Emergency Packing Question

[Joedog]

It's Thursday night and we are frantically packing for our rapidly upcoming cruise on the Zui this Saturday and all of the sudden DW has a question that I really don't have a clue about so we are reaching out to all you experienced HAL cruisers....

at night, AFTER DINNER, are you supposed to maintain the "required/suggested" dinner dress for the rest of the evening while going about the ship, going to night clubs, casino, shows, etc., or do people change back into more comfortable clothes, shorts, etc?

Anyone?

Thanks in advance for your assistance.

[Guest alexMD]

Yes... keep the dress for dinner.

[Spender Nui]

The suggested dress for the evening is requested to be maintained throughout the evening.

[RevNeal]

[QUOTE]at night, AFTER DINNER, are you supposed to maintain the "required/suggested" dinner dress for the rest of the evening while going about the ship, going to night clubs, casino, shows, etc., or do people change back into more comfortable clothes, shorts, etc?
[/QUOTE]
Joedog, this is an excellent question and, quite frankly, I'm amazed that it hasn't been addressed recently among all the discussion of the dress code that we've seen this past week. The answer can be found in the HAL dress code, which you will find in the Know Before You Go Booklet that came in your travel documents. The part of the dress code that applies to your question can be found at the very end of the code, and it reads as follows:

[QUOTE]In order to complement your fellow guests, Holland America asks that you observe the suggested dress code throughout the entire evening.
[/QUOTE]
The code applies for the entire evening, not just for dinner. Additionally, I note you asked if it's be ok to change back into shorts. The code is even more clear that shorts are not allowed on any evening:

[QUOTE]T-shirts, jeans, swimsuits, tank tops and shorts are not allowed in the dining room, Lido restaurant, or public areas during the evening hours.[/QUOTE]
Hope this helps. Wish I were packing too. I don't get to start doing that for another 2 months. (sigh)

[Plut0]

Joedog,
You are suppose to remain in your dinner clothes, but we noticed many people did not - so you will fit in no matter what you decide. We had the late seating and noticed that many from the first seating had changed by the time we were done dinner. We remained in our dinner clothes except for one evening when I changed from my dress to a pair of slacks. It was the last night and I had packed my shall - I was freezing and since it was casual dress night, I figured it didn't matter since I was still in the suggested evening attire.

Whatever your choose, you will fit in fine.

[Krazy Kruizers]

:)

[font=Comic Sans MS][color=blue]We always stayed dressed for the evening.[/color][/font]
[font=Comic Sans MS][color=#0000ff][/color][/font]
[font=Comic Sans MS][color=#0000ff]But as others have said, we have also noticed that as soon as dinner is over, some people go back to their cabins and change.[/color][/font]
[font=Comic Sans MS][color=#0000ff][/color][/font]
:)

[elmorejj]

We have always maintained the dress code for the evening. If I went back to the cabin to change, I`d probably change right into my PJs and jump in bed!!!
As far as the request for no shorts in the evenings in public places, that has become a joke....you`ll see them everywhere and no one says a thing to them. I think that is very rude.......jean

[iluvcruzin]

I'm one to change back into more comfy clothes after dinner. However I haven't sailed HAL yet. I'll wait and see what others do and if after a few days I see shorts in the evening.. I'll follow suite. I don't think it's rude personally - its a matter of personal comfort. I promise not to wear a tube or halter top and defintely not the swimsuit.

[RevNeal]

[QUOTE]As far as the request for no shorts in the evenings in public places, that has become a joke....you`ll see them everywhere and no one says a thing to them.[/QUOTE]

That really depends upon the itinerary and the ship. I've not been in the Caribbean since Jan 2002, but back then we didn't see any shorts in the evening on the Volendam. On the Statendam to Hawaii I saw no one in shorts during the evening -- well, one guy ... he was in sweat-shorts and was going to the gym. While my Alaska cruise on the Volendam last year was quite dressed-down (I saw a number of people in jeans during the evening), I don't remember seeing anyone in shorts at night. Perhaps I just wasn't paying attention?

I'll be cruising some warmer-weather areas this Fall ... I'll keep my eyes open for evening shorts on the Zaandam.

[ilovhywd]

We personally find it unpleasant when we are dressed up for the evening and the people sitting next to us in the show, casino, or nightclub are wearing shorts, T-shirts, and flip flops.

Yes, I know the Caribbean cruises are casual and all that, but it's really so much nicer when everyone stays dressed!

[ekerr19]

On our last cruise, Maasdam in April - the public areas were filled with men and women in shorts and tank-tops after dinner. I was a bit surprised - but the weather was really warm. It doesn't bother me, but I'm like jean - if I go back to the room to change, it's going to be into my PJ's!

What disamyed me a bit was the parents who made their kids sit on the floor just outside the boundaries of the casino... some of these poor kids were laying on the floor for hours at a time - so tired & bored - waiting for the parents to stop gambling. What a fun vacation they must have had... :(

[superstein61]

[quote name='Joedog']at night, AFTER DINNER, are you supposed to maintain the "required/suggested" dinner dress for the rest of the evening while going about the ship, going to night clubs, casino, shows, etc., or do people change back into more comfortable clothes, shorts, etc?

[/QUOTE]

You know my thoughts - do what you are comfortable doing !!!!!

Besides - for those who argue about upholding the silly dress code - one of the arguments they always use is that you don't have to dress up to eat in your room or at the Lido.

So if you aren't going to dress up to do that - why would you change to go to a nightclub / casino / showroom / bar ??/

Makes absolutely no sense.

thats why I am eschewing formal altogether :)

[Joedog]

Well the bags are packed. I have no idea what the DW will be wearing after dinner but THANK YOU ALL who provided answers to our question.

We will let you all know what we ended up doing in a very long, detailed, highly opinionated review of the cruise when we get back next week.

Keep Smilin

[ekerr19]

joedog-

I hope you and your wife have a fantastic cruise!

Raise a glass to those of us left behind with nothing to do except post on these boards!

Bon Voyage! :)

[superstein61]

[quote name='Joedog']Well the bags are packed. I have no idea what the DW will be wearing after dinner but THANK YOU ALL who provided answers to our question.

We will let you all know what we ended up doing in a very long, detailed, highly opinionated review of the cruise when we get back next week.

Keep Smilin[/QUOTE]

Joedog - have a GREAT cruise - and don't wreck the ship - I need to get on it when you get off

:) :) :)

[digby]

"The suggested dress for the evening is requested to be maintained throughout the evening."

The 'rule' is really NOT a 'rule'. It is suggested which means you may do what you want. You will find plenty of people dressed both ways, and MOST people don't care.