Jump to content

Shorts in MDR?


Recommended Posts

My wife and I typically sail on Celebrity and we know the dress code says "No Shorts" however, on our last three cruises since the restart it was not enforced at all. My question is can anyone who has sailed RCL lately tell me if they are allowing shorts in the dining room? We are on the Mariner this weekend and only want to pack what we need. TIA

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Welcome to the message boards.

Shorts in the main dining room is one of those "third rail topics" that has very strong opinions, in part because Royal Caribbean leaves the exact rule vague.

Like Celebrity, the rule is not exactly enforced. So would you be able to get away with wearing shorts in the main dining room? Probably. Do others have thoughts on the appropriateness of it? Yup. 

Personally, I would not wear shorts to dinner in the main dining room. But I have no problem wearing jeans or khakis with a polo/short sleeved collared shirt.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

9 minutes ago, SWFL Cruisers said:

My wife and I typically sail on Celebrity and we know the dress code says "No Shorts" however, on our last three cruises since the restart it was not enforced at all. My question is can anyone who has sailed RCL lately tell me if they are allowing shorts in the dining room? We are on the Mariner this weekend and only want to pack what we need. TIA

I've worn shorts in the MDR. They were chino type shorts, not athletic.   Even on a formal night, I've seen a guy in tank top and shorts in the MDR.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

On formal nights if I do not feel like dressing up I will go to the windjammer.  Like others I will sometimes go to the MDR in a polo shirt and dress shorts.

Several years ago I was in fact wearing a polo with dress shorts and was told at the MDR I had to wear pants.  So I walked the length of the ship to our cabin put pants on then returned. As they escorted us to our table we literally passed several young women already sitting in tube tops and halters. I thought man even in the shorts I was denied entry yet these young women are barely dressed. It was kind of funny when I thought about it at dinner ,,,oh well...Keep sailing.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I'm with @Matt - crew likely won't say anything, but the guests are going to be judging you. 🤣

I always do nice jeans or khakis with a button down shirt or polo at a minimum any time I'm going anywhere besides Windjammer for dinner.

Then again, I'm also one of those people who prefers to "dress up" when flying, as well - I refuse to be the guy in pajama pants and a t-shirt, regardless of *how* early my flight is.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

My shorts are hiking pants with zip on legs.  Shorts by day, long pants for the MDR then immediately back to shorts for the rest of the night.

I fly with them too.  Planes can be cold but when you land in Florida I can't stand having long pants on while lugging my luggage around so I get off the plane and immediately remove my zip on legs.  

Link to comment
Share on other sites

5 hours ago, smokeybandit said:

No one will give you a second look in MDR, even on formal night, if you wear shorts

Oh, some definitely will.  Do they have any say in the matter? Nope, but there are definitely people who will be annoyed.  Whether or not they care if people feel that way is up to them.  🙂

Link to comment
Share on other sites

6 minutes ago, Jill said:

We’re sailing with Royal “virgins” week after next. They just called asking about dress. I said casual but pants at dinner. I told them you don’t want to be “those” people 😂

Seriously you’ll see it all. 

I've gotta wonder if staff would draw the line *somewhere* in regards to dress code. Someone see what happens if you show up at the MDR in a bathrobe. 🤣

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I will be on Mariner on Nov 2nd, so excited! I would think right now they wont say anything as the buffet is closed for dinner, so there really isn't an option. That is my guess. 

I have heard we need a reservation for breakfast and lunch at Windjammer.  I do not see away to do that in cruise planner. I made reservations for dinner. Does anyone know if we need a reservation and if yes how to do it? Thank you!!!!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

13 minutes ago, Paternes said:

I have heard we need a reservation for breakfast and lunch at Windjammer.  I do not see away to do that in cruise planner. I made reservations for dinner. Does anyone know if we need a reservation and if yes how to do it? 

If it's available it won't be turned on until you are on the ship and connected to the ships wifi. Then you will have the option in the app. It will likely be like MyTime Dining where reservations are recommended but not required. They might have separate reservations qnd standby lines if it starts getting too crowded.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

11 hours ago, smokeybandit said:

No one will give you a second look in MDR, even on formal night, if you wear shorts

 

6 hours ago, SpeedNoodles said:

Oh, some definitely will.  Do they have any say in the matter? Nope, but there are definitely people who will be annoyed.  Whether or not they care if people feel that way is up to them.  🙂

Maya Rudolph Judging You GIF by Saturday Night Live

@SpeedNoodlesyou're right.  We've gotten to where it doesn't bother us unless it affects us. I wouldn't do shorts on formal night but if someone wants to it's a reflection of them. Besides, my wife would physically hurt me if I even thought of doing it. 

To go in the opposite direction, we once did a formal night in Windjammer (long story). Never got so much attentive service like that. Even had the head officer on duty there come to our table and talk with us for awhile, then walked us out when we were done eating. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The reason I asked was, like most seasoned cruisers, (this is #29) we know that you should dress smart casual or evening chic however, on our last cruises on the Equinox we were seated by the entrance to the dining room and every night there was a minimum of 30 men dressed in shorts or swim suits, one night they let a guy in wearing cut off jeans, a tank top and wearing a giant Sombrero! So I felt like I was dressing every night for nothing. I spoke to the maître d and asked if Celebrity changed the dress code and he insisted they had not but they were not enforcing it. I think at this point they are just grateful to have passengers. I appreciate the input and think I will be packing dress shorts and a few button down shirts.

Cheers!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

11 hours ago, Paternes said:

I will be on Mariner on Nov 2nd, so excited! I would think right now they wont say anything as the buffet is closed for dinner, so there really isn't an option. That is my guess. 

I have heard we need a reservation for breakfast and lunch at Windjammer.  I do not see away to do that in cruise planner. I made reservations for dinner. Does anyone know if we need a reservation and if yes how to do it? Thank you!!!!

Just did Mariner twice, no reservations required/needed for Windjammer.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

23 hours ago, SWFL Cruisers said:

My wife and I typically sail on Celebrity and we know the dress code says "No Shorts" however, on our last three cruises since the restart it was not enforced at all. My question is can anyone who has sailed RCL lately tell me if they are allowing shorts in the dining room? We are on the Mariner this weekend and only want to pack what we need. TIA

I have definitely worn nice shorts with a collard shirt in the MDR. I'm on vacay, pants are for work! 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

13 hours ago, GKMCruising said:

I've gotta wonder if staff would draw the line *somewhere* in regards to dress code. Someone see what happens if you show up at the MDR in a bathrobe. 🤣

This was a few years ago but i witnessed a man in the MDR with a bathrobe and slippers at lunch.  I'm not sure how he got in but we was going up for a salad when he was approached by a crew member.  He commented "I was at the pool" to which the reply was "well, I recommend you go back there".  He was escorted out of the dining room.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Just off Mariner last week. I am the type who will respect the dress codes and hope they will enforce it ..... But could care less what others do and care even less if others don't like that I dress casual. I checked with the dining room staff before showing up for dinner and they assured me shorts were fine. I skipped formal night in MDR out of respect for the tradition but I do believe they were fine with dress shorts on formal night also. Windjammer was closed for dinner on my cruise but there were less than 1000 passengers. I did not have to make reservations for breakfast or lunch .... But had a standing rez for dinner and they seated me at the same table each night 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I don't understand, they make beautiful shorts that are fancy now. What if you have hot legs, in both senses, and need to wear shorts? I don't care what other wear, as long as they have on clothes. I also think it a vacation so to each their own. My brother has work shorts that he pairs with button-downs when he goes to job sites, he is a mechanical engineer, and he is bringing them on the cruise. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

5 minutes ago, Ampurp85 said:

I don't understand, they make beautiful shorts that are fancy now. What if you have hot legs, in both senses, and need to wear shorts? I don't care what other wear, as long as they have on clothes. I also think it a vacation so to each their own. My brother has work shorts that he pairs with button-downs when he goes to job sites, he is a mechanical engineer, and he is bringing them on the cruise. 

I just like showing off my tattoos, of which I am very covered on both arms and legs 🙂

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Here's a good look at the ghost of cruising past as to why we even have a formal night. It won't be that long in my opinion (and we're already seeing it now with the "dress your best" night instead of "formal night") when khakis and a nice shirt become overly formal for the MDR

 

https://www.cruiselinehistory.com/history-of-cruise-fashion/

Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 10/14/2021 at 8:59 AM, loki007 said:

I have definitely worn nice shorts with a collard shirt in the MDR. I'm on vacay, pants are for work! 

You wear pants for work!? Faaaancy! 😉

I have definitely worn my "dress shorts" in the MDR along with a collared shirt -- in part because I completely forgot to change one night! But fear not -- I wasn't struck by lightning or anything!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 10/13/2021 at 9:23 AM, SWFL Cruisers said:

My wife and I typically sail on Celebrity and we know the dress code says "No Shorts" however, on our last three cruises since the restart it was not enforced at all. My question is can anyone who has sailed RCL lately tell me if they are allowing shorts in the dining room? We are on the Mariner this weekend and only want to pack what we need. TIA

As others have stated, you can get away with shorts in the MDR, and we had to do that when the airline lost our luggage.  But consider this:  There are many casual venues on every ship, but only a few where "nice" clothes are suggested at particular times.  If you were celebrating an anniversary, wedding, quinceanera, or other special occasion, wouldn't you like a designated dining option where most of the patrons "dressed up" to create a suitable atmosphere?  I only ask for 1 night a week of consideration for others who are trying to make a special event truly special.  We were told on Oasis class that Central Park 150 was such a place, but we found more casual clothes there than in the MDR on formal night.  (We have found specialty restaurants not special at all.)  We accommodate everyone -- who knows what circumstances lead them to wear what they wear?  But the flipside of that is for most patrons to respect the desires of celebrants on a designated special night (formal night).   We've always observed on Formal Night that most guests dress nicely in the MDR. 

Whatever you choose to do, have a great trip!  Just think a little about other guests and the impact your choices may have. Dress probably isn't as important as other behavior (we once had a loud drunk in the next stateroom who drove us bonkers), but everything we do on a ship does impact others.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 10/17/2021 at 7:07 AM, ChessE4 said:

As others have stated, you can get away with shorts in the MDR, and we had to do that when the airline lost our luggage.  But consider this:  There are many casual venues on every ship, but only a few where "nice" clothes are suggested at particular times.  If you were celebrating an anniversary, wedding, quinceanera, or other special occasion, wouldn't you like a designated dining option where most of the patrons "dressed up" to create a suitable atmosphere? 

No. This argument has always made me scratch my head. I don't rely on other people dressing or not dressing a certain way to enjoy myself. For example, my wife and I go to Capital Grille each year for our anniversary. We wear nice but fairly casual clothes - higher-end jeans/nice shirt for me, dress for her. But we live in a fairly casual city, and it's not unusual to see people roll in to Capital Grille (easily a $100-$200 per person dinner) in shorts and a t-shirt. What they're wearing has no impact on the enjoyment my wife and I have at our dinner. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

21 hours ago, Zacharius said:

No. This argument has always made me scratch my head. I don't rely on other people dressing or not dressing a certain way to enjoy myself. For example, my wife and I go to Capital Grille each year for our anniversary. We wear nice but fairly casual clothes - higher-end jeans/nice shirt for me, dress for her. But we live in a fairly casual city, and it's not unusual to see people roll in to Capital Grille (easily a $100-$200 per person dinner) in shorts and a t-shirt. What they're wearing has no impact of the enjoyment my wife and I have at our dinner. 

I think you are missing my point.  It's not about you at all.  Social conventions are about others, not ourselves.  But I realize that many people want a more casual experience all of the time, not just some of the time.  This is why the casual venues exist, and this is also why one can lobby Royal to change policies.  Many people are also foodies, and they seek out specialty restaurants entirely for the menu, not the ambience, of which attire is a part.  At any rate, I have said my piece, and my wife and I wish everyone a great cruse.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...
×
×
  • Create New...