We are cruising to Alaska this summer on the Island Princess. The guys would like to wear jeans with nice shirts for dinner in the dining room on the smart casual nights. Is this acceptable? The Princess information says you cannot wear "torn" jeans but it does not specifically address the acceptability of "nice" jeans. We are doing the personal choice dining....will they be able to eat in the dining room? Thanks in advance.
We did wear jeans, nice ones too, but we did feel out of place. Needless to say, we only did this once. I'd suggest maybe a nice pair of new black jeans with their nice shirts. They will probably feel like they blend in more with the crowd. Just a suggestion.
WE WILL BE SAILING ON CORAL IN JULY. ON FORMAL NITE, CAN WE OPT OUT OF THAT BY NOT USING THE MAIN DINING ROOMS? WE ARE A PARTY OF 6 & NONE OF US WANT TO DO THE FORMAL THING. AS LONG AS WE CAN EAT SOMEWHERE, WE WILL BE HAPPY.
BonVoyaged, have the guys trade their nice jeans for a pair of casual twils- like Dockers type pants or cargos, and they will feel nice and relaxed at dinner.
There is always alternative dining in the "cafeteria." And, there are always those who want everyone on the ship to be dressed up on formal night and there are always those few who aren't. You'll just be the those who aren't and enjoy your evening just the same - while comfortable. Enjoy!
Cruiseryyc, You do not have to dress formally on formal night if you choose to dine outside of the main dining rooms. You CAN if you want to, but it is not frowned upon if you don't.
And CKing, unfortunately since Princess has dress guidelines, you can't just "go for it" and do as you please if you're eating in te dining room. While Princess will probably not stop you from doing so, anyone wearing jeans or shorts in the dining room at dinner time will be frowned upon. Outside of the dining room, you're fine.
Actually, it's not just the dining room. People remain in their formal clothes for attending shows, playing in the casino, hanging out in the lounges and disco, etc.
>Actually, it's not just the dining room. People remain in their formal clothes for attending shows, playing in the casino, hanging out in the lounges and disco, etc.<
One has to be careful when they are gambling in a tux. I keep having to stop myself from saying, "My name's Bond....James Bond". (G)
I was on Royal Caribbean and I must say that I was gratifide to see that no jeans where allowed in the dining room. It's a matter of taste, attitude and respect for other passengers that people dress accordingly. The last thing I want to see is some woman in a pair of flip flops, jeans and a halter top sitting across from me showing her abundance of cleavage (Although that may be a nice thing). But getting serious for a moment. Formal dressing is not a matter of being snobbish it is a matter of maybe thinking about other people rather than yourself for a change. It's just a few hours where everyone gets to play "The Great Gatsby" and as everyone knows, no guy looks bad in a Tux. So bring your cigars, get a glass of Brandy, and sit back after dinner and listen to all the great stories that some passengers have to tell instead of thinking about looking like someone from the "Dukes of Hazard". And also look at all the beautiful women that have gone to some great efforts for one night to look absolutely stunning.
There is nothing wrong with jeans, and there is nothing wrong with making a statement with your dress, but sometimes it can be rather fun to join the crowd rather than fight it. Remember this, you never know who you may meet on these cruises and you never get a second chance to make first impression.
I'll second that....and a resounding no to the stinky stogies. After all our efforts getting gloriously gorgeous, to have the stench of cigar smoke waft through our hair and gowns. Really, it's just too much...
WE WILL BE SAILING ON CORAL IN JULY. ON FORMAL NITE, CAN WE OPT OUT OF THAT BY NOT USING THE MAIN DINING ROOMS? WE ARE A PARTY OF 6 & NONE OF US WANT TO DO THE FORMAL THING. AS LONG AS WE CAN EAT SOMEWHERE, WE WILL BE HAPPY.
Princess's stated policy is that the evening dress code applies throughout the ship all evening. Although it's widely rumored that you can go to the Horizon Court (buffet area) in casual attire, I have never seen this in a published policy. Also, should you go the casual route, your entertainment options will be quite limited. There's Stateroom TV, and then there's Stateroom TV, and then there's Stateroom TV.....
Which would be a real shame since there are all sorts of special events that happen on formal nights. The first formal night is the Captain's "Welcome Aboard" Cocktail Pary before dinner. The last formal night is the Champagne Waterfall after the show.
Cruiseryyc, You do not have to dress formally on formal night if you choose to dine outside of the main dining rooms. You CAN if you want to, but it is not frowned upon if you don't
What part of "throughout the ship" don't you understand?
According to Princess's stated policy ("The prescribed evening attire applies throughout the ship from 6:00 PM onward."), you also have to wear the prescribed evening attire to go to the shows, the casino, or any other evening entertainment. It also applies to the specialty restaurants.
On our recent Alaskan holiday we encountered all sorts of attire on formal night. I'm not debating who should wear what and when etc. but I saw several 'older' gentlemen in velour track suits in the Marquis dining room. Now in their home town this might be considered dressy but not from the land down under I can assure you!
We also saw one woman in a white cotton sun shirt, black knee length skirt with PINK sandles, it was truly hideous but she must have thought she looked OK coz she showed up in it. Most men wore suits or shirt and dress pants, did not notice too many men with jeans and certainly no women in them.
In the Horizon Court dining area it was more casual, many families with children and they were not dressed as formally. Same in the Pizzeria which we walked through many times as this was our cabin deck.
Cruiseryyc, You do not have to dress formally on formal night if you choose to dine outside of the main dining rooms. You CAN if you want to, but it is not frowned upon if you don't
What part of "throughout the ship" don't you understand?
According to Princess's stated policy ("The prescribed evening attire applies throughout the ship from 6:00 PM onward."), you also have to wear the prescribed evening attire to go to the shows, the casino, or any other evening entertainment. It also applies to the specialty restaurants.
Norm.>
Norm, half of the reason that the alternate dining venues exist on these ships is so that people that do not want to dress for dinner have a place to eat in comfort and not be shunned upon by the those in formal attire in the dining room. Find me one person in the "bistro" dressed formally and I'll give you 100 bucks. Personally, I love to dress for dinner and look forward to formal nights but there is a place to eat for those who do not. Call Princess and ask them, they'll agree with my statement.
I agree with both of you, people who go on a cruise should dress accordingly. If they don't want to, they should book a Carnival cruise where anything goes. I have a problem with people who have to show everyone else that they are non-conformists and try to ruin the moment for everyone else.
Frank-in-CA
So what about the first night? It is a travel day and there is always that possibility of not getting your bags in time to dress for dinner. I don't know the probability of this. I am thinking my teen boys will be wearing shorts & T's on embarkation because Vancouver airport and lines at the pier are rumored to be hot. Aren't the expectations a little more relaxed on the first night or is this simply an unnecessary worry?
BTW, we are all planning on no jeans for all the other dinners.
Hi Nan,
I always pack a change of clothes in our carry-on, so if the luggage doesn't arrive in time for dinner, at last we can change for dinner and not wear our travel clothes. In most cases the luggage has arrived, but just in case it doesn't I can change.
Usually, the first night the dress codes are relaxed somewhat. Most everyone hasn't had their luggage delivered, so what you wore when you came aboard is all you have. I realize some people carry on enough clothes for any occasion, but we are not some of those people.
Norm, half of the reason that the alternate dining venues exist on these ships is so that people that do not want to dress for dinner have a place to eat in comfort and not be shunned upon by the those in formal attire in the dining room.
This is widely rumored, at least with regard to the Horizon Court (or the buffet restaurant on smaller ships) -- but can you show me anything official from Princess stating that such is the case? I have not seen anything official that articulates such a policy.
Find me one person in the "bistro" dressed formally and I'll give you 100 bucks.
The "bistro" being a place for a beverage and dessert before bed, there are plenty of folks who wander up there after the show still dressed in formalwear. On occasion, I have been one of them.
... there is a place to eat for those who do not. Call Princess and ask them, they'll agree with my statement.
It seems like there's somebody in Princess's office or a travel agent somewhere who will tell people just about anything. I'm looking for something official, in writing, stating that this is Princess's official policy. So far -- in thirteen cruises representing over 100 days at sea -- I have not found it.
So what about the first night? It is a travel day and there is always that possibility of not getting your bags in time to dress for dinner. I don't know the probability of this. I am thinking my teen boys will be wearing shorts & T's on embarkation because Vancouver airport and lines at the pier are rumored to be hot. Aren't the expectations a little more relaxed on the first night or is this simply an unnecessary worry?
That's why the evening attire for the first night (day of embarkation) has always been "casual" even in the days when most evenings were semiformal. Nonetheless, the fact remains that "casual" evening attire does not include shorts, jeans, or "T" shirts. Princess now uses the term "smart casual" in an effort to clarify this point for the boorish types who just don't seem to understand the meaning of "casual" evening attire, though the change in terminology seems to have brought moure confusion than clarity. Note that the description of "smart casual" evening attire in Princess's information packages is idential to the description of "casual" evening attire prior to the company's adoption of the "smart casual" term.
Vancouver actually is not all that hot in the summertime. In fact, the waters there tend to be downright cold -- 50 degrees or so -- so the air can be downright chilly if they get an afternoon sea breeze.
You might want to consider travelling in clothes that are suitable for wear to dinner, which actually might be more comfortable, both on the plane and on the ship, than shorts and "T" shirts. Air conditioning can be overbearing in both places.
Usually, the first night the dress codes are relaxed somewhat.
Well, it's always "smart casual" now -- though admittedly some folks do seem to take more liberties....
Most everyone hasn't had their luggage delivered, so what you wore when you came aboard is all you have. I realize some people carry on enough clothes for any occasion, but we are not some of those people.
I usually travel in a polo shirt, slacks, and dress shoes -- which actually is fairly comfortable on the plane -- so there's no problem if I don't get my luggage before dinner. For ladies, a skirt or slacks and a blouse or a knit top, worn with stockings and dress shoes, would have the same advantage.
You also will be surprised how much better many people will treat you when you are going through airports, checking into hotels, eating in restaurants, etc., if you dress this way rather than in jeans or shorts and a "T" shirt. The "country club casual" look seems to give the staff the image that one is important.
We are travelling on Island Princess to Alaska in August. We don't enjoy dressing for dinner. Would it be OK to wear a smart jacket, shirt & tie on formal nights, rather than a dark suit or tuxedo? Thanks
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Jeans for dinner on Princess?
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