Dress for "Smart Casual" nights

[susiesailor]

If my husband has a tux for formal nights does he also need to bring a blazer to wear for smart casual or will slacks and a golf shirt suffice? Many thanks for your replies.

[CruiserBruce]

Slacks and golf shirt is fine for casual nights.

[soldham]

For smart casual nights I have two requirements: a collar and button up. So IMHO - I think a golf shirt would suffice.

[musicismylife]

I agree, we wear work/school clothes for dinner. DH wears khaki pants and an oxford shirt or golf shirt. I wear dress pants and a jacket or sweater set.
We do like to dress up a little bit more when we eat in the Pinnacle.

Enjoy your cruise!

[Krazy Kruizers]

If my husband has a tux for formal nights does he also need to bring a blazer to wear for smart casual or will slacks and a golf shirt suffice? Many thanks for your replies.

Welcome to Cruise Critic.

My DH wears slacks and a polo shirt on smart Casual nights. In the Caribbean - on a couple of nights we will wear Caribbean/Hawaiian shirts.

If you plan on doing Le Cirque -- it is usually on a smart casual night -- he will need a jacket. The notation indicates that jacket is required but I saw several men not wearing a jacket on the Nieuw Amsterdam and nothing was said to them.

[Nasmas]

I think slacks and a golf shirt would be fine. I was just reminded of a trip we made to Cancun shortly after we were married. We we staying at one of the all inclusive places and Ed called to see about the dress code. Some of the restaurants had a dress code and some of them didn't. He hung up and said the lady said, "No shorts on men, and a colored shirt.' He asked, 'Do you think its any color.' We got a good laugh out of that after I told him she was probably trying to say 'collared shirt'

[pstata]

The cruise lines should post pictures for the different dress codes, showing; this is suggested:) or this is not exceptable:(.

[3rdGenCunarder]

The cruise lines should post pictures for the different dress codes, showing; this is suggested:) or this is not exceptable:(.

They do show pictures in the brochures, don't they show people? (Shows how much attention I pay to the pictures :o)

They should not show pictures of anything that is not acceptable because, unfortunately, some people will see the photos but not read the caption. Plus, HAL too afraid of offending anyone. They don't want to say "no," to anything, even when they should. That's why dress codes are "suggested."

[rwstout]

For my teen boys I planed the same thing slacks and colard shirts. And even suits for formal nights. Is this the right thing or should I let them wear what they want other than shorts and shirts and jeans with holes in them?

[schoolinmy3]

For my teen boys I planed the same thing slacks and colard shirts. And even suits for formal nights. Is this the right thing or should I let them wear what they want other than shorts and shirts and jeans with holes in them?

I think the best thing is to stick with slacks and collared shirts for evening and plan on suits for formal nights as you planned. If not a suit then a blazer, shirt and tie would work with Dockers in a pinch. I have done this when we were tight on making things fit in a suitcase (with 3 men in the family it becomes difficult - women's clothes just weigh so much less;)). On the last cruise my son forgot to pack his Dockers and had shorts only (nice shorts - this was for Bermuda) and he felt uncomfortable going to dinner. (He did wear a collared shirt) So I would venture that they would feel more comfortable blending in with whatever everyone else is wearing. Now, nobody is really going to say anything if you are eating in the Lido in shorts but they may just feel more comfortable.
diane

[rwstout]

I like seein my boys dressed up anyway. Now my daughter she loves being dressed up so this was no problem

[JYGresham]

We're of the old school and still wear the tux and dressy pantsuit or skirt and top on formal nights and jacket or blazer, shirt and tie and a bit less dressy outfitfor myself for smart casual, only because we still enjoy doing so as we seldom have the occasion to do so at home. I see nothing wrong with nice slacks and sport shirt for those who prefer to do so.

[Rutland Gate]

For my teen boys I planed the same thing slacks and colard shirts. And even suits for formal nights. Is this the right thing or should I let them wear what they want other than shorts and shirts and jeans with holes in them?

Do you teach school in California?

[susiesailor]

I think slacks and a golf shirt would be fine. I was just reminded of a trip we made to Cancun shortly after we were married. We we staying at one of the all inclusive places and Ed called to see about the dress code. Some of the restaurants had a dress code and some of them didn't. He hung up and said the lady said, "No shorts on men, and a colored shirt.' He asked, 'Do you think its any color.' We got a good laugh out of that after I told him she was probably trying to say 'collared shirt'

That would crack me up.

[gregdude]

Blazer, slacks, button down shirt, and tie for formal nights (you will see very few with a tux), and slacks with a golf shirt work any other night. There has been a major change in what men wear since baggage fees and restrictions have kicked in. I also suspect that this trend will continue as baby boomers retire and do more cruising. By the time the current 20-30 year old folks start cruising in great numbers formal nights will completely disappear. Formal nights have already disappeared on some of the "high end" cruise lines.

[1 HappyCruiser]

Blazer, slacks, button down shirt, and tie for formal nights (you will see very few with a tux), and slacks with a golf shirt work any other night. There has been a major change in what men wear since baggage fees and restrictions have kicked in. I also suspect that this trend will continue as baby boomers retire and do more cruising. By the time the current 20-30 year old folks start cruising in great numbers formal nights will completely disappear. Formal nights have already disappeared on some of the "high end" cruise lines.

I believe it was Regent that voted them out last year so it might not be to long for the others to officially amend their codes.

[iancal]

Regent, Azamara, Oceana to name a few.

[1 HappyCruiser]

Regent, Azamara, Oceana to name a few.

All three of those cruise lines are quite expensive to travel on.

[iancal]

Yes, they are.

We only travel with casual clothing now and skip dinner in the MDR on formal nights. It makes packing a breeze.

[1 HappyCruiser]

Yes, they are.

We only travel with casual clothing now and skip dinner in the MDR on formal nights. It makes packing a breeze.

If they would only offer the same food as in the dining room I wouldn't have any problem with it. I don't need the ambiance or the feeling of playing a role, or photo's on the special night or what ever it is that attracts the formalists to dress up. We simply enjoy cruising an a line that's a little better than the others & dressing casually doesn't lower the bar, except in some peoples eyes.

[RuthC]

If they would only offer the same food as in the dining room I wouldn't have any problem with it.
I don't know who you mean by "they", but HAL does serve the same food in the Lido as is served in the dining room. The dining room menu is also available for room service dinner.
There is no need for someone who doesn't want to dress to code to forgo the food they want while remaining dressed in day wear.

[Opinions]

I don't know who you mean by "they", but HAL does serve the same food in the Lido as is served in the dining room.

I haven't found that HAL serves the "same food" in the Lido as in the main dining room for dinner...They do try but it's not always the same...How often do you eat in the Lido for dinner?

[1 HappyCruiser]

I don't know who you mean by "they", but HAL does serve the same food in the Lido as is served in the dining room. The dining room menu is also available for room service dinner.
There is no need for someone who doesn't want to dress to code to forgo the food they want while remaining dressed in day wear.

Similar but not the same or as good or so I'm told.

[ironin]

Similar but not the same or as good or so I'm told.

Can't help but wonder when was the last time you actually sailed aboard a Holland America ship, if ever? IIRC, after about a dozen of your posts denouncing Holland America's new smoking policy, someone pointed out you didn't sail HAL and you didn't disagree with them about that.

[ironin]

I haven't found that HAL serves the "same food" in the Lido as in the main dining room for dinner...They do try but it's not always the same...How often do you eat in the Lido for dinner?

I was under the impression that it was cooked and prepared in the same place by the same chefs. The only difference being most of what is cooked is plated for the MDR or room service and some is placed into warming trays for the Lido. It seems to me that most of the difference is nothing more than the normal difference between dining at a buffet vs. dining at a restaurant.

[1 HappyCruiser]

Can't help but wonder when was the last time you actually sailed aboard a Holland America ship, if ever? IIRC, after about a dozen of your posts denouncing Holland America's new smoking policy, someone pointed out you didn't sail HAL and you didn't disagree with them about that.

I haven't sailed HAL & that's why I said "I'm told" and from what I read they don't have the same selections at the buffet. In a few months I'll be able to have my own objective opinion.

As far as the smoking policy goes when any cruise line I'm interested in sailing has smoking on the balcony then I know for sure it's something I don't appreciate. What's wrong with that, unless HAL has different balconies than Princess, NCL, RCI or a few other cruise lines?

[RuthC]

I haven't sailed HAL & that's why I said "I'm told" and from what I read they don't have the same selections at the buffet.
And yet you dispute the comment of someone who has cruised HAL extensively, and disembarked as recently as this past Monday.

[1 HappyCruiser]

And yet you dispute the comment of someone who has cruised HAL extensively, and disembarked as recently as this past Monday.

Many people have posed that the food is not exactly the same and I believe them. The buffets are typically inferior to dr food on all ships.

[iancal]

There is so much food, and so many places to eat on a cruise ship that I cannot imagine being concerned about the food in the Lido not being as good as the food in the MDR. After a few days, it will not matter that much. Does it really matter if it is not exactly identical on a given day????

If food is such a large part of the vacation eating banquet food in the MDR on a ship may not be the best way to spend that vacation.

[Opinions]

[QUOTE=RuthC;And yet you dispute the comment of someone who has cruised HAL extensively, and disembarked as recently as this past Monday.

Welcome back! How often did you have dinner in the Lido on your recent cruise?...My opinion is that the menu wasn't exactly the same as the main dining room...However that is just my perception...Obviously your experience has been different...I can understand someone who has never sailed on HAL being confused by what they are "told" on these boards...It could be very confusing trying to sort out the right answer.

[iancal]

That is what is so good about choice.

If someone is REALLY concerned that the food in the Lido is not absolutely IDENTICAL to the food in the MDR on every formal evening, then that person can dress accordingly and attend the MDR. Otherwise, move on or order room service.

We have yet to see anyone chained to the seat in the Lido, or any other buffet. Glued maybe, but not chained.

[1 HappyCruiser]

There is so much food, and so many places to eat on a cruise ship that I cannot imagine being concerned about the food in the Lido not being as good as the food in the MDR. After a few days, it will not matter that much. Does it really matter if it is not exactly identical on a given day????

If food is such a large part of the vacation eating banquet food in the MDR on a ship may not be the best way to spend that vacation.

It does to me when people tell me to go there on a formal night because I don't particularly like dressing. They obviously don't serve the same menu's on formal nights as has been confirmed by a lot of posters.
Now if they did have the better selections on formal nights I might consider it but as it stands I'll be in the main dining room knowing what to expect.

[Opinions]

[QUOTE=iancal;29643057]
If someone is REALLY concerned that the food in the Lido is not absolutely IDENTICAL to the food in the MDR on every formal evening, then that person can dress accordingly and attend the MDR. Otherwise, move on or order room service.

QUOTE]

On a 24 day Med cruise we had open seating and brought suitable clothes for formal nights...We got tables for two many of them inches away from tables for four...Early on in the cruise my wife and came down with a terrible cough...We found that in the Lido we could get a table that was far enough away from others that it wouldn't disturb others...We enjoyed the Lido...HAL does try to make it similar to the Lido but after several nights we found we missed the food in the main dining room...Of course by that time I had caught the cough.

We were eventually able to return to the main dining room...We appreciate that HAL provides the Lido...However for us we found it wasn't the same as the MDR...And not every one who eats in the Lido for dinner does it to avoid formal nights.

[iancal]

So what???

Nobody said the food in the Lido was the same, identical, or even as good as the food in the MDR every night. It isn't. Which is one reason why we usually avoid the Lido, or similar on other lines.

Nor was the question is the food as good in the Lido as it is in the MDR on formal nights. It probabably is not.

The question was...are the offerings the same on formal evening? And the answer from a knowlegeable respondent was yes, they are the same. That does not mean that they are identical down to the last green bean, only that they are similar enough, in the eyes of a very experienced HAL cruiser, to be called the same. Not as good, not better, just similar.

And even if they were not the same, would that matter? We often skip formal nights and frankly we do not expect the buffet to have the same offering, nor do we care. I do not think that HAL, or any other mainline cruise line makes gives any such undertaking to it's customers.

[1 HappyCruiser]

Just asking - but if there serving lobster tails or filet Mignon in the dining room, I wouldn't expect to see them on the buffet?

[Boytjie]

It does to me when people tell me to go there on a formal night because I don't particularly like dressing. They obviously don't serve the same menu's on formal nights as has been confirmed by a lot of posters.
Now if they did have the better selections on formal nights I might consider it but as it stands I'll be in the main dining room knowing what to expect.

Well, I guess the "price of admission" to get the food you want in the MDR is to dress according to code. so it's your choice: food or dress. ;)

[1 HappyCruiser]

Well, I guess the "price of admission" to get the food you want in the MDR is to dress according to code. so it's your choice: food or dress. ;)
I modify my dress accordingly so I'm reading up on just what I can get away with & still be admitted. I know just how far I can push it on Princess, RCI & Celebrity and just beginning to fine out about HAL. It does look a little more formal than the others so I might have to take a jacket along.

[iancal]

You can have my lobster tails from the MDR or the Lido....we never order them anymore. We have had the real meal deal fresh out of the water and cooked to perfection before.

The shipboard ones are often either tasteless, overcooked and tough, or both.

And why on earth would anyone want a nice piece of filet steak that had been sitting in the steam table getting browner and browner, tougher and tougher???
Not me.

[ironin]

I modify my dress accordingly so I'm reading up on just what I can get away with & still be admitted. I know just how far I can push it on Princess, RCI & Celebrity and just beginning to fine out about HAL. It does look a little more formal than the others so I might have to take a jacket along.

HAL is basically no more or less formal than Princess or Celebrity. Don't know about RCI but I imagine its about the same. Did you really find some difference in "what you can get away with & still be admitted" during your cruises on Celebrity and your cruises on Princess? Sounds to me like an odd standard by which to live but it's a reasonably free country and you are reasonably free to choose.

Just asking - but if there serving lobster tails or filet Mignon in the dining room, I wouldn't expect to see them on the buffet?No report I've read thus far has mentioned filet mignon otT being served in the Lido if it was being served in the MDR. A few people have mentioned that lobster tails, however, were not served on their particular voyage. IIRC, on the three ships I've been on within the past year, lobster tails were served in the Lido as part of the surf & turf entree. As Iancal's post above demonstrates, whether or not they are edible wherever served is a matter of opinion.

[1 HappyCruiser]

HAL is basically no more or less formal than Princess or Celebrity. Don't know about RCI but I imagine its about the same. Did you really find some difference in "what you can get away with & still be admitted" during your cruises on Celebrity and your cruises on Princess? Sounds to me like an odd standard by which to live but it's a reasonably free country and you are reasonably free to choose.

It's been a while since we've been on Celebrity but on our last cruise I did have my jacket on formal nights & just removed it once seated. On Princess & RCI, they've become very informal lately not even requiring a jacket but just a dress shirt & dress pants without any tie.

No report I've read thus far has mentioned filet mignon otT being served in the Lido if it was being served in the MDR. A few people have mentioned that lobster tails, however, were not served on their particular voyage. IIRC, on the three ships I've been on within the past year, lobster tails were served in the Lido as part of the surf & turf entree. As Iancal's post above demonstrates, whether or not they are edible wherever served is a matter of opinion.

Well that good to know. The quality of the tails is sometimes questionable on any of the cruise lines but I still fine them OK most times.
Princess had a seafood butted offered in the buffet for a few years but has mostly done away with it because of expense. Some people still say they've had it on certain cruises.

[catetill]

So are JEANS unacceptable for dinner for boys in general? Not hole-y jeans but decent jeans with a button down shirt?

[iancal]

I would not have a probem with them.

Issue is, some people like to imply that wearing jeans or demin implies that they are automatically dirty, greasy, full of rips and tears, and the rest of the person's attire is similar. They cannot, for some reason, seem to admit that a good pair of jeans or demin, especially if worn by an adult with a sports jacket, could be acceptable casual wear. I suspect that they don't get out much.