BTfan Posted July 22 #51 Share Posted July 22 Sounds like they need to bring back the old 'smoking sections' in restaurants and call it 'shorts' and 'no shorts' section.. I wonder if the staff accounts for dress in table assignment. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TRLD Posted July 22 #52 Share Posted July 22 6 hours ago, galensgrl said: It doesn't affect how the food tastes, that's not the point. It affects the atmosphere to go for a meal when people are dressed like they're going to McDonalds. Bothers some, but I'm aware not everybody cares what the atmosphere is like when they dress buffet casual no matter where they dine. I can still state my opinion though I know not everyone agrees with me. Considering most public US restaurants do not have a dress code these days. In most the attire varies a great deal. I would guess if one has not gotten used to it and still feels that others attire impacts thr atmosphere they must eat mostly at home. Have been at michelin starred venues and seen people with baseball caps, shorts and other casual attire. Cruise ships just following the norm on land. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wakepatrol Posted July 22 Author #53 Share Posted July 22 19 hours ago, TRLD said: Let's see summer time, 7 day cruise, Caribbean. You could not pick more likely for younger, more casual acting passengers, with lots of children. Go when school in in session, longer cruise and the vibe would be different. We cruise every summer and the Holidays Spring Break, Christmas and New Years. Never saw a batch of cruisers like this 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
memoak Posted July 22 #54 Share Posted July 22 9 hours ago, Wishing on a star said: I do not know what that term means, but it seems unnecessary and derogatory. Wake, If you are not traveling with children, then a different vacation might be in order. We all know that the short cruises during family breaks are very different. Even on Princess. Luckily I am able to cruise off-season. And have had good experiences. Maybe a longer sailing, or a different cruise line? We have done nice resorts and even all -adult resort. I understand how your experience was... and do not question your feedback. And, yes, there was a time when it was not this way on Princess. On some ships/sailings Carnival has devolved from Party Ship to booze cruise and fights onboard. ( I understand that they are trying to address this.) I have seen reports that even Celebrity, now sailing short sailings in the Caribbean, including private island, is more like Carnival used to be and Princess can sometimes be today. Even traveling off-season, Princess and nice upscale resorts $400. to $600. per night, non-inclusive. I have noticed a very real difference. I do not like it, but seems that things are different. Not just on Princess or other cruise lines, but everywhere. A much different vibe, in how people dress, even during school months tons of kids around 7 and under. On a recent Princess cruise, two 5 year olds were encouraged to run wild and turn the dance floor in the Piazza into a playground, during the later evening entertainment. Actually interfering with the performance. Ugggghhh. While it is beyond our pay-grade, the kind of vibe and experience you are hoping for seems to come at a significantly higher price. Then the kids fall and get hurt and guess who the parents blame ?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare JamieLogical Posted July 23 #55 Share Posted July 23 If your wife is a teacher and you can only sail during school breaks, my advice would be to do longer sailings or unique itineraries like reposition cruises. A 7-day Caribbean sailing out of Florida is going to have a TON of kids onboard unless you do HAL, Virgin, or Viking. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TRLD Posted July 23 #56 Share Posted July 23 2 hours ago, Lady Arwen said: With all due respect, is this an American phenomenon? My DH and I and our sons and their families dine frequently at some very nice restaurants in Toronto and never have we seen anyone dressed as you suggest, Quite the contrary, people are dressed very nicely, as in country club casual. You would definitely feel out of place dressed otherwise. Of course, you don’t see suits or ties very often, except for the downtown law firms out for dinner. I think it must be a cultural difference as it is with Europeans. You find more venues in some Canadian cities that still have dress codes. One I am familiar with in Toronto, for example, is Canoe. May be more of the British influence hanging on there. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare azbirdmom Posted July 23 #57 Share Posted July 23 We were on the Enchanted in late April / early May and used the Retreat pool which was clear. To hear the pools were milky is concerning to say the least. Thinking those are chemicals needed due to all of the kids in the pool Agree with others that it's not always like that. We also noticed that the dress is getting more and more casual. In fact we just disembarked the Discovery Princess last Saturday and there were more men in shorts than suits or sport coats on formal night, and some of the shorts weren't the nicer ones that my husband would typically wear to a decent restaurant here in Arizona. It was an Alaska cruise and the dress has typically been more casual than other cruises but this was noticably different. I said to my husband that they just need to shoot the dress code as it's pointless to specify those guidelines when they aren't enforced. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beshears Posted July 23 #58 Share Posted July 23 I'm sorry this happened to you, but it looks like you STILL saved some money in the long run. This will be our first (8 of us) cruise on the Enchanted, as we did the Regal this February, and were really happy with it, and that is why we decided to do the Enchanted for our 10 day cruise. You mentioned about people in the dining room, and I can only say for the most part on the rEgal, which is similar to the Enchanted, we never noticed any people like the way you described. I think part of the issue on the ship was probably the children, "if???" the parents didn't have them under control. For us, whether a review is good or bad, we always try to go with a POSITIVE outlook on how the ship is, etc. and if something goes wrong, DEAL with it! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare cr8tiv1 Posted July 23 #59 Share Posted July 23 I stopped using the hot tubs on a cruise ship. I have seen passengers in there with their drinks for hours on end (water wrinkles). Let your imagine wander. As others have suggested, a longer cruise. Even though I did the New England repositioning (FLL to Quebec) in July, and the vibes were more casual with many families, it was a longer voyage. You will be limited to cruising until your wife retires. I did a Panama Canal full passage a long time ago. Flights were overbooked from Puerto Rico to LA. I had the opportunity to spend a night there. Silly me...I thought my class couldn't do without me and turned down the offer to be back when classes began. Would never do that again. I've enjoyed my cruise life since retiring. Your time will come. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare cr8tiv1 Posted July 23 #60 Share Posted July 23 Let your imagine wander. Let your imagination wander. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ldubs Posted July 23 #61 Share Posted July 23 On 7/21/2024 at 6:47 PM, Wakepatrol said: Celebrity has an older clientele. They don’t backwards ball cap it on formal nights I don't wear one to the MDR. If someone did it would have zero impact on my enjoyment. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare karatemom2 Posted July 23 #62 Share Posted July 23 50 minutes ago, cr8tiv1 said: Let your imagine wander. Let your imagination wander. I am with you. We NEVER use the hot tubs. The idea kind of makes my skin crawl. As you say - one’s imagination… ick. We are fortunate to have a nice hot tub we enjoy at home so definitely don’t need to share one with thousands of fellow passengers on vacation. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare karatemom2 Posted July 23 #63 Share Posted July 23 36 minutes ago, ldubs said: I don't wear one to the MDR. If someone did it would have zero impact on my enjoyment. It doesn’t impact my enjoyment - but I still find it a bit tacky. But I’m a live and let live kind of person, so I’ll just smile and enjoy my meal with my nicely dressed husband and consider how fortunate I am. And I will be silently judgy though! Haha! 3 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ldubs Posted July 23 #64 Share Posted July 23 18 minutes ago, karatemom2 said: It doesn’t impact my enjoyment - but I still find it a bit tacky. But I’m a live and let live kind of person, so I’ll just smile and enjoy my meal with my nicely dressed husband and consider how fortunate I am. And I will be silently judgy though! Haha! I might notice a cap but don't have a need or desire to judge. I think the only reason I would pay any notice to baseball caps is because of all the whining about them on these forums. I don't understand why folks need to get so riled up over minor things. Recently even the singing of happy birthday in the MDR is a cause of complaint. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare c-boy Posted July 23 #65 Share Posted July 23 1 hour ago, karatemom2 said: I am with you. We NEVER use the hot tubs. The idea kind of makes my skin crawl. As you say - one’s imagination… ick. We are fortunate to have a nice hot tub we enjoy at home so definitely don’t need to share one with thousands of fellow passengers on vacation. The theme from jaws kept playing in my head 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wakepatrol Posted July 23 Author #66 Share Posted July 23 9 hours ago, karatemom2 said: It doesn’t impact my enjoyment - but I still find it a bit tacky. But I’m a live and let live kind of person, so I’ll just smile and enjoy my meal with my nicely dressed husband and consider how fortunate I am. And I will be silently judgy though! Haha! If you go on your stateroom television and click on every restaurant on the ship. They will show you a 30 second clip of actors in a commercial for each restaurant on the ship. They all are dressed nicely, no backwards ball caps and tuxedo tee shirts to be seen. if the dress codes are just be comfortable where what you want, why isn’t this reflected in every single restaurant clip they show you on the television? 3 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
555 Posted July 23 #67 Share Posted July 23 1 hour ago, Wakepatrol said: If you go on your stateroom television and click on every restaurant on the ship. They will show you a 30 second clip of actors in a commercial for each restaurant on the ship. They all are dressed nicely, no backwards ball caps and tuxedo tee shirts to be seen. if the dress codes are just be comfortable where what you want, why isn’t this reflected in every single restaurant clip they show you on the television? It's always been shown that way on Princess advertisements. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare karatemom2 Posted July 23 #68 Share Posted July 23 19 hours ago, Lady Arwen said: With all due respect, is this an American phenomenon? My DH and I and our sons and their families dine frequently at some very nice restaurants in Toronto and never have we seen anyone dressed as you suggest, Quite the contrary, people are dressed very nicely, as in country club casual. You would definitely feel out of place dressed otherwise. Of course, you don’t see suits or ties very often, except for the downtown law firms out for dinner. I think it must be a cultural difference as it is with Europeans. It may very well be more of an American phenomenon. I think as a culture, Americans are a bit more casual. Probably something born out of our general revolutionary spirit of going against the aristocracy. I mean, our ancestors did make leather clothes, coonskin caps, and cowboy hats, tres chic, after all. That being said, in nice establishments, I think most people do know how to dress, but in many cases the expectation, even in very upscale places is quite relaxed here - even among the very wealthy. We live somewhere between Beverly Hills and Montecito, and let me tell you, the super elite will dine at the fanciest restaurants in SoCal casual chic outfits that would definitely not pass muster on "formal night" for most people here. It is almost like someone dressing up too much is clearly trying too hard or a "pretender". They do pull out the fancy duds for the awards events - but even at those if you check out the after party photos - they often dress down quickly. Real wealth often flaunts itself in jeans and a t-shirt here, although they probably cost a fortune. And that is just the vibe. On our trips out of Southampton, I have noticed in general, those charming Brits we are traveling with do tend to dress a bit better and personally I love it. But I'm a CA girl, so I also don't mind a beach casual vibe. But please, no baseball caps in the dining room. Save it for the buffet, thank you! 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kerry's Girls Posted July 23 #69 Share Posted July 23 On 7/20/2024 at 3:56 PM, Wishing on a star said: Our experience has not been what you describe. (Even so, the last few vacations, even off-season, the number of kids, many below school age, is just incredible. I do not know why families with children do not choose more family friendly vacations. What is more family friendly than a vacation with a kids club, babysitting services, kid activities, kid menus and marketed to families? Cruising on mass market lines is one the most family friendly and vacations available. That said, I completely agree that longer cruises during school holidays or cruising during school months is the best way to have a better mix of passengers. Even when cruising with my own kids, none of us want a ship overrun with them 😀 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
galensgrl Posted July 24 #70 Share Posted July 24 On 7/22/2024 at 5:45 PM, TRLD said: Considering most public US restaurants do not have a dress code these days. In most the attire varies a great deal. I would guess if one has not gotten used to it and still feels that others attire impacts thr atmosphere they must eat mostly at home. Have been at michelin starred venues and seen people with baseball caps, shorts and other casual attire. Cruise ships just following the norm on land. It's true what you say. A lot of people no longer have pride in themselves to dress decently in public and it's worse since humanity was basically stuck at home during the pandemic. But I know most cruises are a free for all since cruise lines want to draw in as many customers as possible and not offend anyone so it's clear the so-called "dress code" is nothing more than an outdated suggestion. Far be it from me to tell anyone that they can't wear their beloved sleeveless t-shirt, cut-off shorts and backward baseball cap on formal night. Or any night for that matter. You do you. 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TRLD Posted July 24 #71 Share Posted July 24 (edited) 23 minutes ago, galensgrl said: It's true what you say. A lot of people no longer have pride in themselves to dress decently in public and it's worse since humanity was basically stuck at home during the pandemic. But I know most cruises are a free for all since cruise lines want to draw in as many customers as possible and not offend anyone so it's clear the so-called "dress code" is nothing more than an outdated suggestion. Far be it from me to tell anyone that they can't wear their beloved sleeveless t-shirt, cut-off shorts and backward baseball cap on formal night. Or any night for that matter. You do you. I do not wear a baseball cap or a t shirt, etc to dine. Just pointing out what the cultural norms are these days and that cruise lines are following the changes that have already occurred on land. Today a dress code in a US restaurant might be jeans without holes and no flip flops. I would not put it slack of pride only that there are differences in what one worries about and the need to outdress others. Used to wear suites to board meetings and board dinners, then it because shirt and tie ni jacket, then it became business casual no tie, the last few I attended were country club casual. I do not expect the level of pride dropped in any of the board meetings. Edited July 24 by TRLD 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
555 Posted July 25 #72 Share Posted July 25 13 hours ago, TRLD said: I do not wear a baseball cap or a t shirt, etc to dine. Just pointing out what the cultural norms are these days and that cruise lines are following the changes that have already occurred on land. Today a dress code in a US restaurant might be jeans without holes and no flip flops. I would not put it slack of pride only that there are differences in what one worries about and the need to outdress others. Used to wear suites to board meetings and board dinners, then it because shirt and tie ni jacket, then it became business casual no tie, the last few I attended were country club casual. I do not expect the level of pride dropped in any of the board meetings. Yes, there are occasions where dressing the part still applies but certainly not on a cruise ship vacation as which is evident by the way the latest dress code has been observed. Given the choice, most will dress conservatively with a few in total disregard of any concern. 😉 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JG&Lcruisingnewbies Posted July 25 #73 Share Posted July 25 On 7/23/2024 at 6:48 PM, karatemom2 said: On our trips out of Southampton, I have noticed in general, those charming Brits we are traveling with do tend to dress a bit better and personally I love it We’re not all charming, but thank you! I was on a P&O ship in the Med this Easter. I was shocked at the dress code In the MDR. Why? Because on smart casual nights they have now allowed, for the first time ever…. You ready for this….. Tailored shorts yep. Smart casual nights used to be no shorts at all. Now, only if it’s tailored shorts for the record I don’t care if a person wears shorts to the dining room on smart casual nights its interesting how Brits tend to dress up for formal nights and smart casual. I like a chilled out vibe. But I’m not used to t-shirts and ball caps in a dining room. My own mum would tell you to take off your hat at her dining room table 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Scottdalfonso Posted July 25 #74 Share Posted July 25 I'm a firm believer in dress how you want to dine as long as it's respectful. If you are on a Caribbean cruise, I'd not expect anyone to wear slacks or jeans to dinner nightly. A pair of khaki shorts and a polo or a plain colored tshirt is perfectly fine and more than acceptable. This is how people dress for nights out a steak house these days, so it's absolutely fine for a floating casino. I think people are stuck on "the old days of cruising"...well those days are gone on the major lines, ships are way more family friendly, and laid back and that's why cruising is the hottest vacation choice for a family right now. I won't sail lines like Cunard or HAL because I don't want to dress up on vacation, so I'm sure there is plenty of room on those ships for people who really care that much about what the person next to them is wearing. I do find it strange that so many kids are on Princess cruises, even in the summer. We are big RC cruisers and going on our first Princess cruise in September without our kid because we thought he'd be bored to death. Good to know that at least there are other kids to play with if we go in the summer. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
555 Posted July 25 #75 Share Posted July 25 2 hours ago, Scottdalfonso said: I'm a firm believer in dress how you want to dine as long as it's respectful. If you are on a Caribbean cruise, I'd not expect anyone to wear slacks or jeans to dinner nightly. A pair of khaki shorts and a polo or a plain colored tshirt is perfectly fine and more than acceptable. This is how people dress for nights out a steak house these days, so it's absolutely fine for a floating casino. I think people are stuck on "the old days of cruising"...well those days are gone on the major lines, ships are way more family friendly, and laid back and that's why cruising is the hottest vacation choice for a family right now. I won't sail lines like Cunard or HAL because I don't want to dress up on vacation, so I'm sure there is plenty of room on those ships for people who really care that much about what the person next to them is wearing. I do find it strange that so many kids are on Princess cruises, even in the summer. We are big RC cruisers and going on our first Princess cruise in September without our kid because we thought he'd be bored to death. Good to know that at least there are other kids to play with if we go in the summer. Understood, but this has been acceptable on Princess for years now. The only thing I haven't seen yet is anyone wearing jeans with holes in them. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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