dress codes for restaurants?

[paulc]

I have been reading the posts over the recent weeks and still can’t seem to get my head round what the “dress code” is for the different restaurants/evenings. Are there any threads/sites that any of you “expert cruisers” can point me to that do a definitive list of what is allowed?
I suppose I am looking for answers to the following questions
Do the formal evenings require a “tux” or will a lounge suit and shirt and tie do?
How many “formal evenings” are there?
Do other restaurants require a shirt and tie to be worn?
Does the Palo restaurant require a “tux” or will a lounge suit and shirt and tie do?
Heres hoping you can help
Regards
paulc

 

[swede63]

The dress code is a suggestion nothing more, I wore shorts and a jacket to dinner last year on the two nights of formal and there were many others there who did the same. I did not even pack any pants. Of course there are some who wear tux and gowns on the formal nights, of which there are two, on the seven day cruise. They suggest pants and jacket for men, but if you don't noone is going to refuse you dinner. I am a big guy and the thought of wearing pants on a warm evening gets me sweating after being in the sun all day, also I am on vacation I dress for work and to get all dressed up for dinner makes no sense to me. A vacation is a time to relax, I don't think most people find ties a comfortable accessory, they certainly don't make the food taste any better, but if you like to wear them good for you. No one is in jeans or a teeshirt, but casual comfortable is perfectly acceptable.
The other father that sat at our table and I talked with the head server and he said wear what you find comfortable.

 

[nedleycan]

My husband is very concerned about the dress-up nights too. He is an executive in a large North American company, and he never has to wear a suit. 5 years ago, yes. Now, never! He has very nice looking silk golf-type shirts and silk Tommy Bahama pants that he usually wears when he dresses up on vacation. To have to bring a suit (that he hasn't worn in 5 years) seems so strange. We enjoy the finer things in life. Gourmet food, fine wines, luxury cars, etc. But, when we go on vacation, we want to do what we want to do. To be made to feel like we don't belong (someone suggested that we eat at Topsiders on formal night) isn't right. If you look clean and manicured, that should be all that matters.
We went on a Windstar cruise last year. It is always ranked in the top cruise ships in the world. However, they have a "no tie and no jacket" rule. Everyone dressed very nicely and always looked appropriate... with no tie and no jacket.
I just don't understand!

 

[swede63]

Tell your husband not to worry, there will be others like me not in suits at dinner and you will not be made to feel different. Business casual is definetly not only acceptable, but also the way to go. Relax, have fun you are on vacation.

 

[kume]

If your husband is a "executive in a large North American company" and you enjoy all this "gourmet food, fine wine and luxury cars", then you must go to some of these partys and functions that these executive types go to. I would think it would be understood as to what would be acceptable to wear and what wouldn't. It's tradition. Wear what you like. If you want to buck tradition, go ahead.

 

[nedleycan]

All traditions must be modified over time. The funny thing is that the tradition of Disney is comfort and casual. It just really suprises me that they wouldn't keep the same "tradition" on their cruise ship.

 

[wdwobsessed]

Can we MAYBE refrain from arguing and getting nasty on this thread ... I can see this going down the "garden path."

I think you should do whatever you want to do and not worry about anyone else. If anyone gets upset because your DH does not wear a tux ... who cares? Why are they worried about you anyway. They should be looking at thier plate, not you ..lol.

Go, eat, enjoy ... and be comforatable.

wdwo

 

[nedleycan]

And that is my point.
Thanks!

 

[donald@home]

I agree that you should wear something that you feel comfortable in, and Disney certainly allows for a very loose interpretation of their already loose dress code. But they do specifically ask that you do not wear short or jeans in their dining rooms for the evening meal. To knowingly wear something that they specifically ask that you do not is, in my opinion, rude. Especially when the dress code allows for pretty much anything (except for the above mentioned items).

Personally, I think dining aboard a beautiful cruise ship is a special occasion, and should not be treated as just another meal. Therefore, I feel that an attempt to dress up (you can interpret that any way you want) is appropriate. I look at it kind of like a costume party. Sure, you can go without a costume, but dressing up adds to the fun and enjoyment of the party.