Formal nights getting really casual ....

[Tedferg]

I like the idea of enforced dressy casual. Golf clubs that I have played at have no problem enforcing - no collarless shirts, shirts tucked in, no Blue Jeans etc.

 

Would definitely enforce no caps in MDR.

 

On one cruise I wore long sleeve shirt and dress slacks - felt underdressed when all other men were in suits. So grey suit every time since.

 

77 male Country Club Casual

76 female - looks gorgeous in anything :)

[jgpdx]

We were on the Pacific Princess last Nov. Table next to us four men wore baseball hats and sandals every night including formal nights in the main dinning room. Someone did ask them why they could not remove their hats during dinner and they said "we paid a ton of $$ on this cruise and we are going to dress as we like and if you don't like it then leave. How rude.

 

This kind of rude entitlement is a good part of why many hold on to semi-formal nights, when they don't necessarily do that on shore. It is a slippery slope into "happy meal " ambiance.

[Thrak]

While there is much to this, I actually think that it places more pressure on the cruise line to enforce what amounts to an amorphous dress code. For example, your suggestion would prohibit "tacky t-shirts". Who gets to make the call on tackiness? Right now, we all seem to agree that the lack of strict enforcement of the current Formal Night dress code derives from an unwillingness to offend passengers and a desire to avoid confrontation at all costs. Can you imagine a crew member having to approach a passenger and telling them that their "favorite t-shirt" is too tacky for admission into the MDR? Never happen. So the idea of "strict" enforcement of anything is pretty much out of the question as long as the cruise line wants to avoid confrontation. So which is better...loose enforcement of a fairly strict dress code or loose enforcement of a loose dress code? For people who want to retain a more elegant atmosphere once every three or four days, the latter would never suffice. There are many other cruise lines that have exactly the type of dress code that you describe, every night of the week. Perhaps customers just need to do a better job of marrying their wants and needs to the cruise line that best provide those, instead of trying to force changes on cruise lines that do not provide what they want and need.

 

I have seen a tee shirt that said (spelled out properly - the asterisks are mine): F**k You You F*****g F**k!

 

That is way too tacky for me. I certainly felt it was out of place when I saw it in the grocery store and again in a bank.

 

As for enforcement, I believe they should have an OFFICER enforce the dress code. Don't put that pressure on some poor crew member.

 

As for the query in another post:

 

62 Male: Formal

63 Female: Formal

[Colo Cruiser]

I have seen a tee shirt that said (spelled out properly - the asterisks are mine): F**k You You F*****g F**k!

 

That is way too tacky for me. I certainly felt it was out of place when I saw it in the grocery store and again in a bank.

 

As for enforcement, I believe they should have an OFFICER enforce the dress code. Don't put that pressure on some poor crew member.

 

As for the query in another post:

 

62 Male: Formal

63 Female: Formal

 

 

I told you to get rid of that t-shirt.

[Thrak]

We were on the Pacific Princess last Nov. Table next to us four men wore baseball hats and sandals every night including formal nights in the main dinning room. Someone did ask them why they could not remove their hats during dinner and they said "we paid a ton of $$ on this cruise and we are going to dress as we like and if you don't like it then leave. How rude.

 

Hats are never to be worn inside, let alone at dinner. I am always blown away by the people wearing ball caps in restaurants. Apparently they were raised by clueless people. Of course I also believe that underwear belongs "under". I don't want to see some woman's whale tail from her thong nor do I want to see some slob's boxers where his pants are hanging down.

[mattie00]

Female 66...no formal

Male 62...no formal

[partybarbie]

Female 54 - fancy cocktail dress or long gown

 

Male 50 - nice dark suit and long-sleeved shirt with a tie

 

I feel we are "middle of road" and that our dress would be described as semi-formal, although some passengers would probably think this is formal.

 

It doesn't bother us if other passengers follow at least a minimal dress code of dress or nice pants and top for the ladies, or even dress slacks and a nice collared shirt for the gentlemen.

 

What truly bothers us, is those few passengers who dress inappropriately to appear anywhere in public. I know they "paid for their cruise" but I shouldn't have to throw up in mouth a little when I pass them.

[Potstech]

64 Male country club Casual

62 Female Nice coths at all evening meals.

[shredie]

Who gets to make the call on tackiness?

I'll volunteer. :D Maybe we can form a team so there's one of us on every ship every time. I will take the first shift on the Regal. :p

I told you to get rid of that t-shirt.

 

Wasn't there someone recently who was tossed off a plane for a shirt like that? (Well, before it took off. LOL.)

[SoCal Cruiser78]

...As for enforcement, I believe they should have an OFFICER enforce the dress code. Don't put that pressure on some poor crew member...

 

Not a bad idea! Either that or give staff "immunity" from complaints. Years ago, passengers were turned away at the MDR for improper dress, but I understand that now cruise staff are afraid of complaints against them if they do it. I saw some serious eye-rolling, though, from the maître d' on the Golden as pax with ripped jeans and t-shirts were being seated at dinner :rolleyes:.

[SoCal Cruiser78]

I have seen a tee shirt that said (spelled out properly - the asterisks are mine): F**k You You F*****g F**k!

 

Perhaps they'll bedazzle it for formal night :D.

[partybarbie]

I just think it's sad when the waiters and room stewards are dressed nicer than the passengers.:(

[JimmyVWine]

I'll volunteer. :D

If you hadn't volunteered, I would have nominated you!:)

[JimmyVWine]

That is way too tacky for me. I certainly felt it was out of place when I saw it in the grocery store and again in a bank.

I suppose there is a point where subjectivity becomes universal....except some person was actually wearing that t-shirt, and someone else sold it, and someone else manufactured it. So maybe it isn't universal at all.

 

If I were manning the door and steerlers36 showed up wearing a Jerome Bettis "game worn" jersey, it would be: "Right this way. I have a great table for you." If someone else showed up wearing a Ray Lewis jersey, it would be: "Uhhh. The buffet is up on Lido Deck!" :D

[AKman2495]

I just think it's sad when the waiters and room stewards are dressed nicer than the passengers.:(

 

Hear! Hear!

[AKman2495]

I suppose there is a point where subjectivity becomes universal....except some person was actually wearing that t-shirt, and someone else sold it, and someone else manufactured it. So maybe it isn't universal at all.

 

If I were manning the door and steerlers36 showed up wearing a Jerome Bettis "game worn" jersey, it would be: "Right this way. I have a great table for you." If someone else showed up wearing a Ray Lewis jersey, it would be: "Uhhh. The buffet is up on Lido Deck!" :D

 

That brings to mind the bunch of ladies wearing their orange Bronco's jerseys in the casino on the Crown during last year's Super Bowl. By the half, they looked embarrassed....

[Steelers36]

 

If I were manning the door and steerlers36 showed up wearing a Jerome Bettis "game worn" jersey, it would be: "Right this way. I have a great table for you." If someone else showed up wearing a Ray Lewis jersey, it would be: "Uhhh. The buffet is up on Lido Deck!" :D

 

Oh you are funny my friend:D, but if I tried that, there might be a Patriots fan at the door that night and I'd be out of luck.

[Steelers36]

That brings to mind the bunch of ladies wearing their orange Bronco's jerseys in the casino on the Crown during last year's Super Bowl. By the half, they looked embarrassed....

 

But I give them full marks for supporting their team. Sure, I'm a die-hard Steelers fan, but I'm also a NFL fan.

[TW6cruiser]

Just finished an Alaska cruise on Coral. My husband wore a tux and our friend a suit. In the anytime dining almost 90 percent of men had on suit or tux. More suits but still dressy. Less people in dining those nights. Lots of people around the ship in casual so we assumed they went to the buffet.

[PhoneGoddess]

I would be curious to hear from those on this thread ...........What is your age? It would be interesting to know what demographics of age groups / generation that are holding on to dressing formal and which are not. This is ours.

 

60 Female No Formal

63 Male No Formal

 

49 Female Formal

54 Male Formal

[SoCal Cruiser78]

Just finished an Alaska cruise on Coral. My husband wore a tux and our friend a suit. In the anytime dining almost 90 percent of men had on suit or tux. More suits but still dressy. Less people in dining those nights. Lots of people around the ship in casual so we assumed they went to the buffet.

 

Glad to hear it. That sounds like the way it is supposed to work. Do you recall if MDR dress code was mentioned at all beyond in the Patter? I seem to recall verbal announcements/reminders years ago when dress codes were more strictly enforced to avoid embarrassment at the MDR doors.

[Iamcruzin]

I just think it's sad when the waiters and room stewards are dressed nicer than the passengers.:(

 

 

All I see when they serve is a uniform for that particular evening.

[SteelMagnolia9]

57 - Formal, been known to wear my tiara:)

[shredie]

All I see when they serve is a uniform for that particular evening.

 

On Princess, there are only a couple of special uniforms, Italian night and American night, as I recall. The rest of the time they wear their usual uniforms, and for the waiters that includes a jacket. The junior waiters will be dressed slightly differently. The Italian costume is supposed to look like a gondola pilot, I think, and some wear it more successfully than others. :)

[Iamcruzin]

I would be curious to hear from those on this thread ...........What is your age? It would be interesting to know what demographics of age groups / generation that are holding on to dressing formal and which are not. This is ours.

 

 

 

60 Female No Formal

 

63 Male No Formal

 

 

55 Male No Formal night

47 Female No Formal night.

 

Truth be told the food on formal night has been slipping along with the dress code. Small rubber lobster and dry Beef Wellington. Next trip we plan to eat both nights in a specialty restaurant. The meal will be better and it will cost less than buying new formal clothing.