What to wear

[SLOTheta]

We were on a very hot Mediterranean cruise, so I didn't see men wear jeans. But, I'm sure it's totally acceptable.

 

I've only been on one cruise, but from what I saw during the 8:15pm MDR seating, the late night the crowd dressed very well. Gala nights, people went all out. There might have been smart casual people in the room for normal MDR evenings, but it was drowned out by the majority of people who wore slacks and nice shirts (men), dresses for women for regular nights.

 

On Gala nights, the room was full of dark suits and tuxes with the ladies in nice dresses or at least sparkles of some sort. It was nice to be greeted each Gala night with the captain and officers, with their wives, dressed in full formal wear.

 

But really, it doesn't matter. People didn't seem to care either way how you dress.

 

 

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[SilvertoGold]

We were on a very hot Mediterranean cruise, so I didn't see men wear jeans. But, I'm sure it's totally acceptable.

 

I've only been on one cruise, but from what I saw during the 8:15pm MDR seating, the late night the crowd dressed very well. Gala nights, people went all out. There might have been smart casual people in the room for normal MDR evenings, but it was drowned out by the majority of people who wore slacks and nice shirts (men), dresses for women for regular nights.

 

On Gala nights, the room was full of dark suits and tuxes with the ladies in nice dresses or at least sparkles of some sort. It was nice to be greeted each Gala night with the captain and officers, with their wives, dressed in full formal wear.

 

But really, it doesn't matter. People didn't seem to care either way how you dress.

 

 

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That must have been great on Gala nights to have a DR full of dressed-up pax! A bit of a throw-back to former times.

Edited July 25, 2016 by SilvertoGold

[Lakesregion]

Another men's clothing question - do men really wear jackets every night in the MDR?

 

Real men do!

[Bostonjetset]

I'm glad this question was asked because I have been debating about whether or not I should bring my tux to Alaska in Sept. It seems as if I may stick out if I do, especially on an Alaska trip? Maybe just a smart navy blazer and nice trousers would be better?

 

DH dislikes wearing his tux and may not be very happy if I push him to bring it and most are just in suits or sportscoats. HAHA. How many, on average, will wear true black tie on an Alaska trip?

[Kingofcool1947]

DH always wears a coat and tie on gala night. He has been known to wear nice jeans (with a crease from the cleaners) to dinner on regular nights with a button down collar shirt and his leather driving shoes.

 

First timer on HAL. Panama Canal cruise.

 

Been on Princess and Celebrity, and no one seems to cares what you wear on Formal Nights in MDR or afterwards. I seen PAX in t-shirt and shorts, Farmer John coveralls and women in Daisy Dukes dining in MDR on Formal Nights.

 

So, on HAL Gala Nights, is wearing western style jeans and an open collared long or short sleeved shirt OK for dining in the MDR? I gave up wearing suit and ties when I retired 20 years ago. So, after dinner, Is it allowed to wear something more casual like a t-shirt and shorts for going around the shipboard entertainment venues?

Edited July 26, 2016 by Kingofcool1947

[geocruiser]

DH always wears a coat and tie on gala night. He has been known to wear nice jeans (with a crease from the cleaners) to dinner on regular nights with a button down collar shirt and his leather driving shoes.

 

Can you please tell me what leather driving shoes are? Are they comfortable?

[iancal]

I don't travel with a suit, a sports jacket, a tie, or dress shoes. No issue. You no longer need them so there is no need to dine in alternate venues on formal evenings. Smart casual is just fine. On HAL or on any other mass market cruise line.

Edited July 26, 2016 by iancal

[Kingofcool1947]

Can you please tell me what leather driving shoes are? Are they comfortable?

 

Leather drvng shoes? :D

[SilvertoGold]

I'm glad this question was asked because I have been debating about whether or not I should bring my tux to Alaska in Sept. It seems as if I may stick out if I do, especially on an Alaska trip? Maybe just a smart navy blazer and nice trousers would be better?

 

DH dislikes wearing his tux and may not be very happy if I push him to bring it and most are just in suits or sportscoats. HAHA. How many, on average, will wear true black tie on an Alaska trip?

 

Alaska is notoriously less formal/even more casual than other cruises.

 

I vote for the smart navy blazer. True black tie: last 5 or 6 Alaska cruises there were, maybe, a dozen or so.

[SilvertoGold]

Leather drvng shoes? :D

 

Like walking shoes? Motorcycle shoes/boots?

[Kingofcool1947]

I don't travel with a suit, a sports jacket, a tie, or dress shoes. No issue. You no longer need them so there is no need to dine in alternate venues on formal evenings. Smart casual is just fine. On HAL or on any other mass market cruise line.

 

So, on Gala Nights, do you dine in the MDR, and what is your typical attire? I refuse to a wear suit and tie or a tuxedo. Been there, done that, years ago. Now, I want to feel comfortable on my cruise vacations, and not feel or look like a stuffed penquin. How can one enjoy ones meal with a noose around ones neck? :mad:

My understanding is that mainstream cruise lines no longer strictly enforce a dress code for Formal Nights. Only suggests attire. Unless you're cruising Cunard. :rolleyes::rolleyes:

Edited July 26, 2016 by Kingofcool1947

[Fouremco]

So, on HAL Gala Nights, is wearing western style jeans and an open collared long or short sleeved shirt OK for dining in the MDR? I gave up wearing suit and ties when I retired 20 years ago. So, after dinner, Is it allowed to wear something more casual like a t-shirt and shorts for going around the shipboard entertainment venues?

 

A collared shirt and slacks are the minimal requirement for the MDR on Gala Nights; jeans are only allowed in the casual dining restaurants.

[Kingofcool1947]

Like walking shoes? Motorcycle shoes/boots?

 

Leather driving shoes:

Edited July 26, 2016 by Kingofcool1947

[Kingofcool1947]

:confused:

On European cruises, people tend to dress better. My DW will wear a dress to dinner, and reminds me to wear a sport coat. European men might wear blue jeans with a coat and tie for dinner. I should look so good.

 

So, are you saying for men, a coat, tie, and blue jeans is ok for Gala Night dining in MDR? :confused:

Edited July 26, 2016 by Kingofcool1947

[Bostonjetset]

Alaska is notoriously less formal/even more casual than other cruises.

 

 

 

I vote for the smart navy blazer. True black tie: last 5 or 6 Alaska cruises there were, maybe, a dozen or so.

 

 

Thanks again Silver!! You are becoming my one-woman resource team haha. DH will be glad to know he won't have to bring the tux. I'll just have to book another Cunard voyage soon to make up for it! Haha

 

Leather driving shoes:

 

 

Those are not driving shoes. Google the brand Tods to see what driving shoes are. Sort of like boat shoes/moccasins but with rubber nubs on the bottom.

 

 

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[SilvertoGold]

Thanks again Silver!! You are becoming my one-woman resource team haha. DH will be glad to know he won't have to bring the tux. I'll just have to book another Cunard voyage soon to make up for it! Haha

 

 

Yes, book Cunard, the perfect line for the tuxedos. And when you do, you will be required to write a review comparing it with HAL!

 

If you want tuxes on HAL, go on the long cruises. My DH takes his on anything over 14 days. You see masses of them, even nowadays, on cruises of over 30 days.

Edited July 26, 2016 by SilvertoGold

[Bostonjetset]

Thanks again Silver!! You are becoming my one-woman resource team haha. DH will be glad to know he won't have to bring the tux. I'll just have to book another Cunard voyage soon to make up for it! Haha

 

 

Yes, book Cunard, the perfect line for the tuxedos. And when you do, you will be required to write a review comparing it with HAL!

 

If you want tuxes on HAL, go on the long cruises. My DH takes his on anything over 14 days. You see masses of them, even nowadays, on cruises of over 30 days.

 

 

We've only done one trip on Cunard and would jump at the chance to take another. Pity they have such a small presence in North America and with only 3 ships there are only so many places they can be at once haha.

 

I envy you being able to take voyages over 30 days in length!!! I'm still many many many years from being retired (I'm only 33) so that's not in the cards for us for quite a while haha

 

 

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[SLOTheta]

That must have been great on Gala nights to have a DR full of dressed-up pax! A bit of a throw-back to former times.

 

 

Yes, it was. I had been reading CC about how no one dresses up anymore. I found this totally not to be the case on our ship. In almost all areas, except the pool and Lido, people dressed to see the shows, listen to the Lincoln Center ladies, play in the Casino or hang out at the bars. I didn't see very many slouches, if anything, we saw people dressing very formally through out the cruise and its venues. I paid close attention to what people were wearing since all I've read is that people dress casually and no one likes to dress formally anymore. Even the teens were wearing suits or dress shirts with ties.

 

I'm glad our first cruise was on the Eurodam and had a Mediterranean itinerary. The people were pleasant and dressed very well throughout. In the ports, people dressed casually since it was so darn hot, but they all seemed to quickly change on the ship. I also didn't hang out in the ship during the day and went out late. Maybe it was all the late crowd who dressed, but even our cruise director announced people should be dressing to the nines.

 

I loved it

 

 

 

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[annee]

Two years ago we were on HAL for a Mexican Rivera cruise and on gala nights men that didn't have on ties or jackets were given them to wear or told not come into the MDR. Last year on HAL in Alaska even gala nights were more casual, with no jackets or ties handed out.

[Kingofcool1947]

Two years ago we were on HAL for a Mexican Rivera cruise and on gala nights men that didn't have on ties or jackets were given them to wear or told not come into the MDR. Last year on HAL in Alaska even gala nights were more casual, with no jackets or ties handed out.

 

I have been considering a first cruise with HAL.

 

So, basically it all depends on the HAL maître d' whether you are allowed to dine in the MDR on Gala Nights? :confused: My experience on Princess and Celebrity, formal wear on Formal Nights: dark suit and tie/tuxedo was worn by very few men. Mostly worn by older gents. Even fewer women wearing gowns. Still many of these people smell like they took a shower in cheap perfume. :mad: Even worse when you have to share a dinner table with these kind of people. Or gagging in an elevator with these kind of people.

:mad:

 

Seems Country Club wear, even jeans are allowed, in MDR at diner, even on formal nights, seems to be the norm for most midline cruise companies. As it is said: "The times they are a changin". :):)

Edited July 27, 2016 by Kingofcool1947

[SilvertoGold]

Yes, it was. I had been reading CC about how no one dresses up anymore. I found this totally not to be the case on our ship. In almost all areas, except the pool and Lido, people dressed to see the shows, listen to the Lincoln Center ladies, play in the Casino or hang out at the bars. I didn't see very many slouches, if anything, we saw people dressing very formally through out the cruise and its venues. I paid close attention to what people were wearing since all I've read is that people dress casually and no one likes to dress formally anymore. Even the teens were wearing suits or dress shirts with ties.

 

I'm glad our first cruise was on the Eurodam and had a Mediterranean itinerary. The people were pleasant and dressed very well throughout. In the ports, people dressed casually since it was so darn hot, but they all seemed to quickly change on the ship. I also didn't hang out in the ship during the day and went out late. Maybe it was all the late crowd who dressed, but even our cruise director announced people should be dressing to the nines.

 

I loved it

 

 

 

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Although I read all of your "live-from", I can't remember if you noted the pax demographics.

 

European pax tend to dress more formally at all times than North Americans from what we have seen. Older pax also have a tendency to dress more formally.

 

If you try some HAL cruises, like Alaska, Caribbean, Mexico, you might be disappointed in how the formality goes right out the window.

 

Thanks for your posts from this great cruise, by the way. Very enjoyable and great photos!

[SilvertoGold]

 

 

 

I envy you being able to take voyages over 30 days in length!!! I'm still many many many years from being retired (I'm only 33) so that's not in the cards for us for quite a while haha

 

 

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As someone not old enough to be your mother, I have just discovered I have been dubbed "old". Hmm! Well, I suppose you mean "wise". OK, that will do very nicely. Thanks!!

Edited July 27, 2016 by SilvertoGold

[Bostonjetset]

 

As someone not old enough to be your mother, I have just discovered I have been dubbed "old". Hmm! Well, I suppose you mean "wise". OK, that will do very nicely. Thanks!!

 

Not old at all my dear, just experienced and worldly [and VERY fortunate to be able to take long voyages! haha]

Edited July 27, 2016 by Bostonjetset

[Slbear]

Less than a week before our Koningsdam departure for Norway. Blue blazer and new black suit is packed. I rarely wear jackets and suits, but I'm looking forward to dressing up and treating it like the celebration it is.

 

Dress slacks are lighter than jeans. Dress shirts are as light as any long sleeve shirt. The jacket is a pain to pack, but can dress up your jeans and even a t-shirt.

 

Can't remember who told me this: "You can't be overdressed." Maybe you can in everyday life, but it's probably true at a cruise dinner.

 

 

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[geoherb]

DH likes to wear bowties most nights. We haven't sailed on HAL since it switched from formal nights to gala nights. I know we won't be taking our tuxedos for our upcoming cruise to Alaska on the Amsterdam. From our experience on Alaskan cruises on Princess ships, tuxedos are as rare as penguins on them.