Should Carnival Enforce Formal Night Attire?

[scapino]

Scapino, you and others fail to see this issue from the perspective of others who have spent a bundle for a cruise, have expectations and are even excited by the dream of formal dinners, and then have those expectations trashed by the give a hoot..its all about me..screw you shipmates and a crew who refuses to enforce their own rules.

 

Then go to a cruise line that takes formal nights more seriously. Believe or not, people (relatively speaking) are not spending a bundle on a Carnival Cruise. It's considered a low end budget line and the demographics on board Carnival dictate that. Quit looking to your left and right and focus straight ahead. What the h..l do you care what someone has on their body (within reason).

 

I don't disagree with not allowing shorts and tank tops, but a pair of slacks and a polo shirt are perfectly acceptable on all but 5 star restaurants throughout the world. Why should we be forced into buisness attire for a Carnival "FUN" ship?????

[scapino]

The reason I'd like it to be enforced is that I love dressing up for formal night, and my husband doesn't. I have very few occasions in my 'real life' to get really dressed up, and my husband grumbles all the way but does it because I ask him to. Then we get to the dining room and he starts pointing out all the other men who's wives didn't make them dress up. Our future formal pictures will have me in an evening gown and him in a polo shirt :)

 

That's yours and his choice. Don't leave it to Carnival to be your fashion cop. If your future pictures are not what you want them to be, then it's your fault, not mine.

[scapino]

I STILL say, if you want a REALLY formal dinner, then spend the extra money and have dinner in the dinner club... its the ONLY way to insure you'll keep out the riff raff. Nick and Nora's on the Miracle is a wonderful dinner club...

 

And to those who say they spent a bundle on their cruise... come on, give me a break. A CRUISE is a cheap vacation... believe me, I have been on expensive vacations and the reason I cruise with Carnival is cus its a cheap vacation!!!!! If you want an expensive vacation, try Monte Carlo and Nice France... or maybe Baden Baden, Germany... then those will cost you a bundle. And when going to the casino in Monte Carlo, YES, you must dress to impress there.

 

I 2ND THAT!!!!!!!!

[hdawson]

Scapino. Quote: Why should we be forced into business attire for a Carnival "fun" ship?

 

Answer: Because you chose the Carnival "fun" ship knowing full well what was expected. It was your choice/decision. There are NCL and Windjammer for those that want to go all casual.

[MrPete]

its the ONLY way to insure you'll keep out the riff raff.

 

Everyone knows you can also avoid the riff raff by eating at the early seating.

[scapino]

Scapino. Quote: Why should we be forced into business attire for a Carnival "fun" ship?

 

Answer: Because you chose the Carnival "fun" ship knowing full well what was expected. It was your choice/decision. There are NCL and Windjammer for those that want to go all casual.

 

Nope.... I'll stay with Carnival and NOT wear a tie and jacket and if YOU don't like it, start cruiseing at $300-$500 per day elswhere

[billsrobb]

I think it is good that Carnival does not allow t-shirt/shorts, but a polo and khakis should be ok every night. I will be going on the Freedom next week and plan to attend the 'formal' night only because my previous experiences tell me that this is the night they serve lobster and fillet mignon. We are very limited as to what we can pack and a suit/tuxedo is out of the question.

If packing a suit/tuxedo is out of the question then I'm thinking that going to formal night dinner is out of the question. Makes sense to me. People who will not follow the rules of formal dinning should not be allowed in the dinning room that night.

Robb

[billsrobb]

I don't think it should be enforced at all or at least one of the 2 nights it should be optional. I don't understand why what I have on has any impact on those around me, or their enjoyment of getting dressed up and having a bunch of overprice photo ops. And while I take a dress for formals nights I don't always feel like putting on hose and heels. But if the cruise line starts making it a requirement then I'm going to start having the prepaid tips removed from my S&S card and paying the waitstaff and fee for how ever many nights I actually dine in the dining room.

 

IMO the only reason the lines started going with 2 formal nights anyway is $$$$$$$ Anything to rev up the revenue!!!!!!!!!

hurting the waitstaff income over something that they have no control over sure is dumb. Why would you want to do this?

Robb

[hdawson]

....

[boundingmaynard]

I don't know what the big deal is, if you don't want to get all dressed up just eat elsewhere. It's just that easy.

[hdawson]

Scapino. Not to be mean, but that is a ridiculous price to find people with manners and good social graces that are intellegent enough to follow the expected standard of dress. BTW. most true five star restaurants DO have strict dress standards, but their clientele understand and don't show up in the polo shirt that they would wear to Mickey D's. I' ve been to a few. Funniest thing was the large party that showed up at the Andrew Jackson in NO (kiwanis convention I think) and one gentleman was without a jacket. The MD kindly offered him a jacket in order to be seated. The fun part was, he was probably a 46 and the jacket was a about a 40. I often cruise on Celebrity and the respect for the dress standard is practically 100% and I've never spent more than 120 per day and as little as 55 per day in 2002 sailing solo.

[river_sand_bar2]

I don't know what the big deal is, if you don't want to get all dressed up just eat elsewhere. It's just that easy.

 

That would be fine if they served the same food else where.... but its NOT the case.

[vjmatty]

If Carnival ships have two dining rooms and four seatings, why not make only the one dining room be resort casual with formal nights, and the other be true casual without formal nights? This way those who don't want to dress up can still get their lobster and those who want a more elegant affair in the dining room can have their wish also.

 

Personally I was disappointed with the number of shorts and ballcaps I saw in the dining room. Not enough to care about or ruin my meal, but enough to cheapen the atmosphere. It seems incongruous for the waiters to dress in tuxes with the maitre d' in tails while those being served are wearing a ballcap.

[Chigirlcruzin]

Another cc member stated she wore her little rubber flip flops that she would not normally wear because of a back injury and could not wear shoes with a heel.

 

I call BS on this excuse. If she had a back injury, she definitely should have been wearing something with more support than flipflops.

 

As for those that don't want to dress up, why do you cruise on Carnival? You know that Carnival has formal nights. NCL has formal optional. For me, part of the fun of cruising is dressing up. I do this whether I'm doing a cruise or land vacation though. I like to pack my best stuff. To each their own. BUT, when you decide to cruise Carnival, you are agreeing to abide by their dress code, so I get really sick of reading all the excuses to not dress formally.

 

Another thing I don't understand is those that say that packing formalwear isn't feasible. Huh? You still have to pack an outfit for that night. The formal wear doesn't take up THAT much additional room.

[jpmaximus]

I dont believe cruise lines will ever force people to wear certain clothing. This is afterall a vacation business. The cruise lines want customers to be happy and enjoy themselves and they would to anger alot of people if they start telling customers that they can't enter a room unless they are dressed up. Just won't happen in my opinion.

[river_sand_bar2]

It seems incongruous for the waiters to dress in tuxes with the maitre d' in tails while those being served are wearing a ballcap.

 

And then they all dance really bad... and hoot and sing .. very classy!!!!

[scapino]

 

I call BS on this excuse. If she had a back injury, she definitely should have been wearing something with more support than flipflops.

 

As for those that don't want to dress up, why do you cruise on Carnival? You know that Carnival has formal nights. NCL has formal optional. For me, part of the fun of cruising is dressing up. I do this whether I'm doing a cruise or land vacation though. I like to pack my best stuff. To each their own. BUT, when you decide to cruise Carnival, you are agreeing to abide by their dress code, so I get really sick of reading all the excuses to not dress formally.

 

Another thing I don't understand is those that say that packing formalwear isn't feasible. Huh? You still have to pack an outfit for that night. The formal wear doesn't take up THAT much additional room.

 

 

You say that formal wear is their rule? Do you follow all the rules? Do you drive over 35 in a 35 zone? Do you use your cell phone while driving when it's against the law? There are many more examples but I think you get the point. All i'm saying is if I am dressed VERY nice without a jacket and tie, what the h..l do you care. You're only answer has been, "It's Carnival's policy/rules". I have been to the best restaurants throughout the world and when a jacket and tie is appropriate, I wear it. A Carnival cruise is NOT that venue, for me. And if it is for you, I respect that.

[Sea Girls]

Why don't they specific different attire for different dining rooms? That way everybody can get what they want. I still don't think shorts/sleeveless shirts/hats should be worn to dinner, though.

[jessemon]

I've got $5.00 says this thread don't make it til noon tomarrow...;) :p

I'm going to start a thread of "threads that should be banned from the boards"....I think I'll start with attire threads.....LOL:D :p

[Chigirlcruzin]

 

 

You say that formal wear is their rule? Do you follow all the rules? Do you drive over 35 in a 35 zone? Do you use your cell phone while driving when it's against the law? There are many more examples but I think you get the point. All i'm saying is if I am dressed VERY nice without a jacket and tie, what the h..l do you care. You're only answer has been, "It's Carnival's policy/rules". I have been to the best restaurants throughout the world and when a jacket and tie is appropriate, I wear it. A Carnival cruise is NOT that venue, for me. And if it is for you, I respect that.

 

You didn't answer my question. Why do you book a cruise that has formal nights if you don't want to follow them?

 

I really don't care. I just don't understand why you'd agree to take a cruise KNOWING there are formal nights involved if you're not into dressing up.

 

Driving with a cell phone is NOT against the law in these parts. I am a rule follower by the way. I don't look for ways to get around the system. Not saying I've never broken a rule, but I do my best to follow them. That said, that wasn't the point of my post and you know it. You have plenty of other vacation options if you don't want to dress up. Why choose one where you do?

[hdawson]

Roflmao

[Chigirlcruzin]

I've got $5.00 says this thread don't make it til noon tomarrow...;) :p

I'm going to start a thread of "threads that should be banned from the boards"....I think I'll start with attire threads.....LOL:D :p

 

 

LOL :) We're never going to agree, just as we're never going to reach consensus on tipping, getting passports when not required, etc.

[river_sand_bar2]

But I am RIGHT....you are wrong.. ..cus its what I believe... and my Mommy thinks I am handsome.:D

[French_Fry]

Follow the rules. Why is it so hard?

 

Cause SOME people feel they are ABOVE the rules.

 

And driving laws are just that , laws with stiff penalties should you get caught violating them.

 

Dress codes are just respect for yourself and those around you.

 

And these boards clearly show where the respectful people are!

[Kurbanfan]

Chigirlcruzin or scapino I don't know what or how you did it.......but from post 89 and down it shows Mammaskittles and my quotes are incorrect. I believe you are quoting wrong......

Everything is screwed up LOL!