Noordan Dress Code clarification please!

[SantanaTto]

I realize that you must dress for dinner...no problems there! My question is for the rest of the evening after dinner.. I have an 18 year old son going with us in March and I know that he will probably change into his shorts or jeans once dinner is over. Will that be OK? He will wander the ship and probably wind up on the basketball court....

 

This will be his 4th cruise in 3 years and we never had this issue come up before..but this is our first time with HAL. I would appreciate hearing from others that have cruised the Noordam with teens..

 

Thanks!

[dakrewser]

I realize that you must dress for dinner...no problems there! My question is for the rest of the evening after dinner.. I have an 18 year old son going with us in March and I know that he will probably change into his shorts or jeans once dinner is over. Will that be OK? He will wander the ship and probably wind up on the basketball court....

 

This will be his 4th cruise in 3 years and we never had this issue come up before..but this is our first time with HAL. I would appreciate hearing from others that have cruised the Noordam with teens..

 

Thanks!

 

The policy is to adhere to the dress code for the evening (not just dinner) but no one expects formal attire on the basketball court. Going to the show lounge, disco, etc. then it's expected that you stay dressed.

 

Not everyone will follow this, of course - it's up to you to decide how closely you'll follow the policies...

[x lindsay x]

This has nothing to do with your question... just be aware that sometimes they store the basketballs at night. One of the balls went missing one morning on the Volendam a few weeks ago and after that they had a a strict policy of only having the balls out from 10am-6pm.

[RevNeal]

I have an 18 year old son going with us in March and I know that he will probably change into his shorts or jeans once dinner is over. Will that be OK? He will wander the ship and probably wind up on the basketball court....

 

You ask a reasonable question, and one that I'm sure many people who haven't cruised HAL before will have. To put it simply, the Dress Code of the Line is straight forward regarding when/where one should adheare to the code, and what is expressly NOT allowed during the evening hours.

 

Evening dress falls into three distinct categories. Each night a daily program will be delivered to your stateroom announcing the suggested dress for the following evening. Comfortable, relaxed clothing is fine for evenings designated as casual; however, T-shirts, swimsuits, tank tops and shorts are not allowed in the dining room, Lido Restaurant, or public areas during the evening hours. [bold italics added] During informal nights, dresses or pantsuits for women and jackets (tie optional) for men are standard. On festive formal evenings, women usually wear cocktail dresses or gowns and men usually wear business suits or tuxedos. There are approximately two formal nights per week. (Gentlemen: Although business suits or tuxedos are suggested attire for formal evenings, they are certainly not required. You are welcome to wear a jacket and tie on formal nights.) <formal wear commercial snipped>

 

In order to complement your fellow guests, Holland America Line asks that you observe the suggested dress code throughout the entire evening. [bold italics added]

 

Firstly, the above italicized notice regarding shorts in public rooms during the evening hours cannot be more strenuously highlighted. The code, which is often interpreted as being permissive and/or only suggestive, is here entirely NON-permissive and unyielding. It states, without equivocation, that shorts are "not allowed" during evening hours. PERIOD. This doesn't mean that one won't see a few people wearing such ... one may well see a few. But they are NOT welcomed in so-doing. Trust me. They're not. Your son is 18 ... it's time for the long pants. If he's going to "dress down" after dinner (something he really shouldn't do), please encourage him to dress-down to slacks or jeans, NOT shorts.

 

Secondly, the Line "asks" that HAL passengers remain dressed according to the evening code for the EVENING, not just for dinner. It is formal NIGHT, not formal dinner. Again, some people will dress down on the formal and informal nights ... why, I have never understood, but some will do it. In so-doing, they are not doing what their host, the cruise Line, "asks" of us.

 

There ... I've gone and "done it." I'm sure that I will now be labeled a stuffed shirt and a judgemental bigot. Those of you who wish to so-savage me, have at it. I said it, and I meant it. If some don't like it, or don't like me because I said it, I don't give a diddly do-dah-day. The Dress Code is the Dress Code, and an 18 man is an adult and should behave like one.

[PRINSENDAM]

 

There ... I've gone and "done it." quote]

 

 

Rev Neal,

 

You need a good whippin' for that!

 

This is strctly a social response to your posting. Just to say 'Hello'. I trust you are well and enjoying life.

 

And because I never got your address I cannot send a Christmas card.:(

 

So... have a very Happy Christmas... and lots of sea days next year!!!!!

 

Stephen & Ruth

[RevNeal]

Oh Captain My Captain!

Good to "see" you.

Things are going well.

Just got back from a non-cruise trip to Israel.

 

As for that Christmas Card ... it's not necessary, however ... my mailing address can be found on my website. :)

http://www.revneal.org

Click on "Contact"

There you'll find my physical mail address for my Church offices. :)

[PRINSENDAM]

Oh Captain My Captain!

 

Just got back from a non-cruise trip to Israel.

 

As for that Christmas Card ... it's not necessary, however ... my mailing address can be found on my website. :)

 

 

 

 

Good trip I hope. One of my best tourist spots... Tiberius. Excellent Lebanese restaurant there!

 

The card goes out in the postr first thing on Monday!:)

 

Stephen

[RevNeal]

Yes, indeed, it was a VERY good trip. Tiberias was a lovely city, with great views. Had a WONDERFUL time, both there and in Jerusalem.

[dakrewser]

There ... I've gone and "done it." I'm sure that I will now be labeled a stuffed shirt and a judgemental bigot. Those of you who wish to so-savage me, have at it. I said it, and I meant it. If some don't like it, or don't like me because I said it, I don't give a diddly do-dah-day. The Dress Code is the Dress Code, and an 18 man is an adult and should behave like one.

 

You really think folks should wear their tux for basketball or excercising Greg? :rolleyes:

[RevNeal]

You really think folks should wear their tux for basketball or excercising Greg? :rolleyes:

 

FOFLMHO ... but of course!!!!!! ;)

[AlohaPride]

Welcome home, Greg!!

[RevNeal]

Mary! You and Keaka must be about to bust, with your cruise coming up soon!!!!!

[Rotterdam]

years ago when I graduated from university - dear friends got married & had an unusual recpetion.. the marriage took place in the Bahamas for the immediate family( the mother of the bride had terminal cancer)..months later in February the newlyweds had a party at a roller skating rink.....the formal invite came with "Bahamian dress" listed for the party....hmmmm confusing to say the least...so I wore my tuxedo jacket shirt & tie & a pair of swim trunks with fish on them.....(I put my tux pants in the car just in case......) great fun was had by all & the dress code was followed....on skates yet!!!!

 

My partner & I are sailing on NOORDAM in February - in the past I packed clothes for each day & evening...now its more casual....the tux comes but the shirt is now laundered - instead of taking 3 shirts....a blazer is worn several times - its all about mix & match - even for men!

 

At 18 - your son should know better than to wear shorts in the evening....but certainly a blazer & khakis will carry him through...then change into the shorts for the court.....

 

we won't be eating in the diningroom every evening...dinner n the balcony is great...perhaps your son would enjoy that casual experience!

 

Its HAL - not Crystal or Seabourn......

[lougee1043]

yeah rev-------------i applaud your saying what you did about the dress code

[RevNeal]

My partner & I are sailing on NOORDAM in February - in the past I packed clothes for each day & evening...now its more casual....the tux comes but the shirt is now laundered - instead of taking 3 shirts....a blazer is worn several times - its all about mix & match - even for men!

 

Absolutely correct ... men should mix/match too.

For a 10 - 14 day cruise I will take my Tuxedo, 1 tux shirt, 3 bow ties with coordinating vest/cummerbund sets (usually 2 different cummerbunds and 1 vest). I have the tux shirt laundered by the ship's laundry. For the informal nights I wear a pair of slacks and my black sports jacket in transit to the ship. If there are more than 2 informal nights I bring an extra jacket.

 

At 18 - your son should know better than to wear shorts in the evening....but certainly a blazer & khakis will carry him through...then change into the shorts for the court.....

 

Khaki slacks, sports jacket/blazer, white dress shirt and tie should be perfectly fine for formal nights. For informal nights he can just ditch the tie and, if he likes, he can wear a more casual button down or silk shirt under his jacket. For casual nights the khaki slacks and nice print or silk shirts would be "hot."

 

Its HAL - not Crystal or Seabourn......

 

Why should that matter when one enjoys dressing up? :)

[Rotterdam]

Quote:

Its HAL - not Crystal or Seabourn......

 

 

Why should that matter when one enjoys dressing up? "

 

It's all about what's appropriate......certainly people do not dress the same on Carnival compared to HAL & the same goes HAL vs Crystal & Seabourn....

[RevNeal]

Quote:

Its HAL - not Crystal or Seabourn......

 

 

Why should that matter when one enjoys dressing up? "

 

It's all about what's appropriate......certainly people do not dress the same on Carnival compared to HAL & the same goes HAL vs Crystal & Seabourn....

 

I would agree that people should dress according to the Line's Dress Code, and not according to someone's opinion as to how "they" dress on "Crystal & Seabourn" (however that might be). For me, dressing according to the Code means a Tuxedo on formal nights and suit or jacket and tie (or clerics) on informal nights. True, I could ditch the tie on informal nights if I wished, but I don't wish. I once had an argument with a jerk on a cruise; he had the tumidity to come up and tell me (to my face) that I was overdressed on informal night simply because I was wearing tie. I pointed out that "tie optional" did not mean "tie forbidden" and that he should tend to his own tailoring (while he was dressed "according to code," Stacy and Clinton would have been horrified: one really should NOT dress in checkered pants and striped jacket with a paisley shirt ... not even on HAL!). :eek:

[ATL-Cpl]

SantanaTto, good luck. Your 18-year-old sounds like a trooper who's willing to dress up for dinner but just wants to unwind afterwards. And, since he's not going to the casino or shows or clubs (where all the fancy people will be), why shouldn't he? As long as he's polite and neatly dressed. Wouldn't we all like to be 18 again?

 

Next time, try Princess. We saw people who took formal nights seriously but weren't afraid to relax on other parts of the boat. Very healthy crowd.

[SnorkelBear]

Common sense needs to prevail. If I have an 8:00 dinner time, and wish to visit the Thermal Suite at 6:30, I am probably not going to wear my tuxedo there and back. Drop into the Neptune (if you're lucky enough) at 6:30 and you will see the same (bathrobes no less). God forbid, there may be some people still in the pool wearing swimsuits. If the Lido is casual, I think it can be pulled off on the B'Ball court also. Sorry Rev, no disrespect, but you're a little off on this one.

[AlohaPride]

Mary! You and Keaka must be about to bust, with your cruise coming up soon!!!!!

 

About to bust?! We've already done that! We are overflowing with excitement! I think there is so much excitement in our house that it broke our fridge (yes, it really broke yesterday) and now we have to go fridge shopping tonight instead of packing. Blah!

 

Also, I seem to have gotten too small for one of my three formal gowns (I swim in it now)! I'm trying to find a friend who has one I can borrow in 3 days :) I really want to "Match" what Keaka is wearing, and I don't think a coctail (although VERY classy and dressy) would match Keaka's Tux.

[hammybee]

Common sense needs to prevail. If I have an 8:00 dinner time, and wish to visit the Thermal Suite at 6:30, I am probably not going to wear my tuxedo there and back. Drop into the Neptune (if you're lucky enough) at 6:30 and you will see the same (bathrobes no less). God forbid, there may be some people still in the pool wearing swimsuits. If the Lido is casual, I think it can be pulled off on the B'Ball court also. Sorry Rev, no disrespect, but you're a little off on this one.

 

Oh yeah. That's me returning from the pool area as early diners are leaving their cabins for dinner, in their formal wear.

 

For some reason, I think the formal attire throughout in the entire evening is a carry over from the day when there was only a single seating for dinner. It was practical then and not so anymore.

[navybankerteacher]

A little common sense goes a long way: generally one should dress appropriately to the occasion. If, on a formal night, you are in the dining room, casino, theatre or one of the lounges, reasonable deference to your fellow passengers who (presumably) chose HAL because they like its atmosphere would indicate that you remain "formal". Because the hot tubs, and basketball area are open in the evening, it should be assumed that people in those areas - and going to and from - should be appropriately dressed. It does not take rocket science, just a willingness to observe the civilized norms of living among people.

[RuthC]

A little common sense goes a long way: ... a willingness to observe the civilized norms of living among people.

Gee, what a novel idea! :) Let's hope it catches on.

[SantanaTto]

I thank everyone for their input....This is our first HAL cruise. My son does not ever wear shorts in the evening on a cruise but will definitely put on a pair of jeans to hang out on the court... He always dresses for dinner in the dining room "according to the dress code" as do we.. He is still in high school and I can't imagine a group of teenagers hanging out in their shirts and ties..

 

This is a vacation....we are there to have fun and relax. We are neat and clean and dress respectably..We don't wear t-shirts with offensive or stupid sayings on them.That doesn't mean I won't put on a pair of jeans myself! To each his own...

[AlohaPride]

I thank everyone for their input....This is our first HAL cruise. My son does not ever wear shorts in the evening on a cruise but will definitely put on a pair of jeans to hang out on the court... He always dresses for dinner in the dining room "according to the dress code" as do we.. He is still in high school and I can't imagine a group of teenagers hanging out in their shirts and ties..

 

This is a vacation....we are there to have fun and relax. We are neat and clean and dress respectably..We don't wear t-shirts with offensive or stupid sayings on them.That doesn't mean I won't put on a pair of jeans myself! To each his own...

 

This is practically the same thing you said in your original post on this thread. I have to wonder why (if you were already decided about what you were going to allow your son to wear) you would even start this thread. This is obviously a hot button topic on this board, and I believe the answer about not allowing jeans on formal night was answered.

 

You don't seem to care about the word NIGHT in the term "formal night." Of course in transit between the gym and such in athletic attire is ok, if indeed the courts are open. I'm just not sure one would want to play basket ball in jeans as you said. If that's the case, I'm not sure the basketball court is a social gathering place. And to that end, what if someone legitimately wanted to play basketball and a bunch of adults were just hanging out there.

 

I guess I just don't understand the justifications you are making for allowing jeans and a tee shirt.

 

Anyways, enjoy your vacation. :o