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

[bepsf]

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???

 

I remember going there for lunch as a boy and asking the Maitre'd why folks had to get dressed for dinner there...

...I was gently informed:

"This is the Grand Hotel. There are plenty of other hotels on the island for those who didn't wish to dress for dinner."

[world~citizen]

I remember going there for lunch as a boy and asking the Maitre'd why folks had to get dressed for dinner there...

...I was gently informed:

"This is the Grand Hotel. There are plenty of other hotels on the island for those who didn't wish to dress for dinner."

 

I had a similar experience. It seems no one can explain things more clearly to a child than a Maitre'd :D

 

Today we were admiring some lovely ladies appearing to be well into their 70s boarding a tram to go downtown. They arrived separately so they were not going out together for an event. They were all very stylish. Mrs. world~citizen noticed they all were wearing high heeled shoes, two were wearing skirts - one with a top and jacket, the other with a stylish striped top, the other was wearing a very nice white linen pant suit. We have become used to seeing people dressed very well when they go down town to shop. We simply can't understand how people can argue for flip flops and jeans to go into an elegant dining-room for a formal dinner.

[Cruising Carol]

If HAL were to go formal only, I would never cruise on them again. I tolerate the 2 nights a week, but 7 would be intolerable!

[JimVrhovac]

They are not going to change so why worry about it....

 

Jim (without Ruth)

[RevNeal]

They are not going to change so why worry about it....

 

Yes and no.

 

Yes. I agree that HAL is not going to change to a more strict enforcement of the code, nor are they going to make the code more formal.

 

No. I disagree in that HAL is going to change the code to more casual. Be it this year, next year, or 5 years to now ... more than likely, the code will be come casual as time goes on.

 

And, I absolutely agree that it serves no purpose to worry about it ... nothing we do will change what will be. The purpose of this thread is to just "talk."

[world~citizen]

...The purpose of this thread is to just "talk."

 

Yes but CCers like talking to CCers who like to talk.

 

Also, it is no small thing for HAL to see the passion people have with respect to the whole matter of formal dining. No issue on these boards (that I am aware of) seems to strike such thoughtful, inexhaustible, heated debate.

[jtl513]

No issue on these boards (that I am aware of) seems to strike such thoughtful, inexhaustible, heated debate.

Except smoking. :D

[NoNoNanette]

Except smoking. :D

 

Got a light, baby? ;)

[usha]

Except smoking. :D

Or unruly, unsupervised kids...:eek:

[EngineerDel]

What do you think about THIS?

 

I think HAL (and all those who love 'formal' nights) would be absolutely amazed at the response, if HAL would merely issue a 'survey' on the thought of the possibility of using the EURODAM (since it's their newest ship) for 'STRICTLY FORMAL EVENING ATTIRE CRUISES'.... for a short period of time (say 1 month out of the year) on a 'TRIAL' basis.

The interest would probably overwhelm them!

 

It would basically be a 'Specialty Cruise'...similar to the 'Theme Cruises' that have become so popular that many people find it extremel difficult to get booked unless they do so 1 year in advance. Casual Cruisers need not respond!

 

Every night would be formal (Dark suit and tie would be acceptable along with cocktail dresses or other forms of evening attire....in leu of tux and long evening gowns).

The 'REQUIRED DRESS'...(not SUGGESTED DRESS) would be for the entire evening throughout the ship.

 

You would always have the option of dining in your room or on your veranda...with any one of the menuus if you didn't feel like meeting the dress code on any given evening.

 

The Dining Room...Pinnacle Grill....Lido...would offer a variable choice of food, (different menuus) with the Pinnacle (at a modest cost of course) offering the 'fanciest' cuisine including 'flaming desserts'.

 

Since everyone would have know up front what was expected of them (after all..they would have chosen cruise), there would be little...or no room for complaint, as everyone on the ship would be lovers of "FORMAL DINING".

 

Even the Casino would require formal attire just like the James Bond movies. (or is this going too far?)

Since we're just TALKING...let's really dream! But it would be nice, don't you think?

 

Maybe HAL will read this and discuss it in their next Board Meeting. Or perhaps someone of significant importance, or have the organizational skills...can look into something like this...and arrange to start a 'FORMAL DINING ATTIRE CRUISE' and book the entire ship for one 7-day cruise every year. I'll be the first to book my cabin.

 

Del

[world~citizen]

You seem to have an inexhaustible capacity for mischief making. :eek:

 

I like it! :D

 

 

Smooth sailing to you.

[world~citizen]

To answer your question more directly, if you could pull it off, and with enough notice, we would make every effort to sail that cruise!

 

Smooth sailing...

[Copper10-8]

Except smoking. :D

 

And chair hogs;)

[RevNeal]

Except smoking. :D

 

And As You Wish Dining. :D ;)

[kryos]

What do you think about THIS?

 

Since everyone would have know up front what was expected of them (after all..they would have chosen cruise), there would be little...or no room for complaint, as everyone on the ship would be lovers of "FORMAL DINING".

I think this would be an absolutely fabulous idea! Have so many cruises a year designated as "formal" cruises, and make formal dress the standard throughout the ship. Since people would know in advance, as you point out, they would also have no justifiable complaints about the required formal dress (not suggested).

 

I suppose HAL would have to be careful as far as what itineraries they chose for these formal cruises. For example, you wouldn't want them to be on Alaska or Caribbean itineraries, and you probably wouldn't want them on sailings that were packed with lots of kids/families, etc.

 

But this might actually be the solution to this whole formal/casual problem. Give everyone some of what they want.

 

Blue skies ...

 

 

--rita

[Sage]

What would I think of a ship that would be all formal all the time? Why I would do a happy dance and make sure that I was booked for several cruises.

[Stock Cop]

This reminds me of RMS Titanic.

I will pass on that.

 

Look for me in my shorts and T shirt

puffing on a Cohiba.

 

AMF HAL if this ever becomes the standard.

 

Rich

[rebeljohn]

An all formal cruise..............my wife would LOVE it...........

 

Personally, I like it the way it is now........

[EngineerDel]

Brian, Greg, Rita, Copper10-8:

 

Perhaps the 4 of you can converse on this subject (and add others who would be thrilled with the idea)...and look into the possibility of putting something like this together. Many already have experience with forming 'Group Cruises' so this may no be too difficult. Besides...all of you are pretty popular on this board (and respected for your reasonable thoughts). So, what do you say?

 

I've noticed already that many CCers LIKE the idea. Perhaps a 'survey' by one of you would result in a realistic feel of those who would truly be interested. And if successful....take the next step of investigating HAL's requirements for reserving one of their ships (possibly the Eurodam if the response is overwhelming....or a smaller ship if the interest is not as expected). Your committeee would decide what itinerary, how many days, what month of the year, etc.

 

Just since yesterday....those who would be interested are:

Engineer Del, Sage, world~gteen, SydneyD'Augstralia, cruisecrasy, teltrainer, jtl513, rebeljohn.

 

Note to Stock Cop:

Titantic's failure had nothing to do with 'dress codes'.

T-shirt and Cohiba? Remember the recent ship fire!

And we're not even 'suggesting' that HAL become the standard for cruise lines. And no offense, but this subject was addressed to "those who enjoy firmal cruising!".....Casual cruisers need not respond, as this idea would be of no interest to them whatsoever.

 

Del

[jhannah]

I've noticed already that many CCers LIKE the idea.

No doubt. But not anywhere near enough to fill a ship, IMO.

[EngineerDel]

You're right, Jim:

 

But the 'survey' hasn't begun yet. I only mentioned several people who would be interested, IF....this could be pulled off. By the way....you are another one of the well liked CCers who could possibly be included on the 'committee'. You are a well seasoned cruiser with loads of experience, and you appreciate the 'formal' aspect of cruising. So, how about it, Jim?

 

Del

[Mary Ellen]

We would be thrilled if HAL enforced the 'suggested' dress code. We would not be thrilled if every night was formal. Coming back to the ship after a day on shore to get dressed for formal.... :eek: :eek: :eek: Dressed nice is fine for smart casual nights, but formal every night - no.

[kryos]

Got a light, baby? ;)

 

I actually had the "gall" to complain to my doctor the other day that since I've been dealing with these lung problems (pnemonia and some other related problems) I can't enjoy a cigarette anymore. He was flabergasted when I asked him just how soon I would be able to go back to smoking. :)

 

Blue skies ...

 

--rita

[kryos]

An all formal cruise..............my wife would LOVE it...........

 

Personally, I like it the way it is now........

Please don't take this wrong ... because it is not intended to be a flippant comment ... but why don't you and your wife give Cunard a try. Their ships are very formal, plus they have lots in the way of enrichment and other events onboard.

 

I think you might be very happy there ... and could always still sail HAL when you felt like "slumming." :)

 

Blue skies ...

 

--rita

[kryos]

It would basically be a 'Specialty Cruise'...similar to the 'Theme Cruises' that have become so popular that many people find it extremel difficult to get booked unless they do so 1 year in advance. Casual Cruisers need not respond!

Only problem with your suggestion is that if it were a group on a regular HAL sailing, your group could not dictate the dress code for others onboard the ship. So you'd be back to square one where you could all be sitting in a lounge in your formalwear, and in walks a group dressed casually, because the ship is on a casual night.

 

The only way for something like this to work flawlessly is if you could somehow get enough people to make the "formal cruise" a full ship charter. In that case, you would set the policies onboard for that cruise, and people who booked the cruise would be aware of them in advance and thus would have no room to complain once onboard. Plus, you could easily maintain the elegant formal environment throughout the ship, including in all the bars and in the casino.

 

Otherwise, if you're part of a general sailing, HAL is not gonna let you set policy for everyone else on the ship who is not a part of your group. You walk into the casino and there will be plenty of people there in their casual wear and there would be nothing you could do about it. Sounds like it would sort of ruin the whole purpose of the cruise, huh?

 

Blue skies ...

 

--rita