"Informal Night" - Are jackets really required?

[Opinions]

Since a suit or tux are not required for formal night on HAL, just bring a jacket which can then be worn on both formal and informal nights.

[shonuf]

Since a suit or tux are not required for formal night on HAL, just bring a jacket which can then be worn on both formal and informal nights.

 

He hasn't done this on HAL, but on a more casual line DH took his dark blue suit which he wore with white dress shirt and dark tie on formal nite and on informal paired the jacket with some gray slacks and a colored shirt. The blue suit pants and the gray slacks can do double duty also on casual night with a polo or aloha type shirt.

 

If we are travelling by plane to reach the port, he wears khakis, a sport shirt of some kind and his navy blazer. Then he has it for informal nites and the plane ride home. He wears his tux on formal nights.

[peaches from georgia]

He hasn't done this on HAL, but on a more casual line DH took his dark blue suit which he wore with white dress shirt and dark tie on formal nite and on informal paired the jacket with some gray slacks and a colored shirt. The blue suit pants and the gray slacks can do double duty also on casual night with a polo or aloha type shirt. ......

This is a MUCH better solution than wearing a sport jacket on a formal night as Opinions suggested. That is hardly what anyone would call 'formalwear'. This way a gentleman is wearing exactly the suggested and preferred dress on both formal nights (dark suit/dress shirt/tie) and on informal (jacket w/ or w/out a tie).

[8Cruise2005]

I agree with Heb's post

 

"Formal to me would mean dark suit or tux;

Informal would mean dress pants and collared shirt.

 

I guess HAL has a 3rd dress specification..."

 

Guess I won't be eating in the dining room on Informal nights.

If I really thought there would be a problem it would be enough to make me go on another line. :mad:

[Opinions]

This is a MUCH better solution than wearing a sport jacket on a formal night as Opinions suggested.

 

Where did I suggest a "sport" jacket?

[Linda&Vern]

The daily program that is delivered to every cabin states the suggested dress for the evening with a description as to what it means. The Know Before you Go booklet that is included with our documents describes the dress code.

 

S7S: ;) You and I and lots of others know what the "Know Before You Go" booklet says ... my point was, not everyone reads everything. On our recent Maasdam Thanksgiving cruise the Daily Program only said either "Casual, Informal, or Formal" each day. No description as to what it meant. This could have been the cause of some of the confusion this year. FYI: They also added a new one "Casual/Tropical Wear this trip.

 

Happy travels,

 

Linda & Vern

 

Maasdam Holiday 2004

Maasdam Thanksgiving 2005

[sail7seas]

If in all the weeks a passenger has their documents and doesn't spend five to ten minutes glancing through the Know Before You Go......well, that's their problem but the information is available. You can lead a horse to water.......HAL prints that book to provide useful information. One only needs to look at it.

 

BUT in the event they wouldn't/didn't take the few minutes to look at the book, with all due respect and with no desire to beat this horse to death.......

a quick call to the front office or stopping by to ask and they would have more than happy to tell the 'asker' what HAL defines as Informal. If one wants information, it is readily available. All one has to do is ask.

 

It is no never mind to me what some gent wears or does not. Wear a jacket; don't wear a jacket. Embarrass yourself; be appropriately dressed; be respectful to your fellow passengers/crew or don't; make your own choices.

 

The OP said they were looking for an up-scale experience. HAL's dress code IMO is part of the up-scale experience they offer over some other cruiselines.

 

JMHO.......

[canoeny]

I have read variations of this thread over many years of viewing this board and have always had this thought. Why would anyone not want to dress according to the suggested attire for the evening. I really don't want to sound mean spirited about this but I wonder why people don't think about the other passengers when considering "bending" the dress code. This no different than restaurants that require a jacket and tie. Of course Hal will not stop you from entering the dining room in the evening unless you are wearing shorts and sneakers, but the idea of a "suggested dress" is to provide a certain atmosphere for all who are dining there. If that is not your thing, you have the choice to order room service or eat in the Lido and get the same great service and food as those who are in the dining room. You can then be as comfortable as you want without affecting the other diners around you.

 

I do not intend this to criticize the gentleman who first posed the question, merely as a statement of my thoughts as I read through the thread.

[Linda&Vern]

If in all the weeks a passenger has their documents and doesn't spend five to ten minutes glancing through the Know Before You Go......well, that's their problem but the information is available. You can lead a horse to water.......HAL prints that book to provide useful information. One only needs to look at it.

 

BUT in the event they wouldn't/didn't take the few minutes to look at the book, with all due respect and with no desire to beat this horse to death.......

a quick call to the front office or stopping by to ask and they would have more than happy to tell the 'asker' what HAL defines as Informal. If one wants information, it is readily available. All one has to do is ask.

 

It is no never mind to me what some gent wears or does not. Wear a jacket; don't wear a jacket. Embarrass yourself; be appropriately dressed; be respectful to your fellow passengers/crew or don't; make your own choices.

 

The OP said they were looking for an up-scale experience. HAL's dress code IMO is part of the up-scale experience they offer over some other cruiselines.

 

JMHO.......

 

S7S: :rolleyes: So that you don't misunderstand my postings, maybe I didn't make it clear that those who were asking on our last cruise "what the heck is informal" were truly concerned that they be dressed appropriately. All were seasoned cruisers, some I think were new to HAL. As I said, some confusion was probably the change in the Daily Program to only listing the code for the evening without the details. They all had brought their sport coats on the cruise, they just weren't sure when to wear them. I think they were looking for a "semi-formal" designation and "informal" confused them.

 

Happy travels,

 

Linda & Vern

[herb]

I think they were looking for a "semi-formal" designation and "informal" confused them.

 

Happy travels,

 

Linda & Vern

 

 

I think Linda and Vern make a very valid point... instead of listing the evening as INFORMAL.... they should list it as SEMI-Formal.

 

For many people INFORMAL means NOT formal and NOT formal = casual.

[RevNeal]

On the Oosterdam this week the number of men wearing jackets on Informal night was higher than I expected. For myself, I brought my black suit and clerics for the formal nights and, on informal night, I paired my black jacket with a pair of grey slacks and a light blue button down shirt.

 

Observance of Formal night was superior this cruise than last Feb. I was pleased. :)

[ClothesHorseJoe]

For those of you that acknowledged the spirit of the original post, Thank you.

 

For those of you that providied stastitical information regarding the percentage of gentlemen wearing jackets, Thank you.

 

For those of you with the back-handed flame about "growing up", I assure you that myself and my friends have always dressed appropriately for weddings and funerals, but...again...thank you for your concern.

 

I have been cruising long enough to remember when "semi-formal" meant a suit, not simply a sport coat. With over 20 cruises under my belt (usually a very nice belt, and only 3 on CCL), I was simply trying to "take a temprature" of the atmosphere on HAL so that I can offer advice to my fellow group members. While we are all sensative to the "suggested attire" this is still a vacation, therefore that will temper our choices.

 

So....

 

I'm sure our wives will be gorgeous, our children beautiful, and the gentlemen....well, we will be gentlemen...without a trip to the thrift store....

 

Thank you for the advice!

[PRINSENDAM]

While we are all sensative to the "suggested attire" this is still a vacation, therefore that will temper our choices.

 

quote]

 

 

 

Joe,

 

Have you ever heard the saying "When in Rome.....?"

 

A couple of years ago we were cruising in the ROTTERDAM and called at Civitavecchia. Anyhow we made the trip up to Rome and part of our privately arranged tour included a visit to the Vatican. You can imagine my disappointment when I was told that I would not be permitted to go inside St Peter's because I was dressed inappropriately. I was wearing shorts!!!!!!

 

Well, I complained and said, "'Hey I'm on vacation and I don't have to wear long trousers." Before the Swiss guard could throw me out Pope John Paul came down to see what the racket was all about. He said,"Hey! I don't give a rat's backside about your vacation. Everyone else here today dressed appropriately. You can't come in dressed like that. HE made the rules!"

 

 

On a HAL ship, HAL makes the rules. When it says that the 'suggested attire is either a suit or sportscoat, with or without a tie' that it what is means. No where does it say, "Suggested attire is suit, sportscoat OR PLAIN SHIRT AND PANTS."

 

When in Rome..................;)

 

Stephen

[lauderdalebob]

I have cruised twice on Zuiderdam and now once coming up to Alaska on Oosterdam in May. I just don't understand what the big problem is with following the rules. Dear God, doesn't anybody follow the rules about anything anymore in this country, but don't get me started on that.

 

For my job I can dress any way I like (I'm lucky), but I do own a black suit and a grey sports coat, and, yes, I got them on sale at Macy's and JC Penney. No, they aren't Arman or Gucci, but I think 90% of wearing clothes is how you carry them off, but I DO follow the rules and do the best I can.

 

If you have a suit, wear the suit for formal night and just the jacket and different slacks for informal night or just wear the suit the whole time. Is this such a problem? I just don't get it.

 

If you DON'T want to follow the dress code, eat in the Lido, or perhaps another cruise line?!

 

Dear God, I know the world doesn't revolve around this subject, but this is certainly one subject that has been beaten to death.

 

With that off my chest, carry on . . . .

[ClothesHorseJoe]

Thank you for your opinion. If you would have taken a moment to read the original post, you would see that I was trying to gather information in order to properly "follow the rules". Obviously my question made you angry. These seems to be alot of that within this board...people asking questions, then getiing pounced on. I have received the help I needed from less hostile postings, therefore I will unsubscribe from this thread and you can spew your venom elsewhere....

 

have a nice day:mad:

[caviargal]

Thank you for your opinion. If you would have taken a moment to read the original post, you would see that I was trying to gather information in order to properly "follow the rules". Obviously my question made you angry. These seems to be alot of that within this board...people asking questions, then getiing pounced on. I have received the help I needed from less hostile postings, therefore I will unsubscribe from this thread and you can spew your venom elsewhere....

 

have a nice day:mad:

 

I really do not think it is hostility in the answers you are reading. It is more likely frustration as this is a question posed repeatedly on these boards.

 

The impression I get from your original posting is that you wanted to know if others ignore or bend the rules so that you and your group can as well. You mention that some in the group do not even own a jacket. JMO.

 

I believe that the answer is that it is respectful of the cruise line and your fellow pax to honor the dress code. Does everyone? No, as anyone who spends time on these boards can easily surmise. Does it make it permissible simply because others make that choice? IMHO, no, but then I enjoy the traditions of cruising and I also believe in dressing appropriately for the occasion, cruise or not.

 

I think you did not get the answer you were looking for.

[ClothesHorseJoe]

Again, you are making an assumption. No where did I say that we would not conform to the dress code, it was more a question on whether ANYONE conformed. Cruise Critic is not a private board, so it makes sense that the same question may come up over and over. If a participant is frustrated by that, perhaps they should not reply. I believe these boards are valuable, providing information to first time and seasoned cruisers, but if you read the entire thread, you will see several replies that contain "Gratuitous Condescension"....What we have here is an anonymous forum that some posters use to be rude...Obviously I can hold my own against these "flamers", but I wonder how many new posters are put off by this?

[wcolucci]

Geez with a name like ClothesHorseJoe I'd guess you'd have a pretty extensive closet....

 

me???.....laundryhamperBill

[ClothesHorseJoe]

LOL Bill! Finally, a little humour!

[wcolucci]

It is pretty amazing how these threads can get off topic.....

 

You're right to a point but I'm sure none of the flames were directed your way....

[ClothesHorseJoe]

It's ok...I post with asbestos gloves and a welding mask!:cool:

[wcolucci]

I wouldn't try that get up on Formal night!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

ok...gotta go home and finish packing 1/22 Westerdam!!!!! yyeeeeha

[RevNeal]

I am sailing on the Oosterdam with a group of 30 friends and family. We chose HAL because we were Carnival'd to death, and wanted something more upscale. That being said, some of the male members of the group work in industries where Jackets/Sport Coats are not required, therefore they don't even own them.

 

I'm not sure I follow the above reasoning. Why would a guy only own a Jacket/Sport Coat if they worked in an industry where they were required? There ARE many other reasons than work for a man needing to own and wear a Jacket/Sport Coat; it truly should be a "necessary" article of clothing that all men should own.

 

Indeed, from past experience on these boards we've learned that those guys who work in industries which require jackets/ties are among those who most frequently do not want to wear such articles of clothing. Their reasoning is simple: they have to wear them for work ... so why should they have to wear them on vacation. Hence, we have the peculiar predicament of having those who don't own such due to work not wanting to wear them, and those who do own such due to to work not wanting to wear them ... and for opposite reasons.

 

We have all cruised before, and everyone buys into Formal Night in a big way, so that is not the issue. Can a nice silk shirt and a pair of dress pants cut it for informal night?

 

Strictly speaking: no. Men are asked/expected to wear a jacket on formal night. The daily program will have a notice reading something like this in it:

 

 

Now "cutting it" for informal night might be understood as "getting away with it." If such is the case, then "yes." From my observations, a guy will be able to "get away with" not wearing a jacket for informal night on the Oosterdam. He may feel a bit conspicuous, but I doubt he would be asked to return to his cabin to get a jacket.

 

Is the lack of a jacket a problem? Honestly, with a group this big we kind of make our own "atmosphere", but I would still like to know the Real Deal

 

Is the lack of a jacket a "problem?" Well ... while I prefer to abide by the dress code, and prefer to see other men abiding by the code, I would have to say that it wouldn't be a "problem" for me if another guy doesn't wear his jacket on informal night. Personally, however, it would be a problem for me if I were to not wear a jacket on informal night ... I would feel conspicuous.

[bonstersd]

So I'd confused about why, if you don't want to dress for dinner and you can eat on the Lido deck, why they say that the dress code is suggested for the entire evening for the rest of the ship.

 

IMHO, people worry too much about what others do and not enough about their own actions.

[MikeT718]

They say the dress code is for ALL PUBLIC areas of the ship for the entire night:)

I know for me I like walking into the casino after the show still in my tux it's just a real nice feeling:D

 

to take it one step further why are there 3 strikes then you are out or 3 outs and that ends an inning because there the rules..So the Dress code is the suggested rules