Dress code at sea, is there a standard?

Dress codes and standards are becoming a big talking point between myself and my clients. For as long as cruising has become a holiday product dressing up has always been a big part of cruising, I have clients that will only go on cruises that have formal evenings, like-wise I have clients that will not go on a cruise if they have to do a formal evening, However all are in the agreement that there should be a standard of dress code when dining at sea.

The thing is, there is a dress code, it is just that many cruisers do not know about it or adhere to and worse still the Maitre d is not enforcing it.

Why is this starting to happen though?

Many believe it is just part of the overall standards dropping on a cruise ship, others think it is because cruise lines are dropping their prices so much that they are becoming affordable for ‘all-sorts’ of holiday makers.

I must admit, due to some of the crazy low prices of some cruises these will attract those that have no idea of the etiquette expected on a cruise by it’s cruisers. But who’s fault is that? Why are the cruise prices dropping? Probably because you are not booking it until the cost comes down.

Each time the cost comes down the cruise line need to make a decision, they need to cut services somewhere to make their books balance.

Anyway this still should not effect the standards of dress code expected, the maitre d should still be sending diners away to put on something more appropriate and i for one want to see this start happening again.

Next time you go on a cruise and you think the dress standards are dropping make sure you report it there and then as well as leaving feedback in the disembarkation/ farewell questionnaire. If nothing is said then the cruise line will presume everyone is happy. It is upto you to reverse the trend.