Informal night was misunderstood by most.

[texkat]

I do have some thoughts regarding HAL's enforcement of the dress codes...

It's an ugly, no-win job for them. And it could become a costly and FULL-TIME job, given the absolute and total lack of respect for the dress code demonstrated by many passengers.

Last week, I witnessed several men who were turned away from the dining room during lunch and an afternoon dessert event while wearing tank tops. Their hairy chests and armpits were exposed, and they had obviously just thrown the tank tops on over their swim trunks and come down from the pool. Yet I heard two of them grousing and complaining as they stomped off like cross two year olds to get acquire more suitable clothing. A third tank-top wearer, when told this was not acceptable attire, simply took a tshirt his wife had in her beach bag and squeezed it on over his tank top- it was a lovely sight- a sweaty man in a much too tight t-shirt entering the formal dining room. [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_rolleyes.gif[/img]

I also noticed a couple of men enter the Lido from the pool, barefoot, shirtless and dripping. A staff member directed them back outside, and politely told them that shirts and shoes were required in the Lido. So what did the "gentlemen" do? They walked outside, and immediately reentered the Lido through another door.

The fact thay they even need to enforce these absolute minimums in decent dress is a bit depressing. And as long as folks are cruising with an "I don't care what the dress code is, and I don't care what anyone else thinks" attitude, enforcing the actual dress code is a hopelessly Sysiphean task.

In my opinion, dressing appropriately is not what "old people" do. It's what grown ups do.

Zuiderdam, June 5
[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=800080&cdt=2004;6;5;17;00;00&timezone=GMT-0500[/img]

[RevNeal]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR> I purposely sail the Vista class ships because I feel those ships are targeted at a younger crowd with a more relaxed dress code.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Good for you. I do tend to believe that the Zuiderdam, especially, is geared more to the younger crowd. That doesn't necessarily mean that this crowd will be dressing down, only that they're not versed in traditions and are willing to do things differently. In my opinion, this is a positive. It's also part of the reason why I once suggested a different dress policy for the Vista ships than for the more traditional S and R class ships.

I suppose what I objected to is your calling Informal Night "silly," and your insulting charge that wearing a jacket to dinner is something that just old people do. I know you didn't mean to offend, but you certainly managed to do it quite well.

I enjoy Informal Nights; they're most certainly NOT silly to me. Having them gives those of us who enjoy Formal Nights yet another night to dress up a bit. I mean ... dressing in a suit and tie looks somewhat out of place on Casual Night, but on Informal Night I can dress that way and not get stares -- well, not many ... I was once accosted by an old "gentleman" who told me I was overdressed on Informal Night.

Greg+
[url="http://www.revneal.org/wcaribbcruise.html"]Maasdam: Western Caribbean Cruise Pictures[/url]
[url="http://www.revneal.org/volcruise1.html"]Volendam: Wayfarer Cruise Pictures and Video[/url]
[url="http://www.revneal.org/hawaiicruise/hawaii.html"]Statendam: Hawaii Cruise Pictures and Video[/url]
[url="http://www.revneal.org/alaska03embark.html"]Volendam: Alaska Inside Passage Cruise Pictures[/url]


[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=0924ff&cdt=2004;09;25;16;00;00&timezone=GMT-1000[/img]
Until Departure on the MS Zaandam, Panama Canal
<center>
<a href="http://www.escati.com/counter98/free_time_codes.htm">
[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/logos/time98.gif[/img]</center>

[RevNeal]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>I tend to think that the vast majority of cruisers, including the large percentage that never heard of cruise critic, don't really care what others wear,...<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I agree. Most don't care about what OTHERS are wearing, they're afraid of looking silly, or out of place, or under-dressed, or over-dressed, compared to other people. My mother is that way. She is constantly asking "Will I look ok in this?" or "Do you think this will look good on Informal Night?" Her concern is about not being embarrassed by not being dressed "as others are." That is part of the reason why people who flaunt the Dress Codes, even on Formal Night, are a distress to people like my 70+ year old mother. Mom doesn't want to be out of step, regardless of what that step is. If she goes on a ship where people are not dressing up, she doesn't want others to think she's a snob because she brought -- and has to wear (because she doesn't have anything else with her) -- a lot of formal outfits. As for me, I say: "Who cares WHAT they think? Not I. I'm gonna abide by the code, and if that means that I'm the ONLY male passenger onboard wearing a coat on Informal Night ... well, so be it. I'm dressed properly. They're not."

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>...and even if they do, they're not going to switch cruiselines because of the non-enforcement of the dress code.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

But will the others switch cruise lines if HAL enforces the dress code? And, before you answer, see the above post regarding HAL enforcement the wearing shirts in the Lido on (gasp) the Zuiderdam. It's history, but in 2002 I saw people turned away from the main dining room on the Statendam because they were not properly dressed. What if one of our friends, here, were to be turned away from the dining room on informal night because they didn't have a jacket? Might they come back and, with must anger, write trash posts against HAL because HAL had the gall to uphold their dress code? Will they blame us for their being embarrassed and barred from the dining room on informal night? I doubt it will happen, but it COULD.

Greg+
[url="http://www.revneal.org/wcaribbcruise.html"]Maasdam: Western Caribbean Cruise Pictures[/url]
[url="http://www.revneal.org/volcruise1.html"]Volendam: Wayfarer Cruise Pictures and Video[/url]
[url="http://www.revneal.org/hawaiicruise/hawaii.html"]Statendam: Hawaii Cruise Pictures and Video[/url]
[url="http://www.revneal.org/alaska03embark.html"]Volendam: Alaska Inside Passage Cruise Pictures[/url]


[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=0924ff&cdt=2004;09;25;16;00;00&timezone=GMT-1000[/img]
Until Departure on the MS Zaandam, Panama Canal
<center>
<a href="http://www.escati.com/counter98/free_time_codes.htm">
[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/logos/time98.gif[/img]</center>

[Somewhere]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR> Bottom line is that they can write whatever policy they want, but they don't enforce it... <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>What a tragic statement.

Since in your post you denied saying what you inferred, just for me explain this.<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR> What people wear is (thank god) extremely age specific. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR> it's just a vacation after all. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>Whose vacation...only your vacation.

Have you now finished baiting people?

[F5Loar]

It could happen and does happen on seveal other lines. I know Celebrity Galaxy got strict recently after being lax for many years.
It's a win situation for HAL to turn them down because they either please the majority who do adhere to the rules or they loose a few who will not sail HAL again. Keep in mind turning them away at the DR does not mean they starve that night. They have a choice where to eat. And the choice to eat in the main DR under the dress code is a choice they make. I have no pitty on anyone who can't follow a simple dress code on a cruise especially since HAL lowered it's own code to please such persons.
And if they don't come back they are not the kind of people you want a cruise to begin with so HAL wins either way. I know if I was turned away it would only happen once. And right what are these few people going to say as a result of being turned away? Vacation or not they were in the wrong and they knew it before they boarded. It's not like they sprung this on them. Don't you just love crusing and CC?

[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=ff00ff&cdt=2003;07;19;13;00;00&timezone=GMT-0500[/img]
Till we sail on the Zuiderdam

Til we sail on the Mariner of The Seas RCL
[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=808000&cdt=2004;3;7;12;01;00&timezone=GMT-0500[/img]
until we sail on the Disney Wonder
[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=00ff00&cdt=2003;10;09;12;01;00&timezone=GMT-0500[/img]
til we sail the ms Maasdam
[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=808000&cdt=2004;05;29;11;30;00&timezone=GMT-0500[/img]

[jgooden1]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>In my opinion, dressing appropriately is not what "old people" do. It's what grown ups do. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Well said! I'm a 34 year old grown-up who appreciates the fact that there are still places where people care about dressing up. So many seem to feel they are being “put out” if they have to get dressed up for anything anymore...work, church, travel. And I know people will say they are on vacation but you're not at the beach for goodness sake, so wear a tie!

Someone else, I believe it was Revneal, mentioned that there are different cruises for different kinds of people and someone wrote back saying basically that they are all going to be the same and to compete HAL should relax the dress code. Well, I chose HAL because I wanted a more refined atmosphere and that means a tie and dresses. If I wanted muscle shirts and short shorts I would have cruised another line. I am thankful I had that choice and not some homogeneous mix of, IMO, the lowest common denominator!

[lknick]

The one consistent thing about Cruise Critics is that is consistently silly. Everytime attire comes up, two camps immediately form.

One camp say "I am an individual and I will not follow anyone's guidelines. Let them get brown shirt thugs to make me and then I'll go elsewhere. It's nobody's business how I dress."

The other camp says "But I care. Have a little consideration for others wishes. It won't kill you to follow the herd from time to time."

Then, there is always the offshoot of "snob vs slob," as in this thread someone even branded it 'hate speech'. [Oh, Officer Krumpkie]

No one is ever convinced. No one ever changes their going-in position. And sooner or later, the personal attacks begin.

It is one thing to answer a question on expected dress. What always puzzles me is the "yea-but" crowd always appears. Who really cares? On the Carnival board they simply say 'get a life'.

40 cruises: mainly Cunard, Carnival, HAL, NCL, RCI, Starclipper, Seabourn. ~511 days total, ~325 on HAL

[c-cruise]

I have really enjoyed reading everyones opinion on this issue without anybody getting too terribly offended or offensive. I certainly have a much better understanding of where people on different sides of this issue are comming from. That doesn't mean I have changed my opinion (or the way I am going to dress), but I am now certainly know more than I ever wanted to about this issue.

I am certianly not in the "rebel" or the "slob" category, I just don't like blazers. Is that so terribly bad? If HAL decides to start enforcing their dress code more strictly then so be it, but something tells me they won't. They didn't just build the larger vista ships so that they could start turning away customers over a jacket. Now more than ever they are discounting trying to fill up all those extra berths. This is especially true in the Caribbean where they have to compete with so many other large mass market ships on the typical 7 day itineraries. If anything HAL has become cheaper to cruise than many other lines (there is a currently a post ongoing on this topic). I frankly choose HAL for my next cruise because it was cheaper for the same level accomodations (mini-suite) than the Princess cruise (no informal nights) that I was considering the same week. I have cruised HAL many times in the past and have always enjoyed myself and have never once been questioned about not wearing a jacket for informal nights.

I am really not trying to upset anybody or "bait" anybody like some other poster claimed. This issue just interests me and I am trying to see where diffent folks are comming from. Obviously some people are quite passionate (and colorful) about this issue.

Future Cruises:
- 6/27/04 Sapphire Princess
- 12/12/04 Oosterdam

[c-cruise]

Somewhere,

I have no idea what your post means, but I will try to answer your question.

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR> Since in your post you denied saying what you inferred, just for me explain this.
quote:
What people wear is (thank god) extremely age specific.
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Take a look at the cover of a fashion magazine. Picture your grandmother wearing that and then tell me that clothing isn't age specific.

Future Cruises:
- 6/27/04 Sapphire Princess
- 12/12/04 Oosterdam

[superstein61]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by c-cruise:
I don't make any distinction between casual and informal. A nice pair of Khaki pants and a button down or polo shirt seems perfectly acceptable to me for either one. Several cruise lines no longer make this distinction either and have ditched informal nights.

Perhaps it is a demographics thing. I am certainly not the typical HAL customer. I am 28 and have cruised 15 times on 4 lines. To me putting on a sports coat for dinner is something that (not to be disrespectful and please don't be offended) "old people" do.

I just don't see the point of dragging a coat I don't like and never wear 3000 miles accross the country. I would then put it on for about 5 minutes for the walk to the dining room and then hang it from the back of my chair. After diner I would procede to throw it back in the room until the next informal night. What's the point in that.

Instead I just pass on the coat and wear what is comfortable to me. I fail to see how wearing nice khaki pants and a button down shirt can be being disrespectful to anybody. Afterall, it's not like we are all trying to show up at the dining room in our flip flops and tank tops.

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I agree with c-cruise except for the age factor. I do think age enters into it a little, but is not the main reason. Its just different lifestyles, preferences, customs, etc

[superstein61]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Orcrone:
[QUOTE] F5Loar said:
If HAL enforces their codes at the door and turns away these "rebels" one time, they will either go back and change, or never cruise HAL again. Either way HAL wins so why not enforce it? <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>How does HAL win? Is HAL in the business of being the dress police? They're in the business to make money, plain and simple. It is not in their best interest for people to not sail with them anymore, unless that brings even more people back to HAL.

People on this board get very upset by people not following the dress code. I tend to think that the vast majority of cruisers, including the large percentage that never heard of cruise critic, don't really care what others wear, and even if they do, they're not going to switch cruiselines because of the non-enforcement of the dress code. Have you? So how is it in HAL's best interest to enforce the code and cause some people to go somewhere else?

Before I get flamed for being a slob, please note that I've made no comment on how I plan on dressing. The purpose of my post is to point out that HAL wants to put the maximum possible number of people on each ship.

QUOTE]

Agreed Orcrone. The majority of passengers probably care less what others wear. Its just a sensitive issue on this board. HAL is better off IMO not upsetting its passengers by turning people away. HAL is in the business of sales - they need to give the buying public what they want - and obviously by the actions of people on cruises, they want relaxed dress

[Somewhere]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR> Take a look at the cover of a fashion magazine. Picture your grandmother wearing that and then tell me that clothing isn't age specific. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>There's a difference between fashion and style. Some have it, some don't.

But you won't get this.

[Orcrone]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR> c-cruise said:
Take a look at the cover of a fashion magazine. Picture your grandmother wearing that and then tell me that clothing isn't age specific.
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>My grandmother in a skin tight dress, cut very low with a long slit up the side. Now that's a visual I didn't need!!! [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_eek.gif[/img]

1/1990 - RCCL Song of America
4/13/2003 - Carnival Inspiration
10/30/2004 - Maasdam

[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=0924ff&cdt=2004;10;30;17;00;00&timezone=GMT-0400[/img]
Till sailing on the Maasdam

[RevNeal]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR> My grandmother in a skin tight dress, cut very low with a long slit up the side. Now that's a visual I didn't need!!! <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Perhaps not when she was 90 ... but how about when she was 19? [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img] My grandmother was a flapper back in the 1920s ... very pretty.

Greg+
[url="http://www.revneal.org/wcaribbcruise.html"]Maasdam: Western Caribbean Cruise Pictures[/url]
[url="http://www.revneal.org/volcruise1.html"]Volendam: Wayfarer Cruise Pictures and Video[/url]
[url="http://www.revneal.org/hawaiicruise/hawaii.html"]Statendam: Hawaii Cruise Pictures and Video[/url]
[url="http://www.revneal.org/alaska03embark.html"]Volendam: Alaska Inside Passage Cruise Pictures[/url]


[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=0924ff&cdt=2004;09;25;16;00;00&timezone=GMT-1000[/img]
Until Departure on the MS Zaandam, Panama Canal
<center>
<a href="http://www.escati.com/counter98/free_time_codes.htm">
[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/logos/time98.gif[/img]</center>

[Giorgi-one]

I agree with those who say that following dress codes and feeling good about being dressed up is not an age thing.

IT IS A MATTER OF CLASS, MATURITY AND RESPECT AND PEOPLE OF ANY AGE (OR INCOME LEVEL) CAN BE LOW CLASS, IMMATURE AND DISRESPECTFUL!

I really don't care how anyone feels about dresss codes. The point is that the cruise lines have dress codes, and if you don't like them, find another vacation. The argument that they are not enforced by "clothes police" is childish, low class and immature.

[karpowij]

The last thing I want to do on vacation is wear a jacket and tie. It's fine for those that do enjoy it but you have to accept that some people have to wear a tie and/or a jacket at work and take a cruise to relax. To each his own.

[Orcrone]

Giorgi-one,

No matter what is written by others, one side of this very polarizing issue is not going to be convinced by the other side. However, I have to take exception since I am the one who used the term "dress police" (closest term in this thread to "clothes police").

If you'll notice the context of my comment it was in response to another poster commenting that if "HAL enforced the dress code it would cause other passengers to either dress appropriately or find another cruise line. Either way HAL wins". My comment was that HAL does not win if people don't sail with them.

No where in my response have I [B]ever[/B] stated that I do not follow the dress code of any event in which I participate. However, due to you taking my post out of context I am now childish, low class and immature.

Some people can express their views in this matter and others without denegrating others. Revneal immediately comes to mind. How, with your obviously no knowledge of me can you possibly make that conclusion?

I really wish that people could learn that they can have differences of opinions and still respect each other.

1/1990 - RCCL Song of America
4/13/2003 - Carnival Inspiration
10/30/2004 - Maasdam

[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=0924ff&cdt=2004;10;30;17;00;00&timezone=GMT-0400[/img]
Till sailing on the Maasdam

[Stevesan]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR> The last thing I want to do on vacation is wear a jacket and tie. It's fine for those that do enjoy it but you have to accept that some people have to wear a tie and/or a jacket at work and take a cruise to relax. [B]To each his own[/B]. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Exactly. That's why there are different cruise lines. Enjoy NCL!

1957-USS General A.E. Anderson, Tokyo to San Francisco; 1999-Norwegian Sea, W. Carib; 1999-RVI, Europe; 2000-Mercury, W. Carib; 2000-Volendam, S. Carib; 2001-Viking Star, Danube River; 2001-Veendam, E. Carib; 2002 B2B- Veendam, Alaska; 2003 B2B-Zuiderdam, W/E Carib; Mar 2004-Maasdam, E Carib; 26 Nov 2005 Veendam, S Carib

[digby]

"and has published a clear Dress Code for those nights."

[B]The dress 'code' says plainly it is a SUGGESTION, not a mandate.[/B]

[Orcrone]

Can we stop this merry-go-round. I'm getting dizzy. [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_rolleyes.gif[/img]

1/1990 - RCCL Song of America
4/13/2003 - Carnival Inspiration
10/30/2004 - Maasdam

[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=0924ff&cdt=2004;10;30;17;00;00&timezone=GMT-0400[/img]
Till sailing on the Maasdam

[RevNeal]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR> [B]The dress 'code' says plainly it is a SUGGESTION, not a mandate.[/B] <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Digby is correct: men are certainly welcome to dress more formally on informal night than just a jacket. [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img] To quote the code:

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR> "... jackets (tie optional) for men are standard."<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Note the code's use of the term: [B][I]"standard,"[/I][/B] meaning -- essentially -- "this is what is usually worn by men." It doesn't mean that one can't wear more (i.e., a tie is fine too); wearing less, however, would contravene the meaning of informal night by intruding on the casual night dress code. For informal night to have any meaning and distinction [I]within the code itself,[/I] it must be different from casual night; the "jacket (tie optional)" language provides just such a distinction. Wearing at least what one wears on casual night, PLUS a jacket, is the sufficient "standard" for informal night. MORE may be worn (suit and tie, for instance), but less would not be in keeping with the spirit and meaning of the wording and intention of the code.

It is also wrong to assert that the code is [I]just[/I] a collection of suggestions. Yes, the word is used:

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Each night a daily program will be delivered to your stateroom announcing the suggested dress for the following evening.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

but this is actually a formal, polite way of articulating that which is expected. I can remember my father saying, "I suggest you clean your room before I get home." That was an [I]order,[/I] not a "suggestion," regardless of how my Dad phrased it. He was simply being formally polite. In my opinion, HAL's dress code uses the term "suggestion" in much the same way. This is why, on some HAL ships (like the Statendam), men have been sent back to their cabins for coats and ties on recent formal nights. Although the word "suggestion" is used, less than a coat and a tie are NOT welcome ... just as jeans, shorts, and t-shirts "are [B]not allowed[/B] in the dining room, Lido restaurant, or public areas during the evening hours." (emphasis added)

Within the body of the code for formal evening, it states:

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Although business suits or tuxedos are suggested attire for formal evenings, they are certainly not required. You are welcome to wear a jacket and tie on formal nights.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Note what it does NOT say. Nowhere does the code say that LESS than a jacket and a tie are welcome on formal nights. Similarly, less than the standard of a jacket is not welcome on informal nights. The [I]minimal[/I] difference between formal and informal night, then, is the requirement of a tie on formal nights. Likewise, the [I]minimal[/I] difference between informal and casual night is the requirement of a jacket.

If one wants to ignore the dress code, that is of course an adult's prerogative. Consequences, like those reported from the Statendam, might result ... but, as the saying goes, "you pays your money and you takes your choice." This being said, one shouldn't try to force the code into supporting their decision to ignore it when, in point of fact, it does nothing of the sort. HAL [B]does[/B] have a dress code which outlines the acceptable clothing standards for each night. To claim that this code is only a list of meaningless suggestions is to misconstrue the very essence, and intention, of having the various kinds of evenings.

Greg+
[url="http://www.revneal.org/wcaribbcruise.html"]Maasdam: Western Caribbean Cruise Pictures[/url]
[url="http://www.revneal.org/volcruise1.html"]Volendam: Wayfarer Cruise Pictures and Video[/url]
[url="http://www.revneal.org/hawaiicruise/hawaii.html"]Statendam: Hawaii Cruise Pictures and Video[/url]
[url="http://www.revneal.org/alaska03embark.html"]Volendam: Alaska Inside Passage Cruise Pictures[/url]


[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=0924ff&cdt=2004;09;25;16;00;00&timezone=GMT-1000[/img]
Until Departure on the MS Zaandam, Panama Canal
<center>
<a href="http://www.escati.com/counter98/free_time_codes.htm">
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[RevNeal]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR> Can we stop this merry-go-round. I'm getting dizzy. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

[img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]
Never fear ... I have a feeling that we may be coming to the end of this thread. [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img] We usually play around on the dress-code subject for a week, or so, and then change subjects. After beating up on HAL's tipping policy for a few weeks, this one was over-due.

What's next? Shall we progress back to HAL's alcohol policy?

Greg+
[url="http://www.revneal.org/wcaribbcruise.html"]Maasdam: Western Caribbean Cruise Pictures[/url]
[url="http://www.revneal.org/volcruise1.html"]Volendam: Wayfarer Cruise Pictures and Video[/url]
[url="http://www.revneal.org/hawaiicruise/hawaii.html"]Statendam: Hawaii Cruise Pictures and Video[/url]
[url="http://www.revneal.org/alaska03embark.html"]Volendam: Alaska Inside Passage Cruise Pictures[/url]


[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=0924ff&cdt=2004;09;25;16;00;00&timezone=GMT-1000[/img]
Until Departure on the MS Zaandam, Panama Canal
<center>
<a href="http://www.escati.com/counter98/free_time_codes.htm">
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[jhannah]

I'm with ya' 100%. The idea presented above that "suggested" is really meaningless is such a lame argument. What would you expect a refined operation like HAL to say? "For proper ambiance of the evening, you need to wear a tux on formal nights. However, if it's simply too difficult for you to conform, you must wear at least a coat and tie on formal nights, you recalcitrant twits!" Yes, Greg, when my dad "suggested" I do something, I knew [I]exactly[/I] what needed to be done.

'Vegas Jim

[Orcrone]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR> I can remember my father saying, "I suggest you clean your room before I get home." That was an order, not a "suggestion," regardless of how my Dad phrased it. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>Anyone not following the "suggestion" will be taken out to the wood shed by the maitre'd.

1/1990 - RCCL Song of America
4/13/2003 - Carnival Inspiration
10/30/2004 - Maasdam

[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=0924ff&cdt=2004;10;30;17;00;00&timezone=GMT-0400[/img]
Till sailing on the Maasdam

[Orcrone]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR> What's next? Shall we progress back to HAL's alcohol policy? <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>I think $17.25 corkage fee is more than reasonable. [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif[/img] [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]

1/1990 - RCCL Song of America
4/13/2003 - Carnival Inspiration
10/30/2004 - Maasdam

[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=0924ff&cdt=2004;10;30;17;00;00&timezone=GMT-0400[/img]
Till sailing on the Maasdam