It's official! Formal nights gone, evening chic in! (3 Threads Merged)

[Ma Bell]

Just do a quick GOOGLE search for 'designer jeans' and hit the images tag. Probably 75 to 80 percent of the "designer jeans" pictured may be termed "chic" by some but to me look pretty sloppy no matter what is embroidered on the back pockets.

 

If the new wiz kid Ms. Lisa Lutoff-Perlo and the rest of her think tank idea men and women behind this entire "Evening Chic Evolutions" baloney decided on this, using the same claimed "EXTENSIVE RESEARCH" that they did with the entire Royal Caribbean Dynamic Dining concept it might have been better to start it off on only a few ships or itineraries as a trial.

 

Ship travel was the main method of transportation until air travel grew and took its place. Cruising then became something else, maybe an acquired taste for some but for sure not just a way to get from point A to point B. It was special. A type of holiday in itself and in some cases a restorative or treatment for those in need of relaxation.

 

We live in an amazing world today, a world filled with so many choices so different than even a few scant years ago. Just think back to when a tomato in January came only in a can or a cell phone was the size of a now almost extinct telephone book. When we want to enjoy our time off from work (or with computers work while on vacation) we can fly to Vegas, New York, Paris any number of exotic places. We can choose to stay at all inclusive venues ranging from secluded to outrageously uninhibited, from Michelin rated places to some that enjoy the fact they don't rate at all. We can choose between Disney-Dolly-Universal-Busch or any number of fabulous amusement theme parks. We can zip line trough any number of jungles or rain forests, dangle from Vegas skyscrapers or on see through decks over the Grand Canyon.

 

Although I have only been cruising for the last 15-16 years I feel like I may be a dying breed in that I enjoy the occasional jacket and tie evening and if I don't I am willing to enjoy an evening in the buffet or one of the other venues available. I enjoy eating quality meals in the MDR and still enjoy an evening or two at a specialty restaurant.

 

Amazing but I remember when the distance between tables on the smaller ships compared the new BIGGER ships was more than 4 inches from each other if that. I enjoy an evening stroll on an old fashioned promenade deck where you can spend an hour or two in peaceful conversation or simple relaxation watching the sea roll by. It was nice to visit a port when the number of visitors didn't outnumber the port's actual population. Why are all the staterooms the same size other than the actual suites? After six cruises with butlers (not knocking them they have been great for the most part) I would love to have the opportunity to pay more for the extra room of a larger cabin and veranda but do not need the services of a butler or the much higher prices the suites now demand.

 

I can't help but feel there is still room for traditionalists like me who were satisfied with what Celebrity provided in the past and want the same for the future without bowling alleys, rock walls, zip lines, pink bears, Giraffes, bumper cars or any of the other things the MEGA ships are competing with each other to provide. Like those who argue they do not want alcohol beverage packages made part of the standard fare because they do not want to pay for others who drink when they don't, I do not want to pay for anything other than a well kept ship, excellent service, excellent food, some variety in cabin size, decent entertainment and a comfortable casino.

 

Moneywise I am still sticking with Celebrity but if this new trend in becoming more and more "CHIC" starts to erode the Celebrity experience I will have to look for alternatives which I am sure will cost more in the end. I hope I do not have to make that decision.

 

bosco

 

I feel the same way. What bothers me is it seems there is a rush to make Celebrity just like any other mediocre cruise line. It's a gradual chipping away that I personally find sad.

[notsomadhatter]

The perception that this policy is a downward slide is puzzling sincce the following lines have no formal nights (or optional ones). I wouldn't even place Celebrity in the same class with some of these.

 

Azamara

Disney

Oceania

Regent Seven Seas

Seabourn (optional)

Windstar

 

Still shaking my head.

It simply defies all logic that people will cancel cruises or shop elsewhere because of what others may or may not wear in the diningroom.

 

DCL "dress up" is a joke. The Royal cruises I have been on have had a more sophisticated level of dress in the dining room. Just because you pay a lot doesn't mean put together passengers. One of the many reasons we don't sail with them any more is a guy in a trucker hat and a tank top at the dinner table next to us. We waved the white flag.

[Esahuma]

Celebrity will always be above many other lines -

 

My grandmother was disappointed when we no longer wore Easter Hats/White Gloves/dress white patent leather shoes and little white lace anklets to church on Easter Sunday -

 

TIMES changes - styles change - the industry will always change BUT you can still wear what you want -

 

Believe you and me - with the prices that Celebrity charges compared to the what all y'all call 'lower class lines' There will not be any 'riff raff' or 'steerage' allowed in the MDR!

 

Many of you making complaints and 'mutiny grumblings' would never be able to or want to cruise on Oceania - Paul Gauguin - Wind Star - Azamara

 

NONE OF THE ABOVE HAVE 'FORMAL NIGHTS' any longer and they are still classes and have NOT lowered their standards - :)

 

Chill -

[Esahuma]

DCL "dress up" is a joke. The Royal cruises I have been on have had a more sophisticated level of dress in the dining room. Just because you pay a lot doesn't mean put together passengers. One of the many reasons we don't sail with them any more is a guy in a trucker hat and a tank top at the dinner table next to us. We waved the white flag.

 

We cruise RCL quite a bit and have NEVER seen anyone in the MDR in tank top and ball cap -

 

You can always ask for the waiter to speak to them or asked to be moved!

 

Simple solution! :)

[sandav]

Celebrity will always be above many other lines -

 

My grandmother was disappointed when we no longer wore Easter Hats/White Gloves/dress white patent leather shoes and little white lace anklets to church on Easter Sunday -

 

TIMES changes - styles change - the industry will always change BUT you can still wear what you want -

 

Believe you and me - with the prices that Celebrity charges compared to the what all y'all call 'lower class lines' There will not be any 'riff raff' or 'steerage' allowed in the MDR!

 

Many of you making complaints and 'mutiny grumblings' would never be able to or want to cruise on Oceania - Paul Gauguin - Wind Star - Azamara

 

NONE OF THE ABOVE HAVE 'FORMAL NIGHTS' any longer and they are still classes and have NOT lowered their standards - :)

 

Chill -

 

Exactly. My enjoyment of a cruise is not affected by what people wear and I have never seen any inappropriately dressed people on Celebrity and I can't imagine how this will change anything about the standard of the Celebrity product .

[sandancer]

The poster where the trucker hat was mentioned was referring to DCL - Disney I assume.

Edited November 9, 2015 by sandancer

[perditax]

We cruise RCL quite a bit and have NEVER seen anyone in the MDR in tank top and ball cap -

 

 

 

You can always ask for the waiter to speak to them or asked to be moved!

 

 

 

Simple solution! :)

 

 

Not positive but I believe that poster meant DCL.

[notsomadhatter]

We cruise RCL quite a bit and have NEVER seen anyone in the MDR in tank top and ball cap -

 

You can always ask for the waiter to speak to them or asked to be moved!

 

Simple solution! :)

 

That was my point - it was Disney where we experienced that. Royal has been BETTER! ;)

[Goes Cruising]

We cruise RCL quite a bit and have NEVER seen anyone in the MDR in tank top and ball cap -

 

You can always ask for the waiter to speak to them or asked to be moved!

 

Simple solution! :)

 

You can see from my signature I have been almost exclusively RCL (D+), but am looking forward to my 1st Celebrity cruise. I respectfully disagree, as I have seen some appalling attire in the MDR, but it is much more the exception than the norm. An entire family dressed in tie died t-shirts on formal night comes to mind. Certainly there are people that never grew up from their childish rebellion days who enjoy "bucking the establishment", but I would not be surprised to see them anywhere. Money does not equate to class.

 

What I hope to find from Celebrity is a generally higher percentage of people who are looking for a higher class experience than some other cruise lines. I can't imagine the tie died t-shirt crowd thinking the Celebrity experience would be the fun vacation they are looking for.

 

I, for one, really do not care what others choose to wear. I find those who are trying too hard (buck the establishment) to be a fun topic for conversation. And for those who try to comply with the dress code, even if it's their version, I love seeing them enjoy their experience. I have seen so many beautiful young couples, maybe not in formal wear or tuxes, who are as excited to get their portraits taken in their "best" on formal night.

 

If I cross your path on formal night, and you look like you have put an effort into your look, I will give you a compliment on how nice you look. That's what I love about formal night, seeing people enjoying the magic of the night!

[north29]

Formal night is dead anyway. Having said that, I hope for the traditionalist and special occasion cruises a option is available.

Formal night for the last ***** years has been Chic dress anyway, not many wore true formal attire, well a tux, but women wore what ever they wanted, and few long gowns were seen, Chic/Modern great looking outfits were the norm.

 

Good move X

[CanadaDeb]

I love formal nights...people all dressed up having a nice evening...this new dress code will take that magic away. Give people an inch to dress down and they'll take it down at least a foot. Won't be the same ambiance.

[chrismakris]

While on most nights I believe I dress in what is now called"chic", I looked forward to the formal nights.

 

When was the last time you dressed up with your significant other for a night out that didn't involve a wedding or any other event that needed you to reach back into the recesses of your closet and dust off that suit or tux you bought 15 years ago.

 

I will miss seeing the couple in their 70's dressed up(much better than me) on formal night. Or the family who take their young kids to dinner all dressed up because now they don't feel they have to. These little things are what cruising great.

 

Everyone has a different idea of what chic is and I have a feeling this will cause more problems than enforcing a formal night dress code.

[Fouremco]

However, the innocent party, being correctly dressed and not causing offence, has to move. :confused:

Sometimes that's just the reality of life. You are driving down the highway and you come across a broken-down car that shouldn't have been allowed on the road to begin with. You can sit there in high dudgeon, claiming your right to have an unblocked lane, or you can change lanes to get around the problem. It may not be right, but you can choose how to deal with it.

[CallyCruzer]

Several people commented that they didn't think it was fair that people that booked Aqua or specialty restaurants didn't have to wear formal. I have only been in Aqua and my husband wears his tux and I wear formal wear to dinner. I get that everyone should do what they feel comfortable doing - and that was what we enjoyed making the evening a little "special". And I have cruised four other lines - and after sitting in the dining room on a carnival ship beside a guy in a tank top, shorts and flip flops with feet that had never had the nails clipped - let's just say it took away a little bit of the feel of a special evening. And yes, it does matter how others dress around you. Do you not feel one way walking into a ballroom with everyone dressed up - and when you walk into a bar with everyone in jeans and t-shirts. And if you prefer the jean t-shirt ambiance, then that is where you should go. I thought I had been cruising on a special sophisticated line- not carnival. And I agree with others - when the announcement says designer jeans - well anything goes - holes, rips, etc. The cruise line is changing - and everyone will just have to wait and see if they stay with them or will change their allegiance. This has been two big changes for us this year (overnights on cruises we had already booked and dropped ports). So this may just be nail in the coffin.

[Cruise a holic]

I also like this news, though it won't affect us. My husband and granddaughter will still dress to the nines and expect me to follow suit. I'm the only one who doesn't care for formal night in our family and I'm easily bullied into compliance. :)

 

We still will dress on formal nights and chic other nights

[PORT ROYAL]

Sometimes that's just the reality of life. You are driving down the highway and you come across a broken-down car that shouldn't have been allowed on the road to begin with. You can sit there in high dudgeon, claiming your right to have an unblocked lane, or you can change lanes to get around the problem. It may not be right, but you can choose how to deal with it.

 

The two scenarios are not identical. For your specific scenario, one call on services to assist, have the offending item treated as a piece of garbage, being removed by force, then have it crushed and dumped. :D

 

Hold fast, we have two very different scenarios, but both appear to have potentially the same resolution

Edited November 10, 2015 by PORT ROYAL

[Sandy1975]

Another dumbing down of cruising for me very sad. Oh well, we are on Eclipse a week today and the tux is still being packed and will continue to be packed even after the changes. Really only Cunard are now sticking to many of the old traditions.

 

Key phrase been "old tradition"

[boscobeans]

While on most nights I believe I dress in what is now called"chic", I looked forward to the formal nights.

 

When was the last time you dressed up with your significant other for a night out that didn't involve a wedding or any other event that needed you to reach back into the recesses of your closet and dust off that suit or tux you bought 15 years ago.

 

I will miss seeing the couple in their 70's dressed up(much better than me) on formal night. Or the family who take their young kids to dinner all dressed up because now they don't feel they have to. These little things are what cruising great.

 

Everyone has a different idea of what chic is and I have a feeling this will cause more problems than enforcing a formal night dress code.

 

I agree totally and love seeing a family with their young ones dressed up for dinner and wonder if the waiters wearing white gloves will still remove the lobster tails from the shell on "CHIC" nights or if there will be any special menu for "CHIC" night in the MDR. Will there will be anything like a special dessert prepared by your maitre d on "CHIC" nights? Little changes can and do make BIG changes over a period of time.

 

bosco

[Sandy1975]

I like that everyone can choose. Please don't say that due to "luggage restrictions" you can't or won't pack formal wear anymore. If you are paying hundreds of dollars for flights and thousands of dollars for your cruise vacation, what is 25 - 50 extra dollars for luggage? Wear what look great in, make it tasteful and classy, and no one should be offended (and hopefully no one's vacation will be ruined)!

 

Sent from my XT1254 using Tapatalk

 

Many people like us do not check bags. I don't mind checking on the way back from the cruise but it gives me anxiety checking bags on the way to my cruise.

[Sandy1975]

C'mon, we all know what "designer" jeans are, and if you don't know if yours are, they aren't.

 

Liking and agreeing with your comments :)

[Fouremco]

The two scenarios are not identical. For your specific scenario, one call on services to assist, have the offending item treated as a piece of garbage, being removed by force, then have it crushed and dumped. :D

 

Hold fast, we have two very different scenarios, but both appear to have potentially the same resolution

Bingo, you have it! :)

[Esahuma]

Not positive but I believe that poster meant DCL.

 

I worked at Disneyland back in the 60's and can understand people wearing Disney Ball Caps in the MDR - but that is up to the people that cruise on Disny -

 

I LOVE my grandchildren LOTS (7 of them) BUT we will not cruise in the summer or during school holidays BECAUSE we do NOT want to cruise with every one elses kids - BUT again that is our choice -

 

Doesn't mean I don't like kids - that is just our preference --

 

IF you don't like the new dress (and how do you know - you might like it) Change brands!

 

So many didn't think they would like the new dining style that RCL introduced on Quantum - but we love it!

 

Again to each - Bon Voyage - HAVE A GREAT CRUISE and do it YOUR way! :)

[Esahuma]

Just to set a few 'nay-sayers' correct-

 

We do love "Formal Night" and having our picture taken - we would NEVER wear jeans or extremely casual clothes of poor quality or tattered even to the Windjammer -

 

The only point I am trying to make is that the 'market' for cruises is changing and we an all still 'do our own thing' but to say that you will never again cruise on Celebrity or that this in any way 'cheapens' Celebrity is just wrong -

[pawmtweez]

I am very saddened by this. I love to dress up and have no opportunity to do so in my daily life. I thought Celebrity would be the last of the mainstream lines to make this change, not the first.

[boscobeans]

Just to set a few 'nay-sayers' correct-

 

We do love "Formal Night" and having our picture taken - we would NEVER wear jeans or extremely casual clothes of poor quality or tattered even to the Windjammer -

 

The only point I am trying to make is that the 'market' for cruises is changing and we an all still 'do our own thing' but to say that you will never again cruise on Celebrity or that this in any way 'cheapens' Celebrity is just wrong -

 

I never cared for the baked Alaska Parade on one of the formal nights but many did. I remember back when the chairs in the MDR were covered on formal nights. Loved watching a flaming pan of crepes being prepared and served on formal nights. Still like to see the waiters with white gloves on formal nights. Little extras and special dishes served on those formal nights.

 

Notice the term "formal nights" appears in each of the above, will the same little bits that made Celebrity dining special be true for "evening chic" ? Or will they vanish along with the term "formal". If so it, as you say, 'cheapens' Celebrity if only a little bit, but little bits do add up. No one is ready to jump ship but it is not a possibility in the future.

 

bosco

Edited November 10, 2015 by boscobeans