Newbie to Holland

[RIvacationgirl]

Hello everyone. My DH and I just booked the Veendam from Boston to Bermuda for July 4th. We have never sailed this line. We have the anytime dining- do we need to get really dressed up for dinner? My DH wears business casual and I usually have a dress or capris.

Any other helpful info or tips would be highly appreciated! We are so excited but we do not know anything about Holland!:):):)

Thanks to all!

[cb at sea]

Anytime dining's dress code is the same as traditional...You'll have 2 formal nights. You might want to bring something a bit dressier for those evenings.

[Tiffany18]

there are likely hundreds of posts about this topic. Use the search function along the yellow menu bar near the top of the page to search. Type your search and select Holland America on the right side.

[Crew News]

Welcome to Holland America.

 

You can wear jeans and polo shirts with athletic shoes to dinner in the Main Dining Room on smart casual nights. No shorts.

 

Formal Nights require a jacket and tie for males. Since nobody cares about your feet, wear the same athletic shoes. There are usually jackets on a rack by the MDR door if you forgot to bring one.

 

You may also dress more formally if you wish.

 

You can also order the same meal served in the Main Dining Room on Formal Nights via Room Service and wear your bathing suits while dining on your verandah.

Edited June 15, 2015 by Crew News

[poconut]

Welcome to Holland America.

 

You can wear jeans and polo shirts with athletic shoes to dinner in the Main Dining Room on smart casual nights. No shorts.

 

Formal Nights require a jacket and tie for males. Since nobody cares about your feet, wear the same athletic shoes. There are usually jackets on a rack by the MDR door if you forgot to bring one.

 

You may also dress more formally if you wish.

 

You can also order the same meal served in the Main Dining Room on Formal Nights via Room Service and wear your bathing suits while dining on your verandah.

 

Do you mean runners for formal night? Surely not. I just read a thread where sandals were not allowed for the Mariners luncheon. I would not want my husband to wear runners with a jacket and tie, or suit.:(

[kazu]

Welcome to Holland America.

 

You can wear jeans and polo shirts with athletic shoes to dinner in the Main Dining Room on smart casual nights. No shorts.

 

Formal Nights require a jacket and tie for males. Since nobody cares about your feet, wear the same athletic shoes. There are usually jackets on a rack by the MDR door if you forgot to bring one.

 

You may also dress more formally if you wish.

 

You can also order the same meal served in the Main Dining Room on Formal Nights via Room Service and wear your bathing suits while dining on your verandah.

 

Do you mean runners for formal night? Surely not. I just read a thread where sandals were not allowed for the Mariners luncheon. I would not want my husband to wear runners with a jacket and tie, or suit.:(

 

I do believe he does - or hiking boots - he posts that regularly.

 

Like you, I believe that the shoes should match the attire. If you are going to take the time to dress nicely, the feet should match ;)

[sapper1]

Do you mean runners for formal night? Surely not. I just read a thread where sandals were not allowed for the Mariners luncheon. I would not want my husband to wear runners with a jacket and tie, or suit.:(

 

Agree.

 

I suppose that might be suitable for those aspiring to the "absent minded professor" look, but for the rest of us it just says "I can't be be bothered to complete my outfit". The sneakers stand out like sore thumbs and look ridiculous.

[Crew News]

Do you mean runners for formal night? Surely not. I just read a thread where sandals were not allowed for the Mariners luncheon. I would not want my husband to wear runners with a jacket and tie, or suit.:(

 

Feel free to choose your husband's shoes but you will see athletic shoes worn by many younger passengers and by those with foot issues in the MDR on Formal Nights. In many high-tech businesses, athletic shoes are worn with business suits. HAL only requires jacket and ties. Times are definitely changing.

 

FWIW in all of my Formal Nights and Mariner's events, I have never seen anyone turned away for wearing open-toed shoes/sandals. Flip flops are another matter. HAL has a very liberal attire policy for the Mariner's Embarkation Lunch where shorts and sandals are not cause to be turned away as many passengers have not yet received their luggage to change clothing.

 

I am certain that you can find stories about being turned away for wearing sandals but items of attire other than sandals were probably the reason.

 

Formal Night attire is always a provocative topic. In the end, each person has their own sense of meeting the HAL Formal Night attire rules. Please dress both yourself and your spouse in a manner that makes you feel comfortable. Others will be doing the same.

Edited June 15, 2015 by Crew News

[poconut]

Feel free to choose your husband's shoes but you will see athletic shoes worn by many younger passengers and by those with foot issues in the MDR on Formal Nights. In many high-tech businesses, athletic shoes are worn with business suits. HAL only requires jacket and ties. Times are definitely changing.

 

FWIW in all of my Formal Nights and Mariner's events, I have never seen anyone turned away for wearing open-toed shoes/sandals. Flip flops are another matter. HAL has a very liberal attire policy for the Mariner's Embarkation Lunch where shorts and sandals are not cause to be turned away as many passengers have not yet received their luggage to change clothing.

 

I am certain that you can find stories about being turned away for wearing sandals but items of attire other than sandals were probably the reason.

 

Formal Night attire is always a provocative topic. In the end, each person has their own sense of meeting the HAL Formal Night attire rules. Please dress both yourself and your spouse in a manner that makes you feel comfortable. Others will be doing the same.

 

 

Actually, I didn't mention the embarkation lunch. It was this thread on cruise critic that mentioned the no sandals rule:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2219656

 

I don't pick my husband's clothes or shoes - he dresses himself very well. At work, too.

[kazu]

and back to the OP's question - if your husband dresses business casual (which can be very nice depending on how you define it) then all he needs is a sports jacket and tie. Alternatively, on formal nights there is the Lido or you can order in room dining from the main dining room menu as well :)

 

don't miss the fresh squeezed OJ if you like it (I do) in the mornings.

 

HAL has happy hours - you will see the times posted in the On Locations. Basically it's buy one drink and get the second for a $1.

 

If you are interested in the specialty restaurants, you can book on line or book as soon as you get on board.

 

The Pinnacle Grill lunch is really decent on most of the ships. You have to wait to board to book that but I would reserve at least one. Beats the rush of the Lido on a sea day and is such a relaxing lunch.

 

If you are a spa person, it's worth visit on embarkation day - they normally have specials.

 

Hope this helps a bit.

[Lottie A]

and back to the OP's question - if your husband dresses business casual (which can be very nice depending on how you define it) then all he needs is a sports jacket and tie. Alternatively, on formal nights there is the Lido or you can order in room dining from the main dining room menu as well :)

 

don't miss the fresh squeezed OJ if you like it (I do) in the mornings.

 

HAL has happy hours - you will see the times posted in the On Locations. Basically it's buy one drink and get the second for a $1.

 

If you are interested in the specialty restaurants, you can book on line or book as soon as you get on board.

 

The Pinnacle Grill lunch is really decent on most of the ships. You have to wait to board to book that but I would reserve at least one. Beats the rush of the Lido on a sea day and is such a relaxing lunch.

 

If you are a spa person, it's worth visit on embarkation day - they normally have specials.

 

Hope this helps a bit.

 

Thanks Kazu, it certainly helps me as a HAL newbie. My friend Hazel and I do like the idea of happy hour! :)

 

As for "athletic shoes" at a formal night.....OMG! it certainly wouldn't be my American partner's opinion on what shoes to wear with his tux. He looks fabulous all dressed up....and he knows it too! :D

[Krazy Kruizers]

The Happy Hours are usually from 4 - 5 PM in the Crows Nest and Ocean Bar -- this can vary a little by ship. Thus you should check your daily "On Location" program for the time and place. And there is no dress code for this -- just no bathing suits.

There may be also be another Happy Hour late in the evening in either Casino or Northern Lights -- again it depends on the ship.

And the drinks must be the same one.

HAL is not quite as formal as it used to be. All too often we have seen men wear just a jacket and no tie on formal nights.

[RIvacationgirl]

Thank you all for such timely answers.

It has been exciting and a little overwhelming for us to book so close to embarkation and on a new cruise line. The helpful hints are very much appreciated. I look forward to any others tips you all have to offer. We are used to cruising NCL so the formal nights are very different from Freestyle cruising. The ship holds the smallest number of passengers we have ever been sailing with. So this will also be a different experience.

Happy Sailing!

[RIvacationgirl]

Is there an ATM on board?

Can you bring a case of bottled water on board?

Do they have a self walk off with luggage when debarking?:)

Edited June 15, 2015 by RIvacationgirl

[sapper1]

We just got off the Veendam on Saturday and my husband and I were remarking, that on this cruise at least, there were quite a number of long gowns being worn. In fact, most people looked lovely on formal night. There were more business suits and sport jacket/pants outfit than tuxes though.

People seemed to be making an effort on smart casual nights as well.

 

Florence Henderson was on board and she looked stunning. She was also a very gracious lady. I was watching her in the Ocean Bar as she posed for pictures with fans.

[POA1]

We just got off the Veendam on Saturday and my husband and I were remarking, that on this cruise at least, there were quite a number of long gowns being worn. In fact, most people looked lovely on formal night. There were more business suits and sport jacket/pants outfit than tuxes though.

People seemed to be making an effort on smart casual nights as well.

 

Florence Henderson was on board and she looked stunning. She was also a very gracious lady. I was watching her in the Ocean Bar as she posed for pictures with fans.

Very cool.

[Bailey & Sophie]

Agree.

 

I suppose that might be suitable for those aspiring to the "absent minded professor" look, but for the rest of us it just says "I can't be be bothered to complete my outfit". The sneakers stand out like sore thumbs and look ridiculous.

I did have to wear my sneakers in the MDR on a cruise. I had sprained my ankle (3rd day on an 11 day cruise!!). They were the only shoes that would fit. I wore long dresses each night to sort of cover them up. The wheel chair helped my cause, too!

To be honest, I would NOT suggest spraining one's ankle to avoid wearing dressier shoes!!!

[RIvacationgirl]

It would have been very exciting to see such an icon of my childhood TV shows! :p

[sapper1]

I did have to wear my sneakers in the MDR on a cruise. I had sprained my ankle (3rd day on an 11 day cruise!!). They were the only shoes that would fit. I wore long dresses each night to sort of cover them up. The wheel chair helped my cause, too!

To be honest, I would NOT suggest spraining one's ankle to avoid wearing dressier shoes!!!

 

LOL---Don't give people creative ideas. There are some who just might resort to anything to avoid dressing for formal nights. :D

[Lauranne]

OP. Be sure to check out the roll call for the Maasdam July 4, 2015 cruise. You may find a few helpful tips there.

Laurie

[RIvacationgirl]

OP. Be sure to check out the roll call for the Maasdam July 4, 2015 cruise. You may find a few helpful tips there.

Laurie

 

Thank you, I will!:D

[gxchan]

Welcome to Holland America.

 

You can wear jeans and polo shirts with athletic shoes to dinner in the Main Dining Room on smart casual nights. No shorts.

 

Formal Nights require a jacket and tie for males. Since nobody cares about your feet, wear the same athletic shoes. There are usually jackets on a rack by the MDR door if you forgot to bring one.

 

You may also dress more formally if you wish.

 

You can also order the same meal served in the Main Dining Room on Formal Nights via Room Service and wear your bathing suits while dining on your verandah.

 

Hi Crew News! I found this thread in my research and am so glad I did! Thanks, as always, for the great info.

[gxchan]

Hello everyone. My DH and I just booked the Veendam from Boston to Bermuda for July 4th. We have never sailed this line. We have the anytime dining- do we need to get really dressed up for dinner? My DH wears business casual and I usually have a dress or capris.

Any other helpful info or tips would be highly appreciated! We are so excited but we do not know anything about Holland!:):):)

Thanks to all!

 

Thanks for posting this, I'm new to HAL, too, sailing 11/30/15 partial Panama cruise, and found the responses very helpful. Enjoy your cruise:)