Dress code

[Tubesten]

Hi can anyone help we are booked on soa confused re comment no polo shirt in mdr  i wear  plain colour polos with no motive on them can any one tell if theses are acceptable 

and can i wear shorts with again plain colour tee shirts at breakfast i get that saga is a tradition line but no other line we have cruised on ie viking. celebrity have this dress code 

thanks tubesten

[Windsurfboy]

Shorts and polo at breakfast or lunch fine. 

 

Dinner dress code

 

For gentlemen:

• Smart, open-neck shirt and trousers
• A jacket is optional

Please note, polo shirts, t-shirts, shorts and denim are not considered smart-casual attire in the evenings and should not be worn.

 

Edited September 12 by Windsurfboy

[Tubesten]

hi windsurfboy thanks for the reply but very appreciated but only echo saga statement i was wondering if any one has first hand experience of this policy but thanks again

[Denarius]

This is an oddity of Saga's dress code. I use the word oddity because in over 30 years cruising I had never experienced a prohibition of polo shirts on casual evenings until I began sailing with Saga. Indeed, most lines actually list them as suggested apparel. (see  https://www.travelmarketreport.com/articles/ /Cruises/articles/here-are-the-suggested-dress-codes-for-each-major-cruise-line  ) I also understand from other passengers that it is a fairly recent imposition (perhaps a Saga veteran could confirm this) and no one quite knows why it crept in as it appears to be out of line with the rest of the industry; it has been suggested that someone at a senior level has a personal dislike for them and that his personal prejudices have found their way into the dress code!

But to answer the question. I have seen people wearing polo shirts at dinner, particularly in the Grill and have not seen anyone refused service for wearing one, although I am not saying that could not happen. Most people however wear convenional shirts.

Edited September 12 by Denarius

[Truro001]

It has been our experience that shorts and polo shirts are quite acceptable in the MDR for breakfast and lunch but are a definite “ No No” in the evenings. The dress code adhered to on board SOA and SOD is exactly as detailed by Windsurfboy. 

[Tubesten]

Hi thanks for the reply is this observation based on your recent cruise?? Thanks tubesten

[Kohima]

Based on many Saga cruises, including 2 recently, polo shirts and shorts are fine everywhere before 6pm. While shorts in the evening are a definite NO, polo shirts occasionally creep in despite being officially frowned upon. If he wants to wear a polo shirt, my husband gets round the problem by wearing a smart sweater on top so no one can see it anyway. Dont be put off by the dress code seeming a bit old fashioned as in reality people wear a variety of different clothing. Most people are too busy socialising and enjoying themselves to worry about what anyone else is wearing.

[Tubesten]

Kohima your reply is very helpful can’t understand why saga has this policy we’re never in counted this before even on celebrity apex in the retreat or viking just don’t want to get refused entry to mdr thanks tubesten

[nosapphire]

It is a comparatively recent change (seems to have come in along with the new ships).

The previous dress code simply specified "collared shirt" which - naturally - most took mean that polo shirts were acceptable. The dress code now specifically stating that polo shirts are NOT acceptable has caused quite a lot of angst - especially gentlemen with arthritic fingers who now have to cope with those fiddly little shirt buttons every night.

It seems totally illogical to me.

Whether it would be accepted in the MDR probably depends on who is on the door - I have seen polo shirt wearers entering without problem, I have also seen polo shirt wearers being discreetly asked to go and change.

The suggestion by Kohima is a good fix - especially as the MDR can be pretty chilly of an evening.

[Kohima]

It is interesting that polo shirts are the focus of so much angst when hoodies, bobbly cardigans, socks worn with sandals and other such non smart items go unmentioned. Meanwhile, women can wear whatever they fancy!

 

[JoJo1947]

Just not after 6pm. No polo shirts,shorts,jeans of any kind  for men and women. This  has been around not just on the two new ships but before that. If people can't or won't accept this then they are on the wrong ships. 

[JoJo1947]

12 hours ago, Kohima said:

It is interesting that polo shirts are the focus of so much angst when hoodies, bobbly cardigans, socks worn with sandals and other such non smart items go unmentioned. Meanwhile, women can wear whatever they fancy!

1 minute ago, JoJo1947 said:

Just not after 6pm. No polo shirts,shorts,jeans of any kind  for men and women. This  has been around not just on the two new ships but before that. If people can't or won't accept this then they are on the wrong ships. 

No women cannot wear what they want and it's the men that create such a fuss re dress code 

[JoJo1947]

13 hours ago, nosapphire said:

It is a comparatively recent change (seems to have come in along with the new ships).

The previous dress code simply specified "collared shirt" which - naturally - most took mean that polo shirts were acceptable. The dress code now specifically stating that polo shirts are NOT acceptable has caused quite a lot of angst - especially gentlemen with arthritic fingers who now have to cope with those fiddly little shirt buttons every night.

It seems totally illogical to me.

Whether it would be accepted in the MDR probably depends on who is on the door - I have seen polo shirt wearers entering without problem, I have also seen polo shirt wearers being discreetly asked to go and change.

The suggestion by Kohima is a good fix - especially as the MDR can be pretty chilly of an evening.

Before the Spirits polo shirts,shorts,denim was not allowed after 6pm so not a recent change and I've sailed with Saga for 10 years and it's not changed.

[JoJo1947]

17 hours ago, Denarius said:

This is an oddity of Saga's dress code. I use the word oddity because in over 30 years cruising I had never experienced a prohibition of polo shirts on casual evenings until I began sailing with Saga. Indeed, most lines actually list them as suggested apparel. (see  https://www.travelmarketreport.com/articles/ /Cruises/articles/here-are-the-suggested-dress-codes-for-each-major-cruise-line  ) I also understand from other passengers that it is a fairly recent imposition (perhaps a Saga veteran could confirm this) and no one quite knows why it crept in as it appears to be out of line with the rest of the industry; it has been suggested that someone at a senior level has a personal dislike for them and that his personal prejudices have found their way into the dress code!

But to answer the question. I have seen people wearing polo shirts at dinner, particularly in the Grill and have not seen anyone refused service for wearing one, although I am not saying that could not happen. Most people however wear convenional shirts.

This is not new. Previous ships had the same rules. It's not changed in the 10 years I've been with Saga. I never know what the fuss is about

[JoJo1947]

14 hours ago, Tubesten said:

Kohima your reply is very helpful can’t understand why saga has this policy we’re never in counted this before even on celebrity apex in the retreat or viking just don’t want to get refused entry to mdr thanks tubesten

Them's the rules 🤷

[JoJo1947]

16 hours ago, Tubesten said:

Kohima your reply is very helpful can’t understand why saga has this policy we’re never in counted this before even on celebrity apex in the retreat or viking just don’t want to get refused entry to mdr thanks tubesten

 Thankfully Saga is different. 

[Kohima]

Perhaps if the rules have been the same for more than 10 years they could do with a refresh! Times change, clothing styles change. The fact remains that women have it easier than men as no one is going to scrutinise their black or white trousers to see if they are made from denim (many are). No one is going to inspect the neckline of their top to check whether it has 3 buttons and a collar. Are skirts measured to check they are longer than shorts?

In reality the dress code is pretty flexible with the vast majority of passengers and crew more focused on things other than what anyone else is wearing.

[Windsurfboy]

I quoted  the rules ,  rather than my opinion.

 

Never seen shorts at night, except the outside few tables of speciality restaurants in Caribbean, but not inside. Have seen the occasional polo shirt sneak in but rare. So easiest to stick to rules.

 

I think that no Polo's is to differentiate evenings from daytime,  a good idea, to make smart mean smart.

 

Why refresh something that works, keep smart relatively smart

 

But if change  is all that matters, why not go all the way and adopt T shirts and back to front baseball caps 

Edited September 13 by Windsurfboy

[Kohima]

On the subject of baseball caps, I have seen them worn (in both directions!) in restaurants, bars and lounges. Surely there is no need for a dress code where hats are concerned as it is good manners for men to remove headgear indoors?

[Glenndale]

I have seen older ladies in tweed skirts and a cardigan on formal night.

Certainly not formal wear but never challenged.

Really, I can't see that it's a problem what people wear but it does seem to me that the ladies get a pass whatever they choose to wear.

A man would be expected to be in a dark suit and tie at the very least.

Smart and clean, that's all I ask.

[Tubesten]

Hi widsurboy again your comments are welcome and now i will comply with this draconian and out dated rule i object very strongly with the removal of my freedom of choice to wear (within the bounds of decency)  what for me is comfortable 

 

perhaps saga would not in be such financial difficulty if the where more reasonable in regards to dress code

once we have completed this cruise we will think twice before booking saga again and will return to Viking/ celebrity again thank you for your comments  

 

Tubesten

 

 

[Windsurfboy]

Personally I'd put , intineraries,  service, food quality and variety, wine, excursions, entertainment well ahead of polo shirts or not in choosing a cruise line

[Kohima]

Don't let this outdated dress code spoil your enjoyment of Saga as there is so much else to like. In reality it's no big deal: most people are relaxed about dress, just wear a light sweater over your polo shirt.

[Tubesten]

Windsurfboy I agree but we can get all of that and more on a cruise line which is not so dogmatic tubesten

[Denarius]

1 hour ago, Glenndale said:

I have seen older ladies in tweed skirts and a cardigan on formal night.

Certainly not formal wear but never challenged.

Really, I can't see that it's a problem what people wear but it does seem to me that the ladies get a pass whatever they choose to wear.

A man would be expected to be in a dark suit and tie at the very least.

Smart and clean, that's all I ask.

Very fair comment. I agree entirely.

As regards formal nights, if men are required to wear dinner suits or lounge suits then women should be required to wear the female equivalents - evening gowns or coctail dresses. And don't say that they probably don't own any and would need to buy them specially for the cruise and may never wear them again - the same is true for many men as regards dinner or lounge suits. And if women are not required to wear specific garments, neither should men.

What other passengers wear does not bother me as long as acceptable standards of cleanliness, personal hygene and modesty are adhered to.