jeans at dinner?

[oybolshoi]

Perhaps DCL can have a late night nudist buffet? Adults only, of course, with plenty of free alcohol...then we could bury the entire dress code debate!

 

[GhostlyHitchhiker]

Bravo Logan....well said and I agree 100%. As far as I know, nobody is forced to go to T/L, Animators, or Parrot Cay for dinner if they don't want to adhere to the dress code. All DCL is/was trying to do is create a bit of ambience in the sit-down restaurants.

We're looking forward to dressing for dinners on our 10/15 cruise. If we don't feel like making the effort, we'll dine at Topsiders.

The slight flaw in this arguement is that there is a set of people who are upset by others dressing based on DCL's own dress code. There are those that look down on others, or say that is ruins their atmosphere if others wear jeans. Jeans are now *allowed*. I have read previous threads where people specificly state that "people who wear jeans to dinner on a cruise are a different class of people". That was back before DCL changed the rules to allow jeans, but do you think those people now think it's ok because DCL says so? I highly doubt it.

I also believe that khaki shorts should be allowed for men. I am not talking about formal and semi-formal night, but all "Cruise Casual" nights. If women can wear a cocktail dress that barely covers everything, why can men not wear nice shorts? It's the Caribbean and it can get very hot in khakis every night.

And if you are sitting at a table with floor length table cloths, who cares what shoes you wear? DH wears sneakers 24/7/365. He has worn them to weddings, he has worn them IN weddings and he has worn them to the office everyday. He can't even rent dress shoes his size when he rents a Tux because he wears an enormous size. Why should we spend $200 more on our vacation for a pair of dress shoes so someone can see them once or twice (if that) for 5 minutes before his feet are under a table for the rest of the night?

Yes, this topic gets very heated with people on both sides. While I can most certainly agree with the people who say "It's your vacation wear what you want", I can also understand those that want the more formal attire. I've said in previous threads that as long as your bathing suit isn't dripping on my food I don't care what you wear. I don't care what anyone else thinks of what I wear either. I'm a confident enough person in myself that I quite frankly don't care. I don't dress like a slob, but I dress for comfort, not style. I DO care what DCL wants however, and always stick to those guidelines. I just get upset when others start bashing people for wanting to stick to the guidelines themselves (ie, wearing jeans).

 

[bailey0308]

Good grief this topic is obviously a touchy one. I can't see what all the fuss is about. Just FYI, my DH and DS did not wear jeans on formal or semi-formal night. On formal night DH wore a suit and tie and on semi-formal night a dress shirt and tie. When we dined at Palo DH wore a suit and I wore a nice dress and we were the most dressed up people there. My point was that on the casual evenings, especially in Parrot Cay it seems totally appropriate to wear nice jeans. If you look at the OP he was just asking if people wear jeans in the dining room and the answer is yes. It didn't say anything about wearing jeans on formal night or to Palo. I think some of you are misinterpreting this to mean jeans and sneakers are always appropriate every night, everywhere. That was never the issue.

thank you for clearing everything up mary.
that is the answer i was looking for.

 

[Deb Quen of Colorado]

well then, my apologies. That is how I am reading a few of the replies.

 

[GhostlyHitchhiker]

I'm fortunate enough to have been on numerous cruises. My first Disney cruise is imminent. Considering the inflated price as compared to Celebrity, Cunard, Princess, RCCL, et al.....jeans AND sneakers in the dining room...... i'm confident my first Disney Cruise will be my last.

To Deb Quen of Colorado, I read people's posts the same way you did. It's kinda hard to mistake messages like this. What others wear obviously does have effect on some peoples vacation enjoyment.

 

[ladygypsy]

The slight flaw in this arguement is that there is a set of people who are upset by others dressing based on DCL's own dress code. There are those that look down on others, or say that is ruins their atmosphere if others wear jeans. Jeans are now *allowed*. I have read previous threads where people specificly state that "people who wear jeans to dinner on a cruise are a different class of people". That was back before DCL changed the rules to allow jeans, but do you think those people now think it's ok because DCL says so? I highly doubt it.

People were (bending the suggested rules and) wearing jeans to the three non-Palo restaurants last year before DCL said it was okay. We shared a table with some of them, and it didn't bug me at all. This year jeans are allowed.

So I fully expect to see jean shorts (hey...Dis said I could wear jeans!) and "I'm with Grumpy/I'm with Dopey" t-shirts (hey...t-shirts totally go with jeans...and Dis said I could wear jeans) at Lumiere's for dinner next week. Because there will always be people who take the recommendations and see what they can get away with.

And I think that's what bugs people. Not the clothing itself, or the people wearing the clothing...just the continual bending of 'suggestions' and 'hints.'

 

[Aisling]

All DCL is/was trying to do is create a bit of ambience in the sit-down restaurants.

We're looking forward to dressing for dinners on our 10/15 cruise. If we don't feel like making the effort, we'll dine at Topsiders.

I don't really "care" what anyone else is wearing. It's not going to make or break my cruise. But I do agree with what this poster said. If DCL is trying to create a certain atmosphere during dinner, why not go along with it? If my family can't put on a pair of khakis and a polo for a couple of hours, to sit down to dinner in a nice restaurant that's not McDonalds, then they are free to eat at Topsiders. I just want my kids to learn how to dress for different environments/situations. If they're going to a formal event, they should wear formal clothing. That's why it's called formal.

If I saw someone show up in jean shorts and a tee shirt at one of the restaurants onboard, I'd think they didn't know any better and didn't get out much. But I'd still say hello!

 

[Par8hed]

Logan: You're the man (or woman?). You expressed my feelings perfectly. I've been cruising for over thirty years. It's a shame that the entire spirit and elegance of a "cruise" is being lost. I hate that it is becoming an "Outback Steakhouse" at sea. If you want 5 star service and 5 star dining, you need to adhere to a 3 star ambience at minimum. There have been times where I've wanted to cruise in "comfy" attire and I've opted for the Windjammer line. This discussion centers on the casual nights. A pair of Dockers are more comfortable than jeans ( particularly in the tropics), take up less room in the suitcase, and look a heck of a lot nicer. The same can be said of a pair of Topsiders etc. as compared to sneakers. I want everyone to enjoy their vacation, but when you are (likely) sharing a table with others... yes, your attire does have an impact on others.

 

[Michelle2]

A pair of Dockers are more comfortable than jeans ( particularly in the tropics), take up less room in the suitcase, and look a heck of a lot nicer. The same can be said of a pair of Topsiders etc. as compared to sneakers.

I totally disagree, but of course it depends on the jeans of course, not the stonewashed, or grungy holey kind. I was going to say in my last post that to ME certain jeans are nicer than khakis (or Dockers) and I know with how both fit on me, jeans are a heck of alot more comfortable...but of course being female, that might be calling apples to oranges.

I don't go to the Ritz Carlton in jeans--and when I like to wear jeans there are many enjoyable places to go enjoy a great dinner and good company. But it would be darned selfish of me to show up at an event or location that was advertised well in advance as having dress code expectations and deciding that none of that applied to me.

But DCL does allow jeans now, so if people wear them (which is what this debate is all about), it isn't being inappropriate at all. And I am referring to the casual nights, not the formal, semiformal and Palo nights (things with a requested dress code). We are excited to enjoy the ambience on these nights just as much as everybody else!

 

[anty30]

I think what everyone needs to remember is that we are all different. What may be "dressy" to one, may not be to another. There are people in this world who believe a nice pair of jeans are fine in a "dressy casual" atmosphere, and there are those that believe a cocktail dress is more suitable. We need to enjoy eachothers company regardless of what is on our backs. Remember the old saying, "don't judge a book by it's cover". We are, after all, "all in the same boat".

 

[logan1_2000]

I'll own up to focusing on the other end of the dress code spectrum in my rant, and I stand by it. But to focus more on the casual nights, as a couple of subsequent posts have pointed out that I did not do, I believe in being even-handed, so if I ask folks to dress up when the dress code says to, I would not require more than the code does. Does it say jeans are okay at dinner casual night? I personally find that a disappointment, but so be it. And no, that wouldn't impact me much because on a casual night there is no ambience, or theatrical effect in play as there is on formal night. I do find khakis more comfortable, but that's me. I'm no snob--I love to wear a loud Hawaiian shirt whenever possible

I think someone earlier by implication said I should get a life. If indeed that was directed at me, it would not be the first time someone jumped to a horribly wrong conclusion on the DIS boards about me. I was accused of being a drunk irresponsbile parent because I posted that I allowed my 9 year old , on his 4th DCL cruise and 2 in 3 months (meaning--he knows the layout of the ships), to go from point to point on the DCL ships w/o me being there or w/o being in the OC or OL at the time. That wasn't right, either.

 

[Mickeyhugger]

Well said again, logan.

 

[dharma517]

No, I was referring to the poster that stated they wouldn't cruise disney again because people would be wearing jeans to dinner.
Jenn

 

[MrsMork]

No, I was referring to the poster that stated they wouldn't cruise disney again because people would be wearing jeans to dinner.
Jenn

Whomever you were referring to, you were making assumtions. Many of us know how to behave following guidelines, do believe that the rules apply to US, teach our kids that yes the rules do apply to you, and still manage to have a pretty full life. And yes, I do know that Disney has relented and added jeans as acceptable casual dinner attire.

 

[lbgraves]

So I fully expect to see jean shorts (hey...Dis said I could wear jeans!) and "I'm with Grumpy/I'm with Dopey" t-shirts (hey...t-shirts totally go with jeans...and Dis said I could wear jeans) at Lumiere's for dinner next week. Because there will always be people who take the recommendations and see what they can get away with.

Along with logan's excellent post, this one is very true about how we feel. Yes, someone not adhering to the dress code/suggestions can impact your dining experience. On our last cruise this happened on formal night. Around 7 pm (during early seating so yes, they were unfashionably late to dinner) a family of four at the the table next to us decided to make a statement to the effect of "it's our vacation & we don't care what anyone else thinks." They were all "dressed" in tank tops / muscle shirts and shorts...like you would wear to work out. When approached by the dining room manager they loudly voiced their opinion of the dress code so that everyone could hear them. The funny thing about it was they had been sitting next to us in Palo the night before dressed to the nines. It wasn't a matter of them not having the appropriate clothes...they just wanted to make a scene. I felt so sorry for our servers...who were also handling their table.

 

[pearlieq]

I have a full life and therefore don't have time to worry about what other people are wearing...maybe you should get one? The only way I would care is if they came naked and really shouldn't be..LOL!
Jenn

That's incredibly rude. You may not agree, but there's no reason to get snotty.

 

[suzj72disney]

Hello! We, DH, DS, DD, and myself are cruising the Wonder on October 16th! I have read in the information the Cruise Line has sent that my DH will have to wear a Jacket on the night that we are dining at Tritons. Is that true? I want to as casual as possible. I really do not want to pack Dressy stuff. Now I am seeing that people are saying that you can wear jeans. I am sooooo confused as to what to pack.

Also, do they have pirate night on the 4 day Wonder?

Thank you!

 

[sjreed]

I agree, too. This board has many a thread with many an entry where people rationalize that its your vacation, do what you like, what i wear or say or do doesnt affect you, and my jeans are nicer than your clothes...and this is a disservice to what DCL was designed to be.

Disney could have made a cruise line that did not have formal nights. They chose not to do that. You just have to watch that Making of DCL program and remember that DCL was conceived to be reminsicent of a classic liner. There is no formal night on a 4 night cruise or a 3 night cruise. In contrast,RCCL does have a formal night on 4 night cruises. I've done both. I've managed to pack quite lightly for the 4 nighter, a blazer over khakis in Triton's and just polo shirts and khakis for other dinners. There are many cruise lines that have gone entirely casual. It is reasonable to choose a vacation that matches your desires for how you care to dress while on vacation. When I go to the beach, I dress for the beach. And when that beach is the Ritz in Amelia Island, I dress differently than when that beach is the family cottage in Panama City Beach. The DCL formal night and dining room dress codes, such as they are (the tux standard for formal night was abandoned long ago) are part of the info posted on the website, just as the fares and ports of call. No one changed the rules and sprang the dress code on the passengers after they'd put down their deposit, and certainly not after the refund deadline, that would be unfair.

Dinsey monitors these boards. They know what their guests are saying. And they have made adjustments to the dress codes since launching DCL.. They dropped the jacket requirement for Palo. (So though I still wear a jacket and tie to Palo, I recognize that is my choice and the absence of a jacket on the gentleman at the next table is not an issue, so long as that guest has respected the dress code that does exist). Disney has not chosen to drop Formal and Semi-Formal nights.

So I chose a cruise with a formal night. And the fun of a formal night is every one dressing up and the overall ambience and total experience of such an evening (which, i will concede, is distinctly out of place in parrot cay). And most on this board will say that I need to shut up about what they are wearing, it is none of my business. But if I, or other passnegers were looking forward to that experience, those who disregard the dress code do detract from the experience of those of us who were looking forward to an evening of dressing up.

Truth be told, most of the major cruise lines all offer a good quality experience, but the distinctions are in marketing and packaging. What type of experience do they offer, what demographics are they targeting. No different than why there is a Mercury Mountaineer and also a Ford Explorer--same vehicle, just packaging and marketing. I don't go on Carnival, and I also don't go on Crystal or Radisson, but the selection I made included what DCL includes.

One of my colleagues is getting married in 2 weeks--black tie optional. Should I say "hey, you invited me, I bought you your china, but I like to be comfortable on a saturday and this polo shirt and these very nice dress jeans cost more than that guy's cheap poly blend rental tux and you just enjoy what you're wearing and never mind me"? No--if I dont want to participate in a suitable way (pardon the pun), then I should decline. And while a cruise is not a wedding, there are many people who are likewise paying for their vacation and are looking forward to the experience advertised in materials that make reference to dress codes, formal and semi-formal nights, etc.

I don't go to the Ritz Carlton in jeans--and when I like to wear jeans there are many enjoyable places to go enjoy a great dinner and good company. But it would be darned selfish of me to show up at an event or location that was advertised well in advance as having dress code expectations and deciding that none of that applied to me.

So when I pick up my new tux today--and no, its not the cheap poly blend kind--I look forward to making the effect of my co-worker's wedding a little more special by respecting the black tie option instead of a suit, and I look forward to enjoying the last remaining vestiges of the class and elegance of cruising for just one night on great cruises, both DCL and RCCL. And if I didn't want to wear a tux or suit, or even just a jacket and tie with proper slacks, I would make use of one of the informal dinner options available to me.

VERY well said!!! We completely agree!

 

[lbgraves]

Also, do they have pirate night on the 4 day Wonder?

Thank you!

Yes they have pirate night on every cruise.

 

[ragdoll]

Suzj72disney, DH will not need a jacket at Triton's. Pack light and go casual. Enjoy yourself and don't stress over this. Triton's is the nicer of the three restaurants but a jacket is definitely not needed. A tie is not needed either. The Wonder is more casual than the Magic. DH and I just returned from the Magic. We wanted to pack light and not drag dress clothes. It made our trip much more enjoyable for us. Yes, many enjoy dressing up and they should do it because they enjoy it, but it is not necessary. Do what makes your family happy.

I usually don't get involved in heated threads so for the record...DH and I went to Topsider's on Formal and Semi Formal nights. On casual nights we did wear jeans with sneakers a couple of times. I never once looked at anyones feet and if anyone had nothing better to do than stare at my feet and have their dinner ruined I really think it is their problem, not mine.

I may start a separate thread about what our servers told us about the dress code. Geeze, I must be in a fiesty mood today to get involved in this.LOL.