Formal Night - Fashion Police Question

[Debbie&Chaz]

The Fashion Police thread brought this to mind again. We do like to eat in the MDR for dinner. So on formal nights, we do dress to the HAL code for the evening meal. However - you knew this was coming - I HATE wearing the jacket and tie when I'm not at work.

My question - Couldn't there be just ONE fashion police designated lounge (maybe the piano bar) where we could go after early dinner to have a drink, without the tie and jacket. Hate to compare this to the smoking threads, but there was a time when there were designated smoking areas. Please - could't we have one "formal free" lounge on formal nights. I'm sure those who dine in the lido would also appreciate this concession.

Chaz

[cruz chic]

I don't think you would have any problems going to ANY lounge without a jacket and tie. If you are going to put on a pair of shorts and a wife beater then you might:D.

[mudscraper]

If I`m dressed appropriately on formal night would I be banned from enjoying a cocktail in this lounge?

 

 

Rich

[Cruisin Suzin]

If I'm dressed inapproprately on formal night would I be banned from enjoying a cocktail in any lounge..If I choose to opt out, eat in the Lido or in my cabin, do you mean to tell me that all areas of the ship are formal for that entire night times 2 on a seven day cruise..If I choose to wear a pair of capris an nice top...?

[Set Free]

Hubby and I were happy to get all dressed up for the first formal night but we got lazy for the second one on Friday night (not to mention the fact that we were still stuffed from lunch and to eat another large dinner would have made us ill) so we opted to go casual. We still dressed nicely (hubby in long slacks and polo and I was in a khaki skort and black top) and after dinner, we felt quite comfortable going to one lounge to listen to the piano music then head up to the Retreat to relax and talk. We never once felt out of place and only one person said something ("Oh, you're not going formal tonight?" - it seemed more of a genuine question than anything else). We certainly didn't feel trapped in our room or anything like that. Just dress smartly and you will be fine.

[RevNeal]

As has been stated, multiple times, on these threads: The Line's policy is one thing, what the Line is willing to do about their policy is something else entirely.

 

1. The Dress Code is articulated as applying for the entire evening, not just for the Main Dining Room.

 

2. The only places one will find the Dress Code being even inconsistently enforced are the Main Dining Room and the Pinnacle Grill. On some cruises, the staff will attempt to enforce the Dress Code. On other cruises, however, they won't even try to enforce it.

 

3. Away from the MDR and the Pinnacle Grill, however, one will see just about anything being worn. While many will remain dressed in the evening's requested clothing, others will have had dinner in the Lido and hence will have not dressed up, while still others will have dressed up and then, after dinner, discarded their jackets and ties for more "comfortable" attire.

 

Hence, you will find some people not dressed upon on formal nights in the lounges around the ship. True, its not in accord with what the Line asks of us, but that is what some people do. How many people do this will vary from cruise to cruise; sometimes there will be a lot, other times there will only be a few ... and I've seen extremes on both ends. Usually it's an average 60/40 proposition one way or the other.

 

In short, don't worry about it.

[topwinder]

Are Pinnacle and MDR the only place enforcing the formal attire? I am planning on skipping the formal nights, and was wondering if this would be a good time to experience the Caneletto, that is, if they do not enforce the formal attire? Or will Caneletto be closed on formal nights?

[Copper10-8]

The Fashion Police thread brought this to mind again. We do like to eat in the MDR for dinner. So on formal nights, we do dress to the HAL code for the evening meal. However - you knew this was coming - I HATE wearing the jacket and tie when I'm not at work.

 

My question - Couldn't there be just ONE fashion police designated lounge (maybe the piano bar) where we could go after early dinner to have a drink, without the tie and jacket. Hate to compare this to the smoking threads, but there was a time when there were designated smoking areas. Please - could't we have one "formal free" lounge on formal nights. I'm sure those who dine in the lido would also appreciate this concession.

 

Chaz

 

You'll be fine anywhere (except in area's that say "crew only") on the ship, including all lounges, the casino, the Explorations Cafe, the movie theater

[Opinions]

 

Hence, you will find some people not dressed upon on formal nights in the lounges around the ship. True, its not in accord with what the Line asks of us, but that is what some people do. .

 

What does the Line ask of those who dine in the Lido on formal nights?..Do they actually ask those who dress casually that they change if they want to go in the show room, lounges, etc...The request in the code to remain dressed formally for the entire night seems to ignore that some in the Lido feel they are dressed to code...Obviously what we have now is formal dinner in the dining room not formal night...However HAL hasn't decided yet how to change the dress code to reflect this.

[mamaofami]

The line requests that people in public places dress formally for formal night. However, as Rev Neal explained above, many people change after dinner. I have seen all manner of dress in the lounges and casino after dinner, but haven't really paid too much attention to clothing in the show lounge. Since they sell drinks there, and it's a money making venue, unless you are dressed way inappropriately, I believe you will get in. What I can't understand, is why, if people go casual for the Lido or change after dinner, they can't wear a nice pair of pants and a top instead of shorts.

[iancal]

HAL will NOT do anything about the dress code outside of the MDR on formal nights. They want everyone, no matter how they dressed, in the lounges, in the casino, and in the shops doing one thing...spending money. Does anyone really think that Hal will ever change given the revenue opportunities, the changing demographics of cruisers, and the fact that this 'suggested code' is impossible to enforce in all areas of the ship outside of the MDR without loosing a good proportion of their customer base? HAL has even made the dress code in the MDR a bit of a joke because they either do not enforce it or enforce it in a very irregular way. This is a HAL issue.

[Sir PMP]

The Fashion Police thread brought this to mind again. We do like to eat in the MDR for dinner. So on formal nights, we do dress to the HAL code for the evening meal. However - you knew this was coming - I HATE wearing the jacket and tie when I'm not at work.

 

My question - Couldn't there be just ONE fashion police designated lounge (maybe the piano bar) where we could go after early dinner to have a drink, without the tie and jacket. Hate to compare this to the smoking threads, but there was a time when there were designated smoking areas. Please - could't we have one "formal free" lounge on formal nights. I'm sure those who dine in the lido would also appreciate this concession.

 

Chaz

 

You might as well get used to the fact that on formal nights you'll see people walk around in their underwear, especially in the casino, those are the 'casual' violators who had dinner up in the Lido!

[tomorrowtamer]

I don't think you would have any problems going to ANY lounge without a jacket and tie. If you are going to put on a pair of shorts and a wife beater then you might:D.

 

Hello Lorekauf,

I agree with your comment however I would encourage you to use a less offensive clothing description to replace "wife beater".

I cringe everytime I hear this reference!

Karen

[mudscraper]

The OP wants to know if a lounge should be dedicated to those who wish to dress casually on formal night. What do you think.

 

 

Rich

[Jemima]

The OP wants to know if a lounge should be dedicated to those who wish to dress casually on formal night. What do you think.

 

 

Rich

 

It wouldn't work for us. We now eat dinner mostly at the lido and dress neatly, but not smart casual or formal. Later we may go to one of the lounges for a short while. Each lounge is different and we prefer the Explorers Lounge with the strings playing or the Crows Nest.

[RevNeal]

Are Pinnacle and MDR the only place enforcing the formal attire? I am planning on skipping the formal nights, and was wondering if this would be a good time to experience the Caneletto, that is, if they do not enforce the formal attire? Or will Caneletto be closed on formal nights?

 

Yes, the only places HAL staff ever attempts to enforce the code is the MDR and the Pinnacle Grill (and even in these two places the enforcement is inconsistent at best). Hence, if your desire is to not dress up on Formal Nights, that would be a good time to try the Caneletto. The Caneletto is located in the Lido, and hence the dress code can arguably be said to not apply. About the only dress code rule the Lido has is that one must wear a shirt; unless things have changed, the lidos even have signage to that effect.

[RevNeal]

What does the Line ask of those who dine in the Lido on formal nights?..Do they actually ask those who dress casually that they change if they want to go in the show room, lounges, etc...The request in the code to remain dressed formally for the entire night seems to ignore that some in the Lido feel they are dressed to code...Obviously what we have now is formal dinner in the dining room not formal night...However HAL hasn't decided yet how to change the dress code to reflect this.

 

HAL wants to have their cake and eat it too. They want as many passengers as possible adhere to the Formal Night code so that their ships will continue to have something of an elegant, refined, traditional look and feel about them a couple of times a week. They expect that most passengers will follow the Lines's suggestion that people remain dressed up for the evening, but have no desire to enforce it because they do not want to risk impacting the bottom line.

[RevNeal]

The OP wants to know if a lounge should be dedicated to those who wish to dress casually on formal night. What do you think.

 

Only if a different lounge were to be dedicated to those who wish to dress Formally on Formal night. Yes, I know, in theory that's all of the ships' lounges, but in reality it's none of them. So, if one lounge is going to be formal free, then at least one will need to be made casual free.

 

It rubs both ways.

[RevNeal]

It wouldn't work for us. We now eat dinner mostly at the lido and dress neatly, but not smart casual or formal. Later we may go to one of the lounges for a short while. Each lounge is different and we prefer the Explorers Lounge with the strings playing or the Crows Nest.

 

What do you mean by "neatly"?

[cruz chic]

Hello Lorekauf,

I agree with your comment however I would encourage you to use a less offensive clothing description to replace "wife beater".

I cringe everytime I hear this reference!

Karen

Oh pardon me....yes lets be PC....a shirt with armpit hair hanging out with no sleeves. I think most people would understand I'm not in favour of a man beating his wife:rolleyes:.

[mudscraper]

Hello Lorekauf,

I agree with your comment however I would encourage you to use a less offensive clothing description to replace "wife beater".

I cringe everytime I hear this reference!

Karen

Spousal Rehabilitationware?

 

 

Rich (only kidding)

[world~citizen]

Oh pardon me....yes lets be PC....a shirt with armpit hair hanging out with no sleeves. I think most people would understand I'm not in favour of a man beating his wife:rolleyes:.

 

Or:

 

White, ribbed, skin-tight tank top, which is most excellent for showing off a dude's pecs, shoulders, arms, underarms, armpit hair, and natural B.O. :eek:

[world~citizen]

Spousal Rehabilitationware?

 

 

Rich (only kidding)

 

We are going to be in such trouble. :eek:

[Copper10-8]

Spousal Rehabilitationware?

 

 

Rich (only kidding)

 

or........................

A very tight, white tank top that is ribbed in texture. This style of shirt is usually found on overweight white guys with unmistakeable markings of bbq sauce or chew spit on the front often combined with the smell of old style beer and excessive perspiration.

[mudscraper]

or........................

 

A very tight, white tank top that is ribbed in texture. This style of shirt is usually found on overweight white guys with unmistakeable markings of bbq sauce or chew spit on the front often combined with the smell of old style beer and excessive perspiration.

I told my wife not to e-mail you our Oosterdam pics.

When she comes back inside from cleaning the gutters she`ll get an earful. This may result in a demerit on her Weekly Achievement Chart.

 

 

Rich