Spoiled by NCL's "Freestyle"

[kittygrace]

My husband and I have been on several cruise lines but most recently NCL. We have been really spoiled by their Freestyle cruising... dining on your own schedule and in what ever manner preferred. Could someone please tell me just how formal the formal nights on Oosterdam are? Does my husband really need to rent a tux? He usually doesn't bring more than a sport coat to wear with dress pants and I usually just a nice dress. Or how about just a suit? Would that fit in? I really don't like being all stuffy but if that's what everyone else is doing, that's what we'll do too. I haven't ever cruised on Holland and it's been several years since my husband has so we need some updated info. Thanks for your help and opinions. What would I ever do without Cruise Critic!

[dakrewser]

He doesn't need a tux but a suit and tie would be appropriate. And there's nothing "stuffy" about it. Put on your glad rags and have fun...

[djallar]

My husband and I have been on several cruise lines but most recently NCL. We have been really spoiled by their Freestyle cruising... dining on your own schedule and in what ever manner preferred. Could someone please tell me just how formal the formal nights on Oosterdam are? Does my husband really need to rent a tux? He usually doesn't bring more than a sport coat to wear with dress pants and I usually just a nice dress. Or how about just a suit? Would that fit in? I really don't like being all stuffy but if that's what everyone else is doing, that's what we'll do too. I haven't ever cruised on Holland and it's been several years since my husband has so we need some updated info. Thanks for your help and opinions. What would I ever do without Cruise Critic!

Just bring the best you have and don't concern yourself. We did not see many tuxedos on the formal nights on either ship. Mostly suits and sportcoats. I don't think you'd feel uncomfortable unless you showed up in shorts. :D

[vpoopsy]

My DH isn't too happy about the "dress code". I can only get him in a suit if someone dies or gets married. He really doesn't like the idea of having to stay "dressed up" after dinner if you want to relax and go to a show or a club. We enjoed the "freestyle" on Princess and hope it doesn't put a damper on our trip. We're pretty down to earth folks and don't mind dressing up a little, but almost feel forced to on this cruise.

[jtl513]

Does my husband really need to rent a tux? He usually doesn't bring more than a sport coat to wear with dress pants and I usually just a nice dress.

 

On a 10 day cruise I think it runs about 45-50% tuxes, less on shorter cruises. A dark jacket or sport coat and dress slacks are sufficient. Personally, I only wear a tux if one of my kids get married, and would never go on a Cunard cruise!

 

My DH isn't too happy about the "dress code". I can only get him in a suit if someone dies or gets married. He really doesn't like the idea of having to stay "dressed up" after dinner if you want to relax and go to a show or a club.

 

He certainly doesn't have to stay "dressed up" after you leave the dining room! I too avoid jackets/ties to the maximum extent possible and "feared" the dress code before I took my first HAL cruise 5 years ago, but now know I needn't have!

[grannynurse]

Hi Kittygrace and vpoopsy,

Don't feel forced to over-dress. If your DH wears a suit and tie and you wear a black skirt and dressy top, or a travel knit dress, you will be right at home. A nice pants suit would also be appropriate. We seldom see ball gowns or tails, but on more formal cruises, holiday or Europe, there are more tuxes and dinner dresses. Some people will dress up to the nth degree but most will not wear anything but appropriate "nice restaurant" attire. You probably would not feel comfortable in "resort casual" on formal nights anyway.

Don't obsess about this, look at some of the pictures in the cruise brochure. Even the formal wear rentals advertised in the cruise documents are pretty plain black skirts and tops.

GN

[San Diego Cruzer]

I think a Tux is nice, but can never convince my husband to wear one - he usually wear a suit and tie during formal nights and just a sport jacket and slacks during others. My brother inlaw who frequently cruises with us never wears a suit during formal nights - just not his thing. He wears a jacket and tie only. I usually wear a black dress for both formal nights - nothing really special. I actually like a little "dress up" - I don't think you'll be too disappointed - we've sailed NCL before. You can also do dinner in your cabin or in the Lido if you want.

[cruznon]

DH always wears a tux on formal night, but he hates the tight collar/tie thing for post-dinner evening. We found a nice compromise on our Alaskan cruise in July. After dinner, he changed tux shirt and tie for a very nice black turtleneck to go with tux. He still looked well-dressed, but was more comfortable for shows and lounges.

[PRINSENDAM]

 

 

 

He certainly doesn't have to stay "dressed up" after you leave the dining room! !

 

 

John,

 

This is bound to set off the usual run of posts regarding dress codes. The dress code is supposed to be in effect for the entire evening throughout the ship. This includes the lounges, bars etc, not only the dining room.

 

I know some people do go back to their cabin and change into casual clothes. It is their choice and some do it but it is not within the spirit of the dress code for the evening.

 

Nothing could be more silly than to expect people to put a dinner jacket or tuxedo on just to eat in the dining room. What! Get all dressed up to sit in a dining room for 1.5 hours and then get changed again. Even I wouldn't do that!

 

On the average 7 night cruise there are two formal, one informal and four casual night. Is it really too much to ask that passengers adhere to the dress code on those nights?

 

The dress code is in place because it gives the ship a certain ambiance during the evening.... it becomes an elegant evening at sea. For four nights the ship is casual... why not 'play the game' and dress up for the other three nights? It is a matter of respect for your fellow passengers nothing more. After all, on casual nights I respect all of you who like to dress casually by wearing slacks and portshirt. ;)

 

If someone doesn't like wearing a tux.... or doesn't own or want to rent... then fine... a dark suit is just fine... or even a jacket and tie, minimum. Informal night... definitely a jacket... tie optional.. and casual is casual.

 

Stephen

[RuthC]

He certainly doesn't have to stay "dressed up" after you leave the dining room!

It should be noted that the HAL dress code is for the evening, and not just dinner.

HAL requests that all guests remain dressed to code until retiring for the night as long as they are in the public areas.

[sail7seas]

MY DH always wears a tuxedo or white dinner jacket and I always dress formal but agree that a suit and tie for your husband and a nice dress for you will be fine.

 

We choose to abide by a traditional definition of formal but if you do not, that's okay.

 

Have a good cruise.

 

[sail7seas]

....

[kryos]

Just bring the best you have and don't concern yourself. We did not see many tuxedos on the formal nights on either ship. Mostly suits and sportcoats. I don't think you'd feel uncomfortable unless you showed up in shorts. :D

Exactly. Formal on HAL ain't really all that formal. I've seen women in dresses that they would wear to work. I've seen men with a jacket on, but no tie. Some people have reported seeing people in jeans on formal night, though I certainly wouldn't recommend that.

 

Of course, some people will dress to the nines ... because that is what they like to do ... and that's fine. You'll find just as many people not dressed that fancy, but who will look nice. All that is really necessary is to dress the same as you would for a day in the professional business office ... and you'll both be fine.

 

Blue skies ...

 

--rita

[kryos]

It should be noted that the HAL dress code is for the evening, and not just dinner.

HAL requests that all guests remain dressed to code until retiring for the night as long as they are in the public areas.

Read no changing into your jeans and comfortable tee-shirt after dinner unless you are planning on restricting your nighttime activities to the Lido deck. :)

 

That's unique on HAL, by the way. On Princess just about everyone went back to their cabins to change after dinner ... and you saw everything from jeans and tee-shirts to pressed slacks and polo shirts in the show lounge and bars.

 

Blue skies ...

 

--rita

[hammybee]

I too have sailed NCL, on port intensive intineraries, when the freestyle anytime dining works well for us.

 

I am the last to care about what anyone else wears to dinner and usually only notice if it is obvious that someone put a lot of time into it.

 

On NCL, there were people , well two of them, in their bathrobes on the so-called formal night. Yeah, I noticed. It looked goofy. In fact the entire evening was goofy because everyone wore what they wanted. It looked a lot more like a night out at Burger King than reasonably fine dining on a cruise ship.

 

I will sail NCL again, given the right intinerary, but for pure enjoyment of the cruise experience, I always come home to HAL.

 

Just bring something reasonably appropriate to wear on formal night and enjoy your cruise. There will be a difference. Trust me on this.

[lougee1043]

i HATE getting dressed up at home ---- on a cruise its different for me -- i go the tux route and love it ------------something about the more traditional type of hal cruising that i look forward to

[PRINSENDAM]

Exactly. Formal on HAL ain't really all that formal. I've seen women in dresses that they would wear to work. I've seen men with a jacket on, but no tie. Some people have reported seeing people in jeans on formal night, though I certainly wouldn't recommend that.

 

Of course, some people will dress to the nines ... because that is what they like to do ... and that's fine. You'll find just as many people not dressed that fancy, but who will look nice. All that is really necessary is to dress the same as you would for a day in the professional business office ... and you'll both be fine.

 

Blue skies ...

 

--rita

 

 

 

Rita,

 

HAL formal nights are not as formal as they used to be because some people refuse to respect their fellow passengers by not wearing the requested attire. Unfortunately over the years everyone else has had to bend to the will of the few who will not dress as requested.

 

Note I use the word 'requested'. Even when it was 'required' people don't give a rat's tail and do their own thing. Then all you hear is, "HAL are letting the standards fall".

 

I'm the first to agree that casual is more comfortable but that is not what it is all about.

 

Stephen

[AAAAmerican]

The fable of the Emperors Clothes... But alas I have worked many years on this fine Birthday Suit..*S*

 

HammyBee is so correct. What people do wear is up to them. More women look than men..

 

Isnt that how the fashion industry came about... thats what they tout and spout...

 

 

 

I too have sailed NCL, on port intensive intineraries, when the freestyle anytime dining works well for us.

 

I am the last to care about what anyone else wears to dinner and usually only notice if it is obvious that someone put a lot of time into it.

 

On NCL, there were people , well two of them, in their bathrobes on the so-called formal night. Yeah, I noticed. It looked goofy. In fact the entire evening was goofy because everyone wore what they wanted. It looked a lot more like a night out at Burger King than reasonably fine dining on a cruise ship.

 

I will sail NCL again, given the right intinerary, but for pure enjoyment of the cruise experience, I always come home to HAL.

 

Just bring something reasonably appropriate to wear on formal night and enjoy your cruise. There will be a difference. Trust me on this.

[RevNeal]

That's unique on HAL, by the way. On Princess just about everyone went back to their cabins to change after dinner ... and you saw everything from jeans and tee-shirts to pressed slacks and polo shirts in the show lounge and bars.

 

Everyone?

So, if I were to cruise Princes I would be conspicuous and made to feel out of place if i were to stay in my formal attire for the evening??

 

I think I'll not cruise Princess. I don't like changing after dinner until I ready to retire for the night.

[RevNeal]

Note I use the word 'requested'. Even when it was 'required' people don't give a rat's tail and do their own thing. Then all you hear is, "HAL are letting the standards fall".

 

O Captain, My Captain!

"people don't give a rat's tail" ??

Where's that tail connected? :eek: ;) :D

[RuthC]

On Princess just about everyone went back to their cabins to change after dinner ... and you saw everything from jeans and tee-shirts to pressed slacks and polo shirts in the show lounge and bars.

How tacky. :eek: Why bother getting dressed up in the first place. :rolleyes:

[inai]

I agree.

 

If you sail on HAL, respect their attire codes. That's part of what makes this ship of higher caliber. If not. Go to Carnival.

[PRINSENDAM]

T*

 

What people do wear is up to them.

 

quote]

 

 

NO IT ISN'T!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

 

There is a dress code and passengers are asked to wear the suggested attire for that evening... no different than if you went to a restaurant or any other establishment that has a dress code.

 

Some passengers choose not to comply with the dress code. That doesn't make it right no matter what the excuse. People who flaunt the dress code are doing nothing more than thumbing their nose to their fellow passengers.

 

Stephen

[cruisnfool]

Princess is not any differant than HAL......you are supposed to stay in your evening attire all evening.

 

The "Personal Choice Dining" only refers to you picking the time you want to eat...you still are supposed to adhere to the requested attire for that evening.

 

I think its rude to not follow the guidelines. After all the cruiseline is the host and the host suggests a certain attire...people should respect that or not cruise.

 

I hate going to the casino in my formal wear with my man with his tux on looking very Bond like and sit next to someone who changed into jean shorts....

 

But that the way cruising has changed. People have decided they will wear and do what they want because they are on vacation.

[RuthC]

There are replies (plural) here that are not appearing. :confused:

Testing out M-a M's theory.