Mixed signals about staying dressed up after dinner..

[photomikey]

If you know the guidelines before you book - BOOK ANOTHER CRUISE LINE OR STAY HOME IN YOUR PJ'S AND SWEATS. Its really not such a difficult choice.

1) Why is it always PJ's and Sweats? I've never seen anyone in PJs or Sweats on formal night. I have seen people in (brace yourself) a sportcoat with khaki pants, a sportcoat with jeans, and even a button up shirt with no coat at all. I have never seen anyone in PJs or Sweats in the dining room.

 

2) It doesn't ruin the sportcoat people's day when you wear your tux/dress/whatever. Why do you let it ruin yours when they wear what they please?

[DizzyDallasDi]

Not at all obsessive. Some people are observant of the world around them; others are oblivious.

 

Well, when I'm on a cruise the last thing I care about observing is how many times my fellow passengers have changed in a day. There are so many more interesting things to observe...the scenery, the ocean, the sun, the wake, the moon, the stars, the ship itself, etc. I stand by my contention that it is obsessive to observe one's fellow passengers' attire and make note as to whether they've changed clothes during the day.

[RevNeal]

1) Why is it always PJ's and Sweats? I've never seen anyone in PJs or Sweats on formal night. I have seen people in (brace yourself) a sportcoat with khaki pants, a sportcoat with jeans, and even a button up shirt with no coat at all. I have never seen anyone in PJs or Sweats in the dining room.

 

I have ... on Formal Nights in Alaska. I've also seen shorts and t-shirts on Formal Nights in the Caribbean.

 

2) It doesn't ruin the sportcoat people's day when you wear your tux/dress/whatever. Why do you let it ruin yours when they wear what they please?

 

Sportcoats don't "ruin" my Formal Nights; neither do shorts and t-shirts. "Ruining" is an unwarranted exaggeration usually used by those who wish to pooh-pooh the problem. Shorts and t-shirts, sweats and other such attire do have the tendency to mar the overall environment and ambiance of the evening ... an environment and ambiance for which I have paid but which is being intruded upon by those who refuse to "play along" in the dining room and the principle lounges.

[iancal]

The only things the mar our formal night are slow/bad service, bad or poorly prepared food, and any cruise line that still has that baked alaska parade, or major league complainers/braggers as tablemates.

[Copper10-8]

Despite what you may have seen on the streets, the following combinations DO NOT go together and should be avoided:

 

1. A nose ring and bifocals

2. Spiked hair and bald spots

3. A pierced tongue and dentures

4. Miniskirts and support hose

5. Ankle bracelets and corn pads

6. Speedos and cellulite

7. A belly button ring and a gall bladder surgery scar

8. Unbuttoned disco shirts and a heart monitor

9. Midriff shirts and a midriff bulge

10. Bikinis and liver spots

11. Short shorts and varicose veins

12. Inline skates and a walker

 

And last, but not least...my personal favorite:

 

13. Thongs and Depends

[Copper10-8]

.........."Ruining" is an unwarranted exaggeration usually used by those who wish to pooh-pooh the problem................

 

What's the problem?:cool:

[RevNeal]

The only things the mar our formal night are slow/bad service, bad or poorly prepared food, and any cruise line that still has that baked alaska parade, or major league complainers/braggers as tablemates.

 

Now those are the things that can threaten to ruin a formal night or even a whole cruise. :)

[RevNeal]

Despite what you may have seen on the streets, the following combinations DO NOT go together and should be avoided:

 

1. A nose ring and bifocals

 

3. A pierced tongue and dentures

 

7. A belly button ring and a gall bladder surgery scar

 

Ironically, it won't be all that many years before some of those with nose rings, pierced tongues, and and belly button rings are wearing bifocals, dentures, and have gall bladder surgery scars! It's kinda hard to stop aging, and while young people think they'll never grow old ... they do. :) Youth is wasted on the young.

[RevNeal]

What's the problem?:cool:

 

The so-called "ruining" of evenings.

[Copper10-8]

The so-called "ruining" of evenings.

 

And that brings us back to square #1. My/our evening is not ruined when I/we see someone not dressed to 'da code' on formal night(s) so there is no 'problem'. It's just not worth paying attention to plus the 'ambiance' you/we are looking for is still there. When/if 'they' (the so called 'evening ruiners') ever become the majority, we'll cross that bridge when we get there

[babyher]

Ironically, it won't be all that many years before some of those with nose rings, pierced tongues, and and belly button rings are wearing bifocals, dentures, and have gall bladder surgery scars! It's kinda hard to stop aging, and while young people think they'll never grow old ... they do. :) Youth is wasted on the young.

 

 

*LOL* very true :)

 

I feel that way about some of the names people give kids these days. They are cute right now when they are little . But one day the nursing homes and senior centers will be filled with Jasmine Sunflowers and Troy Argyles *LOL*

 

Not an Edna, Thelma, Harry or Barney in the crowd *LOL*

[RevNeal]

And that brings us back to square #1. My/our evening is not ruined when I/we see someone not dressed to 'da code' on formal night(s) so there is no 'problem'. It's just not worth paying attention to plus the 'ambiance' you/we are looking for is still there. When/if 'they' (the so called 'evening ruiners') ever become the majority, we'll cross that bridge when we get there

 

Which was my point.

My/our Formal Evenings really are not "ruined" by those not dressing according to the code; that word, "ruined," is an exaggeration. Nevertheless, I/we would probably also have to admit that I/we have grown weary of having to pretend that there isn't a negative impact made upon the ambiance or "feel" of that evening by those who refuse to "play along" ... an ambiance or "feel" which was part of the advertised-product which I/we bought from the Line and which the Line -- through its marketing and, yes, its dress code -- has sold me/us. The cruise and/or that ambiance doesn't have to be "ruined" for it to be, nevertheless, impacted by those who, through design or neglect or disrespect or poor behavior*, refuse to "play along" and want to make sure that everybody else knows they're not playing along.

 

 

 

(*Note: I'm NOT just talking about dress, for the Formal Night ambiance can be harmed just as much by people behaving like boorish prigs as by those dressing like bohemians)

[big al]

: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.

 

100 % agreed...after 24 cruises,we're done with the formal stuff..we SOMETIMES (rarely now) do the formal night,but dressing up on my VACATION would be like the Postman on his day off,he takes a walk...I dress EVERY day in the hot Florida heat & humidity,CONSTANTLY uncomfortable-only a moron would do the same on their cruise vacation.....dress up if you want,but WE go back to our cabin and put on our Tommy Bahamas/dockers/casual CRUISE WEAR and I will not be bullied by the clothing police either....and a final comment-I've NEVER thought it's anybody's business what OTHER people wear to the dining room...we're on VACATION,not attending a formal fashion show....

 

Big Al

[Copper10-8]

Which was my point.

My/our Formal Evenings really are not "ruined" by those not dressing according to the code; that word, "ruined," is an exaggeration. Nevertheless, I/we would probably also have to admit that I/we have grown weary of having to pretend that there isn't a negative impact made upon the ambiance or "feel" of that evening by those who refuse to "play along" ... an ambiance or "feel" which was part of the advertised-product which I/we bought from the Line and which the Line -- through its marketing and, yes, its dress code -- has sold me/us. The cruise and/or that ambiance doesn't have to be "ruined" for it to be, nevertheless, impacted by those who, through design or neglect or disrespect or poor behavior*, refuse to "play along" and want to make sure that everybody else knows they're not playing along.

 

 

 

(*Note: I'm NOT just talking about dress, for the Formal Night ambiance can be harmed just as much by people behaving like boorish prigs as by those dressing like bohemians)

Well, you and I obviously differ as to the extent of 'negative impact' on the ambiance those that 'don't play along' have. It just doesn't bother us and we still have a great time but, as they say, to each his/her own

[cruz chic]

100 % agreed...after 24 cruises,we're done with the formal stuff..we SOMETIMES (rarely now) do the formal night,but dressing up on my VACATION would be like the Postman on his day off,he takes a walk...I dress EVERY day in the hot Florida heat & humidity,CONSTANTLY uncomfortable-only a moron would do the same on their cruise vacation.....dress up if you want,but WE go back to our cabin and put on our Tommy Bahamas/dockers/casual CRUISE WEAR and I will not be bullied by the clothing police either....and a final comment-I've NEVER thought it's anybody's business what OTHER people wear to the dining room...we're on VACATION,not attending a formal fashion show....

 

Big Al

But the difference is she does dress for dinner. As far as being called a moron for dressing up....that is really offensive. Hal does expect that people will dress as suggested. I bet you would be the first person to complain if they did not let you in to the dining room because you don't meet the code. I dress up for work every day....it's no big deal. Dressing up a few times on a cruise because you have respect for your self and others....also no big deal.

[baggal]

100 % agreed...after 24 cruises,we're done with the formal stuff..we SOMETIMES (rarely now) do the formal night,but dressing up on my VACATION would be like the Postman on his day off,he takes a walk...I dress EVERY day in the hot Florida heat & humidity,CONSTANTLY uncomfortable-only a moron would do the same on their cruise vacation.....dress up if you want,but WE go back to our cabin and put on our Tommy Bahamas/dockers/casual CRUISE WEAR and I will not be bullied by the clothing police either....and a final comment-I've NEVER thought it's anybody's business what OTHER people wear to the dining room...we're on VACATION,not attending a formal fashion show....

 

Big Al

 

That's exactly the point that many posters seem to be missing. Everybody's idea of a VACATION is different. To some, "dressing" for dinner, and remaining that way throughout the evening, is part of the VACATION experience for them. I just wish more people were respectful of other people's vacation experience.

[suse]

The poster who talked about the guy who wandered into the MDR with no shirt. That was funny. Actually, quite hilarious. There is a reason for dress codes, this being one of many.:)

[Cruising-along]

 

Well, you and I obviously differ as to the extent of 'negative impact' on the ambiance those that 'don't play along' have. It just doesn't bother us and we still have a great time but, as they say, to each his/her own

 

John, I couldn't agree more with everything you have said. We always dress to code, but we really don't notice or care what others are wearing. Life is too short to stress about these things!

 

I have read posts by some pax who actually choose a table so as to have the best view of others' attire. Unbelievable.

[big al]

But the difference is she does dress for dinner. As far as being called a moron for dressing up....that is really offensive. Hal does expect that people will dress as suggested. I bet you would be the first person to complain if they did not let you in to the dining room because you don't meet the code. I dress up for work every day....it's no big deal. Dressing up a few times on a cruise because you have respect for your self and others....also no big deal.

 

THAT SHOULD BE YOUR CHOICE,If you want to dress up...and you don't decide what is a big deal for myself & my wife-WE decide...so many DRB's on these boards..some people when I see them at the pool/buffet are so disgusting,it's amazing..BUT,I don't say,"that so and so is so fat in that outfit,they got some nerve showing THAT at the pool".... I find people who walk from the buffet with 2 huge FULL plates of food and are 50-100+ lbs. overweight offensive because I know what weight can do to the body..BUT,it is THEIR decision,their vacation,their choice,NOT YOURS OR MINE.....

 

A man told me once that seeing 2 teens dressed in jeans in the MDR "RUINED" his cruise vacation-RUINED his cruise vacation!!! I should've smacked him right there....the ONLY thing that could ruin my cruise is sickness while on board,a TERRIBLE crew & service,and possibly horrible weather the whole week(which would NOT be the ship's fault)... If teens or anyone "RUIN" your cruise because of what THEY WEAR to the MDR,you need to get a life and I would also suggest an MRI first day you get back,because clearly there's something wrong with this person....

 

Big Al

[Zappa Fan]

Very well put, Big Al. It amuses me to see the obese in what they think is attractive "formal wear".;)

[swedish weave]

Just a thought for those of you who object to the way others dress. They do it because HAL allows them to do it.

 

I have seen suggestions that those people should book another cruise line, and I don't agree. Logically, those who want more strict dress codes should find another cruise line which enforces dress codes that meet their standards.

 

Result --- Everybody is happy !!!!!

[pipedreams62]

I find people who walk from the buffet with 2 huge FULL plates of food and are 50-100+ lbs. overweight offensive because I know what weight can do to the body..BUT,it is THEIR decision,their vacation,their choice,NOT YOURS OR MINE.....

 

 

 

Big Al

 

 

He also wore his bathrobe to the lido

 

 

[suse]

Very well put, Big Al. It amuses me to see the obese in what they think is attractive "formal wear".;)

another time, maybe.

[CowPrincess]

100 % agreed...after 24 cruises,we're done with the formal stuff..we SOMETIMES (rarely now) do the formal night,but dressing up on my VACATION would be like the Postman on his day off,he takes a walk...I dress EVERY day in the hot Florida heat & humidity,CONSTANTLY uncomfortable-only a moron would do the same on their cruise vacation.....dress up if you want,but WE go back to our cabin and put on our Tommy Bahamas/dockers/casual CRUISE WEAR and I will not be bullied by the clothing police either....and a final comment-I've NEVER thought it's anybody's business what OTHER people wear to the dining room...we're on VACATION,not attending a formal fashion show....

 

Big Al

 

See, I don't think we are in 100% agreement. We do dress to code for formal night dinner in the MDR, THEN we dress down for our time on deck. I like to see others dressed up for formal night dinners. After that, I don't care what they wear, and certainly (unless the clothing is skimpy, revealing, or too tight) really don't notice.

 

This is an unending, ongoing burr under many people's saddles, and certainly gets people riled. IMHO if the thighs, arse, and chest are COVERED, and baseball caps are not in evidence, I'm not likely to be taken aback by whatever other inappropriate choice of clothing a person makes on formal night.

 

I do stand by my comment that I think it is silly for HAL to try to enforce the "formal" dress code everywhere on the ship, given that there are non-formal choices for avoiding the formal nights in the MDR. What does HAL expect, that someone eating in the Lido will then immediately scurry back to their cabin, and not be seen in the public areas till the next morning?

[cruz chic]

THAT SHOULD BE YOUR CHOICE,If you want to dress up...and you don't decide what is a big deal for myself & my wife-WE decide...so many DRB's on these boards..some people when I see them at the pool/buffet are so disgusting,it's amazing..BUT,I don't say,"that so and so is so fat in that outfit,they got some nerve showing THAT at the pool".... I find people who walk from the buffet with 2 huge FULL plates of food and are 50-100+ lbs. overweight offensive because I know what weight can do to the body..BUT,it is THEIR decision,their vacation,their choice,NOT YOURS OR MINE.....

 

A man told me once that seeing 2 teens dressed in jeans in the MDR "RUINED" his cruise vacation-RUINED his cruise vacation!!! I should've smacked him right there....the ONLY thing that could ruin my cruise is sickness while on board,a TERRIBLE crew & service,and possibly horrible weather the whole week(which would NOT be the ship's fault)... If teens or anyone "RUIN" your cruise because of what THEY WEAR to the MDR,you need to get a life and I would also suggest an MRI first day you get back,because clearly there's something wrong with this person....

 

Big Al

But you are saying anyone that dresses up is a moron...like you say it s/b be a persons choice. I'm always wondering why people choose to cruise with a formal cruise line when it's so far from what you want to aspire to. Lets bring the overweight people into the argument. How about some smokers or perfume over users too?