New Dress Code

[Oville]

Here is a polite solution to the situation. On the first evening on board anyone at table that arrives in less than proper gear should be asked if their luggage has not arrived in their stateroom. Then on the second night if they are still under the standards, one can query if their luggage has still not been delivered. If they ask why you might ask the question, they have then opened the door to your comment that since they had not dressed properly you could only assume they lacked the proper attire.

 

On the third evening the offender by then proving to be totally dense or not caring, one then approaches the Maître 'd for another table with hopefully a less boorish mate and makes people like us not want to cruise HAL.

 

All done politely.

 

Your first question would be rude bordering on "boorish". On the second evening the same question would be beyond rude and now totally "boorish" and my guess is your table mates would have already approached the Maitre'd and asked to be moved.

 

Your comments are so old fashion and turn younger potential HAL cruisers off. The cruise line by design has decided to be less formal. If you don't like it move on but please don't insult people with different tastes in clothing, it's "boorish".

Edited May 10, 2016 by Oville

[iancal]

We have been fortunate. In all our years of cruising, on many ships and many cruise lines, we have never been seated, or sat, with people who happened to be wearing dirty clothes or who had excessive body order. Everything from suits to t shirts. We have been seated with lots of interesting people. They may be out there but we have not come across them. Cannot comment on other tables in the dining room though as we did not keep a checklist.

 

We have sat with complete boors though. People who went on and on with drivel about their faith and why it was the right one, their political leanings with the same drivel, their talented children/grandchildren, their occupations, or their social standings. The only really bad smells came from those who doused themselves in smelly aftershave or perfumes. And the odd tablemate (invariably female) who felt it was her duty to comment on the attire of other women who happened to walk by the table Fortunately these people formed the absolute minority of fellow guests. By far, we have been fortunate to have wonderful tablemates. Could not even begin to tell you what they happened to be wearing because it had no bearing on our enjoyment of the meal and we were too busy enjoying the conversation.

Edited May 10, 2016 by iancal

[shellsrus]

Why do some folks worry so much about what other people are wearing? Personal hygiene I can understand, but clothes? Does it so negatively effect the dining experience to see someone without a jacket or tie on gala night, or, god forbid, in a collarless shirt? We pay money to cruise to have a good time, not sit in judgement of fellow guests. Leave the attitudes at home.

[kevingastreich]

As I said on another post, we are too busy enjoying ourselves to watch what others wear during the day and ascertain if they have showered and changed their clothes for dinner.

 

We do not want to become a couple of busybodies.

 

Somehow, I think even you would notice if a Shrek look-alike/smell-alike was seated at or near your table.

[dogo88]

Why do some folks worry so much about what other people are wearing? Personal hygiene I can understand, but clothes? Does it so negatively effect the dining experience to see someone without a jacket or tie on gala night, or, god forbid, in a collarless shirt? We pay money to cruise to have a good time, not sit in judgement of fellow guests. Leave the attitudes at home.

 

You are correct. Unfortunately, long term HAL traditionalists are fighting this evolution with their incessant negative comments and browbeating. I have to give HAL a lot of credit on their move. Many of the younger crowd are not into this formal tux/suit issue and just won't go. So for HAL it is a business decision. We are just happy to not have to schlep all the extras.

 

Like you we pay good money to cruise and relax not impress.

 

Dan

[alwaysfrantic]

We have taken tuxes and gowns for some cruises. Last one just did the suit and my dresses were not particularly dressy. With the new change we are both happy that the travel blue blazer is likely all he has to take.

 

If we meet their guidelines no reason in the world for us to feel like we need the Lido. He wears a suit every day, all day. There is no "special feeling" about putting it on for dinner. It is more celebratory for us to not feel obligated.

[kevingastreich]

We have taken tuxes and gowns for some cruises. Last one just did the suit and my dresses were not particularly dressy. With the new change we are both happy that the travel blue blazer is likely all he has to take.

 

If we meet their guidelines no reason in the world for us to feel like we need the Lido. He wears a suit every day, all day. There is no "special feeling" about putting it on for dinner. It is more celebratory for us to not feel obligated.

 

I can definitely understand people who wear suits all day long not wanting to wear one on a cruise also. The only times I get to wear a suit are weddings, funerals and cruises! :p

[RocketMan275]

I can definitely understand people who wear suits all day long not wanting to wear one on a cruise also. The only times I get to wear a suit are weddings, funerals and cruises! :p

 

Actually, you could wear a suit anytime you wish. No need to limit yourself to weddings, funerals, and cruises.

[iancal]

We too are very pleased that HAL appears to be taking steps to move forward and define itself. The change to Gala was a good indication.

 

Even more encouraging was bringing in an outsider for the senior executive role. I think it reasonable to expect further changes to the team. Long overdue.

 

K'dam sounds like a great leap forward for HAL. Something designed to bring back people who have abandoned the line and attract others who otherwise would not sail on HAL. Hopefully HAL will find a buyer for a few of it's problem prone vessels and replace them with K'dam type ships.

 

It is good to see HAL moving to where the puck is going to be instead of where it was during the last period as it were.

[FRANKIEDNYC]

:) Just left 55 day Grand Med cruise on Prinsendam and I would say almost everyone was dressed about 40% tuxes and 50% Dark suits rest still nicely dressed (sport coats etc)

[ithaca gal]

:) Just left 55 day Grand Med cruise on Prinsendam and I would say almost everyone was dressed about 40% tuxes and 50% Dark suits rest still nicely dressed (sport coats etc)

 

I can only speak about the cruises I've been on lately and I am happy to say that the vast majority of passengers did not decide that they wanted to go casual even on Gala Night. We enjoyed the ambiance.

[vivAtornado]

Your comments are so old fashion and turn younger potential HAL cruisers off. The cruise line by design has decided to be less formal. If you don't like it move on but please don't insult people with different tastes in clothing, it's "boorish".

 

 

preach. every generation has their opinion on what is proper - there is no right answer here.

 

for myself - yeah, i usually put on something i would wear to work for the "formal" nights, but other nights? i have no objection to wearing a nice pair of jeans and a non t-shirt top.

 

i have subscriptions to the theater here in LA, and i wear jeans to that on a regular basis. and i never wear anything but sneakers.

 

doesn't bother anyone else that i dress how I'm comfortable. live and let live.

[kelleherdl]

preach. every generation has their opinion on what is proper - there is no right answer here.

 

for myself - yeah, i usually put on something i would wear to work for the "formal" nights, but other nights? i have no objection to wearing a nice pair of jeans and a non t-shirt top.

 

i have subscriptions to the theater here in LA, and i wear jeans to that on a regular basis. and i never wear anything but sneakers.

 

doesn't bother anyone else that i dress how I'm comfortable. live and let live.

 

 

Go for it....

 

I overdress (compared to the general) everywhere I go.... just what I and my wife choose to do. Church, out to dinner, theater, whatever. I hope the rest of the folks are not offended. :o

 

For the last several years before I retired I was significantly 'overdressed' at work. It made folks smile to see someone in a bow tie walking down the hall. Did I cause anybody to dress a little up, particularly my fellow male workers? Not at all. But the occasional smile I elicited was worth it.

 

I will take my tux on an NCL, Carnival, or RCCL cruise, as well as HAL. I would never expect that a majority, or even a significant minority, of my fellow passengers would do the same.

 

As many have said; 'it's my vacation, I'll dress the way I feel the most comfortable among my fellow passengers.' ; even if it is a little overdressed above the norm.

 

Dennis

[Cindy]

Here is a polite solution to the situation. On the first evening on board anyone at table that arrives in less than proper gear should be asked if their luggage has not arrived in their stateroom. Then on the second night if they are still under the standards, one can query if their luggage has still not been delivered. If they ask why you might ask the question, they have then opened the door to your comment that since they had not dressed properly you could only assume they lacked the proper attire.

 

On the third evening the offender by then proving to be totally dense or not caring, one then approaches the Maître 'd for another table with hopefully a less boorish mate.

 

All done politely.

 

I'm going to try this again and see if it sticks today...obviously I offended someone with my response yesterday.:o

 

You would not have to approach the Maître d' about a table change seeking "less boorish" mates, because I would have done so as quickly as possible after your first inquiry. I would find your questioning to be the improper behavior, and I wouldn't want to be subjected to your judgment every evening.

[take us away]

:) Just left 55 day Grand Med cruise on Prinsendam and I would say almost everyone was dressed about 40% tuxes and 50% Dark suits rest still nicely dressed (sport coats etc)

 

Just off the world cruise and also found this to be true - thankfully, as I love to 'dress up'. There are always the people who refuse to dress, or even wear long pants during the evening, and they usually ate in the Lido. Did notice shorter cruises, especially in the Caribbean, tend to have fewer people dressing for formal night.

[StolidCruiser]

I'm going to try this again and see if it sticks today...obviously I offended someone with my response yesterday.:o

 

You would not have to approach the Maître d' about a table change seeking "less boorish" mates, because I would have done so as quickly as possible after your first inquiry. I would find your questioning to be the improper behavior, and I wouldn't want to be subjected to your judgment every evening.

 

So either way, both parties would get what they wanted.

 

Sounds like a win-win to me.

[dakrewser]

i have subscriptions to the theater here in LA, and i wear jeans to that on a regular basis. and i never wear anything but sneakers.

 

doesn't bother anyone else that i dress how I'm comfortable. live and let live.

 

Actually, you've no idea whether or not it bothered anyone else - most likely they were too polite to say anything.

[jtl513]

I would find your questioning to be the improper behavior, and I wouldn't want to be subjected to your judgment every evening.

I agree. It's up to the Maitre d' to decide what is acceptable dress, not rude table-mates.

[mightycruisequeen]

I agree. It's up to the Maitre d' to decide what is acceptable dress, not rude table-mates. [/size]

 

Exactly! :D Why not just let the Maitre d' do his job & enjoy our vacation?

[dmcfad2]

I just got off the Konningsdam. Gala nights were pretty casual compared to previous cruises. Your hubby won't need a coat if you are trying to conserve space, just a nice collared shirt and slacks. I wore black slacks and a dressy top and fit it just fine. Have fun!

[iancal]

Good. This is exactly what we take/wear on all of our cruises. Hoping to be on K'dam this fall. Alternate venue will be a change from Lido on formal/gala evening.

Edited May 11, 2016 by iancal

[RocketMan275]

I agree. It's up to the Maitre d' to decide what is acceptable dress, not rude table-mates. [/size]

 

Actually, there are some cruisers who do not agree with that. I've seen posts here on CC, not this line but a comparable line, where posters recounted:

- escorting the Matre d' through the MDR pointing out what they though was inappropriate dress.

- meeting with the Matre d' prior to the first formal night in order to "ensure he had a proper understanding of the dress code".

- demanding that the head waiter escort a passenger they felt was improperly dressed to another table in a loud manner to designed to embarrass that passenger.

[kevingastreich]

Actually, you could wear a suit anytime you wish. No need to limit yourself to weddings, funerals, and cruises.

 

What would you think if your plumber showed up in a suit? :eek:

[RocketMan275]

What would you think if your plumber showed up in a suit? :eek:

 

I would think I'm on Cunard.

[kevingastreich]

I would think I'm on Cunard.

 

HeHe. Good one! :D