Monarch 4-night... is dress code for Dining room only?

[lissaw16]

First time cruisers... departing 2/23 on Monarch for a 4-night to Nassau and Coco Cay. We arrive in Florida on 2/20 (staying with family), disembark 2/27, and leave to return to MN 3/1. We are flying out of MN with our 2.5 year old, on an airline that charges for each checked bag. The kid is staying with grandma and great-grandma in FL, but we still have to get her and her stuff there.

 

A couple of questions:

DH is freaking out about packing. He has this image of needing "three outfits per day", i.e. casual wear (shorts and a collard polo shirt), pool/beach wear (swim trunks and a tee shirt), and dinner wear (khaki's and a button down shirt), plus his suit & tie for formal night. Not to mention our weekend before and weekend after the cruise clothes, and "warm" clothes to wear to/from balmy Minnesota.

 

We travel often, and we are quite spoiled by the condo where we spend 7 nights in Las Vegas every year with it's built in washer and dryer, so we tend to pack light for those trips and do a load or two during the week. I know he would balk at paying laundering fees on the ship. We're non-smokers, but he likes to do the casino thing, and I know he wouldn't want to re-wear smoke-smelling (casino) clothes. Any suggestions/ideas/tips to calm him down?

 

Also:

DH and I both work "office" jobs. I wear pants and sweaters every day, he wears khaki's and button downs. I am looking forward to "dressing up", I have a new black dress for formal night, plus plan to bring a sundress and a skirt (none of which I would ever wear to work). He spent a lot of time grumbling at me last night about "if I wanted to wear khaki's and button down shirts, I would stay home and go to work". He has this pre-concieved notion that the entire ship has a dress code after 6pm...(to quote RC's website: Sport shirts and slacks for men, sundresses or pants for women), that he has to put on long pants every night not just for dinner, but also to go to the casino or to any of the other activities. Is he correct in his assumptions?

 

And finally, has anyone ever ditched their DH/DW to eat in the dining room (my preference), while the spouse does the casual buffet thing? Not that I want to do this, but if he's going to be a grouch, I'm going to experience my first cruise how I want to do it.

 

Looking forward to your feedback-

Melissa

[kenevenpar]

Don't stress; you're going on vacation!:)

 

The short cruises tend to be fairly casual. Other than formal night, there is no requirement for a button-down shirt for DH; a golf shirt or tropical shirt is fine.

 

I certainly do not bring three outfits a day. I try to mix and match ie. two pr slacks, 3 or 4 casual shirts (they don't take much room). He can also launder some of the clothes from the weekend before, either before boarding or on the ship (rates are actually quite reasonable). For a three day, I was able to pack in a wheel-aboard (rented a dinner jacket through RCCL). DW on the other hand is packing challanged:D.

 

Try to talk DH into eating in the Main Dining Room; it is actually quite good. We are lucky, we both do not care for dinner at the buffet.

 

Have a great cruise!!

[Bellalago Breeze]

3 and 4 night cruises tend to be very casual. We have done this cruise out of Port Canaveral many times and each time we've done it, formal night has gotten less formal. Last time we went, many of the men just wore dress shirts with a tie and skipped the suit jacket. I think you're seeing more and more of this due to the weight restrictions and fees on the airlines.

 

Also after dinner on formal night many people, both men and women, change into more comfortable clothes for the rest of the evening. We prefer to put on shorts and a tee shirt and then head for the casino or a show. There are probably just as many people who stay dressed for the evening, so it's really a personal choice.

 

Being a first time cruiser, you probably will want to have pictures taken on formal night. It's a great way to remember your experience.

 

Try not to stress about what to bring. Just look forward to the adventure of your first cruise and getting spend a few days relaxing with your DH. You're about to embark on an experience like not other. Enjoy!

[cb at sea]

On sea days, we're in our bathing suits until time to dress for dinner! We will slip on a pair of shorts for breakfast in the dining room (much nicer than the buffet), and we'll wear those shorts for several breakfasts---they're only on you for a short time! Re-wear!!! On formal nights, we keep our formal clothes on--we look GREAT!!! Why would we change??

On port days, short and top are pretty much what everyone will be wearing...unless you're doing a water excursion, then it's bathing suits again!

You don't need 3 outfits a day!!!!!

[pcur]

Most people in the evening wear what they wore to dinner. On formal nights they sometimes change into more comfortable clothes after dinner. Depends on how comfy your formal wear is! On the ship in the evenings it's usually like what you would wear out to a nice dinner. Contrary to what Bellalago Breeze states, it's unusual to see people in shorts in the evening.

 

During the day it's all about the shorts, bathing suits, etc. Be sure to bring a cover-up if you want to stay in your bathing suit all day, as you'll need it in the buffett.

[Ohunion Cruzers]

http://www.royalcaribbean.com/customersupport/faq/details.do;jsessionid=0000votJ6_mr1_LPog2Yd-YNQL6:12h3g0fq2;jsessionid=0000Otz_MtjJCpHtElRpiSKki_j:12h3g0fq2?pagename=frequently_asked_questions&pnav=5&pnav=2&faqSubjectName=Life+Onboard&faqId=255&faqSubjectId=334&faqType=faq

 

If you follow the dress code, you won't be wrong.

[MuncieCruisers]

Don't stress; you're going on vacation!:)

 

The short cruises tend to be fairly casual. Other than formal night, there is no requirement for a button-down shirt for DH; a golf shirt or tropical shirt is fine.

 

I certainly do not bring three outfits a day. I try to mix and match ie. two pr slacks, 3 or 4 casual shirts (they don't take much room). He can also launder some of the clothes from the weekend before, either before boarding or on the ship (rates are actually quite reasonable). For a three day, I was able to pack in a wheel-aboard (rented a dinner jacket through RCCL). DW on the other hand is packing challanged:D.

 

Try to talk DH into eating in the Main Dining Room; it is actually quite good. We are lucky, we both do not care for dinner at the buffet.

 

Have a great cruise!!

 

I wear a Tommy Bahama shirt and nice shorts most nights. Sometimes I will put khakis on. I do wear a suit on formal night

[lissaw16]

http://www.royalcaribbean.com/customersupport/faq/details.do;jsessionid=0000votJ6_mr1_LPog2Yd-YNQL6:12h3g0fq2;jsessionid=0000Otz_MtjJCpHtElRpiSKki_j:12h3g0fq2?pagename=frequently_asked_questions&pnav=5&pnav=2&faqSubjectName=Life+Onboard&faqId=255&faqSubjectId=334&faqType=faq

 

If you follow the dress code, you won't be wrong.

 

I have read the dress code. What I want to know is it the dress code for the dining room only, or does it apply to all areas of the ship in the evening?

 

Can DH ditch his pants after dinner and head to the casino? (in shorts, I mean ;))

[silentbob007]

There is no dress code for any non-eating establishment (besides decency codes) as far as I know. You can wear whatever you want in the evening. I always switch back in to shorts after dinner if I'm going out and have never felt out of place, even on formal night.

[dmndlil]

I have read the dress code. What I want to know is it the dress code for the dining room only, or does it apply to all areas of the ship in the evening?

 

Can DH ditch his pants after dinner and head to the casino? (in shorts, I mean ;))

 

Most definately! You both can change into more comfortable. My Dh almost always changes into khaki shorts after dinner.

[riverboy]

it will be our first time on rci and iam on vacation so ite time to relax and have a beverage. wife will most likely get more dressed up than i but then again whose complaining

[Shipyard Cruiser]

http://www.royalcaribbean.com/customersupport/faq/details.do;jsessionid=0000votJ6_mr1_LPog2Yd-YNQL6:12h3g0fq2;jsessionid=0000Otz_MtjJCpHtElRpiSKki_j:12h3g0fq2?pagename=frequently_asked_questions&pnav=5&pnav=2&faqSubjectName=Life+Onboard&faqId=255&faqSubjectId=334&faqType=faq

 

If you follow the dress code, you won't be wrong.

 

Correction, it's dress guidelines, not a dress code.

 

We had a dress code in the Navy:)

[amybear912]

We are doing this exact cruise a few weeks after you and have done it in the past as well...

 

What the others have said about 4 nighters is right on, they tend to be less formal... Also, the dress suggestion does not apply to the entire ship... in fact, it isnt' even strictly enforced nor would you feel out of place should you decide to skip formal wear altogether... As stated, many change clothes after dining to attend clubs or shows... As you walk through the ship on formal night, you will see many who aren't dressed to the nines... keep in mind that with 2 dinner seatings, those you see who are not dressed up may have already eaten or not eaten yet or what have you...

 

As for needing 3 outfits a day... that is just crazy... we find that with each cruise, we pack less and less and often come home with clothes we never even wore...

 

For mornings, we wear shorts and a top for breakfast, usually wear our bathing suits under that if it's a port day... when we get back we change for dinner... we often repeat items of clothing or mix them with other pieces since you really do not spend much time in clothes... Do pack more than one bathing suit so you will always have a dry one...

 

Most evenings, I wear capris and a top, DH wears khakis and a caribbean shirt or polo or other short sleeved button-down shirt... My formalwear packs easily as it is that slinky material...

 

You can always send stuff out to be cleaned once onboard... it's reasonably priced...

 

Coming from colder temps does present a challenge though... don't know if this is possible for you, but we tend to leave our bulky winter coats in the trunk of the car when we get dropped off at the airport... no sense lugging those around...

 

Enjoy your cruise... this is a great one to introduce you to cruising... I think I would recommend participating in formal night since it's your first... it's part of the experience and as someone said, a great photo opportunity also...

[Bellalago Breeze]

Contrary to what Bellalago Breeze states, it's unusual to see people in shorts in the evening.

 

Obviously from what others have posted on this thread, it is you who are wrong. There are many other people who also change into shorts and other comfortable outfits in the evening after dinner, if they want. People in Florida tend to be much more casual and it shows on the ships that sail from our ports.

 

Things have gotten much more casual in the evening in recent years and many people would like to see formal night done away with entirely. Some day that might just happen. Only time will tell.

[PH8]

Dont forget too...on the Bahamas cruises especially,most do change into casual clothes(and that does inc shorts) because they have the Caribbean pool deck party that night(formal night)................no dancing on the pool deck in gowns and tuxes.!!:eek:

[Shipyard Cruiser]

http://www.royalcaribbean.com/customersupport/faq/details.do;jsessionid=0000votJ6_mr1_LPog2Yd-YNQL6:12h3g0fq2;jsessionid=0000Otz_MtjJCpHtElRpiSKki_j:12h3g0fq2?pagename=frequently_asked_questions&pnav=5&pnav=2&faqSubjectName=Life+Onboard&faqId=255&faqSubjectId=334&faqType=faq

 

If you follow the dress code, you won't be wrong.

 

Never mind.

[Shipyard Cruiser]

Most people in the evening wear what they wore to dinner. On formal nights they sometimes change into more comfortable clothes after dinner. Depends on how comfy your formal wear is! On the ship in the evenings it's usually like what you would wear out to a nice dinner. Contrary to what Bellalago Breeze states, it's unusual to see people in shorts in the evening.

 

During the day it's all about the shorts, bathing suits, etc. Be sure to bring a cover-up if you want to stay in your bathing suit all day, as you'll need it in the buffett.

 

I've only been on 6 cruises but I found just the opposite.

 

Most folks on our cruise changed after dinner and on the warmer cruises you would see a lot of shorts.

 

No one seemed to have a problem with it.:)

[sunnysavannah]

Someone else mentioned it, but remind your DH that he can wash clothes at Grandma's! :) That will really help.

We've done the 4 nighter out of Pt. Canaveral serveral times as well.

My DH (30) brings:

4 T's

3 Shorts (wearing one on)

3 polos

1 pair of Khaki slacks

2 sets of swim trunks and swim shirts (they dry faster than t's and look cooler:p)

and either his suit and tie

OR just a button up shirt and tie, maybe a blazer.

 

If your DH isn't going to swim in the T-shirt, (just around the pool) he can wear the same one everyday.

[Duffysmom]

My DH and I cruise approximately 24 days each year and never eat in the DR or dress formally. This is our prerogative. The idea is to relax and enjoy yourselves and do what makes you happy. You will find many people in casual clothing on formal nights since there are two seatings and many people change after dinner. Please do not make clothing an issue and travel lightly since you will be charged for excess baggage unless you are flying first class. :p

[senrab]

http://www.royalcaribbean.com/customersupport/faq/details.do;jsessionid=0000votJ6_mr1_LPog2Yd-YNQL6:12h3g0fq2;jsessionid=0000Otz_MtjJCpHtElRpiSKki_j:12h3g0fq2?pagename=frequently_asked_questions&pnav=5&pnav=2&faqSubjectName=Life+Onboard&faqId=255&faqSubjectId=334&faqType=faq

 

If you follow the dress code, you won't be wrong.

 

Ohunion-

Except that the link to the attire recommendations do not discuss day wear, which was a key component of the OP's question.

 

OP-

Day wear is pretty casual--t-shirts are common, as are polos. It depends on what you have in mind. From my first to my second cruise, the one thing I changed in my packing was to add more t-shirts. I sweat a lot, and like to have a clean shirt to change into. Other than that, I would generally agree with Savannah's packing suggestions (aside from the obvious toiletries and other miscelaneous).