Dining Room Attire

[SusieV]

I agree with Drew that I find that email disappointing. So now the folks who want to wear jeans on formal night have some ammunition, sadly.

 

I also don't understand the luggage weight complaint. Except for United, we're all allowed two checked bags at 50lbs each plus a carryon. How is that not enough room to take some formalwear? My husband and I make do with one checked bag each plus a garment bag for our formalwear- we could still take another 50lbs of stuff if we wanted to! And that's for two weeks, not one week or less.

 

On our last cruise, I brought three floor length gowns and two informal dresses, and wished that I'd brought more as we dined in Ocean Liners several nights and I hate to wear the same outfit twice. We don't feel comfortable dressed casually in the specialty restaurants.

 

My husband packed his tux, accessories, and two sports coats in the same garment bag as my dresses, and it was still less than 30lb.

 

For us, dressing up is one of the things that makes cruising special. We love to look at the photos afterwards and remember our trip and how fabulous we looked.

[Coco Creek]

I would take that as a challenge, print it out, and see if I could get them to turn me away... If the jeans and filthy wifebeater didn't do the trick, I'd move on. Maybe the spandex leotard? The leather chaps with bare bottom? The diaper and nothing else? Then, if anybody complained about my attire, I'd show them Constance's e-mail...

 

I hate the message that e-mail sends, and I would want to show them that it is not a good policy to give people a reason not to try to dress nicely...

 

Drew, maybe that is the crux of the debate over formal night. In fact, the cruise industry, with perhaps Cunard as an exception, stopped having formal nights some time ago. I like your "dress nicely" formulation as an alternative because it does not throw a challenge in the face of folks who may not feel comfortable in formal wear.

 

You then can have dress nicely and casual (no jeans, shorts, swim suits) as your dress code. And guess what, I got a feeling it would work better than what Celebrity and other lines are doing now.

[Coco Creek]

duplicate post.

[Coco Creek]

 

For us, dressing up is one of the things that makes cruising special. We love to look at the photos afterwards and remember our trip and how fabulous we looked.

 

Susie, then by all means dress up. I am sure you and your husband look great in your outfits.

 

At the same time, others will go a different route. As long they dressed nicely (Drew's words) and not dressed in jeans or shorts, there should be no issue with you enjoying your dressed up dinner and evening.

[ECCruise]

I also don't understand the luggage weight complaint. Except for United, we're all allowed two checked bags at 50lbs each plus a carryon. How is that not enough room to take some formalwear? My husband and I make do with one checked bag each plus a garment bag for our formalwear- we could still take another 50lbs of stuff if we wanted to! And that's for two weeks, not one week or less.

 

.

 

This applies only to US or Canadian passengers, generally. Most of the rest of the world is capped around 20kg (44 lb) per person total checked baggage. And, people do cruise or travel for more than one or two weeks.

[SusieV]

Susie, then by all means dress up. I am sure you and your husband look great in your outfits.

 

At the same time, others will go a different route. As long they dressed nicely (Drew's words) and not dressed in jeans or shorts, there should be no issue with you enjoying your dressed up dinner and evening.

 

Of course, but there is the ambiance of the evening, which is part of what makes it special for us. If we're the only ones (or close to it) dressed formally, then we're the ones who feel uncomfortable and overdressed.

 

Seeing everyone in their formalwear truly adds to our enjoyment of a cruise. It helps create a magical, timeless feeling. I've caught my husband wincing when he sees people dressed inappropriately on formal night, because it really does spoil that ambiance we both enjoy so much.

 

Of course people travel for more than two weeks. When we did three weeks to China, we were still fine with formalwear and fit under the luggage limit. And that time there was no option- it was a bridge world championships and formalwear was required for both the opening and closing ceremonies. We simply each took a personal item (which can be a shopping bag) as well as our carryon, plus three suitcases and a garment bag. It certainly can be done. This summer we have a month planned between Poland and Germany, again formalwear required, and I am sure we won't have any issues.

[Drew B]

Drew, maybe that is the crux of the debate over formal night. In fact, the cruise industry, with perhaps Cunard as an exception, stopped having formal nights some time ago. I like your "dress nicely" formulation as an alternative because it does not throw a challenge in the face of folks who may not feel comfortable in formal wear.

 

You then can have dress nicely and casual (no jeans, shorts, swim suits) as your dress code. And guess what, I got a feeling it would work better than what Celebrity and other lines are doing now.

 

 

The recommended attire still doesn't come close to limiting people to actual "formal" wear. If so, dark suits and cocktail dresses would not be considered appropriate. No, I think that the experience has been dumbed down quite enough already, and I'd like to see the line held where it is, but I expect to see people (including customer service people like Constance) uphold it.

[Shipyard Cruiser]

I would take that as a challenge, print it out, and see if I could get them to turn me away... If the jeans and filthy wifebeater didn't do the trick, I'd move on. Maybe the spandex leotard? The leather chaps with bare bottom? The diaper and nothing else? Then, if anybody complained about my attire, I'd show them Constance's e-mail...

 

I hate the message that e-mail sends, and I would want to show them that it is not a good policy to give people a reason not to try to dress nicely...

 

 

We are talking about adults on vacation.

 

Why do we need some sort of message?

 

This is all not that big a deal.

 

Why make it into more then what it is?

[Coco Creek]

Of course, but there is the ambiance of the evening, which is part of what makes it special for us. If we're the only ones (or close to it) dressed formally, then we're the ones who feel uncomfortable and overdressed.

 

Seeing everyone in their formalwear truly adds to our enjoyment of a cruise. It helps create a magical, timeless feeling. I've caught my husband wincing when he sees people dressed inappropriately on formal night, because it really does spoil that ambiance we both enjoy so much.

 

quote]

 

Susie, you will never be the only couple dressed formally. But don't kid yourself. You never "see everyone in their formalwear" on a Celebrity ship. Most men wear suits and most women, well, they look really nice whether it is gown, dress or even pants with a nice looking top. The everyone in formal wear was lost a long time ago and it is not coming back.

[Drew B]

We are talking about adults on vacation.

 

Why do we need some sort of message?

 

This is all not that big a deal.

 

Why make it into more then what it is?

 

If they are unable to read the simple language of the dress code and understand how they should dress, I disagree with your designation of them as adults...

[Coco Creek]

The recommended attire still doesn't come close to limiting people to actual "formal" wear. If so, dark suits and cocktail dresses would not be considered appropriate. No, I think that the experience has been dumbed down quite enough already, and I'd like to see the line held where it is, but I expect to see people (including customer service people like Constance) uphold it.

 

Constance is reflecting what she hears from her supervisor and around the office. Celebrity is really aware that that those five Solstice ships will require more than 13,750 passenger per week. And then you had in the M class and C class ships and we are up to over 25,000 passengers per week.

 

The line is going to erode because that is where the market will pull that line. In the meantime, I will try to look clean, well groomed and nicely dressed every time I show up in the dining room, sometimes in a suit, sometimes not.

[irishgirl]

I also don't understand the luggage weight complaint. Except for United, we're all allowed two checked bags at 50lbs each plus a carryon. How is that not enough room to take some formalwear? My husband and I make do with one checked bag each plus a garment bag for our formalwear- we could still take another 50lbs of stuff if we wanted to! And that's for two weeks, not one week or less.

 

Everyone packs differently and I since I don't want to wear a gown, I'm not going to take it. I pack everything in one 26" suitcase. I only take what luggage I can manage all by myself and 2 suitcases is too much for me.

 

Quite a few of my fellow cruisers are now down to only a carry-on because of the airlines losing luggage and the charges for checked or over-weight luggage. You can be sure, since United, Spirit and Allegiant are charging for checked luggage, others will follow.

 

My last cruise my suitcase weighed 45 lbs going down and 47 lbs coming home. That's cutting it very close on weight.

 

Judy

[Drew B]

Constance is reflecting what she hears from her supervisor and around the office.

 

 

Well, I hate Constance. It may not be her fault, but I hate her anyway. A person who condones base behavior is partly responsible for the downslide of standards. We have a big enough problem with people KNOWING that it is wrong to underdress but doing it anyway because "This is my vacation". Now, with Constance suggesting that it isn't even wrong to underdress, we will see a whole other segment of the passenger population underdressing. Honestly, they may as well give up and stop having different dress codes if this is the approach they intend...

[ECCruise]

.

 

Of course people travel for more than two weeks. When we did three weeks to China, we were still fine with formalwear and fit under the luggage limit. And that time there was no option- it was a bridge world championships and formalwear was required for both the opening and closing ceremonies. We simply each took a personal item (which can be a shopping bag) as well as our carryon, plus three suitcases and a garment bag. It certainly can be done. This summer we have a month planned between Poland and Germany, again formalwear required, and I am sure we won't have any issues.

 

Obviously you had no inter-Asia (or inter-South America or inter-Europe) travel with that load of luggage. To repeat, most of the world is limited to ONE bag of less than 44 lbs. and ONE carryon of maybe 15-16 lbs. No "three suitcases plus garment bag plus carryons plus personal items. " Trust me, we've got a total of 2 bags plus 2 light carryons plus nothing else for a trip that begins tomorrow. Thankfully, we are doing the Xpedition (No formal/informal :D ) and the Oceania Insignia (no formal/informal :D ). Otherwise it would be a big overage charge for clothes we would rather NOT take.

[Shipyard Cruiser]

If they are unable to read the simple language of the dress code and understand how they should dress, I disagree with your designation of them as adults...

 

Many of us don't care about the dress code one way or another.

 

It adds nothing to our vacation and is a very, very small part of why we cruise.

 

While we might dress up we don't need to make a big deal out of it. Wearing a suit does NOT make you an adult!

 

And we would NEVER judge a person only by how they are dressed.

 

But as I understand it.

 

As long as we follow the code to the letter we are just fine?

[Shipyard Cruiser]

Obviously you had no inter-Asia (or inter-South America or inter-Europe) travel with that load of luggage. To repeat, most of the world is limited to ONE bag of less than 44 lbs. and ONE carryon of maybe 15-16 lbs. No "three suitcases plus garment bag plus carryons plus personal items. " Trust me, we've got a total of 2 bags plus 2 light carryons plus nothing else for a trip that begins tomorrow. Thankfully, we are doing the Xpedition (No formal/informal :D ) and the Oceania Insignia (no formal/informal :D ). Otherwise it would be a big overage charge for clothes we would rather NOT take.

 

Why are so many upscale cruise lines dropping the dress code?

 

Makes you wonder what's next.

[ECCruise]

Why are so many upscale cruise lines dropping the dress code?

 

Why? In our opinion, because it really does not matter. The notion that you need to be in formal wear to have a quality experience is just silly. The best service, the nicest ambience we've had in our cruise travels have been in the 4 Cs: Comfortable Country Club Casual. :)

[Xcruiser]

Why are so many upscale cruise lines dropping the dress code?

 

Makes you wonder what's next.

Which upscale cruise lines have dropped formal dress recently? :confused:

 

Oceania and Celebrity Xpedition have never had a formal dress requirements but do have evening dress codes – country club casual.

[CatServants]

Why are so many upscale cruise lines dropping the dress code?

 

Makes you wonder what's next.

 

Shipyard - You might want to go onto the Silversea, Regent, et. al., boards and tell them that the luxury lines are dropping the dress code. Then watch the sparks fly.:eek: To the best of my knowledge, which, I grant, is limited to what I glean from the luxury line web sites, brochures, and boards, the luxury lines are NOT dropping their dress codes.

 

I assume from the tone of Constance's e-mail that irishgirl asked her if she would be denied entry to the DR with the described outfit (we've all already told her she wouldn't be denied entry in her described outfit). But... No one's denied entry? Then publish a dress code that says there's NO dress code! Constance (and X) need to know their own dress code before giving out incorrect info. I'll bet, if I use careful wording in an e-mail to my X rep, she'll tell me that pax follow the dress code as published for formal wear on formal nite in the DR. After all, she wants to please me.

 

I don't know, maybe this is just an example of X sliding in it's quality of service. I would like X to stick to it's published rules. After all, when I sign up for a cruise on a specific cruise line, I like to KNOW what I'm getting. I don't want to board a ship and then find out that everything the cruise line led me to believe about itself and it's dynamic is false. The STATED, PUBLISHED, AND ADVERTISED ambiance of a cruise is a large part of what I'm purchasing. That includes everything from liquor/smoking policies to dress codes, kids programs to kids in the adult only venues, casinos to dining venues. We all expect the cruise lines to adhere to the stated, published, and advertised atmosphere they're individually selling. Anyone sailing on X, expecting Carnival (or vice versa), is, and should be, due for a rude awakening. Unless, of course, the cruise lines are lying in their publishings and advertisements.;)

 

Happy cruising!

 

Denise

[Shipyard Cruiser]

Why? In our opinion, because it really does not matter. The notion that you need to be in formal wear to have a quality experience is just silly. The best service, the nicest ambience we've had in our cruise travels have been in the 4 Cs: Comfortable Country Club Casual. :)

 

Thank you.

 

You said it so much better then I could.

 

It's nice to see that cruise lines are headed in that direction.

[caviargal]

 

if you follow the dress code that Celebrity has, nobody would be wearing shorts anywhere. Their dress code states you should wear slacks all the time on board and in port.

 

From the X website:

 

Daywear includes slacks or pants, blouses or shirts, knit tops or polo shirts. Bring a pair of sneakers or rubber-soled shoes for deck sports and a swimsuit cover-up for cool areas on the ship.

 

Port wear for women includes a casual dress, skirt and blouse, or pants outfit; for men, casual pants or walking shorts, and polo-type shirts. Comfortable walking shoes are a must.

Also, remember to bring extra bathing suits, as well as sun block, sun visors and other types of sun protection.

[Shipyard Cruiser]

Shipyard - You might want to go onto the Silversea, Regent, et. al., boards and tell them that the luxury lines are dropping the dress code. Then watch the sparks fly.:eek: To the best of my knowledge, which, I grant, is limited to what I glean from the luxury line web sites, brochures, and boards, the luxury lines are NOT dropping their dress codes.

 

I assume from the tone of Constance's e-mail that irishgirl asked her if she would be denied entry to the DR with the described outfit (we've all already told her she wouldn't be denied entry in her described outfit). But... No one's denied entry? Then publish a dress code that says there's NO dress code! Constance (and X) need to know their own dress code before giving out incorrect info. I'll bet, if I use careful wording in an e-mail to my X rep, she'll tell me that pax follow the dress code as published for formal wear on formal nite in the DR. After all, she wants to please me.

 

I don't know, maybe this is just an example of X sliding in it's quality of service. I would like X to stick to it's published rules. After all, when I sign up for a cruise on a specific cruise line, I like to KNOW what I'm getting. I don't want to board a ship and then find out that everything the cruise line led me to believe about itself and it's dynamic is false. The STATED, PUBLISHED, AND ADVERTISED ambiance of a cruise is a large part of what I'm purchasing. That includes everything from liquor/smoking policies to dress codes, kids programs to kids in the adult only venues, casinos to dining venues. We all expect the cruise lines to adhere to the stated, published, and advertised atmosphere they're individually selling. Anyone sailing on X, expecting Carnival (or vice versa), is, and should be, due for a rude awakening. Unless, of course, the cruise lines are lying in their publishings and advertisements.;)

Denise

 

 

And for me a dress code adds nothing to the cruise.

 

I would never choose a cruise line based on a dress code.

 

It adds no value to my cruise.

 

It's not the reason I cruise.

 

If your in the dining room in shorts on formal night it means nothing to me.

 

I will still enjoy my meal.

 

I will still enjoy my cruise.

 

Short of punching me in the nose:D nothing you can do will ruin my cruise or spoil my meal.

 

Sorry.

 

I really wish I cared more about how all of you dress.

[usha]

And for me a dress code adds nothing to the cruise.

I really wish I cared more about how all of you dress.

...and yet, you have so many posts on this dress code thread.:rolleyes:

[wckdtrix]

double post

[wckdtrix]

On my last cruise on the Galaxy a couple of people in shorts were even allowed into the dining room at dinner.

 

I saw them talking to the maitre de first, then I saw them come on in and go to their table. I can only assume they were possibly stopped at first, and then allowed on in.

 

It didn't bother me...but they did stick out like a sore thumb, and looked ridiculous.