Lido Dinner

[Ewokdude]

Few questions about the Lido:

 

What is the proper attire in the lido for dinner on HAL?

 

Is it still a buffet, or does it turn into a restaurant?

[Sue's Mom]

I believe that the dress for Lido dinner is the same as the dining room. Dinner is served buffet style.

[Krazy Kruizers]

You can be more casual in the Lido for dinner. For example on a formal night -- you can wear slacks, etc -- not formal there. I have even seen people wear shorts for dinner there.

When you arrive, you go through a buffet line to get your appeizters, salads, rolls. At the end of that line you place your order for the entree -- you will be given a card. They use computers and know what table you will be sitting at -- tables are covered in white cloths. Once your entree is ready, it is brought to your table. For dessert -- you get that on your own.

[Jade13]

I believe that the dress for Lido dinner is the same as the dining room. Dinner is served buffet style.

 

No is is casual. That is why people skip the main dining room because they would rather wear shorts or jeans to dinner.

 

They do cover the tables.

[Cruising Ham]

Once your entree is ready, it is brought to your table.

And ours was FAST. It wasn't a problem at all, but we hadn't finished salads, etc., and there was the entree. Impressive. Another advantage is that you can see the entree before ordering. Sometimes an entree that looks good on paper isn't quite the same in real life.

 

We still dressed "smart casual", though you don't have to. We had AYWD and were simply too tired after our all day excursion to inflict ourselves on new people.

[Krazy Kruizers]

We have never done the Lido for dinner -- but are considering it for future cruises.

[GeriatricNurse]

I believe that the dress for Lido dinner is the same as the dining room. Dinner is served buffet style.

 

 

Not so on formal nights! On formal nights' date=' the dress for dinner in the Lido[/i'] should be (smart) resort dress casual. For example, the man should wear a collared shirt & slacks.

[GeriatricNurse]

You can be more casual in the Lido for dinner. For example on a formal night -- you can wear slacks, etc -- not formal there. I have even seen people wear shorts for dinner there.

 

When you arrive, you go through a buffet line to get your appeizters, salads, rolls. At the end of that line you place your order for the entree -- you will be given a card. They use computers and know what table you will be sitting at -- tables are covered in white cloths. Once your entree is ready, it is brought to your table. For dessert -- you get that on your own.

People should NOT be wearing shorts in the Lido OR in any other dining venue for dinner! Besides, shorts are (supposed) to NOT be worn in a dining venue AFTER 6:00 p.m.!

[twinkletoes4445]

No is is casual. That is why people skip the main dining room because they would rather wear shorts or jeans to dinner.

 

This is why we're going to try the Lido for a few dinners. We're not bringing any formal clothing with us on our next cruise. Only casual wear...Capri's for me, and Docker's for hubby. :)

[Krazy Kruizers]

 

People should NOT be wearing shorts in the Lido OR in any other dining venue for dinner! Besides, shorts are (supposed) to NOT be worn in a dining venue AFTER 6:00 p.m.!

 

Trust me Ward -- I do know the rules -- and we do follow them. DH wears his tuxedo the entire the evening and stay formal as well.

But I always make it a point to go to the Lido to see how people are dressed.

And I wish that HAL would enforce the dress code EVERYWHERE on the ship after 6 PM. We have even seen people come into the show lounge on formal nights wearing shorts.

[Sailor Gal]

I learned something new here. We've always gone to the dining room and follow the suggested dress for the evening and plan to do so next cruise as well. We find it fun to dress up for dinner. Makes it feel special. However, I thought the main reason people went to the Lido for dinner was because they didn't want to dress up. I assummed people could wear casual clothes such as jeans and shorts. It is the same food that is served in the dinning rooms, isn't it?

[photomikey]

Trust me Ward -- I do know the rules -- and we do follow them. DH wears his tuxedo the entire the evening and stay formal as well.

 

But I always make it a point to go to the Lido to see how people are dressed.

 

So... let me get this straight. You don't limit your being offended by people in denim to the venues you are enjoying... you actively seek out people in areas of the ship you wouldn't normally go in at that hour, so that you can check to see how they are dressed.

 

Did I get that right?

[kakalina]

The Lido Restaurant per HAL's own description is the casual dining venue. One need not wear formal wear on formal night to eat there. It's purpose is for those who do not choose to get dressed formally for whatever reason.

 

Yes, HAL "suggests" that one follow the dress code of the evening for the entire evening. If one chooses to not dress and eat in the Lido it is their perogative. I have done this more than once. I have even, Heaven forfend, gone to the casino in the evening wearing capris and a nice top.

 

I like formal nights, I enjoy dressing up. My DH and some close friends do not enjoy formalwear. The ship is set up so that all of us can enjoy ourselves and our preferences. Isn't that what vacation time is supposed to be about? Everyone enjoying themselves.

[Taxguy7]

So... let me get this straight. You don't limit your being offended by people in denim to the venues you are enjoying... you actively seek out people in areas of the ship you wouldn't normally go in at that hour, so that you can check to see how they are dressed.

 

Did I get that right?

 

That's the way I read it. I've been on several cruises but never had time to worry about other people unless they bump into me when I have a hot cup of coffee in my hand.:rolleyes:

[photomikey]

That's the way I read it. I've been on several cruises but never had time to worry about other people unless they bump into me when I have a hot cup of coffee in my hand.:rolleyes:

Imagine for a moment a couple wearing jeans, walking around the ship whispering to each other about how silly the people look in tuxedos. If it's hard to imagine, that's because IT'D NEVER HAPPEN! Those people are busy enjoying their vacation; too busy to worry about what everyone else is wearing! I wish the tuxedo people would join that crowd.

[Pam in CA]

My friend and I had dinner last year in the Lido on the Prinsendam and thoroughly enjoyed the food and the experience. While we didn't dress up for dinner there, we each wore white pants with a nice top, and felt comfortable doing so. We plan to eat there again on our upcoming Prinsendam cruise.

[Krazy Kruizers]

So... let me get this straight. You don't limit your being offended by people in denim to the venues you are enjoying... you actively seek out people in areas of the ship you wouldn't normally go in at that hour, so that you can check to see how they are dressed.

 

Did I get that right?

 

If I didn't roam around the ship then I wouldn't be able to report here about what I have seen.

[Krazy Kruizers]

I learned something new here. We've always gone to the dining room and follow the suggested dress for the evening and plan to do so next cruise as well. We find it fun to dress up for dinner. Makes it feel special. However, I thought the main reason people went to the Lido for dinner was because they didn't want to dress up. I assummed people could wear casual clothes such as jeans and shorts. It is the same food that is served in the dinning rooms, isn't it?

 

In the past there would only be 5 entrees instead of 7 like in the dining room. And in the past on the last formal night lobster was only available in the dining room.

But a few people have been reporting the last few months that now all the entrees are available in the Lido as well as lobster.

This seems to be varying by ship and itineraries.

Also if there are flaming desserts in the dining room -- you won;t find them in the Lido.

You can always compare the menus by checking them out as both are posted usually by lunch time.

[big aft]

I cannot believe you "should not" wear shorts on casual nites in the Lido.

[Copper10-8]

Some pointers:

One side of the Lido, between 5:30 and 8:0O PM, becomes the casual dinner location on the dam ships. It's a great alternative to the formal dining room, the Pinnacle Grill and room service (The Eurodam has two more choices). Positive or negative reactions to the selection and quality of the food in the Lido are subjective. Reviews and comments are welcome:)

 

The word "casual" is open to interpretion. Copious amounts of "common sense" are required while attempting this but, no fear, help is here! The only posted rules in the Lido require a shirt and shoes to be worn at all times - common sense, once again!

There is something loosely refered to the "dress code" on the dam ships but, alas, most likely because of the continued absense of the feared Spanish Inquisition, this puppy is inconsistently enforced. However, and here's where it gets better:) , tips, sugestions as well as requests from the cruise line relating to that "mother of all codes" can be found on HAL' website, in the "Know before you go" booklet that you will receive at home prior to your cruise along with your docs and, lastly once on the ship, in the Daily Program and other docs that will be delivered to your home away from home. Do it, (read up) and you will no doubt learn more! Do I hear an Amen?:)

As has been done here (and will no doubt occur again in the future), we, happy folks that we are on CC, like to discuss the "dress code" until all the cows come home, get milked and enjoy an evening of sleeping while standing up - and please, no tipping (directed at the cows, not the crew!).;)

 

Soooooooooo, it comes down to some homework and lots of common sense! Cool beans!

Enjoy your casual dinner experience and your cruise!:)

[LUV2CRUZalso]

We enjoy the formal nights - I in my tux and Karen in her long dresses. We are happy that most people on a HAL cruise, tend to abide by the suggested dress code of the evening. That is why we continue to cruise with HAL.

We dont' really mind seeing others dressed casual vs. formal and will often return to our cabin and put on casual clothes for comfort. By casual I mean Dockers and nice looking collared shirts, etc. The only time we became a little distubed was on our last Maasdam cruise when , on a formal night, we went to the late evening show after early dining. I would say 90% of the people were in formal wear and eight or nine percent in nice casual. A guy, who apparently needed to make a sttement, sat in the front row in his Hawaiian shirt, shorts and sandles. How did I know he had on sandals? He had his feet up on the cocktail table prior to and into the show itself.

OK - so he made his statement - but also showed a lot of disrespect to the performers and apparently himself as well. I know he was on "his" vacation and it would have been fine for him to just "dress-down". But feet on the table was a little much. I guess you get all kinds - we're just glad most HAL patrons stay at least "nice casual" in the evenings. Just OHO.

 

Happy Cruisin!!!!!

 

Denny & Karen ;) :p

[kayden]

I witnessed people wearing jogging suits, shorts, and anything casual that you can think of except for maybe robes. It is very casual, even for dinner. I ate there for every night except for one that I spent in the dining room, so I witnessed it all. No complaints from me. :)

[RuthC]

Those people are busy enjoying their vacation; too busy to worry about what everyone else is wearing! I wish the tuxedo people would join that crowd.

And if checking out how others are dressed is how someone enjoys their vacation, you would deny them their pleasure?

Many times on this board you will see someone post that "no one notices how you're dressed". Don't believe it. Some people do notice.

What I find funny is that those who don't notice, get all bent out of shape that others do!

[JimVrhovac]

I find it very interest that

 

SOME OF THE PEOPLE WHO GET OFFENDED BY OTHERNS NOT FOLLOWING THE RULES OF DRESS AND THINK THAT HAL SHOULD STRICTLY INFORCE THERSE RULES WOULD DO THE FOLLOWING......

 

SIT AT THE BAR AND TAKE UP SMOKING AREA SEATS WHEN THEY ARE NON SMOKERS AND SEATS ARE AVAILABLE IN THE NON SMOKING AREA....

 

 

VERY INTERESTING

 

VERY INTERESTING

 

Jim (without Ruth)

[watchdiva]

So... let me get this straight. You don't limit your being offended by people in denim to the venues you are enjoying... you actively seek out people in areas of the ship you wouldn't normally go in at that hour, so that you can check to see how they are dressed.

 

Did I get that right?

 

Absolutely unreal?! You actually waste your time on a cruise checking out a venue that you admit you've never eaten in just to see how others are dressed so that you can report back to cruise critics?

 

Why would you do that - the people who are eating there are not bothering you, they have not invaded the sacrosanct dining room on formal night in their casual/smart casual attire yet you go so that you can "report back"? That is tacky beyond words........

 

Honestly, we enjoyed our two HAL cruises (Zuiderdam and Westerdam), dressed up on formal nights and enjoyed our suites and the Neptune lounge........but decided that HAL was just not our style.

 

Maybe some of you long time HAL posters don't realize how some of your comments come across - IMO many times on certain "issues" there is an OTC (over-the-top) elitist tenor to some of the posts. Sure, HAL has a nice product but please be realistic - the guy/woman wearing jeans right next to you could be the CEO of a Fortune 500 company who just really doesn't care what others think about how he is dressed.