Are shorts at dinner on ships too casual?

[Jason]

Disney Cruise Line's new policy that allows cruise passengers to wear shorts in the line's main restaurants conjures up an image of a lot of people dressed like Mickey Mouse. But it also signals a trend.

Cruise vacations are getting more casual, in response to cruise passengers showing an increasing preference for not dressing up.

Even Cunard, a favorite of the proper British set, recently dropped its requirement that men wear ties at dinner on casual nights, although jackets are still required.

While it remains to be seen whether other lines will loosen their policies, a can of worms may have been opened.

One issue: Dress codes often lack enforcement.

A few years ago, a fellow at a table next to mine on a Carnival ship ignored the line's dress code and wore a muscle shirt, jeans and a baseball cap to dinner. I spent much of the meal staring at his various tattoos, well on display.

Carnival's policy, according to a line spokesman, is that the maitre d' and dining room restaurant hosts check dress codes. Enforcement may be another matter.

Most cruise lines send the same basic message when it comes to appropriate casual dining room attire.

Carnival: "Shorts, gym shorts, basketball shorts, beach flip-flops, bathing suit attire, cut-off jeans, sleeveless shirts for men and baseball hats" are banned at dinner in main dining rooms. The line also bans the use of "any footwear with wheels" anywhere on its ships.

For Royal Caribbean, shorts, t-shirts and bathing suits are not allowed in main dining rooms. The line suggests instead: "Sport shirts and slacks for men, sundresses or pants for women."

In main dining rooms, Norwegian Cruise Line does not allow "tank tops for men, flip flops, baseball caps, visors and jeans that are overly faded, with holes or tears and worn below the hips." Kids age 12 and under can wear shorts and for men on Bermuda cruises, "traditional Bermuda shorts along with long socks, loafers and a blazer are all acceptable."

Those who want to dress down on any of the lines have the option of the buffet restaurant. Conversely those who want to dress up are free to do so, especially on formal nights.

While Americans tend to be more relaxed, when I asked British cruise writer John Honeywell (who blogs as Captain Greybeard) his opinion in allowing shorts in shipboard dining rooms, he responded "Shorts are simply a step too far and one likely to provoke an epidemic of Heimlich maneuvers in a restaurant full of diners choking on their consommé."

He added, "Perhaps we should be grateful Disney did not follow Donald Duck's example – he never wears pants."

By Fran Golden, Special to USA Today

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[Sarge6870]

You know, there are "shorts" that can be considered "business casual" attire. Just ask any Bermudian! I remember being docked in Hamilton, Bermuda years ago and staring in amazement as I watched businessmen, dressed in shirts with ties, black business shoes and sporting very classy looking Bermuda shorts. These shorts were knee high and looked like normal business type pants that were cut to the knee. They were not insulting to the rest of the attire at all. I feel that shorts like these would be acceptable. I still agree that tank-tops and swim suits should still be banned. If you want to impress someone by your looks and want to dress that way for meals onboard, feel free to do it topside at the buffet!!! JMHO..........

[Mach]

My personal preference is for a bit more traditional dress code but let me temper that with this... it really doesn't affect my meal if someone in the dining room is wearing shorts. It won't be me in shorts but, as I said, my taste and experience won't be diminished by the way others dress.

I have seen folks 'dressed down' on a few cruises and I did comment to my friends but the individual wasn't the focus of the event. I have also seen guests turned away because of their attire both on formal nights and casual evenings.

The job of the Maitre d' and the hosts aren't the easiest. Monitoring the dress of every individual coming in the door is almost impossible. Someone, sometime, will certainly get by without dress that meets standards.

My recommendation... enjoy YOUR cruise with YOUR friends and don't sweat the small stuff...

[crazy4disney]

*dons her flame retardant suit*

I absolutely DO notice when someone wanders in to dinner looking like they just rolled out of the poolside lounger they've been in all day. It affects me and my enjoyment of dinner when people who managed to pay thousands of dollars for a cruise, apparently couldn't spring for a pair of khakis for dinner. You can't buy class!

You're sitting in a beautiful dining room, having a wonderful dinner, served by people who treat you like you're in a 5-star establishment -- and the person sitting next to you is in shorts and a wifebeater. Does it ruin my cruise? Of course not. But it ruins the ambience and the atmosphere. And more than that, I think it's an awful example to set for our children. There is a time and place for everything, and that includes attire. We're failing our kids by not teaching them that and by not modeling that behavior ourselves.

/rant off

-gina-

　

[KeithnRita]

Gina, very well said and we agree with you 100%!

[Jan115]

Thank you, Gina. Couldn't have said it better myself. :)

At the risk of sounding like an old fuddy duddy ...

No, absolutely not - no shorts in the dining room at dinner. Some people interpret shorts in different ways. Over the knee, at the knee, halfway above the knee, all the way up to "barely-there" shorts. Make it simple. No shorts. Period.

Let's keep the dining room dressy-casual and allow those of us who like to dress it up a little, the four-course dining experience we expect and enjoy. Let the muscle-shirt-and-shorts crowd eat somewhere else. There are plenty of alternative onboard eating options to make everyone happy.

[Mach]

*dons her flame retardant suit*

I absolutely DO notice when someone wanders in to dinner looking like they just rolled out of the poolside lounger they've been in all day. It affects me and my enjoyment of dinner when people who managed to pay thousands of dollars for a cruise, apparently couldn't spring for a pair of khakis for dinner. You can't buy class!

You're sitting in a beautiful dining room, having a wonderful dinner, served by people who treat you like you're in a 5-star establishment -- and the person sitting next to you is in shorts and a wifebeater. Does it ruin my cruise? Of course not. But it ruins the ambience and the atmosphere. And more than that, I think it's an awful example to set for our children. There is a time and place for everything, and that includes attire. We're failing our kids by not teaching them that and by not modeling that behavior ourselves.

/rant off

-gina-

　

So true. On the one occasion I saw that moments later the Maitre d' approached him and informed him of the dress code. He left without incident and returned in proper attire.

As you said, would it have ruined my dinner if he had not been required to change clothes? Nope but it certainly would have lowered my impression of that individual.

[jacketwatch]

For us shorts is a no no. I do understand how classy real Bermuda shorts look but then again do you allow them only? Then what about golf shorts, cargos, etc. Where do you draw the line?

I would think that say 20 yrs. ago cruisers would not even think about not following MDR dress codes but times have changed and more casual attire is acceptable so cruise lines have to change too but for me I'm just not shorts ready, at least not yet.

[DebbieandJerry]

Thank you, Gina, for your eloquent way of expressing my opinion as well.

[Swath]

You know, there are "shorts" that can be considered "business casual" attire. Just ask any Bermudian! I remember being docked in Hamilton, Bermuda years ago and staring in amazement as I watched businessmen, dressed in shirts with ties, black business shoes and sporting very classy looking Bermuda shorts. These shorts were knee high and looked like normal business type pants that were cut to the knee. They were not insulting to the rest of the attire at all. I feel that shorts like these would be acceptable. I still agree that tank-tops and swim suits should still be banned. If you want to impress someone by your looks and want to dress that way for meals onboard, feel free to do it topside at the buffet!!! JMHO..........

This I can get my head around

BUT the shorts most people wear would NOT apply to the MDR