NCL and dress codes

[Peachypooh]

I am probably in the minority but here is my take on the dress codes.

It is totally fair for people to be able to dress the way they want to

on vacation. I just think that mixing people with long gowns in the

restaurants  with those in shorts and flip flops looks kind of out of place.

NCL does make an attempt to pick LeBistro and one of the main

dining rooms to have a little bit more of a dress code although

I don't think from what I have seen it is enforced all the time.

I am thinking of the last time we are in Teppanyaki and the woman

next to me was wearing a ball gown worthy of the Miss America  pagent.

Her companion was in a tuxedo. Everyone else was wearing 

typical shorts, tee shirt, or sometimes a sundress. They were not entertainers

or VIPs. Just people who wanted to go all out getting dressed up.

I do concede that if NCL designated one or two restaurants for getting all

dressed up each night they would probably be almost empty. LOL To be fair I am not offended or

worried about those in fancy attire. What  I do get kind of upset having to

eat across from someone with no table manners (like using a steak knife

as a toothpick).  Anyone else have any thoughts?

[billslowsky]

You're probably in the (large) majority but the minority is quite vocal.

[electro]

24 minutes ago, Peachypooh said:

I am probably in the minority but here is my take on the dress codes.

It is totally fair for people to be able to dress the way they want to

on vacation. I just think that mixing people with long gowns in the

restaurants  with those in shorts and flip flops looks kind of out of place.

NCL does make an attempt to pick LeBistro and one of the main

dining rooms to have a little bit more of a dress code although

I don't think from what I have seen it is enforced all the time.

I am thinking of the last time we are in Teppanyaki and the woman

next to me was wearing a ball gown worthy of the Miss America  pagent.

Her companion was in a tuxedo. Everyone else was wearing 

typical shorts, tee shirt, or sometimes a sundress. They were not entertainers

or VIPs. Just people who wanted to go all out getting dressed up.

I do concede that if NCL designated one or two restaurants for getting all

dressed up each night they would probably be almost empty. LOL To be fair I am not offended or

worried about those in fancy attire. What  I do get kind of upset having to

eat across from someone with no table manners (like using a steak knife

as a toothpick).  Anyone else have any thoughts?

I'm not sure what you are trying to say. Do you think there should be more restaurants with a more formal dress code, or there shouldn't be restaurants with a more formal dress code?

Or people shouldn't get dressed up to go to restaurants that don't have the more formal dress code?

[Cruiser_1977]

Are we seriously having a discussion now about being "too formal"? FTLOG! Just do you. As long as everyone is following the bare minimum, eat your food and enjoy. If I want to wear a floor length ball gown and heels every night to dinner, so be it. At least I'm not showing my underpants, with a hat on backwards and my butt hanging out.

 

Good luck enforcing "manners". Time and again here on CC I've been scolded for my opinion on "manners" and etiquette.

[Peachypooh]

14 minutes ago, electro said:

I'm not sure what you are trying to say. Do you think there should be more restaurants with a more formal dress code, or there shouldn't be restaurants with a more formal dress code?

Or people shouldn't get dressed up to go to restaurants that don't have the more formal dress code?

I think there should be one restaurant with an (enforced) more formal dress code for those who want to

do that. We will probably never go there because of my husband's cruise "uniform" of Hawaiian shirt

and shorts. But it would be nice for those who want a little bit more formal experience.

[roger001]

Ships are just not marketed for a formal experience any more than we any longer dress up to fly commercially.  Generational changes occur and have.  The huge majority of folks to whom NCL markets their cruises are from a present culture that does not at all recognize formality in anything really.   Actually, that is just a natural evolution of life, generational changes.  So a person should never look at a cruise as an opportunity to have a formal evening.   Do so if you wish but plan to be in the very, very small minority of others doing it.  

[graphicguy]

If a formal dress code is important to you, NCL, ROYAL, CCL, etc probably aren’t for you.  Cunard is more likely to fit your wants and desires better.

[Two Wheels Only]

As long as the "minimum" is met (check the dailies), people are free to go as far "above" the minimum as they want. If someone wants to wear a tuxedo and sits next to someone in shorts, so be it.

 

 

[Two Wheels Only]

59 minutes ago, Peachypooh said:

NCL does make an attempt to pick LeBistro and one of the main

dining rooms to have a little bit more of a dress code although

I don't think from what I have seen it is enforced all the time

 

Not every ship has a "more formal" MDR. Some NCL ships allow shorts in all MDRs.

 

[GA Dave]

11 minutes ago, roger001 said:

Ships are just not marketed for a formal experience any more than we any longer dress up to fly commercially.  Generational changes occur and have.  The huge majority of folks to whom NCL markets their cruises are from a present culture that does not at all recognize formality in anything really.   Actually, that is just a natural evolution of life, generational changes.  So a person should never look at a cruise as an opportunity to have a formal evening.   Do so if you wish but plan to be in the very, very small minority of others doing it.  

This is absolutely true.  In my company, we are expected to dress in suits and ties whenever we are meeting with a customer or supplier, no matter what the location or circumstance.  I once had to visit a new supplier in Carlsbad, CA.  Since we are a fairly large company, we were meeting with the two co-owners of the company so they could market some new technology to us.  When our group walked into the conference room at their facility to meet them, we were kind of shocked to see them both dressed in boardshorts and tee shirts.  They looked like they had just gotten back from surfing at the beach!  BUT, they both turned out to be extremely intelligent, very tech savvy people who really knew their stuff!

[Lizabu]

I think cruise lines are just listening to the people and giving them what they want. They probably don’t want to set up a formal dining room with a dress code that 3 people will use.

[JustAPilot]

For me I notice it when comparing European vs Caribbean cruises. On our Adriatic Sea cruise, I found most people dressed nicely ie nice shorts with collard shirt or long pants during dinners and evening entertainment. Caribbean cruises.. not so much, demographic is completely different. 

[Peachypooh]

22 minutes ago, GA Dave said:

This is absolutely true.  In my company, we are expected to dress in suits and ties whenever we are meeting with a customer or supplier, no matter what the location or circumstance.  I once had to visit a new supplier in Carlsbad, CA.  Since we are a fairly large company, we were meeting with the two co-owners of the company so they could market some new technology to us.  When our group walked into the conference room at their facility to meet them, we were kind of shocked to see them both dressed in boardshorts and tee shirts.  They looked like they had just gotten back from surfing at the beach!  BUT, they both turned out to be extremely intelligent, very tech savvy people who really knew their stuff!

You are right that people are much less formal and it doesn't make them any more or less competant. I recently went to a first Communion celebration and people showed up in jeans and tank tops, flip flops, etc. But I know that these are good kind people and dressing this way in church doesn't mean that they aren't.

[patar]

I was on the Gem last week and one night my husband and I were dining in the Grand Pacific diningroom and was very surprised to see a couple probably in their 60’s pass by our table after dining and they were both in their swimsuits!

[Sea saw 56]

1 hour ago, Peachypooh said:

 What  I do get kind of upset having to eat across from someone with no table manners (like using a steak knife as a toothpick).  Anyone else have any thoughts?

My thoughts on this one.......God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change......

[don't-use-real-name]

3 minutes ago, patar said:

I was on the Gem last week and one night my husband and I were dining in the Grand Pacific diningroom and was very surprised to see a couple probably in their 60’s pass by our table after dining and they were both in their swimsuits!

Was this the first night of the cruise ?

Perhaps their luggage was rescued from the Back Bay and they did not have anything else to wear ?

Did they at least have cover-ups or bathrobes ? Flaunting their Mermaid Merman flesh ?

But someone at the Host desk must have been tipped very well or ignorant of the dress code or even both !

 

 

 

[cottagers2000]

I am fully aware of the guide lines for the restaurants, particularly the specialist restaurants but having just been on the Epic round the Med. I was quite taken aback with the way that some diners "dressed for dinner". I dined at Cagneys one night and a guy opposite was in a pair of manky shorts that looked like he had just been on the beach. I know it is casual dining but at least make some sort of effort

[ThxMomnDad]

Most of my cruising experience was in the late 90's to early 2000's on Carnival and I used to always look forward to the 2 formal nights on the 7 day cruises. That was something I really enjoyed. But next month, I'm sailing on the Escape and I'm so happy I don't have to worry about packing a suit, dress shirts, ties and dress shoes. I'll bring some Dockers for the specialty restaurants, but I'm happy I won't need a separate garment bag for a suit!

[onetimearoundtheworld]

Next cruise I will actually bring sweatpants to wear on the ship (northern europe cruise) and that includes dinner.

[don't-use-real-name]

2 minutes ago, onetimearoundtheworld said:

Next cruise I will actually bring sweatpants to wear on the ship (northern europe cruise) and that includes dinner.

Just make sure it is not the Yoga pants with the Logo "Does wearing these pants make me look fat" ? LOL !

Actually wearing new sweat pants maybe a better option than some holey torn take out the trash garment !

[Deeliteful]

Unfortunately I think you are flagging a dead horse here.

NCL is known for it casual attire and sells mainly to the US who seem to prefer it that way.

A lot of people (at least on my last NCL cruise) didn’t seem to know the difference between casual and downright scruffy. I have walked my dog in better clothes than some of the cruisers!

But it is what it is. I still dressed more “formally” for dinner than most of my fellow cruisers but I’m a Brit that’s what we do!

Didn't spoil my enjoyment of the cruise, I have choices. I find Cunard too formal and NCL too casual but I go with the flow and wear what I feel is appropriate.

 

Edited September 9, 2019 by Deeliteful

[cottagers2000]

4 minutes ago, Deeliteful said:

Unfortunately I think you are flagging a dead horse here.

NCL is known for it casual attire and sells mainly to the US who seem to prefer it that way.

A lot of people (at least on my last NCL cruise) didn’t seem to know the difference between casual and downright scruffy. I have walked my dog in better clothes than some of the cruisers!

But it is what it is. I still dressed more “formally” for dinner than most of my fellow cruisers but I’m a Brit that’s what we do!

Didn't spoil my enjoyment of the cruise, I have choices. I find Cunard too formal and NCL too casual but I go with the flow and wear what I feel is appropriate.

 

I quite agree. There is certainly a much different attitude to what is considered "casual" between Americans and English.

[patar]

22 minutes ago, don't-use-real-name said:

Was this the first night of the cruise ?

Perhaps their luggage was rescued from the Back Bay and they did not have anything else to wear ?

Did they at least have cover-ups or bathrobes ? Flaunting their Mermaid Merman flesh ?

But someone at the Host desk must have been tipped very well or ignorant of the dress code or even both !

 

 

 

 

Edited September 9, 2019 by patar
It was the last night of the cruise

[patar]

22 minutes ago, don't-use-real-name said:

Was this the first night of the cruise ?

Perhaps their luggage was rescued from the Back Bay and they did not have anything else to wear ?

Did they at least have cover-ups or bathrobes ? Flaunting their Mermaid Merman flesh ?

But someone at the Host desk must have been tipped very well or ignorant of the dress code or even both !

 

 

 

It

 

34 minutes ago, patar said:

I was on the Gem last week and one night my husband and I were dining in the Grand Pacific diningroom and was very surprised to see a couple probably in their 60’s pass by our table after dining and they were both in their swimsuits!

It was the last night of the cruise

[roger001]

1 hour ago, GA Dave said:

This is absolutely true.  In my company, we are expected to dress in suits and ties whenever we are meeting with a customer or supplier, no matter what the location or circumstance.  I once had to visit a new supplier in Carlsbad, CA.  Since we are a fairly large company, we were meeting with the two co-owners of the company so they could market some new technology to us.  When our group walked into the conference room at their facility to meet them, we were kind of shocked to see them both dressed in boardshorts and tee shirts.  They looked like they had just gotten back from surfing at the beach!  BUT, they both turned out to be extremely intelligent, very tech savvy people who really knew their stuff!

I was an ATC kinda guy for 38 years.  When I hired in it was white shirt, tie, and sports coat to walk around the facility outside the control room or tower.  Through the years the dress code was gradually relaxed.  Been retired now 18 years.   Recently had occasion to be in an ATC facility.  Troops were wearing flip flops, beachwear shorts, and tank tops.  But they were all under 30 it looked like.  A generational cultural difference.  And if the FAA didn't go with the new flow, they would be without any new employees.   If NCL doesn't go with the new cultural informality, they will also be without any future new cruisers.