What would you do if HAL went strictly FORMAL on one of their ships?

[grandsix]

 

 

let's give it a try!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[NoNoNanette]

Only problem with your suggestion is that if it were a group on a regular HAL sailing, your group could not dictate the dress code for others onboard the ship. So you'd be back to square one where you could all be sitting in a lounge in your formalwear, and in walks a group dressed casually, because the ship is on a casual night.

 

The only way for something like this to work flawlessly is if you could somehow get enough people to make the "formal cruise" a full ship charter. In that case, you would set the policies onboard for that cruise, and people who booked the cruise would be aware of them in advance and thus would have no room to complain once onboard. Plus, you could easily maintain the elegant formal environment throughout the ship, including in all the bars and in the casino.

 

Otherwise, if you're part of a general sailing, HAL is not gonna let you set policy for everyone else on the ship who is not a part of your group. You walk into the casino and there will be plenty of people there in their casual wear and there would be nothing you could do about it. Sounds like it would sort of ruin the whole purpose of the cruise, huh?

 

Blue skies ...

 

--rita

 

Precisely, my friend.

 

Some will be dressed up, then whine about the others who didn't dress to their code. :rolleyes: "Waaaaaaa........ "

 

I wish them ROTSA RUCK on a full charter. *grinning*

 

I agree with your suggestion to try Cunard. Which IS NOT a mainstream cruise line. ;)

[srlafleur]

Realistically, if you WANT to dress formally every night, or even all day, there is nothing stopping you. While it may draw stares or comments (if you went for it by day, they could think you're part of the entertainment:D ), the same arguments that pro-casual people use (it's my cruise, etc) can apply to formalwear. Plus, there's no rule that says you can't (unlike shorts and flip-flop wearers garb).

Go for it!

[Oceans&Rivers]

Avoid it completely, although I'm pretty certain HAL would never entertain the idea anyway.

 

I share both thoughts, and agree that it is not likely to happen.

[Oceans&Rivers]

What do you think about THIS?[/size]

 

I think HAL (and all those who love 'formal' nights) would be absolutely amazed at the response, if HAL would merely issue a 'survey' on the thought of the possibility of using the EURODAM (since it's their newest ship) for 'STRICTLY FORMAL EVENING ATTIRE CRUISES'.... for a short period of time (say 1 month out of the year) on a 'TRIAL' basisThe interest would probably overwhelm them!

 

I think it is a terrible idea, especially using their newest ship. The trend in cruising regarding formal clothing is the opposite of that which you suggest, so if Holland America were to set their newest and largest ship aside, one that is likely to appeal to new cruisers, the idea would fail, in my opinion.

 

If Holland America is interested in your suggestion, they should do it with a Statendam-class ship. People who both love Holland America and love formal night should book the cruise regardless of the ship.

[scopewest]

Kinda like Carnival doing a nonsmoking ship. That didn't last.

 

However, the way things are going with the economy now, there's going to be a lack of people on board, never mind what they're wearing.

[Oceans&Rivers]

Quote by RevNeal: "The rest of the ship's public areas, lounges and bars, (except for the outdoor areas) would maintain a Smart Casual Minimal code."

 

 

 

I was just browsing the photo gallery here on cruise critic and saw a photo of a group of CC'ers taken following a cabin crawl on the Noordam.

 

In my opinion only one person is dressed in "smart casual" or "resort casual" in this group.

 

Would you agree?

 

 

http://pictures.cruisecritic.com/showphoto.php?photo=18&sortby=d&sorttime=9999&way=asc

[RevNeal]

I was just browsing the photo gallery here on cruise critic and saw a photo of a group of CC'ers taken following a cabin crawl on the Noordam.

 

In my opinion only one person is dressed in "smart casual" or "resort casual" in this group.

 

Would you agree?

 

 

http://pictures.cruisecritic.com/showphoto.php?photo=18&sortby=d&sorttime=9999&way=asc

 

I would say, based upon what I see in this photo, that none of them are dressed "Smart Casual." However, it's a day-time photograph. The "Smart Casual" code is for the evening hours.

[EngineerDel]

Brian, Grag, Rita, Copper10-8, Jim:

 

Get the 'survey' started. Let's see if the interest is there. There's nothing wrong with suggesting that the 'FORMAL' cruise start off with a smaller ship (say the Volendam, which is my favorite)...and if successful, move up to a larger ship like the Eurodam. I'm sure HAL wouldn't mind either....if the ship is FULL!

 

Remember...MANY of HAL's customers prefer to continue with the 'FORMAL' nights. Sure...many do not, and would like to see HAL discontinue this arrangement. But, there are THOUSANDS who remember what caused them to become 'repeat' customers. They WANT the formal nights. So, HAL should consider those 'FAITHFUL' customers too!

 

Stop to think about it! Those who prefer "casual cruising'...would still have 13 ships to choose from. So, have at it! We're talking about ONE SHIP reserved for those who prefer 'FORMAL CRUISING." And If HAL is unwilling to consider this.....then a 'charter' for a 'FORMAL CRUISE' would be appropriate.

 

I, for one, would be honored to be aboard the same cruise with the likes of Rita, Greg, Brian, Copper10-8 , Jim, ect....all dressed up in their finest. I think it would be a BLAST... and I think it would be totally successful.

 

Let's give it a shot gang!

 

Del

[EngineerDel]

One other thing!

 

Have you noticed that 2,001 have VIEWED this post? Obviously people are at least INTERESTED in this subject.

 

Let's get the 'SURVEY' started.

 

Del

[kryos]

If Holland America is interested in your suggestion, they should do it with a Statendam-class ship. People who both love Holland America and love formal night should book the cruise regardless of the ship.

Or better still, maybe with the Prisendam? That ship is small enough that it may actually be possible to interest enough people to make it a full ship charter. Market the cruise to Cunard fans, as well as HAL fans ... "a return to cruising of old" ... blah blah blah and that sort of thing.

 

But on the Eurodam? No, I doubt it's gonna happen. You'd never get enough people to charter that ship for a formal cruise ... and if you did your formal cruise on a regular sailing, you'd be back to the same problems you have now ... lots of people dressing exactly as they want and nothing whatsoever you can do about it.

 

Blue skies ...

 

--rita

[hammybee]

One other thing!

 

Have you noticed that 2,001 have VIEWED this post? Obviously people are at least INTERESTED in this subject.

 

Let's get the 'SURVEY' started.

 

Del

 

Or 100 of us have viewed it 20.01 times.:D

[Copper10-8]

Sorry Del but we would not go on an "all formal every night cruise". That's a little too much. Formal night twice in a seven-day cruise is fine by us

[Golfette]

One other thing!

 

Have you noticed that 2,001 have VIEWED this post? Obviously people are at least INTERESTED in this subject.

 

Let's get the 'SURVEY' started.

 

Del

 

Del, to put this in proper perspective, and assuming you are speaking of an all-formal cruise - there were 33 (give or take a few) positive responses. Of these 33, a number qualified their answers by stating that they would go for the 2 formal nites, but not an all-formal cruise.

 

Even if every one of the above were to bring friends, you are still looking at a very minimal amount of people. As Kyros mentioned, you could possibly try to push the all-formal concept on HAL with Cunard and any other lines that tend to be formal and that might bring you in some additional passengers.

 

As to the "thousands" who looked at the thread - many posted a number of times. Also, in general, people on the board tend to check out threads that have a lot of responses whether they're interested in the topic or not.

 

Do try to promote the idea. Success is always possible on the smaller ships. And who knows, we might all be surpised at the results.:)

[EngineerDel]

Thanks everyone,

 

I appreciate all the comments. I guess in the final analysis....the best we 'formal' cruisers can hope for is to continue to fill out the 'Comments Forms'...and plead for HAL to 'ENFORCE' its dress code on formal nights. And if that continues to fall on deaf ears...then look elsewhere for a Line that does. Or, join the crowd and plan to dress down on our future cruises. But even then....there will be some 'casual' cruisers who will complain that some people are TOO casual.

 

I find it difficult to understand how HAL can overlook the dress code on formal nights, (which is only 2 or 3 nights)...but they definitely enforce the rules when it comes to T-shirts and shorts in the Dining room or Pinnacle Grill on ALL nights. How can you enforce one, but not the other? I must be missing something.

 

But just watch! As time goes on, the more laxed the 'so-called' rules will become. People will demand that they be allowed entry anywhere on the ship...dressed any way they like...and you will see them wearing swim-suits and bathrobes at dinner. And when that happens, HAL will no longer be able to boast about being a Premium Line. Their 'Signiture of Excellence' program will have gone down the tubes....all because they failed to uphold the high standard in which we have become accustomed.

 

I think it's time to end this subject and this Thread....and go on to something else. As many have said....it ain't gonna happen! I gave it a try!

 

Del

[Oceans&Rivers]

Or better still, maybe with the Prisendam? That ship is small enough that it may actually be possible to interest enough people to make it a full ship charter.

 

Oh please NO, not the Prinsendam. That's the most unique ship in the fleet and we don't like the idea of either formal dress on a nightly (or even frequent) basis and we are very much interested in the Prinsendam and her wonderful itineraries.

 

One of the reasons that I suggested the Statendam or another S-class ship is because there are FOUR of them.

 

Also, full ship charters are not usually done on ships doing longer itineraries.

[LoyHAL]

I would sign up today!

Cheers!

LoyHAL

[RuthC]

Oh please NO, not the Prinsendam. That's the most unique ship in the fleet and we don't like the idea of either formal dress on a nightly (or even frequent) basis and we are very much interested in the Prinsendam and her wonderful itineraries.

Why not the Prinsendam? Exactly because of her uniqueness! The Prinsendam is the most traditional of the HAL ships. She attracts passengers who appreciate the elegance, the service, the way things used to be. They love the exotic itineraries and the longer voyages.

She's the perfect ship to be dedicated to the finer things in life, since she already epitomizes them.

[Suefranss]

I've been on several Holland America cruises to Alaska, and the formal nights are a real pain for me. It adds a whole different dimension to my already-frantic packing.

 

We've switched to Oceania because they can provide all the comfort we require for cruising as well as great itineraries, without the whole formal deal.

[marle7]

Yes Marle, I think you may have hit upon something. Please come back after your Cunard cruise and tell us all about it.

 

I'll do that, hammybee!:)

[Iwilder]

pipedreams62...that attire looks entirely appropriate.

[bepsf]

...but why don't you and your wife give Cunard a try. Their ships are very formal...

 

--rita

 

Rita--

 

Just to clarify, I'm not sure if you meant that Cunard is "very formal" by the fact that the formal dress code is followed to a "T", or that they are formal every evening?

 

I have no doubt that when it's Formal Night on Cunard, that the tuxes and gowns are in the overwhelming majority - but only the crossings are Formal every night (other than first and last night out)...

...the cruises generally have the same number of formal nights as HAL (given comparable numbers of days) My boss and her DH are booked aboard Queen Victoria this August on a 12-day Med Cruise, and they're having only 3 Formal Nights.

[ROZO'SBEAU]

Just enforce the rule. Maybe leave a discretionery grey area between Formal and Informal (smart casual) but at least keep the tramps out of the dining room in the evenings. I comply, why can't they?

There are other cruise lines where you can be a slob, so please don't muck up my cruise experience. I tend to take longer cruises because I prefer to leave the shorter ones with unruly kids behind and the clientale is typically more sophisticated than the 5-7 day Caribbean cruise crowd.

 

Beau

[grandsix]

Rita--

 

Just to clarify, I'm not sure if you meant that Cunard is "very formal" by the fact that the formal dress code is followed to a "T", or that they are formal every evening?

 

I have no doubt that when it's Formal Night on Cunard, that the tuxes and gowns are in the overwhelming majority - but only the crossings are Formal every night (other than first and last night out)...

...the cruises generally have the same number of formal nights as HAL (given comparable numbers of days) My boss and her DH are booked aboard Queen Victoria this August on a 12-day Med Cruise, and they're having only 3 Formal Nights.

 

 

Cunard has formal, semi formal and elegant casual where men are required to wear a jacket, but no tie required.