I have recently cruised NCL and loved their freestyle dining. I am considering a cruise on a Princess Grand class ship. What dining options would I have on formal nights, as my family prefers to dress casual while on vacation. Thanks for your help.
I think that the "dress code" applies to all the restaurants, except the Horizon Court. I have seen all types of dress on Princess ships on formal night (including jeans). I'd go with your comfort level. If you want to eat in the dining room in casual clothes on formal night and don't care if others have an issue with that, go for it. You paid for your cruise the same as they did. If you don't feel comfortable with that, try the Horizon Court.
Tippycat - on Princess the dress code for the evening applies to all the dining rooms, and the alternative restaurants. Horizon Court Buffet is always casual, then there is always room service.
Feingold - must take issue with your response. The ship has a dress code, and that - just like any higher-end quality restaurant at home is expected to be adhered to. If you don't want to get dressed- up for formal night,that is your choice and the cruise ship will provide you with OPTIONS to choose from. It is out of respect and courtesy for your fellow passengers who love to get dressed-up , take the time and effort to get dressed-up for formal night, that you not show-up in the main dining and alternative restaurants in casual clothes on formal night.
I've eaten a quite a few high end restaurants--and I would expect the food and service at a high end restaurant to exceed what I would find on a mass market cruise line. I don't remember the last time I ate at one with a dress code--beyond requiring shirts and shoes. The fact is that you will see a range of dress on formal nights (and in high end restaurants), and Princess (or any other cruise line) is probably not going to fight the trend. Since you're probably not going to be able to change that, the only option you have is how to deal with it.
I own a tuxedo, and enjoy the opportunity to wear it to cruise formal nights as well as other appropriate occasions. I also observe and find it interesting when someone wears jeans on formal night. However, if someone has paid their cruise fare the same as me, and wants to eat in the dining room (in casual dress or even jeans), I don't take it as them being disrespectful or discourteous to me. I assume they have better things to do than to go out of their way to disturb my enjoyment of dinner, and I'd rather spend my energy enjoying the food, wine and company.
Thanks everyone for their input - one other question - I've read about a southwestern style restaurant; would this also be grouped into the formal dining restaurants, or would this be on par with the Horizon Court ?
The Grand Class used to have a Southwestern restaurant, but I think that it is now a steakhouse. There is an extra charge for this restaurant, as well as Sabatini's. Any of the restaurants (except the Horizon Court) follow the dress code.
I agree with the other poster that people should obide by what Princess is asking regarding a dress code. I am a casual dresser but will dress up on Formal night and on the other evenings because Princess says it is "resort casual" not "casual". If somenone cannot go with what is requested then they should not take the cruise or just go to the Horizon Court every night. That's the problem with society today........everyone thinks it is ok to do whatever one wants and not go by the rules. Guess a cruise is the same....and it is a shame all around.
Just to help out here, I'm pasting the restaurant and dress-code info for restaurants on the Grand Class Princess ships. This is for the Grand Princess - the others may have slight variations (not completely sure).
I find the dress code issue interesting, we won't be going in actual FORMAL attire but we will dress up, me a dress, my husband with slacks, shirt, tie and sports jacket. I hope this will be good enough. Also how do I get a copy of the dress code info for the Dawn like you have on your message? Please let me know.
One more question, my husband typically loves his Levis, He doesn't wear old beat up ones, they're usually the dark blue ones, and he does have dockers he will wear too. However, I've had some folks say he absolutly cannot wear the levis anywhere but on a shore excursions. I've heard so many pros and cons. This is our first cruise so we have not clue.
I think what you described for formal night will do fine. You will see a very wide range with some dressed to the nines and others not dressed up at all. I don't like to dress up so I usually do a more business-casual on formal nights with black slacks and a pretty blouse. Definitely not formal, but not slob-wear either. I have never felt out of place.
Your husband can wear his levis anywhere aboard ship. Technically, Princess started a no-jeans in the dining room rule a while back, but I have yet to hear of it being enforced and the information regarding the rule is contradictory. Some of the cruise documents say "no-torn jeans" while others say "no jeans". Aboard the Sapphire last October I saw plenty of jeans in the dining room and there was no signs at the dining room entrance or notices in the Princess Patters indicating that they were not allowed.
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