Cruising dress codes??

[Uncleromulus]

Have never been on a cruise, but Disney does tempt me. One of my main concerns is that I am on vacation, and "casual" is the name of that game!! Yet, I understand suits (and/or tuxedos) and long dresses are an absolute must!! My question is--why?? And exactly HOW dressed up do you need to get??

 

[daltonsdodisney]

You can be casual all day. Most people walk around in their swim suits on the decks. They only recommend dressing for dinner, which means no shorts, jeans, etc...On the 4 night Wonder, a jacket for men was only recommended for 1 restaurant, unless you choose to do Palo, which is dressier as well. To me, that was part of the fun of being on a cruise as compared to anywhere else. The dining is an experience, not just eating. I think many people enjoy the atmosphere, although there are a few who'd rather stay in their shorts and t-shirts, but I think Disney continues this dress "code" for the majority who do enjoy it. It's really not that bad anyway. I wore capris, sundresses with sandals, that type of thing and my husband wore khakis and even jeans with a polo type shirt at the more casual restaurant.

 

[ilovemky]

You will see everything from jeans to tuxes and everything in between--even tho' the paperwork says a jacket is requested at Lumierries my DH did not take one and did not feel out of place. We did rent him a tux for the formal and semi-formal nites just for the fun of it. It was delivered to our stateroom and we left it on board when we checked out. It cost $85 for the week. But you would be just as acceptable in a collared shirt and khakis.

Don't worry, be happy You will have a FABULOUS TIME--you are trreated like royalty!

 

[LarryC]

Let no one think that "semi" formal means the same as "informal". BIG difference

I'm pretty sure that when correctly used, "formal" means WHITE jacket tuxedos and "semi-formal" means BLACK jacket tuxedos (after 6pm, and during the summer, of course). Socially proper meanings for these terms seem to have evolved to different understandings. Now, "formal" to most people means a tuxedo, and "semi-formal" means a suit or sports jacket. The terms "formal" and "semi-formal" are usually used to describe WEDDING wear, not party or dinner wear.

Requested dinner attire uses different terms:

White Tie
White Tie Preferred
White Tie Optional
Black Tie
Black Tie Preferred
Black Tie Optional

It appears that Disney is requesting Black Tie Preferred on "formal night", and Black Tie Optional on "semi-formal" night. This means that you should wear a tuxedo, but if you choose a dark suit and tie, you will not feel out of place.

PS - Go ahead and get dressed up. It will add to your fun, and you'll have some great pictures to remember.

 

[MosMom]

This is the big thing making us not want to go. We're not big into being dressed up and we want to be comfortable on vacation. To us, dressing up isn't being comfortable and it isn't fun..my husband dresses up everyday for work and sure doesn't enjoy it when he isn't at work. Are there any other restaurants that are casual (meaning *very* casual) everynight you can go to instead of rotating through these "semi-casual" restaurants?

 

[tkd lisa]

There is always food available by the pool, and room service is free. I know on the Magic, and I think on the Wonder, you can go to Topsiders (beach blanket buffet) and get dinner. They have one side open for that, and swim suits/shorts are fine there. The kids usually eat there if they are in the club at dinner time. I don't know exactely what the hours are, but I imagine Barb's navigators will show it at www.castawayclub.com

If dressing up is the only thing stopping you from cruising, please don't worry. I'd give one of the 3 or 4 day cruises a try. They seem to be less dressy.

Good luck!

 

[kamgen]

We have seen people in shorts and jeans in the dining rooms. It is not recommended, but they were not asked to leave or change.
It is your vacation, so dress how you wish. If you feel comfortable, that is what mattes.

However, if you dine in Palo, you need to dress up (dh usually wears a suit or sportcoat).


DOn't let the dress code discourage you from cruising on DCL! It is awesome.

Kamy
Kamy

 

[callahanjulie10]

Palo is no more dresser than formal night-
DCL has other dining options for those who choose not to dress as requested. In stateroom dining as well as some fast food are available BUT Topsiders has food that is basically like the food in the actual dining rooms. It looked excellent and I know that the desserts were great. One night I got ill while in the dining room so I went back to my stateroom. My DH came back after he and DD had finished dining and I wanted to get a little something so we went up to deck 9- I went in to Topsiders and was amazed. The food was gourmet! It was presented in a 5 star manner.
The dining issue is always a hot topic but I feel that as a guest you should always abide by what the host requests. DCL has gone above and beyond their duty by providing alternatives. This just seems proper.

 

[inkkognito]

I was amazed at how dressed down many people were on the 5/25 Western, even on the formal nights. They seemed to have no qualms about dining in the main diningrooms in shorts or jeans, even tho' the casual dining option is also offered. Personally, I'm not bothered by what anyone else wears. We brought our formal wear for the formal nights and I just did flowery skirts and hubby did business casual for the other nights. But hey, whatever rings your chimes!!! If you prefer casual wear, you will still fit in. On Disney, it seems to be "wear whatever you are comfortable with."
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.castawayclub.com