Formal, Informal, Casual Help!!

[Majika]

We are thinking about a Caribbean cruise on the Zuiderdam next July. I have several questions since I have never sailed with HAL before. Everything seems to be so formal, not like on Carnival or NCL. My questions are these:

 

How many formal, informal and casual nights are there on a 7 day cruise?

Is it true that you are 'frowned' upon if you change your formals for casuals and head into the public areas? (high heels all night?? ICK)

Can one dine on the lido deck for dinner in shorts?

 

And a totally unrelated question.

 

We want the aft balcony room on the navigation deck. Is it exhaustingly hot all day out there and does your room bake in the heat as well?

 

Thanks

[dakrewser]

We are thinking about a Caribbean cruise on the Zuiderdam next July. I have several questions since I have never sailed with HAL before. Everything seems to be so formal, not like on Carnival or NCL. My questions are these:

 

How many formal, informal and casual nights are there on a 7 day cruise?

Is it true that you are 'frowned' upon if you change your formals for casuals and head into the public areas? (high heels all night?? ICK)

Can one dine on the lido deck for dinner in shorts?

Thanks

Generally 2 formal, 2 informal, 3 casual. You can wear whatever you want into the Lido, but HAL suggests you follow the dress code for the day in other public rooms at night. That is, on formal nights the firmal dress code applies in the show lounge, etc. That doesn't mean you have to wear heels, though. Nothing "wrong" about dressy sandals or flats.

[want2travelbad]

Generally 2 formal, 2 informal, 3 casual. You can wear whatever you want into the Lido, but HAL suggests you follow the dress code for the day in other public rooms at night. That is, on formal nights the firmal dress code applies in the show lounge, etc. That doesn't mean you have to wear heels, though. Nothing "wrong" about dressy sandals or flats.

 

Heels, dressy sandals, flats. dawkrewser, finally I meet a man who knows women's shoes. I am impressed! For the life of him, my DH cannot figure out why a woman would ever need more than 2 pairs of shoes (one dressy and one pair of tennis) lol!

[SANDY BEACH]

On our recent July 2004 sailing we had 2 formal, 1 informal and 4 casual nights. We did notice some who changed after dinner; however, most remained in their formal attire throughout the evening as requested by the cruise line. No one will notice your shoes under your formal attire. July cruises have a great mix of ages on the ship. Have a great trip!

[ualtim]

Most HAL cruises are 2 Formal, 2 Informal, and 3 Casual but we have found that one of the informal nights almost always reverts to a fourth casual night when we get on board the ship. Kind of depressing for us as we always bring enough clothes for the 2 informals and end up only needed 1 informal.

 

The aft verandas are awesome. We did not find the room too hot at all. As a matter of fact, we ended up turning down the air conditioning as it was too cold for us! The glass is mirrored so that you do not get too much heat from the sun (mirrored enough that I took a self portrait with my digital camera and you can not tell it was off of the door!) and as long as you do not leave your door propped or tied open the air conditioning unit will keep the room cool.

[superstein61]

OK - here is the OFFICIAL HAL Gospel straight from their website:

 

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. (Gentlemen: Although business suits or tuxedos are suggested attire for formal evenings, they are certainly not required. You are welcome to wear a jacket and tie on formal nights.)

 

Now what everyone else says on this thread is their subjective opinion only. And at times they can be hypocritical - supporting not following the dress code in certain instances (ie some say kids don't have to, others say women don't have to and can "get away with" wearing pant suits or slacks) but rasing holy heck when men like myself suggest we won't follow it by not wearing a jacket or tie.

 

Its quite laughable really - for some to preach so much about others violations yet violate this on their own.

 

So the official answer is follow the dress code as it is written 100% of the time all evening.

 

Now myself - I happen to think the code makes no sense - and I have no problem with ANYONE not following it. What someone else wears has no impact on my enjoyment of the evening. Anyone who is impacted by otehrs dress is IMO shallow.

 

So myself, who instead of wearing a jacket and tie on formal night on the Zuiderdam, chose to wear a fancy Cuban shirt one evening and a fancy mexican shirt the other evening (and I rec'd lots of compliments) would tell yu it is absolutely fine to change out of your attire after dinner into something more comfortable and go anywhere you would like on board.

 

The dress code police on this board will argue with that - even though they themselves have freuqently broken the rules HAL lays out. So decide for yourself.

 

and just so you know, plenty of folks do the exact same thing you would like to do.

 

Enjoy your cruise

[dakrewser]

Heels, dressy sandals, flats. dawkrewser, finally I meet a man who knows women's shoes. I am impressed!

I've been well trained. And I have the bruises to prove it! :rolleyes:

 

-dave

[dakrewser]

OK - here is the OFFICIAL HAL Gospel straight from their website:

Even The devil can cite Scripture for his purpose....

 

But as you admit violating the policy I don't think we need listen.

 

Now myself - I happen to think the code makes no sense - and I have no problem with ANYONE not following it.

ASnd which other policies do you choose to ignore: children in the casino? Babies in the pool? Mandatory lifeboat drills? Tickets for tenders?

 

-dave

[Majika]

Thank you fellow cruisers for all of your vast insite and knowledge regarding the clothing issues aboard HAL. Im sure this will finalize our plans on what ship we take our annual pilgrimage to the Holy Land of the Caribbean. Hubby was majorly concerned about that tux/jacket/tie thing. And my biggest issues was getting out of those heels after the lobster dinner. Ive walked barefoot back to my cabin on more then one occassion. I guess Im just a shorts and nikes kinda girl.

[RISKMGR]

I hear ya Sip !

 

OK - here is the OFFICIAL HAL Gospel straight from their website:

 

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. (Gentlemen: Although business suits or tuxedos are suggested attire for formal evenings, they are certainly not required. You are welcome to wear a jacket and tie on formal nights.)

 

Now what everyone else says on this thread is their subjective opinion only. And at times they can be hypocritical - supporting not following the dress code in certain instances (ie some say kids don't have to, others say women don't have to and can "get away with" wearing pant suits or slacks) but rasing holy heck when men like myself suggest we won't follow it by not wearing a jacket or tie.

 

Its quite laughable really - for some to preach so much about others violations yet violate this on their own.

 

So the official answer is follow the dress code as it is written 100% of the time all evening.

 

Now myself - I happen to think the code makes no sense - and I have no problem with ANYONE not following it. What someone else wears has no impact on my enjoyment of the evening. Anyone who is impacted by otehrs dress is IMO shallow.

 

So myself, who instead of wearing a jacket and tie on formal night on the Zuiderdam, chose to wear a fancy Cuban shirt one evening and a fancy mexican shirt the other evening (and I rec'd lots of compliments) would tell yu it is absolutely fine to change out of your attire after dinner into something more comfortable and go anywhere you would like on board.

 

The dress code police on this board will argue with that - even though they themselves have freuqently broken the rules HAL lays out. So decide for yourself.

 

and just so you know, plenty of folks do the exact same thing you would like to do.

 

Enjoy your cruise

[RuthC]

Majika, although shorts are fine during the day you will feel out of place wearing them at night. Even in the Lido. Even on a casual night. The first and last nights come under the heading of "baggage claim casual", a bit more than the other casual nights, but you will still want to be presentable. Think "country club" casual.

Yes, the dress code is for the "evening", not simply "dinner" or the dining room. You will find that the vast majority of passengers follow the dress code until ready to retire for the night. Now, as far as high heels goes---I've been known to carry mine toddling back late at night, too.

[Lisa63]

That's one of the great thing about gowns... no one can see your shoes, lol.

 

Seriously, a few years ago, I had twisted my ankle a few days before a cruise. Nothing terrible, just uncomfortable. So, on that cruise I wore black flats with my gown out of necessity. Now it's become an option, but one I use fairly often. I wear the heels for the formal photos, but change into the flats after dinner.

 

I've also worn the same gown on both formal nights. Sshhhhh... :)