On Summit Now ...and Never Again!

[LEESRE]

It really makes be happy to see that so many of the CC'ers are saying that we should have the dress code enforced.

So mnay these days just do the opposite and dress what they wish to wear.

You know before you go that some cruises are more formal than others, so why go on these ships. And it is no use saying it is my VACATION, I will do as I want.

Sorry to hear that they were not consistant, but again they may have not been at the door all the time.

Well done Celebrity and keep up the dress code ethic.

[brigittetom]

Sorry to hear that they were not consistant, but again they may have not been at the door all the time.

 

That's what I was thinking also. I can't remember on the Summit but I know the older ships have an entrance in both ends of the diningroom and no one was ever at the back entrance. Also, when the doors first open there is usually a crowd and there is no way they can monitor all of these people at one time.

[madforcruising]

I don't quite understand why everyone is jumping so heavily on the OP because he wasn't wearing a jacket. He said he was wearing dress pants, a dress shirt and dress shoes, so it's not as though he was wearing slobwear. Does it really disturb your cruise that badly that a man is dressed nicely but without a jacket? Is so, then you people need to get a life!

 

I don´t see anybody saying that seeing the OP without the jacket would ruin their cruise.

 

I also don´t think when reading the posts that anybody is jumping on the OP for not wearing a jacket.

Most of the people responding here are commenting on the reaction of the OP and not on his missing jacket.

And most of the people (icncluding me) are congratulating X for trying to enforce the dress code.

[lysolqn]

Sorry, in advance. I know my response to this post will be received by some with disdain, but here goes.

 

1 - Rudeness by any member of the staff is unacceptable, however, I suspect what Admiral perceived as rudeness was simply a staff member standing his ground and enforcing the rules.

 

2 - There is no need to have a stash of jackets on hand for those who are improperly dressed. What is needed in terms of evening attire is known prior to packing your bags and leaving home.

 

3 - A simple "Oops!" and a short trip back to the cabin for a jacket would have taken care of everything. Standing on ceremony is cutting your nose to spite your face.

 

4 - The "everyone else was doing it and didn't get caught" excuse is a poor one. Imagine being pulled over for speeding and telling the officer, "Hey, other drivers were speeding and you didn't pull them over!"

 

5 - I'd like to see consistency throughout the fleet, with all staff members politely and respectfully enforcing the evening dress code.

[CGTNORMANDIE]

WELLLLLLLLL....I can see by reading the responses that nothing has changed here on the Celebrity Cruise Critic Board. Take a look at the responses on this thread and you will see that the overwhelming majority still favor the dress standards set by X. As usual...some respondents on this thread still don't get it...and probably never will.

[FLACRUISER99]

First of all I am Elite. (At least that's what the Captains Club says.) Celebrity is a lot better than any other cruise line and to make such a stupid assumption about people that you don’t know is arrogant and pompous. You don't know me but because I choose to sail on Celebrity it makes me a snob. Maybe you should look in the mirror.

You missed the point. People that think Celebrity is better than the other lines are kidding themselves. On my last Celebrity cruise I ran in to 2 very rude staff members. I had a minor complaints and got very stupid rude answers. So if you are worried about someone well dressed without a jacket I guess its OK. I did not mean to insult anyone, just state my opinion. Sometimes I write things that people take personal SORRY!:o Although this board is usually not very kind to anyone who disagrees with them.

[wtevrfltsurbt]

:D If everybody would just stop "Jonesing" about their cruise line this would be alot easier! It's like "My car is better than your car because of XYZ feature" when if fact it's simply a matter of personal choice and liking. There are rude people on every line, there are great people on every line. Dressing appropriately IS a big deal if it is part of the lines requirements. Just as when you go to a movie theater and the sign says "Please do not wear huge hats" as this WILL alter the enjoyment of the experience for others.

That said jtutak, I really believe that in these forums people take issue with the OPINIONS of others, not the person. These are not mean people, just opinionated:D Most humans protect what brings them pleasure, cruising does just that for most, so they will defend it mightily! But IMO, some people wouldn't be happy if you hung them with a new rope:p

Happy Cruising!

 

 

You missed the point. People that think Celebrity is better than the other lines are kidding themselves. On my last Celebrity cruise I ran in to 2 very rude staff members. I had a minor complaints and got very stupid rude answers. So if you are worried about someone well dressed without a jacket I guess its OK. I did not mean to insult anyone, just state my opinion. Sometimes I write things that people take personal SORRY!:o Although this board is usually not very kind to anyone who disagrees with them.

[libramitch]

Any resolution Admiral? Are you still on the ship?

[jukeboxy]

Any resolution Admiral? Are you still on the ship?

 

Voyage Schedule

Apr 11 Port Everglades

Apr 12 Key West

Apr 13 Cozumel

Apr 14 At Sea

Apr 15 Puerto Limon

Apr 16 Colon

Apr 17 At Sea

Apr 18 Aruba

Apr 19 At Sea

Apr 20 Grand Cayman

Apr 21 At Sea

Apr 22 Port Everglades

It appears that "the Admiral is still aboard unless he jumped in a fit of depression or was thrown over the side for valid reasons.

 

Maybe it is my warped mind but you have to wonder "what is he thinking"? Since we have not heard anymore ranting from him in response to some of the not so kind comments here we have to assume some thoughts that may be going through his mind.

Thought one; Why aren't these people feeling sorry for me and bashing X?

Thought two; Don't they realize that I am more important that everyone else on the ship?

Thought three; Why did I have to admit that I did a stupid thing?

Thought four; Can I be busted to seaman for this whole thing?

Thought five; Wait untill I get home and have time to bash X on my time instead of $.75 a minute.

 

Please feel free to add what you think he may be thinking at this very moment. Or you could flame me for this posting. But at least I see some kind of warped humor in this whole thing.

[DocJohnB]

3/15/05 . . . TheAdmiral posts on C/C:

 

But I recently saw a bunch of pictures of what the actually did to this once beautiful lounge and can honestly say now that X has lost me as a passenger for the foreseable future. Basically from the pictures I've seen they threw white sheets all over the place for the supposed "visual effect" and the lounge now has no personality and quite frankly looks like, well you know.

emphasis is mine.

 

4/15/05 . . . TheAdmiral posts on C/C:

 

I am currenty on the Summit April 11th sailing and after my experience at dinner yesterday I can say Celebrity has lost its way and I will never return again, short of a major soul searching by the company.

again, the emphasis is mine.

 

Anybody else see the commonality oh his posts or is it just me?

 

Reading back through some of his posts I don't believe TheAdmiral was ever gonna give Celebrity and Summit a fair and honest shake. He glosses over the post by "reporting" on some positive notes.

 

I agree that if a rule is to be enforced, it needs to be enforced uniformly throughout. I also agree that there is no room for "rudeness" from any staff member (if there was indeed rude behavior). But I also agree that the simple way to resolve this situation was in TheAdmirals hands from the beginning . . . Go back to the room and grab a jacket and tie, or do as he did and seek an alternative option for dining. But for crying out loud, don't pass the blame onto the ships' personnel . . . wear that mantle yourself.

 

As I am trying to emphasize in my two quotes above, I don't think this guy was ever gonna come back on Celebrity and was looking to pick at something on his Summit cruise to complain about.

[cruisedoctor]

Just disembarked the Constellation yesterday morning. While I am not a fan of "informal" dress code nights, I do follow it, and dress appropriately. We've been averaging about 5 weeks a year on various Celebrity ships, and eat all meals in the dining room. With each passing cruise, I have noted a further decline in following the "informal" dress policy. Last week, I purposely took a close account of what the men were wearing on these two nights. Fully 50% of men were WITHOUT coats.

 

What has been happening, is that passengers who follow the policy, see that it isn't being enforced. Then when it comes time for their next cruise, they decide why bother with the extra packing, and elect to ignore the policy too. It's like a small snowball, rolling down a hill, becoming larger and larger as it makes it's way to the bottom.

 

One of the greatest evils that has been ruining this country is "political correctness". The cruise lines are so afraid of getting sued, or alienating a passenger, that they just let everyone get away with anything. Princess and RCL did away with their "informal" codes quite awhile ago. And, with the advent of alternative dining venues, the number of passengers using the dining room on "formal" nights has been decreasing too.

 

These days too many people have the attitude that since they paid for the cruise, they can do anthing they want. I was speaking with one of the security personnel on Consetellation last week. He was telling me about several instances where he caught teenagers in the act of defacing ship property. When the parents were confronted, their response in most cases is that they paid a lot of money for the cruise, and kids will be kids.

 

Somebody at the next table not wearing a sport coat certainly doesn't ruin my dinner. What does raise my blood pressure, are passengers who routinely arrive 15 to 45 minutes late for dinner each night. By doing so, these rude and self-centered individuals cause havoc to the waiter's routine, and all the other passengers in the "station" then have to put up with poorer service. And, the occurence of this too is increasing, with greater numbers of people showing up whenever they feel like. Then these late comers are preturbed when the waiter doesn't drop everything he is doing, and serve them, as though they showed up on time like everyone else.

 

Thanks for listening to my humble opinions.

[luv2cruise99]

If fully 50% of the men were not wearing jackets on informal night, then maybe it's time for Celebrity to re-examine their policy. Princess and RCCL did away with informal nights because it was obvious that that's what the majority of passengers wanted (as evidenced by how few actually dressed according to the dress code on informal nights). Celebrity can either dig in their heels and staunchly enforce their dress codes as this maitre'd did (and alienate 50% of their passengers in the process) or they can realize that times are a changing and change with them.

 

Just disembarked the Constellation yesterday morning. While I am not a fan of "informal" dress code nights, I do follow it, and dress appropriately. We've been averaging about 5 weeks a year on various Celebrity ships, and eat all meals in the dining room. With each passing cruise, I have noted a further decline in following the "informal" dress policy. Last week, I purposely took a close account of what the men were wearing on these two nights. Fully 50% of men were WITHOUT coats.

[PatC]

I've been reading this post and have to chime in. We were on Summit in March and I can say that 95% of the men adhered to the dress code in the dining room and mainly throughout the ship. Actually, I think those in the minority in staying dressed in accordance with the "dress of the evening" looked more out of place than someone without their jackets after dinner. After 14 cruises on Celebrity I can truly say those in their shorts really looked out of place. And the majority of the passengers were Americans and British!

 

While Celebrity seems to be very "stiff" to many cruisers, those of us who don't mind "dressing a little" seem to choose their ships over others. Again, this is by choice. As everyone else seems to say, I don't think a man without a jacket in the dining room will ever ruin my cruise, I do believe that the crew and staff should POLITELY remind and suggest that you are dressed approriately for dinner. While no member of any staff should be rude and obnoxious, I can understand them being polite about informing guests of the regulations. I recall a number of years ago we went to a CC party and my husband didn't have a jacket (that was the dress code then). He was politely asked to get one. No problem. This time were were told "dress of the day", so at 11:30 we had on slacks and shirts. NOT!!! It was held in the Bar at the Edge of the Earth for Elite and Select - guess how many showed dressed "of the day"???? I had specifically called and visited guest relations to confirm what we should wear and that was another story.

 

We like dressing, we like the formality but we would never condone rudeness from any member of the staff. Of course, many people can be very loud and cause a scene and that again, is another situation.

 

I guess the bottom line is you have alternatives on the ships so we should use them. You can't please everyone.

[Dale]

Yesterday was an informal evening and the dress code suggested in the newsletter we wear jacket and tie. I wore an oxfords dress shirt, dress pants and dress shoes...point? i was not dressed in a way that would offend other diners.

I'm sure this will not settle anything but the following is a quote from Celebrity's web site concerning "Dress Code".

 

"On informal nights, men are requested to wear a jacket, shirt and tie, while women may want to wear a suit or dress".

 

For what it's worth in my dictionary, required and requested have entirely different definitions. I didn't look up suggested but I'm sure it also has a different definition.

[House_Atreides]

There were 2 nights where Greg wore a jacket to dinner (there were 3 formal nights, we skipped one). Those 2 nights were the only time he wore a jacket. Mind you, he was dressed very appropriately for dinner every night, but no one turned him away at dinner.

 

I was just on Summit 3/21/05-4/1/05 and here is my review of the ship, etc. if you would like a read.

 

Be well, and try to enjoy the rest of your cruise,

 

Mary

[tbelian]

Good for Celebrity. Enforce the dress code. That is what most of us have been clamoring for forever. Whether everyone who was not complying with the dress code gott caught is irrelevant (So, if Johnny goes and jumps off a bridge that means it's ok for you to jump off the bridge?). Bad behavior by others does not excuse bad behavior by one. Just because 'everyone else is doing it' is not a viable defense. It's still wrong. If you feel you were victimized, so be it.

 

Going to leave Celebrity? good. Bye Bye.

[tbelian]

For what it's worth in my dictionary, required and requested have entirely different definitions. I didn't look up suggested but I'm sure it also has a different definition.

 

And, for what it is worth 'requested' is the 'poltically correct' way to ask. It still means 'wear this'.

[tbelian]

alienate 50% of their passengers in the process)

 

What about the 'Y' percent who currently don't select Celebrity because they have NOT been enforcing the dress code? Certainly that percentage would have a role in the total equation as well.

[hdawson]

Dale. Every invitation I've seen to a formal event uses the words, suggested or requested. It is assumed that the person being invited has the class to respect the occaision and doesn't need to see the word required. That's how it's done in polite society. And on Celebrity 98%+ of the guests understand this and dress appropriately. Tbilian is correct.

[mari10]

Maybe this bears repeating for those who choose not to read the daily activities and events. Day One: Ship's Dress Codes The following are the required attire for evening dress:

Informal: Gentlemen: Jackets and slacks.

Day Five: This evening's dress code: Gentlemen: Jackets, slacks.

I didn't see the word suggested or requested, and what does it matter.

Does Celebrity have to hit you over the head with a stick for you to get the message. I don't understand what is the big deal about putting on a jacket.

Can you imagine if they also stated that a tie was required. I did see many men wearing ties on informal night. My DH was one of them.

The reason we sail on Celebrity is because it is not Princess or NCL.

Just my 2 cents.

Mari

Celebrity Specialist (not on Celebrity's payroll)

[WeBeCruisin']

So, the Cirque du Suk, didn't?

 

sorry, I am not sure what the beef is, you weren't let in and others were? Why not just go get a jacket. Life is way to short for this type of nonsense. Actually to be honest, way to short to re-read your post and try to figure it out.

I

 

I remember The Admiral starting several threads where he was lambasting the Cirque de Soleil "white nights" event before he had ever seen it. He was very virulent in his comments and he assailed Celebrity for the idea of making any change. He bemoaned the loss of the little-used Notes and was generally extremely negative and unpleasant. Is there a possibility, Admiral, that your narrow-minded negativity and unpleasant attitude is responsible for the dining room personnel giving you a hard time in return? Maybe, just maybe, YOU are the source of the problem. You claim you were extremely "well-dressed" in your long-sleeved shirt. Maybe they didn't view your "well-dressed" appearance in the same way you did.

 

Bottom line: Celebrity has a dress code. You chose to disregard it. They enforced it (Hooray! Huzzah! Three Cheers!) and you had a hissy fit and are still pouting about it. Just put on your Big Boy Undies and deal with it! Put the jacket on, enjoy the food, and stop whining and complaining. From your previous attacks on Celebrity about CDS (something you were viciously rejecting, simply because it was change and without really knowing anything about it), I'm beginning to think you're one of those people who just aren't happy unless they can complain and make themselves and everyone else miserable. Please think about it.

 

Allen

[wtevrfltsurbt]

OK I'm jumping in again :p

I just returned from an 11 day aboard the Mercury. I kept the daily sheets from the cruise. The daily states the following verbatum: "This evenings dress code: Formal. Ladies: A dressy outfit. Gentlemen: Dark suit and tie, dinner jacket, or tuxedo."

It goes on to say: "To enter the Manhattan restaurant, both levels 5 and 6, please proceed via Promanade deck 6 aft only. Punctuality at dinner times is appreciated. Doors are closed 30 minutes after listed opening times.

Important Notice: Formal attire is required in the Dining Room this evening."

So there you have it from the horses mouth folks. Not "suggested" not "Requested" not "Appreciated"(although I'm sure they do;) )

Celebrity is known for these dress policies so what I don't get is why some people get so upset about them! It's not like it's a surprise! There was one evening when we blew off dining in the Manhattan because we walked all over town in one port and were just too tired to go thru the motions by dinner time. (Early Seating). So we dressed in whatever and went to the Grill and had a great meal there. It's not like there are no alternatives available to the cruiser who does not wish to adhere to the rules, and lets face it, there are many many lines out there that have NO rules when it comes to dining, so......pick one OP and enjoy yourself.

Dale. Every invitation I've seen to a formal event uses the words, suggested or requested. It is assumed that the person being invited has the class to respect the occaision and doesn't need to see the word required. That's how it's done in polite society. And on Celebrity 98%+ of the guests understand this and dress appropriately. Tbilian is correct.

[WeBeCruisin']

I think we all agree that rudeness on the part of the staff is a totally separate issue, and never appropriate.

:)

 

I think that a lot of people have also learned that the magic word to use to get their way is "rude".

 

In a previous existence, I was the general manager for several large bookstore chains. I remember one incident, where a custome brought an ASVAB book back, asking for a cash refund because it was the "wrong" book. The ASVAB tests are aptitude tests to see what area of the Armed Forces you are best-suited for. My employee told the lady that she couldn't give her a refund on the book, because the book had been written in. About half the questions in the book had answers written in ink. The woman had no receipt, and the book was an edition which hadn't been available for about a year. The woman then claimed that the book had all the writing in it when she bought it new "three days ago". The clerk told her that she was sorry, but that she couldn't give her money back for a used book. The woman started making a spectacle, cursing the sales clerk profanely and obscenely. She demanded the manager, and then began abusing me the same way when I backed up my employee. I was calm and respectful and told her I could understand her frustration, but it was impossible to accede to her demands. She left the store screaming and the other customers were in shock and immediately started praising us for not letting her return the book and stating that the woman was obviously a psycho. Incidentally, the customer actually threw the book at us, but missed.

 

A week later, the regional director called me and said that she had received a letter stating that the salesclerk and I had treated her horribly and were "rude" to her. I was given a reprimand and the sales clerk was fired.

I know that some of you will say that in the interest of "customer service" we should have given the nutcase money to quiet her down and make her happy.

Upon receiving her money, she would have bragged to her other low-life friends and they would all try to be as "smart" as she was. Multiply that by hundreds of cases in a couple of thousand stores, and you have some serious financial losses which raise the price of everything to the honest customers.

 

At one point, my company decided to show how "good" their customer service was by giving cash refunds on any merchandise brought back, regardless of whether the customer had a receipt or not. "Customers" began coming up to the counter with $200 to $300 software programs, Play Stations, etc. which they had just taken off the shelf and brought up front. When the company's "unexplained" losses crossed over into the millions, they quickly discontinued that policy.

 

Okay, this is quite a rant, but just because someone like The Admiral says

someone was rude is not proof that they were. To many people, "rude" just means that they made an unreasonable demand and didn't get their way.

 

Allen

[WeBeCruisin']

Many Celebrity cruisers think they are elite HAHA. three cheers for the Admiral he is telling like it is. Celebrity is no better than than any other cruise line - just has more snooty people how think their blank doesn't stink

 

Grrrrr!!!! This puerile muck:D (hi Bicker!) is so irritating. It has nothing to do with the issue involved, but is just one arrogant egotist supporting another for the sake of showing how they're both too cool or special or possibly ignorant to follow the rules the majority of the passengers support. It has absolutely nothing to do with "elitism" or "snootiness". It has to do with good manners, consideration and lack of rudeness.

 

This issue involved is that The Admiral chose to break the "rules", and Celebrity told him they wouldn't allow him to. Jtutak, how simple can that be?

 

Allen

[Blazerboy]

After reading all these posts, something occured to me again that I've often thought before. People who are unused to luxury, money, exclusivity, etc. CAN often role model their behavior in these situations by what they've seen in the movies or on t.v. Think about Alexis Carrington threatening to have an entire board fired, or Ted Knight in Caddyshack playing the awful Country Club Snob. People who are unused to these surroundings(even after many cruises) might think that the way to behave as one of the "priviledged classes" is to be rude, demanding, and critical of everything- think about Goldie Hawn in "Overboard" where she calls the caviar gelantinous muck.

 

The sad part is that people who were brought up with more modest means but feel comfortable in their own skin have much better manners than those who feel threatened by social status. With the "glamourous" reputation that cruising has, perhaps the OP acts this way so he feels superior, rather than feel inferior. Just a thought.