Shorts for the kids at Dinner?

[Ga Girl]

I know that the adults are expected to dress casual for dinner, but would it be o.k. for my 5 yr and 2yr old sons to wear shorts and a nice shirt to dinner?

 

[NYGiantsRule!]

The younger children do not have to be as dressed as older ones. You can have them in shorts and a nice shirt. My DS's are now 12 and 15 and they wear dress pants and a collared shirt to dinner each night. THey can change back after if they like.

 

[kcashner]

For little kids, nice shorts and a polo shirt would be fine. Grubbies and a t-shirt....probably not quite at dinner.

 

[abitjaded]

My kids had to wear shorts to dinner the last few (non-formal-semi) nights. Just too much goop on the two pairs of long pants we brought. Their shirts were collared, and they looked fine. But with sun-burn and the cool air conditioning, they would have been happier in long pants.

Carla

 

[RickW]

Here is a quote from the DCL Website which may help with your decision:

Are children expected to follow the same dress code as adults?
Each parent or guardian would be the best judge of what attire is appropriate for our youngest cruisers. Guests who are age 13 or older would probably be most comfortable wearing attire similar to what is recommended above for all the ship's passengers.

 

[tchoney]

My kids wore shorts and a different button up hawaiian shirt each night. The fit in just fine and looked great and comfortable!

 

[aprilgail2]

First cruise my daughter was 2 1/2 and she wore dresses and pants...2nd cruise she was 4 and she wore what I did... capris, pants and dresses. After dinner we all went right back to the room to change into shorts but for dinner we dressed as requested.

 

[mobetsy]

Before our 7 night cruise, I agonized over this with regard to my almost 6 y.o. ds (no question for 9 y.o. ds), because he is a shorts man all the way; the feeling of fabric on his legs is truly uncomfortable for him, and an uncomfortable child at dinner makes for an uncomfortable meal for everyone After reading many long and sometimes heated debates about the issue on this board, I decided I would have him dressed nicely in a collared shirt and good-looking shorts or pants. The only exceptions were formal and semi-formal nights, when we knew we would require him to wear long pants. You know what? I remember that he wore the long pants on those two nights, and I have no recollection of what he wore the other nights! I also never once noticed what any other younger boy was wearing at meals (in fact, I never noticed what anyone else was wearing, period). I would've saved myself some grief by simply deciding right from the start that he'd look well groomed and not stressing over whether that was going to happen with shorts or long pants on.

 

[Ga Girl]

Thanks everyone for setting my worries at ease. We are from Ga and we wear shorts 10 months out of the year and telling my 5yr old that he has to wear his "Sunday Church" clothes was not working out so well. He hates wearing pants. I will make a point to have nice button down or polo shirts for them.

Thanks everyone for your input and suggestions.

 

[scottygirl]

I am not trying to start a debate here, but 99% of the time you are in the dining room you will be sitting down. Who is going to notice if your child has on pants or shorts? As long as they have on a collared shirt and there hands and face is clean they'll be fine. I say let them be comfortable and enjoy your vacation!!

p.s. I'm jealous that you get to wear shorts ten months out of the year!! In Michigan there are days in the summer when you can't wear shorts!!

 

[TheWog]

Shorts are fine for the young ones. Not a problem. Have a great time.

 

[Memaw2Wm]

We're doing a 3 day on the Wonder at the beginning of September ... my grandson's (9 & 10) will be wearing *dress* shorts (pleated navy & khaki) to Parrot Cay and Animator's Palate nights and regular khakis for Tritons/Lumieres (can't remember which is on Wonder) and they'll be wearing button up Hawaiian shirts.

I figure that's plenty dressy and the boys will be comfortable.

 

[aprilgail2]

Originally posted by scottygirl


p.s. I'm jealous that you get to wear shorts ten months out of the year!! In Michigan there are days in the summer when you can't wear shorts!!

This year has been like that in NY!!
Not to mention that you are not allowed to wear shorts to school so boy would a kid that hates pants have trouble here LOL....