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Shorts in the MDR for dinner


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Depends on the restaurant. In a Pancake House, no problem. Capital Grille, problem. M Dining room falls between those. I err on the direction of making those around me comfortable, hence no shorts in the MDR.

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The thing that gets frustrating with this topic is the cruise line's inconsistency.  Princess is just as bad.  If they want to relax the dress code, fine, then put it out there and be done with it.  People can always dress up more if they wish.  BUT if theyre going to have a dress code, own it and stick with it.  Personally, I think its goofy having what is, in essence, more of a formal type MDR & then have people show up in shorts.  Ultimately, I really dont care that much.  I just wish they'd settle in on something and then own their decision.

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14 minutes ago, NthernLgts said:

The thing that gets frustrating with this topic is the cruise line's inconsistency.  Princess is just as bad.  If they want to relax the dress code, fine, then put it out there and be done with it.  People can always dress up more if they wish.  BUT if theyre going to have a dress code, own it and stick with it.  Personally, I think its goofy having what is, in essence, more of a formal type MDR & then have people show up in shorts.  Ultimately, I really dont care that much.  I just wish they'd settle in on something and then own their decision.

 

It's because they can't make everyone happy.  The current situation probably causes the least grumbling overall.

 

If they relax it too much, all the "traditionalists" will be like, the world is going to hell in a handbasket and raise a big fuss

 

If they kick people out for wear shorts, the more whatever, let's say metropolitan people will be like, why the heck do i need to wear pants to a restaurant on a ship in the caribbean that serves chain-restaurant food during a relaxing vacation.

 

This way, they can keep the "traditionalists" happy, and to be honest, some of them probably enjoy the smug self satisfaction of being dress-code police and grumbling to whoever will listen to them.

 

And the others can just wear shorts and not get turned away and everyone is relatively happy.

 

Ps, at least where I am, people go to restaurants like capital grille with shorts all the time and no one bats an eye. Heck there's probably only a handful of restaurants where people would even notice you weren't wearing pants and that's when you get to the ~$300pp range. They probably still wouldn't turn you away.

 

edit: well there's probably some middling old-school traditionalist places that aren't on the foodie scene that probably have a dress code.

Edited by UnorigionalName
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On 1/15/2020 at 5:16 PM, island visitor said:

I know this question has been discussed before a number of times and I apologize for bringing it up again, but here goes.  Cruising on the Oasis this month and we haven't cruised on RCI for a few years so was wondering if very many men wear nice shorts in the MDR for dinner?


I haven’t read the whole thread, but thought I’d note that this really varies from

ship to ship and perhaps even who’s at the MDR door when you get there.  I’m on 

Explorer right now and I personally witnessed a guest in shorts being denied entrance to the MDR on the first formal night. He later returned in slacks. 

 
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1 hour ago, UnorigionalName said:

 

It's because they can't make everyone happy.  The current situation probably causes the least grumbling overall.

 

If they relax it too much, all the "traditionalists" will be like, the world is going to hell in a handbasket and raise a big fuss

 

If they kick people out for wear shorts, the more whatever, let's say metropolitan people will be like, why the heck do i need to wear pants to a restaurant on a ship in the caribbean that serves chain-restaurant food during a relaxing vacation.

 

This way, they can keep the "traditionalists" happy, and to be honest, some of them probably enjoy the smug self satisfaction of being dress-code police and grumbling to whoever will listen to them.

 

And the others can just wear shorts and not get turned away and everyone is relatively happy.

 

Ps, at least where I am, people go to restaurants like capital grille with shorts all the time and no one bats an eye. Heck there's probably only a handful of restaurants where people would even notice you weren't wearing pants and that's when you get to the ~$300pp range. They probably still wouldn't turn you away.

 

edit: well there's probably some middling old-school traditionalist places that aren't on the foodie scene that probably have a dress code.

 

Perhaps, but people booking a cruise knew the the expectations before they booked too.  The irony is when higher end restaurants do have a dress code they typically enforce it, but I admit it IS becoming less of a thing.  BTW, in my heart I consider myself more of a traditionalist too.  However, I'd be happy with whatever policy they choose, as long as they own it.  It wouldnt stop me from cruising at all if cruise lines relaxed their dress code, and most people who enjoy the dress code arent snobs.  Again, for me its less the actual policy than it is making a decision to have a policy then ignoring it.  

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3 minutes ago, NthernLgts said:

 

Perhaps, but people booking a cruise knew the the expectations before they booked too.  The irony is when higher end restaurants do have a dress code they typically enforce it, but I admit it IS becoming less of a thing.  BTW, in my heart I consider myself more of a traditionalist too.  However, I'd be happy with whatever policy they choose, as long as they own it.  It wouldnt stop me from cruising at all if cruise lines relaxed their dress code, and most people who enjoy the dress code arent snobs.  Again, for me its less the actual policy than it is making a decision to have a policy then ignoring it.  

The evening dress guidelines for the MDR is not a policy. You know for yourself what the published guidelines are. Dress accordingly or alter it to what you like and feel comfortable wearing. Something for everyone. Not worth concerning yourself about what others are wearing. You can't do anything about it. If the staff at the entrance is cool with what everyone is wearing that's all that matters for whatever reason. 

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What is interesting to me is that I have legit rich set of friends that we have dinner with every month.  We pick all kinds of restaurants- from $10 a plate to well over $100.  DH and I used to dress up, but they were always casual- jeans, shorts, etc.  now we’ve followed their lead, and never feel out of place 🙂. (However, we do dress up on the cruise, because we like to :))

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On 1/15/2020 at 8:31 PM, Ptroxx said:

This isn’t the roaring 20’s anymore. Times have change.  Attire has changed. 
people can be well dressed and not be in a stuffy suit and tie. 
 

I’d beat most everyone that says you néed to be dressed up is retired.   
 

times have changed. And the cruise lines are adjusting to change.     

Actually it is the roaring 20's in a sense that change is happening in the modern world.  Victorians in their bustles, spats and high neck collars can't accept it.

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On 1/16/2020 at 12:22 AM, NavyCruiser said:

This shouldn't be about whether you can or should.  It's about Respect.  Respect to yourself, to your spouse/partner, & to your fellow tablemates.  

You're entering a nice beautiful dinning room with upscale china, silverware, glassware, cloth tablecloths,and staff in vests & tie.

We also dress all of our boys in long pants ever since they can walk & still do 20+ cruises & 25 yrs later.  

One pair of nice long pants doesn't take up that much more luggage space than shorts.

We do not care whether what others are wearing, we can't control what they wear, but just for us, it's all about showing respect to rest of our traveling family...

Upscale china, silverware and glassware??? Upscale from what? Paper plates,  Dixie cups and plastic utensils?  It's standard restaurant quality at best.

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13 hours ago, UnorigionalName said:

 

It's because they can't make everyone happy.  The current situation probably causes the least grumbling overall.

 

If they relax it too much, all the "traditionalists" will be like, the world is going to hell in a handbasket and raise a big fuss

 

If they kick people out for wear shorts, the more whatever, let's say metropolitan people will be like, why the heck do i need to wear pants to a restaurant on a ship in the caribbean that serves chain-restaurant food during a relaxing vacation.

 

This way, they can keep the "traditionalists" happy, and to be honest, some of them probably enjoy the smug self satisfaction of being dress-code police and grumbling to whoever will listen to them.

 

And the others can just wear shorts and not get turned away and everyone is relatively happy.

 

Ps, at least where I am, people go to restaurants like capital grille with shorts all the time and no one bats an eye. Heck there's probably only a handful of restaurants where people would even notice you weren't wearing pants and that's when you get to the ~$300pp range. They probably still wouldn't turn you away.

 

edit: well there's probably some middling old-school traditionalist places that aren't on the foodie scene that probably have a dress code.

Living in Hawaii, there is almost no restaurant that will turn you away, even at $300pp.  It is because hawaii is a VACATION destination.  Hence the informal and relaxing attire.  The only time I have seen formal wear is for black tie events.  Even at weddings, men wear aloha shirts, dress shorts and slippers.  

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2 hours ago, frank808 said:

Living in Hawaii, there is almost no restaurant that will turn you away, even at $300pp.  It is because hawaii is a VACATION destination.  Hence the informal and relaxing attire.  The only time I have seen formal wear is for black tie events.  Even at weddings, men wear aloha shirts, dress shorts and slippers.  

Awww, you said slippers!!!  My bestie is from HI, and she says slippers too 🙂

Edited by vacationlover_mn
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On 1/16/2020 at 6:51 PM, Jewelim333 said:

What is wrong with raising the bar a little when you are on vacation?  I really don't want to look at anyone's hairy legs during dinner.  Is it so bad to put on a pair of pants?  Yes, those pictures of the model wearing shorts and a jacket are quite nice.  But we all know that the people we are talking about do not look like those models.  The Windjammer is the place for shorts imho.  Those in shorts in the MDR are  exercising their right to "relax" on a cruise vacation. 

 

For me, I enjoy being nicely dressed for dinner (no shorts) because I AM on vacation (which is only a few days each year).  A vacation is a special time for us- and not about what I wear day to day for work (business casual).  Even when my sons vacationed with us when they were younger, they were dressed for dinner.   

 

In short- to each his own.  But don't expect everyone else to like what you like.

 

And for the record, I'm in my 60s, work full time and do not live in Florida.

so you don't want to look at some ones hairy legs. In some parts of the world it is common for women to not shave their arm pits. So, they have on a cute/beautiful/ classy dress and they lift their arms exposing their unshaven arm pits. 

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Do away with all of the silly formal nights or what ever you want to call them and Instead let people dress however they want, but make it very clear what is not allowed and then enforce it. 

 

I dress nicely for dinner, but I'm so past the point of caring if someone wears shorts or jeans to dinner.  It's just dinner and certainly not a special event like it was long ago.

 

All I want to do anymore is relax and have fun.

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Just now, mek said:

Do away with all of the silly formal nights or what ever you want to call them and Instead let people dress however they want, but make it very clear what is not allowed and then enforce it. 

 

I dress nicely for dinner, but I'm so past the point of caring if someone wears shorts or jeans in the evening.  It's just dinner and certainly not a special event like it was long ago.

 

All I want to do anymore is relax and have fun.

 

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