Even more questions about Blu

[mprice]

I am with you. Do not need to bring all my formal clothing. That is one reason why we took Aqua class. Each to their own.

[Michidoeme]

:rolleyes:

Dont fixate on lobster for formal night...it is not Maine lobster and it is generally broiled and way over cooked and tasteless in both the mdr and blu. It's better in Murano cooked at your table.

 

We were on b2b aqua on the equinox this year..I wore smart casual...no jacket with no problem and I didn't feel eyes staring at me. Many/most men wore suits or tuxedos and we all got along just fine. I was certainly not the only one in. Nice shirt and slacks.

 

Were in Blu on Solstice this Spring and can confirm observations of others : at least 1/3 tux and 1/3 dark suit, rest jacket and very little men just turtle neck or shirt only. We will be in Blu again this Fall and my husband, despite fully realizing he does not have to and we will be packing for 3 weeks (cruise + after), insists on taking at least dark suit. So I'll get to dress up too:rolleyes:

[crazygirl!]

That's a very high number unless this statistic is based on your eye view when dining and not everyone that walks in and out of the restaurant from open to close. If the numbers are true, then I'll be part of the 5%. Still, I'm going as is with polos and khakis/dress slacks and I don't expect any disruption in my dining experience.

 

Sorry, yes, this is based on my observation for each of the 3 formal nights. We dined at all different times, so I thought that it would be a good overall view. With the exception of just a few couples, most were dressed in tuxes, suits, cocktail dresses, and long gowns. I was actually really surprised at the number of long gowns, as I imagine that is a difficult thing to pack. Before our cruise, when we heard that Blu was no longer formal, we really debated on bringing dress clothes. However, the formal wear won out, as we thought it would be fun to dress up. This is just a personal choice. I honestly don't care what others wear, since we are all on vacation after-all and we should all be able to be comfortable. And, by the way, I think a polo and dress slacks look very nice.

[redjetz]

I think it must vary by length of cruise and itinerary. On Infinity Aug 3 to Alaska, the mix of dress in Blu in early to mid evening was perhaps 30% formal and the rest smart casual, of which there were a few men in dress jeans, I noted, but with nice shirts and/or jackets. Women correspondingly attired.

 

While out and about on the ship on formal nights, I was surprised by how many passengers were dressed up, given all the comments I had read about Alaska being very casual dress, relatively speaking.

[redjetz]

I think it must vary by length of cruise and itinerary. On Infinity Aug 3 to Alaska, the mix of dress in Blu in early to mid evening was perhaps 30% formal and the rest smart casual but with a bit effort; there were a few men in dress jeans, I noted, but with nice shirts and/or jackets. Women correspondingly attired.

 

 

While out and about on the ship on formal nights, I was pleasantly surprised by how many passengers were dressed up to some degree, given all the comments I had read about Alaska being very casual dress, relatively speaking.

[hcat]

on our two recent cruises in AQ-- almost everyone dressed formally for formal night, and we never saw jeans at dinner on any night in BLU...

 

not many in jeans around the ship---saw one male in jeans in the theatre.

[jackdiamond]

No baked Alaska parade on any ships,fire hazard.

You jest!

[Lsimon]

On our Equinox Caribbean cruise last March The majority of men in Blu were dressed according to the formal dress code even though it was not required. But there were enough dressed smart casual that no one would, or should, feel out of place dressed that way. I had a similar observation in Muranos.

 

No baked Alaska parade on any ships,fire hazard.

 

They've always had the baked Alaska parade the last formal night in the MDR every time we've dined there. The last time was about 18 months ago on an Eclipse 7 night Caribbean.

[stipmom]

We were on the Silhouette on a European cruise in May and certainly did not feel out of place in Blu without formal clothes on formal nights.Since specialty restaurants are also not formal there are alot of people walking around the ship in smart casual clothes

[orchestrapal]

We were on the Silhouette on a European cruise in May and certainly did not feel out of place in Blu without formal clothes on formal nights.Since specialty restaurants are also not formal there are alot of people walking around the ship in smart casual clothes

 

Thank you.

So happy to hear that. There is NO way we would travel with formal clothing any more.:)

[Cruise a holic]

These I'm sure have been covered before, but this is our first time in Blu so have not kept up to speed.

 

If we decide the first night we like the table and waiter we're assigned, we can ask then and there to have it held for us every night in Blu at a certain time?

 

There's no formal nights in Blu??? I just read this in another thread! I had no idea! We are old schoolers, my husband has his own tux, we LOVE the formal nights. We can still wear what we want, right, it's just not required for those who don't? And no Baked Alaska Parade? Arrrgh, I'm hyperventilating, lol.

 

Not true- most people on Celebrity do dress formal nights and look wonderful. I was in Blu on one formal night and:) the guest, except one man, were wearing formal attire, many tux's and gowns. We also love formal night. But yes, no Baked alaska parade. The underdressed man looked awkward and uncomfortable. Enjoy the formal nights

[ghstudio]

Be careful that your perception of his being awkward may have been just that...your perception because perhaps you felt he should have felt awkward.

 

I can assure you that if you are cruising with my wife and I, I will be in smart casual on all evenings in bLU and I won't feel at all awkward.

[Peteymil]

Not true- most people on Celebrity do dress formal nights and look wonderful. I was in Blu on one formal night and:) the guest, except one man, were wearing formal attire, many tux's and gowns. We also love formal night. But yes, no Baked alaska parade. The underdressed man looked awkward and uncomfortable. Enjoy the formal nights

 

It goes to show every cruise is different. On our July cruise, there were very few tuxes in Blu. Some suits, many casual, and yes, even jeans.

[Cruise a holic]

Be careful that your perception of his being awkward may have been just that...your perception because perhaps you felt he should have felt awkward.

 

I can assure you that if you are cruising with my wife and I, I will be in smart casual on all evenings in bLU and I won't feel at all awkward.

 

The couple sat next to my husband and I and kept saying " I don't have dressey clothes". He was saying this over and over to us and expressed his discomfort. I bet if he cruises again he would bring a suit or sports jacket and tie.

[sheffield]

Very few men in tuxes on our med cruise in Blu or speciality restaurants earlier this year.

[junglejane]

[quote name='Lsimon']On our Equinox Caribbean cruise last March The majority of men in Blu were dressed according to the formal dress code even though it was not required. But there were enough dressed smart casual that no one would, or should, feel out of place dressed that way. I had a similar observation in Muranos.[/QUOTE]

Larry, if I were in charge, you would be designated to answer ALL dress code questions on the Celebrity board. Unlike some posters, you're able to separate your own preferences from what is expressly permitted. It bothers me that some posters want to telegraph the message that one [U]should[/U] feel awkward if one does not dress formally. We'll be in Blu for the first time in March. I plan to have DH wear his jacket and tie on formal night, but only because my DD's and I want to dress up. I certainly won't look askance at anyone seated nearby who wears smart casual attire, because they are clearly within their rights to do so and it's our choice to get more dressy.

[Cruise Junky]

[quote name='Lsimon']On our Equinox Caribbean cruise last March The majority of men in Blu were dressed according to the formal dress code even though it was not required. But there were enough dressed smart casual that no one would, or should, feel out of place dressed that way. I had a similar observation in Muranos.
.[/QUOTE]



When did the rules actually change for Blu? So many people are quoting experiences from Blu over a year ago before it was made clear that formal wasn't required.

[dana77kc]

[quote name='warmwinds']These I'm sure have been covered before, but this is our first time in Blu so have not kept up to speed.

If we decide the first night we like the table and waiter we're assigned, we can ask then and there to have it held for us every night in Blu at a certain time?

There's no formal nights in Blu??? I just read this in another thread! I had no idea! We are old schoolers, my husband has his own tux, we LOVE the formal nights. We can still wear what we want, right, it's just not required for those who don't? And no Baked Alaska Parade? Arrrgh, I'm hyperventilating, lol.[/quote]

About the waiter thing...see the Maitre D before the first evening's dinner. I have severe neuropathy in both hands and cannot cut my food or lift a glass, having to use a straw instead. It is all most embarrassing as is mostly unnoticable until I have to do something fine motor relate such as eating, writing and so on. As well, a cruise is my husband's vacation as well so I want him to have that time off from cutting arranging glasses etc..

Whether we are Aqua class (as we have been) or in MDR, first afternoon we find the Maitre D and explain the problem. In Blu we are assigned the same table and waiter every night and he/she has been told of my needs. Even if others join us in Blu and we are a table of six, our server is assigned that table. One day, we went to lunch in MDR. Our evening and breakfast waiter from Blu spotted us at the door, came over as we were being led to seats and spoke to the waiter for that table who seamlessly and flawlessly took care of my needs.

In both the Blu and MDRs, the staff is so well trained and so very kind that they do not cut my food at the table, but rather bring my dishes already cut for me. It is totally un-noticable to others and it means so much to me to just be "regular" all dressed up in my nice dinner clothes.

We cruise every year, TAs mostly. Our first cruise, after much research was on Celebrity and we have not ever tried another cruiseline. There is much to be said for the human touch in business. Celebrity excels in this regard and has earned my total loyalty.

[mprice]

I agree and try to stay away from formal clothes. That is why we do Aqua class. Less clothing to carry and comfortable in my smart casual.

[dkjretired]

[quote name='Cruise Junky']When did the rules actually change for Blu? So many people are quoting experiences from Blu over a year ago before it was made clear that formal wasn't required.[/QUOTE]

It's about a year however the change was a little slow in taking place. Even after the web site was changed some of the ships were requiring jackets for men. I remember cruisers were reporting back that they showed the Maitre'd copies of the web site and they still wouldn't let them in without a jacket.

[dkjretired]

[quote name='junglejane']Larry, if I were in charge, you would be designated to answer ALL dress code questions on the Celebrity board. Unlike some posters, you're able to separate your own preferences from what is expressly permitted. It bothers me that some posters want to telegraph the message that one [U]should[/U] feel awkward if one does not dress formally. We'll be in Blu for the first time in March. I plan to have DH wear his jacket and tie on formal night, but only because my DD's and I want to dress up. I certainly won't look askance at anyone seated nearby who wears smart casual attire, because they are clearly within their rights to do so and it's our choice to get more dressy.[/QUOTE]

The key to answering these dress code threads in my opinion is not to give an opinion. I try not to give and opinion on what I think the dress code should be and what I personally wear while on a cruise. There's enough controversy just quoting Celebrity's web site.

[pkw]

[quote name='dana77kc']About the waiter thing...see the Maitre D before the first evening's dinner. I have severe neuropathy in both hands and cannot cut my food or lift a glass, having to use a straw instead. It is all most embarrassing as is mostly unnoticable until I have to do something fine motor relate such as eating, writing and so on. As well, a cruise is my husband's vacation as well so I want him to have that time off from cutting arranging glasses etc..

Whether we are Aqua class (as we have been) or in MDR, first afternoon we find the Maitre D and explain the problem. In Blu we are assigned the same table and waiter every night and he/she has been told of my needs. Even if others join us in Blu and we are a table of six, our server is assigned that table. One day, we went to lunch in MDR. Our evening and breakfast waiter from Blu spotted us at the door, came over as we were being led to seats and spoke to the waiter for that table who seamlessly and flawlessly took care of my needs.

In both the Blu and MDRs, the staff is so well trained and so very kind that they do not cut my food at the table, but rather bring my dishes already cut for me. It is totally un-noticable to others and it means so much to me to just be "regular" all dressed up in my nice dinner clothes.

We cruise every year, TAs mostly. Our first cruise, after much research was on Celebrity and we have not ever tried another cruiseline. There is much to be said for the human touch in business. Celebrity excels in this regard and has earned my total loyalty.[/QUOTE]

How wonderful to read your post about how well you were treated without a fuss being made to make other people aware. It must make it a very special holiday for both you & your husband. It's stories like these that make me so happy - thank you do much for sharing your experience.

[K.T.B.]

[quote name='mprice']I agree and try to stay away from formal clothes. That is why we do Aqua class. Less clothing to carry and comfortable in my smart casual.[/QUOTE]

Agreed, but on most cruises I would rent a tux. Having Aquaclass and dining at Blu I may reconsider it this time. If I do not need to wear one, I'd prefer not to. As the time gets closer, we shall see.

[warmwinds]

Our last cruise was a year ago, and, since we always do formal on formal nights, I don't really pay much attention...but it USED TO BE that they would ask that you remain in your formalwear throughout the evening - to the shows, casino, etc.

Is that no longer the policy?

I'm still trying to get my head around Blu - when I saw the menus I thought the food looked more upscale and unusual, which is why we're excited to try it, yet the dress is more downscale? - somehow that seems contradictory to me. I admit I'm very old school and love the perceived glamour of the formal nights, so I'll wear what I want, I'm just wondering about this new casual all the time policy.

[Cruise a holic]

[quote name='warmwinds']Our last cruise was a year ago, and, since we always do formal on formal nights, I don't really pay much attention...but it USED TO BE that they would ask that you remain in your formalwear throughout the evening - to the shows, casino, etc.

Is that no longer the policy?

I'm still trying to get my head around Blu - when I saw the menus I thought the food looked more upscale and unusual, which is why we're excited to try it, yet the dress is more downscale? - somehow that seems contradictory to me. I admit I'm very old school and love the perceived glamour of the formal nights, so I'll wear what I want, I'm just wondering about this new casual all the time policy.[/QUOTE]

Most people do stay dressed up for the entire evening at all of the ships venues on formal night- we were just on the ship last week-