Shorts?

[TwinPrincessMermaids]

We always dress nice for formal night, do updo's nice hair etc. Even on the carvnivals, we are a nice lookin' bunch! It's a great opportunity to take a dressy photo that only weddings etc. would afford the opportunity to do.

 

[Rogillio]

I too think formal nights will be history in a few years. Society has changed and continues to change. My Grandparents wore suits and dresses everywhere! I wore a tie evey single day by first 10 years I worked in a corporate 500 company and then we went to casual Fridays....and it was a slippery slope. Now every days is 'business casual'. I don't even have a suit that fits any more! I have 40 ties in my closset that I've not worn in 15 years except to funerals!

I equate the dinning on DCL to be on a par with Applebees, Outback, Ruby Tuesday and Olive Garden. When we go out to eat there, we dress 'business casual'. But it a wedding party or graduation party came in wearing tuxes and evening dresses, the would not be out of place. And if another family came in wearing shorts and Polos, they would not be out of place either.

I guess what I'm getting at is, you will only be out of place is you dress different than you dinner party. If they are all in suits and ties you will look like a dolt wearing shorts. Likewise, if they are all casual and you are in an top hat and tails.....

Live and let live!

 

[Justacruiser]

DCL asks us not to wear shorts in the MDR. They have very little other requests of us while on board. DCL sets a dress code so that the MDR's create a nice atmosphere for us. And then some folks ask the question, well if I choose to wear what I want and ignore what they ask, what will they do to me? Choose a different dining experience or change cruise lines.

A PP posted that the spouse had always just worn shorts to dinner and truly didn't know about the dress code. Also stating that no CM informed them of the recommendation. Well, the CM's might not have because they know there is no informacement. And for sure the service team is not going to say anything, uhhhhh tip! But hopefully now that the PP noticed that shorts are not supposed to be worn, he will abide by the dress code.

It comes down to respecting the wishes of DCL. It doesn't matter what we want to wear for dinner in their MDR's. We should all conform to their request or as stated above, and dress accordingly or find another option.

 

[nzdisneymom]

DCL asks us not to wear shorts in the MDR. They have very little other requests of us while on board. DCL sets a dress code so that the MDR's create a nice atmosphere for us. And then some folks ask the question, well if I choose to wear what I want and ignore what they ask, what will they do to me? Choose a different dining experience or change cruise lines.

A PP posted that the spouse had always just worn shorts to dinner and truly didn't know about the dress code. Also stating that no CM informed them of the recommendation. Well, the CM's might not have because they know there is no informacement. And for sure the service team is not going to say anything, uhhhhh tip! But hopefully now that the PP noticed that shorts are not supposed to be worn, he will abide by the dress code.

It comes down to respecting the wishes of DCL. It doesn't matter what we want to wear for dinner in their MDR's. We should all conform to their request or as stated above, and dress accordingly or find another option.

It's not even about CM's saying anything - we've never noticed anything on DCL's website about dining (and until today I didn't know they had a separate Topsider's page - we had seen the main dining room recommendations with please no shorts) but even on the Navigators we hadn't noticed anything specifically for Topsiders about dress for dinner. They post about attire for the main dining room and we abide by that when we choose to eat there.

The thing is that if they don't want shorts in even the casual dining room for dinner, then the other dining option is room service or pizza from Pinocchio's because the other counter-service options close by dinner time. I really wish that DCL would change to a buffet option in Topsiders for dinner rather than just the seated option.

 

[MikeAndNick]

Everything is good for dinner except for

 

[lesabrowning]

I am in the "dress for dinner" camp. I also enjoy formal night. My husband has cruised with a tux and cruised with a suit on several cruise lines and he swears it is not a big deal. I would not have him buy/rent a tux if he did not own one, instead I would have him bring a suit. (No suit? Dark dress pants with a dress shirt and tie is respectable, even for formal night) I think it shows basic respect for DCL, the staff and your fellow passengers. It makes things special, at least for many of us. We also have kids and have traveled with them since they were infants, again not a big deal to dress them for dinner. Heck, short sailor suits ARE a pair if shorts appropriate in the MDR.... on a toddler. ha ha Dressing for dinner does not have to be expensive or uncomfortable. Shorts in the MDR is rude, in my opinion. (But I agree they should be allowed in the casual restaurants at dinner) How hard is it to swap those khaki shorts with a pair of khaki pants? Voila, problem solved and you look great : )

 

[Justacruiser]

We got our cruise information for next month's cruise a little while back. In the packet it had dining room attire information. I do believe that they need to ensure that all cruisers are aware of the dress code request before they board the ship.

On DisneyCruise.COM I just placed "dress Code" in the search box at the top of the home page. The first item that pulled up is the following:

1. Onboard Dining Attire - FAQs In general, dinner attire for most meals on Disney Cruise Line is Cruise Casual  no shorts, swimwear or tank tops. Most cruises have special theme nights with attire requirements

I have never eaten dinner outside the MDR while on board. I have done the PALO brunch a couple of times. It would be nice to have a buffet at dinner option, but that would give guests more options than the MDR. They keep food costs down which keeps our costs down by having us eat in the MDR or pay for the options (besides the fast food options), which they can forecast. Having us all in the MDR also reduces DCL's server salary costs because they know we are going to tip. Allow the buffet every night, and some will not tip because they will never eat in the MDR's. It all has an economic trickle down effect.

 

[Glfnjoe]

Everything is good for dinner except for

ROTFL
I think I saw that couple on my first cruise on a "Fun Ship".
We have only cruised on Carnival and the first cruise there was some people that were a little over the top at dinner. On formal night they wore jeans and faux tux t-shirts. They really stood out.

Looking forward to our Dream cruise next month.

 

[lovetotraveltx]

Thanks for all the replies. We are out shopping and all of a sudden I wasn't positive.

We do have formal attire for formal night, but might lean to shorts for the men for other dinner.

We live in a hot place. So, my husband's "uniform" is a polo and shorts with deck shoes. But, even he wouldn't wear them to dinner.

The dining rooms are very pretty and most people do change for dinner. I think a polo and khakis are more then fine but shorts IMHO are not appropriate.

Just my 2 cents.

 

[lovetotraveltx]

I am in the "dress for dinner" camp. I also enjoy formal night. My husband has cruised with a tux and cruised with a suit on several cruise lines and he swears it is not a big deal. I would not have him buy/rent a tux if he did not own one, instead I would have him bring a suit. (No suit? Dark dress pants with a dress shirt and tie is respectable, even for formal night) I think it shows basic respect for DCL, the staff and your fellow passengers. It makes things special, at least for many of us. We also have kids and have traveled with them since they were infants, again not a big deal to dress them for dinner. Heck, short sailor suits ARE a pair if shorts appropriate in the MDR.... on a toddler. ha ha Dressing for dinner does not have to be expensive or uncomfortable. Shorts in the MDR is rude, in my opinion. (But I agree they should be allowed in the casual restaurants at dinner) How hard is it to swap those khaki shorts with a pair of khaki pants? Voila, problem solved and you look great : )

 

[gotomu212]

My husband and 5 year old do wear khaki shorts to a few of the dinners. Nice, clean shorts and polos with sweater vests like we would wear to a garden party (Conneticut casual for anyone you watches The Office).

I will say in 5 cruises with different table mates the men have always worn khakis to a few of the meals. So to the OP question, I would consider it a fairly common practice.

I apologize to anyone this offends, but kindly ask that you get out from underneath our table cloth since that's where all those naked knees are going.

 

[Justacruiser]

My husband and 5 year old do wear khaki shorts to a few of the dinners. Nice, clean shorts and polos with sweater vests like we would wear to a garden party (Conneticut casual for anyone you watches The Office).

I will say in 5 cruises with different table mates the men have always worn khakis to a few of the meals. So to the OP question, I would consider it a fairly common practice.

I apologize to anyone this offends, but kindly ask that you get out from underneath our table cloth since that's where all those naked knees are going.

you should not apolgize for your comment because as you stated, that is what you are going to do, regardless of the recommendations from DCL. I do not have a problem with a 5 year old wearing shorts, but do have a concern when adults choose to disregard DCL policy.

I am 100% for anyone writing DCL and asking that they change the dress code for the MDR dinner. I would support anyone requesting such a change. Maybe not support the request, but supporting anyone in the right to send a request. If Disney says that they like the current dress code, we all should support their decision or choose to dine elsewhere or maybe even change cruise lines.

I don't feel I have the right to go around and decide if I am going to follow a particular rule or not. I have the right to advocate for change or have the right to take my financial dollar elsewhere.

I am is no way trying to affend anyone, that is not my point but only to show another side of the issue. VR

 

[jilljill]

ROTFL
I think I saw that couple on my first cruise on a "Fun Ship".
We have only cruised on Carnival and the first cruise there was some people that were a little over the top at dinner. On formal night they wore jeans and faux tux t-shirts. They really stood out.

Looking forward to our Dream cruise next month.

I also saw 'that' couple on my cruise this past January and it was on the Fantasy! Been on several Carnival cruises and didn't see anyone dressed like that at dinner.

 

[mcd2745]

Everything is good for dinner except for

Here's the thing that doesn't make sense though....those in the pics above would technically be "compliant" with the dress code/policy/request/rule/suggestion.

However, a man with a nice pair of khaki shorts, boat shoes, and a polo or button-down (meaning: collared) shirt is not. Now, wouldn't everyone think the "non-compliant" man is the one better or more appropriately dressed?

IMO, the code/policy/request/rule/suggestion is not very well written. I think they should have also stressed what you should wear - such as requiring collared shirts for men - instaed of just listing what you should not wear.

 

[Jajajuna]

The people who flaunt the dress code stand out, and not in a good way.

Ok ok ok... I'm so unsure of what to pack it's just a joke now. I didn't even realize there WAS a formal night until our notebook thingy came. I've never been on ANY cruise before (we are simply Disney World nuts).
So, I borrowed a dress to wear for formal night and I informed my DH that he'd need to pack his suit and he was like, "whaaaaaaa?!" But now there is a possibility we will "stand out in a bad way?"
Somebody please just tell me what to wear to formal night?? lol Is a long black dress with minimal beading at the waist too much? Does my DH need his suit coat or just a tie?

 

[PrincessShmoo]

Ok ok ok... I'm so unsure of what to pack it's just a joke now. I didn't even realize there WAS a formal night until our notebook thingy came. I've never been on ANY cruise before (we are simply Disney World nuts).
So, I borrowed a dress to wear for formal night and I informed my DH that he'd need to pack his suit and he was like, "whaaaaaaa?!" But now there is a possibility we will "stand out in a bad way?"
Somebody please just tell me what to wear to formal night?? lol Is a long black dress with minimal beading at the waist too much? Does my DH need his suit coat or just a tie?

For formal nights I've worn long gowns (with and without a tiara), cocktail midlength dress, dress black slacks with a sparkly top on various cruises. I've never felt overdressed or "out of place". DH usually wears his suit (with jacket and tie) for formal nights, and dress shirt and tie for semi-formal nights.

 

[GoofyTwinDad]

If you come to the DIS for insight on wearing shorts you will probably get a 60-40% in favor of following DCL's "requested attire guidelines". On the other hand if you polled non-DIS'ers you would get a 80-20% in favor of wearing shorts to the MDR's IMHO. The large majority of those who cruise DCL do not belong to the DIS family. If you take this into account, that is why DCL will never enforce their guidelines. They realize they will never make everyone happy, making thr vast majority happy is part of their successful business strategy.

 

[wilkeliza]

I'll admit I felt terrible on our first cruise when we went to Royal Palette because for the first time I didn't double check my luggage and I brought no jeans for Pirate Night! So for Pirate night I was forced to wear my "dress" shorts to the MDR. We call them "dress" shorts where I am from because if it is 100 degrees outside no one is going to wear dress pants or a long dress unless you are actually in a Wedding.

 

[su_A_ve]

On formal night, I saw men in tshirt jeans and thin flip flops. Unreal...

 

[carmie3377]

On formal night, I saw men in tshirt jeans and thin flip flops. Unreal...

Yeah, on the 2011 pc cruise, I saw a young lady in VERY short denim cutoffs and others in workout attire. I don't think it's appropriate any night, much less formal night.

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