Demographics and the "Requested Dress Code"

[caviargal]

[quote name='letsgo39']Why in the world would anyone "dressup" to fly in a plane? I want to be as comfortable as I can be [/quote]

Personally, I do not find the two mutually exclusive:)

[babylene]

[quote name='caviargal']Personally, I do not find the two mutually exclusive:)[/QUOTE]

So...what do you wear on an overnight transatlantic flight?

[bububr]

For my upcoming Med cruise I fly Chicago to Rome connecting in Munich On Lufthansa business class.

for the 16 hours I plan on wearing a pair of dress slacks which I find more comfortable than jeans as they are NOT tight or restricting, dress shoes ( sneakers are more comfortable, but I kick off my shoes anyway so it doesn't matter). A white Lands End dress shirt with french cuffs, and a navy blazer.

WHY?

First, all of my clothing is comfortable because I don't squeeze myself into it like a keilbasa. Secondly, the outfit I'm flying in is what I plan to wear on Informal evenings ( the ties are packed ) it may need to be cleaned or lightly pressed ( depends on the drink service on Lufthansa:D ) after I board the ship.
Third, I won't look like a homeless person while sitting in Business class.

As for all of our domestic/caribbean trips I always do the same thing, the small amount it cost to have the few items cleaned or pressed is well worth it as opposed to dragging around extra crap.

And lastly, dressing nice makes it feel like a special event...a real vacation, as opposed to just schlepping yourself to a boat to eat and drink for X number of days.

Dave:eek:

[caviargal]

[quote name='bububr']
And lastly, dressing nice makes it feel like a special event...a real vacation, as opposed to just schlepping yourself to a boat to eat and drink for X number of days.

Dave:eek:[/quote]

Dave, I agree!

babylene, when I flew to Italy this past fall in business class I wore a pair of black knit slacks and a twinset. Shoes were low heeled Ecco boots.

When I fly cross country in coach (just back and two more trips in the next 4 months) I will wear something very similar. Knits are comfortable, wrinkle resistant and can be dressed up with very little effort.

[mollydogsmom]

And lastly, dressing nice makes it feel like a special event...a real vacation, as opposed to just schlepping yourself to a boat to eat and drink for X number of days.

Dave:eek:[/QUOTE]

I' m glad this works for you. I on the other hand would only book a cruise or land vacation that already feels like a special event. A comfortable flight is the best way to kick off a great trip. How I dress for the travel day has more to do
with the cramped spaces on the airplane. We fly coach and the space on the planes seems to get smaller every time I fly. I'm over 6 feet tall and about 200 pounds, so I take up at least my share of the room. Travel day is just something I have to do to get to the great vacation ahead of me.

[Drew B]

[quote name='bububr']First, all of my clothing is comfortable because I don't squeeze myself into it like a keilbasa. [/quote]

That image makes me smile!

Sadly, as my weight fluctuates, I don't like to buy new clothes in bigger sizes, because that just seems to give me permission to gain even MORE weight. When I'm at the lighter end of the pendulum, all of my clothing is comfortable. When I'm at the fatter end (as I am now), pretty much everything is uncomfortable. It doesn't make much difference in the formality argument, though, because my too-tight jeans are no more comfortable than my too-tight dress pants. The only difference is that when I'm fatter, I don't like to tuck in my dress shirts because that draws too much attention to my belly. Fortunately, today's young people often wear their dress shirts untucked, even under sports coats and blazers, and that passes for informal. That may or may not be a good thing, but I'm desperate for justification. If I were to wear a suit or a tux, I would suck it up (literally) and tuck my shirt, but otherwise, I don't. Now, when I'm thinner, I dress well and tuck my shirts in because it doesn't look bad to do so because I don't have as many flaws I've got to hide...

[BigAl94]

Why the debate and censorship around this issue, it's dead easy to interpret and adhere to, just needs a bit of common sense and savoir faire to get it right. On a formal night I was approached by a yank " what's with the jacket buddy"- says it all really!

[FinelyCruising]

....what did the jacket look like? :o

[FinelyCruising]

....what did the jacket look like? :o

[FinelyCruising]

....what did the jacket look like? :o

[BigAl94]

[quote name='FinelyCruising']....what did the jacket look like? :o[/quote]

It was a tux rented from the ship, he was in an open neck shirt!

[CatServants]

[quote name='Drew B']I don't like to buy new clothes in bigger sizes, because that just seems to give me permission to gain even MORE weight. ...[/quote]
Drew - Darn! So that's what I've been doing wrong!:rolleyes::D

Denise

[CatServants]

[quote name='BigAl94']Why the debate and censorship around this issue, it's dead easy to interpret and adhere to, just needs a bit of common sense and savoir faire to get it right. On a formal night I was approached by a yank " what's with the jacket buddy"- says it all really![/quote]

:D:D:D Yanks!!!:rolleyes::D:D

Loved it! Happy cruising!

Denise

[lvcruiser]

I just returned from the Summit and am catching up on all the posts I've missed the past week. Apparently, there is a wide margin of difference between the ships of Celebrity on what and what is not allowed in the main dining room for dinner.

First, I was surprised to see a change in the dress schedule, although I had read about it on different threads on this board. The Summit, if not all of Celebrity, now has two formal nights, one informal night, and four casual nights on a 7 day cruise. It appears they are phasing out the informal nights.

Second, the dress code for the various evenings was moderately enforced on this cruise for the main dining room. There were occasions of young women being turned away at the door because they were wearing shorts on any night, not just the formal evenings. I know of no one being turned away on formal nights because they were not dressed accordingly other than this, but at the same time, I did not see anyone that was not dressed in at least a jacket for the men or nice dress for the women. Please bear in mind that the dress code and its enforcement onboard my cruise did not occupy so much of my mind space that I toured both decks of the dining room looking for offenders. I noticed several men wearing jackets or suits other than dark, but they looked good, if not completely appropriate, and I took into consideration the possibility that some of these men possibly did not own a dark suit and didn't want to spend several hundred dollars on one that they may only wear two nights for this cruise. It may be wise for some of the more ardent supporters of the way things used to be regarding dress codes and public appearances to realize that not all cruisers are made of money and can blow a week's pay at the drop of a hat for something they consider to be a non-essential item.

Third, the after dinner dress was not enforced at all, indicating to me that Celebrity is becoming more laid back regarding their own code, suggestions, requirements, or whatever else one wants to call it. I wear suits every day to work and I personally do not care to stay dressed in formal or informal wear for the entire evening when attending early seating for dinner, but do so because it is expected. Others, however, apparently either did not have the proper attire onboard or chose not to wear it. These are probably the people who chose to dine in the casual atmosphere of the buffet or have dinner served in their room. Celebrity's suggestion or request or whatever, states that casually dressed individuals not attending dinner in the main dining room should restrict their activities to deck 10 both during and after dinner. There were many people who apparently didn't get that memo and wandered the ship in its entirety. Did they look out of place? Certainly. But should they have gone straight back to their cabins after eating and not be allowed to partake of the rest that the ship had to offer, including the casino and lounges? I feel it is an error in judgment on Celebrity's part to make that suggestion and am pleased to see that they did not enforce it. The only occasion where I felt offended at all by one of them was when my DW caught her heel on something in the carpet of the casino as we were walking to the theater after formal dinner and lurched toward, but did not touch, a man in his late 60's sitting at a slot machine dressed in dirty white shorts and a dirty white oxford shirt, unshaven and with a generally unkept appearance, who turned to her and said, "Watch where you're going, you idiot." Judging from both his appearance and demeanor, this is what I would call the epitome of a party crasher.

Even on casual nights, I saw very few people who appeared out of place during this cruise. One table behind me comes to mind on the last evening of the cruise, where one lady was dressed in a formal sequin jacket. She was grossly overdressed, but everyone assumed she simply wanted to have one last evening of formal wear prior to the end of the cruise. At the same table, another lady wore a doo rag and looked completely out of place. But one of the ladys at my table pointed out that the lady had worn a different wig each night at dinner and the surmise was made that she may have suffered hair loss from chemo and simply wanted to be a little more comfortable on her last night at sea. So you have two complete opposites sitting at the same table. I, for one, was not offended by either, trying to take into consideration circumstances of which I may not have been aware.

I have made the suggestion before and will do so again that the most ardent followers of a strict dress code who get offended by others that do not share the same opinions may wish to mellow out a little before they give themselves a heart attack over something that should not be affecting their lives. Just as it has been stated that there are cruise lines for those who do not want to dress up at all on their vacations, there are also cruise lines for the socially elite (read "snobs") who prefer to dress formally each and every night.

And no, there were no t-shirts in the dining room during dinner.

John

[Shipyard Cruiser]

[quote name='lvcruiser']I just returned from the Summit and am catching up on all the posts I've missed the past week. Apparently, there is a wide margin of difference between the ships of Celebrity on what and what is not allowed in the main dining room for dinner.

First, I was surprised to see a change in the dress schedule, although I had read about it on different threads on this board. The Summit, if not all of Celebrity, now has two formal nights, one informal night, and four casual nights on a 7 day cruise. It appears they are phasing out the informal nights.

Second, the dress code for the various evenings was moderately enforced on this cruise for the main dining room. There were occasions of young women being turned away at the door because they were wearing shorts on any night, not just the formal evenings. I know of no one being turned away on formal nights because they were not dressed accordingly other than this, but at the same time, I did not see anyone that was not dressed in at least a jacket for the men or nice dress for the women. Please bear in mind that the dress code and its enforcement onboard my cruise did not occupy so much of my mind space that I toured both decks of the dining room looking for offenders. I noticed several men wearing jackets or suits other than dark, but they looked good, if not completely appropriate, and I took into consideration the possibility that some of these men possibly did not own a dark suit and didn't want to spend several hundred dollars on one that they may only wear two nights for this cruise. It may be wise for some of the more ardent supporters of the way things used to be regarding dress codes and public appearances to realize that not all cruisers are made of money and can blow a week's pay at the drop of a hat for something they consider to be a non-essential item.

Third, the after dinner dress was not enforced at all, indicating to me that Celebrity is becoming more laid back regarding their own code, suggestions, requirements, or whatever else one wants to call it. I wear suits every day to work and I personally do not care to stay dressed in formal or informal wear for the entire evening when attending early seating for dinner, but do so because it is expected. Others, however, apparently either did not have the proper attire onboard or chose not to wear it. These are probably the people who chose to dine in the casual atmosphere of the buffet or have dinner served in their room. Celebrity's suggestion or request or whatever, states that casually dressed individuals not attending dinner in the main dining room should restrict their activities to deck 10 both during and after dinner. There were many people who apparently didn't get that memo and wandered the ship in its entirety. Did they look out of place? Certainly. But should they have gone straight back to their cabins after eating and not be allowed to partake of the rest that the ship had to offer, including the casino and lounges? I feel it is an error in judgment on Celebrity's part to make that suggestion and am pleased to see that they did not enforce it. The only occasion where I felt offended at all by one of them was when my DW caught her heel on something in the carpet of the casino as we were walking to the theater after formal dinner and lurched toward, but did not touch, a man in his late 60's sitting at a slot machine dressed in dirty white shorts and a dirty white oxford shirt, unshaven and with a generally unkept appearance, who turned to her and said, "Watch where you're going, you idiot." Judging from both his appearance and demeanor, this is what I would call the epitome of a party crasher.

Even on casual nights, I saw very few people who appeared out of place during this cruise. One table behind me comes to mind on the last evening of the cruise, where one lady was dressed in a formal sequin jacket. She was grossly overdressed, but everyone assumed she simply wanted to have one last evening of formal wear prior to the end of the cruise. At the same table, another lady wore a doo rag and looked completely out of place. But one of the ladys at my table pointed out that the lady had worn a different wig each night at dinner and the surmise was made that she may have suffered hair loss from chemo and simply wanted to be a little more comfortable on her last night at sea. So you have two complete opposites sitting at the same table. I, for one, was not offended by either, trying to take into consideration circumstances of which I may not have been aware.

I have made the suggestion before and will do so again that the most ardent followers of a strict dress code who get offended by others that do not share the same opinions may wish to mellow out a little before they give themselves a heart attack over something that should not be affecting their lives. Just as it has been stated that there are cruise lines for those who do not want to dress up at all on their vacations, there are also cruise lines for the socially elite (read "snobs") who prefer to dress formally each and every night.

And no, there were no t-shirts in the dining room during dinner.

John[/quote]

Sounds like commen sense ruled the day.

Thanks.

[FinelyCruising]

John --Thanks for the detailed and thoughtful report... and the very good advice.

[Sky Sweet]

Whenever I read a post that equates dressing formally on a cruise with being upscale, I think of something my mother said years ago

When I was in college, my friend and I wanted to go to a hotel in upstate New York for a single's weekend. Before we left, my mother told us not judge the people we meet there by how they dress because this place was known for attracting phonies who will spend their last penny on fancy clothes to give the illusion that they were more upscale than they really are. She also said that, more likely than not, the type of person that you will want to meet there will not impress you by the way he dresses.

[caviargal]

[quote name='Sky Sweet']Whenever I read a post that equates dressing formally on a cruise with being upscale[/quote]


Good point, Sky Sweet:). My most upscale cruise experiences did not include formal nights. However, they did include passengers who dressed nicely for dinner every evening.

[Sky Sweet]

[quote name='caviargal']Good point, Sky Sweet:). My most upscale cruise experiences did not include formal nights. However, they did include passengers who dressed nicely for dinner every evening.[/quote]

Hi Caviargal :)

Our friends will be taking their first cruise next summer to Alaska on Regent Cruise Lines. Since this friend is a partner in one of the most elitist law firms in this part of the country, he wears a suit to work every day and will not take a cruise that has formal nights. My husband and I have been thinking about trying Regent for a long time, and will probably do it if our friends like it.

[caviargal]

[quote name='Sky Sweet']My husband and I have been thinking about trying Regent for a long time, and will probably do it if our friends like it.[/quote]

I believe you would be quite pleased with the experience. Of all my cruises, Regent stands out as the very best. Their 2 for 1 offers make it reasonable to try them out.

[bububr]

I truly do not believe that 'clothes make the man ( or woman)'...and I think you could have the most upscale vacation in Bermuda shorts and a Hawaiian shirt.....

The real issue is simply: are you a person that RESPECTS, and HONORS the rules and traditions of cruising, as well as adhering to the rules that are set forth by the company you CHOSE to sail on........? Or are you a DISRESPECTFUL, SELFISH, "Me" type who really doesn't have any common courtesy for your fellow passengers, the crew, or the company that you are vacationing with...

Its a matter of choosing the correct vacation for your needs and NOT trying to change the rules you suit you. Simple research....anyone can do it. And one thing I've learned in life is that there is always comprimise. So for those who want a specific itinerary but there is a formal night there are choices....suck it up, choose to eat in the alternative dining area that is provided...or plan to which would be the ADULT thing to do instead of crashing the main diningroom, or choose a line that doesn't have formal evenings....Its not rocket science, at least for me.

What amazes me enormously.....is watching all of the commercials and seeing all of the print ads for various cruiselines. Some specifically state " EAT when you want, DRESS as you like, DO as you please" others like X advertise something completely different, Heck, even RCL advertises its rock walls, kids and family venues, flashy atmosphere and more casual dress visually in both print and tv. Yet people still feel they can invade X and change it to their specifications.

Regardless if X follows through and enforces its codes ( As adults now a days DO need babysitters it seems ) I find that a person who whole heartedly makes an attempt to purposely disobey a rule or ignore a code set forth by the company is a person without integrity, consideration, or respect....and not someone I would want to have in my presence.

Dave:eek:

[Sky Sweet]

[quote name='caviargal']I believe you would be quite pleased with the experience. Of all my cruises, Regent stands out as the very best. Their 2 for 1 offers make it reasonable to try them out.[/quote]

Hi Caviargal :)

Thank you for letting me know. I wasn't aware of the fact that Regent had 2 for 1 specials.

[lysolqn]

[quote name='lvcruiser']Just as it has been stated that there are cruise lines for those who do not want to dress up at all on their vacations, there are also cruise lines for the socially elite (read "snobs") who prefer to dress formally each and every night.[/QUOTE]

If one is to follow your logic...you refer to those who prefer to dress formally each and every night as the socially elite (read "snobs"); therefore, those who do not want to dress up at all on their vacations must be socially depraved (read "slobs")! After all, what's good for the goose is good for the gander, no? Nothing personal...just having a little fun with you.

[Sky Sweet]

[quote name='bububr']I truly do not believe that 'clothes make the man ( or woman)'...and I think you could have the most upscale vacation in Bermuda shorts and a Hawaiian shirt.....

The real issue is simply: are you a person that RESPECTS, and HONORS the rules and traditions of cruising, as well as adhering to the rules that are set forth by the company you CHOSE to sail on........? Or are you a DISRESPECTFUL, SELFISH, "Me" type who really doesn't have any common courtesy for your fellow passengers, the crew, or the company that you are vacationing with...

Its a matter of choosing the correct vacation for your needs and NOT trying to change the rules you suit you. Simple research....anyone can do it. And one thing I've learned in life is that there is always comprimise. So for those who want a specific itinerary but there is a formal night there are choices....suck it up, choose to eat in the alternative dining area that is provided...or plan to which would be the ADULT thing to do instead of crashing the main diningroom, or choose a line that doesn't have formal evenings....Its not rocket science, at least for me.

What amazes me enormously.....is watching all of the commercials and seeing all of the print ads for various cruiselines. Some specifically state " EAT when you want, DRESS as you like, DO as you please" others like X advertise something completely different, Heck, even RCL advertises its rock walls, kids and family venues, flashy atmosphere and more casual dress visually in both print and tv. Yet people still feel they can invade X and change it to their specifications.

Regardless if X follows through and enforces its codes ( As adults now a days DO need babysitters it seems ) I find that a person who whole heartedly makes an attempt to purposely disobey a rule or ignore a code set forth by the company is a person without integrity, consideration, or respect....and not someone I would want to have in my presence.

Dave:eek:[/quote]

Hi Bubbubr :)

I agree with you about following rules, when they exist, whether it is a dress code on a cruise or an invitation to a social event. In my opinion, it is showing respect for the host, as well as other people who chose to follow the specified dress code.

At the same time, if I am at a restaurant that has a "smart casual" dress code, I don't think any less of someone who is following that dress code than a person who chose to dress more formally, even though it wasn't required. By the way, my husband will usually wear a sports jacket with a tie to an upscale restaurant with a "smart casual" dress code, even though it isn't required, and I will dress the way I would for informal night on a cruise.

[lysolqn]

[quote name='bububr']I truly do not believe that 'clothes make the man ( or woman)'...and I think you could have the most upscale vacation in Bermuda shorts and a Hawaiian shirt.....

The real issue is simply: are you a person that RESPECTS, and HONORS the rules and traditions of cruising, as well as adhering to the rules that are set forth by the company you CHOSE to sail on........? Or are you a DISRESPECTFUL, SELFISH, "Me" type who really doesn't have any common courtesy for your fellow passengers, the crew, or the company that you are vacationing with...

Its a matter of choosing the correct vacation for your needs and NOT trying to change the rules you suit you. Simple research....anyone can do it. And one thing I've learned in life is that there is always comprimise. So for those who want a specific itinerary but there is a formal night there are choices....suck it up, choose to eat in the alternative dining area that is provided...or plan to which would be the ADULT thing to do instead of crashing the main diningroom, or choose a line that doesn't have formal evenings....Its not rocket science, at least for me.

What amazes me enormously.....is watching all of the commercials and seeing all of the print ads for various cruiselines. Some specifically state " EAT when you want, DRESS as you like, DO as you please" others like X advertise something completely different, Heck, even RCL advertises its rock walls, kids and family venues, flashy atmosphere and more casual dress visually in both print and tv. Yet people still feel they can invade X and change it to their specifications.

Regardless if X follows through and enforces its codes ( As adults now a days DO need babysitters it seems ) I find that a person who whole heartedly makes an attempt to purposely disobey a rule or ignore a code set forth by the company is a person without integrity, consideration, or respect....and not someone I would want to have in my presence.

Dave:eek:[/QUOTE]

Well said!

Perhaps now you may wish to consider packing your bags and getting out of Dodge before the "It's all about me" crowd goes on the attack.