Re dress code: formal nights query

[Gunther1]

Has anybody actually had their meal ruined because the people next to them were dressed in "smart casual" as opposed to "formal" ? I'm not talking Daisy Dukes and flip flops here...just "smart casual".

[jkrislc]

My meal hasn't been ruined and I don't really care what people wear. However, it annoys me that cruise lines post a dress code and then don't enforce it. If you're not going to enforce a dress code, then don't have one.

On the Oosterdam last month, there was a sign outside the main dining room stating that jackets were required for men on formal night; however, this wasn't enforced, so I don't know why they bothered posting a sign. If it was a suggestion (although note that "required" as the word on the sign), just let me know so that I can choose how to dress.

[Boytjie]

As if we need another thread like this... :rolleyes:

[SuiteLady]

I have not ever had my meal ruined because of what someone else wears, however I do agree with the last poster...y bother if ur not going to enforce it??? I spend the meal focusing on my family and enjoying ourselves. Last cruise, my 16 year old even made the comment as to y people were not following the rules on the dress code and that he felt it was disrespectful since there are other places to eat if they do not want to adhere to the formal dress code. We made sure our kids knew of there choice on this and my only request is that they did at least 1 of the formal nights and THEY CHOSE to do the 2nd:D Our next cruise has 3 and they are already discussing dress clothes, etc for the MDR and formal nights~~ I love it!!

[Jo-Bob]

Has anybody actually had their meal ruined because the people next to them were dressed in "smart casual" as opposed to "formal" ? I'm not talking Daisy Dukes and flip flops here...just "smart casual".

Ruined? Really?

While I appreciate that Formal Night is a really special part of a cruise for a great many, it would be rather pathetic if one allowed their dinner to be ruined by such a petty matter. What are you going to do about it? There's not much you can at that point, IMO, it would be pretty foolish to waste your meal and your evening being so irritated by others apparel.

What would ruin my dinner would be being seated with people for whom a matter like this would ruin THEIR dinner. I can imagine the drama!

[RuthC]

In all the years I have been reading this board, not once have I read a post where someone said seeing someone underdressed had "ruined" their meal, evening, cruise, or anything else.

[sfels]

In all the years I have been reading this board, not once have I read a post where someone said seeing someone underdressed had "ruined" their meal, evening, cruise, or anything else.


Underdressed is not a problem but I suspect seeing someone undressed at dinner could have an adverse effect. :)

[Globaliser]

Has anybody actually had their meal ruined because the people next to them were dressed in "smart casual" as opposed to "formal" ?Not ruined. And I can't imagine how that would truly ruin someone's meal.

But "ambience was adversely affected"? Yes.

[RonJoan]

We live in a complex world of certain practices that are codified into "rules".

My meals have not been specifically ruined by someone underdressing for dinner. But I am always annoyed by those who self-appoint themselves to be "above the rules" and deliberately flaunt them even when there are abundant reasonable alternatives.

And when they go further, as you just did, and taunt those who choose to follow the rules they show their real character.

Nice going!

RonJoan

[Gunther1]

I am seriously asking if anybody has had their meal ruined. No sarcasm intended.

[SwissMyst]

Has anybody actually had their meal ruined because the people next to them were dressed in "smart casual" as opposed to "formal" ? I'm not talking Daisy Dukes and flip flops here...just "smart casual".

Yeah, I'll bite on this one. On our one disastrous Pinnacle Grill (6/18/2010 -Zuiderdam) experience a disheveled young man and his female friend came in late, dressed extremely casually, open shirt, chains etc, girlfriend also very provocatively dressed for a drag race but their table got lavish attention from the staff, so I assumed they were regular and probably suite guests (aka high tippers?).

Meanwhile, we dressed appropriately for our special night in the PG withered under very negligent and tardy care, as well as extremely bad food. We started out with such high expectations and we both kept quiet about our growing and mutual disappointment, but when these casually dressed yeehaws dropped in well after after reservations had closed and got such personal and affable attentions, both DH and I finally shared how disappointing the entire evening and meal had been and could hardly wait to get the check and get out of there.

Bad taste took on an entirely new definition after that one really bad evening.
So no dress requirements I believe at the PG, but the setting begged to honored with a little more attention to dress than looking like you had just come in from a work-out session at the gym.

Okay, let me have it. :p

[Gunther1]

In spite of what RonJuan is insinuating about my original question, I was actually wondering :).

Although, I don't know if what you describe could be called smart casual :)......hehehe.

[RonJoan]

In spite of what RonJuan is insinuating about my original question, I was actually wondering :).


You can run for cover Gunther, but you won't be able to hide! Your original intent is clear!

RonJoan

[Gunther1]

I respectfully submit that it is somewhat presumptious of you to be able to get inside my head and know what my intent is. I just reread my original post and maybe it's me, but I see no hint of sarcasm. Maybe I'm niave ?

In any case, I shall let you have the final word. I won't reply :)....it's all yours.

Thank you SwissMyst for answering my question :).

[fann1sh]

I reported the original post as offensive and hope this whole thread gets pulled.

If this isn't a "When did you stop beating your wife?" question, I don't know what is.

You follow the cruise line's dress code, and care enough about it that your meal was ruined? Wow, then you must be a bad and judgmental person....and there are probably more like you in the "I follow the ship's dress code" camp who just won't admit they're bad and judgmental.

You follow the cruise line's dress code, and don't care enough about it that your meal wasn't ruined? Wow, then you admit how people dress isn't important, and so dress codes should be abolished.

[kazu]

You can run for cover Gunther, but you won't be able to hide! Your original intent is clear!

RonJoan

ok, I am confused. what did Gunther do but ask a question.

In response to yours since it seems to be very important, it will be bother me a bit if I see people do not adhere to the dress code BUT,,,,,,,,,,,,,

whether they are at our table or some one else's , they will not spoil my dinner. How someone else chooses to dress is their choice. Mine is to dress and feel great. Each to their own.

and to Gunther - no need to hide - you asked & answered the question as did I, let the flames begin:eek: I seriously don't think there was any harm intended in the question:confused:

[lorekauf]

Come on now....how could anyone see this as anything but sarcastic. I think some people must have too much free time:rolleyes:. I too, hope this thread gets pulled.

[RuthC]

Gunther, I think your question was sincere and innocent. But probably not the best idea to post it.

Hang in there, this, too shall pass.

[Linda&Vern]

Here's what made us "sad" during formal nights (all four of them) on our recent Alaska cruise (upper 5:45 fixed dining) ...

Well over 25% of the seats were empty. As the cruise progressed more and more seats were empty on formal nights. Sometimes entire tables were empty. It made us "sad" that people were missing the formality of a nice dinner because of their fashion choices.

It does not matter what we think of formal dress ... but for what it's worth our personal opinion is that it's easier to pack for formal nights. DH - one tux and a couple of shirts. Me - this trip one velvet jacket, one velvet long skirt, and four tiny colorful lace or sparkle tank tops. In our minds that was easier than coordinating four more outfits for "casual dinners."

[SwissMyst]

..... but for what it's worth our personal opinion is that it's easier to pack for formal nights. DH - one tux and a couple of shirts. Me - this trip one velvet jacket, one velvet long skirt, and four tiny colorful lace or sparkle tank tops. In our minds that was easier than coordinating four more outfits for "casual dinners."[/SIZE][/FONT]

In total agreement. My most packable clothes are the sparkle tops - no ironing needed at all. They tuck easily into the suitcase and now that the lovely beaded tops got too heavy for airline baggage allowances, their easy care sparkle fabric substitutes now find any old corner in the suitcase just fine.

[MS MIZZOU]

My husband and I love to dress for special occasions and if a cruise formal night isn't one of the few occasions left these days, what is? Perhaps it is because we are of a different era since it seems the younger people hate to dress up. The casual dressers are the ones who stick out like sore thumbs and not the ones who dress appropriately.

On a trans-Atlantic crossing, one of our female tablemates (a real rebel in other ways which was a pain) wore jeans and t-shirts every night except formal nights when she wore a man's very loud Hawaiian shirt and slacks. Her husband was an orthopedic surgeon, so it wasn't a matter of not being able to afford dressier clothes. Also, it was their third cruise that year alone, so they certainly would have gotten use of a nice outfit if not at home.

Although she didn't follow the "rules", she took it upon herself to dump the piano player's ashtray on the dance floor because he broke the rules and was smoking while playing. She was very proud that she was booed by the other passengers when all she had to do was go to the desk and ask someone in authority to stop him.

[1 HappyCruiser]

My meal hasn't been ruined and I don't really care what people wear. However, it annoys me that cruise lines post a dress code and then don't enforce it. If you're not going to enforce a dress code, then don't have one.

On the Oosterdam last month, there was a sign outside the main dining room stating that jackets were required for men on formal night; however, this wasn't enforced, so I don't know why they bothered posting a sign. If it was a suggestion (although note that "required" as the word on the sign), just let me know so that I can choose how to dress.

I'm glad to hear that they are more lenient than people on this board would have you believe. We're seriously considering a cruise on HAL & don't care for the formality of dressing up on formal nights. We just enjoy eating a good meal in the main dining room without all the fanfare - and no we don't like the buffet for our dinner meal.

[mamaofami]

On our recent Maasdam cruise, we saw more dark suits than tuxes, but there were a few men in sport shirts, no jackets. We asked the dining room manager about it and he said they have a few jackets to hand out to guests, and after that they will not refuse entrance to the dining room unless the people are dressed in shorts.

[readytocruiseagain!]

Here's what made us "sad" during formal nights (all four of them) on our recent Alaska cruise (upper 5:45 fixed dining) ...

Well over 25% of the seats were empty. As the cruise progressed more and more seats were empty on formal nights. Sometimes entire tables were empty. It made us "sad" that people were missing the formality of a nice dinner because of their fashion choices."

It would not surprise me at all if the dress code had nothing to do with people missing the early dinner on an Alaskan cruise. Many shore excursions and other activities run into this dinner time or don't allow adequate time to clean up for dinner.

[RuthC]

It would not surprise me at all if the dress code had nothing to do with people missing the early dinner on an Alaskan cruise. Many shore excursions and other activities run into this dinner time or don't allow adequate time to clean up for dinner.
Agreed. Also, Alaska has such long, lingering daylight and spectacular scenery, that many people like to be outside taking it all in for as long as they can. This cuts down on dining room attendance, too.

[CDRMark]

Not ruined. And I can't imagine how that would truly ruin someone's meal.

But "ambience was adversely affected"? Yes.

{Emphasis added} I also believe that this is the correct sentiment.
Disappointment, yes
Frustration, yes
Ruination, nope
Cheers
Mark

[Randyk47]

{Emphasis added} I also believe that this is the correct sentiment.
Disappointment, yes
Frustration, yes
Ruination, nope
Cheers
Mark

I'll vote for that.

[SwissMyst]

I'm glad to hear that they are more lenient than people on this board would have you believe. We're seriously considering a cruise on HAL & don't care for the formality of dressing up on formal nights. We just enjoy eating a good meal in the main dining room without all the fanfare - and no we don't like the buffet for our dinner meal.

Why not simply choose another cruise line that does not have the formal traditions that HAL likes to maintain. NCL touts "free style" cruising and others even high end cruise lines, offer "smart casual" for all dining at any of their restaurants. If HAL suggests a dress code for some evenings, this is a clue that the ship might not be a good match for your own vacation wishes. :confused:

[babyher]

Yeah, I'll bite on this one. On our one disastrous Pinnacle Grill (6/18/2010 -Zuiderdam) experience a disheveled young man and his female friend came in late, dressed extremely casually, open shirt, chains etc, girlfriend also very provocatively dressed for a drag race but their table got lavish attention from the staff, so I assumed they were regular and probably suite guests (aka high tippers?).

Meanwhile, we dressed appropriately for our special night in the PG withered under very negligent and tardy care, as well as extremely bad food. We started out with such high expectations and we both kept quiet about our growing and mutual disappointment, but when these casually dressed yeehaws dropped in well after after reservations had closed and got such personal and affable attentions, both DH and I finally shared how disappointing the entire evening and meal had been and could hardly wait to get the check and get out of there.

Bad taste took on an entirely new definition after that one really bad evening.
So no dress requirements I believe at the PG, but the setting begged to honored with a little more attention to dress than looking like you had just come in from a work-out session at the gym.

Okay, let me have it. :p

:) Not going to let you have it .

I certainly understand your dissappointment after an evening you were looking so forward to turned out way less than expected.

But the fault seems to lie more with the the servers and kitchen staff.

The "YEEHAW" couple didn't cook your lousy food . The chef did

The "YEEHAW" couple didn't neglect you and fawn all over themselves . The wait staff did .

I am sure the dsheveled couple being there didn't make matters any better , but it certainly wasn't their fault .

[iancal]

'missing the formality of a nice dinner'.....that presupposes that everyone feels the same way that you do about it.

We used to, but we do not anymore. For us, missing dinner in the MDR on formal nights or on other nights when we don't feel like sitting through the 1 1/2 -2 hour process is a choice, not a loss.

Alaska cruises are more informal, but as others have noted shore excurcursion and daylight viewing tend to take precedence.

Afer all, you can always get another dinner in the MDR of a cruise ship. How often, especially in good weather, will you get to see the fantastic sights in Alaska?

[CDRMark]

I'm glad to hear that they are more lenient than people on this board would have you believe. We're seriously considering a cruise on HAL & don't care for the formality of dressing up on formal nights. We just enjoy eating a good meal in the main dining room without all the fanfare - and no we don't like the buffet for our dinner meal.
Some of us do not consider ladies and gentlemen dressing formally for a special occasion "fanfare," especially when the bar for "formal" is so low.
Cheers
Mark

[SwissMyst]

:) Not going to let you have it .

I certainly understand your dissappointment after an evening you were looking so forward to turned out way less than expected.

But the fault seems to lie more with the the servers and kitchen staff.

The "YEEHAW" couple didn't cook your lousy food . The chef did

The "YEEHAW" couple didn't neglect you and fawn all over themselves . The wait staff did .

I am sure the dsheveled couple being there didn't make matters any better , but it certainly wasn't their fault .

Points well taken, but the story talked about a "ruined meal" and this couple's dress, attitude and presence was very much a part of the entire negative experience. Now you can let me have it! :p

This came mainly from feeling it must have been a bad night for the staff which can happen, but then to see the staff fawning over this couple (which was not their fault - agreed) it was the final insult in the entire package for us. So we were obliquely affected by this couple; though not directly.

[scopewest]

The last formal night MDR dinner was ruined for us because of the noise level in the dining room. We had eaten our prior meals in the PG, and the chatter and clatter in the MDR really stood out.

What people wear is never an issue with me. How they act is a different story.

[Globaliser]

What people wear is never an issue with me.So you'd be happy for the MDR to admit people wearing cut-off shorts, bikini tops and string vests at dinner?

[babyher]

Points well taken, but the story talked about a "ruined meal" and this couple's dress, attitude and presence was very much a part of the entire negative experience. Now you can let me have it! :p

This came mainly from feeling it must have been a bad night for the staff which can happen, but then to see the staff fawning over this couple (which was not their fault - agreed) it was the final insult in the entire package for us. So we were obliquely affected by this couple; though not directly.


NOPE you are gonna have to do better than that ....I still won't let you have it :) *LOL*

I agree with you ..... and certainly understand your dissappointment , But if you had had the same lousy food and service and the couple next to you being fawned upon were dressed to the nines , would it be any less or a lousy experience.

Again not arguing with you , because I really do understand your side . Just looking at it from a different angle

[Math Guy]

As if we need another thread like this... :rolleyes:

It's actually quite entertaining. Some of the comments harken the Monty Python days.

[babyher]

So you'd be happy for the MDR to admit people wearing cut-off shorts, bikini tops and string vests at dinner?



As long as the person wasn't filthy dirty and stunk, and they were nice friendly people . I truly wouldn't care .

Of course with my luck if I had a tablemate show up in Daisy Dukes and a Bikini Top it would be a big fat hairy guy named Mel :( *LOL*

[1 HappyCruiser]

On our recent Maasdam cruise, we saw more dark suits than tuxes, but there were a few men in sport shirts, no jackets. We asked the dining room manager about it and he said they have a few jackets to hand out to guests, and after that they will not refuse entrance to the dining room unless the people are dressed in shorts.

Are you saying that they gave our jackets to the first to arrive in the dining room & let the others slide except if they had shorts on? I could only begin to wonder how many a few was?

Why not simply choose another cruise line that does not have the formal traditions that HAL likes to maintain. NCL touts "free style" cruising and others even high end cruise lines, offer "smart casual" for all dining at any of their restaurants. If HAL suggests a dress code for some evenings, this is a clue that the ship might not be a good match for your own vacation wishes. :confused:

We choose a particular trip based on how good the rep of the cruise line is in the past. NCL doesn't come close, we're getting a little tired of Princess & need a change, RCI is OK but we're also getting a little tired of the routine & need a change, Costa is out of the running- to many smokers, Celebrity is OK but not for where we want to go on our next trip. So that leaves HAL, which other that being a little stuffy about the dressing rates up there with everything else. All the other cruise lines which have a relaxed dress code are much to expensive for us. Seeing that we haven't sailed on HAL yet it should prove to be a new experience and from what I'm reading not all that formal.

Some of us do not consider ladies and gentlemen dressing formally for a special occasion "fanfare," especially when the bar for "formal" is so low.
Cheers
Mark

Then you should continue to dress as you have in the past & enjoy the cruise.

[SwissMyst]

[FONT=Comic Sans MS]We choose a particular trip based on how good the rep of the cruise line is in the past. NCL doesn't come close, we're getting a little tired of Princess & need a change, RCI is OK but we're also getting a little tired of the routine & need a change, Costa is out of the running- to many smokers, Celebrity is OK but not for where we want to go on our next trip. So that leaves HAL, which other that being a little stuffy about the dressing rates up there with everything else. All the other cruise lines which have a relaxed dress code are much to expensive for us. Seeing that we haven't sailed on HAL yet it should prove to be a new experience and from what I'm reading not all that formal.


.............

HAL still tries to maintain formal nights. How about not flaunting this and just go with it; dress up and enjoy the experience. You know this ahead of time. We are talking about approx 4 hours out of your entire cruise experience, yet you are "demanding" you want to ignore these two nights of special dress suggestions and bring them down a notch for your own comfort level?

Please reconsider those four hours and not let it ruin your cruise or the others you are sharing your time with on this floating container who did come expecting dress suggestions and formal night would be a special part of the overall HAL cruise experience.

Yes, this means alternate dining for those four hours while you let the rest of the ship enjoy this special experience who do want to dress up and share the evening in the dressed up dining room with a little extra sparkle and glow for those very few evenings.

You are expected to wear bathing attire in the pools and you are also expected to dress appropriately for formal nights. This is HAL. And hope to God it stays that way since there are so many "free style" options for others to choose.

[iancal]

I do not think that HAL tries in the least to maintain formal nights.

HAL does not enforce their own rules.....how would one come to the conclusion that they truly wish to maintain formal nights???

[1 HappyCruiser]

HAL still tries to maintain formal nights. How about not flaunting this and just go with it; dress up and enjoy the experience. You know this ahead of time. We are talking about approx 4 hours out of your entire cruise experience, yet you are "demanding" you want to ignore these two nights of special dress suggestions and bring them down a notch for your own comfort level?

Please reconsider those four hours and not let it ruin your cruise or the others you are sharing your time with on this floating container who did come expecting dress suggestions and formal night would be a special part of the overall HAL cruise experience.

Yes, this means alternate dining for those four hours while you let the rest of the ship enjoy this special experience who do want to dress up and share the evening in the dressed up dining room with a little extra sparkle and glow for those very few evenings.

You are expected to wear bathing attire in the pools and you are also expected to dress appropriately for formal nights. This is HAL. And hope to God it stays that way since there are so many "free style" options for others to choose.

We still dress nicely although not formally and keep to ourselves at a table for 2. If it takes something away from those that require others to be formally dressed, I apologize but I see it as not that big of a deal since others will be similarly dressed especially outside the DR doors. Those that wish to dress up can certainly continue to do so and even stay dressed for the entire evening.

[SwissMyst]

I do not think that HAL tries in the least to maintain formal nights.

HAL does not enforce their own rules.....how would one come to the conclusion that they truly wish to maintain formal nights???

Because HAL still has them and offers dress guideline suggestions? Other ships have given up the ship so to speak and don't even bother. High end ships who don't have these guidelines have perhaps learned from experience that most of their passengers already know "how to dress", do you think?

Though even on Crystal we had a guy who would come to every meal in shorts and a loose flowing top and would dine alone - I think he was a known entity long time cruiser and while the Maitre D' expressed displeasure to us when we asked about this, it was clear Crystal was not going to kick him out either. Though 99% of Crystal diners did adhere very nicely to formal night dress expectations and you got the sense this was something they very much enjoyed doing. It was a treat.

[SwissMyst]

You're got that right! I bend the dress code to fit my style & would turn in a smoker for violations in a flash. On your next trip try complaining about someone not following the dress code if it make you feel better and see where it gets you.

It would get the ear of management and with enough of them there can be an impact. If no one complains, then management can rightfully assume dressing down on dress up nights is okay.

But agree, this is a corporate decision and if there is more money to be made relaxing formal dress guidelines into oblivion and doing so wins more passengers than it loses, then HAL will follow the money and one can not blame them.

There are smaller ships where people instinctively follow dress guidelines whether they are suggested or not, because they like them for themselves first and want their time on board to feel special -- mainly those smaller lines who cater to British passengers and they also tend to have the better onboard lectures and enrichment programs as well. (Voyages of Discovery - Swan Hellenic - Voyages to Antiquity)

[iancal]

One is harmful to other people's health, the other is not. Well, fashion may hurt your eyes but it is not long lasting.

[Rutland Gate]

You're got that right! I bend the dress code to fit my style & would turn in a smoker for violations in a flash. On your next trip try complaining about someone not following the dress code if it make you feel better and see where it gets you.

You have said you have never travelled on Holland America Line. If you showed up on a formal night near me, I would tell the Dining Room Manager that if you didn't disappear and reappear in proper dress I would:
1) cancel automatic tips.
2) offer a $50 bounty to any waiter (per formal night) who would not wait on you, or wait on you last.
3) ditto for the wine stewards, although you probably only drink tap water.
I don't think I'd find you in a Deluxe Cabin. On the Navigation Deck they are very concerned about our comfort. I'm sure you would prefer a more equal society, and good for you, but I'm not there. You will recognize me as the fellow in a Mess Jacket and Medals (with a cane, from my permanent and total combat related disability). A cigarette helps sometimes. My friend Jim Vrhovac, with whom I served,doesn't post here anymore because of the political acrimony about smoking. We'll see.

[Globaliser]

There are smaller ships where people instinctively follow dress guidelines whether they are suggested or not, because they like them for themselves first and want their time on board to feel special -- mainly those smaller lines who cater to British passengers and they also tend to have the better onboard lectures and enrichment programs as well.It's not just smaller ships. I believe that the big Princess ships that have been earmarked to cater specifically for the UK market also see a much bigger proportion of passengers who abide by the suggested dress code, and indeed see lots of dinner suits (tuxedos) on these ships.

[scopewest]

So you'd be happy for the MDR to admit people wearing cut-off shorts, bikini tops and string vests at dinner?

Yep. Especially if they're nice, kind people whom I enjoy talking to, and don't behave like the gang next to us at our last formal night who left their little kids alone at the table to whoop it up without adult supervision. Dress or lack of is never an issue for me. And 10 years from now, I suspect the mass cruise lines will have a new hot topic of controversy.

[Linda&Vern]

It would not surprise me at all if the dress code had nothing to do with people missing the early dinner on an Alaskan cruise. Many shore excursions and other activities run into this dinner time or don't allow adequate time to clean up for dinner.

Agreed. Also, Alaska has such long, lingering daylight and spectacular scenery, that many people like to be outside taking it all in for as long as they can. This cuts down on dining room attendance, too.


We used to, but we do not anymore. For us, missing dinner in the MDR on formal nights or on other nights when we don't feel like sitting through the 1 1/2 -2 hour process is a choice, not a loss. Alaska cruises are more informal, but as others have noted shore excurcursion and daylight viewing tend to take precedence. Afer all, you can always get another dinner in the MDR of a cruise ship. How often, especially in good weather, will you get to see the fantastic sights in Alaska?

Actually, 3 of the formal nights were on sea days and 1 was on an early port departure day. The views from the MDR were fantastic! I was only pointing out that it did make us sad that so many decided to miss the dinners due to the "dress" for the evening. It was only our opinion. You are free to dress for your pleasure and eat in the Lido or your Cabin on formal evenings.

[iancal]

From experience, the view may be fine from SOME of the seats in the MDR but I have to say it does not come close to the views that one gets while standing on deck in good, clear weather.

We would GLADLY give up dinner in the MDR to stand outside on a nice day watching the Alaskan scenery go by. This is what we go for-we can get dinner anywhere, anytime.

[PirateShark]

If the program says formal night, I'll be formal.

If the program says smart casual, I'll be smart casual.

The rest of the time - I'm in a bathrobe ;)

[3rdGenCunarder]

If the program says formal night, I'll be formal.

If the program says smart casual, I'll be smart casual.

The rest of the time - I'm in a bathrobe ;)

Uh-oh, I hope that doesn't include the pool area. I can see this thread taking a whole new direction! :eek:

[fleckle]

From experience, the view may be fine from SOME of the seats in the MDR but I have to say it does not come close to the views that one gets while standing on deck in good, clear weather.

We would GLADLY give up dinner in the MDR to stand outside on a nice day watching the Alaskan scenery go by. This is what we go for-we can get dinner anywhere, anytime.Or have the best of both -- order everything you want from the dining room dinner menu to enjoy out on your balcony.
(If you don't have a balcony, make friends with someone who does and share theirs.)

A peaceful dinner on your own balcony while enjoying the fresh air and great Alaska scenery is as good as it gets on a cruise. It is the next best thing to having dinner on your own private yacht.


Furthermore, you get to dress formally, or informally, or in your bathrobe, however the mood strikes you.

[ellieanne]

Well over 25% of the seats were empty. As the cruise progressed more and more seats were empty on formal nights. Sometimes entire tables were empty. It made us "sad" that people were missing the formality of a nice dinner because of their fashion choices.

Have you thought that perhaps the tables were empty because the people seated there decided that whatever was on the menu that night was not to their liking? Or that they had already had plans to eat in another venue? Maybe they had a big lunch or a late lunch and were simply not hungry. Maybe they had made arrangements to eat with friends at another table or another time.

How can you be certain that they missed the formality of a nice dinner because of fashion choices?