Shorts at Dinner?

[Kimosabe]

We've been on a couple of Disney cruises, and on both, shorts were still not in the dress code in the main dining rooms. My understanding is that they are now allowed. Have they become the norm, or are they still the exception? I'm good either way. We have always enjoyed dressing a little nicer for dinner, but if shorts have become the norm, I'm perfectly willing to relax my standards for at least a couple of nights on our upcoming voyage.

 

[PrincessShmoo]

We've been on a couple of Disney cruises, and on both, shorts were still not in the dress code in the main dining rooms. My understanding is that they are now allowed. Have they become the norm, or are they still the exception? I'm good either way. We have always enjoyed dressing a little nicer for dinner, but if shorts have become the norm, I'm perfectly willing to relax my standards for at least a couple of nights on our upcoming voyage.

In my experience, shorts were pretty much the norm on a warm-weather cruise, regardless of whether they were "allowed" or not. Unfortunately, DCL's "dress code" is pretty much just a suggestion (except in the extra-pay dining venues).

Wear shorts if you want, or dress up if you want. It's all good.

 

[kiford]

Depends on the cruise. I rarely saw anyone on the Med cruises in shorts. Most people were actually dressed up a little bit nicer than during the day. Maybe the influence of many more Europeans who I don't seem to wear shorts as much as North Americans that I've seen, at least not at dinner. In fact, on most of our cruises (not just the Med ones), I haven't seen too many people wearing shorts. Maybe because we have second seating. We always tend to dress up a bit for dinner ourselves.

 

[lizzyb]

We saw tons of people in shorts on our last cruise.

 

[ludari]

On my WBTA cruise in October 2014 during second seating a guy sitting at my table wore shorts, tshirt and crocs for dinner every night. Someone else at this table made a comment about his attire and the person said he was on vacation, never dresses up and what he was comfortable wearing. I didn't know any of these people prior to the cruise and I admire the guy standing firm on his beliefs.

 

[darkwing818]

I haven't seen too many people wearing shorts. Maybe because we have second seating. We always tend to dress up a bit for dinner ourselves.

I agree, we've always dined during the 2nd seating & it seems that the folks wearing shorts are in minority, although the numbers are growing. That being said from what I've noticed the vast majority of the folks wearing shorts, are in my opinion "well" dressed.

 

[lmhall2000]

We were on the Med and racing to the ship from a long 9 hour port day to get to our MDR...my family went to the room to change quickly and meet my parents back at dining...my father still had his nice shorts one (linen) and I just looked and thought, "Oh no, they're not going to let us in!" (This was before the changes) but happily, they were so kind and when we looked around many others had shorts on that day...long port days you almost have no time to get to your room and change

 

[su_A_ve]

This past Xmas cruise, shorts were the exception, however, some men still wore jeans, t-shirt and flip flops, during formal night and Xmas day.

 

[Couchy]

DH and I just returned yesterday from an amazing trip on the Magic yesterday. We had the late seating. We saw very few shorts. Almost everybody was dressed up for dinner

 

[RedStars]

We wore shorts a couple of nights but we still looked nice. Stylish top for me, Polo for DH. I didn't even notice what other people wore. Wear what you're comfortable in.

 

[MunFam]

I think there is a major difference between daisy dukes, busted up cargo shorts, cotton basket ball shorts and golf attire. My personal judgement of what shorts I will "allow" my family to wear is if it were allowed on the golf course/country club restaurant, it is nice enough for the MDR.

 

[MunFam]

On my WBTA cruise in October 2014 during second seating a guy sitting at my table wore shorts, tshirt and crocs for dinner every night. Someone else at this table made a comment about his attire and the person said he was on vacation, never dresses up and what he was comfortable wearing. I didn't know any of these people prior to the cruise and I admire the guy standing firm on his beliefs.

That is nice that you admired him for standing firm. I would have asked to move tables. We cruise for the fun and luxury of the cruise vacation, and while I would prefer Cunard or the like, we have a four year old...so Disney it is...for now. That would have been very off putting to me. We put in an effort every night to "dress" for dinner and I prefer to be around those who make similar decisions and honor the elegance of the MDR. For me, it just enhances the overall experience, but I know I am in the minority.

 

[over50visits]

On my WBTA cruise in October 2014 during second seating a guy sitting at my table wore shorts, tshirt and crocs for dinner every night. Someone else at this table made a comment about his attire and the person said he was on vacation, never dresses up and what he was comfortable wearing.

Tshirt and crocs every night? How sad for his own self-esteem and for the elegance the dining room offered to the other guests. Oh well. He's entitled to dress like that, I guess.

On a recent cruise, we dressed appropriately for a gorgeous dining room, classy live music as we entered, elegant place settings, upscale menu, and servers dressed beautifully. Our servers commented and thanked us for giving them and the occasion that courtesy. Has it come to this that the servers consider folks dressing appropriately as remarkable?

Yes, it has. Don't worry about it, though. Just tune out the "it's my vacation" guests and you will enjoy your cruise to the max. We did!

 

[fassiofive]

*

 

[jpeppers]

I wear a uniform 40 hours every week and when I'm on vacation I like to be comfortable. I wear nice shorts to the dining room along with an appropriate shirt and really appreciate the fact Disney doesn't shove a strict dress code down my throat. I would think it would be a little hard to do when people are showing up dressed like Pirates on a particular night. I don't really pay attention to the other people around me at dinner so I really don't care what they are wearing. I have enjoyed the main dining experience but if I was on a ship with a strict dress code (especially when I'm cruising somewhere tropical) I would opt for the fast food options or room service. I know I am in the minority but I just don't get the dress up thing. A pair of Levis and a polo and i feel like I am dressed up.

 

[cgolf]

Tshirt and crocs every night? How sad for his own self-esteem and for the elegance the dining room offered to the other guests.

Actually, I think being comfortable in what you wear shows good self-esteem, just because others don't like it doesn't impact his self-esteem. Case could be made clothes don't match the setting I agree to that

What I really was going to post was that on our cruise on the Magic this past January, I would say I saw few shorts and many dressed appropriately. One trend I have seen is that people dress better on the classic ships compared the the Dream class. I only have 7 classic cruises and 3 dream class cruises so the sample size is small. If anyone would like to fund my study I am sure I could generate some data on this.

cgolf

 

[MakiraMarlena]

There is no longer a dress code for the main dining rooms. You may have an issue if you show up in a swimsuit. Or maybe not. At any rate, no issue with wearing shorts.

Palo and Remy have dress codes and have been known to enforce them.

 

[MUN]

We've been on a couple of Disney cruises, and on both, shorts were still not in the dress code in the main dining rooms. My understanding is that they are now allowed. Have they become the norm, or are they still the exception? I'm good either way. We have always enjoyed dressing a little nicer for dinner, but if shorts have become the norm, I'm perfectly willing to relax my standards for at least a couple of nights on our upcoming voyage.

I saw very few people wearing shorts at the MDRs on our most recent cruise. Although this one guy wore a cowboy hat at dinne every night.

MUN

 

[MUN]

On my WBTA cruise in October 2014 during second seating a guy sitting at my table wore shorts, tshirt and crocs for dinner every night. Someone else at this table made a comment about his attire and the person said he was on vacation, never dresses up and what he was comfortable wearing. I didn't know any of these people prior to the cruise and I admire the guy standing firm on his beliefs.

The guy sounds like a pig!

 

[goofyintoronto]

The guy sounds like a pig!

wow.