More Conflicting Dress Code Info from NCL

[alwalaska]

After reading recent Dailies from the NCL Spirit, I had told my husband that we needed to pack at least one set of slacks for dinners since the largest dining room does not allow jeans.

 

THEN ...

 

My Welcome Aboard packet comes. It seems to have a mixture of generic information and information specific to my cruise. On page 4, under Plan Your attire, it says,

" Freestyle Cruising encourages relaxed attire. After all, you're on vacation. Even swinwear with a cover-up is okay at the buffet and outdoor restaurant. When you're ready for dinner, it's collared shirts and pants or nice jeans for men; for women, pants or jeans, dresses, or skirts and tops are perfect. Kids 12 and under are welcome to wear nice shorts to all our restaurants.

If you prefer to dress up when you dine out, we offer a formal night. Our onboard photographer is also available to capture moments like this for you. Also consider packing a sweater-air conditioning can be chilly."

 

I really wish they would be more consistent. We are the type of people who would prefer to dress more casually and will not pack dressier clothes if they are not required, but we will follow the rules if we can figure out what they are.

 

I checked again today and the NCL web site still says that jeans are allowed in some, but not all dining venues.

[Traveller20074]

That IS confusing!

 

I wish jeans were allowed, so I could be comfortable the whole cruise :o

 

 

 

and, to further compound it, the NCL FAQ on the website: Resort casual dress gets you into every venue at night too. Some people like to add a jacket, or when celebrating a special occasion, get all decked out. This too is welcome everywhere. And if you're tired from a long fun day and just want to wear shorts; our buffet is the place for a casual dinner. Some people prefer nice jeans. They're welcome in many of our restaurants as well, but not in all. It's your vacation on NCL so dress comfortably, and you'll find a venue that suits your style.

 

 

"...not in all..." Well, come out and SAY WHICH ONES NCL!! I gotta admit, their website is so vague on some stuff *bangs head on desk*

[negn]

Jeans are always allowed in 1 of the main dining rooms. Recently heard they were allowed in both

[Traveller20074]

Know what I'd do? I would take your copy of the Welcome Aboard Packet with you and wear jeans to the main dining room. When they say something...show it to them. That's what I'd do :) I wouldn't pack slacks if you don't want to....

[Traveller20074]

Jeans are always allowed in 1 of the main dining rooms. Recently heard they were allowed in both

 

 

then, they need to change their website :mad:

 

 

Resort casual dress gets you into every venue at night too. Some people like to add a jacket, or when celebrating a special occasion, get all decked out. This too is welcome everywhere. And if you're tired from a long fun day and just want to wear shorts; our buffet is the place for a casual dinner. Some people prefer nice jeans. They're welcome in many of our restaurants as well, but not in all. It's your vacation on NCL so dress comfortably, and you'll find a venue that suits your style.

 

 

 

why can't they BE SPECIFIC

[Toyz711]

throw in a pair of casual kakhis, in case the seating host/hostess is strict. if the hostess is in a good mood, nice jeans will not be a problem.

[Traveller20074]

It says in her Welcome Packet they are allowed. I wouldn't pack any more than I wanted to :D

 

 

 

 

 

When you're ready for dinner, it's collared shirts and pants or nice jeans for men; for women, pants or jeans, dresses, or skirts and tops are perfect

[Kathyh1313]

then, they need to change their website :mad:

 

 

 

 

why can't they BE SPECIFIC

 

They can't be specific because every ship has different restaurants! Every ship will have 2 main dining rooms both serving the same menu, one of those will be designated no jeans. I have never seen anyone not allowed into a specialty restaurant just because they had jeans on. Formal night is a "Dress up or not" night. Usually one of the 2 main dining rooms will be designated formal/dressy. Casual is allowed in the specialty restaurants on that night. I hope that helps to clear it up for you. Enjoy your cruise! :)

[pdoeringer]

We are on the Star next week and I can honestly tell everyone that my suit, dress jacket, and tie will be hanging in my closet - AT HOME.

[Toyz711]

DH has never been told "no" in his black jeans and golf shirts...even on "dress up or not". we have seen the signs that saw "no jeans" in front of the bigger of the MDRs. we have seen the seating hostess turn people away one night and the next night, another hostess allowed it.

we don't use the smaller MDR because of the jeans, we like the smaller rooms better then the loud, crowded bigger MDR.

specialities are no problem.

DH doesn't own a suit, sport coats or tie...packing is easy for us.

my only thing about jeans is with flying, takes up too much weight/space in the luggage and with the airlines having so many restrictions and costs..less jeans is less luggage (for us anyway)

[whenisthemidnightbuffet?]

I have traveled with my DH and DS (at various ages of growth)and always stressed about the attire requirements. Women can get away with pretty much anything. On all of my sailings with various cruiselines, NCL our favorite, what I have found is you can never go wrong with just a neat, and well put together outfit; never have we been turned away from any dining venue whether in cocktail dress or jeans - just think "neat" as a requirement (not too be confused with Daisy Mae cutoff shorts or wife beater t-shirt and Joey Budofucco (spelling is wrong) pants - although I have seen all of these in every dining venue. They do not want to cramp on anyone's style since everyone is enjoying their vacation and all have paid i guess. For worst case scenario if you are realy paranoid about being turned away (there are no red ropes by the way), everyone should have a pair of black pants and white shirt and you will never, ever, I repeat, ever, have a problem with attire requirements!

[dockrocker]

It would be great if they would be consistent -- this is such a source of confusion for people.

 

I was just looking at the Celebrity site and under "Proper Dining Attire," it says something along the lines of, "Examples of smart casual and above and formal attire for men and women"...and then goes on to describe only smart casual and above. Someone forgot to post a description of formal. Oh, my, is that going to generate some heat down the line.

[roger001]

A $12 pair of khakis from Wal Mart has always been just fine. Easy to carry and as comfortable as jeans. Solves all the problem. Ooops... I forgot to add, at night 6 on last cruise, my belt wouldn't fasten anymore though.

[ilovesassy]

when we sailed on the pearl in '09, we ate in both dining rooms and Cagney's with jeans on. We weren't the only ones, and no one said anything to us. We are sailing on the Star in March, and I will once again be packing my jeans and wearing them to dinner. I wasn't even aware that this might be a problem until I read this thread! :rolleyes:

[raventhebouv]

For my husband's dinner attire, I bring a pair of khaki's and a nice pair of jeans, and 5 shirts, 1 or 2 of them being dress shirts, and a pair of loafers and dress socks. Of course the minute we are done with dinner, it's back to our cabin to put the comfy clothes back on...and then I'm off to the casino!:D

[Inuvikcouple]

It is nice that we can wear what we want for the most part. I for one wear jeans to work and after hours every single day and living where we live dressing up is cleaner jeans. As a result we enjoy putting on some clothes that we don't wear every day, but the jacket and tie will remain in Inuvik as usual when we sail with NCL.

[kcfoxy]

A $12 pair of khakis from Wal Mart has always been just fine. Easy to carry and as comfortable as jeans. Solves all the problem. Ooops... I forgot to add, at night 6 on last cruise, my belt wouldn't fasten anymore though.

 

I'm talking about those Boomer favorites, the pants with elasticized waist band. Uber comfy, and you can wear a polo shirt over...no one the wiser and they are good for at least 3 or 4 inches...expansion!

 

BTW: I think I read on the NCL website recently that Le Bistro was the designated 'dress up' restaurant, so perhaps that is the one that doesn't like denim pants?

[Crusin' Momma]

I am sure it would depend on the restaurant and night... I have only cruised Carnival so far and I know that Carnival embraces the "resort casual" idea as well. My husband and I wore jeans 4 out of 7 nights on our last cruise.

 

One night we stayed in and ordered room service because I was sick from scuba diving (ear ache). One night we dressed up in our formal, and the other night we just went to the buffet because we were late getting back to the ship after our excursion and we were starving!

 

I would say as long as they are not torn, stained, or trashy looking it shouldn't be a problem if you are going to one of the main dining rooms. As far as the specialtiy restaurants, I would say if you are thinking about trying out one of these, you should pack a pair of slacks just in case.

[njhorseman]

The most recent evolution of NCL's dress code (although I still wouldn't stake my life that it is identical on all ships) is that "nice" (no holes or tears)) jeans are acceptable in every dining room and shorts are acceptable in all but LeBistro and one of the two MDRs.

 

This is based on our most recent cruise experience (Jewel, mid December) and reports here made by passengers on other NCL ships.

[swedish weave]

Know what I'd do? I would take your copy of the Welcome Aboard Packet with you and wear jeans to the main dining room. When they say something...show it to them. That's what I'd do :) I wouldn't pack slacks if you don't want to....

 

 

An excellent way to enjoy a cruise !!! Go in with a chip on your shoulder !!!:rolleyes:

[hawaiilvr]

Khakis that the bottom half of the legs zip off are the greatest invention ever! Come back from the beach, zip the legs back on, throw on a light cotton button-up shirt and viola, ready for a casual dinner. No exta weight, no drama.

 

DW just packs a khaki skirt, and wears it only to dinner every night, and wears capris the rest of the time. No fuss, no drama.

[bob brown]

If you prefer to dress up when you dine out, we offer a formal night. Our onboard photographer is also available to capture moments like this for you.

I don't recall that wording in the brochure. I recall them referring to a "dress-up, or not" night, but not that they offer a "formal" night.

That's a big difference. Is this very new, or did I miss it on my last cruise brochure (December 11)?

[sjbdtz]

What annoys me in these threads is that it's NOT about how much dress pants cost.

 

Frankly, it's not even about whether I have room for them in my suitcase (although it's easier not to have to bring them).

 

 

It's about the regimentation of things. So much for the fish swimming counter-school... thou must weareth pants of our descripting.

 

 

The only dress codes should be those specifically related to health issues: no shirt, no shoes, no service. Otherwise, live & let live.

 

 

 

.

[sparks1093]

I think the ship's Freestyle Daily is the best source of information regarding dress code so I would ignore other sources (except for more current Dailies, of course;)).

[fergusonvt]

After reading recent Dailies from the NCL Spirit, I had told my husband that we needed to pack at least one set of slacks for dinners since the largest dining room does not allow jeans.

 

THEN ...

 

My Welcome Aboard packet comes. It seems to have a mixture of generic information and information specific to my cruise. On page 4, under Plan Your attire, it says,

" Freestyle Cruising encourages relaxed attire. After all, you're on vacation. Even swinwear with a cover-up is okay at the buffet and outdoor restaurant. When you're ready for dinner, it's collared shirts and pants or nice jeans for men; for women, pants or jeans, dresses, or skirts and tops are perfect. Kids 12 and under are welcome to wear nice shorts to all our restaurants.

If you prefer to dress up when you dine out, we offer a formal night. Our onboard photographer is also available to capture moments like this for you. Also consider packing a sweater-air conditioning can be chilly."

 

I really wish they would be more consistent. We are the type of people who would prefer to dress more casually and will not pack dressier clothes if they are not required, but we will follow the rules if we can figure out what they are.

 

I checked again today and the NCL web site still says that jeans are allowed in some, but not all dining venues.

 

On our recent Sun cruise jeans were allowed in ALL dining rooms. This includes Le Bistro (no shorts allowed) and the Seven Seas Main Dining room (no shorts).