Who Wants an End to HAL Formal Nights Entirely?

[wingit]

I guess I could drag my suit along, but what if that's just not good enough for the ??? Then what? Where does it stop?

 

I agree, this whole formal night business is a slippery slope. What will ??? demand next - top hats and spats? Mandatory boutonierres?

[Gotta Go Cruisin]

I'd be willing to bet my next paycheque that you will not be stopped from going into the casino, lounges or shows if you didn't dress formally. The choice is yours however.

 

That's the policy, I double checked with the Customer Relations people for clarification and they confirmed...the expectation is, not dressed "Formally" then Lido for dinner, then go to your room. I suspect that as previously mentioned, open deck activities (there are so many) are permitted sans the Formal Attire. At least I hope so.

[RuthC]

Something about the recent "turn" of this thread is making me think of the adage "Keep your friends close and your enemies closer". Of course, that could just be me misinterpreting. :D

It's not just you---misinterpreting, or not.

[Copper10-8]

I'd be willing to bet my next paycheque that you will not be stopped from going into the casino, lounges or shows if you didn't dress formally. The choice is yours however.

 

You're on to something there:cool:

[Gotta Go Cruisin]

I'd be willing to bet my next paycheque that you will not be stopped from going into the casino, lounges or shows if you didn't dress formally. The choice is yours however.

 

I hope you are right. It seems like they would allow the $$$ making operations to continue no matter the dress code, but as I metioned previously the Customer Relations people said "No Way". That being the case, I guess it's decision time, abide by the rules, stay in your room after dinner time in the Lido or break the rules and venture out under the radar to see what you can get away with. I like to venture out. I guess, we'll see

[PirateShark]

For the formal wear junkies...Ladies, Nordstrom is having their Women's Half Yearly Sale :D Picked up my formal gown for Alaska for a stunning $87 which was marked down from $250. One formal night taken care of, the other formal night at the Lido in my casuals.

 

You may now return to your regularly scheduled "discussion and dialogue" on this topic :rolleyes:

[Copper10-8]

I hope you are right. It seems like they would allow the $$$ making operations to continue no matter the dress code, but as I metioned previously the Customer Relations people said "No Way". That being the case, I guess it's decision time, abide by the rules, stay in your room after dinner time in the Lido or break the rules and venture out under the radar to see what you can get away with. I like to venture out. I guess, we'll see

 

She's correct; You will have no problem entering (and staying inside) the main show lounge, the casino and the other lounges when/if not precisely dressed to "da code".

And to junior detectives; "I know it was you Fredo. You broke my heart. You broke my heart!"

[Set Free]

Bingo! It's totally a person choice. It's so much easier to not take responsibility though, isn't it;).

 

Totally. :)

 

off topic - I hope you enjoy your cruise with my friend Sapper1. She a really great lady...and her husband is a great guy too.

 

Thanks! I'm looking forward to going and it will be nice to "know" someone on board even though we've hardly spoken. LOL

[Gotta Go Cruisin]

the other formal night at the Lido in my casuals.

 

You may now return to your regularly scheduled "discussion and dialogue" on this topic :rolleyes:

 

That's the way to make it work for you. Good Job!!!!

[Gotta Go Cruisin]

She's correct; You will have no problem entering (and staying inside) the main show lounge, the casino and the other lounges when/if not precisely dressed to "da code".

 

...and some how that seem right?

[Copper10-8]

...and some how that seem right?

 

Right to who?

[Gotta Go Cruisin]

Right to who?

 

Sorry John, I was referenceing the policy and contact with Customer Rellations. The CR people indicated that you won't get into the evening activities unless you are in "Formal Attire", if that is not the case I wonder why they told me that? If the information they provided is incorrect I appoligize. This is our first HAL cruise and I really don't want to be confined to my room after dinner at the Lido as a consequence for my lack of "Formal Wear".

[DizzyDallasDi]

Sorry John, I was referenceing the policy and contact with Customer Rellations. The CR people indicated that you won't get into the evening activities unless you are in "Formal Attire", if that is not the case I wonder why they told me that? If the information they provided is incorrect I appoligize. This is our first HAL cruise and I really don't want to be confined to my room after dinner at the Lido as a consequence for my lack of "Formal Wear".

 

Don't fret, the CR rep was merely stating the "written policy." Reality is entirely different so get out there....oops, wrong cruise line. :p

[cruz chic]

Sorry John, I was referenceing the policy and contact with Customer Rellations. The CR people indicated that you won't get into the evening activities unless you are in "Formal Attire", if that is not the case I wonder why they told me that? If the information they provided is incorrect I appoligize. This is our first HAL cruise and I really don't want to be confined to my room after dinner at the Lido as a consequence for my lack of "Formal Wear".

That is HAL's policy....but generally they choose not to enforce it. The dining room is hit and miss....other venues....I've NEVER seen it enforced. I always dress to "da code" or better so I can't speak from experience but I've got close to 200 days with HAL so I've sailed a fair bit with them.

[PirateShark]

Right to who?

 

I'm not sure...I've been on plenty of cruise ships where, after all the dinner times have passed, that people have changed out of formal wear and into casuals. Especially if they are going to the nightclub/disco or the casino into the wee hours. I don't know about "da code" on HAL but on Celebrity, you dress for dinner and then as long as you don't have flip flops and hairy arm pits exposed, you can pretty much go about your business after the last meal was served in the MDR as long as you are respectful instead of copping an attitude (isn't that the way ALL the world works anyway?)

 

In all, I think the majority of people do respect the cruiselines dress codes and behave in the appropriate manner. As a former guitar player in a band in the 70's, my uniform of choice on stage was a formal gown a la Salvation Army Thrift and Doc Martens (all the better to kick the morons off the stage if needed). With pearls of course. I don't do formal without pearls...

 

In other words, know your audience before your decide to push the envelope. And if you push it too far, accept the consequences with a smile and chalk it up to the old saying "This too shall pass...until I do it again!". ;)

 

YMMV.

[cruz chic]

as long as you don't have flip flops and hairy arm pits exposed, you can pretty much go about your business .

Oh I've seen that too. Thankfully the hairy armpits have been on men:D.

[Gotta Go Cruisin]

I do seem to understand better now that HAL policy is not enforced as aggressively as has been advertised. The DW and I have enjoyed the MDR and were disappointed to hear that only Monkey Suites were allowed. It is good to know that you all have indicated that the HAL policy of "Formal Attire" is bogus that would then allow us a little freedom.

[cruz chic]

I do seem to understand better now that HAL policy is not enforced as aggressively as has been advertised. The DW and I have enjoyed the MDR and were disappointed to hear that only Monkey Suites were allowed. It is good to know that you all have indicated that the HAL policy of "Formal Attire" is bogus that would then allow us a little freedom.

I don't want to give you the impression that the MDR will be like that. That is the one place that it's more likely to be enforced. Folks go in thinking they can get away with anything and then get mad at the person that is turning them away.

[Copper10-8]

Sorry John, I was referenceing the policy and contact with Customer Rellations. The CR people indicated that you won't get into the evening activities unless you are in "Formal Attire", if that is not the case I wonder why they told me that? If the information they provided is incorrect I appoligize. This is our first HAL cruise and I really don't want to be confined to my room after dinner at the Lido as a consequence for my lack of "Formal Wear".

 

No prob Gotta Go! Bottom line: on HAL, the majority of pax (yours truly included) still "dress up" on formal nights. What you will see onboard will be anything from a tux, a suit (all kinds of colors, not just dark suits) and/or a jacket and a tie. A fair number of those folks who dress up for dinner on formal nite choose to "dress down" after dinner for various reasons. In places like the main show lounge, the casino, the Explorations Cafe + the other lounges like the Crow's Nest (or Northernl Lights) night club, again, the vast majority will still be dressed up but, have no doubt about it, you will see folks in there in wearing anything from dress shirts and slacks (no jacket, no tie), to long or short sleeve shirts and dockers (I'm only talking male dress since, unlike others here, I'm a lame on female dress), to yes (make sure you're sitting down), t-shirts, sometimes wifebeaters and shorts (the vast minority). Those folks will not be kicked out and made to peel potatoes unless HAL is doing a complete 180 in their "code enforcement". Enjoy your 1st cruise on HAL. It's a good line!:)

[Ladysmith]

Some of you are missing the point. If you pay for a holiday you select how, when, where you go. There is a vast difference between formal and semi formal/smart casual vs T-shirt and jeans. Pick a cruise that supports Burger King attire if you want to dress as you would to wash your car, go clam digging or camping. HAL has maintained a standard of dining that you should expect if you select this cruise line. And no, formal does not necessarily mean a tux but at least the elegance of a jacket and tie.

[Gotta Go Cruisin]

Some of you are missing the point. If you pay for a holiday you select how, when, where you go. There is a vast difference between formal and semi formal/smart casual vs T-shirt and jeans. Pick a cruise that supports Burger King attire if you want to dress as you would to wash your car, go clam digging or camping. HAL has maintained a standard of dining that you should expect if you select this cruise line. And no, formal does not necessarily mean a tux but at least the elegance of a jacket and tie.

 

I suspect they want to saty in business, Most cruisers these days are not going because of the "Formal" requirement.

[rjse]

After reading 645 of these posts Ladysmith could not have summed up this issue better!!! Alaska for us is formal and the tropics is casual. Pick YOUR ship accordingly.

[Gotta Go Cruisin]

No prob Gotta Go! Bottom line: on HAL, the majority of pax (yours truly included) still "dress up" on formal nights. What you will see onboard will be anything from a tux, a suit (all kinds of colors, not just dark suits) and/or a jacket and a tie. A fair number of those folks who dress up for dinner on formal nite choose to "dress down" after dinner for various reasons. In places like the main show lounge, the casino, the Explorations Cafe + the other lounges like the Crow's Nest (or Northernl Lights) night club, again, the vast majority will still be dressed up but, have no doubt about it, you will see folks in there in wearing anything from dress shirts and slacks (no jacket, no tie), to long or short sleeve shirts and dockers (I'm only talking male dress since, unlike others here, I'm a lame on female dress), to yes (make sure you're sitting down), t-shirts, sometimes wifebeaters and shorts (the vast minority). Those folks will not be kicked out and made to peel potatoes unless HAL is doing a complete 180 in their "code enforcement". Enjoy your 1st cruise on HAL. It's a good line!:)

 

I don't quibble for one minute that HAL is a good line, but if they have a "Formal" policy, which has been stated to me that ALL activities on "Formal" night require "Formal" attire, do they relax da code for I guess what ever they choose to relax the code for? If theres a code should it be enforced or relaxed? I like relaxed, but from everything I hear, except from a couple of people here, is to be prepared for the code police.

[Gotta Go Cruisin]

 

I have sat in Court with Criminals about to be sentenced to Prison for much of their natural life and I'm sure elegance was not wearing a jacket and tie, maybe a tux would have worked better. Point being, dress code does not make the Man/Woman.

[Copper10-8]

I don't quibble for one minute that HAL is a good line, but if they have a "Formal" policy, which has been stated to me that ALL activities on "Formal" night require "Formal" attire, do they relax da code for I guess what ever they choose to relax the code for? If theres a code should it be enforced or relaxed? I like relaxed, but from everything I hear, except from a couple of people here, is to be prepared for the code police.

 

HAL has an inconsistent record re: enforcing the "suggested" dress code for the main dining room aboard their ships. Very few organizations like verbal confrontations with their customer base! Is that right? According to posters here, some folks pushing the bottom of the envelop, have been turned away from the MDR, others have been able to dine when dressed "not to code". It's a crap shoot. However, I'm not aware, nor have I ever seen anyone asked to leave the show lounge, the casino, the Explorations Cafe and/or any of the other lounges on a formal evening not dressed to "da code". So what they tell you over the phone is not always what you'll find onboard.