Why do people care?

[SewMuch]

You can't turn back the clock - fashion changes. Example: Once upon a time it was considered poor taste to wear black to a wedding. What do you see at wedding receptions now? A sea of little black dresses.

On RCCL the definition of formal isn't in a book - its in the many formal night photos that are posted on CC. So if you want to know what most people on cruises consider formal, that's where you look. If you decide to wear top-hat and tails or bermuda shorts you are "outside the box". Only you can decide if you are comfortable there.

[richstowe]

Your reasoning is rather easy to poo-poo:

 

Yes, they take more photographs on formal night, but they take LOTS of photographs every other night too. It's hardly an exclusive gig.

Nowhere near so many picture taken and nowhere near so many pictures chosen.

It seems to me that the specialty restaurants run at near-capacity every night. I don't see that formal night affects their revenues. I'd also argue that while some people use the specialty restaurants to avoid formal night, just as many purposefully choose to avoid them because they want to attend formal night (lobster being an oft-repeated reason to attend). I thought you had to dress formalish in the specialy restaurants on formal nights

 

Formal wear rental and dry cleaning are services that very few passengers use Perhaps but they would rent none without formal nights Just peruse these boards for evidence: You'll see lots of people talking about alcohol, excursions, the casino, the pools -- you'll have to search to hear any interest whatsoever in rental clothing or dry cleaning. These services are a drop in the bucket, hardly a reason for the ship to continue a "tradition" if the majority of the passengers didn't enjoy it.

 

Now, in contrast, you're right when you say that formal night is an "event". But it is something to which a large number of passengers look forward. An excuse for a couple fancy, dress-up dinners is one reason people choose cruising over just an island vacation. This event may attract passengers, but you've utterly failed to convince me that it is profitable for the ship.You don't want to be convinced and you are not

Poo poo to you too.:D

[Aquahound]

I thought you had to dress formalish in the specialy restaurants on formal nights

 

 

No, you do not. The dress code for specialty restaurants on RCI are smart casual every night.

[Ocean Boy]

No, you do not. The dress code for specialty restaurants on RCI are smart casual every night.

 

And, of course, we all know how evyone here agrees on what that means.

[Aquahound]

And, of course, we all know how evyone here agrees on what that means.

 

True. I guess "formalish" could have been an interpretation. ;)

[akacat]

What I find amusing are all the excuses people are posting for not dressing according to guidelines.

 

1. We don't want to pay for a checked / overweight bag. So you're going to pay a couple thousand $$$ or more for a cruise vacation, and then worry about $25 or $50 in baggage fees? I'd like to see your bar tab at the end of the week.

 

2. We don't want to wait for checked bags at the airport. Really? 10 extra minutes in the airport is going to make that big of a difference on a week long vacation? Do you skip the shows because you don't want to arrive 10 minutes early in order to get a seat? Do you not go ashore in port because you may have to stand in line 10 minutes waiting to board?

 

3. Hubby doesn't own a suit, and doesn't want to do the tux program. So maybe cruising isn't for you. Maybe something like Disney World where they don't ask you to dress for dinner.

 

4. I'm on vacation and I'll do what I want. Does that mean you will enter the restricted areas of the ship, smoke anywhere you please, invite yourself to the Captains Table, or dine at the wrong seating because it's your vacation and you will do whatever you want?

 

 

These comments are in no way directed at those who choose to dine elsewhere instead of dressing formal. Just those who feel the dress code isn't for them, and show up however they want.

 

1. You're welcome to, but you'd be done reading it before you started. Literally. I also don't gamble, do specialty dining or buy soda or excursions. If I didn't cruise solo I'd be the cruise lines' worst nightmare!

 

2. I don't think I've ever waited less than 30 minutes for my luggage. Not that 30 minutes is an issue -- I'm far more concerned about the occasional 3 hours, overnight, or lost! Any of those could guarantee that I'm not even going to be properly "casual" for dinner. :(

 

4. Last time I checked, they aren't merely "suggesting" that I stay out of the restricted areas of the ship. Nor am I in the habit of doing things that will harm or inconvenience other people. Your straw man could use a little more work. :)

[Puffinater]

Yaaaawwwnnnn.

[Mark_K]

Their website also "suggests" how many formal nights there may be, but then has a disclaimer that... "The number of smart casual and formal nights is at the ship's discretion."

 

What if the Ship decided it didn't want any formal nights... or all formal nights? And how would the Ship announce it's discretion?:D

Not sure if it's still the case, but for a while, Monarch 3 night Bahamas cruises had no formal night - just 2 casual & one smart casual.

[debshomespun]

In no way does it impact my cruise by what my fellow cruisers are wearing to dinner, to the pool, into port for excursions or anywhere else while on the cruise. For people that let it bother them as to what the other passengers are wearing to dinner, whether it be formal night or any other night, maybe they shouldn't be on a cruiseship for their vacation!

[ryano]

Not sure if it's still the case, but for a while, Monarch 3 night Bahamas cruises had no formal night - just 2 casual & one smart casual.

 

I think someone said Monarch went back to a Formal night but you are correct, when I sailed in May 2010, the second night was smart casual.

[Gilgo Surfer]

Yaaaawwwnnnn.

 

So that's how you get to 7000+ posts.

[bc6152]

Whew! All of a sudden people are mellowing out regarding formal wear in the MDR. I have seen - and participated in - threads about formal wear and those who refuse to wear it - where posters got downright nasty. Now I'm seeing many "I don't care what others wear" posts. Some of you out there are vehemently opposed to anyone attending the MDR in anything less than formal wear on a formal night. Others, and it seems that there are many on this thread, are saying "who cares". I wonder what changed? I, for one, am a "who cares" vote. Don't like what the next table people are wearing? LOOK THE OTHER WAY. Society is indeed changing and formal wear is going away. Slowly, but going away for sure.

[richstowe]

So that's how you get to 7000+ posts.

I was wondering how to respond to a post like that. Your's is so much better then any I thought of.

Good 1.:)

[tip]

Society is indeed changing and formal wear is going away. Slowly, but going away for sure.

 

I would agree.

[Heidils]

Just remember everything that goes "away" eventually comes back and the new generation that brings it back takes credit for "inventing" it.

 

I will dress somewhat formal on formal night. I understand the word and don't need to have RCCL give me suggestions for the simple fact that I understand what formal means. I won't be upset if someone else is not in formal attire it won't ruin my evening. For those of you who want to wear jeans and t-shirts, I'd be happy to sit and chat it up with you in the Windjammer. But I hope that my table mates in the MDR show some class and dress well for formal night.

 

Someone said they would feel uncomfortable dressed up if everyone else was not dressed apropriately. I will not. I will feel properly dressed.

[Ocean Boy]

Just remember everything that goes "away" eventually comes back and the new generation that brings it back takes credit for "inventing" it.

 

I will dress somewhat formal on formal night. I understand the word and don't need to have RCCL give me suggestions for the simple fact that I understand what formal means. I won't be upset if someone else is not in formal attire it won't ruin my evening. For those of you who want to wear jeans and t-shirts, I'd be happy to sit and chat it up with you in the Windjammer. But I hope that my table mates in the MDR show some class and dress well for formal night.

 

Someone said they would feel uncomfortable dressed up if everyone else was not dressed apropriately. I will not. I will feel properly dressed.

 

You mean just like this thread? After two days of no posts I thought it might be dead.

[waxing witch]

I don't care if a man does not wear a tie or jacket but I do not like to see a man with a baseball cap on in the dining room.

 

agreed. we (well, i) like to dress up for formal night. dh gets his suit on and i wear a fancy dress. as a mechanic and a body piercer, we don't get many opportunities to dress up and i like the fancy pictures. generally i don't mind the 'underdressed' people on formal night. however on our last cruise there was a table of younger men and women who were wearing baseball caps and wifebeaters in the mdr. not on formal night (formal night was really baggy jeans with butts hanging out and oversized tee shirts... and baseball caps) but really - wifebeaters? just plain, raggy, undershirts with shorts.

 

did it ruin my dinner? absolutely not. it just struck me as odd and made me kind of sad. anytime you sit down to put food in your mouth, caps and hats should be removed. it doesn't bother me that people want to be casual on their cruise - it makes me sad that manners and common courtesies seem to be on their way out.

[bigque]

agreed. we (well, i) like to dress up for formal night. dh gets his suit on and i wear a fancy dress. as a mechanic and a body piercer, we don't get many opportunities to dress up and i like the fancy pictures. generally i don't mind the 'underdressed' people on formal night. however on our last cruise there was a table of younger men and women who were wearing baseball caps and wifebeaters in the mdr. not on formal night (formal night was really baggy jeans with butts hanging out and oversized tee shirts... and baseball caps) but really - wifebeaters? just plain, raggy, undershirts with shorts.

 

did it ruin my dinner? absolutely not. it just struck me as odd and made me kind of sad. anytime you sit down to put food in your mouth, caps and hats should be removed. it doesn't bother me that people want to be casual on their cruise - it makes me sad that manners and common courtesies seem to be on their way out.

 

I have seen people put out the MDR with Wife Beaters on and with the baggy pants hanging down with underwear showing! I think they will only put up with so much!

[bc6152]

agreed. we (well, i) like to dress up for formal night. dh gets his suit on and i wear a fancy dress. as a mechanic and a body piercer, we don't get many opportunities to dress up and i like the fancy pictures. generally i don't mind the 'underdressed' people on formal night. however on our last cruise there was a table of younger men and women who were wearing baseball caps and wifebeaters in the mdr. not on formal night (formal night was really baggy jeans with butts hanging out and oversized tee shirts... and baseball caps) but really - wifebeaters? just plain, raggy, undershirts with shorts.

 

did it ruin my dinner? absolutely not. it just struck me as odd and made me kind of sad. anytime you sit down to put food in your mouth, caps and hats should be removed. it doesn't bother me that people want to be casual on their cruise - it makes me sad that manners and common courtesies seem to be on their way out.

 

Very well stated Witch. You nailed it. Dress isn't as important as plain common courtesy. I'm not familiar with the term "wife beaters". Sounds awful and crude.

[waxing witch]

Very well stated Witch. You nailed it. Dress isn't as important as plain common courtesy. I'm not familiar with the term "wife beaters". Sounds awful and crude.

 

just a plain white ribbed tank top. they are intended to be worn as undershirts (at least, that's what my husband and father wear them as) not as, you know. clothes.

 

i think this is a touchy subject for a lot of people. i know some people don't have unlimited funds to buy a suit just to sail (although i do believe every man should own a suit and every woman should buy herself one piece of expensive jewelry) but i think that nice jeans, a button down shirt, and not sneakers or flip flops are acceptable on 'formal' night.

 

society has changed. formal nights used to be jackets and ties. sneakers weren't allowed in church. men used to have to ask a gal's dad for her hand in marriage (like it belongs to her dad lol). it's not that my dinner is ruined by a gaggle of kids in wifebeaters and shorts - it's what that implies. that table of kids didn't care about anyone around them. there is a suggested dress code - they chose to ignore it. to me, that is selfish and implies 'i don't care what it says, i'm above that'. these kids actions reinforced that because they were not behaving like they were in a restaurant. i wouldn't have behaved like that in a mcdonalds.

 

and i think that's what the whole dress code thing boils down to - common courtesy. i saw members of this group all over the ship being loud, crude, and inappropriate. yes, it's your vacation and you want to do what you want. but you know what? it's my vacation too. when we only think about ourselves, we are being selfish and not courteous. manners and common courtesy do not take a vacation, in my opinion.

 

/rant

[didicruiser]

 

and i think that's what the whole dress code thing boils down to - common courtesy. i saw members of this group all over the ship being loud, crude, and inappropriate. yes, it's your vacation and you want to do what you want. but you know what? it's my vacation too. when we only think about ourselves, we are being selfish and not courteous. manners and common courtesy do not take a vacation, in my opinion.

 

Amen

[bc6152]

and i think that's what the whole dress code thing boils down to - common courtesy. i saw members of this group all over the ship being loud, crude, and inappropriate. yes, it's your vacation and you want to do what you want. but you know what? it's my vacation too. when we only think about ourselves, we are being selfish and not courteous. manners and common courtesy do not take a vacation, in my opinion.

 

Ahhh. If only more had this attitude we'd all be better off. Hats off to you. You are obviously not a wicked witch. LOL.

[RMH]

Agreed. Like the old adage "My freedom to swing my fist ends where your face begins" (or something like that). People seem to think the freedom and self-expression is ONLY about them, but it is not. I have the freedom to not be uncomfortable or put out by your actions and visa-versa. Some people just don't know or care when their freedom to express themselves violates the freedom of others to enjoy themselves.

[mesci14]

In no way does it impact my cruise by what my fellow cruisers are wearing to dinner, to the pool, into port for excursions or anywhere else while on the cruise. For people that let it bother them as to what the other passengers are wearing to dinner, whether it be formal night or any other night, maybe they shouldn't be on a cruiseship for their vacation!

 

Well Stated. :)

[TheDunphys]

If someone comes to the MDR on formal night dressed in t-shirt, shorts and flip flops, yes I care... I care that the dining room staff doesn't throw the bum out!

 

I'm with you. Pro-casual-wear-on-formal-night-cruisers seem to ignore the fact that there is a casual or semi casual dress code on all but 2 or 3 nights of a cruise. Where you have an alternative venue where you can wear casual clothes and be surrounded by like-minded people, those of us who enjoy formal nights have only one. If everyone else makes no effort it change the atmosphere and turns a 5 star experience into a Denny's experience.

 

I also understand that people don't want to spend money on an outfit they may only wear on one cruise but honestly guys you don't have spend money to look smart and bargains can be had even from opshops for next to nothing. It's not about being the most fashionable, just about making an effort.

 

I realise I may not be winning any popularity stakes but formal nights would be so much better if those that object either chose those nights to eat at the Windjammer or did what we do on the other nights and just the follow the dress code anyway (if it were up to us we'd make it 1/2 formal and 1/2 casual but we follow the suggested code).