Sorry, another dress code thread

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lysolq

Guest
Just returned from Galaxy (11-night Ultimate Caribbean) and as always, we had a wonderful time. Despite a few glitches (hey, nothing's perfect!), the cruise was great. I do, however, have one bone to pick with Celebrity - our favorite cruiseline.

This was our 25th cruise - 15th on Celebrity; 4th on Galaxy. I know the dress code issue is a hot one and I don't mean to incite a riot, but I'm going to vent.

It is my understanding that the changes introduced by Celebrity in their "rebranding" marketing campaign were implemented in an attempt to set the line apart from the mass market lines. The changes are subtle and do, in fact, add a nice touch to an already wonderful cruise experience, but IMHO if Celebrity really wants to market itself as "upscale," premium" and "refined," the time has come for the line to take a stand on the issue of suggested/required evening attire.

If Celebrity is going to post suggested evening attire in the cruise daily and ask that passengers dress accordingly when in public areas of the ship after 6PM, the line should make some attempt, within reason, to follow through on that request. I'll go out on a limb here and say that I'm "put off" by passengers allowed into the dining room for dinner in shorts, tee shirts and flip-flops. When did "casual" become synonomous with "beachwear?" When did "formal" come to mean dockers, a shirt and sneakers or capri pants, a tank top and flip-flops? The number of passengers on this cruise not conforming to the suggested evening attire was mind-boggling, so much so that some folks we met suggested that Celebrity simply change its suggested evening attire to "shirts and shoes required," and leave it at that.

The powers that be at Celebrity have to make a decision regarding where they want to be in the cruise industry. If they want to maintain a certain evening ambiance onboard their ships and are going to continue to post guidelines to achieve that ambiance, then they need to get word out to the public that if you want to cruise with Celebrity, you will be expected to dress accordingly - again, within reason. That done, they have to have the courage of their convictions and politely turn people away from the dining room if they are improperly dressed for dinner. No clothing police, just common sense. Otherwise, just forget the suggested/required dress code entries in the daily and fall into step with the mass market lines where apparently anything goes.
 
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paulfredo

Guest
How many informal nights on your cruise... the docs say three, but that's not always what happens on the ship. Would like the input of someone who just got off.

We also believe that it's the right thing to do to follow the guidelines.

paul
 
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ljeanbrown

Guest
When we were on the Zenith last year they would not let a couple into the dinning room for lunch because they were wearing shorts.The Zenith is the first Celebrity cruise that we actually saw them enforce the policy to that extent.I don't see why you can't wear shorts for lunch in the dinning room.I agree for dinner but breakfast and lunch you are usually going to out and about and don't want to be changing all the time.Anyway at least I know we always follow the dress code, no matter what cruise line we are on.




Laurie :wave
 
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frito

Guest
Someone on another board has a good idea for the cruise lines----since the cruise lines find it too hard to enforce their own rules, they should do away with any rules period. Also do away with the dining rooms. Look at the money they would save on waitstaff, china, nice tables, etc. Just have one large room with a bar, pizza place, cafeteria, etc. and let people come and go at will dressed as they wish. No rules, no nothing but some food and drink. No doubt they would never sail less than full.
 
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MortgageChick

Guest
At breakfast and lunch in the dining room on a warm weather cruise I will wear shorts, and I have not been told that I could not, and would be put out if I did. On formal nights hubby wears tux and bowtie I wear a floor length formal gown and accessories. On our last cruise on the Rotterdam, we felt overdressed on formal night!. As for Casual and informal nights, we wear the same type of clothing for both- hubby dress pants and dress shirt without tie -dress shoes and I usually wear skirt and blouse or dress pants and blouse-no sandals of any kind. We are usually dressed as well if not better than most.

I do not stay dressed formally after dinner ,and don't be offended, but I honestly don't care what others think. We are on vacation and like to be comfy. I do not dress up for work and although enjoy formal night in the dining room- 2 hours is plenty for me. As noted some people cannot conceive of what formal means. At least we know!
 
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elaine B

Guest
Re dress code:

I agree people should abide by the cruise ship's directive regarding dress. We were disappointed that we saw so few appropriately dressed on formal nights on the Infinity in June. I wish the crew took a more forceful line with non-compliant passengersif they expect their rules to be taken seriously. Even people who have grumbled initially about having to dress up nave told me afterwards it added to their memories of truly special occasions. After all there was a time when no civilized person would think of going to dinner without changing into evening clothes. For those who say they would rather be comfortable I advise trying on a variety of formal clothes. Some are as comfortable as casual wear.
 
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croozn4cat

Guest
We are with you on this one, lysolq!! It is absolutely a matter of personal preference. However, people are aware of suggested dress each evening. If this is not something that appeals to all, there are other lines with a more casual/informal view of how passengers dress in the evenings.

While on the July 11th (sort of) Summit sailing, we noticed one gentleman -- the word is used loosely here -- in the dining rooom wearing a baseball cap!!! OK, it wasn't a formal night; it might have even been a 'casual' night. But really! A baseball cap throughout dinner!

There were a lot of problems with this sailing and have yet to straighten out the compensation issue. However, the Summit is a beautiful ship and it's a shame that not everyone wants to get into the whole ambience thing.
 
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stargazerm31

Guest
Pam and I were on the same 11-night Galaxy that sailed July 21st. I would say that 99% of the pax I saw on the deck 6 Orion Starboard side dining room were dressed correctly. The main offenders that I saw were women in sundresses on either formal or informal night.

I agree that pax should follow the dress code. If they don't like it there are lines out there that have a dress code to meet their needs.

I hate informal night and wish they would all do away with it, but I still followed the guideline to the letter on the 3 informal nights.

JMHO.
 
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PennyB

Guest
Just returned from Bermuda on Saturday. We sailed aboard the Zenith. One guy sitting near us wore shorts, sneakers and a baseball cap most evenings! His idea of formal was dockers and a sport shirt with no tie! I'm sorry, he should have been asked NOT to wear a baseball cap AND on formal nights he should have been told to use the Windsurf Cafe for dinner. JMHO !
 
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frito

Guest
Sure sounds like he showed something else though !!
Here again, the same old question is asked---why didn't the maitre' d stop it?



Post Edited (08-05-03 19:51)
 
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Sharkin

Guest
Part of what I am paying for when I purchase a cruise are the rules and dress code, suggestion, request or requirement. I feel the cruise lines should enforce or remove the guidelines.
 
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Frank Black

Guest
I'm booked on the Mercury in a few months. I read a few older reviews that they will not allow people into the show rooms if they are not dressed per the daily requirement. Is this still true? I own and wear a tux, but by 10:45Pm I'm ready for more casual attire and like to change before going to a show.
 
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janz

Guest
Alot of people change. Not everyone goes to formal dinner, but they do go to the shows..
 
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