Hooray for Oceania's Dress Code!!

[mike35]

Since we're going on a Princess cruise to Alaska next month:eek:, I've been perusing the Princess board. It is truly incredible reading the vast number of posts relating to dress code aboard Princess cruises! There are literally thousands of comments, counter-comments, criticisms, flames, philosophies...what to wear, when to wear, how to wear, when to change...dining room, casino, show lounge, etc etc ad nauseum.

 

Sure does make one appreciate Oceania's sensible policy - country club casual 24/7!

 

Mike

[Druke I]

I agree - some of the dress code threads on the Princess forum do get heated.

 

I am a traditionalist, and when on Princess I do follow the "suggested" dress code.

 

That said, I did enjoy Regatta's dress code when we went into the Baltic last August; and looking forward to Nautica, Istanbul to Singapore, through the Suez, 11-06. I did take a sports jacket (and one tie) last trip, and will next, even if I don't wear the jacket or the tie.

 

Not having to pack formal wear sure simplifies packing, and I know my wife also appreciates the simplified code (especially the shoe packing).

[ClaudiaF]

wrote in part...

 

.... and I know my wife also appreciates the simplified code (especially the shoe packing).

 

That is the toughest part for me...:rolleyes:

[dbh62ark]

Sure does make one appreciate Oceania's sensible policy - country club casual 24/7!

 

Mike

I couldn't agree more. My husband and I don't travel thousands of miles to go on vacation to drag a bunch of clothes that we'll only wear for a few hours. I honestly don't understand why there's so much concern over what other people are wearing, and it's funny and yet sad at the same time to me. I'm happy to say I don't remember and could care less what others are wearing. We were on Celebrity last year and had 3 or 4 formal nights on a 14-night Baltics cruise without a lot of alternatives for those who aren't into all that madness. We are sailing Oceania to enjoy the ports and our vacation this year, and all that formal night fuss is not my idea of vacation at all.

 

:) Donna

[rocky cruiser]

Hey ClaudiaF

Where in Encino. We belong to Braemar so our country club casual may be different from country clubs on the East Coast, after all were from the L.A. area. We are very casual. Maybe I will wear a sport coat once or twice but thats it. No wool dress pants just cotton pants for me and a polo shirt or long sleeve sport shirt. As far as my wife thats her problem.:D :cool:

[scdreamer]

I think my husband and I have a slightly different perspective on "Hooray for Oceania's dress code!!"

 

We're turning to Oceania in part for the fact that there actually will be a dress code. Our last three cruises have been with RCCL and NCL, and we were amazed to see what passed for acceptable attire, even in the more formal specialty restaurants on NCL.

 

Although those cruise lines claim to have a dress code ("resort casual"), it is not even minimally enforced, and we found ourselves seated at tables next to other passengers who were dressed as if they had just completed a long day of cleaning out their garages. Hooded sweatshirts and sweat pants, ball caps, dirty running shoes with holes in them, faded jeans, even flannel pajama bottoms ... it was strange, considering we were seated in fairly formal surroundings.

 

I don't think we are stuffy or formal by any definition, but we felt that the way our fellow diners chose to dress diminished our own experience. I know others say they take no notice of what others are wearing, but for us, it was a bit off-putting.

 

So, while we anticipate enjoying the suggested country-club casual attire encouraged on Oceania, we also anticipate being among passengers who understand that doesn't necessarily mean "come as you are." :)

[mike35]

I couldn't agree more with your assessment the lack of enforcement on RCCL and NCL. Although we've only been on three Oceania cruises, we have yet to encounter fellow passengers who dress slovenly. We generally find the opposite to be true - although jackets and ties aren't required, several male passengers choose to wear them anyway, which in our opinion looks great.

 

Have a great time on your upcoming cruise.

 

Mike

[Druke I]

Well, I did see one dolt wearing his baseball cap in the dining room, on Regatta!

 

I was brought up to believe that normally the only time one wore a hat (cap) indoors was when in uniform and "under arms".

[Jancruz]

Im surprised he wasnt asked to lose the hat..

Jan

*****

[ClaudiaF]

Hey ClaudiaF

Where in Encino. We belong to Braemar so our country club casual may be different from country clubs on the East Coast, after all were from the L.A. area. We are very casual. Maybe I will wear a sport coat once or twice but thats it. No wool dress pants just cotton pants for me and a polo shirt or long sleeve sport shirt. As far as my wife thats her problem.:D :cool:

 

Mulholland/ Sepulveda

Where are you? Tarzana?

Right you are ..our country club casual is very different than our East coast pals...after all why do you think they call our airport LAX:rolleyes: ..

[Bruin Steve]

Well...

I have some mixed feelings on Oceania's dress code...

 

First, may I note that I have no problem with, say, Celebrity's dress code (Formal, Informal, Casual)...I adapt to whatever is required by the cruise line...I don't particularly like having to put on a tux...But, if that's what the deal requires, I'll go with it...My wife particularly LIKES the formal nights and told me yesterday that she was going to miss that cruising on Oceania...I typically pack my tux, unless going to Europe, where, to save space and weight in the luggage (and avoid ruining the tux schlepping it all over Europe), I'll rent one...

 

The problem I have with Oceania's policy is their terminology and lack of definition...They never really define in detail what "Country Club Casual" actually means...And, as was pointed out above, what I may wear at the Calabasas CC or what Rocky Cruiser might wear at Braemar may be cionsiderably different from what might be the expected attire at some East Coast Country Clubs...

 

For, example, I generally will not wear a sports jacket or tie...Here in SoCal, we don't wear a lot of sports jackets or ties anywhere...especially in summer...

 

In fact, in SoCal, you can walk into some of the finest restaurants in town for Saturday night dinner wearing shorts (okay, it would be NICE shorts and a nice shirt with it...I'm not wearing gym shorts or swimming trunks out to eat...but a nice pair of cargo shorts and a sports shirt is perfectly acceptable...AND I could wear that to the country club as well--especially in July and August when the temperatures hit the 100s)...Now, I'm not going to wear shorts to dinner on any cruise ship--because the rules for most typically specifically say no...

 

But, back to Oceania's code: So, what exactly IS Country Club Casual...They don't define it, so it seems everyone defines it for themselves...I guess that's okay...EXCEPT, if other people think you NEED to wear a sports coat, well, they may not be happy with me because I'm not...

 

And, who the heck really wants to pack a requisite number of sports coats for a 14 night cruise? Do those who wear them pack just ONE ...and dress the same EVERY NIGHT? Or TWO...and alternate...blue blazer, tweed, blue, tweed, blue, tweed, over and over?

 

Okay, so which of you sports coat fans pack 4, 5, 6 sports coats? Who has that much luggage space?

 

Okay, so if you don't have to wear a coat...and it's arbitrary which nights you wear one and which you don't... then why wear one at all?

 

At least with the cruise lines with scheduled formal, informal, casual nights, you know which nights you need a tux and which nights you need a sports coat UP FRONT...

 

For, the record, I plan on wearing a similar get-up for dinner EVERY NIGHT: Olive, Beige or Brown "Dockers", a sports shirt--collared, buttons all the way down the front, single pocket, appropriately colored socks and my brown suede Merrill slip-on moc shoes...

 

Now, if I REALLY had my way, I'd rather have cruise lines allow SoCal-style summer casual attire to dinner...Cargo shorts, white socks, athletic shoes, golf or nice T-Shirt...I'm not saying "dress like a slob"...You can have very, very nice super-casual attire...Why not, on vacation, especially in hot climates in summer, should one have to wear long pants or uncomfortable clotes? Remember, women can always wear a short dress or skirt, so why can't men wear short pants?

[Bruin Steve]

Well, I did see one dolt wearing his baseball cap in the dining room, on Regatta!

 

I was brought up to believe that normally the only time one wore a hat (cap) indoors was when in uniform and "under arms".

 

There are LOTS of reasons to wear a hat indoors...and they are not all "dolts".

I know people who are undergoing chemotherapy and losing hair (or have other medical conditions) and are self conscious about it...

 

And for some, there are religious reasons...For example, my brother-in-law's brother is a Rabbi...and rather than wear a yarmulke in some public situations, he will wear his Phillies Baseball cap...If someone asked him to remove it, he would not.

[mike35]

For example, my brother-in-law's brother is a Rabbi...and rather than wear a yarmulke in some public situations, he will wear his Phillies Baseball cap...If someone asked him to remove it, he would not.

 

I can't imagine why a rabbi would choose to wear a baseball cap rather than a yarmulke, but that's certainly his/her right and privelege. I would think, however, that wearing a baseball cap in the formal setting of a dining room would bring undue negative attention to the rabbi, whereas a yarmulke would be looked on with respect.

 

Hmmmm - and all this time I thought God was an Angels fan:D

 

Mike (another Bruin)

[Bruin Steve]

I can't imagine why a rabbi would choose to wear a baseball cap rather than a yarmulke, but that's certainly his/her right and privelege. I would think, however, that wearing a baseball cap in the formal setting of a dining room would bring undue negative attention to the rabbi, whereas a yarmulke would be looked on with respect.

 

Hmmmm - and all this time I thought God was an Angels fan:D

 

Mike (another Bruin)

I can't speak for why he chooses the cap except that I think he wants to look somewhat non-religious...I don't think he's looking for "respect"...It's just what he does...

 

Why the Phillies? He's from Philadelphia...

 

As to who God is a fan of...

I think he's got better things to worry about than Baseball games...

 

Of course, though, there is a big hint of him being a Bruin fan: Take a look at the color of the Sun and Sky...such a beautiful pairing of Bruin Blue and Gold!!!

[Saga Ruby]

I appreciate the different views expressed here. I was raised in a formal environment with strict social etiquette. No doubt the dress codes have generationally changed to more casual attire (anybody remember Casual Friday at offices that were so daring originally?) but, in reference to dining out, or in a cruise dining room, I would like to add some thoughts.

 

Interior designers strive to achieve "a look" in their restaurants. The menu and the "feel" of a restaurant is what pulls me in the door. I'm stunned to hear the type of dress, or lack thereof, that goes on at RCI and NCL and am so glad that I've never seen that kind of appearance at table. In my opinion, that kind of "dress" means the individual is involved in self, with no consideration to those around them.

 

Diners are as much part of the decor of any dining room as the wallpaper, furnishings, and table settings. If I dine at a 5-star restaurant anywhere in the world, I sincerely hope not to see ball caps or hairy legs.

 

I am crystal clear that the moneyed crowd in SoCal dress however they wish and the restaurants, which want the moneyed crowd in attendance, go along with it. Paying a 4-figure amount for shoes does not mean the person wearing them is any better, or any worse, than I am. I do like to think that I was trained to pay proper respect to a social occasion by my appearance as opposed to demanding that I do my own thing.

 

Ruby

[hondorner]

...In fact, in SoCal, you can walk into some of the finest restaurants in town for Saturday night dinner wearing shorts (okay, it would be NICE shorts and a nice shirt with it...I'm not wearing gym shorts or swimming trunks out to eat...but a nice pair of cargo shorts and a sports shirt is perfectly acceptable...AND I could wear that to the country club as well--especially in July and August when the temperatures hit the 100s)...Now, I'm not going to wear shorts to dinner on any cruise ship--because the rules for most typically specifically say no...

Same in suburban So Florida, same for me.

And, who the heck really wants to pack a requisite number of sports coats for a 14 night cruise? Do those who wear them pack just ONE ...and dress the same EVERY NIGHT? Or TWO...and alternate...blue blazer, tweed, blue, tweed, blue, tweed, over and over?

Our last cruise (12 day) it was blazer, silk tweed and dark blue suit -- no tux. It's just as well, most nights I was one of the few wearing a sports coat or blazer. I quit wearing a tie in order to fit in. The passenger list was 70% European; I always thought Europeans were more sophisticated than ugly Americans when it came to matters like dress, but I was wrong. There were half a dozen tuxes and maybe a dozen business suits on formal night.

 

What was neat was that dramatically different colored shirts alter the total look and disguise the fact that the coat is the same. With the honey colored sports coat, a light blue shirt one night and a black or dark burgundy shirt another gave a totally different look. I actually never wore the same combination of jacket, shirt and trousers twice.

 

For, the record, I plan on wearing a similar get-up for dinner EVERY NIGHT: Olive, Beige or Brown "Dockers", a sports shirt--collared, buttons all the way down the front, single pocket, appropriately colored socks and my brown suede Merrill slip-on moc shoes...

I really like that silk jacket and I'll bring it, but for the most part we'd be twins. I do have an easily packed assortment of mild and wild Hawaiian shirts and I occasionally shock the troops with a wild one, especially if it is the Terrace dining.

 

The real reason why this dress code is so great is for the longer cruises. The Amazon trip will be 25 days; looks like I'll be rotating everything I own up to 4 times...I don't think I'd like 5 or 6 or more formal nights.

[emmalbrent]

I insisted that my husband buy a new suit for the cruise. Hauled it all over Greece for a week before the cruise. Standing in line in front of us to greet the captain on fromal night was young man (20-30's) in wool tweed sports coat, some sort of shirt and blue jeans.

 

When we don't want to dress formal just go upstairs to the buffet. By the second or formal night I don't want to dress up. Too much retirement and casual dress in PHX.

[rocky cruiser]

Mulholland/ Sepulveda

Where are you? Tarzana?

Right you are ..our country club casual is very different than our East coast pals...after all why do you think they call our airport LAX:rolleyes: ..

Claudiaf we also live in Encino down the hill from you. We are off of Hayvenhurst just so. of Gelsons.

[Jancruz]

Hi Rocky cruiser..you should join us for lunch..we do it every once in a while..in fact I am meeting Claudia in an hour for lunch and talk!!

Jan

*****

[rocky cruiser]

:D ;)

Hi Rocky cruiser..you should join us for lunch..we do it every once in a while..in fact I am meeting Claudia in an hour for lunch and talk!!

Jan

*****

Hi Jan,

Lunch sounds fine.

As we say in L.A. have your people email my people to set up a meeting.