cruise dress code

[wifey1220]

Ok so I have been reading on the disney cruise website about the dress code for dinner. It said no shorts and sometimes men should wear a jacket. How do I know if my husband should wear a jacket. And what should my boys wear? They are 10 ,6 and 2.

 

[Makayna]

Ok so I have been reading on the disney cruise website about the dress code for dinner. It said no shorts and sometimes men should wear a jacket. How do I know if my husband should wear a jacket. And what should my boys wear? They are 10 ,6 and 2.

OK. There is a lot of debate about this, so I'm just going to post what's on Disney's website:

Question
What should I wear to dinner?
Answer
Dining Dress requirements vary by venue or theme night on your cruise. In general, most meals are "Cruise Casual"—no shorts, swimwear or tank tops. Most cruises also have special theme nights with additional attire requirements. Here's a breakdown of these events by cruise itinerary.

On 3-night cruises:
One cruise casual night—no shorts, swimwear or tank tops
One pirate or tropical night (deck party)
One "dress-up night"—jacket for men, dress or pantsuit for women

On 4-night cruises:
First night: cruise casual—no shorts, swimwear or tank tops
One pirate or tropical night (deck party)
One "dress-up night"—jacket for men, dress or pantsuit for women
Final night: cruise casual—no shorts, swimwear or tank tops

On 7-night cruises:
First night: cruise casual—no shorts, swimwear or tank tops
Three additional "cruise casual" nights—no shorts, swimwear or tank tops
One pirate or tropical night (deck party)
One formal and one semi-formal night—formal wear for men: tuxedo or suit; for women: gown or dress; semi-formal wear for men: suit/jacket; for women: dress or pantsuit.
Dress for dinner at Palo on all cruises:

Men: dress shirt or jacket, no shorts
Women: dress or pantsuit
For cruises that request formalwear attire, Guests can pre-order tailored formalwear rentals and have it delivered directly to their staterooms upon arrival. To learn more, visit Cruiseline Formalwear.

 

[Cerberus9]

 

[Makayna]

As for children, I'd say something nice, but doesn't have to be "dressed up" for formal night. You CAN, of course, dress them up as nice as you want, but as long as they aren't wearing shorts, tank tops or swimwear, then they'll be ok.

And you'll know which night is formal/semi-formal night because the Navigator that you get in your room everyday will tell you.

 

[mmouse37]

This is a very heated topic....if it turns into anything other than information and gets into any kind of a debate it will be shut down.

MJ

 

[jdb in AZ]

The ship's Navigator (daily newsletter) will tell you what the dress code is for dinner each day. When it says "cruise casual," that means no jacket. Formal or semi-formal -- jackets are nice. Disney is really relaxed about that -- the "code" is more of a suggestion rather than a rule. Why does that make me think of Captain Jack Sparrow? And i don't want to get into a flame fest over whether til nobler to get dressed up, or whether you'll insist on wearing whatever you want because you're on vacation.

ETA Why do my posts keep showing up right after the moderator's? No, I'm not stalking or mocking you.

 

[kcashner]

The only places that enforce the dress code are the adult only restaurants.

You will know what night is what because when you get into your cabin you will find a "cruise overview" on your desk. This lists the port (or day at sea), dinner theme and attire, and show for each day of your cruise. In addition, each evening you will get a Navigator in your stateroom which will list the activities and attire for the next day.

Part of the problem is that there are differences between what DCL posts on their web site, what they print in the pre-cruise booklet they will send to you, and what they post in the Navigators.

 

[Cerberus9]

For point of reference, the following is an excerpt from an e-mail we received from Disney regarding our upcoming 7 day Alaskan cruise. The key difference seems to be the "no jeans at dinner" line:

Days
• Onboard casual wear (shorts, slacks, jeans, long sleeve shirts)
• Comfortable shoes (sneakers, hiking boots, good socks)
• Port wear (Wool or fleece sweater, waterproof jacket. turtleneck, comfortable long sleeve shirts, hats, gloves)
• Comfy warm coats, gloves, hats.
• Nice dining attire (no jeans or shorts at dinner, please)
• Optional formal attire.

 

[allonte]

Personally, we dress for dinner. That doesn't mean ball gown and tuxedo but I will have on a nice dress and sandals while DH wears a button up shirt and khakis or slacks. We don't do jeans or shorts in the formal dining room. The same goes for our DD. She will have on a dress. It may be Princess Tiana's dress but a dress none the less, lol.

 

[lisadam]

There was the widest range of clothing style for the children. Some were in very formal clothing and others were clean and neat. After reading on the board here I was looking to see if people would be risking the ire of the clothing police - but I didn't notice anything too extreme.

At the last minute we realized that my 11 year old son had outgrown his shoes - my fault for not checking sooner - so he wore the black pants he wore for the 6th grade band concert and a button down shirt with a tie on formal night. For the semi-formal night he wore the same pants with a polo shirt. In our formal night picture he's rocking his outfit with a pair of sneakers. Ahh pre-teen feet - how fast they grow!

The two 10 year old girls at the table next to us wore adorable kimonos on formal night - and their older brother wore a sports coat.

A lot of the little girls were in princess dresses.

 

[MagicCanuc]

I'm not sure what to do. I have 2 girls (15 and 9) and both are very much the "tom boy" style. Neither wear dresses. I will make them wear good pants, but for formal nights...well, I hope that will be ok opposed to skirts or dresses.

 

[Bekah21]

We are cruising in 2013. At the time kids will be DD 8 and DS 6. We WANT to get ALL dressed up. Will we stick out? I have a long floor length backless black dress with sparkles on it, DH wants to rent a tux (we didn't have a wedding, we eloped), DD wants a dress of any color, and DS (4 now) wants to look like daddy. He is a mini-me of daddy already. I would LOVE to do this for family pictures and maybe pics of DH and myself as we never dress up and have no formal family pictures of the 4 of us. I don't want to look funny though. We would have to go back and change after dinner, would that work?

 

[jdb in AZ]

No, you won't stick out. I like to play "dress up" on cruises, and when I entered the dining room on formal night I got a wide-eyed smile of appreciation from the head waiter. Made my night.

 

[Bekah21]

No, you won't stick out. I like to play "dress up" on cruises, and when I entered the dining room on formal night I got a wide-eyed smile of appreciation from the head waiter. Made my night.

Oh good. I'm more of a jeans and tshirt kind of gal, but thought it would be fun to play dress up. Like I'm going to my senior prom once again with the 3 people I love the most!!

 

[jenseib]

Where in the Navigator is the Dress code. I never saw it once on our sailing...3 night Dream.....And I am looking through them right now...still can't find it.

 

[MisterOJ]

Oh good. I'm more of a jeans and tshirt kind of gal, but thought it would be fun to play dress up. Like I'm going to my senior prom once again with the 3 people I love the most!!

One of the cool things about the DCL main dining rooms is that you can go dressed pretty much however you want and not stick out. If you want to go in a tux and ball gown - that's cool. If you want to wear your jeans and T-shirt - that's cool too. There'll be plenty of other people dressed just like you no matter how you choose to do it.

 

[jenseib]

Ok, I did find it...on the top of the first page...but it only has "optional" dress up for the last night... the rest are cruise casual.

 

[oddman]

Disney seems to be a pretty open minded company.

I am sure if you were a cross dressing man there would be no comments from staff.
And now that I think of it.... that could cut down on our packing too.

 

[Cerberus9]

The wardrobe I need to buy for myself and my family is costing me almost as much as the cruise!

 

[Makayna]

I'm not sure what to do. I have 2 girls (15 and 9) and both are very much the "tom boy" style. Neither wear dresses. I will make them wear good pants, but for formal nights...well, I hope that will be ok opposed to skirts or dresses.

I think nice pants and a nice shirt would be fine.

We are cruising in 2013. At the time kids will be DD 8 and DS 6. We WANT to get ALL dressed up. Will we stick out? I have a long floor length backless black dress with sparkles on it, DH wants to rent a tux (we didn't have a wedding, we eloped), DD wants a dress of any color, and DS (4 now) wants to look like daddy. He is a mini-me of daddy already. I would LOVE to do this for family pictures and maybe pics of DH and myself as we never dress up and have no formal family pictures of the 4 of us. I don't want to look funny though. We would have to go back and change after dinner, would that work?

From the pictures I have seen on this site of people on semi-formal night, you will not "stick out" or be overdressed. I haven't been on a cruise yet, but from the pics I've seen, nothing is too formal on formal night.