My parents and I are first time cruisers over Christmas...7 nights in Western Caribbean. I've read the dress code guidelines on RCCL's website, and they mention "casual" dining nights as consisting of "slacks" for ladies/men.

I *know* my dad will think that casual means jeans. My question: are jeans allowed aboard RCCL (Freedom of the Seas) in the restaurants? Or do I need to make sure he really does pack slacks for the casual dining evenings? If it were up to him, he'd probably wear jeans every night.

The official RCCL dress code allows no jeans at dinner. That said, I see more and more people wearing jeans. I never do that and personally think it is bad taste and disrespect towards restaurant staff.

On NCL and Celebrity (I know, not RCCL) cruises in past couple of years the "no jeans" at dinner was enforced in main restaurant. On NCL my husband went to put our name in on dinner list (while wearing jeans and before going back to cabin to change) and was politely told he needed to put on different pants before dinner.

On Celebrity observed someone similarly turned away at late dinner seating on regular (not formal) dinner night.

Wow, I didn't know NCL enforces dress code. Way to go. I've never seen RCI telling anybody to change. Not surprised Celebrity does it. BTW, Celebrity and Royal Caribbean International both belong to RCCL.
Beanweb24: what ship are you going to cruise?

You don't have to go to the dining room if he wants to wear jeans. There is always the option of the casual dining in the lido area (don't know what has NCL has but the other lines offer the alternative)

We'll be on Freedom of the Seas.

When I was talking to my parents last night, they sounded stunned that "casual" might not mean jeans in the main dining room (where I know they'll want to eat except for nights that we go to the "special" restaurants). I'm glad I'm asking!

I just called RCCL and asked about their policy regarding jeans. They said, "There are no jeans allowed in the main dining room at any time."

Thanks for your help!

Great idea to call cruiseline - an sure you can also find it on their website and print it out for your father to see. He may not believe you or us, but may believe the cruiseline.

Jeans are too heavy and too hot for that climate anyway - try that tact.

Have a great trip.

"There are no jeans allowed in the main dining room at any time."
This is not 100% correct answer since it applies only to dinner. You can eat breakfast or lunch in main dining room and wear jeans or even shorts.
You chose a great ship for your first cruise. The only downside is it will spoil you for life!

Well, I'm now back to being confused. I called RCCL a second time to ask about breakfast or lunch, and the guy who answered said that as long as it's casual night (or breakfast or lunch), jeans are fine.

So I called a THIRD time and also got someone who said the same thing....jeans on casual night in main dining room are fine as long as they're not "full of holes, torn, etc."

Bah Humbug! I like Gail's statement...jeans are too hot for that climate anyways.

Well, that just confirms what I figured a long time ago: people who know the least about cruising are cruise lines reps who answer your calls. So now they will measure the quantity and size of the holes in jeans? Just read the policy, it should be online. Aside from policy, ask yourself if you want to be dressed for dinner properly or if you don't care.

We JUST got back from an NCL cruise on the Majesty. NCL does allow jeans in the bigger dining room, Seven Seas but we saw them turn away a man wearing jeans at the smaller dining room, Four Seasons. He was directed to the other one. We HATE jeans on a cruise. When we started cruising there were two formal nights, two semi-formal (jackets for men but polo shirts and no ties were fine) and three causual nights - no jackets for men. Really enjoyed those days!

Re NCL Majesty - that must be new, since we sailed on same ship (to Bermuda) 2 summers ago and no jeans at dinner was enforced.

Actually the new dress code from the NCL web site allows khakis so as dress codes today are seldom followed to the letter then jeans in the main dining room are quite possible. Interestingly their web site says you can be formal if you prefer so wearing a tux one night is fine but khakis the next is fine too if that is what your "free style" mood dictates. I wonder therefore if you see tuxes and khakis together. In any case thats just not for me.

http://www.ncl.com/nclweb/cruiser/cm...estyleCruising

I have cruised on Freedom and on RCI many (49) times. These days jeans are allowed in the dining room on casual nights.

The majority will not be wearing them and khakis are a better choice for men, IMO.

Got to cruisecritic.com and visit the RCI board which is VERY active. Lots of info about Freedom.