Definition of "Public Areas" for dress code?

Tarpeian Rock · August 13, 2014

The answer, if anyone is actually asking, is "up the aft stairway." That's how you get to the lido to eat on a formal night if you're not going to the dining room. Yes, casual clothes are acceptable as long as you're not going to go traipsing through the main areas of the ship.

Surely this "rule" only applies to the Titanicdam. Wasn't there a scene in the movie where the Third Class passages were told to use their own separate stairs?

Linda&Vern · August 13, 2014

i disagree, i think this is the silliest thread on cc hence the introduction of aple pie :d

"like button"

Edited August 13, 2014 by Linda&Vern

Windsailer · August 13, 2014

I always assumed that the Fashion Police existed - and now I know they do for sure. I've been on more than 1/2 of the HAL ships, some numerous times. I have never gone to formal night. I eat in the Lido on those evenings - and take my regular stair/elevator/all the way from my forward cabin to the Lido path. I don't skulk or hide that fact that my clean and pressed attire is not what passes for "formal" on a HAL ship.

After dinner I'll head to the Casino or Showroom - still wearing the same clothes. And not take the "back alley" if there really is one. Never gotten a second look from an HAL crew based on what I wear on those evenings.

So not to worry about "traipsing" through the ship without formal clothes.

BTW - I have seen people in the Lido wearing "formal" clothes on formal evening. Whatever.

janmcn · August 13, 2014

As a digression from this a bit…on the Ryndam in Feb. my husband was asked to use one of their jackets when he entered the MDR on Formal Night (we never go there for formal night, but my brother, who had a jacket, asked us to join them.) My husband had a dress shirt and tie on (and good slacks), but they still required him to wear one of their standby jackets (that was miles too big.) I actually was happy to see them require some kind of dress code rather than "anything goes" that is bizarre to see on Formal Night.

Cruising-along · August 13, 2014

...

BTW - I have seen people in the Lido wearing "formal" clothes on formal evening. Whatever.

So have I. Every cruise we've been on.

peaches from georgia · August 13, 2014

We started cruising in 2003 and from that very cruise on the minute you walk out of the MDR dressed formal there are lots of pax dressed casually (shorts, t-shirts, etc.) all over the public rooms enjoying all parts of the ship. Some may have been dressed that way all evening and some have changed out of their formal attire. HAL really should take that "public rooms" stuff out of their dress code. They haven't enforced it in years and never will and it just ends up causing arguments which are a total waste of time on threads like this.

Theodorable · August 13, 2014

These threads are so much fun. It is always the same few people who try frighten the poor newbies into thinking they absolutely must wear formal gear all over the ship on formal night.

I have been on lots of different lines and once dinner is over, we change, we will get dressed up for dinner (much to my husband's annoyance...but he does it for me). So do a vast number of people. We want to be comfortable watching a show or having a drink in the evening or walking on the deck.

I do love seeing people on these threads tying themselves in knots though about formal wear.....must drive them crazy to see so many casual people walking around.

Lizzie68 · August 13, 2014

I have yet to see one of the scare-mongers inform anyone how a passenger is to get from A to B dressed informally. And for any newbies who don't intend to "do" formal night - no, HAL definitely does NOT expect you stay hidden in your cabin on formal night.

GUT2407 · August 13, 2014

Is someone getting paid a royalty for every time apple pie is mentioned? Sure seems that way:D. That gets my vote for the silliest thread ever on cc.

Which was the intention.

cruz chic · August 13, 2014

These threads are so much fun. It is always the same few people who try frighten the poor newbies into thinking they absolutely must wear formal gear all over the ship on formal night.

I have been on lots of different lines and once dinner is over, we change, we will get dressed up for dinner (much to my husband's annoyance...but he does it for me). So do a vast number of people. We want to be comfortable watching a show or having a drink in the evening or walking on the deck.

I do love seeing people on these threads tying themselves in knots though about formal wear.....must drive them crazy to see so many casual people walking around.

I do hate panti hose but my formal clothes aren't uncomfortable. I always wonder what people are wearing that hurts so much. I hate jeans because to me, they are uncomfortable.

kazu · August 13, 2014

This is a silly thread and frankly the apple pie thread (actually the fun thread) sums up a lot of the first few posts. but seriously....

If we are going to be critical....We do late dining, 8:00 pm so, are we expected to have formal wear on at 4:00 pm to match the early diners?

Sorry, we don't - we might just be coming back from a tour, whatever, the odds are we are not dressed up yet. Should we slink up the stair well?

taxmantoo · August 13, 2014

Sorry, we don't - we might just be coming back from a tour, whatever, the odds are we are not dressed up yet. Should we slink up the stair well?

We have the same problem. We often go the Ocean Bar or other for happy hour (apprx 4 - 6 pm) when coming back from an excursion. On formal night, it is not rare to encounter people in their formal wear at that time. I was once reminded by a rather rude gentleman that it was formal night and we should respect the dress code. I reminded him that it was called "formal night" NOT "formal afternoon" and that I would gladly don my tuxedo when the time came.

Fouremco · August 13, 2014

The problem with this thread, starting with the OP's title, is that HAL's current website and cruise documents are absolutely silent on the subject of "where" formal dress is expected. It addresses the subject of "when" (In order to complement your fellow guests, Holland America Line asks that you observe the suggested dress code throughout the entire evening) but there is no mention of "where". Other than a few newcomers to HAL or CC, the majority of the participants are making comments based upon past policy/rules/code, not on HAL's current stated expectations.

Windsailer · August 13, 2014

We have the same problem. We often go the Ocean Bar or other for happy hour (apprx 4 - 6 pm) when coming back from an excursion. On formal night, it is not rare to encounter people in their formal wear at that time. I was once reminded by a rather rude gentleman that it was formal night and we should respect the dress code. I reminded him that it was called "formal night" NOT "formal afternoon" and that I would gladly don my tuxedo when the time came.

Not sure I would have been that polite. I think "just chill" would be an appropriate response.

And as to the query about why not wear formal clothes...been there and done that for way too many years. And just not interested in doing that anymore.

Seago2 · August 13, 2014

Lol! This is what happens when I have a crazy day at work and don't watch important dress code threads all day. My words become part of the thread lexicon- and not in a good way!

I didn't mean skulking was necessary, nor did I mean to portray people who walk through common areas in non-formal clothes as "traipsing." I should have stated that FOR ME during dinner service if I'm not wearing formal clothes I do indeed stay away from the main public areas. I traipse up the aft stairway to the lido.

That's me! Just me.

And FYI, I am the most anti-dress code person out there. I work in a suit all day long every day of the week- believe me when I tell you I do NOT want to force my bunion-ed feet into dress up shoes. There are some minimum standards, such as sleeveless shirts for men and baseball caps- that should be enforced in the dining rooms. But this whole notion of what people wear on formal night even qualifying as "formal wear" is ridic. I can definitely see why the luxury lines are doing away with this practice altogether and embracing cruise casual all the time. For working, professional people, dressing up is usually the last thing one desires on vacation.

No need to flame me- I'm speaking of my opinion and practice only.

kazu · August 13, 2014

We have the same problem. We often go the Ocean Bar or other for happy hour (apprx 4 - 6 pm) when coming back from an excursion. On formal night, it is not rare to encounter people in their formal wear at that time. I was once reminded by a rather rude gentleman that it was formal night and we should respect the dress code. I reminded him that it was called "formal night" NOT "formal afternoon" and that I would gladly don my tuxedo when the time came.

thank you. Glad it's not just me. We dine at 8:00 pm - I'm not dressed at 4:00 pm and like you we do dress nicely - this is where it all gets nuts.

I am actually now looking forward to my Oceania cruise where there is no formal attire. but I suspect, that what is my 'sneaky forma attire' on some nights will be there country club casual on some evenings :)

Lol! This is what happens when I have a crazy day at work and don't watch important dress code threads all day. My words become part of the thread lexicon- and not in a good way!

I didn't mean skulking was necessary, nor did I mean to portray people who walk through common areas in non-formal clothes as "traipsing." I should have stated that FOR ME during dinner service if I'm not wearing formal clothes I do indeed stay away from the main public areas. I traipse up the aft stairway to the lido.

That's me! Just me.

And FYI, I am the most anti-dress code person out there. I work in a suit all day long every day of the week- believe me when I tell you I do NOT want to force my bunion-ed feet into dress up shoes. There are some minimum standards, such as sleeveless shirts for men and baseball caps- that should be enforced in the dining rooms. But this whole notion of what people wear on formal night even qualifying as "formal wear" is ridic. I can definitely see why the luxury lines are doing away with this practice altogether and embracing cruise casual all the time. For working, professional people, dressing up is usually the last thing one desires on vacation.

No need to flame me- I'm speaking of my opinion and practice only.

no worries :) Life is too short. We do dress for the occasion but I will never take the steps up the aft. I will take the steps down though to the Prinsendam forward dining room in a few weeks :)

POA1 · August 13, 2014

If we are going to be critical....We do late dining, 8:00 pm so, are we expected to have formal wear on at 4:00 pm to match the early diners?

Sorry, we don't - we might just be coming back from a tour, whatever, the odds are we are not dressed up yet. Should we slink up the stair well?

We're a late fixed seating people as well. While we try to adhere to the dress code all evening, sometimes - like you - we are just getting back to the ship at five o'clock. We pin a picture to our shirts, showing ourselves all decked out in our evening finery. There's a little bit of text at the bottom that reads, "Coming Soon. Please pardon the inconvenience." This tells people that our hearts our in the right place and keeps us out of the subterranean tunnels.

Lizzie68 · August 13, 2014

Lol! This is what happens when I have a crazy day at work and don't watch important dress code threads all day. My words become part of the thread lexicon- and not in a good way!

I didn't mean skulking was necessary, nor did I mean to portray people who walk through common areas in non-formal clothes as "traipsing." I should have stated that FOR ME during dinner service if I'm not wearing formal clothes I do indeed stay away from the main public areas. I traipse up the aft stairway to the lido.

That's me! Just me.

And FYI, I am the most anti-dress code person out there. I work in a suit all day long every day of the week- believe me when I tell you I do NOT want to force my bunion-ed feet into dress up shoes. There are some minimum standards, such as sleeveless shirts for men and baseball caps- that should be enforced in the dining rooms. But this whole notion of what people wear on formal night even qualifying as "formal wear" is ridic. I can definitely see why the luxury lines are doing away with this practice altogether and embracing cruise casual all the time. For working, professional people, dressing up is usually the last thing one desires on vacation.

No need to flame me- I'm speaking of my opinion and practice only.

It's not your post that has gotten this going - it's the one that insists that coming out of your cabin in the hallways requires formal dress.;)

Seago2 · August 13, 2014

It's not your post that has gotten this going - it's the one that insists that coming out of your cabin in the hallways requires formal dress.;)

The grain of salt I always take with me when I venture over here prevented that post from riling me up. Years of observing that poster's thoughts have made me immune.

IRL_Joanie · August 14, 2014

Jumping in here for the final time and will not open this thread again......

ONCE AGAIN, I have been misquoted and/or a sentence taken and used Out Of Context by another CC member reading their own thoughts into what I actually stated!!!

For the Record, my Original Post:

............Definition of "Public Areas" for dress code

My definition of "Public Areas" is once you step over the threshold to leave your stateroom you are in a public area.

Joanie

The grain of salt I always take with me when I venture over here prevented that post from riling me up. Years of observing that poster's thoughts have made me immune.

"Originally Posted by Lizzie68

It's not your post that has gotten this going - it's the one that insists that coming out of your cabin in the hallways requires formal dress.;)"

NOWHERE did I state what Lizzie68 says that I said!!!

OP asked for definition of PUBLIC AREAS, I stated my thoughts of where Public Areas begin. Nothing More!!

For those that like to quote me, PLEASE quote me in entirety or at least allude to the fact that you are twisting what I say.