Reds4life

Do you guys wear jackets in the Caribbean? If so, why? It is pretty warm. I am a professional person with two post graduate degrees and don't understand the logic in that. You can look just as "nice" without a jacket. People get married on the beach and don't wear that stuff. A jacket isn't really a ticket to elegance

You might be right. We will see in a few days. This cruise was the same price for a suite for 5 days and RCCL inside for 4. So we decided to check it out. I honestly don't know if we will like it or not. We don't really always like the evening main theater entertainment on RCCL or MSC but can count on them to make an effort to provide SOMETHING and not just bar singers and act like it is unique with a fancy name. That seems rather lazy on HAL and makes me wonder why the cruise was cheap. I guess we will see very soon.

That sounds excellent. We are on Zuiderdam next week for 5 days. Hoping they have similar shows. Back to the OP concerns, we have only cruised on Royal Caribbean and MSC multiple times on both, but they have something similar to the music walk on every ship. I am struggling with how this is considered unique to HAL. I have seen the dueling pianos and rock room/bar deal before. Never seen much classical music but MSC does have opera each cruise. I just thought this was typical.

Thanks for the tips. We got a great price on Zuiderdam for 5 nights in a suite. So we are going to try it out and I am sure will have a good time. I just see so much potential and it is a little frustrating. Seems like this brand is just riding the previous decades client base and not evolving with the times. That will work for awhile but seems like they would look a little forward.

We are in our 40s and getting ready to go on our first HAL cruise. We have been very confused about why the main stage is not scheduled to be used. We like music but not the so called "intimate" setting of these music walk venues. We see it as a crowded bar. That does not appeal to us. Other lines have the same dueling pianos and other venues with music like the music walk, but they also have a main stage show each evening. Plus, movies by the pool, games shows, etc. We like to do things with our kids in the evening after dinner because it is our time when everyone comes together and we discuss our day and plans for tomorrow and then spend some common time. Most of our days on the ship, we are all scattered about. If the people in the music walk are talented, then why not bring them to the main theater for more people to watch?

We are in our 40s and getting ready to go on our first HAL cruise. We have been very confused about why the main stage is not scheduled to be used. We like music but not the so called "intimate" setting of these music walk venues. We see it as a crowded bar. That does not appeal to us. Other lines have the same dueling pianos and other venues with music like the music walk, but they also have a main stage show each evening. Plus, movies by the pool, games shows, etc. We like to do things with our kids in the evening after dinner because it is our time when everyone comes together and we discuss our day and plans for tomorrow and then spend some common time. Most of our days on the ship, we are all scattered about. If the people in the music walk are talented, then why not bring them to the main theater for more people to watch?

Pretty much right on point.

Well, yeah, if you are on a cruise in the Caribbean then why would you wear a jacket? It's not cold or it serves no function. Even pants are not very comfortable in warm, humid climates. Finally, what's with a collared shirt? Does that small piece of fabric make all the difference? Better question, is it too much to just enjoy your dinner and not worry about other people? I am there to enjoy the meal and my company. I bet you are more concerned with how nice Christmas gifts are wrapped as well rather than the actual gift or the thought behind it

Exactly. It is called progress. People do not, nor should they, judge the value of others based on what they look like in progressive society. People come from different cultures and choose to dress differently. Dress codes are typically associated with elitists and discrimination. If a person comes in in swim trunks, a robe, and Birkenstocks and goes about their business and quietly eats their meal, why is that an issue? Look the other way or better yet focus on spending time with your travel mates instead of paying attention to random strangers clothing choices.

Same! I see dogs at outside venues in Ohio. I think it is fairly acceptable...like shorts 🙂

The other guy on this thread said he would let HAL know if people weren't following the dress code

As a first time HAL guest, I am getting a very "Boomerish" vibe here that a lot of people supplement the lack of entertainment offerings by sitting around and passing judgment on others. Do people really go and tattle "Karen style" on other people for wearing sandals? 😄

I wasn't alive for the 1960s and most of the 1970s. Do folks in that generation tend to find enjoyment in judging others? Because probably the reason why people wear an assortment of clothing options nowadays is because they don't judge a person's character or worth based on how they are dressed or what they look like. That's called progress.

I would certainly hope that Birkenstocks are acceptable. Like you said they are not cheap and are also very much in style.

I am still stuck on why in the world I can't wear shorts and look nice enough to eat in the dining room when I can eat at just about every restaurant in Florida or in port in them. Same with sandals. This dress code stuff is archaic. I don't care if people come in naked to be honest. Might liven the place up a little.

Double post sorry

I usually do for the upgraded menu, but really I only wear khakis or even a collared shirt when we eat in the dining room. Tee shirt and khaki shorts is my go to. If I can get away with that in the Lido and get all the same dishes then that might be a better fit. Thank you for the information though!

I am interested in a list of dishes NOT available in the Lido and dishes NOT available in MDR. I do not care about escargot. I am more concerned with beef and seafood. I have always went to the MDR on other lines just because they did not offer much in the way of finer beef dishes and seafood on the buffet. We are on vacation and don't care to pack extra clothes to dress up and from what I can tell, the Lido on HAL has the staff serving and wait service for drinks, which is better than most lines.

Man, that's disappointing. We are on there in 2 weeks 😬

What is the issues with the ship that need addressed?

I understand what you're saying about relaxing. Basically that's what we do all day while on board. Part of our relaxation is enjoying something interesting together as a family in the evenings. I don't think anyone is asking to "go,go,go" and we don't expect to need to "choose a different cruise line" because we would expect some sort of entertainment during the evenings. We would never go on Carnival because we do not want a party-type atmosphere and honestly the type of people that go along with it. We like nature documentaries, cooking shows, theater, variety shows and more traditional entertainment like comedians, movies, game shows, etc. My original question was mainly centered around why HAL does not have these items on the daily program that is posted on the app despite advertising them when we booked and what a usual evening is like.

They would like all of those! My youngest is in theater and both are/were in band. I just have not yet seen those on our daily planner in the app. Hoping they update it to include these. My mom loves the comedians as well.

Top Gun Maverick is amazing. That is a good example of a movie I would watch again. Thanks for the info

We are definitely excited about Amber Cove and will be outside during the sea days. We love the sunshine! But, optimistically hoping for the evenings. We are not dancers lol and don't drink, so we don't usually fit in at the bar scene, thus the many questions about the music walk venues. One of the things my kids mention as a favorite is attending the evening show. MSC always has one and RCCL does on most nights. We basically relax all day and like to be entertained in the evenings. Thanks for the suggestions

I'm down for some movies, even if I have already seen them if they are good. We don't subscribe to Netflix but like going to the theater as a family to watch movies. Also, we are game for any comedian and the BBC show is good as well. Now, I do wish they had some things planned for kids since this is a holiday cruise with a ton of kids according to the FB groups.