Formal or informal dining?

[Windermere]

And don't forget that all the officers are present on the 'formal' nights in their dress uniforms.

 

[grandmalinda]

For the past several yrs., I've been buying "dress up clothes" at an upscale thrift shop for my granddaughters. The clothes are prom dresses, size 3 and look as if they've been worn once. Same thing for the shoes. The girls, ages 8 and 5, have finally grown into a couple of them. They tried them on tonite, chose 2 outfits each and announced these were their formal clothes for the cruise. Fortunately, the 8 yr. old chose flat heeled silver shoes and the 5 yr. old is wearing her glittery Belle shoes from Disneyland. Their mom was horrified and said she would take them shopping for some new dresses. I convinced her this was their "dress up party" and they will have a lot of laughs and memories years from now over this. I caved in and am wearing a long black Jean-Louis Scherrer couture gown I bought in Paris for a Millennium gala. Hate to drag it over but where else am I going to wear it. The girls will feel like a Disney Princess, I'll feel like Princess Diana. We can hardly wait.....only 2 more weeks!!!!

 

[CamColt]

Originally posted by dave54
Disney either has to enforce the rules (like fancy restaurants do) or back off completely, I think they try to walk the line and it doesn't work.

I think what they are doing now IS working. They have the "suggestions", for those who enjoy the dressing up. That gives this group of people the chance to do it and have fun. They are happy. But, they dont enforce the dress code, therefore keeping the other group who dont want to dress up happy too.

IMO, its only common courtesy to adhere to your hosts requests, but not everyone feels this way. While it would be nice for Disney to enforce the dress code, I think they would take a lot of flack over that, because there are so many who dont want to bother looking nice while on vacation. So, for now, I think giving people the chance to do it, without being strict about it makes everyone happy, which works. I know I enjoyed dressing up for Tritons & Palos last week, and I didnt care that not everyone did(although it would have been nicer )

 

[Werner Weiss]

Originally posted by CamColt
I think what they are doing now IS working. They have the "suggestions", for those who enjoy the dressing up.

But it could work better if DCL provided a little more guidance to passengers before they pack for their cruise.

Those of us who hang around this board are compulsive planners. We know ahead of of time what nights will have what suggested attire, and we've read the reports on how people tend to interpret those attire recommendations.

But what about the people who don't even realize that a cruise ship is not a theme park when it comes to dressing for dinner? Sure, there's wording buried in the pre-cruise package about a formal and a semi-formal night, but how many people overlook that and pack a suitcase full of shorts and t-shirts? What's a passenger supposed to do about the notice on page 4 of the Navigator requesting no shorts or jeans at dinner any night in any dining room (if they even see that request) if that's all they packed?

How about a brochure in the pre-cruise packet -- with pictures (photos, drawings, or even character drawings) -- of the types of attire to bring for dinner? Make it fun. Encourage people to pack the right clothes. Make passsengers see that there's a range of appropriate attire, but that jeans and shorts and Valvoline t-shirts are not within that range. (Yeah, I know there's a tux rental brochure in the Disney Magic packet, so that should give passengers some idea, but it really doesn't provide much guidance for how to prepare for seven nights.)

 

[PinClubs]

Originally posted by Werner Weiss

But what about the people who don't even realize that a cruise ship is not a theme park when it comes to dressing for dinner? Sure, there's wording buried in the pre-cruise package about a formal and a semi-formal night, but how many people overlook that and pack a suitcase full of shorts and t-shirts? What's a passenger supposed to do about the notice on page 4 of the Navigator requesting no shorts or jeans at dinner any night in any dining room (if they even see that request) if that's all they packed?

Wow!! I couldn't have been said better! And what a disappointment it was to find out that the cruise ship is not Disney (A theme park). I was dismayed with the amount of people who dressed on the 3-day cruise and it is apparent that the 7-day cruise would be worse.

The last time I was this disappointed, I was 8 years old and I watched my Cocker Spaniel Brandy get run over by a car and die in a matter a seconds before my eyes.

The thought of packing my "vacation" suit case and putting a tux or a suit in it is so foreign to me I am still having trouble understanding the concept.

Upon further review Missy and I have decided to cancel our 7-day cruise. Our idea of fun and apparently the majority of the ship's patrons idea of fun is so far apart that we wouldn't have any fun being surrounded by people in dress clothes.

It would appear that Disney is going to have to get "off-the-fence" on this issue and set some clear guidelines.

I have always said...adults can take the fun out of just about anything. Perhaps after getting over my disappointment we may book another 3-day cruise.

Respectfully,

Jeff

 

[minniecarousel]

I've only been on the 3 day cruise (twice) and DH felt too dressed up in his summer-weight sport coat. I think that on the shorter cruises, men in khakis/sportshirt should be dressy enough. It's tough packing both all those shorts and "Disney" clothes and dress-up clothes. I have no problem packing a few dresses or dressy slacks, but I'm having a hard time imagining packing 3 sport coats for DH & DSs for a 3 day cruise next summer. (As I recall, no one asked the under-dressed to leave a dining room.)

 

[Werner Weiss]

Originally posted by PinClubs
Upon further review Missy and I have decided to cancel our 7-day cruise. Our idea of fun and apparently the majority of the ship's patrons idea of fun is so far apart that we wouldn't have any fun being surrounded by people in dress clothes.

Of course that's your business. We all factor in a variety of inputs when making our vacation plans. And if being around people wearing varying degrees of formal attire for two evenings would ruin your week, then you're making the right decision.

But please recognize that just because most passengers are dressed up two evenings -- some because they genuinely enjoy it and some just because that's the recommended attire -- doesn't mean the passengers are snobs and elitists who don't know how to have fun and don't want anyone else to have fun.

Please understand that, overall, a 7-night Disney Cruise is a very casual vacation. Taking a Disney Cruise is a lot like visiting Walt Disney World. There's a nice blending of Disney themes with an ocean liner theme, just as the Disney theme park areas on land blend their own historic or geographic themes with Disney character and story themes. It's usually warm in the Caribbean (though not necessarily in the air conditioned interior of the ship), so shorts and t-shirts are fine.

And just as WDW guests are likely to get out of their swimsuits or sweaty theme park t-shirts when going to dinner at a one of the nice restaurants, like Flying Fish or Citrico's, so, too, DCL passengers change for dinner. DCL asks that passengers not dine in jeans or shorts in the dining rooms. Men typically wear Dockers and polo shirts, or something along those lines. Woman typically wear some sort of "resort casual" attire. But you'll see a wide range of clothing. In Lumiere's, DCL requests that men wear a coat, so most men throw on a sportcoat; others dress up more, and some don't bother. Then there are two formal nights (officially one formal and one semi-formal night). There's already been so much discussion of the attire and the alternatives on this and another thread, that I have nothing to add.

So does that still sound as awful watching a beloved pet get run over by a car? If so, then a Disney Cruise is the wrong vacation.

 

[JLSE50]

My DH took one suit on the cruise. There is no reason to wear a different jacket at each dinner.

I took one dressy dress and wore it to the formal and informal dinners. I had a more casual dress for the other dinners.

One lady at our table (for 8) had a different dress for formal night as opposed to what she wore for semi-formal. The rest of us wore the same dresses both nights. One fellow owned a tux so he wore that for formal night.

We all looked nice and no one minded that some of us at the table were more or less dressy than the others.

We packed shorts, short sleeved shirts, swim suits, sandles, sneakers, underwear and a couple dresses for me and a suit for DH with a couple button down shirts and a tie or two.

No one watches whether you are wearing the same outfit on two different days in the daytime or at dinner.

After a day on the beach or at the pool, it is refreshing to take a shower before dinner and since you are putting on clothes afterwards, why not put on something different?

And--as several have said--if you would rather dine in swim suit or shorts, Top Siders has wonderful food!

Enjoy your cruise.

Jan

 

[Renee']

Fortunately DCL has everyone covered when it comes to dining. The ships are gorgeous, the restaurants are pristine and elegant. The warrant dressing up. Honestly I can't imagine showing up in shorts/jeans and feeling comfortable in such an atmosphere. To each his own. Although Disney does state guidelines/suggestions as to what is appropriate (kind of sad that they have to for adults as you'd think an adult would know what is appropriate but not so in all cases). Hence the gym short, tank top (underarm hair and all), knee high sock, dirty gym shoe sporting guy seated next to us two cruises ago. I guess he wanted the "theme park" feel.

If you don't want to dress for dinner you definitely don't have to. There is room service or poolside dining for those not wanting to dress appropriately. Disney does a great job of covering everyone.

 

[mmouse37]

I have been reading this thread with interest and amusement. I don't understand what the big deal is about dressing up at dinner on a cruise. Some make it sound like torture (comparing it to watching a beloved pet get run over!!!! COME ON). That comparison made me fall off my chair!

If your friend or business associate was hosting a "formal" dinner or party would you show up and tell him you are reliving memories of fido getting hit by a car.....no, in most cases you would either decline the invitation or dress appropriately. It is not too much to ask to dress up for two nights out of seven. Even Carnival, which everyone seems to knock has formal nights on the 7 day cruises and most everyone dresses up, pretty fancy I might add.

I also agree with the poster that this experience does pave the way for our children's entry into more formal future social and business experiences. My teens 18, 17, 14, don't mind getting dressed up on formal nights. They feel elegant and special and like being part of the party.

I can't help but feel that some people feel threatened by people who dress up. We are far from being eliteist or snobbish but love getting dressed up. I think we are all well-round individuals (no pun intended!!)

One more thing....I think WDW should have a dress code....it drives me crazy when during the last few visits that people feel it is OK to wear almost nothing while walking around. If I wanted to see so much sweaty flesh I would go to a strip club.

Guest should not be allowed to wear bathing suit tops while walking around the parks. I do not think this is an unreasonable request. JMO. Several times I have sat against a seat back that was damp with someone else sweat who was just wearing a string bikini top. It's gross. Everyone should be required to wear a shirt in the parks.

MJ

 

[PinClubs]

Originally posted by mmouse37
I
I also agree with the poster that this experience does pave the way for our children's entry into more formal future social and business experiences. My teens 18, 17, 14, don't mind getting dressed up on formal nights. They feel elegant and special and like being part of the party.

This issue of formal dress is really a microcosm of a much bigger picture - Social Classes.

It is not about wearing the appropriate dress when protocol dictates. It is about the division of people who enjoy dressing up and those who do not. The comment about “paving the future for social and business experiences” is great for those in that setting, but what about the millions who do not work in a corporate setting or hobnob with their elitist friends at some cocktail party? For those who do not these social graces are not that terribly important. I really don't mind someone being a snob or elitist, I just wish they had the "guts" (I could use other words here) to admit it.

The cost of a cruise is fairly pricy, which already filters out a lot of people. Those who go to the theme parks, but may not be able to afford the Disney Cruise Line (a fact that I am sure makes the snobs happy).

Having formal nights on the ship like other cruise lines will filter out more people who do not have tuxedos, suits, dresses or gowns hanging in their closet (again I can hear the snobs cheering).

Wake up! Take off the blinders and realize that people come in all races, creeds and social classes. I don't think that Disney’s idea of a cruise ship was to make sure that in some subtle but effect way we can slowly filter out "those people" and maybe have formal nights every night like other cruise lines so that we will only have people from our own social class.

Wouldn’t that be wonderful!!!!

As stated prior, my disappointment stems from the cruise line not being like the theme parks. A place where it is almost impossible to have a segregation of social classes.

Have a nice cruise,

Jeff

 

[Dancind]

Disney didn't set out to create another theme park when they got into the cruise business. They set out to create a cruise line, the best they could make it. And from what I read here, they did a good job. 80% of the folks that had responded to your survey when I did were happy. We're not even close to rich, we're not corporate, my DH did not own a tux (he does now, a used one). I didn't own a long gown that fit or was made in the last 15 years,but I bought one. We don't hobnob unless you count the beer club meetings. We have lots of fun in the parks and we dress casually there. But we are going on a cruise entirely by our own choice, noone forced us to go. And we are going to dress properly and have a damn fine time doing it. Have fun at the parks, Jeff. Diana

 

[DisneySlave]

As stated prior, my disappointment stems from the cruise line not being like the theme parks. A place where it is almost impossible to have a segregation of social classes

There is segregation to a point in the theme park,not all can afford to stay at the hotels at the Magic Kingdom section of WDW and those who can get all the perks like monorail service at there hotel or ferry service.So for those who can only afford there other resorts it is bus rides or cars.Unfortunatly there is segregation in Disney but only in the eye of the beholder,also by the looks of your wedding pictures you do like to get dressed up on occasion and not everyone can afford to get married at the Disney Wedding Chapel.

 

[ruvidu]

To Pinclubs
I for one am a technician. I wear blue jeans and coveralls to work on printing presses. I have never been to a cocktail party other than the one for returning cruisers on the Magic. I have had the pleasure of meeting a great number of people on board the Magic in our three cruises and they were all wonderful hard working people. All had saved their money so they could do a story book cruise and live a different type life for a short while.
One couple were two lady ranchers from Montana. They had brought their Sunday best and had the time of their lives doing somthing they would probably never get to do again. Elitest, snob? No, just beautiful people who knew how to enjoy life.
Then there was the motorcycle gang from Washington state that ate beside us for three nights. They had flown into Florida for bike week, went to WDW and stayed for a week and decided to do the cruise. They did not have anything but jeans and t-shirts and some sport coats but they came to dinner looking their best. They apologized upon arrival and we all had the best time at dinner the rest of the week. Oh, I forgot to mention. One of them was a millionaire who owned a machine shop in Seattle. They liked the cruise so much that they booked the four day while they were there. If they were not the first back to back cruisers they were close. I wish I had a picture of them in jeans, sport coats and Harley t-shirts sitting in Luminaires. Pinhead, I would love to see you bad mouth either the Montanna ladies or the biker gang. They would not have taken well to having someone call them names. They all had one thing in common. They all loved the DCL experiance.

 

[DisneySlave]

Great story Ruvidu!

 

[minniecarousel]

So - on the 3-day cruise, a shirt & tie & dress slacks or dockers would be OK, instead of the addition of a sportcoat? I guess, even though we've been on the 3-day before, I need verification of what is considered proper attire for men at dinner. (and yes, we want to have dinner at all the restaurants - we're not going to eat at Topsiders & miss out on the really nice restaurants.)

JLSE50 - 3 sportcoats is for 3 men (DH & 2 grown DSs.)

 

[Dave_from_Marietta]

On the 3-night cruise, khakis and golf shirts would be fine at Animator's Palate and Parrot Cay. That, plus a sportcoat, would be appropriate for Triton's.

 

[PinClubs]

Originally posted by ruvidu
To Pinclubs
All had saved their money so they could do a story book cruise and live a different type life for a short while.

Thank you for arguing my point. This is not about the Ranchers, Motorcycle Gang, or yourself. Those people are not snobs. Who you wrote of are the exception. The ones the can manage some how to scrape together enough money to go to on a cruise.

My prior statements ares about the division of Social Classes that is something that the theme parks don't have.

Communicating via the written word can be difficult at best and it is apparent that people are not interpreting my writing as it is intended, so I think it is time to bow out gracifully before I upset more people.

Jeff

 

[mcnuss]

Oh, for heaven's sake, let's end this now! I do not think this Board is the appropriate place to be discussing the socio-economic climate in the USA and the plight of the poor souls who want to go to dinner in the same clothes they played in all day. And for the record, dressing up has NOTHING to do with social class. It has everything to do with conforming to societal rules - including the rules set by a host (in this case DCL) - but that is an entirely different subject.

If you CHOOSE to go on a Disney cruise, you have by affirmation agreed to their terms and that includes semi-formal and formal dress. If you don't enjoy dressing up, why would you choose this cruise? There are enough of us who want to cruise this way to keep the DCL ships full, and there are enough of you who do not want to cruise this way to keep Carnival and all the other "Casual" cruises full. And if you want to run around in a t-shirt and shorts then you either choose to only go to the theme parks and NO nice restaurants or you choose to cruise with DCL and eat at the informal places. Pretty simple to me.

 

[abitjaded]

Originally posted by Horace Horsecollar

....It's a show -- a themed experience, if you will. The theme is first class on an early 20th century ocean liner. And by dressing the part, you're part of the show.

I have had more fun anticipating our cruise for six months and counting. A cruise veteran friend says the cruise vacation starts the day you book it. One of my major preoccupations has been to find outfits for the adults and the kids for formal nights. I am really looking forward to dressing up for formal night, semi-formal night, finding something cheap and fun in Sint Maartin for tropical night, trotting out the old LBD for Palo..... It will be the only time I can almost be a CM and "be part of the show". I also want lots of pictures to prove it!