Kids in shorts at dinner?

[JJsmama]

HI,
I've just read that DCL asks patrons not to wear shorts to dinner. Does this include little boys? My boys will be 5 and 3 on our cruise. They are usually dressed nicely. For special occasions and dinners out, they usually wear matching outfits and look quite spiffy, but often this includes nice shorts. Do I need to plan different clothes for them?

 

[gometros]

I'm not speaking frmo experience, since when we cruised our kids were older and out of the cute stage, but I would think that children that age in nice shorts would be perfectly acceptable.

 

[epjenk]

We took our boys in nice shorts to dinner at 4 1/2 and 2 1/2. They were the little outfits with the shirts and ties, and I felt they were certainly appropriately dressed. Unfortunately, I also saw adults in shorts and tank tops, so you can expect to see a little of everything! I think that in general, if the kids are at least in a collared polo type shirt and nicely pressed shorts or pants you will be fine.

Just remember- if your boys are like mine, try and schedule the family pictures BEFORE they eat!

 

[Stimpy]

Last Sept, we took our DS who was almost 4 and he wore nice short outfits at dinner without anyone saying anything about it to us except about how cute he looked. He did wear long pants and a button down shirt on the "formal" night. From what I remember, most of the young boys wore shorts in our dining rotation.

 

[outahere]

Our DS10 wore nice shorts to dinner several nights on both of our Disney cruises, and he was definitely not the only one.

 

[pediatric-rnp]

I worried a lot about dress for dinner prior to our cruise - and never once thought about it on the ship! Our sons are teens, and followed the dress code, however no one in the dining areas seemed to pay any serious attention to the clothing on those around them - I know I didn't. (And really - once they are seated, who knows whether they are wearing shorts or long pants! ) I was much more concerned with relaxing at the table, enjoying my dinner and conversing with DH and DSs. I truly think that as long as people are clean and neat, that is what counts - with the exception of formal night. (And on formal night, you have the option to eat elsewhere if you choose not to get formally dressed up.) There are many debates on this board concerning dress in the dining rooms, and I know that is one reason I stressed out about it. It just doesn't seem to be that much of an issue on the ship!

I used to dress my sons, when they were younger, as you describe dressing yours - they were only 22 mos apart in age and looked adorable in matching outfits. I would have dressed them in shorts if that is what they were most comfortable in at the age, had we cruised back then with them. JMHO, but then again I think that my work as a pediatric nurse practitioner to a very indigent population has reinforced what my mother had always taught me - never to judge people by any other way except how they treat other people and animals!

Enjoy your trip - you can't believe how wonderful it will be and how many lasting memiories it will create.

 

[Masonpips]

I worried about this beforehand too and it was no big deal on board. DS was 5 our first cruise and he wore shorts on tropical night only. The 2nd cruise, I think he wore shorts 1-2 times, but honestly he didn't even eat with us many nights (we switched to late seating) as he preferred to have room service or Plutos about 6 and then hit the club while we ate.

It will be perfectly acceptable to dress your two in shorts and a nice shirt for dinner IMO