Are jackets required for Oosterdam formal nights?

Will we be admitted to the dining room on formal nights with a nice dress shirt (possibly a tie) and no jacket?

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Yes. There are no "formal nights." There are "gala nights." From Holland America's website:

Is there a dress code?

A: Yes, some refinements were made to improve consistency and the policy now reads:

• Most evenings smart casual attire is appropriate. Shorts, pool/beachwear, distressed jeans and men’s tank tops are best left to the daytime and are not permitted in fine dining restaurants.
  
• Gala Nights evoke the grand traditions of cruising as guests dress to impress for special events on board, including our five-course gourmet dinner in the Dining Room. For gentlemen, collared shirts and slacks are required in all fine dining restaurants.
  

Q: Why the change from “Formal” To “Gala” night?

A: To many, the “Formal” term was misleading as it implies a specific type of dress (black tie or tuxedo) that has never been a requirement. “Gala” still implies festive or dressy without misleading guests to bring attire the majority of guests don’t wear.

Q: What about ladies’ gala attire?

A: Dressy attire is appropriate. Dresses, skirts, and slacks are all acceptable.

Q: Are a jacket and tie required for men?

A: Jacket and tie is the preferred attire in all fine dining restaurants on Gala Nights, though it is not required. Guests without a jacket and tie were allowed in the fine dining restaurants before the new wording so this is not a policy change.

Q: Are jeans allowed?

A: Jeans without holes, tears or embroidery are welcome on most evenings in all restaurants, but on Gala Nights jeans are only allowed in the casual dining restaurants.

Q: Can I wear shorts in the main dining room?

A: Not at dinner. The dining room is considered a fine dining restaurant and shorts are not permitted.

Q: Is the dress code the same on Grand Voyages?

A: Yes. The policy applies to all Holland America Line voyages.

Yes

HAL has done away with formal nights in all restaurants. Only a collared shirt and slacks are needed for Gala nights. No jackets or ties are required.

Will we be admitted to the dining room on formal nights with a nice dress shirt (possibly a tie) and no jacket?

 

 

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You will be admitted with a collared "polo" shirt and slacks on Gala Nights. You can leave your jacket and tie at home.

Yes. There are no "formal nights." There are "gala nights." From Holland America's website:

 

 

Is there a dress code?

 

A: Yes, some refinements were made to improve consistency and the policy now reads:

 

 

 

• Most evenings smart casual attire is appropriate. Shorts, pool/beachwear, distressed jeans and men’s tank tops are best left to the daytime and are not permitted in fine dining restaurants.
  
• Gala Nights evoke the grand traditions of cruising as guests dress to impress for special events on board, including our five-course gourmet dinner in the Dining Room. For gentlemen, collared shirts and slacks are required in all fine dining restaurants.
  

Q: Why the change from “Formal” To “Gala” night?

A: To many, the “Formal” term was misleading as it implies a specific type of dress (black tie or tuxedo) that has never been a requirement. “Gala” still implies festive or dressy without misleading guests to bring attire the majority of guests don’t wear.

Q: What about ladies’ gala attire?

A: Dressy attire is appropriate. Dresses, skirts, and slacks are all acceptable.

Q: Are a jacket and tie required for men?

A: Jacket and tie is the preferred attire in all fine dining restaurants on Gala Nights, though it is not required. Guests without a jacket and tie were allowed in the fine dining restaurants before the new wording so this is not a policy change.

Q: Are jeans allowed?

A: Jeans without holes, tears or embroidery are welcome on most evenings in all restaurants, but on Gala Nights jeans are only allowed in the casual dining restaurants.

Q: Can I wear shorts in the main dining room?

A: Not at dinner. The dining room is considered a fine dining restaurant and shorts are not permitted.

Q: Is the dress code the same on Grand Voyages?

A: Yes. The policy applies to all Holland America Line voyages.

These Q&A should not even be quoted, since they are very out of date, and tend to confuse......

These Q&A should not even be quoted, since they are very out of date, and tend to confuse......

What is "out of date"? What do you find confusing about "For gentlemen, collared shirts and slacks are required in all fine dining restaurants."?

Thank You-really helps with the packing!

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These Q&A should not even be quoted, since they are very out of date, and tend to confuse......

No, these are the current guidelines. It’s much better to quote the current guidelines than have posters throw out what their preferred dress code for gala nights is.

What is "out of date"? What do you find confusing about "For gentlemen, collared shirts and slacks are required in all fine dining restaurants."?

The Q&A are a number of years old, and have never been updated to reflect the fact that jackets are not even mentioned in the current dress code....

Throw out all the dress guidelines & suggestions and post the final, declarative directive:

No shoes, no shirt, no service.