Oosterdam public areas and shorts?

[Cruisin Sue]

I am getting ready to cruise next month with a large group of friends and family. Our ages run from 8 to 80 yrs old, with many in our group being fond of super casual dress. I know that HAL requests that we all dress appropriately for the formal evenings, etc. but my question lies in what happens after the dinner is done and the pictures are taken...am I understanding correctly that jeans and more importantly shorts are not allowed in any public areas in the evening? If my husband and his friends wish to change out of their tuxedos, and sit in the sports bar wearing walking shorts and polo shirts, will they be asked to leave? If my high heals and panty hose are killing me, and I decide to change after dinner into a nice pair of capris and a blouse will I be denied access to the casino?

 

Thanks in advance for your input.

[Randyk47]

Oh my gosh....one of the "run Forrest run" topics. :) Seriously, the dress code for the evening is supposed to be observed the rest of the night. In truth, it isn't enforced per se so I doubt you'd be asked to leave the casino. We stay dressed according to the dress code for that evening and would prefer others would but I'm not going to go out and eat worms or broken glass over it. :rolleyes:

[RuthC]

It's not only on formal nights that guests are requested to remain dressed---it's every night in all the public areas.

Shorts are not casual dress even on a casual evening.

Will you be asked to leave a public area if you are not dressed to code? Probably not. Will you be considered as thumbing your noses at the other guests? Very possibly.

[herb]

Don't know of ANY cruiselines that say it's ok to change after dinner.

 

When we first started cruising 25 years ago guests remained in their fineries till bed time. They went to the shows, casinos and bars dressed up.

 

Now, after dinner, guests go swimming, cavort in the hot tubs, go to the gym, go ice-skating (if it's available), play mini-golf etc. I supposed there's more to do after dinner nowadays than just go to a show and have a drink.

[wingit]

the stomach for another dress code question! However, I could be wrong. The subject, in my opinion, has been pretty well exhausted. From what I've learned, the evening's dress code is for the entire evening, not just dinner.Oy!

[robertmnch]

I am getting ready to cruise next month with a large group of friends and family. Our ages run from 8 to 80 yrs old, with many in our group being fond of super casual dress. I know that HAL requests that we all dress appropriately for the formal evenings, etc. but my question lies in what happens after the dinner is done and the pictures are taken...am I understanding correctly that jeans and more importantly shorts are not allowed in any public areas in the evening? If my husband and his friends wish to change out of their tuxedos, and sit in the sports bar wearing walking shorts and polo shirts, will they be asked to leave? If my high heals and panty hose are killing me, and I decide to change after dinner into a nice pair of capris and a blouse will I be denied access to the casino?

 

Thanks in advance for your input.

 

Hey, it's your lifestyle! Dress Down if you want! You are complying with the Dress Code for Dinner, so enjoy the rest of the night in your Casuals! I've NEVER seen anyone told to go back to their cabin and get back in to their "Dress Up" Clothes = 25 x's on HAL since 1987!

[MikeT718]

Boy do we beat a dead horse here.:mad: .Here we go again.:mad: . If you read the Know Before You Go Book that comes with your cruise Docs you will find the the dress code is for the entire evening in all public spaces aboard the ship:)

[Krazy Kruizers]

It isn't that big a deal to stay dressed up for the evening.

[4748]

After dinner most people change into something more comfortable and enjoy themselves wherever they want except maybe the more formal bars.

[caviargal]

After dinner most people change into something more comfortable and enjoy themselves wherever they want except maybe the more formal bars.

 

Actually, many of us are comfortable in the nicer attire we wear to dinners. After many cruises, I can say that I have never seen "most" people make the effort to go back to their cabins and change after diiner.

[K&RCurt]

After dinner most people change into something more comfortable and enjoy themselves wherever they want except maybe the more formal bars.

 

I suppose that depends on your definition of "most people". My very limited experience was that "Most people" (approx 75%) remained in within the dress code for each evening.

 

It is beyond me why people can't accept the suggested dress as written.

[krewzin]

This group that's going....they aren't a group of surfers, are they?

 

:D

[Cruisin Sue]

No, we aren't a group of surfers...just people who are more comfortable in casual clothes than heels, hose and ties...We've cruised as a group several times on Carnival, and NCL, and even Royal, and never had a problem...just hoping that HAL wasn't going to be the exception...thinking maybe now, after reading the posts, that we should have stuck to something a little more on the casual level. We'll have a great time, no matter what, I'm sure.

[bonstersd]

No, we aren't a group of surfers...just people who are more comfortable in casual clothes than heels, hose and ties...We've cruised as a group several times on Carnival, and NCL, and even Royal, and never had a problem...just hoping that HAL wasn't going to be the exception...thinking maybe now, after reading the posts, that we should have stuck to something a little more on the casual level. We'll have a great time, no matter what, I'm sure.

 

Cruisin Sue, I'm the one going with a group of surfers and I received all of the HAL CCers' opinions as to evening attire. Apparently now, anyone desiring to dress a little more casual is associated with surfers. Sorry...that's my fault! Please don't worry about these posts and whether you booked the right cruise for you. Luckily not everyone on these posts will be on your specific cruise...or mine. There are many people who cruise who have never even heard of cruise critic, and I'm starting to think that is a good thing. Your group will figure out what is comfortable for you and within the ship's "dress code" and I'm sure your group will have a grand time! That's what I plan on doing. Enjoy your cruise!

[Cruisin Sue]

Thank you, I appreciate your note!

[RuthC]

...thinking maybe now, after reading the posts, that we should have stuck to something a little more on the casual level.

And with all due respect, that is exactly why people need to research more than ports and cost when deciding which cruise to take. Every ship---every line---has it's own "style". It's important when choosing a cruise to match the cruiseline's style to your own.

It isn't a "class" war so much as a difference in how people want to enjoy their surroundings on a cruise. It's more like "when in Rome...."

[bonstersd]

And with all due respect, that is exactly why people need to research more than ports and cost when deciding which cruise to take. Every ship---every line---has it's own "style". It's important when choosing a cruise to match the cruiseline's style to your own.

It isn't a "class" war so much as a difference in how people want to enjoy their surroundings on a cruise. It's more like "when in Rome...."

 

And I'm sure the OP will enjoy her cruise just fine, especially if she takes what the posters on these boards say with a grain of salt. I certainly will!

[tumeroll]

Welcome once again to the 21 century version of the 1950's song "It's my Party and I'll Cry if I want to". Only now it's called "it's my Vacation and I'll do as I want to"

 

Have a ball fighting this out. I quit (at least for the moment)

[caviargal]

And with all due respect, that is exactly why people need to research more than ports and cost when deciding which cruise to take. Every ship---every line---has it's own "style". It's important when choosing a cruise to match the cruiseline's style to your own.

It isn't a "class" war so much as a difference in how people want to enjoy their surroundings on a cruise. It's more like "when in Rome...."

 

RuthC, you are absolutely correct. I personally do not understand why anyone would spend time and money to vacation in a setting that is not comfortable for them. HAL is clearly not the "Fun Ship" line, which is where "bonstersd" has gained her cruising experience.

 

I guess the answer is that "it is my vacation and I will do/dress as I please."

[herb]

After reading so many threads about what/what not to wear, I went to webshots.com

 

I typed in - oosterdam - and I enjoyed all the pictures people took, the ship, the scenery, the cabins etc. I also typed in - oosterdam formal night-.

 

You'll get a good idea of how people are dressed, and you'll get to see some wonderful pictures of the ship, at the same time.

 

A picture is worth a thousand words.

 

Enjoy the cruise.

[bonstersd]

RuthC, you are absolutely correct. I personally do not understand why anyone would spend time and money to vacation in a setting that is not comfortable for them. HAL is clearly not the "Fun Ship" line, which is where "bonstersd" has gained her cruising experience.

 

I guess the answer is that "it is my vacation and I will do/dress as I please."

 

The OP asked a simple question and received a bunch of classic HAL CCer remarks. And now I'm apparently being put down for having cruised on Carnival. The best part is, Carnival owns HAL. Too bad you don't own your own cruise line and can dictate who goes on it.

 

But, as long as you feel better about yourself now....

[Cruisin Sue]

Thank you Herb. I'll look at the pictures.

[caviargal]

The OP asked a simple question and received a bunch of classic HAL CCer remarks. And now I'm apparently being put down for having cruised on Carnival. The best part is, Carnival owns HAL. Too bad you don't own your own cruise line and can dictate who goes on it.

 

But, as long as you feel better about yourself now....

 

I always feel good about myself, thank you.

 

I am a TA and I am quite aware who owns HAL; they also own other cruise lines including Windstar, a luxury line.

 

Marriott owns Courtyard for those who prefer a less pricey hotel room with fewer amenities and Residence Inn for families or those on extended stays. Many holding companies have a variety of products to suit different demographics.

 

On my few cruises with Carnival I saw pax in the dining room attired in cut offs, tank tops and ball caps at dinner. And it was not just a few.

 

I would be shocked if I saw this on HAL but all things are possible.

[Cruisin Sue]

Please remember that my original question was not whether or not we should dress up for formal night, but rather if it would be OK to change afterward. I know that HAL requests that guests stay in the dress code for the entire night, but is it truly looked down upon to change to something more comfortable later in the evening? Our group consists of working professionals that want to have a good time, and RELAX while on vacation. I can't imagine that if I decide to change out of my evening dress and slip into something more comfortable before I head to the casino, or sports bar, that someone would actually think that I was disrespecting them. I'm not saying I'm going to throw on my jammies, or a bathing suit coverup, but something more suitable for sitting on a barstool, or dancing in the disco...It is a vacation, after all, isn't it?

[bonstersd]

I always feel good about myself, thank you.

 

I am a TA and I am quite aware who owns HAL; they also own other cruise lines including Windstar, a luxury line.

 

Marriott owns Courtyard for those who prefer a less pricey hotel room with fewer amenities and Residence Inn for families or those on extended stays. Many holding companies have a variety of products to suit different demographics.

 

On my few cruises with Carnival I saw pax in the dining room attired in cut offs, tank tops and ball caps at dinner. And it was not just a few.

 

I would be shocked if I saw this on HAL but all things are possible.

 

And here you are taking an issue to a different level. No one said anything about cut offs, tank tops and ball caps. For your information, I have always dressed appropriately on all of my Carnival cruises, as well as my Celebrity cruise, and I will do so on my HAL cruise.

 

I was simply trying to tell the OP that there are very strong opinions on these boards and that she need not worry about whether she picked the right cruise based on these boards.