Wearing dress shorts in MDR on Adventure of the Seas

[skiiergirl]

I have new thoughts on this topic after our recent Alaska trip. We have done numerous Caribbean sailings but this was our first Alaska cruise.

 

My previous thoughts were "No, you shouldn't wear shorts in the MDR at dinner". Why....because it is a "rule". (Not necessarily "enforced" but it is a "rule" not a "suggestion".) The Compass lists a "suggested attire" for each evening: Formal, Casual, Smart Casual. These are "suggested dress". So whether you "dress" "Formal" or "Casual" on formal night didn't bother me if you were following the "rule" of "no shorts, no tank tops, no flip flops". We typically dress formal on formal night and casual on casual night but have been known to dress "differently" if we had an "event" or were dining outside the MDR, etc. Yep....we have even worn a tux and long dress to WJ (on formal night) when we were "delayed' in the casino (winning:D) and would not go into the MDR that late.

 

For our first Alaska cruise (that included a 5-night pre-cruise trip) we decided not to take the "formal clothing". We didn't want to drag it through 4 hotels and then onto the ship, etc. We needed that "packing space" for "raingear":D. We did still take "nicer" clothing for formal nights just not "formal" (in our opinion). On casual nights we definitely dressed casual and on several nights I wore the same clothes to the MDR that I had worn all day. (Think pants/khakis/shirt/vest/jacket.)

 

That made me "re-think" the typical "shorts in the MDR" question. Alot of the "reasoning" that folks use for wanting to wear shorts in the MDR is you are in the Caribbean where it is more laid back and you are on vacation. Well, we thought Alaska was pretty laid-back and we were on vacation!

 

Here is where my thought process changed.....in Alaska the weather was very pleasant most days. I was comfortable all day and did not "need" to change clothes to continue into the evening. This made me ponder.....in the Caribbean....most every day is warm and sunny. Most excursions....beach, snorkeling, ziplining, atv, segway, golf, etc....even if you just go into town shopping and walking around,,, you are going to get hot, sweaty, sticky, stinky, etc. So most likely you are going to go to your room and shower/clean-up before you go to dinner. So as long as you are cleaning up anyway.....why not put on that pair of "long pants" rather than shorts. If you plan on staying sweaty, sticky, stinky then you probably don't need to go to the MDR anyway. If you are staying in your same "day clothes" and not cleaning up....then you probably would want to go to another dining venue and skip the MDR. So, as long as you are "cleaning up" why not put on the "long pants"? You only have to take one pair for the whole week! If you only wear them at night after you have "cleaned up" then you can wear them every night!:D

 

Why be a "rule breaker"?

 

Do you also do the following?

Throw things overboard (a no-no)

Smoke on your balcony/in your room (a no-no)

Share the drink package (a no-no)

Flush things down the toilet that aren't agreeable with the plumbing system (a no-no)

Sneak on more wine than allowed (a no-no)

Sneak other types of liquor on (a no-no)

Save seats at the pool at 8:00 am and not show up until noon (a no-no)

Save seats in the shows (a no-no)

Take fruits ashore (a no-no)

 

If it is ok for you to "break the rule" on shorts in the MDR, which rule is it ok for me to break? :D:D:D

[Milwaukee Eight]

I have new thoughts on this topic after our recent Alaska trip. We have done numerous Caribbean sailings but this was our first Alaska cruise.

 

 

 

My previous thoughts were "No, you shouldn't wear shorts in the MDR at dinner". Why....because it is a "rule". (Not necessarily "enforced" but it is a "rule" not a "suggestion".) The Compass lists a "suggested attire" for each evening: Formal, Casual, Smart Casual. These are "suggested dress". So whether you "dress" "Formal" or "Casual" on formal night didn't bother me if you were following the "rule" of "no shorts, no tank tops, no flip flops". We typically dress formal on formal night and casual on casual night but have been known to dress "differently" if we had an "event" or were dining outside the MDR, etc. Yep....we have even worn a tux and long dress to WJ (on formal night) when we were "delayed' in the casino (winning:D) and would not go into the MDR that late.

 

 

 

For our first Alaska cruise (that included a 5-night pre-cruise trip) we decided not to take the "formal clothing". We didn't want to drag it through 4 hotels and then onto the ship, etc. We needed that "packing space" for "raingear":D. We did still take "nicer" clothing for formal nights just not "formal" (in our opinion). On casual nights we definitely dressed casual and on several nights I wore the same clothes to the MDR that I had worn all day. (Think pants/khakis/shirt/vest/jacket.)

 

 

 

That made me "re-think" the typical "shorts in the MDR" question. Alot of the "reasoning" that folks use for wanting to wear shorts in the MDR is you are in the Caribbean where it is more laid back and you are on vacation. Well, we thought Alaska was pretty laid-back and we were on vacation!

 

 

 

Here is where my thought process changed.....in Alaska the weather was very pleasant most days. I was comfortable all day and did not "need" to change clothes to continue into the evening. This made me ponder.....in the Caribbean....most every day is warm and sunny. Most excursions....beach, snorkeling, ziplining, atv, segway, golf, etc....even if you just go into town shopping and walking around,,, you are going to get hot, sweaty, sticky, stinky, etc. So most likely you are going to go to your room and shower/clean-up before you go to dinner. So as long as you are cleaning up anyway.....why not put on that pair of "long pants" rather than shorts. If you plan on staying sweaty, sticky, stinky then you probably don't need to go to the MDR anyway. If you are staying in your same "day clothes" and not cleaning up....then you probably would want to go to another dining venue and skip the MDR. So, as long as you are "cleaning up" why not put on the "long pants"? You only have to take one pair for the whole week! If you only wear them at night after you have "cleaned up" then you can wear them every night!:D

 

 

 

Why be a "rule breaker"?

 

 

 

Do you also do the following?

 

Throw things overboard (a no-no)

 

Smoke on your balcony/in your room (a no-no)

 

Share the drink package (a no-no)

 

Flush things down the toilet that aren't agreeable with the plumbing system (a no-no)

 

Sneak on more wine than allowed (a no-no)

 

Sneak other types of liquor on (a no-no)

 

Save seats at the pool at 8:00 am and not show up until noon (a no-no)

 

Save seats in the shows (a no-no)

 

Take fruits ashore (a no-no)

 

 

 

If it is ok for you to "break the rule" on shorts in the MDR, which rule is it ok for me to break? :D:D:D

 

 

 

As you said above, dress codes are suggested, and you quoted it. All the other items are rules. How can one compare breaking a rule and a suggestion?

 

 

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[LMaxwell]

This made me ponder.....in the Caribbean....most every day is warm and sunny. Most excursions....beach, snorkeling, ziplining, atv, segway, golf, etc....even if you just go into town shopping and walking around,,, you are going to get hot, sweaty, sticky, stinky, etc. So most likely you are going to go to your room and shower/clean-up before you go to dinner. So as long as you are cleaning up anyway.....why not put on that pair of "long pants" rather than shorts. If you plan on staying sweaty, sticky, stinky then you probably don't need to go to the MDR anyway. If you are staying in your same "day clothes" and not cleaning up....then you probably would want to go to another dining venue and skip the MDR. So, as long as you are "cleaning up" why not put on the "long pants"? You only have to take one pair for the whole week! If you only wear them at night after you have "cleaned up" then you can wear them every night!:D

 

 

Are you suggesting I wear the same pants 7 days in a row, but just for a few hours, for no actual reason? I don't wear anything 7 days in a row. Seems slightly unsanitary.

 

I live in Palm Beach County Florida, quite capable to clean up and put on nice, non-athletic type shorts. Do it every day. So do many of my clients that I deal with. It's just normal here. On a cruise is no different; I have my day time clothing that I know will get sweaty. I have my nicer evening clothing. I am much more comfortable, personally, dining in shorts like I do at restaurants at home than I am in pants. I realize to others the dining room may feel cool, but to me it almost always seems hot. You don't have to agree with my preference, but I'm explaining to you why I disagree with your mindset on the topic.

[skiiergirl]

As you said above, dress codes are suggested, and you quoted it. All the other items are rules. How can one compare breaking a rule and a suggestion?

 

 

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The wording makes the difference.

 

"Tonight's Dinner Dress Suggestion: Casual"

(= "suggestion")

 

versus

 

"Dining Room,Windjammer Cafe and Specialty Restaurants: No bare feet, caps, tank top shirts, and bathing attire will be permitted at any time. Shorts will be permitted at breakfast and lunch only."

(=NOT a "suggestion")

 

The thread title states specifically for AD although others have commented regarding other ships. AD specifically announces during the dinner hours "No shorts allowed in the MDR in the evening."

 

Are you suggesting I wear the same pants 7 days in a row, but just for a few hours, for no actual reason? I don't wear anything 7 days in a row. Seems slightly unsanitary.

 

I live in Palm Beach County Florida, quite capable to clean up and put on nice, non-athletic type shorts. Do it every day. So do many of my clients that I deal with. It's just normal here. On a cruise is no different; I have my day time clothing that I know will get sweaty. I have my nicer evening clothing. I am much more comfortable, personally, dining in shorts like I do at restaurants at home than I am in pants. I realize to others the dining room may feel cool, but to me it almost always seems hot. You don't have to agree with my preference, but I'm explaining to you why I disagree with your mindset on the topic.

 

I am just suggesting that anyone that states "packing too many pairs of pants" as an excuse not to wear pants in the MDR COULD wear the same pair every evening if they so desired!:D

 

I wear shorts at home also into restaurants. I have not tried wearing them in to any restaurant that states/advertises "NO shorts" on their website, menu, billboard, sign, newspaper ad,etc. I imagine in a local restaurant that might have that "rule" that it would actually be enforced!

 

Just because RC does not enforce the rule does not make it any less of a "rule". :D

Edited August 12, 2017 by skiiergirl

[sbussert]

Jeepers... does it really matter what you where to the MDR? It doesn't bother me in the least. I figure, I'm on vacation and so are they. If this is the worst thing they can do, I'm good with it. The diversity in cultures, languages, and dress ... thats what it's all about. I never look down on someone who doesn't meet "my" standards because I know I will no doubt not meet someone's else's.

 

 

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[VacationsALot]

We are in the Adventure now. No one was turned away. Also Formal wasn't enforced either.

 

 

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[grapau27]

Please let me know when Royal Caribbean decides to start making an effort on formal night again and will take your instructions into consideration.

I didn't say wear tux or suit and tie on formal night just smart casual, surely you can't critisise that wide option of choice.

BTW i wear suit and tie but i am not forcing my choice onto anyone.

 

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[LMaxwell]

I didn't say wear tux or suit and tie on formal night just smart casual, surely you can't critisise that wide option of choice.

BTW i wear suit and tie but i am not forcing my choice onto anyone.

 

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You said people should be free to be comfortable and free of judgment on certain nights. I replied by asking let me know when Royal Caribbean does anything of significance to make doing anything different worthwhile. People should be comfortable and free of judgment all nights, not just some. I am glad you enjoy yourselves in a manner you see fit.

 

So, please, when Royal Caribbean does something worthy on formal night let me know.

[Grandma Dazzles]

The whole shorts thing gets beaten to death all the time.

 

As an long-time cruiser from the good old days, I don't have a problem with "dress shorts" if there is such a thing. Do I think long pants and a collared shirt look better in the MDR, absolutely, but I am willing to move with the times.

 

What I do have a problem with is the number of people who don't know the difference between dress or walking shorts, or whatever they are called where you live, and athletic shorts, such as Nike basketball or soccer-style shorts.

 

A while back we were early for dinner and watched a group of young men, not teens, playing basketball. When seated at dinner this same group in their sweat-ringed shirts and athletic shorts, one even had a towel around his neck, showed up. The whole area of the dining room smelled. Their wives/girlfriends were nicely dressed ..... Couldn't figure out why they didn't shower and change.

 

 

Those are the passengers that spoil it for the cleaned up dress shorts wearing folk. Unfortunately there are a lot of people who dress that way and come back from a day at the beach to the dining room.

[Diver2014]

The way I see it, people seem to only care about themselves. They don't care about what other people think. They paid their money and by gawd, they are going to wear whatever they please and to hell with anyone sitting near them in the MDR. No manners, no morals.....pretty sad situation. It's a dining room, why can't people accept that and put on long pants or a not too short dress?

[grapau27]

The whole shorts thing gets beaten to death all the time.

 

As an long-time cruiser from the good old days, I don't have a problem with "dress shorts" if there is such a thing. Do I think long pants and a collared shirt look better in the MDR, absolutely, but I am willing to move with the times.

 

What I do have a problem with is the number of people who don't know the difference between dress or walking shorts, or whatever they are called where you live, and athletic shorts, such as Nike basketball or soccer-style shorts.

 

A while back we were early for dinner and watched a group of young men, not teens, playing basketball. When seated at dinner this same group in their sweat-ringed shirts and athletic shorts, one even had a towel around his neck, showed up. The whole area of the dining room smelled. Their wives/girlfriends were nicely dressed ..... Couldn't figure out why they didn't shower and change.

 

 

Those are the passengers that spoil it for the cleaned up dress shorts wearing folk. Unfortunately there are a lot of people who dress that way and come back from a day at the beach to the dining room.

Totally agree surprised the girlfriends didn't advise them to get showered and changed.

 

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[txaggie12]

:')

The way I see it, people seem to only care about themselves. They don't care about what other people think. They paid their money and by gawd, they are going to wear whatever they please and to hell with anyone sitting near them in the MDR. No manners, no morals.....pretty sad situation. It's a dining room, why can't people accept that and put on long pants or a not too short dress?

 

How exactly does wearing shorts determine manners or or morals.

 

Some of you people are freaking nut jobs:')

[SRF]

The tank top prohibition is for men. Hairy armpits can be a bit off-putting at meal time. :eek: :)

 

 

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So hairy armpits on women is OK????????

 

RCCL does cruise in Europe, where women have different grooming standards than the US.

[SRF]

Except for formal night people should wear whatever they want to with no judgements from anyone else.

For formal night people should make an effort to at least be smart casual.

 

then why call is FORMAL night????????

[QueenofKrakatoa]

The way I see it, people seem to only care about themselves. They don't care about what other people think. They paid their money and by gawd, they are going to wear whatever they please and to hell with anyone sitting near them in the MDR. No manners, no morals.....pretty sad situation. It's a dining room, why can't people accept that and put on long pants or a not too short dress?

 

Shorts in the MDR are totally indicative of psychopaths that didn't go to finishing school. :rolleyes:

[SRF]

Are you suggesting I wear the same pants 7 days in a row, but just for a few hours, for no actual reason? I don't wear anything 7 days in a row. Seems slightly unsanitary.

 

7 days times 2 hours per day is 14 hours.

 

Do you not wear something for 14 hours in a single day????????

[SRF]

The way I see it, people seem to only care about themselves. They don't care about what other people think. They paid their money and by gawd, they are going to wear whatever they please and to hell with anyone sitting near them in the MDR. No manners, no morals.....pretty sad situation. It's a dining room, why can't people accept that and put on long pants or a not too short dress?

 

Welcome to the 21st century :(

[katiel53]

Since you brought it up, I will tell you our experience. We were just on the June 24th sailing on the Adventure of the Seas. A family, kids and adults, decided to show up to the main dining room, ON FORMAL NIGHT, wearing cargo shorts and t-shirts. They were not stopped. When we asked a hostess about the lack of enforcement of the dress code, she replied that the guest might complain that the staff member was rude and that management will not support the staff member. Instead, they will get a letter in their file. I don't expect anyone to wear suits but put on a pair of long pants, or, go back to Carnival.

 

 

I totally believe that is the reason that some people dress as though they just came from the barn and nothing is said to them. We were on Allure last month and went to Giovanni's. There was a table where the men all wore tee shirts with sayings on them, ball hats and athletic shorts. The women weren't dressed any better, except they didn't wear baseball hats and no one said a single word to them.

 

I wish that the rules would be enforced or, if headquarters won't back up the employees, do away with them. It makes the cruise line look foolish. There are many passengers that now sail Royal Caribbean and formerly sailed on another line and they brought a lot of their habits with them. Additionally, there are the "entitled" who feel they paid for the cruise and they can do what they want and guess what, they do!

[juju2454]

All I'll say is in beating the dead horse there must be a reason it keeps coming up, because people are disappointed in the fact that cruises started out in formal wear, then went down to semi formal wear, then to smart casual, then to dress shorts, and now to the I'm on vacation so you have to deal with my grubby choices. what's next underwear? pajamas? bare feet? then what naked? I get you're on vacation, so am I. What makes your being a slob be above my smart casual? Yes I say slob, because that is what it is leading to. each step is a step to be in underwear or pajamas or nude. Sorry that you feel pants are obsolete, but we aren't asking for a tux, we are asking for pants. It was always "oh the tux takes too much room or weighs too much: now it's oh the pants are .... what heavy? get cotton, hot? get lightweight. It really comes down to the mentality that as people we gave up caring how we present ourselves, anywhere. How sad. Yeah I saw it on the freestyle of NCL . shirts inside out to "look clean" , men getting upset when they wanted to come in the Buffet for ice cones in their swim wear no shirt no shoes, and were told no and threw a hissy over an ice cream cone, women wearing "cover ups" that were nothing close to covering up for the french fries to take to the pool, again no shoes. I see all the complaints about Kids on cruises, but I honestly see more adults with a piss off attitude about clothes and what they want. Will I dress up, yep, will I let it spoil the cruise? nope, but geez what happened to dressing appropriately not just in the "I'm on vacation screw you " mode.

[grapau27]

then why call is FORMAL night????????

It is formal night for us as i wear a suit and tie and my wife a cocktail dress.

 

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[Merion_Mom]

Nope. Same thing. Like to see something different.:rolleyes: I still have my Geneva Convection card from when I served in Vietnam.

 

Sounds hot! ;) :D

[Thorben-Hendrik]

The whole shorts thing gets beaten to death all the time.

 

As an long-time cruiser from the good old days, I don't have a problem with "dress shorts" if there is such a thing. Do I think long pants and a collared shirt look better in the MDR, absolutely, but I am willing to move with the times.

 

What I do have a problem with is the number of people who don't know the difference between dress or walking shorts, or whatever they are called where you live, and athletic shorts, such as Nike basketball or soccer-style shorts.

 

A while back we were early for dinner and watched a group of young men, not teens, playing basketball. When seated at dinner this same group in their sweat-ringed shirts and athletic shorts, one even had a towel around his neck, showed up. The whole area of the dining room smelled. Their wives/girlfriends were nicely dressed ..... Couldn't figure out why they didn't shower and change.

 

 

Those are the passengers that spoil it for the cleaned up dress shorts wearing folk. Unfortunately there are a lot of people who dress that way and come back from a day at the beach to the dining room.

Order the Maitre D to your table and ask him why he is not enforcing the rules.....

[davekathy]

Sounds hot! ;) :D

 

:Ddamn spell check...Geneva convention.

[Milwaukee Eight]

Nope. Same thing. Like to see something different.:rolleyes: I still have my Geneva Convection card from when I served in Vietnam.

 

 

 

Thank you for your service.

 

 

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[TLex]

Nope. Same thing. Like to see something different.:rolleyes: I still have my Geneva Convection card from when I served in Vietnam.

 

Carol took care of the spell check so ill just add that I've kept mine, too, about 30+ years worth.

 

And, FWIW, they didn't work so well there. Or just about anywhere else!

 

VR,

 

T Lex

 

P.S. doesn't matter. I'm personally prohibited since 2003 from doing that! Captain Tiege on Rhapsody of the Seas. :D