Formal night in MDR

[TheMediaman]

It is a passengers choice to wear what they wish providing it has no offensive words, images or shows modest areas. The dining venue attire rules are clearly stated on the website and on the ship.

 

If any passenger is turned away or offered a jacket then that passenger should accept the jacket or seek another venue. Common sense prevails and it is not our right to be wardrobe police. We can only comment upon what we saw and experienced and advise the OP's original question.

 

If DH doesn't want a jacket and the venue requires a jacket that is the way things go. I would think that smart casual meets the requirements of most venues. Formal attire is a suggestion and not a mandatory requirement. The policies state minimum acceptable day and night attire.

 

It is my choice to wear a suit on formal nights and I enjoy the experience however if someone else dined at the table in smart casual it would not bother me a bit. Clothes do not make the person...their personality does. If a person came to MDR or other evening dining venues besides the buffet in ripped shorts, sneakers and a cruddy t-shirt it would put me off because it is not acceptable minimum attire as stated in ships policy.

Edited May 27, 2014 by TheMediaman

[blambition]

Ma Bell, I did feel like you were scolding me for even asking the question. I believe I have stated that we will plan on going to an alternate dining room as I've gotten plenty of feedback on this thread. Since I have been on so many cruises and have seen people dressed in all kinds of attire on formal night it does sort of surprise me that they enforce the jacket rule strictly, and as you can see even from the feedback, it does seem to depend on the maître d'. I appreciate everybody that has taken the time to give me their experience on Celebrity ships!

 

 

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[blambition]

Mediaman you want to cruise on the silhouette in December you and your wife sound like a lovely couple and I like your sense of humor!

 

 

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[TheMediaman]

Mediaman you want to cruise on the silhouette in December you and your wife sound like a lovely couple and I like your sense of humour.

 

 

Oh how a December cruise would be fun. My DW is the lovely part of the couple and she will tell anyone, without hesitation, that I'm not as humorous as I think I am.

 

Enjoy YOUR cruise. You aren't backdrop material for other cruisers. You have read responses and other threads. You've read the minimum attire policy. Phone Celebrity and ask questions. I am not nor should anyone else be wardrobe police. Dress smartly. Dress appropriately in full knowledge of policy.

 

If the venue states tie/jacket and you knew it in advance then that is your choice but not our right to say anything that you should or shouldn't do. Like in the casino...you pays your money, you rolls the dice and youse takes yer chances.

 

But do "suggest" to DH to put on a helmet, suck it up and take a jacket...for you. :)

[blambition]

Somehow I always get to do the investigative work, so now when I meet up with the other couple next month in their hometown we can discuss, how they would like to plan for the evening dinners. I being the wife in my house have a little more influence on only my DH. Whatever the outcome, I am sure we will have a wonderful time, as these are our best friends that we moved away from 4 years ago, and going on cruises gives us special time to spend just with them doing mostly hanging out, and kicking back relaxing!!! Choosing Select dining and taking a table for 4 gives us the perfect balance to spend all our time together.

Again, I would like to thank all those that took the time to give me their insight into their experiences on the S class ships, I truly appreciate it.

Sincerely,

Vicki

[jkgourmet]

Do you consider my response hateful? In what way? I'm sorry if telling you what we do when we don't care to dress formally is considered hateful. If you want to try getting in that us up to you. I thought you might actually want to know that the vast majority of people will be dressed according to the dress code and there are plenty of other options. I guess that wasn't why you asked the question.

 

Again, from our experience, "vast majority" is an overstatement - unless your definition of formal wear includes shirts and ties with no jackets and shirts with jackets and no ties.

 

Ma Bell, you do sound like a bit of a bully on this topic, so I can see where Blambition's emarks came from.

 

Blambition, I sincerely believe the strict adherence to the dress code is more enforced in the writings and minds of cruise critic posters than on the ship itself. MediaMan said it well.

Edited May 27, 2014 by jkgourmet

[Jill01]

Slightly concerned reading through this thread, just packing for our first Celebrity cruise in the Med, having only sailed with P&O before. Hubby has a black suit, couple of dress shirts and bow tie, will he feel overdressed in this or should I also pack plain white shirt and tie ??

[Wine-O]

Slightly concerned reading through this thread, just packing for our first Celebrity cruise in the Med, having only sailed with P&O before. Hubby has a black suit, couple of dress shirts and bow tie, will he feel overdressed in this or should I also pack plain white shirt and tie ??

 

Hubby will fit in just fine with his black suit.

[spookwife]

Please no hate response, just need the real low down on this question. We will be on the Silhouette in early Dec. and my DH and best friend's DH will not pack a jacket under any circumstance! Will we have any problems getting into the MDR (we will be nicely dressed) or do we need to plan those nights for alternate dining rooms? I am thinking we will do at least one night in an alternate dining room, but might like to dine on a regular evening. We always dress up for dinner, just not true formal as we have been there, done that too many times. We have not sailed on Celebrity in so many years, I do not know what to expect. Most of our cruises in the past years have been on Princess, with Azamara mixed in between.

Also has anyone done dinner in the buffet? I don't care for buffets even for lunch so this would not be my choice, but thinking we could do it, or even have room service on our balcony.

Thank you in advance for you replies!

 

I personally witnessed someone denied entrance on Formal night who did not ave a jacket. only you can decide whether you are willing to run that risk.

[Ma Bell]

Again, from our experience, "vast majority" is an overstatement - unless your definition of formal wear includes shirts and ties with no jackets and shirts with jackets and no ties.

 

Ma Bell, you do sound like a bit of a bully on this topic, so I can see where Blambition's emarks came from.

 

Blambition, I sincerely believe the strict adherence to the dress code is more enforced in the writings and minds of cruise critic posters than on the ship itself. MediaMan said it well.

 

Now I'm a bully? I personally don't care if you want to wear a Sponge Bob t-shirt to the dining room. That's up to you. First of all, anyone can read the dress code. I didn't write it and I don't presume to enforce it. I can only comment from my experience as you can from yours. What do I know anyway, I've only spent close to 500 days on Cekebrity ships so guess I need some more experience to comment. I've seen plenty of people turned away from the dining room and also some that get in, but that certainly wouldn't be most people's criteria for deciding what to wear to dinner on Formal Night.

 

In my opinion, I think Celebrity has been very thoughtful in providing alternative dining choices for those times that we don't feeli like dressing up. If someone prefers to go to the dining room anyway, that's his choice.

[Cruise Junky]

Slightly concerned reading through this thread, just packing for our first Celebrity cruise in the Med, having only sailed with P&O before. Hubby has a black suit, couple of dress shirts and bow tie, will he feel overdressed in this or should I also pack plain white shirt and tie ??

 

He'll be fine. On our cruise a couple of weeks ago there was enough of everything on formal night that no one looked out of place. And I think the Med. might lean a bit more towards more formal than less.

Edited May 27, 2014 by Cruise Junky

[GOLDENBONNY]

On which cruise line?

 

 

On any cruise line , X is same mass market line so please don't make it sound like it's luxury cruise line. As much as I love to dress up and love formal nights , I can see less and less tux on board over 10 years .

[Ma Bell]

On any cruise line , X is same mass market line so please don't make it sound like it's luxury cruise line. As much as I love to dress up and love formal nights , I can see less and less tux on board over 10 years .

 

No, it's not a luxury line, but each cruise line has it's own dress code. Please, at least have one sailing on a Celebrity ship so you can provide your experience. A tux is not required on Celebrity on Formal Night and this discussion is far from that concept.

[Jane2357]

When fellow passengers don't follow the guidelines it can impact fellow passengers. There is a range of what is considered in the formal guidelines and there will be some at every end of the spectrum. Everyone does have the right to their own experience and can chose to follow or not if they are aware that there could be consequences.

 

We had a learning experience on our last cruise - where we were dressed to nines and were going to be seated at a table with two couples who were not in compliance. Did they gain admittance to the MDR - yes they did - should they have been - not according to the guidelines. It going to be VERY awkward for us - and I think it should have been awkward for them as well.

 

Many will consider it rude that before being seated - we made a u turn and then requested a table for two :( I consider it rude too and it bothers me to this day but I also think it was rude of them to put me in that position by not following the guidelines. Now on formal nights we dine with those that we know or at a table for two.

 

[GOLDENBONNY]

No, it's not a luxury line, but each cruise line has it's own dress code. Please, at least have one sailing on a Celebrity ship so you can provide your experience. A tux is not required on Celebrity on Formal Night and this discussion is far from that concept.

 

I am cruising on X soon, thank you .

[Ma Bell]

I hope you enjoy your cruise.:)

[cruisegirl1]

He'll be fine. On our cruise a couple of weeks ago there was enough of everything on formal night that no one looked out of place. And I think the Med. might lean a bit more towards more formal than less.

 

This may not be the best advice. Perhaps in your opinion, it will be no problem, but there seems to be many posts to the contrary. Others following this advice may be disappointed if they are not permitted in the dining room.

 

OP - I am sure you realize that they only need to wear the jacket in, and some men will take it off during dinner. Are you booked in a suite or QA? If so, while many men in Blu in wear jackets/suits/tuxes for formal night, I believe the dress code is smart casual every night and no jacket is required. An AQ or suite cabin will solve your problem.

 

I think someone in the cruise industry is brilliant. First, they make a rule that men must wear a jacket to dinner. Then, they create a fee based alternative; better than the dining room but with a more relaxed dress code. Then, they charge $80-100+ per couple for the privilege of not having to wear a jacket to dinner. Brilliant. I love it when folks cite airline fees ($25) for a reason not to bring a jacket and then drop $100 in a specialty restaurant on formal night

 

enjoy - whatever you decide

M

[iancal]

We often try alternate dining venues on formal nights. The last two times we ate at Bistro on Five. It was a nice change. Formal nights in the MDR lost it's shine for us a long time ago. We usually combine cruises with land trips and are not willing to carry and pack clothing that we will only wear for a few hours. Our impression is that more and more people are of the same opinion. You certainly will not be alone in your choice of dress or choice of non MDR venue.

[2funnypeople]

Well….this is interesting. How about a dress shirt, tie with a suit vest, dress pants:cool: Honestly, Dh pulled this off at our son destination wedding and he looked awesome!!!! :eek: just sayin' :D

[Cruise Junky]

This may not be the best advice. Perhaps in your opinion, it will be no problem, but there seems to be many posts to the contrary. Others following this advice may be disappointed if they are not permitted in the dining room.

 

 

 

OP - I am sure you realize that they only need to wear the jacket in, and some men will take it off during dinner. Are you booked in a suite or QA? If so, while many men in Blu in wear jackets/suits/tuxes for formal night, I believe the dress code is smart casual every night and no jacket is required. An AQ or suite cabin will solve your problem.

 

 

 

I think someone in the cruise industry is brilliant. First, they make a rule that men must wear a jacket to dinner. Then, they create a fee based alternative; better than the dining room but with a more relaxed dress code. Then, they charge $80-100+ per couple for the privilege of not having to wear a jacket to dinner. Brilliant. I love it when folks cite airline fees ($25) for a reason not to bring a jacket and then drop $100 in a specialty restaurant on formal night

 

 

 

enjoy - whatever you decide

 

M

 

 

Try reading the post I was responding to before jumping in. They were asking if they would feel overdressed in a black suit, shirt and bow tie.

 

 

 

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[cruisegirl1]

Try reading the post I was responding to before jumping in. They were asking if they would feel overdressed in a black suit, shirt and bow tie.

 

 

 

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sorry for my oversight.

M

[rubydoobydoo]

I saw men go into the MDR on a formal night with no jacket, you are on holiday and should wear what makes you feel comfortable

 

Personally though I like to see that an effort has been made to dress according the code for that night but each to their own, I think Celebrity is probably becoming more casual than it used to be

[LetsGetWet!]

I didn't say the husbands would make a scene and not except the jacket at the door I merely meant that they would not like to wear a jacket that was not their own, I didn't mean to offend anyone by that comment.

Actually, you DID say they wouldn't accept a jacket at the door. You didn't mention "making a scene" but if they refuse a jacket offered at the door as a condition of entry to the MDR, it most definitely WILL be making a scene.

 

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[blambition]

Actually, you DID say they wouldn't accept a jacket at the door. You didn't mention "making a scene" but if they refuse a jacket offered at the door as a condition of entry to the MDR, it most definitely WILL be making a scene.

 

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Let'sGetWet please don't make an issue where there is none. You do not know my family or friends and I can assure you that we would never make any kind of a scene on a cruise ship. That is not our style, on a ship or in any situation. I am trying my best to say that we will be going to the alternate dining venues unless the husbands decide to take jackets, but I do feel like you and perhaps another do not want to accept that statement. I believe I did already say I was sorry. I sincerely just asked what was accepted on Celebrity ships, as it had been so long since we have sailed this line. I am not trying to pull one over, or see what we can get away with, that was not my purpose of asking the question. I just wanted to be able to plan our week. This way I can book our reservations for the formal nights when we board the ship.

Again, I do appreciate those that have given me their responses so that I can make an informed decision. My husband even told me he would take a suit if the other husband wanted to pack one so that shocked me! I am willing to bet my friend's DH won't want to, so we will plan accordingly.

[Wine-O]

Let'sGetWet please don't make an issue where there is none. You do not know my family or friends and I can assure you that we would never make any kind of a scene on a cruise ship. That is not our style, on a ship or in any situation. I am trying my best to say that we will be going to the alternate dining venues unless the husbands decide to take jackets, but I do feel like you and perhaps another do not want to accept that statement. I believe I did already say I was sorry. I sincerely just asked what was accepted on Celebrity ships, as it had been so long since we have sailed this line. I am not trying to pull one over, or see what we can get away with, that was not my purpose of asking the question. I just wanted to be able to plan our week. This way I can book our reservations for the formal nights when we board the ship.

Again, I do appreciate those that have given me their responses so that I can make an informed decision. My husband even told me he would take a suit if the other husband wanted to pack one so that shocked me! I am willing to bet my friend's DH won't want to, so we will plan accordingly.

 

I wouldn't go to an alternate venue on formal nights to avoid the husbands not dressing appropriately. They usually have some of their better menus on formal nights. Send the husbands to the buffet, and you and your friend can enjoy the MDR. :)