What is acceptable - smart casual ?

[TheBeeSea]

Hello

 

We are new to the cruise idea but have decided to jump in so to speak. However we are curious as to what is smart casual?

We like to wander aroud in 3/4 length trousers and loose shirts - especially in the evenings, perhaps sandals or converse type shoes on our feet. Is that acceptable?

 

Also taking two 14 year olds - think it will do them good -any tips ref cabins etc?

[geomagot]

No Shorts or 3/4 lengths for men in the main dining room in the buffet resturant they are fine, TBH most people do dress up a bit in the evenings you'll look a bit out of place in the theatre/lounge/casino in shorts or 3/4 lengths in the evenings tho some people do wear them

 

4 berth cabins usually have drop down bunks which fold up during the day, it depends on the ship? sometimes there is extra storage space in 4 birth cabins

[Cymro1953]

Hi,

As Geomagot says for men in the evening in waiter service dining room Long trousers also a collared shirt. Ladies tend to put a smart top on.

But if you want to go casual you're OK in the buffet in the evening.

 

Also if you've been by the pool in a swimsuit you'll need to cover up to go into the dining rooms at any time of day.

 

Basically it's just wear what you would at a good hotel holiday.

 

Berwyn.

 

PS This will be our 7th cruise and Mrs. still stresses over what to take :D

[Huddersfieldtourist]

Cruising is more like a better quality mainland hotels so I would say your proposal of clothing for the evening is slightly below the standard most will wear - if it were some cruise lines it would be a no go - on Thomson you will be a little out of place - in my opinion.

[TheBeeSea]

Thank you for the replies.

 

I usually travel in a lightweight linen suit and linen shirt and assume that will be acceptable in the dining room. Thinking of Thomson Majesty because of the itinery

[kruzseeka]

Thank you for the replies.

 

I usually travel in a lightweight linen suit and linen shirt and assume that will be acceptable in the dining room. Thinking of Thomson Majesty because of the itinery

 

 

Sounds perfect! ;) (And you wouldn't need to wear your jacket if you didn't want to although the air-con in the dining room sometimes can be a bit cool so it could be a good idea - but open necked, short-sleeved shirts and smart trousers are very much the norm except on formal night when people do dress up.)

[geomagot]

I tend to do a lot of people watching when i'm on a cruise ( I know, I know, I'm beaky like that - but we all do it dont we? a bit?) here’s what I've noticed generally regarding dress:

 

smart casual for men in the evenings, most will wear a casual collared shirt and smart or chino like trousers, some will wear a polo shirt, some will wear a jacket and tie.

 

Daytimes the usual resort gear, shorts, flip flops, baseball caps, floaty kaftans & maxi's, budgie smugglers, whatever you like except no swimwear or bare feet in the bars or restaurants at anytime, includes kids & if you are only going in to get a cuppa.......put your top on

 

some ports of call also require a dress code when ashore, for instance, in many Caribbean countries you are required to wear a top and shoes in any public place also any kind of camouflage garment is banned in many Caribbean ports of call. in Egypt/Jordan/Turkey/Morocco its a good idea for women to cover their shoulders and upper legs when out and about otherwise you may get some unwanted attention from the local males

 

formal night, most will wear a dinner suit in the main dining room or jacket & tie lots of men in formal highland dress too, in the buffet and other public areas usual smart casual is fine on formal night, most people including the crew will be dressed up on this night

 

it sometimes depends a little on the ship/itinerary: Christmas in the Caribbean smart casual you will see lots of caribbean shirts and trousers in the evenings, formal night many will make an extra effort and look very dressy especially the ladies, lots of gorgeous full length sparkly gowns on the Dream 2010/11 and on the Destiny 2009/10 not so many on the Destiny in the Canaries Christmas 2011/12 and at other times of the year but still a lot of cocktail dresses and sparkly separates:cool:

 

sackcloth and ashes on the Island Escape:D

[kruzseeka]

I tend to do a lot of people watching when i'm on a cruise ( I know, I know, I'm beaky like that - but we all do it dont we? a bit?) here’s what I've noticed generally regarding dress:

 

smart casual for men in the evenings, most will wear a casual collared shirt and smart or chino like trousers, some will wear a polo shirt, some will wear a jacket and tie.

 

Daytimes the usual resort gear, shorts, flip flops, baseball caps, floaty kaftans & maxi's, budgie smugglers, whatever you like except no swimwear or bare feet in the bars or restaurants at anytime, includes kids & if you are only going in to get a cuppa.......put your top on

 

some ports of call also require a dress code when ashore, for instance, in many Caribbean countries you are required to wear a top and shoes in any public place also any kind of camouflage garment is banned in many Caribbean ports of call. in Egypt/Jordan/Turkey/Morocco its a good idea for women to cover their shoulders and upper legs when out and about otherwise you may get some unwanted attention from the local males

 

formal night, most will wear a dinner suit in the main dining room or jacket & tie lots of men in formal highland dress too, in the buffet and other public areas usual smart casual is fine on formal night, most people including the crew will be dressed up on this night

 

it sometimes depends a little on the ship/itinerary: Christmas in the Caribbean smart casual you will see lots of caribbean shirts and trousers in the evenings, formal night many will make an extra effort and look very dressy especially the ladies, lots of gorgeous full length sparkly gowns on the Dream 2010/11 and on the Destiny 2009/10 not so many on the Destiny in the Canaries Christmas 2011/12 and at other times of the year but still a lot of cocktail dresses and sparkly separates:cool:

 

sackcloth and ashes on the Island Escape:D

 

 

Can't comment on I.E. as have never been on her - but your summary of dress is excellent and I agree with your observations. Very useful for first-timers especially. :);)

[Cymro1953]

Can't comment on I.E. as have never been on her - but your summary of dress is excellent and I agree with your observations. Very useful for first-timers especially. :);)

 

Hi Kruzseeka,

I.E. is totally casual but not as bad as implied. We did smart casual in the evenings and the 1st time we were on her I could count on the fingers of 1 hand and have some left over . But last time after TUI took her over and gave her to Thomson's they had a sort of captain's night for repeat Island Cruises cruisers and plenty of us dressed up for it. I even saw one chap in a dinner Jacket :eek::D

 

Berwyn

[geomagot]

In the island cruises days both the star and the escape were marketed specifically as all casual, no main dining room both restaurants were buffets, however the captain always hosted what was called a private reception for returning guests on each cruise and usually performed some sort of repartee, we watched captain David perform an air version of duelling banjos with the CD and a coat hanger! really great fun and captain Guy & officers used to perform the Island cruises Full Monty dance (with his clothes on) which was a highlight of the deck party

 

one night while watching the weekly guest act the singer stopped mid song looked around the theatre and said 'look at you all.... you scruffy beggars!' she really did say this! and then there was Palmy, a dressed up palm tree who was wheeled out to entertain the kids and spent most of the time bumping into them......thinking back it really was mad back then

 

the captain also hosted a weekly captains chat night and also judged the miss island cruises competion (I'm not going to go there) and after a Caribbean cruise on the Dream all passengers were given a copy of the captains log of the cruise which was nice touch

 

I think, if I remember correctly the island cruises ships were based in Brazil in the winter season and did party booze cruises for Brazilians, there was defiantly that sort of vibe going on

 

it was casual but it was a good product imo, Just loved the Island Star I haven’t been on the escape for a while but I believe Thomson’s have dropped all these things since they took over