Mixed signals about staying dressed up after dinner..

I read messages that say you have to, then I read an equal number that says you do not. Does it all depend on where you are going to? I was only on one HAL, and yes they stayed dressed all night long, but that was a few years ago, has things changed? I am on HAL in Oct, 2010.

Unless you are in your cabin, I think it best to be dressed at all times, no matter what cruise line you are on.

There are no clothes police. I think early dining people might tend to change. I know I can't wait to get out of my shoes! Some people keep the formal clothes on because they are waiting to have formal pics taken. Others feel comfy in theirs but smart casual is more comfy to me. So mixed reviews because there are mixed tastes.

Unless you are in your cabin, I think it best to be dressed at all times, no matter what cruise line you are on.

Yikes!!:eek: Scary thought!!! Many scary thoughts !!!:D

HAL asks that you stay in the designated dress code for the evening, but due to the fact you can't even get people to agree to abide by the dress code for dinner, you can see why people won't agree on staying in the designated dress code after dinner.

:D at 6rugrats.

We are people who seldom do much inside after dinner. We eat late, return to the cabin and "dress down", then stroll on the Promenade deck. Hang out by the aft pool, enjoy the night and the sounds of the ocean, then we're ready for the late night buffet :)

IMHO because there are other choices for dining (Lido, room service), it is silly for HAL to expect that only those who are dressed in the defined "formal wear" will be seen in public areas on formal night. As catl331 mentioned, there are no clothing police beyond the maitre d' in the dining room and the Pinnacle manager. I can't imagine a crew member asking you to leave the show or the casino because you aren't dressed in formal wear.

We've never tried to dress down and attend a show or anything, but we certainly go through public areas in our "deck-walking" clothes after dinner on formal night.

:D at 6rugrats.

 

We are people who seldom do much inside after dinner. We eat late, return to the cabin and "dress down", then stroll on the Promenade deck. Hang out by the aft pool, enjoy the night and the sounds of the ocean,

I agree. The only thing we might do after dinner is go to the Cigar under the Stars if they have it. Otherwise, we just chill - watch a DVD, check the news, position/sea condition, etc in the cabin

The only time we change is if we decide to attend a deck party up on the pool deck.

With all these formal night threads, smart casual threads, dress code in general threads, and so on, I'm afraid to leave my room. I don't know whether I am coming or going.

Better yet, maybe I'll just wear an evening gown morning, noon and night, even to the Lido and I will have all my bases covered. Isn't that funny. I'm the crazy one in a ball gown eating a bagle.:)

Don't dress up in the first place--problem solved:D

Sorry, couldn't resist. Assuming you're talking about a formal night, it probably depends on what you want to do after dinner. I think you'll be okay so long as you're dressed up to HAL's version of smart casual standards anywhere on the ship after dinner. Might not be a good idea to go running around in normal clothes like shorts and t-shirts. Some of your fellow passengers might go:eek: But if that doesn't bother you, then go for it!

JMO -- we stay dressed for the entire evening with whatever the dress code is.

Sometimes we do and sometimes we don't. Either way I don't feel at all strange or out of place attending the shows or casino in my smart casual clothing. Nice blouses and capris with a small heeled slip on shoe.

If you are concerned about being dressed the same as most of the other guests, stay dressed up on formal nights with your uncomfortable shoes, etc. If I find my formal outfit uncomfortable, shoes are killing me, etc. after diner I’ll change into a long dark color (navy blue or black) knit dress that is as comfortable as a nightgown and put on a comfortable pair of silver sandals and go back out to enjoy the rest of the evening.

Aunty Pat

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When my parents sailed on the X line, they switched out of formal wear and into smart casual after dinner. When showtime came around, they were ask to sit in the balcony because of their attire. Which way fine with them, because they prefer the balcony !

I finally feel qualified to post. Just got done with our 1st cruise on the Ryndam.

My husband and I had late dinner and we not usually done with dinner until 9:30. Every night after dinner we went back to our room & changed. I usually left my dressier blouse on and put jeans and flats on. My husband changed back into his jeans also.

We went up to The Crow's Nest every night until around midnight to hang out and never felt under dressed.

This is what I don't understand. If you go to the LIDO and wear something casual (jeans or shorts and a nice shirt) then you cannot be expected to change into something else for the rest of the evening even if you are going to the shows, casino, or bars. So why does everyone think that you have to dress a certain way all evening?

:D at 6rugrats.

 

We are people who seldom do much inside after dinner. We eat late, return to the cabin and "dress down", then stroll on the Promenade deck. Hang out by the aft pool, enjoy the night and the sounds of the ocean, then we're ready for the late night buffet :)...

I agree 100% I am dressing down to a comfort level. Not sweats, a robe and/or anything raggedy but definitely not formal. Possibly slacks and a nice blouse, but definitely comfort.. Basically smart casual, I think is what it is referred to.

This is what I don't understand. If you go to the LIDO and wear something casual (jeans or shorts and a nice shirt) then you cannot be expected to change into something else for the rest of the evening even if you are going to the shows, casino, or bars. So why does everyone think that you have to dress a certain way all evening?

Not sure I get that as well...but I did see it a few years ago. My husband and I went to Lido to eat, we were like the only ones in casual dress at show, I wanted to leave , since we did not have other clothes with us. I am not sure this is the case now though, this was a few years ago.. and this is what I am trying to find out!

JMO -- we stay dressed for the entire evening with whatever the dress code is.

Me too. It's just too much bother to get another outfit out.

So why does everyone think that you have to dress a certain way all evening?

Because that is what HAL suggests? :rolleyes:

My understanding is that on both the Formal and the casual nights we are supposed to remain dressed that way after the dinner--indeed for the rest of the evening.

After dinner I let my belt out a notch and loosen my tie a little. Then I'm all set for another couple of hours. :D

My understanding is that on both the Formal and the casual nights we are supposed to remain dressed that way after the dinner--indeed for the rest of the evening.

Why would someone go on a cruise to wear uncomfortable shoes, why not purchase comfortable shoes on the first place !!! Ditto for clothes, if your nice dressier clothes are not comfortable, buy a larger size, you might have outgrown it:eek:. Formal nights do not exist on certain cruise lines and definitely not in beach resorts. If you are not comfortable on a HAL cruise, except if you are wearing shorts and jeans, just consider other options.

I believe if the guidelines on a HAL ship states that you stay dressed in the attire of the night, than you should do just that.....you know this when you book a HAL ship....if you do not like this and prefer to dress down on the formal nights after dinner, then maybe you should book with another cruise line.....I know other lines do not state that on their dress code, but we still remain dressed in ours until we retire for the night.

If we are dress formally for dinner, we always change afterwards to go to the show (very seldom), to wander about, go to the casino (likely), pass thru the lounges, or go outside on deck (very likely). And we have found that there are many, many others who do so-on all the mainstream lines that we have had the pleasure of cruising on. I would not worry about it in the least. Just go and have a great time. That's why it is called a vacation.

If we are dress formally for dinner, we always change afterwards to go to the show (very seldom), to wander about, go to the casino (likely), pass thru the lounges, or go outside on deck (very likely). And we have found that there are many, many other who do so-on all the mainstream lines that we have had the pleasure of cruising on. I would not worry about it in the least. Just go and have a great time. That why the call it a vacation.

I agree. It's not nearly as formal as some members of this forum would like. HAL is a "mainstream line". Dress is not an issue, other than sometimes in the dining room. (or so they report) Don't fret.