Worried about dress code

[michmike]

your post wasn't even there when I typed mine. I was referring to the posts taking Kyros to task for an opinion merely expressed as an aside in her response to the OP.

 

And as for the pedantics, they are invariably part and parcel of any discussion on the boards re dress code. My thought was that if we were already veering in that direction, they couldn't be far behind.

 

Perhaps better to follow my first inclination and to bypass dress code threads..

[RevNeal]

Rev - no offense intended

your post wasn't even there when I typed mine. I was referring to the posts taking Kyros to task for an opinion merely expressed as an aside in her response to the OP.

 

Ah, so ... ok. If I jumped on you too quickly, I'm sorry.

It's just that my post was on the board for an hour and 25 minutes before your post was made, and your post immediately followed mine.

[michmike]

Rev - not sure what happened there , since as I mentioned in my post, when I first read the thread I could have sworn it went a page and a half and ended with the post just prior to yours... don't know if I got lost in the ozone or what.

 

Not sure that I would have acted any differently than you did given the circumstances and I'm glad to have the opportunity to clear things up.

 

We dress appropriately onboard but truly could care less what others do. Guess it's time to take that same approach to the topic here on the boards.. *L*

 

Gave up arguing with Dave months ago re smuggled booze and both of us (as well as the Boards in general ) are the better for it, so here's another "don't go there" topic for me..

[herb]

I personally would stop cruising for sure as formal nights are a highlight of a cruise vacation for me.

 

I always thought the whole idea of a cruise was that you could visit so many different countries without having to check in and check out of a hotel,pack and unpack suitcases, deal w/ transfers, flights, security checkpoints etc. etc.

 

(I can see however where on a trans-atlantic voyage there really isn't much more to focus on than the ship and it's activities).

[niborHS]

Only one person mentioned tuxedo rentals. I would suggest perhaps mentioning the idea to your parents that maybe they would get excited about the idea of really dressing up, and you could rent your father a tuxedo on the ship (I assume HAL does this too, as all other ships we've been on do). The shops on board also generally have some very nice beaded tops that can be worn with slacks for women. Maybe you could treat your mother to one. I assume that money has always been tight for your parents, and that's not the case with you. They may like the idea of dressing up and having a formal picture taken of all of you as a memory of the cruise. Its something special, and if they would enjoy it, then I would do that. If you don't get a warm reception to the suggestion, I would say to just let them do whatever, and it will be fine. I tend to notice those people who are super-dressed, or the ones in t-shirts and shorts, than any in between. My husband has his own tuxedo, and doesn't mind wearing it. I have a variety of dresses I bring. One gown, and various short dresses.

[Bohrski]

Anyone who sees a cow and a dolphin instead of 2 dolphins is experiencing too much stress and should go on a cruise ASAP!

[ger_77]

ghisl: Be thankful you still have parents that can accompany you on a cruise. I'd give so much to have my parents back and to be able to enjoy another vacation with them, whether on a cruise ship, or at a little lakeside cottage.

 

Yes, tell your parents about the "expected dress" for the evenings, and encourage them to go all out, if they like. How about surprising mom with a new sparkly shawl, and dad with a great new tie? If they're not comfortable with that, don't worry, the "fashion police" won't give them a citation, or toss them out of the dining room. If your mom is happy dressing up in a church dress, and dad's topping off in a navy blazer, then that should be alright with you, too. Be sure to have photos taken of the four of you together so that you can look back on them fondly in years to come. Go and enjoy your cruise, and let your parents enjoy it too.

 

Smooth Sailing! :) :) :)

 

[Copper10-8]

Anyone who sees a cow and a dolphin instead of 2 dolphins is experiencing too much stress and should go on a cruise ASAP!

 

Great suggestion!;)

[carolmacey]

My husband and I have cruised before but never with HAL but still I think we'll be okay in the dining room as we know what to expect. However, we're taking my parents on their first cruise (Alaska in September) and I'm concerned about them standing out in their clothes which probably won't be appropriate. It's a delicate subject and I'm not sure how to handle it. They are both in their mid 70's and even though I've tried to explain to them in great detail what to expect, I'm sure they have absolutely no idea how formal these evenings can get. Dad has a navy sports jacket which is about as dressy as he will get (hopefully with a nice shirt and dress pants). Mom has a couple of iffy dresses which she wears to church on Sundays. They are not at all well travelled and they lead a very simple life. Dad is a retired blue collar worker and lives in jeans and a farmer's hat. Mom likes to shop at Wal Mart - need I say more. I know I'm probably sounding snobbish but that's not my intent. I'm really concerned about their feelings while on the ship. Will they feel out of place at all or are most people quite accepting? My husband tells me I worry too much and just let them be who they are. Perhaps he is right?

 

I was in the very same situation last fall. Took in-laws on 1st cruise and 1st trip to Europe. I went to Good Will, spent $40 on "Mom" and filled in her evening clothes quite well. Also found a suit for "Dad." There were comfortable as I hadn't spent a fortune on infrequently used clothes.

 

As someone else said...."Enjoy them and have a great cruise." You never know when they will be gone. My mom became an angel while I was cruising last May, but I was where she wanted me to be. I was in a beautiful cathedral in England on my first visit to Europe.

 

Have a great time and take lots of photos, both for yourself and for them.

Carol

[RuthC]

I always thought the whole idea of a cruise was that you could visit so many different countries without having to check in and check out of a hotel,pack and unpack suitcases, deal w/ transfers, flights, security checkpoints etc. etc.

For many people that is the idea. Then again, for many people the ship is the destination---ports are secondary. It is the lure of the ocean, the relaxation, good food, entertainment, chance to get away from the world that matters.

IMHO Dave's post was on the mark---it's not what others think of how your parents are dressed that matters so much as how they will feel when they see how the other passengers dress. If you think they will feel at all uncomfortable to be underdressed then you should step in and help to upgrade their wardrobe a tad.

The suggestion of picking up something at Goodwill---or Aunt Sally's---is a good one. I was going to suggest second-hand shops. Always a bargain to be found.

[Marbella]

Quote: "P.S. Thank you to all who choose a compassionate answer vs. the same ole' "formal" wear argument!!!;) "

 

Just finished reading this thread and seemed to have missed something. I felt the reponses were all compassionate.

 

As an aside, Rev. Neal, I found that very interesting. Must have made the evenings on the new ship that much more magical.

[caviargal]

I always thought the whole idea of a cruise was that you could visit so many different countries without having to check in and check out of a hotel,pack and unpack suitcases, deal w/ transfers, flights, security checkpoints etc. etc.

 

(I can see however where on a trans-atlantic voyage there really isn't much more to focus on than the ship and it's activities).

 

Herb, possibly that is the "whole idea of a cruise" for you, but it is not for me. If I am visiting a foreign country I much prefer to fly and stay and then travel by train. Packing and unpacking is not an issues. I do not normally cruise to see places but then I am not your average traveller.

 

A cruise for me is about the ship and the experience itself. I often do not bother getting off the ship in many ports of call as I find them overrrun with tourists and charmless. If I do like a port of call, it is likely because there is a great beach that I know I can enjoy for the day.

 

I enjoy service, good food, dressing for dinner, cocktails before, using the gym, steam room and sauna. Sitting on my balcony with a book is a favorite activity. I love to go dancing after dinner and walk the deck in the moonlight.

 

Where I go is pretty irrelevant.

 

Different strokes...

[Shirley Hensley]

I noticed that on HA you cannot wear jeans anywhere in the evening. Even on casual nights? On the Conquest last year. You could wear a nice pair of jeans, nice jacket or fancy blouse and it was acceptable. I usually dressed when going to the dining room but NOT when eating at other areas.???

[RuthC]

I noticed that on HA you cannot wear jeans anywhere in the evening. Even on casual nights?

That's correct. Jeans are not appropriate in public areas of the ship in the evening. On "casual" nights it's expected that people will be dressed in "casual" clothes; jeans don't come up to that level.

To be sure, if you eat in the Lido and don't frequent the lounges, show lounge, or casino there shouldn't be a problem.

[NoNoNanette]

I noticed that on HA you cannot wear jeans anywhere in the evening. Even on casual nights? On the Conquest last year. You could wear a nice pair of jeans, nice jacket or fancy blouse and it was acceptable. I usually dressed when going to the dining room but NOT when eating at other areas.???

 

Take whatever answers you get with a grain of salt, kiddo.

 

You're going to get many mixed responses, most of which are from the very vocal "Dress like suggested or get off of my ship" crowd.

 

I won't be going until December, but promise to give an ACCURATE report.

 

(Someone recently posted about a guy in the dining room with jeans, tshirt and cap.... wasn't tossed out....I'm sure that he stuck out like a sore thumb, but nevermind):)

[herb]

I do not normally cruise to see places but then I am not your average traveller.

A cruise for me is about the ship and the experience itself.

 

caviargal, you've peeked my interest. BTW... This has nothing to do w/ dress codes ;)

 

I noticed, if my math skills are up to par, that you've been on 105 cruises. My hat goes off to you for that accomplishment. I'm curious where you haven't been to! Hopefully you won't think I'm being sarcastic, but I am really interested in knowing where you've been, or if the list is shorter, where you haven't been too... and also, which port you found the most "out of the ordinary".

[RuthC]

I won't be going until December, but promise to give an ACCURATE report.

Are you suggesting the reports from those who have sailed on HAL are not "ACCURATE"?

[caviargal]

caviargal, you've peeked my interest. BTW... This has nothing to do w/ dress codes ;)

 

I noticed, if my math skills are up to par, that you've been on 105 cruises. My hat goes off to you for that accomplishment. I'm curious where you haven't been to! Hopefully you won't think I'm being sarcastic, but I am really interested in knowing where you've been, or if the list is shorter, where you haven't been too... and also, which port you found the most "out of the ordinary".

 

Out of the ordinary is so hard to find! I have yet to visit the South Pacific, Australia, the Seychelles and these are on my list but the long flights are off putting and the time I would need to fully explore those areas not presently available. I had hoped to explore the Baltics this year for my 50th birthday but circumstances do not permit so this will have to wat for another day.

 

I would rather be in Italy (followed by Germany and Austria) than anywhere in the world and that is always my first choice for any time off. Rapallo on the coast, the art and architecture (not to mention the food, the wine and the people) of Tuscany and the magnificence of Rome all continue to captivate me no matter how many times I am lucky enough to visit.

 

I have been to most states in the US (some many times haing travelled extensively for business over many years), three Canadian provinces, ten countries in Europe (much time spent in Italy, college and subsequent stays in Austria, in total about a dozen visits to that continent of varying lengths), China, Hong Kong, most islands in the Caribbean, Turkey.

 

105 cruises are over the course of 40 years and include business, guest lecturer gigs, and vacations. I cruise less for vacations these days as I am fond of traditional cruising and simply cannot find it any longer, at least not easily and at a price that is affordable.

 

My votes for out of the ordinary would be Barbuda (reached by skiff from a sailboat), Sicily, and the Salzkammergut area of Austria. For me, out of the ordinary means that my breath is truly taken away by the beauty of the place and all of these are quite spectacular and very appealing to me.

 

Although exploring new places still has appeal, I find myself these days more interested in spending time in places that I really love and learning more about them. Cruises really do not afford that opportunity, which is why I consider them a different kind of vacation.

 

CG

[caviargal]

Take whatever answers you get with a grain of salt, kiddo.

 

You're going to get many mixed responses, most of which are from the very vocal "Dress like suggested or get off of my ship" crowd.

 

I won't be going until December, but promise to give an ACCURATE report.

 

(Someone recently posted about a guy in the dining room with jeans, tshirt and cap.... wasn't tossed out....I'm sure that he stuck out like a sore thumb, but nevermind):)

 

You continue to disparage the HAL contributors to this board and to imply that they are not capable of providing an "accurate" answer, yet you have no experience whatsover with this line. Many that continue to post polite responses to these threads have many HAL cruises under their belt. Their observations are far more accurate than those of one who has never sailed, IMO.

 

I can tell you that jeans and T shirt would most definitely stick out on a HAL ship - and others as well - and not in a positive way. The fact that he "wasn't tossed out" does not, IMO, mean that his attire was appropriate, because, it was in fact, not. It was directly in conflict with the dress code.

 

It simply means that he exercised bad judgement, that he could care less about respecting his surroundings, and that no staff member chose to send him away, unfortunately. I personally would not consider that something to be proud of, nor something to hold up as an example of what was acceptable.

 

I will be aboard again in two weeks and will post an ACCURATE review. I am quite certain you will discount that as well, because it will not provide justification for your point of view.

[dakrewser]

I won't be going until December, but promise to give an ACCURATE report.

 

Does that mean you consider the hundreds of trip reports already posted here to be inaccurate? If that's so, why should we consider yours to be any better?

 

 

I have seen someone in the DR in jeans and a T-shirt, on the first formal night. He never returned to the DR on any other night. No one sitting around him said anything that I could see, so I surmise that he decided on his own that he didn't wish to feel uncomfortable with so many "dressed up" people. But perhaps you're immune from those feelings...

[cruisekmc]

We just got back from a HAL cruise. Seems to me that anything goes. I had to fight with my husband to wear a suit, but many others just had shirts without jackets. Let them be comfortable it will be fine.

[niborHS]

As far as those who think that there is nothing wrong with wearing jeans and a t-shirt on formal night, why not just go on NCL, which has no formal nights and is totally free-style. If you choose to cruise, you should abide by what cruising is all about, and has always been. Don't tell me that people decided to cruise and didn't know about formal night. Those people who want to say "I don't care, I'm not doing it" should choose either a different line, a different vacation, or perhaps get room service. There is nothing wrong with all the people who feel this way, there is however something wrong with those who have an attitude that they are better than all this and can do whatever they want.

[CruisinGrams]

Take whatever answers you get with a grain of salt, kiddo.

 

You're going to get many mixed responses, most of which are from the very vocal "Dress like suggested or get off of my ship" crowd.

 

I won't be going until December, but promise to give an ACCURATE report.

 

(Someone recently posted about a guy in the dining room with jeans, tshirt and cap.... wasn't tossed out....I'm sure that he stuck out like a sore thumb, but nevermind):)

 

 

If you are really worried, how about a special Mother's Day and Father's Day gift. You could reserve a Tuxedo for your Dad and present him with a gift card for Father's Day. You may be very surprised and he may just like this thoughtfullness to make him look so special. And on Mother's Day perhaps you could select a nice new cocktail dress for the formal nights. Some older folks do not like to purchase items they will never wear but this could make them feel special and not out of place.

[CruisinGrams]

If you are really worried, how about a special Mother's Day and Father's Day gift. You could reserve a Tuxedo for your Dad and present him with a gift card for Father's Day. You may be very surprised and he may just like this thoughtfullness to make him look so special. And on Mother's Day perhaps you could select a nice new cocktail dress for the formal nights. Some older folks do not like to purchase items they will never wear but this could make them feel special and not out of place.

[AAAAmerican]

If you are really worried, how about a special Mother's Day and Father's Day gift. You could reserve a Tuxedo for your Dad and present him with a gift card for Father's Day. You may be very surprised and he may just like this thoughtfullness to make him look so special. And on Mother's Day perhaps you could select a nice new cocktail dress for the formal nights. Some older folks do not like to purchase items they will never wear but this could make them feel special and not out of place.

 

 

What a wonderful, nice and sincere answer to give...:D and your not even over in Ross River... *S*:eek: