Why is the dress code for dinner not enforced?

[dvcmember2000]

On our 3 day Wonder cruise my husband and I were shocked at the attire allowed in the dining rooms. Our first night was at Triton's. From my understanding this is the "fanciest" restaurant. We saw people in shorts and t-shirts and untied sneakers. Not even "nice" shorts. Girls wearing light up flip flops etc. We are not big on getting dressed up for dinner either but we did observe the dress code. My husband wore jeans and a collared shirt the last night at Parrot Cay.

 

[allears]

This is a hottly debated topic on the boards pretty much all of the time, with lots varying opinions and several camps. I think it comes down to this, the dress code is not strictly enforced because it is a suggested dress code. And it seems more important to make as many guests as possible happy rather than turn them away from the dining rooms because of their dress.

After that it comes down to not letting it bother you or alter your experience. We actually like getting dress up and do the tux and gown thing on formal nights, and it doesn't dimish our enjoyment if others don't want to play. They paid for their trip to and if they don't want to follow the suggestions, so be it.

However, we do get bothered by people who are totally thoughtless about what they're wearing, either totally inappropriate attire, like see through tops or swim wear in the main dining rooms. Actually saw a family of three come into lunch at Parrot Cay in wet bathing suits and sit down to lunch. The CMs brought them towels to sit on so they didn't completly soak the chairs, not that I think that worked.

Any way, again, I think Disney tries to set a mood and tone with the suggestions, but in the end it comes down to the individual guests choice. And with tongue firmly planted in cheek, I think the suggestion is no jeans or shorts even at Parrot Cay on the last night.

 

[alexandrew]

I think folks should try to make an effort to dress nicer on 3 and 4 day cruises....Especially Tritons

 

[GavinsMom]

If it was the first nights dinner maybe they hadn't received their bags yet. I have heard that the first night is casual due to the fact that everyone might not have dress clothing to change into in time for dinner.
Who knows, just a thought!

 

[poconoboatniks]

My dh & I asked ourselves the same question. What's with some of these people. On our third night and in Tritons there were people in sleeveless t-shirts, shorts and other things that one might wear when doing yard work. Khakis and a collared shirt would have been more acceptable.

Pocono

 

[jclark3]

Maybe the dress codes are (to paraphrase Captain Barbosa in PoC) "not rules, they're more like guidelines!"

to Poconoboatnik: I'm a graduate of Stroudsburg HS Class of '71

 

[Janis]

I have never cruised on any other line but DCL and wonder if the same thing occurs on the other lines. Or do people have the mentality on DCL that it's just like being at the parks, and therefore feel no need to dress? Just curious.


Janis

 

[Echo queen]

I have cruise on carnival twice, and the dress code was inforced. There was a guy in line with his family for dinner with a tank top and shorts on, the staff went right over and asked him to change cloths or he would not be able to have dinner there. He was upset and complained but he was not allowed to go in.

 

[DutchsMommy]

I have to say, I am glad they were not enforced for us!! Now, I like to think we are respectful enough not to go into a restaurant in a bathing suit....however, if I have learned one thing on our trip it is next time we will bring more 'resort' or 'cruise' wear. DH did not have anything but jeans - except one pair of dress pants he wore to Palo. Now the jeans were not ripped or anything, but the navigator clearly says no jeans. I also didn't have anything but capris (casual ones from old navy) and our Parrot Cay night was capris with a tank top with hoodie over top - not very classy. We were in the Parks for a week prior to the cruise, and I knew we wanted to do Palo, so I really didn't pack anything but Park clothes and one outfit for Palo - mistake for sure. I also found that by not having other nice clothes we were not dressed appropriately for all the photo ops they offered. We are a family with almost no pics of us all together - we took 400 pics of our trip and ONE has all 3 of us in it!! So, next time (yes there will be a next time ) we will definately bring some 'nice' clothes. However, for this trip I am glad we were not asked to walk the plank for our lack of couthe.

 

[BethC1952]

I wish they would enforce the dress code. There are other options for food besides the main dining room. That being said, DH and I tend to ignore what other people are wearing and get dressed up each night anyway. We enjoy dressing up to go out together, whether we are at home or on vacation. That's just part of our fun!

An interesting option that DH suggested would be that main (early) seating could be much more casual, and those of us who prefer the late seating would be dressier.

Beth

 

[Miss Eeyore]

to have early seating "dress-up" optional. Also...its not as though someone dressed in shorts has no dinner....they could be stopped at the door and offered the options of returning in appropriate attire or going to Topsiders.....especially since now Topsiders "serves" during dinner, not just a buffet. I have been on many other cruise lines, and the dress code is enforced, just the way it is enforced at a fancy restaurant.

 

[MickeyB426]

While I wouldn't show up in shorts, tank tops or jeans, I'm not going to get my britches up in a lather if someone else does.

There is no "enforcement" because it's a "suggestion".

It's a Disney Cruise, people. Let's keep that in mind.

If someone wants to wear a gown or tux, great. If someone wants to wear Dockers and a golf shirt, great. If someone wants to wear yard-work clothing, turn away and don't look.

The point is, don't let it bother you what others wear. I've always thought it was folly to let something like that get under one's skin.