Am I the only one who'd love to cruise without formal night?

[stoneharborlady]

Well far be it from me to keep ANY enjoyable part of the cruising experience from anyone, but I do think someone on this thread, and I have no inclination to go back and see who it was, had an excellent idea of setting aside one dining room for CASUAL DRESS, but the same menu as the other dining rooms (not buffet) I really dont see that it would be such a stretch.

[stoneharborlady]

Who said anything about First or Second? Why not Formal, and Casual. Of course, if there were a difference in certain aspects, one would need only don the appropriate attire to benefit. Go ahead and draw a box, but think outside it. It makes as much sense as saying that we don't like the product we're buying, so change it, rather than buying what you really want in the first place.

 

For my part, and as a suggestion to others who tire of the endless debate on this subject, I shall make any comments (good or bad) to those in charge - and certainly will express my appreciation to those Head Waiters and Maitres d' (that's actually the correct way to pluralize that one :) ) who make an effort to maintain the standards and decorum that I appreciate.

 

 

By sailing on the CB I bought exactly what I wanted in the first place. We dressed for dinner on the first formal night, and skipped the second, taking our dinner in Carib Cafe. Perfect I thought. But someone on this thread had an excellent idea, and I dont really think it would be such a stretch to make it a reality, of a dining room for casual dress, but regular dining room menu, with wait staff. I dont however, think you will ever change the after dinner activities, such as theater, shows, and casino to formal dress only. Dont see how they could, do you? Sorry, the first time I hit the button it didnt seem to take, so I have a double post.

[bdjam]

I equate this no differently than if I went to an all-inclusive resort and decided not to particpate in the all you can drink booze...if I choose to partake so be it and if I don't oh well my loss for not taking advantage of the fact that "something" was built into my price for my holiday. But I am certainly not ostracized by the rest of the boozers so why would should it be different about Formal Night attire?

If one goes to an all inclusive resort and chooses not to drink the available alcohol, that person has chosen not to participate in one aspect of what that resort offers. By the same token, if one chooses a cruise that has formal evenings and that person chooses not to dress formally, they have chosen not to participate in one aspect of what that cruise offers. If that is their choice, they should avail themselves to the alternatives that the cruise line offers for those who don’t wish to participate in formal evenings – there’s nothing wrong with that.

 

There is something wrong with someone picking a cruise that offers formal evenings and then expecting everyone on the ship to turn that around, or if they close their eyes to the fact that they are ignoring social manners because they don’t want to take the effort to clean up...respect for others is an important thing. Princess offers choices – if one chooses casual, the cruise line is nice enough to provide options for that person besides sitting behind their cabin door. Other choices – namely other cruise lines – are also available for the casual cruiser. I don’t personally think that making a choice to cruise casually – if that’s what one wants – means that person is “relegated” to any less of an experience. I can think of a number of ways to make a very nice evening out of the casual alternatives to a formal night. All it takes is a little thought.

[dressagegal]

Coming from being a Windjammer--I agree one formal night would be great. And one fun night would be better!!!:)

[vmom]

Frankly I think 1 formal night is fun, but could do away with the 2nd. My daughters really enjoy getting dressed up in floor length gowns that they typically can't wear any other place. I enjoy watching them get excited and my husband (their dad) loves parading around with one daughter on each arm...then goes and looks for every photographer he can find.

[britsbest]

If one goes to an all inclusive resort and chooses not to drink the available alcohol, that person has chosen not to participate in one aspect of what that resort offers. By the same token, if one chooses a cruise that has formal evenings and that person chooses not to dress formally, they have chosen not to participate in one aspect of what that cruise offers. If that is their choice, they should avail themselves to the alternatives that the cruise line offers for those who don’t wish to participate in formal evenings – there’s nothing wrong with that.

 

There is something wrong with someone picking a cruise that offers formal evenings and then expecting everyone on the ship to turn that around, or if they close their eyes to the fact that they are ignoring social manners because they don’t want to take the effort to clean up...respect for others is an important thing. Princess offers choices – if one chooses casual, the cruise line is nice enough to provide options for that person besides sitting behind their cabin door. Other choices – namely other cruise lines – are also available for the casual cruiser. I don’t personally think that making a choice to cruise casually – if that’s what one wants – means that person is “relegated” to any less of an experience. I can think of a number of ways to make a very nice evening out of the casual alternatives to a formal night. All it takes is a little thought.

 

 

And thats waht I say too! I am off on holiday tonite (Spain no not cruising) It feels like a warm up for the big event !

 

Adios Amigos

 

Roberto!

[WCAB]

If one goes to an all inclusive resort and chooses not to drink the available alcohol, that person has chosen not to participate in one aspect of what that resort offers. By the same token, if one chooses a cruise that has formal evenings and that person chooses not to dress formally, they have chosen not to participate in one aspect of what that cruise offers. If that is their choice, they should avail themselves to the alternatives that the cruise line offers for those who don’t wish to participate in formal evenings – there’s nothing wrong with that.

 

There is something wrong with someone picking a cruise that offers formal evenings and then expecting everyone on the ship to turn that around, or if they close their eyes to the fact that they are ignoring social manners because they don’t want to take the effort to clean up...respect for others is an important thing. Princess offers choices – if one chooses casual, the cruise line is nice enough to provide options for that person besides sitting behind their cabin door. Other choices – namely other cruise lines – are also available for the casual cruiser. I don’t personally think that making a choice to cruise casually – if that’s what one wants – means that person is “relegated” to any less of an experience. I can think of a number of ways to make a very nice evening out of the casual alternatives to a formal night. All it takes is a little thought.

 

 

This is why we cannot have a decent discussion on this subject. I have read this from the beginning. The clothing choices being given as examples for those supporting casual, would be perfectly fine and probably not even noticed by anyone other then those that feel a Tux and long gown are the only alternatives. Yet those supporting formal, have suggested jeans, overalls and that the casual do not want to take the time to clean up, where can we take that kind of input. It becomes a useless argument because the poster is not addressing the individuals participating in the actual discussion but reaching out for the lowest denominator/abuser, who would come to the table in their torn shorts and t-shirt, having not taken the time to clean up.

Having now become convinced that we cannot assume we all have good taste within reason and go from there, I am done with this subject.

[bdjam]

It becomes a useless argument because the poster is not addressing the individuals participating in the actual discussion but reaching out for the lowest denominator/abuser, who would come to the table in their torn shorts and t-shirt, having not taken the time to clean up.

I’m sorry you’re done with the topic, really I am. I apologize for being careless in my communication. When I said “clean up” I meant like when someone sees someone dressed in their finery and says something like “you clean up good.” Usually with a smile on their face :rolleyes:

 

I think the problem is that those who want to dress casually take this issue more seriously than they’d like some to believe. I personally feel if you go against convention, you’re likely to be swimming against the current. I have been called an elitist, a snob, rude due to my feelings about formal evenings and the appropriate way to handle them…so if there’s any mud-flinging, I think it comes from both sides of the debate.

 

Oh, and by the way, I don't feel a tux or gown are the only alternatives - I just think casual is not an acceptable trade off for what is stated as the guidelines for formal attire.

[ripleysmom]

This quote is in regard to my “warning” to another poster that attempting to enter a dining room in casual clothes on a formal night might not be successful. I’m not quite sure why this poster thinks I’m relying on someone else’s experience as I personally – with my own peepers – saw someone refused entrance to the dining room by one of the Head Waiters on Island Princess because they were in Hawaiian garb on formal night. The Head Waiter explained to these people that in deference to the passengers that were dressed, they would not be allowed in the dining room. So, I’m relying on my own experience, thanks.

Excuse the error. You quoted Largin when talking about people being denied entrance.

Wrong again, ‘mom. I may feel people who refuse to dress appropriately, and then insist on taking part in a formal event socially misguided, but I never said anyone was inferior to me. Rather than taking my posts at face value, you’re reading into them and that’s not fair. I take what you post at face value – I ask for the same in return.

It's true that you have never said it but the tone of your posts indicate it. It would be one thing if I were the only one who thinks this. I'm not.

As for being fair....I can only say that in the future I will try to take your posts at face value. However, it is also fair to say that since Princess does not often enforce the formal night requirements people are not obliged to follow them.

Again, my correspondence with Princess is between me and the cruise line - but no, I never said that. I do agree with you, however – there should be an enforced standard to make it easier on everyone – and that was part of my constructive criticism. Since that time, I’ve seen people dressed casually turned away from the dining room on formal night. Now I don’t want to take any credit for that, but maybe Princess is listening.

Actually you did. Opinions asked you if you received a credit due to your complaints about dress code enforcement. You indicated that you had received a credit as well as an apology.

[smudge's mom]

I have nothing much else to say - because even though we all know it's all been said so many times before - and even though we all know that no one can change the other persons viewpoint on this - we all continue to participate...

 

I have black ants in my kitchen. Anyone want to suggest a solution?

 

I know - this is my punishment for not going formal on formal night.

[LARGIN]

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Excuse the error. You quoted Largin when talking about people being denied entrance.

 

I think you are incorrect.. I saw people denied entrance on the Coral on my Sept 04 and May 05 cruises, bdjam saw people denied when he was on the Island..

 

It's true that you have never said it but the tone of your posts indicate it. It would be one thing if I were the only one who thinks this. I'm not.

 

As for being fair....I can only say that in the future I will try to take your posts at face value. However, it is also fair to say that since Princess does not often enforce the formal night requirements people are not obliged to follow them. Two wrong do not make a right..

 

QUOTE]

 

I can never figure out why it seem so hard for people to follow suggested rules and guidelines while on a ship? And I do not mean just following the dress code.

[ripleysmom]

There is something wrong with someone picking a cruise that offers formal evenings and then expecting everyone on the ship to turn that around, or if they close their eyes to the fact that they are ignoring social manners because they don’t want to take the effort to clean up...respect for others is an important thing.

 

Talk about taking people at face value. You get upset because someone reads into your post yet you equate someone who is not dressed up for formal night as being part of the unwashed masses? How is someone supposed to take this post other than you thinking that you are better than the people who do not want to dress up in order to dine in the dining rooms on formal night.

 

People who do not dress up for formal night are not expecting everyone else to dress down. They just want to be comfortable and get the meal and service that they (as paying passengers) are entitled to. To presume that they did not take a shower or engage in personal hygiene is quite a leap.

 

Respect for others is an important thing. It would be nice if you would show some.

[coiran]

I have nothing much else to say - because even though we all know it's all been said so many times before - and even though we all know that no one can change the other persons viewpoint on this - we all continue to participate...

 

I have black ants in my kitchen. Anyone want to suggest a solution?

 

I know - this is my punishment for not going formal on formal night.

 

Black ants - Princess retaliates in strange ways! LOL

 

Ron

[PrincessAddict]

Ripleyson....

 

Quote: Talk about taking people at face value. You get upset because someone reads into your post yet you equate someone who is not dressed up for formal night as being part of the unwashed masses? How is someone supposed to take this post other than you thinking that you are better than the people who do not want to dress up in order to dine in the dining rooms on formal night.

 

People who do not dress up for formal night are not expecting everyone else to dress down. They just want to be comfortable and get the meal and service that they (as paying passengers) are entitled to. To presume that they did not take a shower or engage in personal hygiene is quite a leap.

 

Respect for others is an important thing. It would be nice if you would show some.

 

 

 

 

 

...can you say Meeeowww!:p

[ripleysmom]

I think you are incorrect.. I saw people denied entrance on the Coral on my Sept 04 and May 05 cruises, bdjam saw people denied when he was on the Island..

 

If you go to Post #252 on this thread you will see where bdjam quoted you.

 

Two wrong do not make a right..

 

Obviously in this instance they do.

 

I can never figure out why it seem so hard for people to follow suggested rules and guidelines while on a ship? And I do not mean just following the dress code.

 

If the cruiseline were to more rigorously enforce their dress code it wouldn't be a problem now would it?

[ripleysmom]

...can you say Meeeowww!:p

 

Why? You just said it so well.

[ripleysmom]

Well far be it from me to keep ANY enjoyable part of the cruising experience from anyone, but I do think someone on this thread, and I have no inclination to go back and see who it was, had an excellent idea of setting aside one dining room for CASUAL DRESS, but the same menu as the other dining rooms (not buffet) I really dont see that it would be such a stretch.

 

I agree completely.

[MaryPoppinz]

However, it is also fair to say that since Princess does not often enforce the formal night requirements people are not obliged to follow them.

 

It's more than a lack of enforcement that doesn't oblige passengers to follow the suggested dress codes. The CSR's are apparently telling passengers who inquire about it that they need not wear formal clothing in the main dining rooms on formal night. And, if someone's been told by Princess that they're free to dress casually in the dining room on formal night, those who do so shouldn't be turned away at the door -- there shouldn't be any enforcement for this.

[spongerob]

I agree completely.

 

What do you do with ships that have only two dining rooms? Do you rope them off, one side fixed seating/casual, the other fixed/dressed-up? Or do you just scrap the Anytime thing and go with no dress codes?

 

Look, I understand where you are coming from, and at times I might agree that vacationing without the need for formal wear might be nice. When I want that, I go to Las Vegas.

 

And okay, once we've decided Dressy Casual (however the hell that ends up being defined) is the order of the day, we'll begin battling over dropping the Dressy part, won't we?

 

And so it goes, some things never change.

[coiran]

You can please some of the people some of the time, some of the people all the time, all the people some of the time, but you cannot please all the people all the time!!

 

Ron

[boco5]

Do NCL, their night are formal optional, and not many are formal

[LARGIN]

Do NCL, their night are formal optional, and not many are formal

 

Works for me... :D

[stoneharborlady]

Works for me... :D

 

 

We will miss you Largin, but hope you are happy there.

[LARGIN]

We will miss you Largin, but hope you are happy there.

 

Nah I'll stick with Princess as I have two tuxedos and a white dinner jacket.. :D

[coiran]

We will miss you Largin, but hope you are happy there.

 

I don't think Largin was defecting to NCL, just agreeing that those who do not want formal nights could defect. Am I right Largin?

 

Ron