Dress Code Noordam

[RevNeal]

I would venture to say that it's a matter of $$$$$$$.... smokers tend to be "risk takers" and drinkers.... perfect for casino action.

 

I must say that I agree. :eek:

I wonder if they'll keep at least one table smoke-free. I noticed on the Zaandam that, while the Casino wasn't non-smoking, one of the black jack tables was. The ventilation was so good that I never noticed others smoking.

[cruisinbulldog]

I must say that I agree. :eek:

I wonder if they'll keep at least one table smoke-free. I noticed on the Zaandam that, while the Casino wasn't non-smoking, one of the black jack tables was. The ventilation was so good that I never noticed others smoking.

 

What a great concept.. People give a little, take a little.. Might we all get along..:D :rolleyes:

 

Bulldog

[LizB1]

I'm very interested who you smoke with and if we can be sure they knew what they were talking about.

 

Sometimes incorrect information is accidentally passed along.

 

S7S...I agree! I can't believe they have gone back to smoking in the Casino on the Noordam. Sometimes incorrect information is given out particularly where this seems to be the only ship, so far, where the Casino is smoke-free.

[cprofits]

They've given me incorrect information before regarding this very subject. In their defense, they are reading what they have, but it doesn't always mean that is what is happening on the particular ship. Until a returning customer comes back and says they are smoking in the casino while dressed in their informal attire on an official informal night, then I will assume the Noordam is enjoying a smoke free casino and having only formal and casual nights.

[upstatecruiser]

Sorry to disagree but slovenly attire does spoil my vacation. If I just wanted a ride on the water, I would take a few turns on the Staten Islkand Ferry. Far cheaper and I won't care about how the rest of the passengers are dressed. However, when I take a cruise I want a traditionalk old time romantic vacation where ladies and gentlemen act like ladies and gentlemen. They dress properly for a fine evening of dinner, good intellignet conversation and some post dinner entertainment. During the day, I enjoy a well turned out but casual crowd interested in relaxing without having to endure the hairy leg contest or helmets of beer etc. so very popular on the lines that allow whatever you were wearing in the garden last week in the dining room.

 

So if I am forced to dine with people that are eaither too lazy or too uninformed to dress appropriately, it does spoil my vacation.

 

There are plenty of other lines that actaully encourage very casual attire. Why not do us all that enjoy the traditional atmoshphere to have our line and you take your cruise on a casual line.

 

Of course with the casual crowd you get a casual product which you don;t really like but once the standards are lessened in one area, it is impossible to maintain them in other areas. So decide if you like great food, super service and fine ships be prepared to live up to the standards of attire and conduct as you are indeed part of the total product.

 

Just for your information, I also enjoy the dressing up part of the cruise and the traditional part of it, I am just saying that I am not bothered by others not dressing. Do I feel they are bucking the system, of course I do, but I also understand that my idea of Dressed up is not the same as other people, I like the glitzyness of Formal night as does the rest of the people I cruise with. However we sat near a table that their idea of dressed up was not as "glitzy" as ours, and it did not upset my cruise. Were they dressed nicely, yes! Would I consider it formal, no not really, but who am I to judge whether it is formal or not? The word formal is relative and depending on you interpret it, is how you dress. You all just have very strong opinions and that is fine because it is your opinion. I just stated my opinion, I don't think I needed the comments made that I should travel a less superior line, I have been there done that, I also travel with children, should I only go on Disney? I found HAL to be a wonder choice for us.

[alfiemom]

I totally agree that people get wrong information. I talked with a reservation agent and then asked to be connected to Ship's Services. It was there I was told that the new dress code didn't start until "Alaska Season" (May) and that Noordam is no longer no smoking in the casino. I told the person that I was upset....I loved the thought of playing the slots without having to inhale smoke. She said she was sorry, but it wasn't working well. I guess that means $$$$$$$. Maybe if more people voice an opinion things can change again, or some concessions can be made.

 

I would say that someone else calling HAL won't get different info. That's the problem.

[RevNeal]

What a great concept.. People give a little, take a little.. Might we all get along..:D :rolleyes:

 

Reminds me of the Theme song from "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner." :D

 

Not everybody was happy with the arrangement, sad to say. One fellow tried lighting up at that table, only to have the pit-boss point to the sign and tell him "no." He got up and marched off in a huff. Go figure. :rolleyes:

[RevNeal]

I totally agree that people get wrong information. I talked with a reservation agent and then asked to be connected to Ship's Services. It was there I was told that the new dress code didn't start until "Alaska Season" (May) and that Noordam is no longer no smoking in the casino. I told the person that I was upset....I loved the thought of playing the slots without having to inhale smoke. She said she was sorry, but it wasn't working well. I guess that means $$$$$$$. Maybe if more people voice an opinion things can change again, or some concessions can be made.

 

I would say that someone else calling HAL won't get different info. That's the problem.

 

LOL ... we already know that at least half of what you've been told is wrong. It would appear, from reports coming from the ships, that while the official implementation of the new dress code isn't scheduled for May -- they have a phase-in chart on the website, giving specific dates for the "first cruise" under the new code -- it has actually already been implemented by at least a few of the ships of the Line. I'm curious to see what we'll get on the Ryndam next week. I'm packing as-if there's going to be an Informal night (I wouldn't change my packing scheme even if I KNEW there wasn't going to be an official "Informal Night"), so it won't matter one way or another, but I'll let y'all know if the Ryndam has jumped the gun and started the new policy ahead of schedule, like we've heard other ships have already done.

 

Relative to smoking in the Casino, my bet is that it is back in place aboard the Noordam. The crew and services Audit two weeks ago may have determined that the non-smoking test needed to be dropped, rather than extended or expanded. :(

[alfiemom]

Where on the website is this phase-in chart?

 

Bobbie

[cprofits]

http://www.hollandamerica.com/guests/category.do?category=packing&topic=dressCode

[dakrewser]

[quote name='upstatecruiser']Would I consider it formal, no not really, but who am I to judge whether it is formal or not? The word formal is relative and depending on you interpret it, is how you dress. [/quote]

No interpretation necessary, HAL spells it out in small words on the web site, in the "know before you go" booklet you get with your documentation and also in the Daily program on those "formal" nights. It's extremely difficult to NOLT know what is considered "formal".

[alfiemom]

THanks....that's what I was told. However, my TA just talked to them and they told her 2 formal and the rest casual. I guess we'll plan as stated on the docs and go with the flow since HAL can't seem to give the same answer to the same question via phone.

Bobbie

[madelinerose]

The HAL site says "[COLOR=red][B]smart[/B] [/COLOR][COLOR=black]casual". There [B]is [/B]a difference. ;) [/COLOR]



[quote name='alfiemom']THanks....that's what I was told. However, my TA just talked to them and they told her 2 formal and the rest [B]casual[/B].
Bobbie[/quote]

[RevNeal]

[quote name='madelinerose']The HAL site says "[COLOR=red][B]smart[/B] [/COLOR][COLOR=black]casual". There [B]is [/B]a difference. ;) [/COLOR][/QUOTE]

True ... there is "smart" casual ... and then there is "dumb" casual. :D ;)

[madelinerose]

Oh, and boy, did we see a lot of the latter on our November RCI cruise! :D


[quote name='revneal']True ... there is "smart" casual ... and then there is "dumb" casual. :D ;)[/quote]

[caviargal]

[quote name='madelinerose']Oh, and boy, did we see a lot of the latter on our November RCI cruise! :D[/quote]

Now, now, Karen...the ball caps on some of the RCI passengers on our December cruise at dinner time were very carefully chosen to complement the t shirts and cargo shorts.:D

[madelinerose]

Too funny, Kim! And, don't forget the Care Bears sweats and wife beaters. OK, I'll be good now, after all my last name certainly isn't Chanel. ;) :D

[quote name='caviargal']Now, now, Karen...the ball caps on some of the RCI passengers on our December cruise at dinner time were very carefully chosen to complement the t shirts and cargo shorts.:D[/quote]

[alfiemom]

That sounds like our Alaska cruise (on X) where the male half of a honeymoon couple wore his Chicago Bears jacket for formal nights (a heavy weight one, too). Other nights he was in jeans.

[SakeDad]

It's beginning to seem like if we show up in wool slacks and a fabulous Coogi sweater we may be the best dressed in the dining room! If this is the case then my packing just got a whole lot easier as I have about 10 Coogi's and a few heavy slacks!! Can we say "Carry on"?

[RevNeal]

[quote name='SakeDad']It's beginning to seem like if we show up in wool slacks and a fabulous Coogi sweater we may be the best dressed in the dining room! If this is the case then my packing just got a whole lot easier as I have about 10 Coogi's and a few heavy slacks!! Can we say "Carry on"?[/QUOTE]

I wouldn't count on it.
Anecdotal reports are always dangerous if one universalizes them and projects what one will have on any other given cruise. Follow the dress code, however, and you can't go wrong.

[Golfette]

[B]Virgilhilts - I'm with you! Reverend, you're way off base by saying that for those who choose HAL dressing up is enjoyed by all. Speak for yourself and only for yourself. You may be in the majority or minority, but you only speak for yourself.[/B]

[caviargal]

[quote name='Golfette'][B]Virgilhilts - I'm with you! Reverend, you're way off base by saying that for those who choose HAL dressing up is enjoyed by all. Speak for yourself and only for yourself. You may be in the majority or minority, but you only speak for yourself.[/B][/quote]

I have read his posts and RevNeal can speak for me as well:D.

Whether it is enjoyed by "all" or not, it is dress code, nonetheless, and I am happy to see HAL enforce it as they did on ZUI last year.

[alfiemom]

I would never chose a cruiseline (or hotel or resort) based on the ability to dress up for dinner. We sail HAL and Celebrity because we like the ships, cabins, things to do (or not as the case may be), service, food and itinerery.
Wouldn't it be silly to pick a vacation because you can wear and tux or evening gown for 2 or 4 nights? Those are only clothes and you can make your own fun....no matter what. We sailed the "R" ships many years ago, had no formal nights, yet had a great cruise. Of course, no one came to the dining room in shorts or jeans or tank tops, but that was also because of the length of the cruise and destinations.

[mamaofami]

[quote name='alfiemom']I would never chose a cruiseline (or hotel or resort) based on the ability to dress up for dinner. We sail HAL and Celebrity because we like the ships, cabins, things to do (or not as the case may be), service, food and itinerery.
Wouldn't it be silly to pick a vacation because you can wear and tux or evening gown for 2 or 4 nights? Those are only clothes and you can make your own fun....no matter what. We sailed the "R" ships many years ago, had no formal nights, yet had a great cruise. Of course, no one came to the dining room in shorts or jeans or tank tops, but that was also because of the length of the cruise and destinations.[/quote]

[SIZE=3]Yes, but if you chose the line for all those reasons, then you should also be willing to follow whatever the dress code is. It's a trade off. [/SIZE]

[caviargal]

[quote name='alfiemom']I would never chose a cruiseline (or hotel or resort) based on the ability to dress up for dinner. We sail HAL and Celebrity because we like the ships, cabins, things to do (or not as the case may be), service, food and itinerery.
Wouldn't it be silly to pick a vacation because you can wear and tux or evening gown for 2 or 4 nights? Those are only clothes and you can make your own fun....no matter what. We sailed the "R" ships many years ago, had no formal nights, yet had a great cruise. Of course, no one came to the dining room in shorts or jeans or tank tops, but that was also because of the length of the cruise and destinations.[/quote]


Perhaps you would not but some of us do make the choice because of overall ambiance. It is not the "ability" to dress for dinner, since we do anyway, but the choice we make not to dine in a room full of people dressed for Dennys.

I prefer X and HAL simply because they are more traditional and more elegant, and because their dress codes are not blatantly ignored as on other lines.

I really do not care about activies (don't participate), shows (don't go), etc.

I do care about quality of food and service as well as cabin comfort.

When HAL and X start to get like RCI and others and allow clothes in the dining room that I would wash my car in, then I will stop cruising with them as well.

I am sorry to say that I believe those days are not too far off:(.