18 years after our 1st cruise we have officially given it up. The masses have won.

[awhcruiser]

Like.

 

 

I'm not sure I understand the OP. He complains about the lack of dress in the dining room, but then wears shorts and flip flops? Why complain if you were part of the issue.

[satbeachbill]

 

dinner onboard used to be an occasion and was treated as such. Might as well pass-out feedbags anymore...

 

+++ +1

[Warm Breezes]

I think the funny thing about the people that say " I WILL WEAR WHATEVER I LIKE ON FORMAL NIGHTS " are the same people that when they picked and booked thier cruise... KNEW AHEAD there was a formal night and it has a dress code. and they were all fine with paying their money ... so why is it now that they agreed to that. they don't care !!!!!!

I don't have a tux. but a suit is easy to borrow. or rent.. or even try ebay... and I bet someone will show you how to tie a tie...

 

First off Carnival does not have "Formal Nights" they have "Elegant Nights", which is one of the reason we do book with them. We do know their dress code and we adhere to it. But please note....Carnival's dress code for Elegant Night does not require a tux, a suit, or even a tie :eek:. So we do not need to pack them....well DH will wear a tie, DS wears a collared dress shirt without a tie. Perhaps if you read dress code you are stressing in your post, you would know that:rolleyes:.

[rtw68]

Hi Fig414:)

 

I'm confused & do not understand this philosophy. You're giving up cruising because

of what other people are wearing in the main dining room??

 

I will never comprehend why people permit themselves to allow others to tarnish

their cruise experience because of what people are wearing.

 

This is taking 'people watching' to a exceedingly unusual & disheartening level if it

has ruined your cruising experience for good and you no longer wish to cruise again because of it.

 

Too many people say formal/elegant evenings are not what they used to be.

Just because some people are jumping off a particular bridge does not mean you have to do the same.

 

You wish to dress in a tux, then do it.

 

My wife & I will always dress up like we're going to a wedding on formal/elegant evenings.

And the rest of the meals in the main dining room we dress as if we are going to a fancy restaurant.

That said, I in turn respect the choices of others when it comes to attire. They have their

reasons, and they are on vacation too.

 

To tell ya the truth, I have yet to be turned off or grossed out by what someone was wearing in

a main dining room on a cruise ship because I am far too busy enjoying MY vacation with MY wife.

 

We all spend a lot of precious time and $$$$ planning/saving for our voyages.

A vacation is what YOU make of it, not what others are making of theirs...

 

:)

 

 

Couldn't agree with you more!!! :D

[JaxGuy]

To add to what I said earlier…

 

The dining experience, particularly on Carnival, has diminished considerably over the last few years. Whether it is due to cut backs resulting in slower, though less personal service or perhaps the YTD mentality carrying over in to the traditional MDR with people arriving 15-20 minutes late more frequently than ever….. it is just not the same upscale experience it used to be IMO. Carnival changed the experience and adjusted the dress guidelines, passengers followed.

[twentyknots]

When we cruised Holland America in our early days of cruising, I alternated between a black tux and white dinner jacket with the tux trousers. I loved wearing the white dinner jacket in the casino after dinner with a drink in my hand. Sitting at the blackjack table I felt like James Bond. Those days are gone now. We haven't cruised Holland lately but I assume many still dress classic formal. The Celebrity Solstice had some in a tux on formal nights, but not nearly as many as Holland. I rarely see a tux on Carnival ships.

[Warm Breezes]

To add to what I said earlier…

 

The dining experience, particularly on Carnival, has diminished considerably over the last few years. Whether it is due to cut backs resulting in slower, though less personal service or perhaps the YTD mentality carrying over in to the traditional MDR with people arriving 15-20 minutes late more frequently than ever….. it is just not the same upscale experience it used to be IMO. Carnival changed the experience and adjusted the dress guidelines, passengers followed.

 

But Carnival is not an upscale cruiseline...it is a mainstream cruiseline. The mainstream is not what it used to be. We are a more casual people at work, at church, even at our local restaurants. Why wouldn't Carnival change to meet their changing markets wants? I disagree with you...Carnival didn't change the experience so the passengers followed. The passengers wanted the experience to change because we have changed into a more casual society, so Carnival followed.

[JLvacation]

Sorry to hear that people are allowing what other people wear to ruin there experiencing in cruising , We Dress to Impress on Formal Nights ! I wear a Tuxedo and my Wife always does her gowns or formal attire .

 

We are booking another cruise right now :D ! ! !

[WDBGUY]

The masses have won because more people than ever are cruising and it's a good travel value. so you will get all walks of life, it's not just for the priviledged anymore.

[lillian marie]

In my area things have just gotten more casual. My husband owns a tux and a dinner jacket, 10 yrs ago men wore them to the formal parties at our country club. On New Yrs Eve last yr. most men were in dark suits and the only ones in tuxes were age 65 plus. We just have become a more casual society. Also another poster made a great point. We pack lighter because of airline restrictions and because we want to walk off our luggage when we disembark.

[justjim312]

I truly miss it though. We really loved the old style. It's not necessarily a bad thing. We pack way less. I now wear nice shorts and flip flops to dinner in the MDR. I was truly happy to see 2 guys getting turned away with sleeveless shirts on the 1st night. When jeans started to get through it pissed me off. I happen to think a nice short with a nice shirt looks better than jeans and sneakers, but that's just me. On my first cruises I actually wore a tux twice and a Dinner Jacket once on formal night. I LOVED it. Last week, I swear to you I saw not ONE tux on our Valor cruise. So sad. Mostly everyone was dressed very nicely on Elegant nights with many suits and, of course, the women went full out. Nary a bum in the MDR. Yet my outfit of slacks and dress shirt with no tie or jacket matched every other guy. My previously every night dress has now become "elegant". Forget about formal. I, of course, realize I can still dress to the nines. I just miss the tuxes. It's really strange. In my 30's I didn't want to get dressed up and I did. And in my 50's I want to get dressed up and I don't. Pathetic. Someone bring back tuxes PLEASE. I don't want to go on a stuffy line.

 

Our line was way fun and we still dressed up. Oh well....

 

 

Who gives a rats behind what someone else is wearing. Do you feel everyone has to be as beautiful as you? How shallow!!

[ducklite]

My dresses weigh and take up less room than a pair of slacks, jeans, blouse/sweater...so I don't understand that rational.

 

7 day cruise

 

shorts/t-shirts/bathing suits for the day

5 casual sundresses

2 cocktail dresses

 

The same amount of clothing (if not less) than if you did not dress up. (unless you are wearing the same things everyday)

 

Why would the dresses weigh more for this to effect airline restrictions?

 

I am fine with whatever you want to wear. It is your vacation and should be able to wear what you want...but using airline/weight is just an excuse.

 

The only extra weight I can think of is a 2lb. jacket and 1oz. tie. :eek:

 

We went to Europe for three weeks in 20" carry ons. My husband wore/carried his sports coat on the plane. He had slacks and a couple of Oxford shirts for regular dining nights and tucked a tie in to his suitcase "just in case." We decided to eat at a restaurant in Athens that required a jacket, and were glad he had one with him.

 

It's a cop out when people try to use airline baggage policies as excuses. People spend thousands to take a cruise, and then complain about having to pay $25 to check a bag. Total gibberish if you ask me.

[JaxGuy]

Smh

[justjim312]

I think it's high time we allow swim suits in the MDR . If we're paying more and getting less, then open the doors all the way!

 

You got my vote, I'd like to see some good scenery for a change!!

[WDBGUY]

In my area things have just gotten more casual. My husband owns a tux and a dinner jacket, 10 yrs ago men wore them to the formal parties at our country club. On New Yrs Eve last yr. most men were in dark suits and the only ones in tuxes were age 65 plus. We just have become a more casual society. Also another poster made a great point. We pack lighter because of airline restrictions and because we want to walk off our luggage when we disembark.

 

Very true...just look at the 1950's and 1960's, people used to get dressed up to go shopping. men used to wear hats and ties. Times have evolved and will continue to change....Someday we will reflect on the good old days of today.

[Warm Breezes]

We went to Europe for three weeks in 20" carry ons. My husband wore/carried his sports coat on the plane. He had slacks and a couple of Oxford shirts for regular dining nights and tucked a tie in to his suitcase "just in case." We decided to eat at a restaurant in Athens that required a jacket, and were glad he had one with him.

 

It's a cop out when people try to use airline baggage policies as excuses. People spend thousands to take a cruise, and then complain about having to pay $25 to check a bag. Total gibberish if you ask me.

 

People don't need to use airline baggage policies as an excuse when sailing Carnival or NCL. We choose these lines because they are more casual and we don't have to pack the jacket for the guys or a formal dress for myself. If you want to fine....but we don't need an excuse to follow Carnival's dress code:rolleyes:. The only gibberish is coming from those who are trying to make it sound like the actual dress code is more formal than it really is.

[ducklite]

People don't need to use airline baggage policies as an excuse when sailing Carnival or NCL. We choose these lines because they are more casual and we don't have to pack the jacket for the guys or a formal dress for myself. If you want to fine....but we don't need an excuse to follow Carnival's dress code:rolleyes:. The only gibberish is coming from those who are trying to make it sound like the actual dress code is more formal than it really is.

 

Which is why I suggested that the OP look at lines that might be more suited to his tastes--and one of the many reasons I would never choose CCL or NCL.

[susie8862]

People don't need to use airline baggage policies as an excuse when sailing Carnival or NCL. We choose these lines because they are more casual and we don't have to pack the jacket for the guys or a formal dress for myself. If you want to fine....but we don't need an excuse to follow Carnival's dress code:rolleyes:. The only gibberish is coming from those who are trying to make it sound like the actual dress code is more formal than it really is.

I think you are misunderstanding. Not just this thread, but every thread pertaining to casual as opposed to a more "dressy" outfit (excluding ball gowns). When you use weight as an excuse.....how is one outfit heavier than the other? I really cannot stand this as an excuse. You have to wear something..right? So I have 7 dresses instead of 7 slacks and 7 shirts. Do you understand what I am trying to say? Again,..I do NOT care what anyone wears....I just hate this excuse.:o

[ib4cruzn]

Who gives a rats behind what someone else is wearing. Do you feel everyone has to be as beautiful as you? How shallow!!

 

If anything it's a sad comment on todays "it's all about me" society.

 

Honestly, it doesn't bother ME what you wear. Dinner onboard is more than food, it's a Social Occasion. You dress out of respect for your dinner companions - the folks you will probably be socializing with for the duration of the cruise.

 

Today folks are only memorable if they eat nine lobsters...

[GHDPeter]

There will be no issue with Tux or suit on formal night on this cruise, I think just a bow tie will do http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1693175

 

It's a nude cruise!

[pontiac1977]

Why would my clean designer jeans and collar shirt affect your dining experience? Come on out of the 60's already, amazing you use a computer.

 

Maybe you should try HAL or Crystal, plenty of Penguin suits there.

Don't get your shorts in a wad.I'm sure your Mc Donalds coordinated ensemble will be just fine in the formal dinning room.:cool:Peace man.

[ediemarie]

Why would my clean designer jeans and collar shirt affect your dining experience? Come on out of the 60's already, amazing you use a computer.

 

Maybe you should try HAL or Crystal, plenty of Penguin suits there.

 

 

why be insulting to the OP?

[junibug68]

My husband wears a tux - it just makes the night more special for us. If you have a tux - wear one. :)

[VirtualCEO]

eating in the mdr is like eating at a chain restaurant. I eat at much nicer restaurants on a daily basis. Jeans for me!

[Holders3]

The clue is in your header.....the masses have won. No business can survive if it doesn't cater to the majority.

 

Many do not own Tuxes, good suits, gowns, cocktail dresses and the shoes and things that go with them. We don't, never have. Blue collar workers we don't socialize like that and neither does anyone we know. We will be clean and neat but we aren't going to buy formal/elegant clothes that won't get worn anywhere else ever again.

 

I think that elegant night might be better done in the added specialty restaurants for those that want to and have the items to really dress up and leave the MDR for the rest of the masses.