Lack of a Dress Code

[Prince]

There is something that I just need to express that has been bothering me since my departure from the Summit earlier this month.

 

I was on board the January 2nd cruise from Los Angeles to Hawaii and back-- my 15th cruise (4th time on the Summit) I was amazed at the relaxed dress code that I saw on the ship.

 

On formal night--I saw men in t-shirts, young children in beach coverups-women in flip flops and young girls in "juicy couture" short shorts. I understand that this is not the Queen's Grill on the QM2--but it really bothered me that those people who enjoy the elegant ambiance of a formal night (Or those who make the effort and endure it) had to witness those that felt that shorts and a t-shirt was "dressed up enough". The Maitre'd on board did nothing to correct this over the course of the cruise.

 

I always felt that Celebrity was a notch above.... perhaps it was just this cruise--but I really felt that I was in Las Vegas or Reno--rather than on an elegant trans-pacific cruise.

 

I'm I being over sensitive to this or are the standards on this line changing?

 

Prince

[bububr]

You need to fill out a comment card regarding your displeasure and LACK of ambience that you were sold .

 

Dress is becoming a really hot topic now-a-days;)

 

Needless to say, The Maitre'd is the Maitre'd you should have demanded to speak with both the restaurant manager, as well as the hotel manager.

Submit a formal complaint to X, include names times, and photos if you have them.

 

Too bad there are so many low class people out there that see a cruise as only a floating buffet and free for all. It completely ruins the experience for everyone else. And unless we constantly COMMENT and COMPLAIN to corporate....nothing will change.

 

Write a letter;)

 

Dave:eek:

[Prince]

Dave-

 

Thnks for your idea. I did mention the lack of dress in the comment card--but you are right----a letter would be a good idea.

 

I just hope its not too late to save Celebrity from the mass-market cruise category.

 

Prince

[mrs66]

I think the "formality" of Celebrity cruises is a real hit-or-miss thing. I just got back from a Constellation cruise where at least 50% of the men were in tuxes and the women were much more dressed up than I had seen on my previous two cruises. Unfortunately, there doesn't seem to be any way to predict which cruises will be more formal - I would have expected a long Hawaiin cruise to be more formal than a 7 day Caribbean. Either way, it doesn't seem to be an issue all the time. Maybe the different ship?

[newmexicoNita]

The dress code issue is being addressed on every board, every line. Why people feel they do not have to follow particular policies will always astound me but this seems to be the tread. "I am paying for my vacation and can do anything I want" isn't this the view of so many today about life period. I will say on the Zenith last month we did see people turned away at night because they were in jeans. One of the gals sailing with us for our GD wedding simply wanted to come into the dining room to ask me a question and had a heck of a time being admitted because she was in jeans. She had late seating and of course, was going to change for dinner. Thank you Zenith!!!! and now I will come down from my gold ladder for awhile!!!

[usha]

I also feel let-down when I see lack of enforcement of the dress code, and I make note of it on the cruise comment cards, but I do think a follow-up letter is a great idea. Maybe if Celebrity hears from enough of us, they'll get more consistent with it fleetwide.

[BrooklynGirl2]

You can count me in for writing a letter to support the dress code on Celebrity. This is why we sail Celebrity and what we are looking for in a cruise. There are plenty of other options for people who don't want to dress for dinner, including the casual dining option on Celebrity. I think Corporate needs to hear from us or they won't think that it matters.

[superjerryw]

The bottom line here is the bottom line. People that follow the dress code and are annoyed because others do not will continue to sail. Improperly dressed people that are denied entry to the dining room will probably not be repeat customers. The cruise lines are only concerned about future revenue so they let the improperly dressed people do whatever they want. Until the cruise lines think that properly dressed people will in fact stop crusing, they will continue to ignore their wishes.

[BB5953]

IMO I think the OP may be a bit overly sensitive.

 

I think it is safe to assume the person in jeans and the person in juicy shorts may have been in the same party (I know I could be wrong). I am willing to bet that less then 10% of the dinning room was dressed less then formal. Can't everyone focus on themselves, their table and the other 90% of the dinning room? I am very aware this is a hot topic on these boards but it is not anywhere close to being as big of an issue on the ship.

 

This is just my opinion.

[Prince]

The bottom line here is the bottom line. People that follow the dress code and are annoyed because others do not will continue to sail. Improperly dressed people that are denied entry to the dining room will probably not be repeat customers. The cruise lines are only concerned about future revenue so they let the improperly dressed people do whatever they want. Until the cruise lines think that properly dressed people will in fact stop crusing, they will continue to ignore their wishes.

 

 

You are right about the bottom line-- and when I write Celebrity, I will let them know that the money we were going to spend on our next cruise in the Royal Suite--will instead go to a standard room on Silversea.

 

Prince

[lysolqn]

Sorry if this end's up as a double post, but the boards seem to be a bit finicky today!

 

After 25 Celebrity cruises, our primary complaint with the cruiseline is it's increasingly lax attitude toward passengers who ignore the evening dress code.

 

We've been on five X cruises in just the last twleve months, with our most recent X cruise, Century in December. On the three formal nights on that cruise, there were people (seated at many different tables) in the dining room dressed in shorts, tee shirts, jeans, sweatpants, bathing suit cover-ups and other assorted outfits that didn't even qualify as "casual" attire according X's own description. On informal nights fewer than half the men wore jackets, and that includes those men who thought Members Only jackets fit the bill.

 

Celebrity is our favorite line - partly because it still offers a more traditional cruise experience when most other lines have all but done away with the evening dress code; but, why does X bother publishing a dress code in its marketing materials (as well as in the dailies) if it has no intention of at least making some attempt to see that passengers respect it?

 

I included mention of this issue in a post re our December cruise, including how we overheard a passenger asking the maitre d' why people were permitted in the dining room when they were so obviously inappropriately dressed and his response was simply, "There's nothing we can do." I think there is something X can do - passengers who in-your-face blatantly ignore the evening dress code should very politely be denied entry into the dining room and pointed in the direction of an alternative dining venue.

 

I know the competition to fill berths is fierce and X is in business to be profitable, but continuing to lower standards in order not to offend

[SailAways]

I agree, this topic is on every board here, and on other sites too.

 

It truly is not only the cruise lines who are pushed into being more lax with this requirement. Every segment of our society is so into their personal "comfort" that they forget to dress properly for any occasion at all.

 

School, Church, Funerals, Weddings and other Social Events, you name it, you will undoubtedly see a segment of the crowd looking like - well, I hate the word, but slobs.

 

There is just no other way to describe people who refuse to follow a few simple guidelines, and insist on saying: "It is my vacation (or whatever), and I am going to be comfortable."

 

Ultimately, this is one of the rudest statements which we are all exposed to these days. It is just a way of thumbing one's nose at others, and saying: "See, I don't have to follow those rules." Too bad, isn't it?

 

So, what is so uncomfortable about a nice dress, a pair of slacks, or even a sport coat???? This is the mystery to me. I find jeans, and dirty, ragged clothing much more uncomfortable than a silk blouse and a nice pair of linen slacks.

 

Go figure, if you can!!

[lysolqn]

Don't know what's with this forum today but I'll finish my thought here -

 

Lowering standards so as not to offend passengers who have no standards at all is not an appropriate response. I know no one on the ships wants to play "fashion police," but X is selling what it considers to be an upscale, premium, traditional cruise product and the ever-reoccurring dress code issue just seems to be watering down the "upscale," the "premium" and the "traditional" product they promise.

[bububr]

Send complaints / comments to :

 

Celebrity Cruise Lines / RCCL

Customer Relations

1050 Caribbean Way

Miami, FL 33132

 

or ( if this works right)

 

https://secure.celebrity.com/contactus/custSvcsForm.do;jsessionid=0000_6xpgvGLZfZEKgsg02jhqOt:1028etrd4

 

For those of us that enjoy cruising X and want to continue, I think its a must to follow up and let corporate know of our concerns.

 

Thanks!

 

Dave:eek:

[Blazerboy]

All very complicated.:confused: But what the heck...here's my stab at it (Sorry Phil, I know I promised to give these threads up for New Year's but I can't always help myself!) :

 

The non-dressers claim that it's their vacation and they paid for it. (Ugh!:eek: how crass.) But anyone who so deliberately ignores the suggested dress is begging for attention, even if just to say "look at me, I'm above the rules (O.k., suggestions, if you must) that apply to you!" :rolleyes: And then we are treated to the "why do you care what others do" argument. (Best defense is an offense- make it the problem of those who comply with the suggested dress, not the problem of those who don't) So then we who dress all decide that, hmmm, maybe we won't let it ruin our cruise, but will simply focus on the folks who, like us, have no issue with the dress codes. Ah, but then the accusation of being shallow, and judging people only on appearance are levied when we don't associate with the non-dressers automatically (notice that offense/defense thing again!) So we decide not to listen to that criticism, and again focus on our cruise and the like-minded fellow cruisers. We then return form the cruise to two criticisms: Either all Celebrity passengers are snobs for wanting to dress up (because we ignored those who didn't) or that somehow, by following the recommended dress, we're trying to live a fantasy life of royalty/James Bond/ whatever. (Attack, always attack!)

 

So I, in the end, shrug my shoulders. I will continue to dress appropriately, following the guidelines of the line. As this isn't significantly different from my way of dressing at home/at work/ during my social life (c'mon, no ones really talking tails top hats and tiaras here), and I now how to find a bargain if need be (remember that old "economic necessity" argument!), it doesn't cause me much effort or concern to dress well. If I ignore you on the ship, you are welcome to think me a snob, or a poseur, if you like, as I'm comfortable with my reasons for not associating with you. (Hint: nothing to do with a t-shirt, more an attitude projected by not following the suggested dress- I don't find rule-breakers usually to be charming people-, or maybe the sneer as you challenge anyone to confront you, or the uncomfortable nervous giggles from your fellow cruisers when the only thing you can associate black tie evening wear with is a high school prom, and say so out loud.:rolleyes: ) OOHHH, I almost forgot the "comfort" argument! People who are comfortable in all social situations rarely find the appropriate clothing uncomfortable. Sorry, but if you're uncomfortable in the clothing, you have one of two problems: a bad clothes salesman, or an inferiority complex.

 

I guarantee you I will have a good time on the cruise- I've yet to have a bad vacation on a cruise ship. I'll still probably smile at you, perhaps even make pleasant conversation while we share an elevator. But I won't linger with you over a drink, nor will I make an effort to seek you out for other activities when the dress code is more casual. I like to spend time with nice, fun people who know how to behave in social situations. I know, I know, now you're on the defensive (and with all your arguments above, it's not a place you like to be!) So you then declare that not hanging out with me on a ship is fine with you! Guess what? A win-win situation.:)

 

Happy cruising.

 

Andrew

[lysolqn]

Well said, Andrew!

 

Whenever the dress code issue surfaces, I'm reminded of a couple with whom we are acquainted - very well-heeled and extremely well-traveled. We once were discussing cruising and they proudly boasted that whenever they cruise (luxury lines only - most recently on QM2), he doesn't pack a jacket or a tie, and she doesn't pack formalwear of any kind because they refuse to "dress" when on vacation. (The old "it's my vacation, I paid for it, nobody can tell me what to do" routine.) I asked if they didn't feel a bit uncomfortable or out of place in the dining room on formal/informal nights and their response was, "What're they gonna do, throw us out?" (The old "do me something" response.)

 

That said, this is the very same couple who, having sailed Celebrity once, said they will never sail X again because cream was served in little plastic containers instead of from a "little silver pitcher," pats of butter were put on the table in foil wraps rather than being individually "swirled" on a plate, "tap water" was served at dinner (with this we were informed they don't drink tap water at home, why should they have to drink it on a cruise for which they paid thousands), and the "element" on board was clearly different from the circles they usually move in. (The "element" obviously included us, but hey, you take it from who it comes!)

 

Bottom line - refusal to comply with the evening dress code is a matter of "attitude" - and a bad one at that. IMHO, it says a lot more about those who refuse than it does about those who are bothered by those who don't comply.

[dmk]

I wish Celebrity would make up their minds...either have a dress code or not. If you have one, enforce it! If I get all dressed up on Formal or Informal nights I like to see everyone else dressed up. It creates a certain ambiance.:)

If you are not going to enforce a dress code , don't have a dress code at all. I have casual clothes I would be happy wearing cruising. It would be easier to pack:) .

So CELEBRITY make up your mind and don't be so willy nilly about it!!

[Normandie-BCN]

I agree 100%

[bonbon663]

I will be extremely disappointed if that happens on my upcoming Celebrity cruise. I don't understand the whole "flip flop" mentality. There are cruise lines where you don't have to dress up, why not go on those?

 

And for those people who say they paid so much money, why should they dress up? Because I did!! Because the rest of the passengers would like to enjoy a certain ambiance of civility that seems to be sorely lacking these days. There is nothing wrong with dressing nicely for a few days a year.

 

I question the maitre'd not being able to do anything. Why wouldn't these people be sent to another dining area?

 

I have been to golf courses that have no qualms about turning people away for not adhering to course rules regarding dress codes. I don't understand why some people feel they have something to prove by flagrantly flouting the rules, and making all the others around them uncomfortable.

 

Thank you

[julieanne]

I have seen this post many times, so I guess my comment is, without offending anyone: I like to see the dress adhered to in the dining room. There are alternative dining choices which allow for relaxed dress. My husband and I always pull out all the finery for the formal evenings, plus I am always well dressed for the other evenings as well. After dinner, we do a little gambling, then usually return to the cabin, change our attire and have an evening walk. Am I to assume I am spoiling the ambiance? Or should we just understand that if we are heading back to our cabin in the elevator with someone who is still dressed, that we are offending them? I understand the dining room, showrooms, etc. Yes, it's my vacation as well and I do adhere to the dress code.........But, now should I worry if I have changed my clothing? Not likely. I still think the most offensive things are: piercings, short shorts, belly shirts ,tattoos and tacky formal wear! :eek::eek:

 

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[Blazerboy]

:o Julieanne, since I mentioned the elevator in my post, perhaps I should clarify: I meant that if I saw you in the dining room in cutoffs, logo tank top and flip flops, belly ring exposed, etc. on a formal night, and then ran into you later in the elevator, I'd still smile politely at you, or perhaps converse, but I'd never seek you out later in the cruise. (Yeah, I know, lost luggage etc., but even then, the line is willing to help, and you can certainly find more than a tank top in the gift store to wear to the dining room!)

 

But, what you've suggested is perfectly appropriate in my book, and in the cruise line's as well. Elevators, hallways, outdoor areas, casual dining area, lobby and guest services areas, while public, are not really part of the debate. Dining room, theatres, showrooms, casinos and lounges are. Since I never go to shows, y'all have free reign there!;)

 

I think that, as has been stated before, too, that most of us give lots of leeway as to what's appropriate. It's never about designer labels or the expense of the clothes, but the effort to follow the suggested dress code.

 

But even I have been known to widen my eyes and raise my eyebrows on occasion, given what some people wear on formal nights! But I try not to let them see me do it. ;) (I know, I'm a bad person, but at least I DO try to hide my abhorance of powder blue tuxedos):D

 

Andrew

[cruising with marti]

Andrew

 

Are you telling me that, my tails and black hat are inappropriate???

 

My wife says I look great.

 

 

Phil

[cruising with marti]

How about those chocolate brown tuxs?:D

 

 

Phil

[julieanne]

Oh good......I do realize when we walk through public areas that some people tend to give us dirty looks, but we're usually at the end of our evening! I will not stroll around the deck in 3" heels! I believe some actually think that this dress should be applied to all areas of the ship and I believe that is why the alternative is offered. I do not think passengers should be able to dine in the main dining rooms if they are not adhering to the stated dress. One thing that irks me more: lateness....I cannot count the number of people who arrive 30 minutes or more after the appointed dinner hour! I can relate to the powder blue tuxedos....LOL :D

[julieanne]

I like chocolate brown.......hehehehe