Eliminate Formal Night?

[jonikal]

[quote name='Lancer525']Excellent question!

How would you handle this situation Jonikal?

For that matter, how would everyone else handle it? Mac? Iheart?

What's the best way to say something to the Maitre'D without creating a public scene?[/quote]

I'm not sure quite how offended I would have to be to take it beyond the "mumbling to oneself stage," but probably a quiet word to the Maitre D' when departing the dining room would be appropriate. Nobody wants a scene, and stress is the last thing people are looking for on a cruise. I guess the point I was making is that unless the cruiselines are reading these forums and listening to their customers, nothing much will happen either way. A bit of polite activism is definitely ok IMHO.

[WEELYNCRUZER]

Hey Cruisin Gram,
I receive brochures from Latitudes because my first 3 cruises were on NCL. Since then I have done 10 on Princess,1 on Carnival and I am a Diamond member on RCCL. Once your a member they continue to look for business. I'm a CLIA certified travel specialist but I became one to become more informed. I'm not a practicing T/A.
To Lancer525
I spent 3 nights on NCL's new ship and did enjoy the specialty restaraunts. I don't remember saying they have lowered the quality in the MDR. Is that in the future? Possibly. I am in favor of formal nights. To me that is part of the experience. We enjoy traditional seating. Sometimes we go with 6-8 other people and sometimes alone. We like big tables and meeting new people as well as heving a relationship with the wait staff. I can't wait for the new Genisis Class.[IMG]http://boards.cruisecritic.com/images/icons/icon7.gif[/IMG]

[cruisemom42]

[quote name='Lancer525']Excellent question!



I've seen restaurants on land where no one had the nerve to get up and go say anything, so I can see where this chance to say something would get passed up. Perhaps waiting for post-cruise feedback to the line is the easiest option, but not many people would want to get up and possibly create a confrontation on the spot.

How would you handle this situation Jonikal?

For that matter, how would everyone else handle it? Mac? Iheart?

What's the best way to say something to the Maitre'D without creating a public scene?[/quote]

I have not complained to the maitre d' (although I came very close one night while watching a diner depart the dining room at dinner time with swim trunks on....

However, I DO always note on my cruise evaluation form that I enjoy formal nights and that I hope they will continue(?) to enforce the dress codes.

(I say "continue" because on my last couple of cruises with Princess I have actually heard first hand reports of people being sent back to their cabins due to either not wearing a jacket on on formal night or for wearing shorts on a smart casual evening).

[cruisemom42]

From a "Live From Caribbean Princess" post (current cruise) on the Princess boards:

"Formal night: make your reservations!!! We waited a half hour on a line just to get a beeper and then had to wait another half hour to sit!"

[url]http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=803884[/url]

So much for the theory that dining rooms are going "half empty" on formal evenings......:cool:

[iheartbda]

[quote name='cruzeluver']This is an excellent point.

Even if you were prepared to go to the maitre d' and complain, what would in all likelihood happen? Seems the maire d' would have two choices, either inform you he was sorry there is nothing he can do (therefore upsetting you) or approach the guests who are dressed inappropriately and upset them?

Its unfortunate that it has come to this: adults having to be told they are not dressed correctly. What makes it even worse is many of the folks know what they are wearing is incorrect, but will argue that they paid for their cruise and should be able to wear whatever they want.

The cruise lines seem to be in a no-win situation.[/quote]

This is the crux of the matter and I agree the cruise lines are in a no-win situation.

Many people, on both sides of the fence, say all the cruise lines have to do is enforce what they have in place and they would be happy. Why have the suggestions if they are NOT enforced? Because when they try to enforce them they run the risk of an unpleasant confrontation and the ones who are not dressed properly seem to be the most vocal.

Let's face it, cruising is a business out to make money. Yes. they want it to be a fun, pleasant, relaxing etc. experience but bottom line, they need to make money. They don't want to make enemies who go out and bad mouth them. A person will rant about how they were wronged by a cruise line without mentioning the fact that what [I]they [/I]did was wrong. Kind of like the ones who complain about getting a speeding ticket.

I won't say anything to the maitre d' simply because I don't think he can really do anything about it except pass on my comment to the proper people, which he may or may not do. A polite comment to him will probably elicit a polite response such as, "thank you, madame, for your
concern." I have heard many times that the comment cards are very important and all of them are read so that's where I voice my concerns.

[CruisnGram]

[quote name='WEELYNCRUZER']Hey Cruisin Gram,
I receive brochures from Latitudes because my first 3 cruises were on NCL. Since then I have done 10 on Princess,1 on Carnival and I am a Diamond member on RCCL. Once your a member they continue to look for business. I'm a CLIA certified travel specialist but I became one to become more informed. I'm not a practicing T/A.
[/quote]

Darn, I was hoping to see if you could get me a great deal! ;)

[houch]

I see no problem with enforcing the rules and I think it should be done anywhere there is a dress code. We were at a very nice place in CA and one in our party was not dressed formal enough in their opinion so we all were going to have to leave. THen they came up with a fancy jacket to dress up her outfit and we could stay. I think they were correct in doing that. They have a code and they enforce it. Another group was sent away because they weren't appropraitely dressed.
The rule is in place, follow it or go elsewhere. I wish they would follow that on the cruises!

[WEELYNCRUZER]

Hey Cruisin Gram if your happy with the ship and the price it is a good deal.

[BILLP1]

On Regent they will not serve you in any dining room or lounge after 6PM. They will serve you dinner in your suite or in La veranda which normally is the Buffet area but it becomes an Italian steak house at night.

[Lancer525]

[quote name='BILLP1']On Regent they will not serve you in any dining room or lounge after 6PM. They will serve you dinner in your suite or in La veranda which normally is the Buffet area but it becomes an Italian steak house at night.[/quote]

Thanks, Bill, for that great little tidbit of information...

Who eats dinner that early? I surely don't. In fact, I am rarely even home from work that early in the evening, and I live about 40 yards from my workplace!

[marco]

Personally, i like them. Some folks don't. Some lines have them, some lines don't. Seems like instead of investing so much time discussing (ahd dishing)the pros and cons, invest that time in checking out which lines are more casual and which are more formal, and book you cruise accordingly.

[iheartbda]

[quote name='marco']Personally, i like them. Some folks don't. Some lines have them, some lines don't. Seems like instead of investing so much time discussing (ahd dishing)the pros and cons, invest that time in checking out which lines are more casual and which are more formal, and book you cruise accordingly.[/quote]

Everyone can also decide how they want to invest their time.;)

[momofmeg]

[quote name='houch']I love to dress for formal nights but don't go to the specialty restuarants so that idea would be a problem for me. Since my meals are already paid for I don't care to pay extra just to dine. There are many other things I prefer to spend my money on.

As far as staying in formal dress all night: I do the dining, the show after, and a bit of time in the casino after that. Then I get comfy and roam the ship, mostly up top in the warmer weather. I have done this on all the cruises on 3 different lines.[/QUOTE]

So you are one of the few that stayed dressed.

You know I love the qmbaince of formal night and beign a part of that instead oof one fo the few that stay dressed.

so I I would still go for the specialty resturants offering a show and a pay extra cost for formal night.

As far as you not wanting to pay extra for a specialty restuarant but yet you still want formal night I would say you are one of the very few who would feel that way.
Life is about compromise and I do feel the liens oculd come up with a compromise that owuld make the majoirty happy. Ofoucrse there will be exceptions though.

BTW except for Princess, whose speciality restuarant disapointed me; I can honestly say the speciality restuarants are well worth the extra they charge. I will pay $20 or $30 extra for a cut of steak that would cost me $200 at a restuarant at home versus the dining room steak. Most diinngroom steaks I have found I can go to Logans or Longhorns at home and have better.

I have found the pay extra resturants are not out of line in their cost and as I have said the quaility is much more then the $20 or $30 differance in cost.

[csr221]

It's a sticky question, this "Formal Night." This is only my 2nd cruise, the other being about 15 years ago before "Threads" and internet searches were available. When cruising was fashionable, it was for the rich and famous. IMO, cruising has changed and become a fun way for family and friends to spend time together yet do their own interests. Most men have a suit. Most women can go to a store and pick up a dress. Will everyone be comfortable? No. I guess that's why there are alternative dining venues. I'm looking forward to formal night #1 on my Alaska cruise since it will be our 20th wedding anniversary. I'm not really excited about formal night #2, so I'll be the one that wears the same dress twice! See you at the bar later.

[vikielynne]

I guess that I'm the exception then....I have only paid for specialty dining twice both on NCL as we weren't impressed with the traditional dining room. However, I would be unhappy to see formal nights be eliminated. I wear business attire 4 days a week so on a cruise I love to dress up. I'm always formal on formal nights & am usually in a dress every other night. I don't find that much of an opportunity to dress up at home so I do it on vacations.

[espo56]

No. We dined at the buffet and then attended all the evening shows. There were many people in attendance at the shows wearing casual attire. I would do what you want and dress the way you want to be comfortable.

[momofmeg]

I guess that I'm the exception then....I have only paid for specialty dining twice both on NCL as we weren't impressed with the traditional dining room. However, I would be unhappy to see formal nights be eliminated. I wear business attire 4 days a week so on a cruise I love to dress up. I'm always formal on formal nights & am usually in a dress every other night. I don't find that much of an opportunity to dress up at home so I do it on vacations.

 

So I can add NCL to the list of specialty dinning that is not worth the exta cost. NCL and Princess.

[Lancer525]

So I can add NCL to the list of specialty dinning that is not worth the exta cost. NCL and Princess.

 

Well, you could, if you chose to do so... Then again, what I read in the post to which you responded, was that the "traditional dining didn't impress" the original poster. I think they were saying that they paid for specialty because they found the MDR lacking.

 

But to be fair, I'd think one should read the several hundred, or more, reviews of NCL ships that get glowing praise for their specialty restaurants, and then probably try one for yourself. I see that you've never been on NCL before.

 

I know that on my upcoming cruise, I'm going in with an open mind. Imagine how miserable I could make myself if I listened to only the people who found something to dislike, rather than all those who found something to enjoy. At the very worst, you've been on a cruise where the food wasn't Waldorf-Astoria. Then again, I don't think there's a line in the world, save Cunard or one of the European specialty lines that serves food that good. I could be wrong, but...

 

Just my $0.03, of course... ;)

[bakechef]

Well, you could, if you chose to do so... Then again, what I read in the post to which you responded, was that the "traditional dining didn't impress" the original poster. I think they were saying that they paid for specialty because they found the MDR lacking.

 

But to be fair, I'd think one should read the several hundred, or more, reviews of NCL ships that get glowing praise for their specialty restaurants, and then probably try one for yourself. I see that you've never been on NCL before.

 

I know that on my upcoming cruise, I'm going in with an open mind. Imagine how miserable I could make myself if I listened to only the people who found something to dislike, rather than all those who found something to enjoy. At the very worst, you've been on a cruise where the food wasn't Waldorf-Astoria. Then again, I don't think there's a line in the world, save Cunard or one of the European specialty lines that serves food that good. I could be wrong, but...

 

Just my $0.03, of course... ;)

 

Try Le Bistro on the Majesty, it was very nice. Make sure that you request a table IN the restaurant, I have noticed from pictures that they added tables outside in the main thoroughfare to the larger dining room, I am not sure what they were thinking with that decision.

 

MAC

[iheartbda]

Try Le Bistro on the Majesty, it was very nice. Make sure that you request a table IN the restaurant, I have noticed from pictures that they added tables outside in the main thoroughfare to the larger dining room, I am not sure what they were thinking with that decision.

MAC

I was wondering about that since those table weren't there when I was on the Majesty. Not sure I would enjoy everyone walking by but I guess they wanted to add more seating.

[momofmeg]

Well, you could, if you chose to do so... Then again, what I read in the post to which you responded, was that the "traditional dining didn't impress" the original poster. I think they were saying that they paid for specialty because they found the MDR lacking.

 

But to be fair, I'd think one should read the several hundred, or more, reviews of NCL ships that get glowing praise for their specialty restaurants, and then probably try one for yourself. I see that you've never been on NCL before.

 

I know that on my upcoming cruise, I'm going in with an open mind. Imagine how miserable I could make myself if I listened to only the people who found something to dislike, rather than all those who found something to enjoy. At the very worst, you've been on a cruise where the food wasn't Waldorf-Astoria. Then again, I don't think there's a line in the world, save Cunard or one of the European specialty lines that serves food that good. I could be wrong, but...

 

Just my $0.03, of course... ;)

 

Look at my post above hers. I had replied to another person who said they would never go to a specialtiy restuarant and pay extra- as they had already paid for food in the cost of their cruise.I had made a post in reply to them- about 4 posts before hers- saying I felt most who had tried the speciality restuarants enjoyed the speciality restuarants, and realized the extra cost was worth the much better quality of food. I didi say I knew there were a few exceptions of people who did not agree with me who had tried these.

I took it this person was saying she was one of the exceptions that felt the extra cost was not worth it.

 

I have never been on NCL so I cannot not say they are good or bad from personal experince. I just thought she was telling me I would be disapointed in their speciality restuarants. That is all.