jbond

P.S. - I owe you martini how you like it for your reply about top hats above, well done. :D

Shaken, not stirred, straight up with a large blue cheese stuffed olive. :D

I would rather sit with the guy that shows up in the tuxedo T Shirt than some stuffy people that will judge others for not wearing a a tux.

How would you feel about sitting with a guy in a tux that was unstuffy as opposed to a guy in a t-shirt that complained about over dressed people that are obviously uncomfortable in their evening wear and are just showing off?

Ya know, there was a day when a tuxedo without a top hat was unthinkable. Where are all the top hat wearers? Never saw one on a cruise vacation Go forth and enjoy. A little common sense will take you a long way.

They're following RCI's request, no hats in the dining room.

Have 5 already (not all on RCI)...and among the 3000+ in the MDR on Oasis...didn't see a single person wearing jeans on formal nights....which was my only point. DUH.

Did you check both dining times and all levels of the MDR? You actually saw all 3000+ people? Didn't think so. Duh!!!

You're right, I don't. But RCCL does, and I wish they would. All they have to do is enforce the "suggested" dress code, and let people know beforehand it will be enforced, and then the passengers can make up their own minds of whether they want to dress, or eat elsewhere.

Not going to happen. The suggested dress code works really well on the ship, it's only on CC that it's a problem.

RCI would have to really advertise the change from suggested to mandatory well in advance and give people the option to cancel and change cruise lines. If they just started enforcing a suggestion without adequate notification, I think their ships would soon be nicknamed Mutiny of the Seas.

That's what I thought too. There used to me a restaurant chain called that. I barely remember eating there as a kid, but they declared bankruptcy in the early 80s.

They started out in Santa Barbara in 1957 and closed down in 1982, except for the original restaurant, which is still open in SB.

How would the Baltic cruises be affected by economic sanctions? Assuming the worse and Putin continues forward, if UN, Europe, or US imposed economic sanctions against Russia, would that have any affect on cruises to Russian ports? I am just curious.

 

 

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I doubt we would see UN sanctions against Russia, they are one of the five permanent members that have veto power.

Sambo's?

I couldn't tell from a closed to an open loop. So I take my passport whenever I cruise. My question is who polices the so called "6 month rule" on a valid passport.

According to RCI, it's the responsibility of the passenger to ensure that all documentation, passports, visas etc are in order and that the passenger has all the documentation required. I think it's a non problem cruising in the Caribbean, but if you are flying to a foreign country that requires six months left on your passport, it's your responsibility and I'm sure that it is validated at entry point. Cruising is different than staying in a city for a vacation. The only port we have visited where we needed a passport to get off the ship was St Petersburg. We have visited several countries that require visas. On a cruise from Valparaiso, Chile, over 80 passengers were denied boarding because they didn't have a Brazilian visa. The required documentation for the entire cruise was verified before we were allowed to board. Maybe that's where it's done if it's needed.

I take my passport with me because RCl stipulates that is the form of ID that is required to board the ship.

Wrong. I just checked with the RCI website and for closed loop cruises in the Caribbean from US ports including Puerto Rico, a passport is not required.

If you are sailing closed loop, your passport is proof of citizenship until expiration. Flying internally, you don't need a passport, just government issued iD. Drivers license or passport will suffice.

Yes, that is true for airlines. My point is you could have a designated corkscrew to leave in your luggage and never be without one, as long as you check your luggage. I always fly Southwest when I fly so I always check a bag, there is a corkscrew (with knife) in my toiletries bag.:)

Well, not exactly. There have been many times when we have received our luggage after sail away and we like to have a drink on the balcony, no luggage, no corkscrew, no sail away drink.:mad: That's why I always carry one in my carry on.:)

What did you think people were going to do? Stop by your tables and announce you looked out of place and tacky? point and laugh? Most have too much class for that no matter what they actually thought.

If he was sat down, they probably couldn't tell what he was wearing.

Buy a cheap corkscrew (or bring an expensive one, does not matter) and put it in your checked luggage. The cruiseline will not confiscate it (nor will the airline) as long as you put it in your CHECKED LUGGAGE.

 

Edited to say, if you are not checking luggage then I would see why you might pose this question and I apologize for the CAPITAL LETTERS ;)

TSA rules say that a corkscrew without a knife can be carried in carry on. With a knife, they must be in checked luggage.

You're fine - applying the term "dressing" only to salads in the MDR is just suggested by RCI, not mandatory. :p

LOL. Very clever.

Jeans and t-shirts are perfectly acceptable to wear in the MDR at dinner. RCI is very accommodating with their suggested dress code and what you propose is quite acceptable.

We have sailed out of San Juan many times, one of my favorite ports.

We have always kept our carry on with us. No need to tag them. Checked luggage was taken right after we got out of the taxi, the driver has always dropped us off close by. We have usually arrived around 11:30 and checkin has begun shortly afterwards. After checkin we have had to wait to board. We are usually in the WJ having lunch around 12:30/1:00.

Can't say about the water, never taken any on board.

Enjoy your cruise, it's a great place to start a cruise from.

Don't you just love these posts about the percentages? On this thread, they vary between 0%, nobody does it! to 85%, the vast majority does it. It kind of indicates the veracity of the estimates.:rolleyes:

My experience is that there is such a broad mix of style, whatever you wear, you'll fit in.

We flew into Hobby. It costs approx $95.00 each way for transportation for 2/4 people. IAH is farther away from the port.

Funny thing about today's culture. In the older days, not very long ago, dress codes were always "suggested" and it implied to follow the sugguestion. Today, it seems to mean, you should ignore it. It's the same word. It really means that the cruise line is saying nicely, without sounding harsh, that they "suggest" you dress like a big boy and girl, and look decent for the night.

 

It's funny how so many want to use the word as an excuse not to dress nice. :D

It's turned into just another dress code thread to discuss the meaning of suggested. Suggested means just the same today as it did in the "older" days, I'm sure there were differing opinions as to it's meaning then as there are today.

To the OP, wear what you will feel comfortable in. Regardless of what you choose you will fit in, the dress in the MDR is very varied every night.

I don't believe RCI is responsible for "lowering standards". It's the consumer public. Remember when air travel was enjoyable, but the traveling public wanted lower fares. In order to meet the public clamor, in 1978 the government deregulated the airline industry. Now you get nickled and dimed on everything, luggage, food, early boarding,wider seats, even aisle seats. Get used to paying for juice, upgraded steak etc, the public wants lower prices. Be careful what you wish for, you'll probably get more (or less) than you bargained for.

It' so great to see a dress code thread back. We went almost a week without one, I was having withdrawals.:eek:

I thought t-shirts were on the specifically disallowed list too, but think that list only exists onboard, so I can't be sure at the moment either. That list SHOULD also be on the website, but its not...

If, by officially disallowed list, you mean the one at the MDR door in the evening, I have not seen it on that list.

I have also never seen anywhere that ripped, torn or frayed jeans are prohibited. Princess - yes, RCI - no.

They are suggestions and guidelines. That means they are informational in purpose, not a requirement. They are not rules.

 

The same rules apply every night in the MDR - No hats, no shorts, no flip flops, no t-shirts, no bathing attire. Anyone meeting the minimum is allowed entrance for the meal they have paid for.

Since when had RCI not allowed t-shirts? I've seen signs about the other items, but never t-shirts.:confused:

To be honest - if I chose to wear dockers and a polo shirt for formal night, I'd probably choose EITHER the WJ or one of the specialty restaurants for that evening.

So it's OK for you to ignore the suggested dress code, but not others?

The suggested dress code for the specialty restaurants is smart casual. Do I need to remind you that RCI suggests a jacket?I would hope you would choose the WJ and not spoil other people's enjoyment by underdressing.:mad: