Dress code enforcement

[NoNoNanette]

John-

You need to replace your pic with the one that's on your site.;)

WOW. :)

[herb]

[quote name='Copper10-8'][FONT=Comic Sans MS][SIZE=3][COLOR=navy]Two more cents: On formal night on HAL and AFTER dinner, you will see many folks dressed up in their formals enjoying themselves in places like the Explorer's Lounge, the Ocean Bar and the Crow's Nest. The atmosphere and ambiance on a formal night that many here enjoy and speak of is there for those folks to partake in. Yes, you will see other pax (in my experience, not the majority by far) who have either changed into something more casual after dinner or never went formal and had dinner elsewhere, in venues like the casino, the show lounge(s), the shops, the internet center, etc. who are also enjoying themselves. It has been discussed at length: You will no longer get a 100% compliance to the "suggested" formal dress code and some people who do comply with it for dinner, will change afterwards! Accept it! There is room on a HAL ship for both to coexist without bad-mouthing and/or looking down at each other! Just enjoy yourself, your company and your cruise! [/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT][/QUOTE]

WHAT A GREAT POST!!!! LOVE IT!!!! You should save this and whenever the topic comes up just cut and paste.

[HeatherInFlorida]

[quote name='herb'].............. ....................
Maybe HAL needs to rephrase their ~what to wear~ guide in the "Know Before You Go" to: Yes, you can dress informally on Formal night and eat in the buffet, but we ask that you then, upon completion of your meal please refrain from partaking in any evening activities onboard the ship other than walking outside on the promenade or remaining in your cabin or on your private balcony. Thank you for sailing with Holland America". ;)[/quote]

Point taken, Herb:) . I guess it comes back to perception. I read their current phrasing to say pretty much what you say above ... just not in those exact words.

In the end, I really don't disagree. As I said earlier, it really doesn't bother me at all because I've not noticed anyone not dressing as requested. Truthfully, it's only here on CC that I even think about it. I really don't think these "violations;) " are as rampant as you might think if only reading this board.

[RevNeal]

[QUOTE]Has anyone ever thought that there might actually be quite a large amount of letters being sent to Seattle or comments made on comment cards AGAINST formal nights?[/QUOTE]

Herb,

Oh, certainly. I'm not sure how large the number is, but I DO know that there is a certain percentage of people who cruise on HAL who repeatedly complain about the dress code, the dining time, etc. etc. etc.. We see it here on this board, and some of them (or others, too, I would imagine) have made their opinions known. The principle is simple: the squeaky wheel gets the grease. If those who want a change are the only ones who are writing and/or complaining, then HAL may well get the impression that EVERYONE wants things changed. Hence, it behooves those of us who DON'T want change to make sure that the Line realizes that there are those of us out here who like the dress code, the dining times, etc., the way they are. If we don't speak up, we only have ourselves to blame if the Line thinks that we agree with the those who want things changed.

[peaches from georgia]

[quote name='revneal']Herb,

Oh, certainly. I'm not sure how large the number is, but I DO know that there is a certain percentage of people who cruise on HAL who repeatedly complain about the dress code, the dining time, etc. etc. etc.. [/QUOTE]
And some of the most vocal complainers have never even sailed on HAL. ;)

[RevNeal]

[QUOTE]We follow the rules - to a point. After having dinner in the main dining room we have gone back to our room to change to be more comfortable at the evening Show. If having dinner in the Lido on a "formal"night and are dressed casual I'll be darned if we are going back to our room to change into formal wear so that we can take in the Show.....[/QUOTE]

diboja, welcome to the board!

I certainly understand why you wouldn't want to change into formal clothing to attend a show after having eaten casual in the Lido. If I were to elect to eat in the Lido on formal night, I wouldn't want do that either. And, I understand that some do like to "dress-down" after dinner for activities aboard ship. I have no idea how many people this amounts to, and I don't understand why they like doing this, but I've noticed it from time to time. My only request of those who do this sort of thing is to not be surprised that most of your fellow passengers are going to stay in their formal clothing for the evening's festivities. Remember ... you are the one who is bucking the Line's dress code, so [i]if[/i] you start to feel uncomfortable because you are standing out like a sore thumb, please don't complain about it.

In other words ... those of you who [b]rightly[/b] saluted Copper's remarks should remember that the reverse is also true. Take it from someone who was once told that he was a "stuffed shirt" for remaining dressed in his tuxedo after the show let out: it goes both ways. (And NOW you know why I am a bit sensitive on this subject).

[QUOTE]Never judge a book by its cover.[/QUOTE]

When it comes to people that is the God-honest truth ... and very well said on your part. It is particularly true when judging people by the coverings they're wearing ... like considering those who are dressed formally to be stuffed shirt "hoity-toity walking clothing racks." Not that such is what you were doing ... and not that the same cannot be said in reverse.

[tech]

John-

You need to replace your pic with the one that's on your site.;)

[B]I am borrowing Nanette's post ...she sure is right on this one.[/B]

Eye Candy for us ladies ! :D

[NoNoNanette]

[quote name='tech']John-

You need to replace your pic with the one that's on your site.;)

[B]I am borrowing Nanette's post ...she sure is right on this one.[/B]

Eye Candy for us ladies ! :D[/quote]

Is he a "hunk", or what, Tech?:eek:

(Nice to meet you, kiddo.... have been enjoying your posts!)

[RevNeal]

[QUOTE]Let's not get silly! I don't think anyone so far on any of these "formal night proper attire" threads equated shorts and a tank-top as proper attire for formal night, and that is what the original thread was about.[/QUOTE]

Herb, at the risk of being thought a bit silly here, let me ask a question. Why should we NOT expect that some are going to want to wear shorts and tank tops on formal night? While exceedingly RARE, I [b]have[/b] seen people in such garb "out and about" in the evening, in public spaces. Yes, in lounges and even seated next to me in the casino [i]on formal night.[/i] Yes, that's right. Me ... in a Tuxedo (dressed according to code) ... and the guy seated next to me at the blackjack table is in shorts and t-shirt. I will admit that this extreme hasn't happened often, but it has happened to me once.

And, pray tell, [b]why not?[/b] After all, we've been told up one side and down the other that it's "their vacation" and that they should be allowed to wear whatever they dam-well please. So ... when someone changes out of their formal garb and back into "comfortable clothing," if such meets their definition of "comfortable," [b]why not shorts and a tank-top on formal night?[/b]

[NoNoNanette]

[quote name='revneal']Herb, at the risk of being thought a bit silly here, let me ask a question. Why should we NOT expect that some are going to want to wear shorts and tank tops on formal night? While exceedingly RARE, I [B]have[/B] seen people in such garb "out and about" in the evening, in public spaces. Yes, in lounges and even seated next to me in the casino [I]on formal night.[/I] Yes, that's right. Me ... in a Tuxedo (dressed according to code) ... and the guy seated next to me at the blackjack table is in shorts and t-shirt. I will admit that this extreme hasn't happened often, but it has happened to me once.

And, pray tell, [B]why not?[/B] After all, we've been told up one side and down the other that it's "their vacation" and that they should be allowed to wear whatever they dam-well please. So ... when someone changes out of their formal garb and back into "comfortable clothing," if such meets their definition of "comfortable," [B]why not shorts and a tank-top on formal night?[/B][/quote]

I find "tank tops" on a man to be acceptable at the pool or beach. PERIOD.

Years ago, I had a neighbor who wouldn't let a man in his house with a tank-top. He found it offensive, and I tend to agree.

That being said, I have no problem with a man in the Casino or showroom in shorts and a t-shirt. (Formal night or not) Wouldn't faze me one bit! To each his own.

How others dress will not affect my cruising enjoyment. :) Life is too short to get into a tizzy about other's choice of clothing!:rolleyes:

[Cruiseoften]

[quote name='dakrewser']

So the questions are:

Have you ever complained to the maitre d' about someone's dress in the DR?
[COLOR="DarkOrange"] No [/COLOR]

In order to preserve traditional dining, would you now begin to do so?[/QUOTE]

[COLOR="DarkOrange"] Yes. We have always mentioned it in the Cruise Questionnaire.

It's several years ago now .......2nd seating, Formal night, a group of 8, we met in the Crows Nest at the start of the Cocktail Hour. Waiting for our drinks there were several collective 'gasps' from tables and us close by - four children (age range 4 to to 6 I'd say) were running rampant through the lounge. Waiters with loaded trays were having a hard time avoiding them. There was no apparent supervision. Fearing an accident, one of the men went to the bar, located the Head Waiter and complained on our behalf, HW came to our table and also spoke with tables in the vicinity.

Have to say that the children were most appropriately dressed, the eldest, the 6? year old, even wore a mini-tux. We didn't see them later in the dining room so don't know where they belonged. Point of the story though - we've never again seen a similar situation on any HAL ship.

Hats, baseball caps on the male of the species, regardless of age, should IMHO always be removed when seated indoors - Yes! even in 'greasy spoons', McDonalds, coffee shops, etc.etc. - same applies, indoors or outdoors, when any National Anthem is played (hopefully not ‘sung’!).

Haven't been in church lately, is such headgear kept on there too? Surely not! [/COLOR]

[RevNeal]

[QUOTE]That being said, I have no problem with a man in the Casino or showroom in shorts and a t-shirt. (Formal night or not) Wouldn't faze me one bit! To each his own.[/QUOTE]

Just so long as there's no chest hair showing above the neck line, eh? ;)

[RevNeal]

[QUOTE]Haven't been in church lately, is such headgear kept on there too? Surely not![/QUOTE]

I'll say this much ... some of my men may be prone to wearing shorts to church during the late spring and early summer (it makes it quick and easy for them to go straight to the golf course following the benediction ... or so I'm told), but they do show enough respect for where they are to take off their ball caps while they're in the building. :)

[NoNoNanette]

[quote name='revneal']Just so long as there's no chest hair showing above the neck line, eh? ;)[/quote]

No- you're mistaken. :rolleyes:

I think that there's a big difference between a man with chest hair poking out of a crew neck t-shirt, and a man in the formal dining room with a partially unbuttoned dress/polo shirt.

[RevNeal]

[quote name='NoNoNanette']No- you're mistaken. :rolleyes:

I think that there's a big difference between a man with chest hair poking out of a crew neck t-shirt, and a man in the formal dining room with a partially unbuttoned dress/polo shirt.[/QUOTE]

Ah, I see.
Ok ... so, since in the photo in question my polo shirt was buttoned to the shirt's top button -- yes, it was -- then your prior remarks didn't apply to me. I'm glad we cleared that one up. :)

[lougee1043]

i think enough of my fellow pax that are following the hal dress code for the evening to remain in my formal dress for the entire evening whether it be tux-suit-sport jacket etc ---

im retired and havent worn a tie and jacket since my last cruise but i have chosen to sail hal and i have also chosen to follow the dress code for the ship

[diboja]

[quote name='lougee1043']
maybe your ta did you a disservice by putting you on a hal ship when you might be more comfortable on a more casual cruise lline[/QUOTE]


[b]THAT[/b] has to be the prime example of a "hoity toity" attitude!!!
How arrogant!!!
Since when are you going to tell me that I am not welcome on a HAL ship?
I said that I follow the rules to a point and NEVER go against the dress code in the dining room.....

By the way - I picked HAL not my TA as we prefer HAL! The vast majority of folks that cruise on HAL have been wonderful....

Thanks for making my point with regard to arrogance....

[HeatherInFlorida]

Speaking of "class" (we were, weren't we?;) ) this exchange is delightful. Is everyone having fun :)???

[lougee1043]

[quote name='diboja']
Since when are you going to tell me that I am not welcome on a HAL ship?
I said that I follow the rules to a point and NEVER go against the dress code in the dining room.....quote]

please show me where i said that you were not welcome on a hal ship - in those exact words--------------------------

[caribbean girl]

[quote name='tech']John-

You need to replace your pic with the one that's on your site.;)

[B]I am borrowing Nanette's post ...she sure is right on this one.[/B]

Eye Candy for us ladies ! :D[/quote]

More information...please!:D

[Copper10-8]

[quote name='caribbean girl']More information...please!:D[/quote]

[FONT=Comic Sans MS][SIZE=3][COLOR=navy]Negative, you're OT! Stick to the topic, troublemaker!:cool: [/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]

[dakrewser]

[quote name='diboja'][B]THAT[/B] has to be the prime example of a "hoity toity" attitude!!!
How arrogant!!!
Since when are you going to tell me that I am not welcome on a HAL ship?
I said that I follow the rules to a point and NEVER go against the dress code in the dining room.....

By the way - I picked HAL not my TA as we prefer HAL! The vast majority of folks that cruise on HAL have been wonderful....

Thanks for making my point with regard to arrogance....[/quote]

I believe - at least as I read it - that Lou suggested you might be more comfortable on a more casual ship. I thoughty it was a friendly remark. But, perhaps, you're just easily offended.

It's your emphasis on following the dress code only in the dining room which I find offensive. The dress code speaks of the dress for the evening, not just for dinner. That's like saying I obey the speed limit on my street only...

[RevNeal]

[QUOTE]Hey... to each his own. If you think that it's OK to wear a polo shirt with chest hair hanging out in the dining room, then do your own thing. Just don't be surprised to see others whispering behind your back.

I find it distasteful... much moreso than jeans in the dining room or shorts in common areas during "formal" night.[/QUOTE]

Thank you for sharing your opinion. Thankfully, it's not part of the published HAL dress code that men's collars must button to the neck on casual nights. If such were the case, I'd would much rather just wear a clerical or a tie than something casual.

[i][quote from a removed post edited out][/i]

[RevNeal]

[quote name='HeatherInFlorida']Speaking of "class" (we were, weren't we?;) ) this exchange is delightful. Is everyone having fun :)???[/QUOTE]

LOL ... thanks for the laugh, Heather. I'm reminded of Cheech and Chong's Sister Mary Elephant routine from back in the 1970s... "Class ... class ... SHUT UP!" ;) :D

[Copper10-8]

[FONT=Comic Sans MS][SIZE=3][COLOR=navy]And now, for something completely different! A picture of a horse! A live horse, no less!:rolleyes: [/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]