Hal's New Dress Codes

[herb]

Hmmm ... the new code, posted on the website, is not the same as the code guidelines sent out to the ships and, subsequently, to the TAs ...

This is BAD news and does not bode well for how it will be implemented.

 

Oh well, back to square 1 :rolleyes:

[Opinions]

The dress code this thread is about will NOT go into effect prior to May 2007. The web sit will not be updated to reflect the new code until that time. ( so I was told ;) ) Hope this clears things up for some of you.

 

The web site says "A new evening dress code will take effect with the sailings listed below, as follows:"

 

It then gives a dress code with informal night eliminated...Then lists the May sailing dates...It seems clear to me...Your post doesn't " clear things up". I can be stupid at times...Perhaps I am reading it wrong. Help!

[herb]

I'll be honest with you... all this hoopla about dress code. Only took 1 HAL cruise but everyone was dressed just fine! No one looked sloppy for dinner or out of place.

[RevNeal]

The dress code this thread is about will NOT go into effect prior to May 2007. The web sit will not be updated to reflect the new code until that time. ( so I was told ;) ) Hope this clears things up for some of you.

 

Well, the website has already been updated.

Here's a link: http://www.hollandamerica.com/guests/category.do?category=packing&topic=dressCode

 

Here's what it says:

 

Each night a daily program will be delivered to your stateroom announcing the suggested dress for the following evening.

 

Please note that effective with the May departure dates listed below, the dress code for evenings will change. For cruises prior to the change, the following evening dress code applies.

 

Evening dress falls into three distinct categories: Casual, Informal and Formal. Comfortable, relaxed clothing is suggested for evenings designated as Casual; however, T-shirts, swimsuits, tank tops and shorts are not allowed in the restaurants or public areas during the evening hours. During Informal nights, dresses or pantsuits for women and jackets (tie optional) for men are standard. On festive Formal evenings, women usually wear cocktail dresses or gowns and men usually wear business suits or tuxedos. There are approximately two formal nights per week. Formalwear for ladies and gentlemen can be pre-ordered for your use during your cruise by calling Cruiseline Formalwear at 800-551-5091. Your formalwear will be in your stateroom when you board.

 

Holland America Line asks that you observe the suggested dress code throughout the entire evening.

 

A new evening dress code will take effect with the sailings listed below, as follows:

 

Evening dress falls into two distinct categories; Formal or Smart Casual. Smart Casual can be defined as slacks and sports shirt or sweater for men and skirt or trousers and sweater or blouse for women. Printed T-shirts, swimsuits, tank tops and shorts are not allowed in the restaurants or public areas during the evening hours. On festive Formal evenings, ladies usually wear a cocktail dress or gown and gentlemen usually wear a suit and tie or tuxedo. There are approximately two formal nights per week. Formalwear for ladies and gentlemen can be pre-ordered for your use during your cruise by calling Cruiseline Formalwear at 800-551-5091. Your formalwear will be in your stateroom when you board. <Following this it gives the effective dates, same as in this thread's OP>

 

In re-reading the new code, as found on the HAL website, it would appear that they have also dropped the stipulation that the code be followed the entire night. So, that's out too. Also, what is this business about a sweater in the definition of smart-casual?

[RevNeal]

I'll be honest with you... all this hoopla about dress code. Only took 1 HAL cruise but everyone was dressed just fine! No one looked sloppy for dinner or out of place.

 

:)

Herb, we've got to whine about something!

Otherwise, we'd be bored! :D ;)

 

I think what some (myself included) are concerned about is that these changes will make it easier for people to become more sloppy than just the very few who already ignore the code ... to the point that those of us who are dressed "appropriately" will eventually be the ones who are out of place or conspicuous. Unlike some people, who "hold court" and enjoy being the center of attention, many of us would rather blend in and don't want to start blending in by dressing "down."

[crystal808]

<< Printed T-shirts, swimsuits, tank tops and shorts are not allowed in the restaurants or public areas during the evening hours. >>

 

(from above quote)

 

I might suggest that this shows the dress code is to be followed throughout the evening...

 

Of course, I could be wrong, too! :D

 

Paul ;)

[herb]

Interesting to read the "new" guidelines going into effect this spring...

 

Just wondering....

 

1.we saw ALOT of women wearing black pants with a "sparkle" type top on formal nights as opposed to cocktail length dress or gown. Will that be condoned? (No mention of dressy pants for women on formal night)

 

2.For the men, we saw quite a few gentlemen wearing a very nice sportsjacket with dress pants, white shirt and tie on formal night. Will that be condoned? (No mention of sports jacket/tie for men on formal night)

[Opinions]

In re-reading the new code, as found on the HAL website, it would appear that they have also dropped the stipulation that the code be followed the entire night. So, that's out too. Also, what is this business about a sweater in the definition of smart-casual?

 

They have also changed T-shirts not allowed in the evening to printed T-shirts.

[Guest LoveMyBoxer]

:)

Herb, we've got to whine about something!

Otherwise, we'd be bored! :D ;)

 

I think what some (myself included) are concerned about is that these changes will make it easier for people to become more sloppy than just the very few who already ignore the code ... to the point that those of us who are dressed "appropriately" will eventually be the ones who are out of place or conspicuous. Unlike some people, who "hold court" and enjoy being the center of attention, many of us would rather blend in and don't want to start blending in by dressing "down."

That's how we felt when we sailed on the NCL Crown this past August. The last time we sailed on NCL was on our honeymoon in 1992. Boy what a change 14 years make!!! We were used to Celebrity and Princess. We like to dress up for dinner, but felt really conspicuous showing up in the dining room dressed up and at the next table people were wearing Harley Davidson T-shirts and jeans. Totally put us off. That's why we chose to go with HAL this past December. I hope HAL doesn't let the standards fall far.

[Copper10-8]

Two cents: a dresscode is no good unless it's enforced. HAL has been inconsistent with that for various reasons. In the past, it has been left up to individual staff as to how/if they want to handle it. Even when enforced, some "violators" will raise a stink, first with the enforcer, then with the Front Office, GRM, Hotel Manager and when they get home, with Seattle HQ. After talking to some onboard, I came back with the feeling that HAL HQ does not want those extra headaches.

Changing/down-grading (however you want to call it) the dress code is fine and dandy but HAL needs to make a decision what they are going to do when push comes to shove. It'll be interesting!:rolleyes:

[RevNeal]

For the men, we saw quite a few gentlemen wearing a very nice sportsjacket with dress pants, white shirt and tie on formal night. Will that be condoned? (No mention of sports jacket/tie for men on formal night)

 

I seriously doubt it will matter. Everything will eventually be allowed except for what we want. :(

[lira]

This is my first cruise and I was looking forward to having the opportunity to wear a gown on formal night. After painstakingly reading up on the dress code, I confidently purchased a gown (long, organza, beads, sequins - the works) for the June cruise. It's not a simple gown. The very next day (today) I see "formal" has a new definition, and I don't see "gowns." They clearly did omit the word "gowns." I am, without a doubt, wearing this gown. I love it. I'm wearing it. However, I do wonder if gowns are officially "out." Cocktail dresses are noted as "appropriate." Gowns are not. As clear as HAL is attempting to be, this is unclear.

Lira

[Ernie G]

Go ahead and wear your gown. They may have downgraded the dress code for dinner, but believe me, there will be many others there that are in formal attire. Many people love the formality of dressing for those fine dinners on the ship. I sometimes wear the full-length gown and sometimes glittery cocktail dresses or pantsuits, but never jeans or really casual attire. In my opinion the first night and last night should be the "only" nights that really casual attire should be allowed and then I still feel jeans are not appropriate. I'm sure there are others that disagree with me.....BUT, this is my opinion, not theirs.

[Ernie G]

Go ahead and wear your gown. They may have downgraded the dress code for dinner, but believe me, there will be many others there that are in formal attire. Many people love the formality of dressing for those fine dinners on the ship. I sometimes wear the full-length gown and sometimes glittery cocktail dresses or pantsuits, but never jeans or really casual attire. In my opinion the first night and last night should be the "only" nights that really casual attire should be allowed and then I still feel jeans are not appropriate. I'm sure there are others that disagree with me.....BUT, this is my opinion, not theirs.

[lira]

I just went directly to the website to read the description of the new dress code and discoverd that HAL does not omit the word "gown" afterall: "On festive Formal evenings, ladies usually wear a cocktail dress or gown.." My concerns were unwarranted. HAL's description is not ambiguous. Thanks.

Lira

[Opinions]

The very next day (today) I see "formal" has a new definition, and I don't see "gowns." They clearly did omit the word "gowns." Lira

 

The new dress code does say "gown".

[lira]

I just went directly to the website to read the description of the new dress code and discoverd that HAL does not omit the word "gown" afterall: "On festive Formal evenings, ladies usually wear a cocktail dress or gown.." My concerns were unwarranted. HAL's description is not ambiguous. Thanks.

Lira

[Put Me On A Boat]

I for one am glad they changed the code to two dressings. We are sailing on our first HAL in September for 64 days. Packing is my biggest concern. We also have to fly from the east coast to the west coast.

[kryos]

I for one am glad they changed the code to two dressings. We are sailing on our first HAL in September for 64 days. Packing is my biggest concern. We also have to fly from the east coast to the west coast.

That is one of the Grand Voyages, though, isn't it? I think you can ship a certain amount of luggage (depends on your accommodations) to the ship in advance. That should at least make things a bit easier for you.

 

Blue skies ...

 

--rita

[kryos]

They have also changed T-shirts not allowed in the evening to printed T-shirts.

That sounds pretty normal. There are a lot of blouse-type shirts that can be considered tee-shirts ... simple affair, solid color, short sleves. Technically they are tee-shirts, but then they are not what we normally consider tee-shirts ... a pullover shirt with something written on the front and possibly the back.

 

I had a job once that took this same approach. The dress code forbade what they called "logoed tee-shirts;" i.e., tee-shirts that had some advertising-type material written on them. But plain "dressy type" tee shirts were fine. This allowed people who wanted to wear what they called at that time their "babydolls" to freely wear them. Jeans were handled in the same manner. It was only blue jeans or tattered, frayed, or bleached jeans that were prohibited.

 

Blue skies ...

 

--rita

[billsrobb]

Robb,

 

You may wear shorts to breakfast and lunch......not to dinner.

 

 

Thanks. I would not want to wear shorts to dinner. I like to dress up for dinner.

 

Robb

[Corner Exit]

This has been an interesting thread as the whole formal dress-up thing has been an issue for my wife and I as we look at a round trip cruise out of Seattle (we live about an hour north of Seattle) on the Noordam to Alaska the first part of August.

 

I can understand and appreciate that folks like to dress up and that it is cruise tradition etc however, my wife and I will not be doing the suit w/tie, long gown deal on our vacation. Having said that, we understand there are rules and are not the type of people who would attempt to wear jeans to a dinner just because we may want to.

 

I'd like to clarify a few questions if possible.

 

1. The "formal" and "casual" dress codes as they are stated in the latest policy only apply to dinner time in the assigned seats main dining rooms? In other words, the rest of the time on the ship you can dress how you want (within reason of course).

 

2. The policy says something about covering the "public areas" as well for dress codes. What are considered "public areas"? And, are said public areas only covered under dress code policy during dinner times?

 

3. Does this mean that if we have dinner in our room on formal night we can not then go out to other non-dinning areas of the ship without the formal garb on? How are those "non-dinning areas" defined?

 

4. What about if we choose to eat at another restaurant on formal night? Assume no need for formal dress code in one of the other restaurants?

 

5. Will we not need to pass through some of the "public areas" on our way from our cabin to the non-formal restaurant on formal night? Will we need to covertly sneak through these public areas like Jack Bauer would do, else the fashion police will give us a ticket?? ;) (trying to maintain a sense of humour about this topic)...

 

6. I keep reading people referring to "nice jeans", and discussion about how fashionable "jeans" are more and more acceptable at nice restaurants etc. Can someone explain what "nice jeans" would be for men and women? I am not a fashion maverick by any stretch of the imagination but am trying to figure out what "fashionable jeans" really are? The jeans I have are Lee jeans or carhart jeans, neither of which I would consider "nice". I would never attempt to wear any sort of jean to a formal night affair but was wondering if you see folks in "nice jeans" during the casual night dinning?

 

Maybe "nice jeans" for men would simply be black in color vs the traditional blue jeans? [shrug]

 

Thanks

Wayne---------> obviously fashion challenged. :)

[RuthC]

I'd like to clarify a few questions if possible....

Let's look at your questions in general---

The dress code is for the evening---not just dinner time in the dining room. The public areas of the various lounges, show lounge, and casino are basicly what's covered under this. Think Lower Promenade and Promenade Decks.

You are free to dress down if dining in the Lido. Of course you can get there and back to your cabin, and you can feel free to enjoy the entire Lido Deck, or any of the outside areas.

Dining in the Pinnacle follows the dress code for the public areas of the ship.

I won't get into a discussion of jeans as I wouldn't wear them under any circumstances. :rolleyes:

[bepsf]

 

I won't get into a discussion of jeans as I wouldn't wear them under any circumstances. :rolleyes:

 

...but you didn't seem to mind too much when I wore my jeans (on casual night) Didja?

;)

[RuthC]

...but you didn't seem to mind too much when I wore my jeans (on casual night) Didja?

;)

You look so much better than I do. :D

 

I have too much respect for the people walking behind me to wear jeans. Or any slacks, for that matter. (Well, my evening pajamas are ok. But the top does a good job.)