One brief "jeans" question....

[klh-or]

(I searched prior posts for the answer but didn't find it, hence the inquiry...I realize the jeans topic has been very well covered here!)

 

According to the official "rules", on the Star, jeans are okay for dinner in the Market Cafe and Blue Lagoon. Everywhere else is Dockers, etc. Do I have this right??

 

We sail on 8/27, and I want to be prepared to make our dinner reservations soon after we board.

 

Thanks!!

[johnql]

According to the official "rules", on the Star, jeans are okay for dinner in the Market Cafe and Blue Lagoon. Everywhere else is Dockers, etc. Do I have this right??

You are correct.

[jerhardt]

Partially correct.

 

You can where jeans, shorts, etc in the main dining room BEFORE 17:30 (dinner time) after that, jeans are forbiden in any main dining room or specialty restaurant - specialty restaurants don't open until 17:30.

We did see some people with jeans on in the main dining room in March, but they were getting glares from other people.

[eternityj]

haven't been on the Star but I've never seen this rule actually being enforced. By that I mean, I've even seen people in shorts and they are not asked to change or being escorted out. I think it's one of thsoe "gentlemen's rule" that everyone "should" follow.

 

Has anyone ever been kicked out of a dining hall because you were inappropriately dressed?

[2inTul]

I have seen people refused admittance to the main dining rooms wearing jeans. They were politely advised of the dress code and requested to change into appropriate attire or dine in the buffet.

[Melanie1437]

We were on the star two years ago. It was our 1st time on NCL and we were new to the freestyle thing. We really took what our TA told us litteraly- do what you want, eat where you want, wear what you want! We never looked like bums mide you- but I was in the special resturants in Jeans, Heels, and a cute top often. I never got strange looks or glares... I def. never was asked to change or leave. I never even knew I wasn't suppose to until now. We were actually some of the nicer dressed couples. We left out of LA to Mexico... and some of the people were more dressed down than us- I mean raggedy jeans/sweats/t-shirts. We fit in with most though. I always wore either slacks and a polo shirt or jeans and dressed them up nicely. Anyway- I don't know why people get so worked up about what others wear to dinner... so long as they are decent. But- thats just me. My dinners taste the same in jeans or in a formal dress... and what others wear does not bother me- so long as they wear something that is ;)

[fern]

Sorry but am intrigued by this jeans, I understand ,but what are dockers?

Are they what we in Europe know as chinos? If that is the case then to me neither should be worn as smart/attire in the dining room and in many places would not be accepted in Europe

[johnql]

Sorry but am intrigued by this jeans, I understand ,but what are dockers?

Are they what we in Europe know as chinos? If that is the case then to me neither should be worn as smart/attire in the dining room and in many places would not be accepted in Europe

Dockers is a brand name for casual pants made by Levi Strauss. Some Dockers are similar to chinos. Since we're talking about specific cruise line policies, it doesn't matter whether they would be acceptable in Europe. They are most certainly acceptable as "resort casual" or casual attire on cruise ships (at least mainstream cruise ships sailing out of North America).

[kannruss]

Dockers is a brand name for casual pants made by Levi Strauss. Some Dockers are similar to chinos. Since we're talking about specific cruise line policies, it doesn't matter whether they would be acceptable in Europe. They are most certainly acceptable as "resort casual" or casual attire on cruise ships (at least mainstream cruise ships sailing out of North America).

except in most dining rooms - especially after 5:30. Most cruiselines are more rigid than NCL so I think this is NCL's way of keeping it a bit traditional but keeping with their casual style. I personally like the no jeans rule and even when I sailed out of Houston where they are acceptable due to "the Texas culture" I rarely spotted people with jeans on after the posted hours.

[jp2001]

Hi!

Here is the dress code that I copied directly from NCL website:

 

Freestyle Cruising gives our guests the freedom to dress as they please. Resort casual attire is always appropriate morning, noon and night. However, NCL/ NCLA DOES NOT ALLOW ANY BLUE JEANS, t-shirts, shorts, cut-offs, tank tops, bare feet, etc. in any of our fine dining restaurants for dinner, including all main restaurants, alternative restaurants, and cover charge venues.

 

Guests are ALLOWED TO WEAR BLUE JEANS, shorts and t-shirts, in the evenings AT THE BUFFETS, outdoor barbeques, and 24-hour venues, such as the Blue Lagoon, the Cadillac diner, etc.

 

Below are a few exceptions to the dining room dress code:

 

Blue Jeans will be allowed in all dining rooms on all Houston departures, due to the Texas culture.

Blue Jeans will be allowed in the Trattoria's in the evenings.

Bermuda shorts with knee high socks, or Scottish kilts with knee highs will also be allowed in all dining rooms in Bermuda as these are considered formal dress in Bermuda.

Hawaiian shirts are allowed with proper slacks in all dining rooms.

Ladies Capri Pants, which are a length between the knee and ankles, are acceptable in all fine dining rooms as long as they are not blue jean capris.

 

 

As you can see, it is BLUE jeans that are not allowed in the dinning room. Someone wearing black jeans is OK in the dinning room. I wore a pink denim skirt with a nice top one night and I didn't feel underdressed at all.

[johnql]

except in most dining rooms - especially after 5:30.

I'm not sure what this statement is in reference to. You quoted my statement that Dockers are acceptable in the dining rooms. Are you saying that Dockers are not acceptable in the dining rooms after 5:30?

[BILLP1]

Why is it so hard for people to understand a dress code?

The cruise lines spend a lot of money to build beautiful restaurants and expect people to dress like you would at a good restarant at home.

[johnql]

Why is it so hard for people to understand a dress code?

I don't think it's the understanding that's difficult - it's the following that's hard (at least for some people).

[kannruss]

Hi!

Here is the dress code that I copied directly from NCL website:

 

Freestyle Cruising gives our guests the freedom to dress as they please. Resort casual attire is always appropriate morning, noon and night. However, NCL/ NCLA DOES NOT ALLOW ANY BLUE JEANS, t-shirts, shorts, cut-offs, tank tops, bare feet, etc. in any of our fine dining restaurants for dinner, including all main restaurants, alternative restaurants, and cover charge venues.

 

Guests are ALLOWED TO WEAR BLUE JEANS, shorts and t-shirts, in the evenings AT THE BUFFETS, outdoor barbeques, and 24-hour venues, such as the Blue Lagoon, the Cadillac diner, etc.

 

Below are a few exceptions to the dining room dress code:

 

Blue Jeans will be allowed in all dining rooms on all Houston departures, due to the Texas culture.

Blue Jeans will be allowed in the Trattoria's in the evenings.

Bermuda shorts with knee high socks, or Scottish kilts with knee highs will also be allowed in all dining rooms in Bermuda as these are considered formal dress in Bermuda.

Hawaiian shirts are allowed with proper slacks in all dining rooms.

Ladies Capri Pants, which are a length between the knee and ankles, are acceptable in all fine dining rooms as long as they are not blue jean capris.

 

 

As you can see, it is BLUE jeans that are not allowed in the dinning room. Someone wearing black jeans is OK in the dinning room. I wore a pink denim skirt with a nice top one night and I didn't feel underdressed at all.

good one jp - I think they might even have added that capris thing at the end since I last viewed it. Good point on the BLUE jeans too. I only wear blue so I guess I never thought of it that way.

[kannruss]

I'm not sure what this statement is in reference to. You quoted my statement that Dockers are acceptable in the dining rooms. Are you saying that Dockers are not acceptable in the dining rooms after 5:30?

Haha - quoted the wrong person - thanks for pointing it out. I couldn't figure out what you were asking me for the longest time.

 

Mea culpa.

[johnql]

Haha - quoted the wrong person - thanks for pointing it out. I couldn't figure out what you were asking me for the longest time.

 

Mea culpa.

No problemo. Now I know why I was confused.

[CruisingToads]

So we took our first cruise for our Honeymoon in March and I wasnt expecting the dining rooms to be so cold so the only jacket I brought was a jean jacket. Its one of the cute trendy ones, fitted, not faded, almost so dark it doenst look like jean...anyhoo... I didnt wear it every night, but the last night it was really cold on the ship (Jewel) so I grabbed it, and we went to a main dining room...the hostess asked me to remove it which I did, and I went to hand it to her...she said, "No just put it on the back of your chair". I thought that was strange because people could still see it, so what was the difference if I was wearing it or it was hanging on my chair.

 

What was even stranger...we met some wonderful people on the ship and were having dinner with them that same night and a girl in their group was also very cold....they brought her a TABLECLOTH to wear around her sholders. Yes, I couldnt wear my CLOTHING, but she could wear a tablecloth. Blew me away. :eek:

 

So, they do enforce....but the consistancy is beyond me. But if you get cold, just ask for a tablecloth.

[KeystoneCruiser]

They are very hit and miss on the enforcement of the dress code. It varies from ship to ship and even dining room to dining room.

 

On the Star in 2005, they allowed a family to be seated on formal night, the two teenage sons in jeans and T-shirts, the husband in a sweatsuit and the wife in one of those nylon warm up suits.

[bergenctycruzer]

We were on the Spirit JULY 30 - AUG 5. (my review is posted on the boards) We had a fabulous time.

 

We knew about the dress code and followed it accordingly. (we are HUGE clothes freaks and enjoy spending the extra on dressy designer clothing) - And we usually dress up no matter where we go..... even food shopping! (we are not a jeans/sweatpant/t-shirt family) It's just our style and the way I was brought up.

 

I have two girls ages 11 and 8. It is important for you to know that my 11-yr-old is about 5'6", leggy and blonde;:eek: (she looks about 15-16)

 

It was the last night of our cruise, meaing the last dinner at the dining room. We were in a hurry that night to get to GARDEN for dinner. My 11- year old had on very expensive shorts (white cotton) and a dressy top. (the shorts were appropriate length - nothing EXPOSED that shouldn't be) If she had on her "beach" shorts I probably would have noticed and asked her to change, but these shorts went unnoticed because of their quality/style. (my fault entirely)

 

We entered the Dining Room and as we were led to our seats, Ii was whispered in my ears by a staff member, that "shorts are not allowed and that she needed to change." Of course I took her to the cabin and she changed. I had completely forgotten about the kids having the code too. We returned to the dining room and ordered and began our meal. NOT 10 minutes went by, and two women entered the dining room for dinner. (both in their mid-forties)

One of them was wearing denim shorts and a dress-down shirt. Her shorts were mid thigh, sloppy. She was a large woman and we all noticed her walking in.

 

Of course both my daughters noticed. How could they NOT notice??? :mad: They asked me why "that lady got in and she does not have to change?" I told them there must be a good reason why, and that perhaps she had already packed her luggage for tomorrow (debarkation day) and she had nothing else to wear........ She was seated two tables away from us and as far as I could see, no one in the staff asked her to change.

 

We are not confrontational, so I just let it go, giving the girls all sorts of lame excuses why this woman got away with it.

 

What would you have done??

 

(We had a great time on the Spirit!):)

[kannruss]

I would have been upset myself - I understand your reasons for not wanting to be confrontational as I would have done the same. I sincerely believe that if the cruiseline is going to put something in writing than EVERYONE they employ needs to carry out these rules. Otherwise you end up making some people follow and other people let slide.

[NJBear]

........................

One of them was wearing denim shorts and a dress-down shirt. Her shorts were mid thigh, sloppy. .................... She was seated two tables away from us and as far as I could see, no one in the staff asked her to change.

 

We are not confrontational, so I just let it go, giving the girls all sorts of lame excuses why this woman got away with it.

 

What would you have done??

 

(We had a great time on the Spirit!):)

 

 

I would have simply said "Our family follows the drsss codes, that is the way we are brought up and that is how we conduct oursleves". What others are doing and why is none of our concern since we don't know any of their specific details anyway. ( One night in the dining room a woman came in with a tube top and it looked like gym shorts to me, she was seated by herself and noone said a word to her as well, she looked as though she just got off the tread mill *shrug*).. Glad you had a great time on the SPIRIT, I did as well

[kannruss]

I would have simply said "Our family follows the drsss codes, that is the way we are brought up and that is how we conduct oursleves". What others are doing and why is none of our concern since we don't know any of their specific details anyway. ( One night in the dining room a woman came in with a tube top and it looked like gym shorts to me, she was seated by herself and noone said a word to her as well, she looked as though she just got off the tread mill *shrug*).. Glad you had a great time on the SPIRIT, I did as well

I agree with you NJBear except that she already believed her family was dressed appropriately, was asked to changed and complied. That would frustrating don't you think?

[KeystoneCruiser]

We entered the Dining Room and as we were led to our seats, Ii was whispered in my ears by a staff member, that "shorts are not allowed and that she needed to change."

 

She was seated two tables away from us and as far as I could see, no one in the staff asked her to change.

 

We are not confrontational, so I just let it go, giving the girls all sorts of lame excuses why this woman got away with it.

 

What would you have done??:)

 

 

What I would have done is gone up to the staff member who told you that your daughters dress was unappropriate and ask that staff member why your daughter had to change and those ladies did not. Not being confrontational, just asking a simple question.

 

Then the burden is placed on the staff member and it would have been interesting to hear their response or see their action. Who knows, maybe they would have asked the lady to change!

 

 

I had a similar situation on the Star about the family that I mentioned in my earlier post (jeans, t-shirts, sweat suit, warm up suit.). Part of our group was a family of four which were good friends. They were on their first NCL cruise and I had briefed them on the dress code and they had taken great strides to make sure that they fit the code since they are not the dressy type of people. It put me in an awkward situation to attempt to explain why I had been so adamant about the dress code when this family was not stopped from dining on formal night!

 

Again, I think it comes down to the NCL staff sometimes afraid of confronting people who might make a scene or write them up for poor service. Its a shame that some people have to act like that and are "too good" to follow simple rules!

[sjbdtz]

What I would have done is gone up to the staff member who told you that your daughters dress was unappropriate and ask that staff member why your daughter had to change and those ladies did not. Not being confrontational, just asking a simple question.

 

Then the burden is placed on the staff member and it would have been interesting to hear their response or see their action. Who knows, maybe they would have asked the lady to change!

 

 

I had a similar situation on the Star about the family that I mentioned in my earlier post (jeans, t-shirts, sweat suit, warm up suit.). Part of our group was a family of four which were good friends. They were on their first NCL cruise and I had briefed them on the dress code and they had taken great strides to make sure that they fit the code since they are not the dressy type of people. It put me in an awkward situation to attempt to explain why I had been so adamant about the dress code when this family was not stopped from dining on formal night!

 

Again, I think it comes down to the NCL staff sometimes afraid of confronting people who might make a scene or write them up for poor service. Its a shame that some people have to act like that and are "too good" to follow simple rules!

 

It's a bigger shame, like NJ bear said, that some people have to concern themselves with what others are wearing. :rolleyes:

[kannruss]

It's a bigger shame, like NJ bear said, that some people have to concern themselves with what others are wearing. :rolleyes:

If she hadn't been asked to change in the same restaurant at the same meal I'd agree - but I think I'd be looking at what others were wearing too if I was asked to change in order to eat.