Mixed signals about staying dressed up after dinner..

[bonsat]

if you don't approve of my footsie pjs, i can wear babydolls.

[mudscraper]

if you don't approve of my footsie pjs, i can wear babydolls.

Ahhh..Babydolls.

A fond and distant memory.:)

 

 

Rich

[lazydaze2]

There are always a few who ignore the request to stay in formal attire throughout the evening - personally - I think they look like slobs - I have seen folks in shorts and tees at the evening shows, casino etc. Please people it is a cruise - go along with the program! Ladies - if you want to change your shoes go ahead, guys take off jackets at the show, but have a little class, please, get comfy when you go home.

[Loodie]

There is no confusion here, except in the minds of those who fail to comply. It is a formal night not a formal dinner. People will argue otherwise because they would like to convince enough people to go casual so they will feel less uncomfortable when they are dressed inappropriately for the evening. Don't let them fool you. They are not helping you with advice but pushing there own self-serving social agenda.

[SwissMyst]

I like the occasional formal nights and one of the reasons I would stick with HAL. There are so many other cruising choices for those who insist on casual anytime all the time.

 

I hope HAL remains the choice and economically viable for those who want some of the more traditional aspects of cruising to be retained, just for a little bit longer.

 

Small ships, kind traditions, common courtesies, pleasant manners, shared cruising values - hope HAL continues to make a go of this. We'll do our part. All they need is a couple of thousand similarly minded folks for each ship departure ....... out of 300 million Americans? Go for it, HAL.

[Oceanwench]

Saw lots and lots of people in shorts or casual clothes on both formal nights throughout the evening on my 11/1 cruise on the Westerdam.

[suse]

just do what you want, really. enjoy. savor. relish. absorb. It is such a wonderful cruise, is it not? A Signature of Excellence. Perfect.

[Gablin]

There are several versions of this comment above: "We both make a habit of changing into something more comfortable after dinner."

And, several folks have commented that they don't understand why someone would wear formal clothing that is uncomfortable.

 

It may be more difficult for men to find comfortable formal clothing, but my dresses and shoes are absolutely comfortable. I wouldn't have purchased them if they were uncomfortable. The only thing more comfortable than my formal gowns and dressy shoes would be my pajamas and bare feet (maybe.) It is really difficult for me to understand buying clothing or shoes that hurt.

 

It seems to me to be more of a nuisance to return to your cabin to change clothes than to stay dressed in your dinner clothing, unless you plan to go for a swim or need athletic shoes for a run or walk on an upper deck.

 

I am closely related to a teen who changed clothes after dinner on our last cruise. She decided that she wanted to wear her other formal gown for photos. Otherwise the teens stay dressed for the evening in whatever they have worn to dinner, as do their parents and grandparents.

 

One cruise our (my friend's and my own) luggage didn't show up. Luckily, the ship was overnighting in the embarkation port, Venice. Unluckily, it was a very expensive port for shopping. Luckily, there was a discount store that had a shiny black satin blouse and a pair of shiny black slacks. With even more luck, there was another discount store that had some plain black flats. My jewelry (both real and costume) was in my carryon bag, so I felt as though I could handle the formal nights (sort of.)

Luckily, after a day of shopping in Venice, the luggage showed up before dinner. We did notice that the cruise ship had sparkly tops for sale - probably that is a help to those women passengers whose luggage never arrives.

 

As long as folks are wearing clothing of some kind, I truly don't care whether they dress up or not, but I will always dress according to the suggested attire. And, I will be comfortable doing so.

[Opinions]

There is no confusion here, except in the minds of those who fail to comply. It is a formal night not a formal dinner.

 

If it is formal night why does HAL have the Lido for those who do not care to dress formally?...

[NMLady]

Why would someone go on a cruise to wear uncomfortable shoes, why not purchase comfortable shoes on the first place !!! ....

 

I have never yet found a pair of comfortable dressy pumps. Even the ones with just a one-inch heel are rarely comfortable. So I always change out of dressy shoes. That means I also change out of my formal wear since casual shoes do not go with formal wear. I put on 'smart casual' instead and have always felt appropriately dressed for the show or casino or a lounge for the rest of the evening.

[srlafleur]

Since we usually eat fairly early, while we're dressed up on formal nights, many of the people wandering the ship as we're making our way to dinner are still dressed informally - just coming back from the pool, excursions, or whatever.

Should I somehow feel offended at that? I don't see the big deal about staying in formal wear after dinner. If I were doing something "formal", I guess, but what of the folks who do choose to dine in the Lido? They're not relegated to their rooms for the evening.

[NMLady]

... if you're going to the other spots you would stick out by wearing t-shirts and shorts or jeans and tennis shoes to the show or casino. ...

 

You are presuming that when people change out of formal wear, they are changing to Tshirts etc??? I think that most people who change from formal wear change into very presentable clothes that are more like smart casual than like pool wear. Seems to me a collared shirt and slacks for the guys and a nice blouse and slacks for the ladies wouldn't be out of place for evening entertainment. I think that is what most people change into when they change out of formal wear if they are going to be indoors.

[NMLady]

How many posters, who prefer to change into something casual after dinner, would continue to cruise with HAL if the company were to 'insist' that the dress code be adhered to for the entire evening?

 

Would you continue to cruise with HAL or book on one of the lines that do not have a dress code?

 

I am one who changes out of formal attire into something still a bit dressy but not formal and not requiring dressy heels. It would depend on whether or not I could get the same itinerary on another cruise line I like and/or if I could get the same or a cheaper price. If HAL were the only one with that itinerary or that price then I'd stay in my formal wear (except for the dressy pumps/heels) the rest of the evening if that were the contract.

 

I choose cruises by where I want to go, not by the dress code.

[momofmeg]

I like the occasional formal nights and one of the reasons I would stick with HAL. There are so many other cruising choices for those who insist on casual anytime all the time.

 

I hope HAL remains the choice and economically viable for those who want some of the more traditional aspects of cruising to be retained, just for a little bit longer.

 

Small ships, kind traditions, common courtesies, pleasant manners, shared cruising values - hope HAL continues to make a go of this. We'll do our part. All they need is a couple of thousand similarly minded folks for each ship departure ....... out of 300 million Americans? Go for it, HAL.

 

Well said! I agree, there are more casual lines for those who don't care to dress up. There is a reason Carnival corporation offers so many choices.

[momofmeg]

You are presuming that when people change out of formal wear, they are changing to Tshirts etc??? I think that most people who change from formal wear change into very presentable clothes that are more like smart casual than like pool wear. Seems to me a collared shirt and slacks for the guys and a nice blouse and slacks for the ladies wouldn't be out of place for evening entertainment. I think that is what most people change into when they change out of formal wear if they are going to be indoors.

 

Unfortunately some do. On my Westerdam cruise on formal night, there was a twenty something woman in daisy dukes and a midriff top, I see no problem with that, if she was up on the lido or in the elevator headed to the lido, but she was in the piano bar.

[momofmeg]

Do you put on your pj's and slippers and robe and then go and get a glass of milk and late snack in the casino before you turn in? I mean, are you walking around the ship like that? Way too funny. You are a hoot!:)

 

Around where I live, people come that way to the grocery store, in their flannel PJs and bedroom slippers,minus the robe though.

[momofmeg]

This robe thing is funny though. Whatever. I just read that is the most annoying word in the English language so I wanted to say it again. I read somewhere on these boards about a woman who wandered the ship in her robe at night. I thought that was funny!:)

 

On RCI Mariner of the Seas, a woman came in the robe they give diamond members, I suppose to advertise her status, over her pajamas for breakfast. She also had not brushed her hair, she had a major case of bedhead. I did not get close enough, but something tells me she had not brushed her teeth either. Of course,this was not formal night, but still not appropriate.

[momofmeg]

: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.

 

I see nothing wrong with that-you were appropriately dressed for the activity you were engaged. Anyone who expects all to be dressed formal on the elevator or in walkways is being unreasonable.

[gabbyisadog]

Country club casual does not require switching to a "lesser" cruise line as many of the more expensive and better rated lines ie Regent,Seabourne, Oceania, Azamara have gone all CC casual. Why? This is what their clients want? I think HAL is behind the curve on this issue. They are trying to keep everyone happy- the formal attire devotees and the CC casual people. So they really are letting you do pretty much whatever you want as to dress.

[momofmeg]

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

 

Too funny!

[SwissMyst]

Perhaps those who do not complain to your face in person on the ship, but do here, suffer in silence when others choose to degrade the respected formality requested by the ship for certain evenings. I think it is unfortunate some feel it is their private badge of honor to disregard the formality requests on those few nights each trip.

 

And no, I would not say this to your face because anyone already choosing to disregard the formality suggestions is unlikely to be pleasant or respectful to suggestions to go change. You get to ruin if for those who have their own evening expectations degraded. Plus you get to enjoy the lovely ambiance offered by those who do continue to respect the dress guidelines.

 

If you want to be so d*m casual and proud of it, why don't youfind another ship rather than gloat about your rebellion against this most simple dress guideline the vast majority of others choose to honor and enjoy on HAL. :confused:

 

To those on HAL who both enjoy and honor the few formal nights, thank you. Keep it up and I hope we always outnumber those who want to degrade this lovely and rare occasion. Putting on a coat and tie is just not a big deal. Give me a break. Take this small effort for the rest of us who do not support your small act of protest.

[Opinions]

And no, I would not say this to your face because anyone already choosing to disregard the formality suggestions is unlikely to be pleasant or respectful to suggestions to go change.

 

At least we agree that the formal dress code are really "suggestions".

[Jade13]

Perhaps those who do not complain to your face in person on the ship, but do here, suffer in silence when others choose to degrade the respected formality requested by the ship for certain evenings. I think it is unfortunate some feel it is their private badge of honor to disregard the formality requests on those few nights each trip.

 

And no, I would not say this to your face because anyone already choosing to disregard the formality suggestions is unlikely to be pleasant or respectful to suggestions to go change. You get to ruin if for those who have their own evening expectations degraded. Plus you get to enjoy the lovely ambiance offered by those who do continue to respect the dress guidelines.

 

If you want to be so d*m casual and proud of it, why don't youfind another ship rather than gloat about your rebellion against this most simple dress guideline the vast majority of others choose to honor and enjoy on HAL. :confused:

 

To those on HAL who both enjoy and honor the few formal nights, thank you. Keep it up and I hope we always outnumber those who want to degrade this lovely and rare occasion. Putting on a coat and tie is just not a big deal. Give me a break. Take this small effort for the rest of us who do not support your small act of protest.

 

You are dreaming if you think the majority of folks really wear formal dress on formal nights. And, most people are not in formal wear after dinner nor expected to be if they are at the pool, gym or lido restaurant, or even walking around the promenade (which I don't suggest in heels).

 

Heck, they don't even dress formal on SilverSeas. We came back from a SilverSeas cruise and there was a guy in a t-shirt and flip flops every night.

[pipedreams62]

http://comedians.comedycentral.com/sebastian-maniscalco/videos/sebastian-maniscalco---casual-dress

[SwissMyst]

 

Heck, they don't even dress formal on SilverSeas. We came back from a SilverSeas cruise and there was a guy in a t-shirt and flip flops every night.

 

Thank you to all the HAL cruisers who still honor a degree of formality on formal dinner nights. You are cherished and appreciated. I love sharing the ship with you.