Are shorts okay for men at dinner?

[browneyedwoman]

We will be leaving in about a week for our Carnival Glory cruise. My DH asked me to post a question about the men's dress code. He would like to wear dress shorts, a polo and a nice pair of shoes for the regular dinners and evening entertainment. He is bringing a blazer, dress shirt, a tie and long pants for the "formal" night. Will he be okay or should he wear long pants all the time at night? On the formal night do most men keep their long pant and blazers on for the evening entertainment? We plan on doing the piano bar and seeing some of the shows at night. Thanks for all of the great info I've learned here.

[KenMo]

He will be fine with what you described on non-Elegant nights.

 

Even on Elegant nights, we change into more comfy clothes after dinner....most people do.

[Quilting_Cruiser]

We will be leaving in about a week for our Carnival Glory cruise. My DH asked me to post a question about the men's dress code. He would like to wear dress shorts, a polo and a nice pair of shoes for the regular dinners and evening entertainment. He is bringing a blazer, dress shirt, a tie and long pants for the "formal" night. Will he be okay or should he wear long pants all the time at night? On the formal night do most men keep their long pant and blazers on for the evening entertainment? We plan on doing the piano bar and seeing some of the shows at night. Thanks for all of the great info I've learned here.

 

Here you go:

 

 

Cruise Casual Dining Dress Code: Gentlemen - Sport slacks, khakis, jeans (no cut-offs), dress shorts (long), collared sport shirts; Ladies - Casual dresses, casual skirts or pants and blouses, summer dresses, Capri pants, dress shorts, jeans (no cut-offs).

 

 

Not permitted in the dining room during the Cruise Casual dinner for ladies and gentlemen: shorts, gym shorts, basketball shorts, beach flip-flops, bathing suit attire, cut-off jeans, sleeveless shirts for men and baseball hats.

[justlovecruisin]

What you described it fine for dinner on all the nights except Elegant night. Be aware that tank tops or cut off sleeves will not be permitted for men in the MD for breakfast or lunch. Yep they sent my friend back for a full shirt. Women however can wear their bathing suits with a cover up. Go figure

[Tbay-eh]

He doesn't even need the blazer if you want to leave it at home. On elegant night my husband and son wore dress pants, dress shirts and ties (dumped these immediately after dinner). Many men are leaving the suits at home because of baggage fees charge by airlines so dumping these allow a lot more space in luggage.

[viaggi_per_mare]

Most people dress down after dinner. First of all, there are people who do not wish to dress up for the dining room on elegant night and they eat the buffet so there is always a group not dressing fancy on the ship at all. Some choose to swim and they are not dressed up either. There is also various dining times so your early dining people will be dressed early, taking pictures and going to the dining room, the next "wave" is later. There are a few that stay dressed up for the entire evening but most people change into comfortable clothes once they leave the dining room. There is a lot of walking on the ship and some of the decks are slippery. It is somewhat difficult walking in heels all over the ship after dinner.

[Fun, Fun 44]

Another agreeing with the above posts. You got it right and yes, we always change after dinner for the shows and such. Dress up as much as you wish but you can dress as in Sunday school fashion and be fine. :)

Enjoy!

Kat

[Kurbanfan]

Shorts are fine as stated by Carnival.......and we always change after elegant night also......

[Sargent_Schultz]

Shorts are fine.

[rrraydon]

Lucky for us, we're in the next century, where dress shorts are fine in the MDR.

 

Enjoy your cruise and do whats comfortable for you!

[Sargent_Schultz]

The staff are wearing uniforms. Most men don't know or care what others are wearing. If you want a first class line, try Cunard, but it comes with a $$$ price.

 

Mass market cruise lies are just that - expect diversity or sit in silence - they don't want to hear it.

[NutsAboutGolf]

Enforcement of any dress code is extremely limited...I saw several with swimming trunks on elegant night, the kicker was it didn't match the dining room decor :D

[Quilting_Cruiser]

Link please

 

 

JD asked a question on the Belize board. I took a look to see if I could answer but don't have experience with the excursion JD's asking about. http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?p=25335374&highlight=#post25335374

 

Maybe someone else can help...??? :)

[mali06]

I am breaking down and finally commenting on this whole dress code thing . . . First, that's why we like these questions asked again so that some of us who have never spoken up before get another shot . . . Second, I just have one question . . . well, maybe two . . . what ever happened to common sense such as elegant night means elegant! Casual night means casual! And swimsuits mean buffet! And what ever happened to taking a little pride in how we look? I don't understand what it hurts anyone to want to look a little nice once in a while. Think of it as an adventure! A chance to do something you don't normally do! Heaven forbid . . . think of it as FUN! I also certainly think that a man in a pair of dress shorts and a nice shirt can look nice and be comfortable and fit right in for casual night! But I don't think that qualifies as elegant. Just IMO as an English major!

[Brenda33]

When will people STOP complaining about people who don't use the search button? The TOPIC was VERY to the point.....I'm sure you didn't open this topic WITHOUT knowing the question. Maybe the OP doesn't know how to use the search...Maybe she finds it easier just to post.

 

I see people complain about why people don't use the search button....my question is why don't those same people use the mouse to click on the NEXT thread?

Absolutely LOVE your post!!! We should all just be nice. :)

[morganboys]

From what we have seen on our three cruises is almost anything goes and they inforce nothing so you will be fine with what you posted. Imo they should inforce the dress code. We enjoy dressing up for dinner so we go business casual on all nights but elegant night. The boys and I wear a suit and tie, and the wife wears a dress. My thought is if I went to an elegant restaurant I wouldn't wear shorts so why would I in an elegant dining room on my cruise.

[DaytonCruiser]

My thought is if I went to an elegant restaurant I wouldn't wear shorts so why would I in an elegant dining room on my cruise.

Im guessing because the owner of the dining room said they could.

[5o'clocksomewhere]

My thought is if I went to an elegant restaurant I wouldn't wear shorts so why would I in an elegant dining room on my cruise.

 

Because the dress code says you can:confused:

[MikeM]

First 15 years I wore a suit or many times a tux. Last 5 years we wear jeans or Dockers to all nights in the MDR. Tux and beaded dress's went to Goodwill.

[WeBeCruisin']

Any question even vaguely relating to clothing always turns into a huge argument about the dress code.

 

Be advised that the casual proponents tend to be the most vocal and are pretty much the same people on every thread, even though they are a minority.

 

In answer to the OP's original question: Shorts are allowed, but most men will be wearing long pants. Just as long pants and a golf shirt are allowed on elegant night, but most men wear a suit, sports jacket and tie, dress shirt and tie, or tuxedo.

 

It would be nice if these threads could deal with the question that was originally asked and not evolve into insults and screaming.

 

The fact is that Carnival has lowered its minimum standards of dress in the dining room, but most people still honor the dress code which existed before the standards were lowered.

[tef43]

elegant dining room on my cruise.

The OP is not talking about the steakhouse, they were asking about the MDR, which is as far from "elegant" as Applebee's or Olive Garden.

[shiloh25]

Last year, I wore shorts and a polo shirt and even tennis shoes to dinner on casual night- no problem. I did wear a coat and tie to elegant night, which is appropriate, I think. Last year, my son and I went from dinner to the casino where we played craps for quite a while in our suits and had sort of a james bond thing going. And we won, too.

 

The only thing that really annoys me is guys wearing baseball caps in the dining room. Can we all agree that is not good? Last year, a guy at the next table wore one every night and I swear on formal night he dug out his "nice" cap to wear. What a tool.

[nwo4life]

Last May on the Holiday, the maitre'd asked that men not wear shorts to dinner. Most diners respected his wish. We found that request odd.

[browneyedwoman]

Thank you to those of you who gave helpful replies. We're leaving this week and I'm excited about the cruise. We're getting our last minute things done before we leave. I didn't even think about using the search engine. Sorry if it upsets people but even repeat questions are helpful to newbies.

[rdler]

I have to laugh. One of my friends and his wife grew up in Bermuda. Seating at the main dining room that evening was cruise casual. My friend and his wife strode in. The wife wore a jacket atop a white blouse and a khaki skirt. My friend wore a blue blazer atop a dress shirt with a silk tie. Below that he was wearing plaid shorts (which matched the blazer), black calf length dress socks and black garters! The funny thing about it was that the two looked quite snazzy and were probably among the best dressed that evening.