Anthem: New Evening Dress Code - MALL WEAR

[juju2454]

My feeling is, I'm on vacation, I don't want to wear a suit, I want to be comfortable. That said, wife usually wears a nice dress and I usually wear a sport coat, khakis and no tie. That's about as formal as I want to be on vacation.

 

 

I'm on vacation too but there are plenty of nice suits that if fitted right are not uncomfortable,

 

On that note maybe the cruise lines have gotten the message that if you dress like mcDonalds we'll feed you like McDonalds.... you know all the food complaints?? Foo;)d being less fancy, or less quality? It is matching the dress down attitude

[Husky1987]

I'm on vacation too but there are plenty of nice suits that if fitted right are not uncomfortable,

 

On that note maybe the cruise lines have gotten the message that if you dress like mcDonalds we'll feed you like McDonalds.... you know all the food complaints?? Foo;)d being less fancy, or less quality? It is matching the dress down attitude

 

Awesome, and no one is stopping you from wearing your not uncomfortable nice suit!

[lv2bcruzin]

It's my vacation and I don't feel like wearing anything at all to dinner. I'm not hurting anyone else, so why does it matter? I suppose I can wear a strategically placed sock if forced to. But, I'm not wearing a tie! :cool::rolleyes::cool::rolleyes:

[gaylemh]

Yes, you can wear what you want and are comfortable with wearing. You will not be denied entrance to the dining room. I have cruised twice on Anthem in the beginning of January on 12 night cruises. One formal night a family of about 5 to 6 people were wearing shorts. One of them was wearing athletic shorts. I saw one other individual that evening wearing dress shorts in the the dining room (on other evenings saw many more men dressed like this, but not the majority). The majority of men were wearing suits, sports jackets, or dress shirts . Perhaps my memory is faulty, but there were very few men wearing golf shirts or polo shirts that evening. Most women were dressed either in cocktail dresses, "Sunday Best Dresses" or wearing pants with obviously dressier tops than I normally saw in the dining room. I observed one couple who were dressed causally. She was wearing capri pants and he was wearing dockers and a golf shirt. The woman had a distressed look on her face as she looked around the dining room. Perhaps she was looking for someone, forgot to pack more formal clothes, luggage was lost, or she was wondering where they would sit and did not like the availability. What passed through my mind at the time was that someone told her or she read that people do not dress up on formal night. The majority of people dining with us were wearing outfits that they were dressier (although perhaps not formal ) than they wore on other nights.

 

I have sailed on Anthem 11 times, and this is my experience as well. I have never seen people in "mall attire" in the dining rooms. Most people are dressed pretty nice. Maybe not formal, but I've only seen shorts a few times, and they were always nice dress shorts, with golf shirts, not sports shorts. They woman I have seen usuailly have nice slacks, tops or sundresses. On formal night the dresses are a little fancier, and the men have dress shirts, sometimes suits or jackets. I love getting dressed for dinner, but that doesn't always mean formal. I usually bring a nice sundress/maxi for dinner every night.

 

Unless someone comes and sits at my table for dinner, in sweaty gym attire, obscene tee shirts, or bathing suits, I don't care what someone wears.

[theotherchad]

IMHO , Formal nights have nothing to do with dressing smartly. They should be seen as an opportunity to add a bit of glamour to our lives. If your life is already glamourous enough then thats fine but I for one enjoy putting on a Tux,sipping a few overpriced cocktails and forgetting that I have to go back to work in a few days .

 

Would we be having this conversation if it was marketed as a James Bond theme night? I think not ;)

 

Oh, make no mistake, they would still be having this conversation, but I definitely agree with your viewpoint. As much as I understand that many people want to just be casual and relax, I do wish that they would get that it is also fun to dress up, have a nice colorful cocktail, or a nice wine or glass of scotch and live that little bit of fantasy of being a bit classier than they probably are. I do.

 

My wife and I have a good life. I make a decent living and we enjoy some of the finer things of life on a regular basis. But, the truth is, most of the time, we aren't dripping in jewels and luxury. We sit in traffic, we get frustrated with medical bills and irritating neighbors, we work in offices with stained carpet and we get bit by mosquitoes and have all the other little quotidian irritations of modern life. Also, we live in Houston so at least 8 months out of the year, we sweat.

 

But then, a couple of times a year, we go on a cruise. We can't afford Cunard or Crystal, at least not twice a year and still be able to retire before we're seventy. But RCCL gives us a beautiful dining room with formal waiters and white tablecloths. And they suggest that we get on board with the elegant atmosphere that they are trying to create. It's a bit of a fantasy. Some people don't really get it, but on those evenings, I dress as nicely as I can. My wife, who is beautiful in sweatpants and a baggy t-shirt, wears what I call her "Oscar dresses." She looks magnificent! She is a vision, she is a dream, she is something to which most others can only aspire to. Perhaps I am a bit biased. ;)

 

On those evenings, we live a bit of a fantasy, but it is also very real. We are helping to recall a time when people cared, not just about what others thought of them, but what they cared about for themselves. We are projecting the best version of ourselves. It is uplifting. It is fun. When others choose to dress down, it doesn't upset us.

 

However, I will always tell people who disdain or defy the idea of formal night, that they are missing out. I understand their viewpoint, but I think that they are shortchanging themselves, mainly due to a lack of imagination, a lack of romanticism and a lack of appreciation for the joy of living a dream, even if only for a night or two.

[compman9]

I will jump back in here and say, it was not my intention to open another formal/not formal clothing thread - not least because I am fully aware that the majority of cruisers may not share the same dress code descriptions as others

 

I merely wanted to mention how the standard of dress has dropped on RCI out of the US since we last regularly cruised with them

 

It is the only vacation style that has a dress suggestion, and it is one that was mostly adhered to. Perhaps it is the Americanisation of cruising. Perhaps it is the theme park style cruise ships. I don't know, but...

 

...Someone has already alluded to it, but the end result of all of this will be - people will no longer recall days when it was full lobster rather than lobster tails, but when it was lobster tails and now it is a tiny shrimp. Waiters will be wearing shorts in the main dining room and you will be getting burgers

[nelblu]

I will jump back in here and say, it was not my intention to open another formal/not formal clothing thread - not least because I am fully aware that the majority of cruisers may not share the same dress code descriptions as others

 

I merely wanted to mention how the standard of dress has dropped on RCI out of the US since we last regularly cruised with them

 

It is the only vacation style that has a dress suggestion, and it is one that was mostly adhered to. Perhaps it is the Americanisation of cruising. Perhaps it is the theme park style cruise ships. I don't know, but...

 

...Someone has already alluded to it, but the end result of all of this will be - people will no longer recall days when it was full lobster rather than lobster tails, but when it was lobster tails and now it is a tiny shrimp. Waiters will be wearing shorts in the main dining room and you will be getting burgers

 

You're too much of an pessimist. You seem to forget the days of little or no entertainment, few or minor balcony cabins, pay for your lounge chair, more expensive fares, no casinos, etc.

 

If your main concern is the modernization of dress standards that does not meet your expectation, you should look at Cunard, Windstar, Crystal or some other lines.

[newcruiser1956]

Not everyone has lots of money. Many of us have had to save up for a long time to go on a cruise. Fancy clothes are not something we have in our closets because we do not run in the upper circles that dress like that and not something that we have the budget for. Just a thought.

[lonegirl]

IMHO , Formal nights have nothing to do with dressing smartly. They should be seen as an opportunity to add a bit of glamour to our lives. If your life is already glamourous enough then thats fine but I for one enjoy putting on a Tux,sipping a few overpriced cocktails and forgetting that I have to go back to work in a few days .

 

Would we be having this conversation if it was marketed as a James Bond theme night? I think not ;)

 

Exactly! We love formal nights! We cruise with my in-laws and friends. My father in law wears a tux and hubby and friend done a suit and tie, my son (11 on upcoming cruise) is always in dress pants, dress shirt and tie....and he has never complained about this. I always wear a dressy dress...just not full length as I own none. But it is the opportunity for me to pull out my good jewelry that I never get to wear otherwise. I love wandering the ships on formal night and seeing everyone in their finest.

It is nice to have some glitz and glamour in your life....I live in scrubs 5 days a week and take every opportunity I can to wear nice clothing.

[DirtyDawg]

The day they bring back full lobster dinners in the MDR is the day I'm going to start wearing shorts and a t-shirt in the MDR. Those things are messy! And there's no way I'm going to be caught wearing one of those tacky Lobster bibs with my Tux!

:D

[Ocean Boy]

Oh, make no mistake, they would still be having this conversation, but I definitely agree with your viewpoint. As much as I understand that many people want to just be casual and relax, I do wish that they would get that it is also fun to dress up, have a nice colorful cocktail, or a nice wine or glass of scotch and live that little bit of fantasy of being a bit classier than they probably are. I do.

 

 

However, I will always tell people who disdain or defy the idea of formal night, that they are missing out. I understand their viewpoint, but I think that they are shortchanging themselves, mainly due to a lack of imagination, a lack of romanticism and a lack of appreciation for the joy of living a dream, even if only for a night or two.

We are not new to cruising. We have done the formal night stuff before and speaking from experience.... I disagree with you on both points. And, I have no lack of imagination.

[Ocean Boy]

I will jump back in here and say, it was not my intention to open another formal/not formal clothing thread - not least because I am fully aware that the majority of cruisers may not share the same dress code descriptions as others

 

I merely wanted to mention how the standard of dress has dropped on RCI out of the US since we last regularly cruised with them

 

It is the only vacation style that has a dress suggestion, and it is one that was mostly adhered to. Perhaps it is the Americanisation of cruising. Perhaps it is the theme park style cruise ships. I don't know, but...

 

...Someone has already alluded to it, but the end result of all of this will be - people will no longer recall days when it was full lobster rather than lobster tails, but when it was lobster tails and now it is a tiny shrimp. Waiters will be wearing shorts in the main dining room and you will be getting burgers

Hopefully, good burgers.

[Keksie]

Everyone has their own style of vacationing. The evening meal is not a big part of any vacation we take. Being morning people we get up early, eat breakfast and get busy with activities. We stay busy all day have an early lunch and want to eat by 6pm most days. We do my time dining with just us and for formal nights we eat in the specialty restaurant. Then we see a show and are done for the evening.

 

We have done formal nights when we first started cruising and did not enjoy it, I think the lobster is over cooked and always order something else anyway. You don't have to be dressed up to get a drink, a nice meal or have fun.

 

Everyone has a different idea of what fun is for themselves and what they want to do on a cruise. That is why a cruise is such a good vacation - lots of options for a wide range of people.

[newcruiser1956]

I would love to wear fancy dresses but, I don't own one and don't want to spend money on one I will in reality only wear a couple of times. I also don't want to take up the space in my carry on. I think it is sad but that's how it is going

 

 

I am with you... Don't be sad.. I personally think sometimes we are dealing with the Haves and Have nots. Sorry I am a have not. Don't have "good jewelry to get out" formals, tuxes, etc. Not all of us have been as blessed as others.

[Ocean Boy]

I would love to wear fancy dresses but, I don't own one and don't want to spend money on one I will in reality only wear a couple of times. I also don't want to take up the space in my carry on. I think it is sad but that's how it is going

 

 

I am with you... Don't be sad.. I personally think sometimes we are dealing with the Haves and Have nots. Sorry I am a have not. Don't have "good jewelry to get out" formals, tuxes, etc. Not all of us have been as blessed as others.

You don't sound like a have not to me but more like someone who is well adjusted and in touch with reality.

[compman9]

I would love to wear fancy dresses but, I don't own one and don't want to spend money on one I will in reality only wear a couple of times. I also don't want to take up the space in my carry on. I think it is sad but that's how it is going

 

 

I am with you... Don't be sad.. I personally think sometimes we are dealing with the Haves and Have nots. Sorry I am a have not. Don't have "good jewelry to get out" formals, tuxes, etc. Not all of us have been as blessed as others.

 

Now that would be innovative - fancy dress cruising ;p

[compman9]

You're too much of an pessimist. You seem to forget the days of little or no entertainment, few or minor balcony cabins, pay for your lounge chair, more expensive fares, no casinos, etc.

 

If your main concern is the modernization of dress standards that does not meet your expectation, you should look at Cunard, Windstar, Crystal or some other lines.

 

Two interesting quotes there

 

None of your descriptions were around just two years ago. However, the pace of change from formal to informal, is so fast that the natural conclusion is completely casual. Which is something I believe worth commenting on

 

If you had read my other posts on this thread, you would have seen that clothing is not a main concern of mine, just an observation - so, while you feel the need to recommend I abandon my Diamond status and move to Windstar, I could also make alternative vacation recommendations to you, but I would not be so rude

[Lordnlkon]

Two interesting quotes there

 

None of your descriptions were around just two years ago. However, the pace of change from formal to informal, is so fast that the natural conclusion is completely casual. Which is something I believe worth commenting on

 

If you had read my other posts on this thread, you would have seen that clothing is not a main concern of mine, just an observation - so, while you feel the need to recommend I abandon my Diamond status and move to Windstar, I could also make alternative vacation recommendations to you, but I would not be so rude

 

 

We understand your point, you made it loud and clear. You wish people would dress up. The cruise line has made it a suggestion, not a requirement and given people the right to choose how they spend their cruise. Another suggestion, you might enjoy your cruise more if you stopped worrying about how other people spend their vacation and just focus on yours.

[nelblu]

Two interesting quotes there

 

None of your descriptions were around just two years ago. However, the pace of change from formal to informal, is so fast that the natural conclusion is completely casual. Which is something I believe worth commenting on

 

If you had read my other posts on this thread, you would have seen that clothing is not a main concern of mine, just an observation - so, while you feel the need to recommend I abandon my Diamond status and move to Windstar, I could also make alternative vacation recommendations to you, but I would not be so rude

 

Just educate me, when was the last time that you saw a complementary full lobster on the menu in the MDR. I've sailed on the Oceanic, which to this day had one of the best selections and fantastic quality in food standards and no full lobster on the menu. Ditto for the Italian Line. I can still remember the midnight buffets on both lines.

 

With regards to being rude, I'm from the metro area and we've developed thick skins over the years, but expect the same rudeness from my part. You hide behind the "simple observation" terminology, but IMO you come across as horrified with Paxs that do not meet your dress standards.

[nelblu]

Just educate me, when was the last time that you saw a complementary full lobster on the menu in the MDR. I've sailed on the Oceanic, which to this day had one of the best selections and fantastic quality in food standards and no full lobster on the menu. Ditto for the Italian Line. I can still remember the midnight buffets on both lines.

 

With regards to being rude, I'm from the metro area and we've developed thick skins over the years, but expect the same rudeness from my part. You hide behind the "simple observation" terminology, but IMO you come across as horrified with Paxs that do not meet your dress standards.

 

Ps. I've been sailing RCL since my first cruise on the Majesty in 1999 and guess what--no full lobster.

[steveknj]

I'm on vacation too but there are plenty of nice suits that if fitted right are not uncomfortable,

 

On that note maybe the cruise lines have gotten the message that if you dress like mcDonalds we'll feed you like McDonalds.... you know all the food complaints?? Foo;)d being less fancy, or less quality? It is matching the dress down attitude

 

There's a gray area between "not uncomfortable" and comfortable. I just hate having to wear all those clothes. So I'd rather be comfortable and not "not uncomfortable" I like casual, rather than dressy. I'm not saying that you should dress like a slob, in gym shorts and a torn tshirt, but there's no reason why you can't dress country club casual (i.e. - polo / khakis on casual nights and dress shirt / khakis on the more formal nights and like me, maybe wear a sport coat).

 

 

On a ship that has multiple MDR, why not offer one dining room for actual formal dining, and require at least a suit for men and formal dress for women? Then, you have best of both worlds.

[Clarea]

... On a ship that has multiple MDR, why not offer one dining room for actual formal dining, and require at least a suit for men and formal dress for women? Then, you have best of both worlds.

Won't work, because the crew won't enforce the dress code.

[steveknj]

Oh, make no mistake, they would still be having this conversation, but I definitely agree with your viewpoint. As much as I understand that many people want to just be casual and relax, I do wish that they would get that it is also fun to dress up, have a nice colorful cocktail, or a nice wine or glass of scotch and live that little bit of fantasy of being a bit classier than they probably are. I do.

 

My wife and I have a good life. I make a decent living and we enjoy some of the finer things of life on a regular basis. But, the truth is, most of the time, we aren't dripping in jewels and luxury. We sit in traffic, we get frustrated with medical bills and irritating neighbors, we work in offices with stained carpet and we get bit by mosquitoes and have all the other little quotidian irritations of modern life. Also, we live in Houston so at least 8 months out of the year, we sweat.

 

But then, a couple of times a year, we go on a cruise. We can't afford Cunard or Crystal, at least not twice a year and still be able to retire before we're seventy. But RCCL gives us a beautiful dining room with formal waiters and white tablecloths. And they suggest that we get on board with the elegant atmosphere that they are trying to create. It's a bit of a fantasy. Some people don't really get it, but on those evenings, I dress as nicely as I can. My wife, who is beautiful in sweatpants and a baggy t-shirt, wears what I call her "Oscar dresses." She looks magnificent! She is a vision, she is a dream, she is something to which most others can only aspire to. Perhaps I am a bit biased. ;)

 

On those evenings, we live a bit of a fantasy, but it is also very real. We are helping to recall a time when people cared, not just about what others thought of them, but what they cared about for themselves. We are projecting the best version of ourselves. It is uplifting. It is fun. When others choose to dress down, it doesn't upset us.

 

However, I will always tell people who disdain or defy the idea of formal night, that they are missing out. I understand their viewpoint, but I think that they are shortchanging themselves, mainly due to a lack of imagination, a lack of romanticism and a lack of appreciation for the joy of living a dream, even if only for a night or two.

 

One person's missing out is another person's hassle. I get where you are coming from. Maybe these are people who dress up everyday for work and don't want to deal with it on a cruise. Or they have far to travel to get to the ship and don't want to deal with extra luggage on a plane. Or just don't like dressing up, sitting there all night with a tie around their necks. There are people who love the glamorous life and others who don't. For me, I'm glad that cruising is no longer for the snooty. That an average "Steve" like me can cruise and it fits my needs. You feel like dressing up makes you feel like a better person, more power to you. I feel pretty comfortable in my own skin that I don't need to impress anyone other than myself. It doesn't make me feel any better to wear a suit and tie, or a nice shirt and khakis. In fact a suit and tie makes me feel worse sometimes as I can't afford a $1000 suit so the cheap suits I can afford don't look all that great.

[steveknj]

Exactly! We love formal nights! We cruise with my in-laws and friends. My father in law wears a tux and hubby and friend done a suit and tie, my son (11 on upcoming cruise) is always in dress pants, dress shirt and tie....and he has never complained about this. I always wear a dressy dress...just not full length as I own none. But it is the opportunity for me to pull out my good jewelry that I never get to wear otherwise. I love wandering the ships on formal night and seeing everyone in their finest.

It is nice to have some glitz and glamour in your life....I live in scrubs 5 days a week and take every opportunity I can to wear nice clothing.

 

If that's your thing, enjoy :) But is it fair to ask others to do the same thing?

[steveknj]

Won't work, because the crew won't enforce the dress code.

 

That's a different issue altogether. They don't enforce it because they don't want to, or are not directed to. if that's the rule, then enforce it. Just make it clear that the food is the same in the other MDRs and I don't think people would be bent out of shape, at least the vast majority of them. They could make people sign up for formal dress MDR just like a specialty restaurant. And make it CLEAR that there's no admittance if you don't meet the dress code, and direct them to the other MDRs.