What would you do if HAL went strictly FORMAL on one of their ships?

[seamist]

Count me out....no way would I book a cruise that demanded formal or pretty much stay in your cabin all night.

[kenevenpar]

And, let us not forget that the cruise line is not going to restrict admittance to revenue generating areas (casino, lounge, etc) unless the person is unrully.

 

It is interesting, there is a hotel that I haven't been to in a few years, The Greenbrier in West Virginia, who requests gentlemen to wear jackets after 6:00 in most public areas, and I would say that they had virtually 100% compliance. They would politely remind guests of the policy, and even offer to lend the individual a jacket. The pubs and certain areas were excluded, and it seemed that most people enjoyed this tradition.

[twinkletoes4445]

 

That's exactly what I meant. If HAL were to strictly enforce the FORMAL dress code on the nights designated as such....without exception....and specify this in documentations.....would those who prefer "CASUAL" cruising still book HAL?

 

I misunderstood your post. The thread title "What would you do if Hal went strictly formal on one of their ships" threw me off a bit. I thought you meant that it would be formal every night. I read your post, but I misunderstood what you meant.

 

We'd never sail on a ship that had all formal evenings. As for the dress code, whatever it is, we'll adhere to it. We're not doing formal nights on our next cruise, so we plan on eating in our cabin or the Lido.

 

Personally, I think formal evenings are out probably in the near future. If they stay, I think it will be the "formal optional" route...so that HAL can sit on the fence about this.

[CruisenLexie]

I have no problem with formal nights however in this situation I would be concerned that I wouldn't be "formal" enough because I am sure one person might let you in and another would not, like the man wearing a tuxedo with no tie who was denied access because of no tie. There was no tie to wear with that style tuxedo as it was a manderin collar.

 

I do not think it is acceptable to limit where else you can go on the ship if you are not in formal wear.

[EngineerDel]

Hammybee,

 

You are exactly right. Now days HAL and many other Lines seem to be the least interested in enforcing the "dresss code for the night." It would not be in their best financial interest to "ban those who refuse to comply!"

 

But, that's my point! Why even have a dress code if you don't intend to enforce it? Do away with it! And don'e even MENTION anything about dress. It's strange how some forget WHY they chose HAL in the first place. Or didn't they know that HAL was a cut above the others?

 

They left the "FUN SHIPS" because there was too much partying and drunkeness. HAL offered a more relaxed atmosphere.

 

They left the "MEGA SHIPS" because there were too many people.

HAL's ships were not crowded and were easy to find your way around.

 

They left the "SEAS" because they didn't care for mountain climbing or hairy chest contest. HAL offered more civilized things to do.

 

They left other Lines because the food was not up to par...the staff was unfriendly...the rooms were too small....they nickel & dimed you to death

....etc., etc., etc.

HAL's food was excellent, staff friendly, largest rooms afloat, and for a while...no tipping policy, free ice cream, elegant dining, FORMAL DRESS CODES.

 

Some left other Lines because the price was too steep. HAL offered the same elegance at a fair and reasonable price, and made you feel special.

The staff got to know you by name, etc. But now, much of that is changing. HAL isn't offering much more than the "lesser" Lines are offering

for a cheaper price. Therfore, they make cuts and changes in order to be competitive which is understandable. We're even hearing people say things like: "There's no difference between HAL and Carnival." WOW!

So, they came to HAL and expect to change things to the very things they disliked about the other Lines. They outright refuse to comply and basically are telling HAL and others: "I'm not going to obey the rules...but, SO WHAT!" And HAL is allowing it....by NOT ENFORCING their own rules.

 

I'll get off my soap box now! And when we consider our next cruise, if we decide on a CASUAL cruise...we'll give HAL some consideration. In fact, they'll be first on our list.

 

Del

[world~citizen]

We would embrace the new policy, of course. :D

 

Of course it won't happen for all the reasons noted in this thread. We could deal with it though.

[RevNeal]

The only way you can do that is to post a ship's security guard at the entrance(s) to the Crow's Nest, Casino, Show Lounge, Piano Bar, etc. and we all know that's not going to happen. Besides, logistically (manpower and schedule-wise), it's impossible with the current staffing. You can have security guards roving the public area's of the ship at night kinda like the old "beat cop" twirling their night sticks and getting into it with dress code violators - That's not going to happen either!

 

Of course that's not going to happen. But, it IS a funny mental image. ;)

The idea, however, is not so much that active enforcement (beyond the Main Dining) would be done, but that people would abide by the code if the code lacked even a hint of permission on the matter. I know ... that's a lot to expect ... but it would be the idea, and once-upon-a-time, in a galaxy far-far-away, it worked. :)

 

However, as several have stated, it's not happening and we all know it. Frankly, as much as I love Formal Nights, I'd be happy if they just found a way to articulate the code so that most, if not everyone, observed at least the Smart Casual night minimum every evening. The code is actually written that way now, but the permissiveness elsewhere in the code gives those who are prone to ignore it their "out."

[pipedreams62]

And, let us not forget that the cruise line is not going to restrict admittance to revenue generating areas (casino, lounge, etc) unless the person is unrully.

 

It is interesting, there is a hotel that I haven't been to in a few years, The Greenbrier in West Virginia, who requests gentlemen to wear jackets after 6:00 in most public areas, and I would say that they had virtually 100% compliance. They would politely remind guests of the policy, and even offer to lend the individual a jacket. The pubs and certain areas were excluded, and it seemed that most people enjoyed this tradition.

 

 

You mean there were no whiners complaining,

 

"It's My Hotel Too"

 

"I Paid MY Money Just Like Everybody Else"

 

I'm impressed.

[MikeT718]

What I would like is for HAL to keep just what they have but ENFORCE IT...So many come to dinner not dressed for the night...My son came to the dinning room one night ( A casual night) and had forgotten to take off his baseball hat, he was dressed properly except the cap..Which out of habbit put on his head as he left our cabin ( by the way neither my DW or I were there when he got dressed)..When he arrived at the Main Dinning room he was told that it was not proper attire and he would have to remove it and they were right...He realized his mistake said he was sorry and went back to the cabin to remove the cap...So if an 18+ year old kid can be asked to dress right why can't every one else?????

[Brooklyn444]

I embrace Formal night .Its a form of respect .

[hammybee]

 

It is interesting, there is a hotel that I haven't been to in a few years, The Greenbrier in West Virginia, who requests gentlemen to wear jackets after 6:00 in most public areas, and I would say that they had virtually 100% compliance. They would politely remind guests of the policy, and even offer to lend the individual a jacket. The pubs and certain areas were excluded, and it seemed that most people enjoyed this tradition.

 

The Greenbrier in White Sulpher Springs in W.V. has long been one of my favorite places, in the U.S. We have stayed there on our own and as a part of large groups that tend to dominate the resort, especially over long weekends. The cost and location means no one arrives and stays at the Greenbrier, by accident. You know going in that it dates back to the 1700's and is dripping with tradition.

 

I can tell you first hand, that if a majority in a group dominating the resort, over a long weekend, prefer to not go with the flow as it relates to attire, the gracious hosts look the other way. They run a business and are not going to risk loosing repeat group business to enforce a jacket/tie or proper golf attire requirements.

[hammybee]

Hammybee,

 

You are exactly right. Now days HAL and many other Lines seem to be the least interested in enforcing the "dresss code for the night." It would not be in their best financial interest to "ban those who refuse to comply!"

 

But, that's my point! Why even have a dress code if you don't intend to enforce it? Do away with it! And don'e even MENTION anything about dress. It's strange how some forget WHY they chose HAL in the first place. Or didn't they know that HAL was a cut above the others?

 

Del

 

We both seem to enjoy HAL for the same reasons.

[Taxguy77]

I'm willing to dress up with coat and tie once in awhile, but not every night. I can also go informal every night, but some passengers overdo casual to a horrible extent.

[SydneyD'Augstralia]

I would LOVE it!

 

After too many "Freestyle" (and all of what that implies) cruises, I LUST for long, lovely formal dinners and it would be nice if people were to remain dressed for the night......at least in the casino so as not to disturb our tuxedo'ed James Bond fantasies! :p:D

[RevNeal]

I'm willing to dress up with coat and tie once in awhile, but not every night. I can also go informal every night, but some passengers overdo casual to a horrible extent.

 

Taxguy77, I understand where you're coming from. Jacket and tie twice a week with Smart Casual being well followed the rest of the time would certainly be welcome.

[cruisecrasy]

Hammybee,

 

You are exactly right. Now days HAL and many other Lines seem to be the least interested in enforcing the "dresss code for the night." It would not be in their best financial interest to "ban those who refuse to comply!"

 

But, that's my point! Why even have a dress code if you don't intend to enforce it? Do away with it! And don'e even MENTION anything about dress. It's strange how some forget WHY they chose HAL in the first place. Or didn't they know that HAL was a cut above the others?

 

They left the "FUN SHIPS" because there was too much partying and drunkeness. HAL offered a more relaxed atmosphere.

 

They left the "MEGA SHIPS" because there were too many people.

HAL's ships were not crowded and were easy to find your way around.

 

They left the "SEAS" because they didn't care for mountain climbing or hairy chest contest. HAL offered more civilized things to do.

 

They left other Lines because the food was not up to par...the staff was unfriendly...the rooms were too small....they nickel & dimed you to death

....etc., etc., etc.

HAL's food was excellent, staff friendly, largest rooms afloat, and for a while...no tipping policy, free ice cream, elegant dining, FORMAL DRESS CODES.

 

Some left other Lines because the price was too steep. HAL offered the same elegance at a fair and reasonable price, and made you feel special.

The staff got to know you by name, etc. But now, much of that is changing. HAL isn't offering much more than the "lesser" Lines are offering

for a cheaper price. Therfore, they make cuts and changes in order to be competitive which is understandable. We're even hearing people say things like: "There's no difference between HAL and Carnival." WOW!

So, they came to HAL and expect to change things to the very things they disliked about the other Lines. They outright refuse to comply and basically are telling HAL and others: "I'm not going to obey the rules...but, SO WHAT!" And HAL is allowing it....by NOT ENFORCING their own rules.

 

I'll get off my soap box now! And when we consider our next cruise, if we decide on a CASUAL cruise...we'll give HAL some consideration. In fact, they'll be first on our list.

 

Del

 

Enjoyed your post...hit the nail squarely on its head!!

 

Have happy cruisin'!

[teltrainer]

Engineer Del...all so true! Hope HAL will strictly enforce dress code on formal nights. I love to dress up for a special evening and my husband does so to please me (and because I tell him how handsome and elegant he looks :) )

[HARLEY 2003 FATBOY]

Would not see me on this cruise happy sailing

[jtl513]

As long as the definition of "formal" still allowed just a dark suit (not a tux) I would like to see the dining room formal dress enforced.

 

I don't own a tux, am not about to buy one at my age for just a few hours per year, don't like renting them, and would never sail on an all-formal ship.

[RevNeal]

At a party last night somebody else (not I) brought up the issue of cruises and which lines were the best to cruise on. Of course, being a cruise-junky, I offered my own opinions. It was interesting to note the number of people who were interested in the question of dress codes, and the misconceptions that went with it. Some thought that "Formal Night" always required Tuxedos or Dinner Jackets for men and ball gowns for women; when I let them know that such wasn't necessary in order to be in conformity with Formal Night codes on most cruise lines they seemed to be far more amenable to lines like HAL. Jacket and tie or suit wasn't a problem for these men, though their wives said they would like to see their husbands in Tuxedos again. :)

 

I then felt compelled to let them know that the dress code wasn't "compulsory" and that there might be enforcement in the main dining room, but not always and certainly not consistently. I also said that the only part of the code that was unambiguous was regarding the wearing of shorts and t-shirts during the evening hours, but that sometimes people ignored that too. Conversation continued for a while over the dress code issue, with the women wanting to know lots of details and most of the men being bothered by the idea of there being a dress code at all. :) Sounds familiar, eh?

 

After 10 or so minutes the conversation shifted to itineraries, etc., and the kinds of things available to do aboard ship. It was a lot of fun. However, the whole conversation, and their thoughts and questions, got me to thinking about the dress code issue and the possibility of a compromise.

 

How About This??? Aboard S & R ships and the Prinsendam the Main Dining Room, Explorer's Lounge, Piano Bar, Ocean Bar, and lower level of the Main Show lounge would be designated Formal Only areas on Formal Nights. The rest of the ship's public areas, lounges and bars, (except for the outdoor areas) would maintain a Smart Casual Minimal code. The upper level of the Main Show lounge would also be Smart Casual. The Lido deck, aft pool deck, Sports Deck/Sky Deck would have no minimal standard ... i.e., shorts and t-shirts would be allowed. On all other nights all indoor areas would be Smart Casual, with the Lido deck and outdoor areas being "anything goes."

 

Aboard Vista ships a similar pattern would govern, with the exception that here the Pinnacle Lounge would be Formal and the Piano Bar would be Smart Casual (due to location issues).

 

Thoughts, anyone? I grant that it's a compromise and all compromises don't sit well, however it's a way that everybody can have some of what they want without Formal folk being made to feel as though they're being segregated away ... or visa-versa.

[RevNeal]

As long as the definition of "formal" still allowed just a dark suit (not a tux) I would like to see the dining room formal dress enforced.

 

I don't own a tux, am not about to buy one at my age for just a few hours per year, don't like renting them, and would never sail on an all-formal ship.

 

I haven't heard anyone seriously arguing for "True" formal wear in a long time. Jacket-and-tie has long been HAL's minimum Formal Night dress for men, and I can't imagine that changing ... even if HAL were to go to a stricter enforcement of the dress code (which, as I've already said, isn't going to happen).

[jtl513]

How About This??? Aboard S & R ships and the Prinsendam the Main Dining Room, Explorer's Lounge, Piano Bar, Ocean Bar, and lower level of the Main Show lounge would be designated Formal Only areas on Formal Nights. The rest of the ship's public areas, lounges and bars, (except for the outdoor areas) would maintain a Smart Casual Minimal code. The upper level of the Main Show lounge would also be Smart Casual. The Lido deck, aft pool deck, Sports Deck/Sky Deck would have no minimal standard ... i.e., shorts and t-shirts would be allowed. On all other nights all indoor areas would be Smart Casual, with the Lido deck and outdoor areas being "anything goes."

 

Thoughts, anyone?

I think that would be too confusing for too many people, and the "separations" would be generally ignored.

[RevNeal]

I think that would be too confusing for too many people, and the "separations" would be generally ignored.

 

I agree. :)

I didn't think someone would so quickly find the PROBLEM with such delineations. :)

 

Actually, it's not THAT confusing ... not if you walk the ships. The layout is devised to follow traffic patters from the Main Dining Room.

But ... most people don't think that way.

[bepsf]

Formal night every night?

I'D BE THRILLED!

It would also simplify and reduce the amount of luggage I'd find necessary to carry...

 

Re: Places where Formal Dress is required in the evenings, have a look at this notice from the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island, Michigan:

 

"Evening Attire

The Grand Hotel experience includes dressing for dinner. Evening wear is required in all areas of the hotel: coat and tie for gentlemen, and dresses or pantsuits for ladies."

[RevNeal]

Re: Places where Formal Dress is required in the evenings, have a look at this notice from the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island, Michigan:

 

"Evening Attire

The Grand Hotel experience includes dressing for dinner. Evening wear is required in all areas of the hotel: coat and tie for gentlemen, and dresses or pantsuits for ladies."

 

Amazing ... and they don't have people whining because they can't wear their shorts and print t-shirts in the lounge during the evening hours???