A Velvet jacket and cravat on formal/black tie nights?

We are very likely going to take the plunge and sail with P&O after being fans of US lines for a while. I actually asked this question on the Cunard board a while back but we didn't take the cruise in the end. We will likely be sailing the Azura in the August to the Fjords.

Anyway, will my husband be ok in a black velvet evening jacket (with matching lapels...not satin ones) a shirt (he has all muted colours and white) a black cravat with an open collar and black best trousers? He has the build and hair style that matches this look I think but wanted to check it would be ok. Both of us are a little too young to like Tuxes and dinner suits...it just doesn't suit us.

I will be in a long gown as usual...if that helps.

Sounds reasonable to me.

Regards John

I agree, sounds like it fits in the formal attire quite well.

It actually ticks two boxes - fitting in with formal, but also "rebelling" and not doing the traditional. I like it. :D

Sounds wonderful - have a great time :)

The debate about formal attire goes on and on. To me its about making an effort and your husband would certainly be doing that. Good on him I say !!

Totally agree with the others..Sounds smart but different...My OH rebels like that as well

Interested to know how this same question was received on the Cunard board.

David

We are very likely going to take the plunge and sail with P&O after being fans of US lines for a while. I actually asked this question on the Cunard board a while back but we didn't take the cruise in the end. We will likely be sailing the Azura in the August to the Fjords.

 

 

Anyway, will my husband be ok in a black velvet evening jacket (with matching lapels...not satin ones) a shirt (he has all muted colours and white) a black cravat with an open collar and black best trousers? He has the build and hair style that matches this look I think but wanted to check it would be ok. Both of us are a little too young to like Tuxes and dinner suits...it just doesn't suit us.

 

I will be in a long gown as usual...if that helps.

Yah..........so Noel Coward :)

Sounds fine to me.

P&O are fairly traditional by comparison to the US lines - even Princess (which used to be owned by P&O) are less insistent on dress codes. If P&O seem to enforce one aspect more than the others, it is the Jacket. Certain bars will refuse service if no jacket is worn.

I came foul of this rule once - I had a few drinks in one bar with my dinner jacket draped over the back of my chair. After returning to my cabin, I went back to the same bar - service was declined. (I was still wearing dress trousers, dress shirt, bow tie, but no jacket hanging over the back of my chair - I'd hung it in the cabin to save it from getting creased... )

I was quite amused to see that a 3-stripe Officer was served in the same bar while not wearing a jacket on the next formal night.

We are on P&O for the first time too and have only sailed Norwegian before with no dress code so clarification is helpful.

We are on the Azura to the Fjords May half term. Know there are two formal nights - we are travelling with 20 and 18 yr olds. Is jacket and tie fine (son has suit) for the two formals, and are the other nights smart/casual?

Also looking at booking either the Oriana or Ventura for a trip later in the year with my Mum but she has nothing formal (definitely not long!) and does not wear dressed - just smart skirt and top. Will we have trouble?

Yes definitely! My husband used to have a midnight blue velvet dinner jacket and trousers. He looked stunning in it. However, over the years, it was just too small, so guess what, both bits fit me perfectly, so I now have a new velvet jacket which my friend has altered for me and the trousers are a perfect fit.

I always wear the usual black tie attire.

You have now given me another idea. I'd better start looking for a velvet jacket :)

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We are very likely going to take the plunge and sail with P&O after being fans of US lines for a while. I actually asked this question on the Cunard board a while back but we didn't take the cruise in the end. We will likely be sailing the Azura in the August to the Fjords.

 

 

Anyway, will my husband be ok in a black velvet evening jacket (with matching lapels...not satin ones) a shirt (he has all muted colours and white) a black cravat with an open collar and black best trousers? He has the build and hair style that matches this look I think but wanted to check it would be ok. Both of us are a little too young to like Tuxes and dinner suits...it just doesn't suit us.

 

I will be in a long gown as usual...if that helps.

Does he by chance walk around saying 'Ding, Dong' all the time.......or 'Halloo Laydeeez!':phttp://boards.cruisecritic.co.uk/images/smilies/biggrin.gif

Thanks for the responses...still unsure what to do and we have actually looked at Cunard again as a transatlanic is still on our must do list.

The cunard board was a mix on the subject actually....with a slight majority all for velvet. :)

Hubby is less Austin Powers and Noel Fielding and is more Victorian dandy (hes pale with chin length blonde hair) :D

I wouldn't wear that to formal night, either do it properly or not at all!

You wouldn't look too out of place because some of the things that people wear is just not appropriate but would get plenty of disapproving looks from boring old farts like me.

On our last cruise I only wore my DJ twice and went casual for the other two. I really think formal nights are a waste of time as they are nothing special but you do feel a bit left out if you don't dress up and my favourite bar was out of bounds.

I've got a green velvet dinner jacket, I love it! Not seen one like it on the 3 cruises I've done with it. About 2 weeks after I brought it Beckham wore the same one in his whiskey advert....copycat!

Sounds lovely. Enjoy:)

Sounds fine to me.

 

P&O are fairly traditional by comparison to the US lines - even Princess (which used to be owned by P&O) are less insistent on dress codes. If P&O seem to enforce one aspect more than the others, it is the Jacket. Certain bars will refuse service if no jacket is worn.

 

I came foul of this rule once - I had a few drinks in one bar with my dinner jacket draped over the back of my chair. After returning to my cabin, I went back to the same bar - service was declined. (I was still wearing dress trousers, dress shirt, bow tie, but no jacket hanging over the back of my chair - I'd hung it in the cabin to save it from getting creased... )

 

I was quite amused to see that a 3-stripe Officer was served in the same bar while not wearing a jacket on the next formal night.

I was refused service in the sky bar on Ventura after midnight on a formal night after being there for 3 hours because I undid my bow tie (still around my neck) ... bloody cheek! 90% of all the other men were wearing pre-tied or clip-ons

Ridiculous, they should end the formal night dress code at midnight as a large majority of passengers will be in bed by then.

Don't blame the crew member though as staff in the Glass House on Ventura told me they try to strictly enforce the no shorts after 6pm rule because if they don't a passenger might complain about it and they will get in trouble.

ps - where is the disco on Ventura? formal dress in the disco?

"ps - where is the disco on Ventura? formal dress in the disco?"

Back of the ship in the Havanna.

Ridiculous, they should end the formal night dress code at midnight as a large majority of passengers will be in bed by then.

 

Don't blame the crew member though as staff in the Glass House on Ventura told me they try to strictly enforce the no shorts after 6pm rule because if they don't a passenger might complain about it and they will get in trouble.

 

ps - where is the disco on Ventura? formal dress in the disco?

Certainly.

But not in the casino.

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Think James Bond.

Think James Bond.

He would not get in either.

:). :). :)

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Velvet jacket and cravat along with cigarette holder to complete the look is more Leslie Phillips than James Bond.

We are on P&O for the first time too and have only sailed Norwegian before with no dress code so clarification is helpful.

We are on the Azura to the Fjords May half term. Know there are two formal nights - we are travelling with 20 and 18 yr olds. Is jacket and tie fine (son has suit) for the two formals, and are the other nights smart/casual?

Also looking at booking either the Oriana or Ventura for a trip later in the year with my Mum but she has nothing formal (definitely not long!) and does not wear dressed - just smart skirt and top. Will we have trouble?

Not sure if anyone ever replied to this one for you.

I would say that jacket and tie are fine and have seen many people dressed like this in the past. A smart skirt and dressy top will be fine :-)

Have a great time