Attire for Dinner - Language Issues

[marcelorsc]

Hi,

I read at several places about dress code, but some terms aren't so clear for me as I'm not an English language native.

NOTE: I'm talking about the 3 main dinner restaurants - I've no intention to dinner at Palo's or Remy.

I read: "No shorts, swimwear or tank tops". Swimwear is clear, but:

- What can I understand as "shorts"? - is it ANY kind of "short" clothes that show the legs and knees? Or as "shorts" it is considered only the more informal pieces, as those that soccer players or cooper runners use? Is a BERMUDA (with pockets and belt) considered a "short"?

- I have no idea about what is "tank top" (I know both words separately, but together I don't know the meaning)

- I read somewhere we need a collared shirt - is it really necessary? So T-Shirts cannot be used for dinner? Is a POLO shirt ok?

- If Bermudas are not allowed, is Jeans possible?

- About the term "Jacket" recomended for "dress-up", I know as being a jacket many kinds of "sport coats" - I never considered it something formal. If I use a shiny red football team jacket - is it included in the concept of "jacket" for the dinner code? Or it means something more formal - like a leather jacket, or more elegant wool jacket, or even a something like a suit with no tie?


Anyway, the "dress up" is really OPTIONAL (few people follow it), or on the real world EVERYONE dresses-up and my wife will be really upset if I say to her that the dress or female suit wouldn't be necessary?


PS: I use suits and ties frequently in my social life and work, but I really was not even dreaming I would have to be worried about this in a Disney cruise... I always use bermudas and T-Shirts on vacations, specially on WDW. And I don't plan to carry a suit on an International trip.


Thanks and regards!

 

[redheadtove]

Hi there,

The dress code from what I have been told is "suggested" which mean it would be nice if you wore formal wear on formal night, but they will not kick you out of the 3 main dining rooms if you showed up in Denim Jeans and a t-shirt. Some people think of formal wear as a suit and tie and women wearing cocktail dresses, other think of formal night and a dress shirt and slacks with women wearing a nice dress. It really depends on what your comfortable wearing. If you don't want to pack a suit, then don't.

The term "tank Top " means sleeves shirt, or muscle shirt. They suggest that you don't wear them to dinner but I have seen people wear them on non formal nights and nothing was said.

You can wear a polo shirt if you would like to formal night or to any other night if you would like.

My best suggestion for dressing for formal and semi formal is to wear what your comfortable wearing. This is your vacation and you should enjoy it.

 

[Wadekind]

 

[Christy323]

- What can I understand as "shorts"? - is it ANY kind of "short" clothes that show the legs and knees? Or as "shorts" it is considered only the more informal pieces, as those that soccer players or cooper runners use? Is a BERMUDA (with pockets and belt) considered a "short"?

Shorts: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shorts . Yes, Bermudas would be considered shorts.

- I have no idea about what is "tank top" (I know both words separately, but together I don't know the meaning)

Tank tops are sleeveless shirts/tops. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sleeveless_shirt

- If Bermudas are not allowed, is Jeans possible?

Jeans are allowed in the main dining rooms.

- About the term "Jacket" recomended for "dress-up", I know as being a jacket many kinds of "sport coats" - I never considered it something formal. If I use a shiny red football team jacket - is it included in the concept of "jacket" for the dinner code? Or it means something more formal - like a leather jacket, or more elegant wool jacket, or even a something like a suit with no tie?

Here, jacket refers to a suit coat or a blazer. A shiny red football team jacket is not included in this concept of "jacket."

As for your other questions, I cannot answer them as I have not yet been on a cruise (2 weeks!), but I'm sure other DIS-ers can answer them for you. Adherence to the dress code can be a very heated topic on this board. What I can tell you is that in my case, I am planning on sticking to the dress code; I will be wearing cocktail dresses for both semi-formal and formal nights. I'd rather be over-dressed than under-dressed. This is my personal choice only.

 

[DisneyGerry]

on the Dream this weekend, Ii was surprised at some of the attire at dinner--maybe different since later dining? On dress up night it would was rare to see someone wearing a suit and tie. On RCL in March it wasnt uncommon to see guys in tuxes. A guy near me wore a tshirt each night--maybe it was a fancy tshirt? I saw another guy wear his fancy leather hat each night? I noticed a few donning shorts. Again it seems it is a suggestion!

 

[PrincessShmoo]

on the Dream this weekend, Ii was surprised at some of the attire at dinner--maybe different since later dining? On dress up night it would was rare to see someone wearing a suit and tie. On RCL in March it wasnt uncommon to see guys in tuxes. A guy near me wore a tshirt each night--maybe it was a fancy tshirt? I saw another guy wear his fancy leather hat each night? I noticed a few donning shorts. Again it seems it is a suggestion!

On the Dream (read: shorter cruises) the dress is more casual than on the the longer cruises. They don't have an actual "formal" night, it's called "dress-up" night.

 

[aberrydisneygirl]

Other people might not agree with this, but to me a "dress code" is exactly that, a dress code. A lot of people say that it is a suggestion. That is not what I understand. A cruise is more upscale than just going to a theme park and that is why they want people to dress a little nicer for dinners (breakfast and lunch is not as formal). It might be true that if you show up in shorts and a t-shirt no one will say anything, but it is frowned upon. Would it really be that uncomfortable to wear a nice pair of khaki slacks and a polo shirt? Everyone will need to make their own decisions on what they think the dress code means, these are just my thoughts and opinions. However, I have heard that if you show up to Palo in shorts/t-shirt, they will make you go back to change.

 

[TanaL]

A polo shirt or a Hawaiian shirt with (long) khaki pants would be just fine: easy to pack, comfy to wear, and meets the dress code.

 

[marcelorsc]

Hi Everyone!

Thank you very much for the answers!

I think now I learnt some new words!

Well, if bermudas ARE "shorts", let's go paints so!

I also understand that a "dress code" is not a suggestion, but a rule. Maybe a semi-flexible rule, not like a LAW, but something that should be respected.

Honestly I think it all unnecessary. Except for swimwear and the tank tops in my opinion T-Shirts and bermudas wouldn't be offensive in such ambience. I was in a cruise some months ago (MSC ship) that was fully reserved for a Rotary Conference, and despite usually Rotary events are typically formal (suit and ties) all Dinners ware not formal - it was hot and bermudas ware widely used... I think a Disney Cruise shouldn't be more formal.

But we will not change the rules. I know that some people really like this attire production, and enjoy it as a ritual... Worse would be we go under the standards for the situation.

I think, as exposed by the fellows, that a Polo and a Jeans will be my "almost-semi-formal" or "not completely casual" attire for the dinners... This way I will not need to carry a suit not even think about ironing social shirts before dinner...

The example “red shiny football jacket” was of course an extreme example – just because this kind of sport clothes may be called “jackets” at some places, but I was not thinking about using something like that. Anyway, as I understood, I can skip the jackets in the main restaurants (I usually don’t feel much cold) and use the Polos, even with short sleeves, right?

 

[kcashner]

The only place that has a "dress code" is the adult only restaurant(s). In the Navigators for the main restaurants, they list "Suggested attire." They do not call it a dress code. That's where part of the confusion comes in.

The term "tank top" has become a generational thing. What I grew up calling a "tank top" was a sleeveless top. What my daughter and her teen friends call a "tank top" is something that looks like a men's sleeveless undershirt. You are certainly welcome to wear a sleeveless top or sundress in the dining rooms, although I find them to be cool and always take a sweater or jacket along.

Shorts--any pants at or above the knee.

A polo shirt is FINE. As others have noted, the shorter the cruise, the more casual.

 

[kmedina]

I would answer this. With only two posts in your history, it is obvious this is a joke. The red shiny football jacket was the giveaway. Enjoy your cruise.

 

[marcelorsc]

I would answer this. With only two posts in your history, it is obvious this is a joke. The red shiny football jacket was the giveaway. Enjoy your cruise.

Not a joke - believe it! I just made my first DCL reservation, and just discovered this (fantastic) forum, and this was my very first question. There will be others!

The "red shiny football jacket" was the way I found to describe a very sportive jacket, as in some countries the English word jacket IS used to this kind of sportive wear. And I was not understandig why it could be considered "formal" for such ocasions, but the explanations above gave me the idea that in US the word jacket referrs to more serious wear (leather, dark or neutral colours, and so on). I still don't know how very sportive jackets could be called.

PS: 3 posts in history now!

 

[TrustMeMom]

Hi,

I read at several places about dress code, but some terms aren't so clear for me as I'm not an English language native.

Just curious - if you don't mind sharing - what is your native language? I understand if you wish to not share, I'm just curious becuase I have a passing interest in languages and other cultures. I hang out with a lot of people who are originally from other cultures/countries - and it is interesting how word choice is so often a barrier.

I see the confusion, I think about "sport coats". If I'm understanding correctly - that term is used differently in the US. To many non-english native speakers - the literal interpretation of the word "sport" leads one to think "athletic". When really it is meant more commonly to refer to a type of jacket similar in cut and appearance as a jacket that is part of a man's business suit. Only slightly down the scale in terms of formality.

 

[Sinderelly]

It's your vacation wear what makes you and your family happr. Have a great cruise!

 

[dzorn]

Hi,

I read at several places about dress code, but some terms aren't so clear for me as I'm not an English language native.

NOTE: I'm talking about the 3 main dinner restaurants - I've no intention to dinner at Palo's or Remy.

I read: "No shorts, swimwear or tank tops". Swimwear is clear, but:

- What can I understand as "shorts"? - is it ANY kind of "short" clothes that show the legs and knees? Or as "shorts" it is considered only the more informal pieces, as those that soccer players or cooper runners use? Is a BERMUDA (with pockets and belt) considered a "short"?

- I have no idea about what is "tank top" (I know both words separately, but together I don't know the meaning)

- I read somewhere we need a collared shirt - is it really necessary? So T-Shirts cannot be used for dinner? Is a POLO shirt ok?

- If Bermudas are not allowed, is Jeans possible?

- About the term "Jacket" recomended for "dress-up", I know as being a jacket many kinds of "sport coats" - I never considered it something formal. If I use a shiny red football team jacket - is it included in the concept of "jacket" for the dinner code? Or it means something more formal - like a leather jacket, or more elegant wool jacket, or even a something like a suit with no tie?


Anyway, the "dress up" is really OPTIONAL (few people follow it), or on the real world EVERYONE dresses-up and my wife will be really upset if I say to her that the dress or female suit wouldn't be necessary?


PS: I use suits and ties frequently in my social life and work, but I really was not even dreaming I would have to be worried about this in a Disney cruise... I always use bermudas and T-Shirts on vacations, specially on WDW. And I don't plan to carry a suit on an International trip.


Thanks and regards!

Dress as if you were going to a very nice expensive restaurant, which is what you will be doing. When we went short and a t-shirt would have been out of place with most other diners. At the very minimum business casual clothes.

Formal night men had tuxes or suits.

Denise in MI

 

[dzorn]

Hi Everyone!

Thank you very much for the answers!

I think now I learnt some new words!

Well, if bermudas ARE "shorts", let's go paints so!

I also understand that a "dress code" is not a suggestion, but a rule. Maybe a semi-flexible rule, not like a LAW, but something that should be respected.

Honestly I think it all unnecessary. Except for swimwear and the tank tops in my opinion T-Shirts and bermudas wouldn't be offensive in such ambience. I was in a cruise some months ago (MSC ship) that was fully reserved for a Rotary Conference, and despite usually Rotary events are typically formal (suit and ties) all Dinners ware not formal - it was hot and bermudas ware widely used... I think a Disney Cruise shouldn't be more formal.

But we will not change the rules. I know that some people really like this attire production, and enjoy it as a ritual... Worse would be we go under the standards for the situation.

I think, as exposed by the fellows, that a Polo and a Jeans will be my "almost-semi-formal" or "not completely casual" attire for the dinners... This way I will not need to carry a suit not even think about ironing social shirts before dinner... Jeans would be out of place. Dress pants and polos more the norm for non formal nights

The example “red shiny football jacket” was of course an extreme example – just because this kind of sport clothes may be called “jackets” at some places, but I was not thinking about using something like that. Anyway, as I understood, I can skip the jackets in the main restaurants (I usually don’t feel much cold) and use the Polos, even with short sleeves, right?

Denise in MI

 

[marcelorsc]

Hi, thanks again for the additional comments. It seems that despite acceptable the polo and jeans, I should consider paints and shirts anyway, to avoid feeling under the standards... (I'm talking about "cruise-casual" dinners, not Palo or Remy).

As I commented above, despite I would prefer more casual wear on my vacation, I have no intention to brake the rules, that's why I'm here asking for help to understand them properly

 

[marcelorsc]

Just curious - if you don't mind sharing - what is your native language? I understand if you wish to not share, I'm just curious becuase I have a passing interest in languages and other cultures. I hang out with a lot of people who are originally from other cultures/countries - and it is interesting how word choice is so often a barrier.

I see the confusion, I think about "sport coats". If I'm understanding correctly - that term is used differently in the US. To many non-english native speakers - the literal interpretation of the word "sport" leads one to think "athletic". When really it is meant more commonly to refer to a type of jacket similar in cut and appearance as a jacket that is part of a man's business suit. Only slightly down the scale in terms of formality.

Hi, no problem - I'm from Brazil, and my native language is Portuguese.

As everyone know there is much influence between languages, and specially from English - lots of recent terms come directly from English and are used with none or some adaptation.

This is the case of jacket, that has the Portuguese version jaqueta, and as I mentioned is used to a wide range of "coats", since more formal till no formal like athletic or sports jackets. My doubt was about what jacket would be proper for such dinners. I really would consider more formal be without a jacket (using a collared shirt) than using a jacket in the sense we have here.

There are words that may have specific uses, even between the same language (ex: US vs UK English), so sometimes, even being capable to keep a basic conversation in English, we may find some obstacle in specific situations to understand the strict sense of a word between it's native users.

 

[Christy323]

Hi, thanks again for the additional comments. It seems that despite acceptable the polo and jeans, I should consider paints and shirts anyway, to avoid feeling under the standards... (I'm talking about "cruise-casual" dinners, not Palo or Remy).

As I commented above, despite I would prefer more casual wear on my vacation, I have no intention to brake the rules, that's why I'm here asking for help to understand them properly

You're doing much more research than many people do! Plenty of people just don't care about their attire, regardless of if the dress code is a "suggestion" or a "rule." So the fact that you actually care is great.

Ultimately I think a polo and jeans sounds fine for the "cruise casual" nights, especially if the jeans are dark jeans. It says in your signature that you're going on the Dream, and so I am assuming that you're doing either a 3 or 4 night cruise. That means there is only one "dressy" night. If you really would prefer not to pack pants and shirts (and I understand why you would; I am packing for my cruise right now and I hate having to pack so much), you could always opt for Cabanas or room service instead of going to the MDR for just that night.

 

[MomsOf2boys]

Not a joke - believe it! I just made my first DCL reservation, and just discovered this (fantastic) forum, and this was my very first question. There will be others!

The "red shiny football jacket" was the way I found to describe a very sportive jacket, as in some countries the English word jacket IS used to this kind of sportive wear. And I was not understandig why it could be considered "formal" for such ocasions, but the explanations above gave me the idea that in US the word jacket referrs to more serious wear (leather, dark or neutral colours, and so on). I still don't know how very sportive jackets could be called.

PS: 3 posts in history now!

You will be fine. Enjoy your cruise! You will see all sorts of dress attire in the dining room. You will see bermuda shorts and polos are fine, even with short sleeves.