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This is Formal Night, Buddy…
By Dave | June 3, 2008
Here’s another hot debate. This time we’re talking about clothing attire, specifically in the dining rooms. Because I’m a frequent Carnival cruiser, I will use Carnival’s dress code to aid this discussion. On deck, and to a lesser extent, at the buffet, anything from bathing suits to formal attire is acceptable. Of course, wearing a tuxedo or cocktail dress to the pool at noon might be a bit strange, but it’s still acceptable. There usually isn’t any fuss over these areas. Where the debate begins is in the dining room, especially for dinner. So let’s take a look at what Carnival has to say:
Cruise Casual Dining Dress Code: Gentlemen – Sport slacks, khakis, jeans (no cut-offs), dress shorts (long), collared sport shirts; Ladies – Casual dresses, casual skirts or pants and blouses, summer dresses, Capri pants, dress shorts, jeans (no cut-offs). Not permitted in the dining room during the Cruise Casual dinner for ladies and gentlemen: gym shorts, basketball shorts, beach flip-flops, bathing suit attire, cut-off jeans, and sleeveless shirts for men.
This is for non-formal nights. Essentially, guests should dress “business casual” at least. The main culprits found on violators, from what I’ve seen, are shorts and t-shirts. Admittingly, I have worn shorts to dinner on days when I was on excursions and either didn’t have time to change or was too tired to change. I might get bashed for that, and that’s okay. I’m just saying that a lot of people, myself included, do this. Is it right? No. People should follow the dress code accordingly, no matter what. Unfortunately, that doesn’t happen.
So where exactly does the problem begin then? I personally feel it is the fault of the cruise line for not enforcing these rules. At the least, I think a sign should be posted outside saying “anyone with the following attire … will not be permitted in the dining room for dinner.” The reason I suggest a sign, as opposed to the maitre’d kicking people out individually, is for several reasons. First of all, it gets the cruise line off the hook. They did their part in enforcing their rules without become a police state. Secondly, it won’t cause a scene. I work with customers directly in my job, and I know that people can fly off the hook for the smallest things. (I once dealt with a woman who asked to speak with a manager because we charged her for a refill of soda… But that’s a story for another time.) So I’m sure if someone’s on vacation, and they get denied entrance to the dining room because of their attire, their response will most likely be: “this is my vacation, and I’ll dress how I want.” At this point, the maitre’d will either surrender, making the cruise line look bad, or they’ll lose a customer and put a bad taste in other people’s mouths.
That is my solution for the casual nights, but what about formal nights? This is when things really start to get heated. Carnival suggests:
Cruise Elegant Dining Dress Code: Gentlemen – Dress slacks, dress shirts. We also suggest a sport coat. If you wish to wear suits and ties or tuxedos, by all means we invite you to do so. Ladies – Cocktail dresses, pantsuits, elegant skirts and blouses; if you‘d like to show off your evening gowns, that’s great too! Not permitted in the dining room during the Cruise Elegant dinner for ladies and gentlemen: shorts, T-shirts, beach flip-flops, bathing suit attire, jeans, cut-off jeans, sleeveless shirts for men, sportswear, and baseball hats.
First of all, there are people who are complaining about this new policy in itself. Sport coats (and possibly suits) used to be required of men, and now it is just dress slacks and shirts. Some people are saying this is too informal for a “formal” night. While I understand where these people are coming from, I don’t think it’s too informal for Carnival. Now, if a line like Cunard or Crystal were to enforce this policy, then there would be a cause for concern. But Carnival, the “fun ships,” a lower-budget, family-oriented cruise line, should not require men to dress in full suits or tuxes.
That argument against the policy itself aside, where is the line drawn for formal nights? Should nice jeans be allowed? What about children? Even with my description of Carnival above in mind, I feel that this is the most relaxed Carnival should go with the dress code. Yes, these are the “fun ships,” but if you’re going to have formal nights, the guests should be dressed at least a little formally. And I feel that this is the end of the line for relaxing the rules.
Despite this relaxation of the rules, people still show up in shorts, t-shirts, etc. on formal night. What are cruise lines to do in these instances? Obviously, a stricter enforcement of the rules is required on formal nights. If you don’t want to dress up, the buffet is still casual. Go up there to eat. Formal night is called that for a reason…
My own opinion is, I really don’t care what the guy at the next table is wearing. If someone wants to come into the formal dining room in shorts, that’s their choice. It’s not me who’s going to feel out of place. And I’m certainly not going to let it affect my meal. I’ve read of people who would be overly upset because someone would wear jeans to formal night. I think that’s going over the top a bit. While I do feel the cruise lines should enforce their rules a little better, if they don’t, it’s not going to affect my dining experience.
What are your thoughts on attire in the dining rooms?
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Topics: Opinions | 86 Comments »
June 3rd, 2008 at 10:07 pm
While you’re right – most cruise lines even Cunard won’t make any real crack down on dress code violators.
While a matre’d may stop a guest who isn’t complying with the dress code – if the guest pushes back or even threatens to make a scene over the issue the matre’d will back down.
They do this because in the end guest satisfaction is important and dress code enforcement isn’t something that most matre’ds feel are worth the bad blood and negative feedback that they’ll get as a result.
June 3rd, 2008 at 10:54 pm
You’re right. I’ve always been told when dealing with customers: the customer is always right, even when they’re wrong. In these cases, as you said, the negative feedback isn’t worth it for the maitre’d; just turn a blind eye.
Thanks for the comment!
June 18th, 2008 at 9:31 am
I think Cunard are making a serious mistake not enforcing the dress code they are famous for. ‘Black tie’ means just that, a proper dinner jacket and bow tie – not a business suit! If people don’t like this, they should book with another line. Some clubs, both in the US and the UK, will provide a jacket and tie for underdressed gentlemen at lunch – maybe Cunard should have the same policy. This would avoid the bad blood people are worried about, but still cause just enough embarrassment to deter in future!
June 19th, 2008 at 8:43 am
That’s true Thomas. The luxury lines like Cunard should definitely be held to a high standard and be more proactive in enforcing thier dress codes. I’ve never cruised Cunard, but I know if I did I would go all out, considering the amount of money I’d be paying to cruise with them. I would definitely dress my best on a line like that.