Dress Code?

[AZgoddess]

We just booked a last-minute deal on the Zuiderdam. Unfortunately our packets of info have not yet arrived and the HAL website is down. Can anyone tell me the basics of dress code on this ship, or others similar? I'm concerned because I believe I read on this site that jeans, sorts, bathings suits etc. are not acceptable in public areas. I understand this code for the dining room at meals, but how can shorts not be acceptable mid-day attire for walking around the decks on a Carribbean cruise? Any guidance on the interpretation of this rule is greatly appreciated.

[Esme]

shorts are definitely acceptable during the day no matter where you are on the ship. No shorts or jeans in the dining room at dinner time.

Bathing suits must have a cover up when inside the ship, even when walking through the Lido.

You will probably have 2 formal nights, 1 Informal (for men, jacket, tie optional) and 4 casual nights.

Have a great time. :)

[smoosh21]

How formal are the 'formal nights' on the ships (and even the informal night)? I figure its time that I invest in a tux, so I will be bringing one onboard and wearing it to dinner. But, once dinner is over and I want to walk around the ship, I will probably want to change. Do men wear their tuxes all night? Is it emphasized to stay dressed formally on all parts of the ship?

[sail7seas]

Yes, dress code is for the evening....not just dinner.


Formal means dark suit and tie or tuxedo for gentlemen. It is requested we remain dressed per the dress code of the day in all public areas all evening.

[kruzkeen]

How formal are the 'formal nights' on the ships (and even the informal night)? I figure its time that I invest in a tux, so I will be bringing one onboard and wearing it to dinner. But, once dinner is over and I want to walk around the ship, I will probably want to change. Do men wear their tuxes all night? Is it emphasized to stay dressed formally on all parts of the ship?
A suggestion. Buy a tux that has adjustable waist buckles on the side. If you do, you do not need suspenders that can be uncomfortable. After dinner it is easy to let out the sides a little and the cumberbund breathes with you.

I have never had a problem being comfortable and dare I say debonair all evening in my tux.

[AZgoddess]

Thanks everyone! I'm really looking forward to our trip :)

[Landlubber54]

Picked up a "dress code" thread from the Celebrity site and, believing that X and HAL are very similar in many ways(I mean that in a good way, I think.), I wanted to raise the question here on this existing HAL thread.

I have never cruised, so I want to be fully prepared. For formal nights, I fully intend to have a tux or dark suit to wear to the dining room and to a show, if I go.


Now if I elect to eat at the Lido, am I expected to dress formally? And I assume that a pool, jacuzzi and or spa may be available on formal nights as well. Without checking the deck plans, are the "informal" areas of the ship sufficiently isolated from the public "formal" areas to avoid unacceptable "comingling".:eek:

[Opinions]

[QUOTE=sail7seas][


[b]Formal means dark suit and tie or tuxedo for gentlemen.

According to HAL a suit or tuxedo are not required for formal night...A jacket, slacks and tie are acceptable.

[jhannah]

That is correct. They have dressed their policy down where the only technical difference in formal and informal nights is the tie.

[benjamins]

Yes, dress code is for the evening....not just dinner.




I don't know if this is true anymore. Celebrity has changed to dress codes fo dining rooms and offer casual every night. Casual diners dress casually, even in jeans, on formal nights. So much for shipboard ambiance. For those that say why care how someone else dresses, my argument would be going to any type of party, Haloween, Country and Western, masquerade, and finding some people dressed along with the theme while others were not. It is an attempt to create a unified atmosphere, not judge people on their choice of clothing.


Not too long ago, Celebrity and HAL offered options to those that wanted shipboard dress nights. Now, it seems both offer casual alternatives every night, and no longer is the dress code for the entire ship, but only for the dining room. This totally changes the onboard character of the ship, IMO. I'm sorry to see these lines go in this direction.

Another thing I've noticed is HAL and Celebrity, once fairly distinguished from each other but both offering a reasonably premium type of cruise, are mimicing each other. Soon Celebrity will go to 4 seatings rather than 2. HAL has already put Millennium type of features on their ships with the glass "ocean view" elevators, their version of Celebrity's aqua spa, their version of now for pay specialty restaurants. Java Cafes are a thing of the past. The thing of it is, I like Celebrity's Century ships best and think the new one's aren't great. And I also like HAL's Rotterdam and Statendam ships best. In all fairness, I haven't sailed aboard the Vista ships, but I really have no interest in them. I liked HAL ships at the size they were and I'm not interested in a modified Carnival Spirit ship and for the customers, it is a loss to have all major lines have ships of around the same minimum size of 85,000 tons. In a year or so the Cunard Victoria will be in service, a modified HAL Vista ship which is a modified Carnival Spirit ship. The Costa Atlantica is an Italian-themed Carnival Spirit ship and has absolutely nothing to do with Costa ships that came before Carnival started to design them.

So, I think the dress code aboard the entire ship battle is over and those preferring it have lost. More dilution and lack of distinction for the acquired "premium" lines. And I don't like it.

[RuthC]

benjamins, HAL still lists the dress code as for the evening. It is expected that guests will appear in "requested" attire in public areas (indoor, presumably) until retiring to their cabins for the night.


Fortunately, most passengers do respect the request.

[Landlubber54]

...I still am a bit confused. Based on what I am reading, it sounds as though formal nights really aren't. Is there a place, either on HAL's web site or in the docs I will one day get, that will explains the designated "formal" areas? I embarrass my family enough as it is.:rolleyes:

[Sierrachik]

...I still am a bit confused. Based on what I am reading, it sounds as though formal nights really aren't. Is there a place, either on HAL's web site or in the docs I will one day get, that will explains the designated "formal" areas? I embarrass my family enough as it is.:rolleyes:

The dress code is available on HAL's website by clicking here (http://hollandamerica.com/guests/category.do?category=packing&topic=dressCode). It will also be in the Know Before You Go brochure you receive with your documents. Hope this helps :)

[GA girl]

Landlubber54 - I believe you have a valid question re expected dress if one chooses to eat in the Lido (say on formal night) or use the pool, jazuzzi, etc. - and I am wondering also.

We have cruised HAL before so know what the dress code says and have always followed the suggestions. On an upcoming cruise, however, think the men will probably not bring jackets (tho they will be bringing tuxes for formal nights) - and we plan to have dinner in the Lido on informal night and probably attend the show. I think this is a reasonable approach to the whole matter - and hope I don't get flamed!

[itsme_jj]

Just to lighten things up here... I'm sure after dinner if one wants to use the pool or jacuzzi, you wouldn't need to be wearing a tuxedo right?

So even though the dress if for the evening........ There are some areas and activities on the ship that they don't expect it right?

I can't see my husband in a tux in the jacuzzi:D

[Himself]

Have a great cruise

[dakrewser]

The pools aren't open after dinner so that's a moot point.


Dress code is for the DR, all lounges/bars, casino and show lounges.

Lido is always casual, Pinnacle is always at least "informal" and is formal on formal nights.

THe dress code is approx. the same on Celebrity.

There will, of course, always be those who choose to ignore the dress code. It is permitted to throw rolls at them. :rolleyes:

[RuthC]

...and we plan to have dinner in the Lido on informal night and probably attend the show. I think this is a reasonable approach to the whole matter - and hope I don't get flamed!
However, attending the show in less than "requested" attire is outside the code. Whether or not you consider it "reasonable" is not the issue; HAL has made a different "request" of you.

To appear in less than the requested dress on outside decks or around the Lido pool area has never been part of the arguments on this board. It is appearance in the public areas listed by dakreswer that is the bone of contention.