Another dress code question

[Herfnerd]

Dh and I just cruised to alaska on Amsterdam.

 

We didn't do Gala night. On the other nights I wore black slacks and pretty tops, not sequined or that sort of style. Dh wore Docker-type pants and black polo shirt/collared. We looked fine in comparison to other folks. We don't really do fancy or have those types of things to wear.

 

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Just curious - did you mean you were dressed comparable to the other diners or nicer? Our first Alaskan and HAL - just familiar with what was worn in the MDR on Carnival on Caribbean routes

 

 

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[navybankerteacher]

Being a first time HAL cruiser in the near future, is it my understanding then that "dressy" T-shirts are allowed in the MDR? I generally wear them with slacks or khakis

 

" "dressy" T-shirts" is as close to being a contradiction in terms as any phrasing I've seen on CC.

 

I suppose you can use "dressy" as an adjective with the name of any article of clothing and thereby make it acceptable for a "smart casual" or even a "gala" event. Think about "dressy torn jeans", or "dressy speedo" --- yes, that's the ticket!

[Herfnerd]

" "dressy" T-shirts" is as close to being a contradiction in terms as any phrasing I've seen on CC.

 

I suppose you can use "dressy" as an adjective with the name of any article of clothing and thereby make it acceptable for a "smart casual" or even a "gala" event. Think about "dressy torn jeans", or "dressy speedo" --- yes, that's the ticket!

 

Didn't realize we had so many fashionistas on here, lol!

 

I call them dressy T-shirts. Others call them collarless dress shirts. Not talking about cotton Hanes undershirts but fashion silk or linen short sleeved collarless shirts.

 

Since collarless shirts are acceptable wear in the MDR, I would wear them under a blazer for a smart casual look, which I wear anyways.....

 

[shealea]

Just curious - did you mean you were dressed comparable to the other diners or nicer? Our first Alaskan and HAL - just familiar with what was worn in the MDR on Carnival on Caribbean routes

 

We were dressed comparable to other diners. Most folks were dressed about the same as us. We were in AnyTime Dining. I could see folks coming in that were from Set Dining Times. Quite a few folks came in dressed fancier than us. But, for the most part, folks around the ship in the evening were dressed as we were.

 

In comparison to NCL, which is who we have always previously sailed, Dress in the evening is nicer. On NCL, you see many folks in jeans and t-shirts in the evening. On Holland, most people kept on their nicer dining clothes throughout the evening as they attended shows, in the casino, at the night clubs.

[Herfnerd]

Just curious - did you mean you were dressed comparable to the other diners or nicer? Our first Alaskan and HAL - just familiar with what was worn in the MDR on Carnival on Caribbean routes

 

We were dressed comparable to other diners. Most folks were dressed about the same as us. We were in AnyTime Dining. I could see folks coming in that were from Set Dining Times. Quite a few folks came in dressed fancier than us. But, for the most part, folks around the ship in the evening were dressed as we were.

 

In comparison to NCL, which is who we have always previously sailed, Dress in the evening is nicer. On NCL, you see many folks in jeans and t-shirts in the evening. On Holland, most people kept on their nicer dining clothes throughout the evening as they attended shows, in the casino, at the night clubs.

 

Thanks!

[navybankerteacher]

Didn't realize we had so many fashionistas on here, lol!

 

I call them dressy T-shirts. Others call them collarless dress shirts. Not talking about cotton Hanes undershirts but fashion silk or linen short sleeved collarless shirts.

 

Since collarless shirts are acceptable wear in the MDR, I would wear them under a blazer for a smart casual look, which I wear anyways.....

 

 

I believe HAL's recommendations concerning MDR do not include collarless shirts - regardless of fabric.

 

Of course they are referring to visible clothing - what is worn under something else is not an issue. I'm sure a wife beater with offensive slogans would be fine under an Oxford cloth shirt (with or without necktie) and a casual blazer or tweed jacket.

[Herfnerd]

I believe HAL's recommendations concerning MDR do not include collarless shirts - regardless of fabric.

 

Of course they are referring to visible clothing - what is worn under something else is not an issue. I'm sure a wife beater with offensive slogans would be fine under an Oxford cloth shirt (with or without necktie) and a casual blazer or tweed jacket.

 

Navy - I am basing my posts on Fouremco's earlier comments (along with a few others I have seen) regarding T-shirts and collarless shirt being allowed, with regard to what I have seen posted about Alaskan cruises being less formal

 

 

You can also wear a t-shirt or other collarless shirt, but I agree, the differences are quite minor. As I never bring jeans of any description on cruises and only wear t-shirts at the beach or around the pool, for all practical purposes Smart Casual and Gala Nights are one and the same for me now, jackets and ties remaining at home.

 

And on the HAL site, the only thing they say about dress code:

 

Most evenings smart casual attire is appropriate. Shorts,

pool/beachwear, distressed jeans and men’s tank tops

are best left to the daytime and are not permitted in fine

dining restaurants.

Edited September 1, 2016 by Herfnerd

[RuthC]

Since collarless shirts are acceptable wear in the MDR, I would wear them under a blazer for a smart casual look, which I wear anyways.....

 

That looks like an undershirt, with a jacket over it.

It's not "smart" to forget to put your shirt on. :D

[Herfnerd]

That looks like an undershirt, with a jacket over it.

It's not "smart" to forget to put your shirt on. :D

 

 

Probably does to some people, lol

 

It is a fashion trend these days and makes sense for me - silk collarless shirts are warm and and take up very little space in my carryon bag. The jacket is another layer to keep me warm and I can wear a collared shirt and tie with it for Gala night.

 

 

If its good enough for Michael Kors (my wife likes his stuff) then its good enough for me

Edited September 1, 2016 by Herfnerd

[RuthC]

It is a fashion trend these days and makes sense for me ....

Hey, so long as you realize that "fashion" and "style" aren't the same thing.

[slidergirl]

Herfnerd - as you can see, some people here are stuck in time ;)

 

What you are planning to wear is perfectly acceptable under the guidelines of HAL. Some will say you need to go above and beyond to meet their personal rules if you want to dine with them. Some will paint anyone who doesn't wear a button-down shirt with a tie and a pair of trousers to be sloppy and beneath them. Ignore them. Some people do not understand that "style" evolves and is not stuck in the 1950s. If people do not embrace change, they run the risk of becoming comical cliches of types we had in the 60s - those who thought the Beatles and Elvis Presley would ruin society and girls would still have to kneel at school to have their skirts/dresses measured to be sure they hit the ground...

[OlsSalt]

Other people are stuck in another time warp. The world "formal" triggers thoughts of rented, tight, ill-fitting, and restrictive starched "monkey suits" in hot scratchy fabrics for men.

 

And layers of crinoline underskirts, pinched up Merry Widows, girdles, nylons and garter belts for women, with or with out a requisite lorgnette. HAL formal night is not the Marx Brother's Night at the Opera either. :cool:

 

Today, it is so easy to be both a little more dressed up and comfortable and still fit all of it easily into a corner of a suitcase, if one wants to enjoy the option honoring a long cruising tradition of "gala" nights.

 

The King Neptune ceremony is another long-standing cruising tradition. These sort of events make the sea going experience special and of another place. Airlines do not provide Crossing the Equator ceremonies; ships do. Airlines don't off "gala" flights; ships do provide "gala" nights. etc, etc. etc.

[JPH814]

We were on the Zuiderdam in February 2016 for a 12 day caribbean cruise. Here is what I wrote after that cruise as part of my review:

 

"And one last - related - item. Gala night attire. I made a point of observing what men wore and verified my observation with several others. On the first Gala night, approximately 10% of men had formals attire (Tux or formal dinner jacket). Another 10% had the other extreme - a shirt and slacks with no Jackets. The other 80% had a jacket or a suit, the vast majority with a tie). I did see one person asked to take off his baseball type hat entering the MDR.

 

On the second Gala night, the numbers were similar, with a few less wearing formal wear."

[navybankerteacher]

Herfnerd - as you can see, some people here are stuck in time ;)

 

What you are planning to wear is perfectly acceptable under the guidelines of HAL. Some will say you need to go above and beyond to meet their personal rules if you want to dine with them. Some will paint anyone who doesn't wear a button-down shirt with a tie and a pair of trousers to be sloppy and beneath them. Ignore them. Some people do not understand that "style" evolves and is not stuck in the 1950s. If people do not embrace change, they run the risk of becoming comical cliches of types we had in the 60s - those who thought the Beatles and Elvis Presley would ruin society and girls would still have to kneel at school to have their skirts/dresses measured to be sure they hit the ground...

 

Overstating things a bit, aren't you? Just because some people have a sense of style different from yours does not mean that they are "stuck in the 1950's". Yes, a linen or silk sleeveless, collarless shirt worn under a jacket is totally acceptable today - but it also happens to look as though someone just put a jacket on over his undershirt.

 

Aren't there any current trendy fashions which fail to impress you as improvements?

[slidergirl]

Overstating things a bit, aren't you? Just because some people have a sense of style different from yours does not mean that they are "stuck in the 1950's". Yes, a linen or silk sleeveless, collarless shirt worn under a jacket is totally acceptable today - but it also happens to look as though someone just put a jacket on over his undershirt.

 

Aren't there any current trendy fashions which fail to impress you as improvements?

 

Pot, kettle, black ;)

 

No where was it posted that the referenced shirt was sleeveless. Not every "t-shirt" is a wifebeater or has hideous sports references... Heck, even Ralph Lauren Purple has a collection of T-shirts that you can have for about $250 each, and has one shown with a $4500 jacket...

 

Yes, there are some current fashions that fail to "impress" me. That Michael Kors look is NOT a current fashion trend - it has been around for at least a decade. It is a classic look that spans all ages. Tom Ford shows this look - and he is the one who did the James Bond wardrobe for Spectre. Tommy Hilfiger has that look for men. Tommy Bahama has that look for men. The men at my country club have this look.

Trendy is normally targeted to the under-35 set. I don't pay attention to trendy as it is not me. I'm more classics...

[HarpHarp]

I've been calling the collarless shirt under jacket the Miami Vice look for the past 30++ years. Perfect for the tropics as far as I'm concerned, especially if you look as good as Don Johnson

 

[OlsSalt]

Our recent Zuiderdam on a longer Northern Europe cruise was about 20% in tuxes ...which is still one out of five. That is a lot of company.