IndyDenise

We went on one of those whale excursions that guarantee a whale sighting or give you your money back. The deck hand told me that they've never had to give any money back because they ALWAYS see at least one whale. There's absolutely no way that the cruise lines will ever guarantee their itineraries. There's just too many times that they have to miss a port due to unforseen circumstances.

 

I don't even think that you can buy travel insurance that will guarantee all of your ports. Even if you could buy such insurance, it would probably be so cost prohibitive that nobody would actually buy it.

 

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Wrong. There most certainly is Trip Insurance that will pay you if your ports change or get canceled. Costs more than “normal “ cruise insurance but not tons more.

I saw it on Insure my Trip dot com, I think it is underwritten by Progressive.

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I agree with the "dress to impress." It is more than silly. It reeks of elitism.

 

 

 

But caps inside? Really? We were taught as children that caps were not worn indoors. Was it really necessary to specify that in the dress code? I realize that times are changing and dress is becoming less formal - way less formal. However, being neat, tidy and punctual are still considered good manners. Arriving at your host's home for a nice dinner deserves showing up in clothes that indicate respect for your host. And that is not in a baseball cap and t-shirt. Respect goes without saying. It should not require putting it in writing.

And today’s children and young adults are taught that hats are fine inside.

Whose generation wins? Which one is correct?

I’d say that today’s norms wins!

Every day attitudes about attire, social niceties, clothes, gender equality, etc is changing by leaps and bounds.

What was fine or standard yesterday is not what goes today.

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Your outrage is misdirected.

I’m not outraged. I’m amused.

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Please forget the flip-flops.

Why?

OP...Leave the flip flops on , you will be fine!!

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If I read Indy D correctly, they are saying 'why get so upset about it that you have to do anything? ' Why not just let it go, the times have changed and what good does it do to get upset and let it ruin your hamburger and French fries. Also, Do you really need to make a comment on the survey? Its not going to change anything.

 

Mental case is probably too harsh, so is chemical imbalance or nutcase. It is really about just being open-minded and stop getting upset about what other people do.

 

If you can't deal with it, switch to Cunard cruiselines and switch to the Cunard forum.

Correct!

And I wouldn’t want to lower a score due to something that was so trivial it did not affect me personally.

Does it mean that I don’t giggle or mutter under my breath at some of the onboard attire I’ve seen ? Nope, I’m quite the talk behind your back type person, dress ugly and you will be fair game ...but I will not let it ruin my cruise. I refuse to act like a toddler and point fingers while whining that the crew “ do something “ . I won’t not be respectful and kind to others as they wear their ball caps or jeans. I won’t judge your worth based on your cruise attire.. just maybe your fashion sense.

And you wearing a ball cap in the dining room doesn’t make my steak any more tender nor tasty.. or less....

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That's not really logical, though, because that puts them at risk of getting a low score from the people who are ticked off by the inappropriate attire.

Really? If you are stewing because someone else was not dressed to “standards “ AND you are still mad enough about it later to give a low score...well, I’d say the issue is the ticked off diner not the dress code breaker.

A mental issue.

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I am disgusted at the poor judgment used seettting up the testing would be done in such a public space. Crew areas are adequate for whatever testing must be done. . Of course crew must be tested but not in view of guests. I have a sickeng image in my head that I hope disappears before I go to another HAL MDR

I agree! And since I will be cruising the Oosterdam in April I am not pleased.

Drug testing has no business being conducted in the passenger ( or crew ) dining areas. IMHO.

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We received at least 35% off the lowest price for a NS. I can’t remember the exact percentage off.

Then we received Explore 4.. and the free two night hotel stay in Barcelona.

Our 12 day Mediterranean Cruise became a better deal than a 8 day Carnival Caribbean one.

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Ah. For you, instead of the tablecloth, let's use a different item which might be symbolic of an elegant dining room, vs. a more casual one. How about the uniform of the servers? Let's say you have the tablecloth, but for your table, the dining room steward wore a baseball cap, rolled his sleeves up and chewed gum. Or, substitute something which for you is an example of what you'd find in your local greasy spoon but not in the MDR.

Google St. Elmo’s Steakhouse Indianapolis ( a top tier restaurant in my town ) . It’s the go to place for Peyton Manning and others.

The waiters are in suits with bow ties and the tables are wearing white tablecloths.

The patrons are in jeans, shorts, Polo type shirts etc. .. some even in ball caps, game day attire or such.

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I’ve only been in Neptune Suites on HAL. Why? Because my travel benefactor ( my mother ) wants it ( for the space and perks ) .

We do usually get a pretty good rate ( and added perks ) to make it pretty cost effective.

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If you like casual clothing, why do you even want to eat in MDR? Wouldn't Lido be more to your liking?

What does clothing preferences have to do with dining choices?

Plus, you do realize that lacy shorts are the in , dressy attire of the day? It’s not considered casual by any means.

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I must be a rockstar.. I think shorts are super okay and fashionable to boot .., and I have no friggin clue what slacks are ...slackers yes.. slacks no.

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The old lady clothes are fine..if you're an old lady..It's just the older you get the trickier it is to find nice "dressy" clothes. I stay with solid colours-no patterns and very plain some would think..but it works.

I agree they are fine. I also think shorts are fine. Just because someone doesn’t think something is appropriate doesn’t mean it isn’t.

I believe it’s a generational and closed minded ( and not keeping up with the times ) thing.

I find it mildly amusing that those screaming loudly about the dress code ( no shorts) are probably ( admittedly in my own mind ) those that need a modern touch in their wardrobe.

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Just wear dress pants, then there is no question. I do have one question: Do the people who want jeans, shorts, baseball hats, etc while fine dinning EVER want to where "nicer" clothes?? If so where? I am interested in this....

It’s not a “where “ but a when.. and the answer is when I WANT. I dress to what I want.. not what someone else thinks is nicer etc.

Just because someone doesn’t think shorts are appropriate doesn’t mean they aren’t. There ARE dress shorts for ladies..cute, lacy, pretty .

To be quite honest they are more dressy than what I’ve seen on HAL and the older generation of females. Stretchy pants and Flowy sequined tops with orthopedic shoes. The lacy shorts are fashionable, in style and definitely look better than an “old lady outfit “.

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Been to both...

Grand Turk hands down.

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This is how it started on Carnival! "Dress Shorts and Pullover with Collar" are acceptable. The next thing men were wearing spandex shorts, "run of the mill" shorts, etc. Then the Pullover with Collar was replaced by "Wife Beater" Tee Shirts and Tee Shirts. After a couple of years of that the Linen was removed from the Tables! I guess they feel why bother to have Linen on tables in the MDR when people are dressed as if they are on Lido or hanging by the Pool!

 

 

 

With the comments I'm seeing posted in the last year on Social Media sites and some of the "sights" I've seen lately on how Cruisers are dressing on the Ships in the MDR I think HAL will follow suit and be another Carnival in a couple of years!

Have you cruised Carnival?

You may have a couple of people dressing homeless.. but for the most part people are dressed nicely.

In fact, in all of my Carnival cruises I’ve really been surprised at someone ‘s attire maybe 5 Times. Maybe.

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This is how it started on Carnival! "Dress Shorts and Pullover with Collar" are acceptable. The next thing men were wearing spandex shorts, "run of the mill" shorts, etc. Then the Pullover with Collar was replaced by "Wife Beater" Tee Shirts and Tee Shirts. After a couple of years of that the Linen was removed from the Tables! I guess they feel why bother to have Linen on tables in the MDR when people are dressed as if they are on Lido or hanging by the Pool!

 

 

 

With the comments I'm seeing posted in the last year on Social Media sites and some of the "sights" I've seen lately on how Cruisers are dressing on the Ships in the MDR I think HAL will follow suit and be another Carnival in a couple of years!

Cruisers may not dress as “nice” on CCL normal MDR nights ... but they dress so much better on Formal nights ! Long gowns, heels, tux’s, hair up dos .

Carnival cruisers rock the fancy attire. Young, old.. it’s pretty nice to see.

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You seem to be realisic and knnow threre is the chanace Cuba could be canceled for any number of reasons. You have time to make a decision how much chance you are comfortable living with. I for one, will not be surprised if HAL c alls at c Cu ba are cancelled and this is only my per sonal opinion with no input from anyone at HAL 'in the know.' Stiil, a Caribean cruise in win er to almost anywhere is always welcome for most of us no matter the ports. Knowing you will be really annoyed does not change anything. :)

I would be beyond livid if my Cuban cruise became just a Caribbean one.

I could have then taken 3 Caribbean cruises for the cost of the Cuban.

And.. I honestly would have never picked that ship ( Veendam) to go on a just a Caribbean Cruise anyway.. unless it was my only option. I could deal if it got me to Cuba ( I want to go there so badly!!! )

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You know.. what’s wrong with shorts in the dining room ( in HALs mind)?.

There ARE dressy shorts and paired with a nice shirt and shoes are very stylish and “in”. In fact, the overall look is very dressy.

I’m not talking denim or your standard run of the mill shorts but those in crepe, lace, or such.

HAL allows jeans now.. because I would guess they consider them fashionable.. but so are dressy shorts for the ladies .

My musings, to make it clear , is not ARE they allowed ( I know they aren’t) but why aren’t they allowed?

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I wish HAL would do what CCL does... unlimited soft drinks, juices, milkshakes, waters, specialty coffees and such with the beverage package. Also ALL alcoholic drinks under $50 are included.. so there are some decent wines by the glass ( I can’t stand that Santa Carolina or whatever it’s called stuff )

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I have something else to share... my last HAL cruise the pool bar staff would only take one card and put both my drinks and my sister’s on it.

Next round take the other card. Or I would order one, they didn’t take my card.. and order another. When I got my receipts each drink was billed separate..

We aren’t the only people they did this to.. it seems once they know you are in the same room it’s not a big deal. It may make their job easier by only dealing with one card ( I don’t know)

It became the norm to order for each other when the other was not present.

Of course, your mileage may vary.

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Absolutely. That's Bloody Mary Time.

This WhoooHoooo gal likes them with extra olives... and no spice. For a brash, loud party gal I like my good times a little bit hot.. my food not so much.

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I find it much easier to walk along the interlocking path before heading down to the beach area to claim a clamshell. It's just too far and hard to walk along the beach all the way from the excursion booth.

I find it easier to fake a bathroom emergency and send my better half to stand in line.. then go find a clamshell.. set it up .. and get my lounge chair all ready for me.

All the while I am sitting pretty at the bar, sipping a Wang Wang .

Just kidding, of course. 8am is way tooo early for a Wang Wang.

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Bolding is mine..

 

 

 

Hmmmmm.., is the term 'rocket surgery' a new hybrid metaphor derived from combining 'rocket science' and 'brain surgery' by chance? LoL..:)

Lol! My nephew is in college to be a rocket scientist. His goal? To perform surgery on rockets.. fix the engineering issues on a malfunctioning rocket.

Personally I wish he would’ve picked cruise ship engineering!

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From posts I've seen on CC, passengers on Carnival are more likely to look for ways to smuggle booze onto the ship ........ just sayin'.

Oh, yes there are drinkers on Carnival.. lots of them.

But, when it comes to rude, bad, sloppy drunken behavior I’ve seen more of it on HAL .

Another weird difference is that on Carnival people dress up for gala nights.. I mean beautiful gowns, bling, suits, etc. Its really so strange. On HAL not so much. Those Carnival cruisers rock the formal attire.

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