dinnner. Guests are expected to maintain this sailing tradition for the ambience of the cruise."

 

In the buffet restaurant, people wore anything and everything. On fromal nights, those who didn't want to dress up ate at Alternative Casual Dining, which is available on every Celebrity ship in the buffet area. It is a seated meal, but you can dress casually every night. There was a $2.00 per person charge to your Seapass account for this service.

This is not new. It's been around for some time now. We sailed Celebrity 3 times last year and the word "required" was in all the Dailies. Didn't dig out any from any farther back, so I can't say exactly when the "required" was put into use. It's too bad some folks don't realize that Celebrity is a more formal experience before they book the cruise, then there wouldn't be any reason to have to use that wordage.

[hstrybuf]

I love it! I've never tried Celebrity, but that is a good incentive.

[MiniMom57]

I'm a little confused.....if the dress code is required throughout the ship, how can they offer casual dress alternatives? Are the casual dressers locked in the buffet area for the remainder of the evening? :rolleyes:

[Keksie]

I guess that also lets out staying in the hot tubs past 6:00, running any errand before late dinner or changing to walk on the deck at night. What is a sporty outfit anyway?

[Merion_Mom]

There was a $2.00 per person charge to your Seapass account for this service.

And WHAT the heck is this?!?!?!?!

[larkwind]

We really enjoyed our Celebrity Millenium cruise because the formal nights were just that--formal! Our favorite picture is of my husband and our 3yo in their tux and blue blazer (who buys a tux for a 3yo?) doing their James Bond imitation in the arcade:). We'll miss the beautiful formal nights when we take our (much) older kids on a big family cruise this Jan on RCCL--rock wall stills ranks over formal night, but they all love pulling out the prom dresses and tux for special occasions. Go on the line that suits your tastes and enjoy!

[beachguy]

(beachchick here)

 

Question for X pax: Must I wear my heels and tiara when I go for a swim after dinner on formal night or will just my formal gown and jewelry be acceptable?:D

 

Get real: If the ship offers casual dining options, then you must expect to find pax dressed casually. It's not like they can "transport" around the ship so as not to offend the formal crowd. Nor should they be banished to their cabins--in fact, X might like to consider that such a policy could easily result in less revenue from those poor souls trapped in their cabins all night. Or wait, maybe those who choose casual dining options are then expected to go back to their cabins and dress in the formal attire they were trying to avoid in the first place.

 

And for those who insist that "it's the cruising tradition," please keep in mind that those were times when cruising was transportation, not recreation, and people dressed formally virtually all the time. Sorry, I don't care to go back to 5 layer petticoats and corsets while relaxing by the pool in the afternoon.

 

Respecting formal nights in the dining room and formal venues is one thing, expecting us all to dress formally for non-formal activities is unreasonable. If I want to go to the spa after dinner, I'm going to change--not into cut-offs and flip flops, but into a more casual sundress and low heeled sandals.

 

And I second Carol's question: A $2 charge for what? Eating in one of the regular dining venues? It's not a specialty restaurant.

 

beachchick

[Char]

(beachchick here)

And I second Carol's question: A $2 charge for what? Eating in one of the regular dining venues? It's not a specialty restaurant.

beachchick

The $2 charge in the casual dining area is the tip. You will tip your regular waiter & assistant on the last night, but the waiters in the casual dining area don't have assigned tables to serve, so the charge is for them--not Celebrity.

[FinelyCruising]

This is one of the attractions for many for X over RCCL. As for me, I am booked on Oceania in February, where there is no formal night at all! ;)

[Keksie]

We really enjoyed our Celebrity Millenium cruise because the formal nights were just that--formal! Our favorite picture is of my husband and our 3yo in their tux and blue blazer (who buys a tux for a 3yo?) doing their James Bond imitation in the arcade:). We'll miss the beautiful formal nights when we take our (much) older kids on a big family cruise this Jan on RCCL--rock wall stills ranks over formal night, but they all love pulling out the prom dresses and tux for special occasions. Go on the line that suits your tastes and enjoy!

On my three RCCL cruises formal night has been formal also. Not only did my family dress in gowns and tuxes but I never saw anyone inappropriately dressed. Some people were not dressed as formally but no one stood out as underdressed. Even on the casual nights everyone seemed appropriately dressed. I do tend to focus on the food, the fun and my companions so I guess I could have missed someone who wasn't dressed appropriately. I also don't spend anytime looking under tables to see what kind of clothing that people have on below the waist so maybe someone could have just had a nice top and had shorts on underneath. I tend to think that I am responsible for me and mine and what other people do is not really not something I can control so why fret over it.

[xranger39@aol.com]

OK-

Having sailed only X and going on my 1st RCCL cruise this yr., I can help out with this:

First of all, no, tiaras and high heels might actually hinder your swimming experience! All kidding aside, the dress code has not changed on X in the 5 yrs I have sailed with them. No one gets banished to their cabins if you are not in the dress code for the evening. It is "requested" that you remain in that evening's dinner dress guidelines if you will be going to the theater or to the casino or heading to the lounges. But yes, if you do have a spa appointment booked, then you would not be expected to arrive in a gown and then change back into one afterwards. Most people do indeed stay in the dress code guidelines. And as far as revenue being affected by dress code, it really isn't affected. The casino, lounges, and shops are full of people every night (try to find a blackjack table!) in whatever the dress code requirement is.

I believe that sporty outfit is something like slacks and sweater twin set (like country club casual).

Nonetheless, on 6 X cruises, I have never seen a passenger told to go back to their cabin or not granted permission to a show if they were not in that evening's requested attire.

I cannot reply about the $2 service chg. for the casual dining area as we have never used it, sorry! But, as posted before, I think it is a gratuity to the waiter who serves you.

[Iamthesea]

The dress code was around when we cruised with Celebrity a few years ago. I'm glad! We even saw a woman being denied entrance to the main dining room because she had on a casual shirt and khaki's during informal night. She was not happy!

[caviargal]

(beachchick here)

 

Question for X pax: Must I wear my heels and tiara when I go for a swim after dinner on formal night or will just my formal gown and jewelry be acceptable?:D

 

Get real: If the ship offers casual dining options, then you must expect to find pax dressed casually. It's not like they can "transport" around the ship so as not to offend the formal crowd. Nor should they be banished to their cabins--in fact, X might like to consider that such a policy could easily result in less revenue from those poor souls trapped in their cabins all night. Or wait, maybe those who choose casual dining options are then expected to go back to their cabins and dress in the formal attire they were trying to avoid in the first place.

 

And for those who insist that "it's the cruising tradition," please keep in mind that those were times when cruising was transportation, not recreation, and people dressed formally virtually all the time. Sorry, I don't care to go back to 5 layer petticoats and corsets while relaxing by the pool in the afternoon.

 

Respecting formal nights in the dining room and formal venues is one thing, expecting us all to dress formally for non-formal activities is unreasonable. If I want to go to the spa after dinner, I'm going to change--not into cut-offs and flip flops, but into a more casual sundress and low heeled sandals.

 

And I second Carol's question: A $2 charge for what? Eating in one of the regular dining venues? It's not a specialty restaurant.

 

beachchick

 

The $2 is for the waiter's gratuity and I think perfectly reasonable. Other lines (Crystal, etc) do the same.

 

Celebrity has a reputation of being the most elegant and formal of all the mass market lines. Their fans (me included) consider this a big plus. As a TA, I recommend this line to my clients who are looking for a more formal experience. There are plenty of options for the cruiser who prefers a more casual experience. I find it refreshing that there is still a line that does offer a formal experience.

 

If their dress "requirement" is not to your liking, and you are aware of this up front, why would you choose to cruise with Celebrity? There are lots of us that like this of X aspect very much. And since their ships are rated very highly and very popular, IMHO the biggest risk that have of jeopardizing revenue is to change what differentiates them from the masses. "If it ain't broke, don't fix it."

 

Again, there is something for everyone.

[heatherb1958]

Our first cruise was on the Mercury. My DH is not a fussy eater but sometimes just wants something plain. We were glad that there was an "alternative menu" of 3 or 4 items,which didn't change daily,included in the formal dining room menu. No one seems to have picked up on the fact that this facility was removed with X and is now served up as a casual dining experience for which a reservation is requested and also a tip.RCI still retain their alternative menu in the formal dining room .One other reason why we prefer to cruise with RCI. On all our cruises, no matter which line, we have found that the dress code has been followed.No one has stood out or been pointed out.

[emilygrace]

So are you saying that on formal night the buffet becomes "alternative casual dining" and you MUST pay the $2? I know this is a pittance, but I am just asking if there is still the regular buffet in addition to the "alternative casual dining". We are doing a 3 night repo on X next year and I really don't want to pack formal clothes for such a short cruise (yes, I know, some of you will say "then stay away from X!").

[Char]

So are you saying that on formal night the buffet becomes "alternative casual dining" and you MUST pay the $2? I know this is a pittance, but I am just asking if there is still the regular buffet in addition to the "alternative casual dining". We are doing a 3 night repo on X next year and I really don't want to pack formal clothes for such a short cruise (yes, I know, some of you will say "then stay away from X!").

There never was a dinner buffet available on Celebrity ships until the "Casual Dining Blvd." was created. This is open every night and the $2 charge is for the tip for the waiters. It is a sit down meal, not full cafeteria style dining.

[caviargal]

So are you saying that on formal night the buffet becomes "alternative casual dining" and you MUST pay the $2? I know this is a pittance, but I am just asking if there is still the regular buffet in addition to the "alternative casual dining". We are doing a 3 night repo on X next year and I really don't want to pack formal clothes for such a short cruise (yes, I know, some of you will say "then stay away from X!").

 

It is my understanding that on three night X cruises there are no formal nights; have your TA check for you.

 

And, no, there are not two buffets. If you want alternative casual, you will be charged a gratuity.

[wineandbeach]

The big difference between the dress code on Celebrity ond RCI is that people seem to follow it on Celebrity. I was cruising on RCI with 3 families who had never cruised before. I had told them that casual night is Dockers type pants and collored shirts for males and long pants (no jeans) or capris and a nice shirt for females (as it was on my past cruises on Celebrity and Hal). They did this the first couple nights on our recent cruise and then looked around and joined the crowd. T-shirts and baseball hats were seen throughout the dining room, shorts and jeans were everywhere. What a waste of a beautiful dining room. Of course everyone has thier own likes and dislikes. That is why Celebrity and RCI have remained separate. I enjoy Celebrity.

[caviargal]

The big difference between the dress code on Celebrity ond RCI is that people seem to follow it on Celebrity. I was cruising on RCI with 3 families who had never cruised before. I had told them that casual night is Dockers type pants and collored shirts for males and long pants (no jeans) or capris and a nice shirt for females (as it was on my past cruises on Celebrity and Hal). They did this the first couple nights on our recent cruise and then looked around and joined the crowd. T-shirts and baseball hats were seen throughout the dining room, shorts and jeans were everywhere. What a waste of a beautiful dining room. Of course everyone has thier own likes and dislikes. That is why Celebrity and RCI have remained separate. I enjoy Celebrity.

 

 

This and other lapses are driving me away from RCI.

[emilygrace]

Char, thanks for the info! That clears it up for me!

 

Caviargal, I will check with my TA. I know that even on a 2 night repo on Princess there was still one formal night!

[Char]

Char, thanks for the info! That clears it up for me!

 

Caviargal, I will check with my TA. I know that even on a 2 night repo on Princess there was still one formal night!

You're welcome! :D Enjoy your cruise.

[harrodsfan]

We really enjoyed our Celebrity Millenium cruise because the formal nights were just that--formal! Our favorite picture is of my husband and our 3yo in their tux and blue blazer (who buys a tux for a 3yo?) doing their James Bond imitation in the arcade:). We'll miss the beautiful formal nights when we take our (much) older kids on a big family cruise this Jan on RCCL--rock wall stills ranks over formal night, but they all love pulling out the prom dresses and tux for special occasions. Go on the line that suits your tastes and enjoy!

After lugging our formalware all over Europe prior to our cruise on th "Upscale" Millenium last year we were unhappy to see the couple at the table next to us wore jeans every night!! WE complained to Matre de and he did nothing.

Our next cuise will be RCCL in Europe and men are taking suits not tuxes...

[harrodsfan]

My post didnt' get posted....????

On our celebrity cruise last summer...the Millenium..the people at the table next to us wore jeans evey night. WE complained and nothing happened. We were upset because we had taken formalware and had to haul it all over Europe before the cruise.

[emilygrace]

Just heard from my TA and she verifies that on our 3 day repo there is no formal night. Good news for DH!