We have not been on that particular ship, but have been on Voyager of the Seas. You will be able to eat in the buffet restaurant upstairs on formal evenings without the recommended attire. To be frank though, you would look out of place in the evenings with "long shorts". Having said that, you probably would not be alone but in a handful minority for sure. For the vast majority (90%) of people the minimum dress in reality for evening time would be long smart trousers and an open necked shirt. Formal nights are certainly adhered to be the vast majority in the main dining room.

Hope that helps, anything else come back and I will keep a look on this board tonight!

dont get me wrong, im not planning on going every night in shorts and a footy top, i just want to know that the option is there if i am for example too hot in a shirt and pants.
what is the score with bars, lounges and theatres on formal/informal nights? is it compulsory to be able to view the shows to adhere to the code? and also to drink in the bars?
is the restaurant you mentioned the windjammer?

on smart casual nights do you see more shorts or is that again pants and a shirt?

many thanks for your help
ian

Don't worry about being too warm, the ship's are air conditioned so you won't be too warm in trousers and a shirt or even a jacket.

luci

Yes, the windjammer is the casual/buffet eatery...trust me, in the evening shorts and footy tops would be EXTREMELY rare no matter the prescribed dress code! Guess it would only be the main dining room that would be "prescriptive" as regards to dress code, but even then as long as you are in long trousers and smart shirt that would be acceptable. But in the bars or shows etc., do you really want people to be staring at you in shorts and footy top??

I agree, you really will feel out of place in shorts at night. The most casual hubby was at night was in a collared polo shirt and jeans.

luci

sorry, i didnt explain myself properly. i dont want to have footy top and shorts at night, but do you think a brown plain t-shirt or a white nike t-shirt with pants would be just as acceptable or is this too informal? im talking in the windjammer, the bars and the lounges/theatres, not the main dining room.

luci, i was boiling in a shirt so much on ov2 in jan that i had to change my shirt due to sweating (and i dont sweat). although la luna was hot.

I was on Mariner last Easter and I thought it was very informal! Even on the gala night - only the Brits wore tuxedos, the Americans were in lounge suits which they promptly took off after their photos. Maybe because it was Spring break and there were a lot of children on board, perhaps families wanted a more relaxed cruise. I was disappointed, as I like to get dressed up in the evening. I think you'll be fine in a polo shirt and jeans in the cafe/bars. The air conditioning is fierce -you won't be sweating -trust me!

i also meant to ask,

i have to book 1st or 2nd sitting for meals. which would you recommend?

and also, i have opt for table-size. do i have to eat at this table every night or is it just reserved for me if i choose to eat there? i would think i would be eating more in the windjammer and possibly trying the pay extra restaurants.

what do you think?

cheers
ian

Our last RCI was a TA and casual every night was not a problem.

There will be others even on formal night who do not dress up
I have seen people never out of shorts or track suits

I find that ships have warmed up over the last year, probably fuel saving.

sitting,
depend on the ports, we prefer late but this will probably be 8:30 to late for some.
you get a set set and can use this if you want or just eat elsewhere.

Don'r RCI do a form of freestyle/anytime that may be a better option.

We always do late sitting, but on Voyager of Seas that was 9.30 during October 2007 in the Med which really was a tad too late!! Better to find out what the times are before deciding, as they do vary ship to ship and also depending on area e.g. Carib. or Med. If the TA stonewalls you on that question I would call RCI and ask them directly what the meal times are. Your table reservation will be for that table every night you eat there....but as you say you can eat in Windjammer or other restaurants at your will.

My advice, for what it is worth, is don't fret over these things...after all it is your vacation, no-one elses, and you are the one handing over hard-earned cash. Overall the responses to your question, I would agree with most of what has been written, but emphasise again that shorts/footy tops/tracksuits will definitely be out of place in evenings, no matter where you eat/drink/entertain yourself etc.

Go for it, and enjoy!

The only time formal wear is suggested (not compulsory) is on Formal Dinner nights, which are usually on your days at sea. Dinner seatings are at 6.30pm and 8.30pm and its a personal choice whichever suits you. There are different seatings in the theaters to acccommodate passengers around their dinner times.
We sailed Freedom of the Seas and had a wonderful time. I don't do formal anymore, we eat at the dining room on the first night of the cruise (casual wear as luggage often hasn't reached your rooms) and then we eat at the Windjammer, which is the casual buffet restaurant. In the daytime it is very casual, only restriction is no wet swimsuits, but at night it turns into a smart casual place, you will see people in there wearing whatever they want. Slacks and Polo shirt will be fine. Shorts and Tshirts will be fine too. You are not restricted from any bar, lounge, casino or anyplace in casual clothing!
There are also other places to eat- Johnny Rockets' 50's diner (lotsa fun) the Pizza Parlor and of course you can always order room service (free 24hrs) if you want to chill in your room. You won't go hungry. To be honest I have never paid too much attention to what others are wearing unless it's something bizarre. I don't pay for the extra charge restaurants so can't comment but very casual clothing there will probably get you some stares...
The table size you choose will be small (4) or large (8-10) so which ever you want. If you do not like your table assignment, just ask the Maitre D' to change it, you will stay at the same table otherwise. RCCL does personal choice dining on some ships now, not sure if Freedom is one- that is basically just show up when you want to eat as opposed to set times in the DR.
I never miss the DR, I much prefer to go to the WJ at my own speed, lots of items are the same in the evenings. It's help yourself as opposed to waiter service. Food is good too.
Be sure and go to the Parade on the first evening....it starts at ten-ish and goes down the Main Promenade. Get a place close to the Pub if you can, that is central and a great place to watch all the action.
Don't miss the Ice Show- even if you don't like Ice shows, the special effects are fantastic. They have a show on two different nights.
Don't miss the Flowrider, my favorite spot to sit was the 'Wipeout Bar' with a Rum Runner in my hand, you can see all the surfers Wipeout!
Don't miss The Quest Game,it's a sort of adult Scavenger Hunt- hilarious.
Your Cruise Director is Richard Spacey who is the best we have ever seen, do not miss his Austin Powers routine, or his Evolutions of Dance routine. He gets the whole ship laughing. Some of his act is on YouTube if you search his name.
It is a wonderful ship. When you first pull up at the Pier and see your ship- a definite WOW factor!
When you see the Main Promenade, ditto.
If you have kids they will love the H2O zone. If no kids you will love the Solarium..
Have fun!

OOPS- I told you a site that the Moderator has *** out.
It is the popular video site - starts with.... You

many thanks to you all,

am off to work now but think i am going to book it.
mainly thanks to all your help so again, thank you.

i have to ask, do they still have bingo and quizzes on RCI?

tuppence wrote:

i have to ask, do they still have bingo and quizzes on RCI?

Yes!

Oh yes, Trivia challenge every day at some time.
Bingo every day!!

all booked.

port cannaveral
at sea
labadee
ochos rios
grand cayman
cozumel
at sea
port cannaveral
cococay
at sea
st thomas
st maarten
at sea
at sea
port cannaveral

Wow- I am impressed. B2B cruises... When are you going?

Have you looked at www.
freedomoftheseas.com ?

january 2010.

in a balcony cabin. we stay in a 4* airport hotel when we get to orlando on the saturday night before joining the ship at port cannaveral on the sunday. we also got travel insurance and gratuities included and it was £1800pp.

going to spend a good hour perusing freedomoftheseas.com when i get in from my pub quiz. cheers for that emdia43

how often do they do "win a cruise" bingo, and do you really win a cruise?