Princess dress code failure

[Irvine Traveler]

We just returned for the Star Princess Hawaii trip.

 

We are Elite members and have been cruising for many years.

 

I am disappointed in the failure of Princess staff to enforce the dress code in the dinning room for the evening meals.

 

It used to be that on formal nights men were not permitted in the dinning room without a tie. On this trip there were men in polo shirts on formal night.

 

The dress code at the door also states that you can not wear shorts and/or t-shirts to the dinner period. This was not enforced and has not been enforced for some years by Princess. There were both men and women at dinner in shorts and I observed several men each night in t-shirts.

 

The failure of Princess Head Waiters to enforce there own dress code diminishes the dinning experience, in my opinion. I feel that when the overall atmosphere is a bit more dressy the mode of the room and the feel is an enhanced dinning experience.

 

To show up in shorts make the event like a night at Denny's restuarant.

 

There are other dinning options on the ship if you don't want to dress properly for the evening.

 

When I asked the Head Waiter why he did not enforce the rule he said, "The guest say they are on vacation and will dress as they want". Then why have a dress code.

 

What about the majority of the persons in the room for the evening meal that did follow the dress code and approved of the enhanced atmosphere you gain with better dress attire.

 

Princess should enforce the policy on each and every ship period.

[Nan_Sea]

Agreed.

[Colo Cruiser]

Welcome to CC!

 

So this ruined the rest of your cruise?

 

I agree to some point...

 

We saw some of the same issues on the Sapphire last week but we don't let it interfere with our cruise.

 

They do not want the confrontation.

Edited March 6, 2014 by Colo Cruiser

[Thrak]

Many people will disagree with your stance but I am with you 100%.

[CaptainKlutz]

I agree that the no shorts/t-shirts rule should definitely be enforced.

 

I wish they'd drop formal nights. In order to cut down on suitcases (Thanks, airlines!) I try to limit the changes of clothes I take. On our last TA, I left the suits home and went to the Crown Grill or the buffet on formal nights.

 

Actually, on that trip the ship photographers never got me...that was a first and I rather enjoyed it.:eek:

[AmberCascades]

This was obviously very frustrating for you. Did it affect the food or the service though? As long as you get the things you pay for you shouldn't let the attire of other guests ruin an expensive and otherwise enjoyable vacation for you.

[Dudleydog73]

I totally agree, however there are quite a few on here that will tell those of us who would rather adher to the rules to find a more upscale line as it would appear that the Walmartification of Princess is well on its way of being implemented.

 

I would like to see all rules enforced equally, not selectively as it really does cut into the enjoyment of the cruise when folks think that just because they paid a lot of money for the cruise they can do what they want. The people above our balcony who thought it was OK to smoke on their balcony and toss their used butts down on our balcony seemed to believe the smoking policy was just a suggestion.

 

Without Princess buckling down on enforcement it will only get worse.

[Irvine Traveler]

With the reduction of the two person per table on many of the ships, it is more frustrating during the dinning experience when you are matched up at a table that has passengers that are not adhering to the dress code. That did and does effect my dinning experience nightly. Except when we opt out for the Crown Grill. So for two hours a night I get to sit with t-shirts with inapproriate logos and slogans on them for the dinner period.

[cruzrbachoua]

I agree as well. We love the formal nights as there are not many places/times we can get all dolled up like that to go out so if the dining room dress code (casual or formal) doesn't fit your way to vacation then use the other dining options or a cruise line that does not have those rules. While I would not let it ruin my cruise I like to see everyone dressed up and having a good time, OP is right it adds a certain excitement to the air.:)

[Irvine Traveler]

Yes sir, I agee with that.

[pablo222]

The dress code at the door also states that you can not wear shorts and/or t-shirts to the dinner period. This was not enforced and has not been enforced for some years by Princess.

 

If this bothers you, and it has been this way for years,

why do you keep returning?

 

And, since you keep giving princess your money, what is their

incentive to take your complaint seriously?

[pathi]

Sometimes I think they should just have the dress code apply to the Traditional Dining service.

 

Anytime dining would be casual. They would probably have to adjust a bit to accommodate everyone.

 

I have noticed that formal wear only appears for the dinner service, so shows, casino etc are casual almost immediately after dinner.

[CCFC]

P&O enforce it, have a go on the Britannia next year, its quite amusing to see people turned away :D

[Jadn13]

I agree! On formal nights we always eat at the Horizon Court since I don't always like to get dressed up. I think they should enforce it since other options are available for those who choose not to get dressed up. (Like Me)

Edited March 6, 2014 by Jadn13

[Toddy709]

On our cruise on the Crown in January, one of our table mates was turned away for wearing "dress" shorts. I thought it was nice to see Princess enforce the dress code, although the gentleman in the shorts looked better than the young lady in sweat pants that didn't get turned away!:rolleyes:

[geoherb]

I was amazed to hear the maitre d' tell a passenger that shorts were OK for dinner in the dining rooms on our recent Ruby Princess cruise. His rationale was that the shorter cruises were more relaxed and some passengers were not prepared. They've done away with formal nights on the 4-night cruises. When we booked, they still listed one formal night for that length cruise in the FAQs on the website. After we booked, we noticed that every night was smart casual in the Cruise Personalizer. They've corrected the FAQs since then.

[bhopal21]

If this bothers you, and it has been this way for years,

why do you keep returning?

 

And, since you keep giving princess your money, what is their

incentive to take your complaint seriously?

 

I wonder that as well.

 

Mike:)

[Irvine Traveler]

I wonder that as well.

 

Mike:)

 

 

The overall cruise experience is much more than the two hours at dinner. It bothers me with the dress code, but the other aspects and experience on board are great. I enjoy the ports and meeting the people.

 

My thread was to have a discussion on the issue and that is being accomplished. I like to see the rules enforced equally, no smoking area, dress code, safety issues. But, by no means does my overall experience become a negative.

 

Another convience is I live in Southern California and my choice is either Carnival or Princess from LA. I chose Princess. I drive 45 minutes to the dock and off we go.

 

But, I do understand that with holding the dollar would have an effect on Princess if there was a movement by a great many persons.

 

Do you have recommendations of other cruise lines that adhere better to rules we re discussing?

[Roses2]

More than 99% of Princess passengers adhere to the dinner dress code. By far the vast majority would prefer that Princess enforce their standards.

.

Princess would be better served to cater to the majority than to continue to make exceptions for a small minority

[sunsetbeachgal]

The rules, unless they've been changed, clearly state no shorts in the dining room at dinner. If they aren't going to enforce them, or worse yet are enforcing them inconsistently between the various ships, then the rules should be changed.

Edited March 6, 2014 by sunsetbeachgal

[Maddle]

Yes - it does bother me to eat in the same room as those who are dressed inappropriately. (Let the cruise line define "appropriate" with their dress code.) Yes - it does impact my service and food because it is distracting.

 

I suppose it is because it shows lack of respect for other people, and I am "other people" so I feel insulted. Why should I have to change cruise lines? These doofuses buy the same ticket I do - and they are aware of the dress code just as I am. Let THEM change cruise lines.

 

As it is, I don't think the dress code is that restrictive - The head waiter/maître d' should do his job and enforce the expectations...because when he "avoids confrontation" he is also showing a lack of respect for the guests that do meet the expectations - and for his hard working staff.

 

Maddle

Edited March 6, 2014 by Maddle

[bhopal21]

But, I do understand that with holding the dollar would have an effect on Princess if there was a movement by a great many persons.

 

Do you have recommendations of other cruise lines that adhere better to rules we re discussing?

 

I see that as a major problem, the passenger demographics have changed considerably in recent years.

 

I have seriously considered Regent.

 

Mike:)

[hpeabody]

OP, Irvine Traveler. Although Hawaii is known for casual/leisure attire, this is still a Princess cruise. I must agree with you, there should be enforcement of the rules. I do enjoy dressing up and love seeing everyone looking beautiful on formal nights, but I realize that not everyone shares the same opinion. Someone mentioned the Walmartification of Princess, UGH! yes, unfortunately that is happening. Another poster mentioned if we want enforcement of dress code, look into the more upscale cruise lines, WRONG! For those who don't like dressing decent (ie: no shorts, jeans, ugly t-shirts, etc) for a nice MDR meal, THEY can go to another cruise line where this is allowed IMHO. Princess has dress code rules, there should be enforcement ... OR they (Princess) should change the rules, bah humbug, but then they would be within the rules and I would respect that.

 

Just to be clear, I never let what other people do/wear impact my enjoyment of a cruise :)

[Irvine Traveler]

Yes - it does bother me to eat in the same room as those who are dressed inappropriately. (Let the cruise line define "appropriate" with their dress code.) Yes - it does impact my service and food because it is distracting.

 

I suppose it is because it shows lack of respect for other people, and I am "other people" so I feel insulted. Why should I have to change cruise lines? These doofuses buy the same ticket I do - and they are aware of the dress code just as I am. Let THEM change cruise lines.

 

As it is, I don't think the dress code is that restrictive - The head waiter/maître d' should do his job and enforce the expectations...because when he "avoids confrontation" he is also showing a lack of respect for the guests that do meet the expectations - and for his hard working staff.

 

Maddle

 

Thank you, and well said.

[bhopal21]

If they aren't going to enforce them, or worse yet are enforcing them inconsistently between the various ships, then the rules should be changed.

 

That seems to be the most common complaint about Princess no matter the subject, is their inconsistency from ship to ship. Stated policy doesn't mean much.

 

Mike:)