Does HAL's reference to jeans on casual night include designer and/or colored jeans?

[sail7seas]

Good point. It isn't always a great idea to stand out as a typical American tourist in some locales these days. In addition to that, it simply is more respectful to locals to dress with some consideration for their sensitivities. In many places, you will not be allowed in to tour various churches if not dressed appropriately. I am sure you would be permitted in wearing jeans but sometimes not if wearing sleeveless blouses/shirts or shorts. In Monte Carlo, you cannot enter the Casino if wearing sneakers.

[grannynurse]

Hi,

My original post on this was directly from the booklet in the cabin on our recent Rotterdam transatlantic.

 

Jeans were omitted from what not to wear on casual nights in the dining room. Consequently, some people did wear jeans in the dining room on casual nights.

The statement was " no shorts or tank tops".

GN

[sail7seas]

grannynurse.....I am very sure you know of what you speak.

 

 

What "booklet" in the cabin do you mean? I can't picture what you are referring to.

[doone]

When I sailed the Baltics, I found people to dress up more at night.

[lindacat]

The booklet that is referred to may be the daily program. I know because I told my SIL that no jeans were allowed in the dining room at night. I think all she packed other than her two dresses, were jeans. I pulled out the daily program to illustrate the no jean rule, and imagine my surprise when it was not there. Therefore, she wore jeans on every casual night, and she was not alone.

[ekerr19]

Good point. It isn't always a great idea to stand out as a typical American tourist in some locales these days. In addition to that, it simply is more respectful to locals to dress with some consideration for their sensitivities. In many places, you will not be allowed in to tour various churches if not dressed appropriately. I am sure you would be permitted in wearing jeans but sometimes not if wearing sleeveless blouses/shirts or shorts. In Monte Carlo, you cannot enter the Casino if wearing sneakers.

 

Sail-

 

We are going to Monte Carlo on our upcoming Med cruise... we thought it was "formal wear only" in the casinos and were planning to dress up - DH wants to wear his tux and I plan to wear a gown... would we be over-dressed?

[Jacqueline]

Its gowns and tux's for formal nights. Code in the casino and clubs is the same as the suggested dress for dinner that evening.

You will have several casual nights which are usually on very busy port days as well as the first and last evenings.

[ekerr19]

Thanks Jacqueline! That's what I thought...

[grannynurse]

The navy blue bound information book that contains ships services, room service menus, stationary etc. The first page discusses dress code. This is the FIRST time I've seen that omission.

GN

[Lois R]

Hi:) I actually emailed HAL...not on "what to wear" but asking how many formal nights, etc....

 

I received an email back from saying there are 2 formal, 1 informal and 4 "elegantly casual nights"......new wording?

 

"Formal men - tuxedo (which may be rented) or dark business suit and tie, women - elegant fancy dress or slacks

Informal men - jacket required (tie optional), women - fancy dress or slacks

elegantly casual men and women - polo shirts, long or short sleeves, slacks, pants, casual dress. No shorts, tee shirts or jeans."

 

Anyway........and this is just another person's thoughts.....I don't bring jeans with me to the Caribbean. I have linen/cotton pants suits...they may not be "elegant", but they are nice enough with cute sandels and nice jewelery for any of the 4 casual nights. I also have (for you gals who know this brand) Citiknits....very cute...no wrinkle knits...you can dress them up or down...(heels, etc)...and they pack up into nothing too:D .

But for me, the jeans stay home.

[lknick]

In Monoco, there is a charge to enter the casino. Formal attire is not required during the day, but suit at a minimum during the evening.

 

You may not enter the l'hotel de Paris unless you appear you belong there...and that means no sneakers, no jeans, no T-shirts, and no cameras hanging from your neck. During the day, if you wear country club causal you usually will not be stopped...but that's the door man's call. During the evening, suit or formal is required. If you sneak in using the side employees entrance [as more than one American has done], you will not be served.

 

The Cafe de Paris is less stringent, but 'freedom of choice' will not receive a table.

[sail7seas]

Thanks, grannynurse. I forgot that the portfolio does discuss dress code.

[ore-ee-gun]

On our Alaska cruise aboard the Amsterdam, we noticed that there was no informal evening, just two formal and the rest casual. Because the daily program didn't specifically state "no jeans", we asked about it at the front desk and were told we'd "probably" be seated if we were wearing jeans. We didn't try to find out - we changed into nice clothes.

[hotspur]

My DH who loves to wear his Tux was shocked at the lack of guys wearing Tuxs on formal nights. He was one of the less than 10 percenters.:eek:

Only 10% (or maybe fewer) wore tuxes (including me, feeling all the time as if I were being conned) on the Maasdam cruise to Canada/New England. I suspect, thankfully, the number will continue to shrink, and cruise lines will eventually emulate Oceania, face the reality of 21st-century American life, and drop the archaic ritual of "formal night."

 

The fact is: There is nothing that happens on a cruise ship that merits formalwear. Nothing. Nada. Zip. Zilch. It's a big phony. The sooner the cruise lines face up to this, the better. Formal night has become merely a crass tool to drive the sale of photographs to those playing make-believe, and is an embarrassment to all involved, especially the poor captain who is turned into a piece of scenery in the process. They might as well use a cardboard cut-out.

[BorderLady]

"Formal night has become merely a crass tool to drive the sale of photographs ... and is an embarrassment to ... the poor captain who is turned into a piece of scenery in the process. They might as well use a cardboard cut-out."

 

You're exactly right!!! A couple years ago on the Inaugural Cruise of a brand-new Carnivore, we were amused to see ship's photogs enticing passengers to be photographed next to a life-size cardboard cut-out of the Captain .

 

The funniest part -- the Captain was a plain old black and white photo!

 

Another giggle -- it was a Baltic cruise but they had the Pirate of the Caribbean circulating around the ship, available for photos. Apparently it didn't occur to anyone that a Viking warrior costume would have been more in keeping with the cruise.

[Jacqueline]

On our Alaska cruise aboard the Amsterdam, we noticed that there was no informal evening, just two formal and the rest casual. Because the daily program didn't specifically state "no jeans", we asked about it at the front desk and were told we'd "probably" be seated if we were wearing jeans. We didn't try to find out - we changed into nice clothes.

 

I think Alaska is a bit different than all other cruises I have been on. The weather and the types of tours coupled with a rush to an early seating mean that there will be some jeans at dinner.

ITs too hot in the Cabbean and most other cruise destinations for jeans to be a comforatble choice.

[jetfixer03]

I rarely have occasion to wear a suit and tie in the 'real world' but, to my surprise, I really enjoyed dressing up for dinner on the ship. The elegant atmosphere of the dinners was fun. Having said that, I think the tux is archaic and outdated these days, relegated almost solely to cruise ships and senior proms. Another poster made a good point, look at the Academy Awards... who is more fashion aware than Hollywood? You'll see the most elaborate and stunning dresses on the ladies, but nary a tux to be found. If the tux is your thing, go for it. For me a nice suit and a beautiful tie is the way to go.

 

Chris J

[Leslieswiger]

I agree with the following: anngie, localady. HAL should enforce the policy. Why have one if your not going to enforce.

 

Bdmarine...Its very true what your saying. I am X AFOne and have handled many VVIP's. I now live in Canada. Never but never do I use my US passport or say that I am American when out of the country.

 

Keep your gowns and diamonds for the dining room and safe. When off the ship dress very respectable and be HUMBLE.

 

We have just finished a three months tour of the world (#17). I am by birth American and God bless America..BUT..I can tell you we are NOT liked at all. Be very careful my dear cruisers.

[Jacqueline]

I

Keep your gowns and diamonds for the dining room and safe. When off the ship dress very respectable and be HUMBLE.

 

Gee I was going to wear my diamonds and ball gown to go sightseeing...

 

 

We have just finished a three months tour of the world (#17). I am by birth American and God bless America..BUT..I can tell you we are NOT liked at all. Be very careful my dear cruisers.

 

My brother and his family has lived abroad for many years. For the last 5 years they have been in Paris and their kids go to French schools. Neither of them speak anything but English nor to they dress to pass as locals. They live in a neighborhood that is not American...

When I have visited I have never had the slightest problem with the French. In fact, I have had strangers lend me their cell phones in the airport !

They have no problems at all with being disliked or poorly treated.

Most people seem to be able to seperate a countries policy from the individuals.

I think its totally unnecessary to introduce doom and gloom into this thread.

[ekerr19]

In Monoco, there is a charge to enter the casino. Formal attire is not required during the day, but suit at a minimum during the evening.

 

You may not enter the l'hotel de Paris unless you appear you belong there...and that means no sneakers, no jeans, no T-shirts, and no cameras hanging from your neck. During the day, if you wear country club causal you usually will not be stopped...but that's the door man's call. During the evening, suit or formal is required. If you sneak in using the side employees entrance [as more than one American has done], you will not be served.

 

The Cafe de Paris is less stringent, but 'freedom of choice' will not receive a table.

 

Iknick-

 

Thank you for your input. It is nice to have an idea as to what is expected in Monte Carlo - we do plan on dressing up for our evening casino trip into town. We do not have to be back onboard til 10:30pm - so we hope to see a bit of the Monte Carlo nightlife.

[Orcrone]

I can't see them differentiating between "regular" and "designer" jeans for one reason. Who is going to decide what brands and/or styles constitute designer jeans?

 

I probably won't bother packing any jeans for my cruises. Why bring along extra items I won't be using much. Remember the rule. If you're not sure if you need it, leave it home.

[Leslieswiger]

You speck ONLY of France and I said nothing about France. I did say that I have 17 trips around the world and NOW one does have to be careful. If you wish to continue the old ways please do. I am not so foolish and I will continue to be humble when a visitor in another country. And speeking four languages and being trained by the US government on how to act when abroad, has helped also.

It is not DOOM and GLOOM.......JUST COMMON SENSE that the Lord has NOT given everyone.:eek:

[ekerr19]

I can't see them differentiating between "regular" and "designer" jeans for one reason. Who is going to decide what brands and/or styles constitute designer jeans?

 

I probably won't bother packing any jeans for my cruises. Why bring along extra items I won't be using much. Remember the rule. If you're not sure if you need it, leave it home.

 

Marc-

 

We've never worn nor needed jeans in the Caribbean, even in December, January, February... In fact, the only time DH brought some was when were left from Norfolk, boy was it ever cold! Once we left Norfolk, the jeans didn't even get unpacked from the suitcase - he took them out and wore them for disembarkation & the trip home - but that was it. I doubt you will need them.

 

I wore "jeans" to the ship in Norfolk, but I'm not sure if I'd really consider them jeans - sure they were made by Levi Strauss, but they were more a faded black twill instead of denim... this may be what the people are considering the difference. Now days, many pants/slacks/capris for women are not necessarily denim, but twill or cotton, some with lycra (for comfort) and may be classified as jeans, but actually aren't. It just depends on what one's definition is, I suppose. There are those in the camp that will argue "they are not jeans" and wear them to dinner. I don't - I just don't feel comfortable wearing such casual slacks/pants, etc. in the evenings.

 

I see no problem wearing something that is comfortable to board the ship - especially in inclement weather - others disagree, that's fine. I usually get a bit dressed up for boarding, but in Norfolk I didn't. We always change before dinner, so to us, it makes no real difference.

[Orcrone]

ekerr,

 

I was thinking of jeans just for embarkation and disembarkation. But I hate to bring them just for that. So I'll just wear Khakis on board and that will hopefully be the only time I'll need any long pants before dinner.

 

Aside from which I often wear them during the middle of winter around here.

[ekerr19]

Marc-

 

I think you'd be fine with Khakis... DH wears them for embarkation in FLL, but if it's really warm in FLL, he's been known to break out the Tommy Bahama shorts... :)

 

In FLL, we've seen many cruisers wearing shorts for embarkation. If it's warm, I'll wear my capris - my shorts aren't as nice as DH's (but my legs are cuter!)... :cool: