Dress code...what our server told us

[ragdoll]

When DH and I informed our server that we would be dining at Topsiders on formal night because we didn't want to dress up he encouraged us to come anyway. I said "no, this is as formal as we get". (We were in nice slacks and tops at the time, not our jeans and sneakers) He said that we could come to formal night in that attire. He said that how to dress is SUGGESTED, you are still welcome to come in other attire. He really stressed this.

It is true that in the Navigator it says "suggested attire". However we would not be comfortable in casual clothes on formal night but others may. So according to our server it would be OK to attend in casual attire.

I do realize however, that maybe the servers encourage their parties to attend all dinners for fear of not receiving their entire "suggested" tips. (I know, this deserves it's very own special debate.lol.)

We dined at Topsider's on formal and semi formal nights and one night we just ate at Pluto's. Our servers were wonderful and deserving of their full suggested gratuity which we gladly provided. We realize that they are also working hard during breakfast and lunch even though we seldom see them.

This post is just FYI, not meant to start a debate. Oh, who am I kidding. Debate the heck out of it. I'm going to bed. Goodnight all!

 

[GhostlyHitchhiker]

Oh, who am I kidding. Debate the heck out of it. I'm going to bed. Goodnight all!

You are so evil. Night!

 

[Scotch]

This is timely, as I was just about to do a full scale search regarding how formal does "formal" night mean on DCL. We've been on two cruises so far, once on Royal Caribbean's Radiance of the Seas and once on the Carnival Glory. Surprisingly (at least to us), way more folks on the Glory observed the formal dress -- I'd say almost everyone we saw on both formal nights -- than those on the Radiance of the Seas -- which had roughly 60-70% in formal dress for dinner in the dining rooms. (By "formal" I mean the accepted cruise formal, e.g., men in dark suits sufficient.) I must admit it was more fun for us to have everyone around us all dressed up; our only set of tablemates on the Radiance cruise wore what I would call "business casual" outfits on formal nights. Not a huge deal but it did change the atmosphere for us. So I am wondering if the Magic's formal night atmosphere is more akin to what we experienced on Radiance or on the Glory?

 

[aprilgail2]

Our server told us the same thing...they said just wear a pair of pants and a shirt- not jeans though.....we ate at topsiders anyway though since we didn't want to do that....

 

[poohssmum]

No debate from me ... I subscribe to the "it is what it is" philosophy. I don't care what others are or aren't wearing but I do know that for me, I enjoy "dressing" for dinner because we so seldom get to do that at home. I love to dress up and I love to dress up my boys. The little ones love to wear "fancy-clothes" and the big one (my DH) also enjoys getting spiffed up every once in a while. Just once I'm hoping he'll surprise me and go the Tux route. We will follow the "suggestions" of formal and semi-formal attire. And even though jeans are now "allowed" in the dining rooms ... I doubt we'd go that route since we can do that any time at home

 

[Kim&Chris]

Thanks for the info, Ragdoll.

Just my $.02, but I think that the cruising mentality of years past is quickly fading. Way back when, cruising was an adult-only luxury for the well-to-do. Thanks to lines like DCL, cruising has become a family adventure, and cruise lines are making adjustments to accommodate all!!

 

[Jsme]

When DH and I informed our server that we would be dining at Topsiders on formal night because we didn't want to dress up he encouraged us to come anyway. I said "no, this is as formal as we get". (We were in nice slacks and tops at the time, not our jeans and sneakers) He said that we could come to formal night in that attire. He said that how to dress is SUGGESTED, you are still welcome to come in other attire. He really stressed this.

Our server told us the same thing and we were told this by two different bartenders as well.

 

[dharma517]

You know...it makes me nervous when people are dressing up like they are getting on board the Titanic anyway! : ) Sort of like getting on an airplane with a nun playing a guitar.
Jenn

 

[Billinaz]

You know...it makes me nervous when people are dressing up like they are getting on board the Titanic anyway! : ) Sort of like getting on an airplane with a nun playing a guitar.
Jenn

Now thats funny. I keep thinking of the spoof of the movie with the girl getting hit in the head by the guitar....

We are on an Eastern in Feb, and the most I plan on getting "dressed up" on formal night is decent pants and a button down shirt.... probably one with Mickey on it.

I'm paying a pretty penny for this vacation, and we are just not into that black tie stuff.......

 

[keishashadow]

You know...it makes me nervous when people are dressing up like they are getting on board the Titanic anyway! : ) Sort of like getting on an airplane with a nun playing a guitar.
Jenn

except the nun probably wouldn't get thru security, especially in a "habit". Apologies to all Sisters in the house. Flashback to cranky Sister Agnes...Catholic school - builds character(s)... LOL.

 

[Disney with Triplets]

I think 90+% of people follow the suggested dress code and then a small % after that attemp to follow according to their culture or intrepretation and then there's the very small number who's always going to show up however they choose because they spent their money on their vacation yada, yada, yada. Are we really wasting this much debate over that small of a number?

Now for the rest of the story:
I continue to be amused by the references to the "traditions of cruising" and dressing for dinner, etc. Now, I'm all for tradition; however, when this tradition was established, cruising was for ultra wealthy folks in need of trans-Atlantic travel. They were always dressed "properly" when seen in public - it was done purely for class/social status purposes. They were NOT island hopping on around the Caribbean on family vacation...

 

[Mickeyhugger]

Thanks to lines like DCL, cruising has become a family adventure, and cruise lines are making adjustments to accommodate all!!

Let's hope not ALL, that could be a bad thing!

 

[inkkognito]

Even back in the beginning, DCL was more casual than other cruise lines. We've done 45 cruises since 1998, and even back in the "day," when it was specifically requested that jeans not be worn, we always saw plenty of them. Now that the dress code has been officially relaxed, I haven't even noticed that big of a chance. We dress up a little because we like to, but hey, you're on vacation, so if you want to be less formal, more power to you. The only exception is Palo...I'm glad they seem to enforce the dress code there because it is a special place, and I think that dressiness goes with the overall special atmosphere.
Barb

 

[gabbysmom04]

I myself have never been on a cruise, I am booked for the 10 night cruise next sept. To be honest the thought of formal nights scare me. I am not real big on getting dressed up, plus I am cruising with my dd who will be two and my ds who will be around 10months. I would be happy to just get through meals. This is not to say that I would be at dinner in dirty shorts and a tank top, but I cannot see myself in a formal gown.

 

[webray]

I think 90+% of people follow the suggested dress code and then a small % after that attemp to follow according to their culture or intrepretation and then there's the very small number who's always going to show up however they choose because they spent their money on their vacation yada, yada, yada. Are we really wasting this much debate over that small of a number?

Now for the rest of the story:
I continue to be amused by the references to the "traditions of cruising" and dressing for dinner, etc. Now, I'm all for tradition; however, when this tradition was established, cruising was for ultra wealthy folks in need of trans-Atlantic travel. They were always dressed "properly" when seen in public - it was done purely for class/social status purposes. They were NOT island hopping on around the Caribbean on family vacation...

I think more people are enjoying dressing casually for dinner, or choosing topsiders because many people have to fly in to whatever city their cruise leaves from. As the airline requirements for luggage weight become more strictly enforced it just doesn't make sense to pack all those extra clothes for chaning into for dinner each night, including formal wear. The penalties are stiff for overweight luggage, and I can only imagine a whole family with 2 or 3 kids with overweight luggage because of all the extra clothes, not a pretty picture. Hubby and I love the relaxed dress code and we won't be taking formal wear on ever again..well, maybe once..if we do a family cruise with the kids once they are all married....lol

 

[lds0191]

we just returned (9/24) from our 1st disney cruise. i have been on 2 cruises b4 and stressed myself out about formal nights. this cruise i decided i was going to enjoy myself and not worry about it. i wore black slacks and a nice top w/some sandles. my husband wore a short sleeve dress shirt, tie and nice slacks. it was nice to get "sorta" dressed up; everyone in our party dressed similarly and so did most of the rest of the diners. there were some dressed to the nines (tuxes and such) but not that many. most people wore what i call "church" clothes. i feel like if the servers and staff tell you it is just "suggested" take it at that. wear what makes you comfortable and enjoy yourself. for the life of me i can't understand why some people get so worked up over this matter. isn't this supposed to be fun?

 

[GhostlyHitchhiker]

Even back in the beginning, DCL was more casual than other cruise lines. We've done 45 cruises since 1998, and even back in the "day," when it was specifically requested that jeans not be worn, we always saw plenty of them. Now that the dress code has been officially relaxed, I haven't even noticed that big of a chance.

This kinda combats the whole "if they allow jeans then people will start wearing shorts, bathing suits, etc to see what they can get away with!!" crowd. Honestly, there are people out there that will ALWAYS try to push the envelope no matter what "policy" is. I'm sure nearly everyone has known or met someone like this. There will also be people who just don't know any better. Not everyone who cruises DCL visits the DIS, so they are less informed.

I for one am glad they allow jeans. Will I wear them? Doubtful, but since I'm cruising in January others in my party may chose to. I also believe men should be allowed to wear nice shorts, but I'm afraid one of these times I say that I'm going to get lynched by the "traditional attire" group.

I said the same thing about "traditional grand cruising" in a thread a couple of weeks ago and again this morning in the "jeans at dinner" thread (before coming to this one) as many have said in this one. Cruising used to be for wealthy only and they didn't "dress up" to dine. That is what was commonly worn. Tuxes and even suits aren't "commonly worn" anymore. Times, styles and cultures change. I apologize if it makes some people sad to see that, but at the same time, I enjoy the time we live in. I have a million other things to worry about than what I'll be wearing to dinner.

 

[Scotch]

I must say I'm a bit surprised and disappointed after reading these posts -- I guess we should plan to go less dressy for "formal" night since it appears DCL's passengers seem even less inclined to follow suggested dress codes for the specially marked nights than the passengers on our Radiance cruise. I know I can wear whatever I want, but that special *atmosphere* of formal nights -- the magic if you will -- is missing for me if lots of folks around around me are wearing casual attire.

 

[jgalecpa]

I must say I'm a bit surprised and disappointed after reading these posts -- I guess we should plan to go less dressy for "formal" night since it appears DCL's passengers seem even less inclined to follow suggested dress codes for the specially marked nights than the passengers on our Radiance cruise. I know I can wear whatever I want, but that special *atmosphere* of formal nights -- the magic if you will -- is missing for me if lots of folks around around me are wearing casual attire.

I agree.

While I won't notice if the person next to me is wearing a nice pair of jeans, I will notice if someone pops in wearing a "wife beater" shirt and looks as if they are fresh off their appearance on the latest episode of "Cops".

And it will affect my enjoyment (Heck, there is nothing in the dress code about wearing deodorant, so I guess that is out the window, too).

Luckily, this is a free country and I always get to vote my wallet and my feet.

Jim

 

[MrsMork]

I must say I'm a bit surprised and disappointed after reading these posts -- I guess we should plan to go less dressy for "formal" night since it appears DCL's passengers seem even less inclined to follow suggested dress codes for the specially marked nights than the passengers on our Radiance cruise. I know I can wear whatever I want, but that special *atmosphere* of formal nights -- the magic if you will -- is missing for me if lots of folks around around me are wearing casual attire.

Scotch, we dress formal on formal night. There are LOTS who do. You will not feel out of place wearing the suggested attire on any given evening. The folks on this board are a very small percentage of those on the cruise and, as you can tell from the debates, there are many on this board who still dress as suggested. We love dining when we cruise as opposed to eating dinner. We "eat dinner" at home.