Seabourn announces revised dress code

[lord of the seas]

"optional" means you can take part in the formal evening for dining or not.....if you do, you need a Tux or a suit WITH a tie...... if you dont want to do that,the "option" is that you can dine in the alternate restaurant/s wearing a jacket or in your suite in your pj's....this whole thread seems to be getting overly confusing!!

 

Yes Lorraine,I agree.

How hard can it be to stick to the dress code,they even give you an option as to what to wear.

There are plenty of cruise lines that allow shorts and jeans in the dining room,on some lines, covered legs for men would be considered formal.:eek:

[wripro]

If writer100's interpretation is correct then Seabourn has really changed its dress code. Up to now formal optional meant that if you wanted to dine in the main restaurant on a formal night men needed a tux or dark suit. Otherwise you could dine in any of the alternate restaurants in a jacket and collared shirt (except the Patio Grill on Odyssey and Sojourn which is always casual.) Now I am reading that even in the main restaurant on formal nights one can wear just a jacket and collared shirt if one wants to.

 

Dan, is this correct?

[Martita B.]

wripro

Your analysis and interpretation is correct ~guests do have an option ~formalwear in the dining room (restuarant) or jacket and collered shirt in the other dining venues.

Martita B

[writer100]

No. You must distinguish between what you want to believe, and what is said. The option is to wear formal clothes on a night when a formal night is offered. For on that evening, as on all other evenings including those not annotated as a formal option, the dress code specifies elegant casual. And it does on this specified night as well. The option is a public one to encourage (but not mandate) those who might wish to to dress in formal clothes. It is distinctly not a requirement, nor is there a requirement that those who do not wear formal clothes must dine someplace other than the mdr. I have called guest services twice, and gotten the same answers overall--except that the first time I was told there was no formal (optional) night on 7 night cruises, and the second time that was corrected to "one formal (optional) night up to and including 13 night cruises"

 

Think of it this way. A clothing optional beach could hardly demand that everyone present appear naked. The clothing is optional. So is the nudity. In contrast to a nude beach, where clothing is prohibited.

The operative word is "optional." Contrast that with what used to be, I think, a declared "formal night."Pn that night, you either wore formal clothes--or a dark suit--or you were banished from the mdr.

No more.

[Host Dan]

Writer100 couldn't have put it better. This is the NEW announced policy.

 

Host Dan

["Wandering Wino's&quo]

No. You must distinguish between what you want to believe, and what is said. The option is to wear formal clothes on a night when a formal night is offered. For on that evening, as on all other evenings including those not annotated as a formal option, the dress code specifies elegant casual. And it does on this specified night as well. The option is a public one to encourage (but not mandate) those who might wish to to dress in formal clothes. It is distinctly not a requirement, nor is there a requirement that those who do not wear formal clothes must dine someplace other than the mdr. I have called guest services twice, and gotten the same answers overall--except that the first time I was told there was no formal (optional) night on 7 night cruises, and the second time that was corrected to "one formal (optional) night up to and including 13 night cruises"

 

Think of it this way. A clothing optional beach could hardly demand that everyone present appear naked. The clothing is optional. So is the nudity. In contrast to a nude beach, where clothing is prohibited.

The operative word is "optional." Contrast that with what used to be, I think, a declared "formal night."Pn that night, you either wore formal clothes--or a dark suit--or you were banished from the mdr.

No more.

 

Thank you for a very clear explanation of the recently update SB dress codes. While I'm not certain this explanation is what some wish it could be, unless the wording on SB web-site is changed it is what it is, making it very clear that both formally and elegant casual attired guests will be welcomed at any of the dinning venues.

[GrannyLorr]

ok...so Granny was wrong.....think it is clear now....:confused:

My understanding of it now is, that there really isnt any Formal nights anymore....Seabourn have just put a "label" on one night, to placate those who have been whining "Seabourn always has been formal and always will be formal".....LOL....doesnt look like it anymore! If you want to wear your fancy duds thats fine but I can be on the next table not in formal wear!! Oh boy is that going to start some whining!! :D

[Jaffa]

This sad-ens me greatly.

A big disappointment.

 

Seabourn must really think they will pick up more "new" clientele than they will lose from the loyal regulars that prefer their regular standards.

 

By reading this and other posts, it seems that like me, many others are disappointed as well.

 

One thing is for sure, it will change the loved Seabourn experience to the detriment forever.

[Martita B.]

As the Seabourn daily Herald will announce the dress code for each evening most guests will dress accordingly.

Whether they prefer to dress down or to dress up is their option ~

I, along with many others, will continue to uphold Seabourn's suggested dress for that evening ~

MB

[lord of the seas]

As the Seabourn daily Herald will announce the dress code for each evening most guests will dress accordingly.

Whether they prefer to dress down or to dress up is their option ~

I, along with many others, will continue to uphold Seabourn's suggested dress for that evening ~

MB

 

Martha,this will be interesting to see how many guests will want to turn up in the main restaurant on a formal evening wearing little more than casual attire.This,I think will put more strain on the other restaurants on formal evenings.Good for some,not so good for others,it will be good to observe for all.

[Martita B.]

John

Yes, it will be very interesting to see on formal night, the Maitre'd in blacktie tails escorting a lady under dressed to a table. :eek:

Last Dec. in the Caribbean there were no formal evenings ~but I was very surprised at the Captains 'Welcome party' to see a few ladies arrive in glitzy sequined attire ~~ most were dressed in elegant "Country Club".

MB

[lord of the seas]

John

Yes, it will be very interesting to see on formal night, the Maitre'd in blacktie tails escorting a lady under dressed to a table. :eek:

 

Last Dec. in the Caribbean there were no formal evenings ~but I was very surprised at the Captains 'Welcome party' to see a few ladies arrive in glitzy sequined attire ~~ most were dressed in elegant "Country Club".

MB

 

Martha,always good to see people properly dressed for an occasion.

The officers and waiters dress correctly so why should the guests not do the same.

[Jim Avery]

This discussion is reminiscent of the passions stirred in the "children on board" debate over at SeaDream. In all, I would rather argue over dress codes and never have to worry about the other.:eek: Yes, we will dress appropriately on our upcoming Spirit trip.:eek:

J & L.

[Martita B.]

Jim

I think on the smaller Seabourn ships guests will dress according to the daily Herald's evening suggestion ~

As to children ~now on the Odyssey during summer months there is a "Youth Director" (or babysitter) the Director supervises the children two hours in the morning, 2 hours in the afternoon and 2 hours in the evening ~I wonder if the Sojourn and Quest will require or need a "youth program?"

Martita B

[lord of the seas]

Jim

I think on the smaller Seabourn ships guests will dress according to the daily Herald's evening suggestion ~

 

As to children ~now on the Odyssey during summer months there is a "Youth Director" (or babysitter) the Director supervises the children two hours in the morning, 2 hours in the afternoon and 2 hours in the evening ~I wonder if the Sojourn and Quest will require or need a "youth program?"

Martita B

 

Might I suggest that after two hours of teaching the children to walk the plank that the afternoon and evening sessions may not be required.:)

[Jim Avery]

Might I suggest that after two hours of teaching the children to walk the plank that the afternoon and evening sessions may not be required.:)

 

I like the way you think.:D

[writer100]

Martha,always good to see people properly dressed for an occasion.

The officers and waiters dress correctly so why should the guests not do the same.

Actually, I have some slight empathy for the loss of what seems to some to be a tradition. But the suggestion that one should dress at a higher level because the maitre di' does is a tad farcial. Unless, of course, when you go to Fortnum & Mason you too don white tie and tails. If you are on board with friends who wish to dress in formal clothes you can certainly join together at a larger table, and thus form a little island of decorum. The (slightly) larger question--if there is one in this--is whether it is worth packing formal clothes for one evening out of 13? As to the number of posts on this thread which support formal clothes, we all find that prejudices that agree with our own are eminently sensible. Assuming that Seabourn has not made this change on a whim-- one can presume that they have done a ton of focus groups and other kinds of research--there has to be a very large number of current and potential cruisers who don't like to be told that they have to wear formal clothes. Any other conclusion would be silly.

If you wish to muse, you might ponder what other changes SB might be prepared to make to accommodate (cater to? pander to) a younger and/or less formal crowd.

[Martita B.]

Guests will wear what they prefer on formal evenings ~

By Seabourn's recent revision this is what they are encouraging.

Time will tell as to how successful this decision is ~~

MB

[lord of the seas]

The (slightly) larger question--if there is one in this--is whether it is worth packing formal clothes for one evening out of 13?

 

You pack what is needed for your trip which on Seabourn includes formal and casual/semi casual attire.

If it all goes into one suitcase that's fine but if you need to take other cases to fit everything in then that is also fine.I have never understood posters complaints/excuses about not being able to pack/carry everything that they might need.

Leave home by car/arrive airport/Porter to check in/Get on aircraft/Arrive destination airport/Met by car/Arrive ship/Luggage taken to suite/Unpack and enjoy holiday.

Very similar chain of events for the return journey home.

How easy was that.

[lord of the seas]

Guests will wear what they prefer on formal evenings ~

By Seabourn's recent revision this is what they are encouraging.

Time will tell as to how successful this decision is ~~

MB

Yes Martha,

 

Seabourn does listen to what guests are saying,hence a slight change of tack, re the dress code.

[writer100]

There are some--and I am one--who learned as a consequence of "strayed" luggage--the word an airline person once used to describe my absent bag--to treat everything--if at all possible--as carryon. You can do that for a short cruise--particularly one that requires no wardrobe more intense than "elegant casual"--by wearing a blazer, putting some other clothing in a hanging bag to go into the plane's forward closet--and carrying two large roller/or duffle bags, plus laptop (maybe) large purse and one other piece of hand luggage. Under that kind of discipline, one (extra) gown and one tux, shoes, etc. really do take up room that can be better used for more versatile clothes.

Moreover, from the U.K. there may be direct flights to the city/port of embarkation in, say the Med. From the the U.S., connecting flights are more the rule than the exception, and every traveler knows that the risks of lost luggage rise exponentially if the luggage has to change planes, too. Yes, you can send luggage ahead, but that is expensive, and also still shifts the bags from your control to other hands.Traveling light is the best solution, though admittedly not always possible.

[lord of the seas]

Traveling light is the best solution, though admittedly not always possible.

 

How true.

[MARIANH]

You pack what is needed for your trip which on Seabourn includes formal and casual/semi casual attire.

If it all goes into one suitcase that's fine but if you need to take other cases to fit everything in then that is also fine.I have never understood posters complaints/excuses about not being able to pack/carry everything that they might need.

Leave home by car/arrive airport/Porter to check in/Get on aircraft/Arrive destination airport/Met by car/Arrive ship/Luggage taken to suite/Unpack and enjoy holiday.

Very similar chain of events for the return journey home.

How easy was that.

 

Au contraire my Lord, not quite so simple as you should know given your status in Society. First of all one will need to reducate one's Butler/ Batman/ man/womanservant as to what you wish to pack. And he/she will be confused having got used to one's fixed regimen over all these years. And you forgot the when at the airport " find/ or not find all your luggage on the Carousel / panic" stage.

 

Personally, I will continue to pack my tiaras, ballgowns, medals and spats just in case I get an invitation ( unlikely in my case) to a hosted table.

 

Isnt it time this thread was closed?

 

And for writer100 - just off to reflect on Italy.

[lord of the seas]

Au contraire my Lord, not quite so simple as you should know given your status in Society. First of all one will need to reducate one's Butler/ Batman/ man/womanservant as to what you wish to pack. And he/she will be confused having got used to one's fixed regimen over all these years. And you forgot the when at the airport " find/ or not find all your luggage on the Carousel / panic" stage.

 

Personally, I will continue to pack my tiaras, ballgowns, medals and spats just in case I get an invitation ( unlikely in my case) to a hosted table.

 

Isnt it time this thread was closed?

 

And for writer100 - just off to reflect on Italy.

 

Seriously,have you ever lost any luggage on your travels?

 

Always best to avoid hosted tables,in case other diners slurp their soup.

[MARIANH]

Seriously,have you ever lost any luggage on your travels?

 

quote]

 

Yes, unfortunately. But thankfully not before a cruise . It is a nightmare that happened to a table companion who had ( foolishly) flown from Humberside via Amsterdam ( courtesy of KLM) to Venice. KLM has a reputation ( allegedly).

 

The guy with foresight had packed a pair of socks and clean underwear in his hand luggage. But that's no good for a formal night ( It was Cunard!). The good news was that Cunard came up trumps and lent the guy a tux and the bits. The less good news was it was three sizes too big. He made an impression. He waited 5 days for his luggage to catch him up in Istanbul. He looked very creased for the rest of the voyage.

 

The lesson I took from this is to mix his and hers clothes in each suitcase/ trunk. That's the theory. The reality is the Duchess will not allow it.

 

I wonder why?