DarrenM

2 hours ago, PTC DAWG said:

Re vinyl, I still rue the day when back in the late 80's, I left behind a very large vinyl collection when moving...the new owners really didn't care...I'm still recovering from that...rebuilding slowly.  

Did much the same so rebuilding mine.

Combining collecting old vinyl with current bands.

2 hours ago, villauk said:

 

…and there’s you coming from a university city which still has formals where gowns are worn 😁.

And both of my sons went there for 3 years each and one was actually in Castle college so lived in the castle and had formals in the grand dining room.

I still have no idea what one is.

3 minutes ago, DarrenM said:

I have no idea what a cummerbund is.

 

I have to say though, this reminds me of a scene from a Agatha Christie movie - Hercule Poirot - The Orient Express, Death on the Nile.

 

My idea of hell.

Not the films obviously. They are great old movies.

The dress code.

4 minutes ago, sofietucker said:

Yep; turned out we had even seen some bands on the same tour! I do mourn one loss re: the formal nights. Women's sparkly gowns? Okay, fine. But it was really great to see the variety of men's wear: kilts, military dress, white dinner jackets, tuxes with fun cummerbunds and ties... Once there was a couple in matching tails. Even among the very few (usually geezers) still in tuxes, there are zero cummerbunds these days. 

I have no idea what a cummerbund is.

I have to say though, this reminds me of a scene from a Agatha Christie movie - Hercule Poirot - The Orient Express, Death on the Nile.

My idea of hell.

I do pay a lot for my running shoes. But not for just walking about shoes.

I currently have running shoes, a pair of skechers (cheap ones for walking about) and 1 pair of brown shoes. Thats my full shoe collection.

Would rather spend my money of my vinyl collection

Oh I dont know about that. I have a female wife.

Cant believe I also missed Nottingham off the list too. And was only there a fortnight ago.

Great weekend, and fabulous pubs again. Nottingham is a fabulous sporting city.

I consider Nottingham south ish.

London folk consider it North. But they consider Watford North.

57 minutes ago, Zach1213 said:

 

Now I'm just so intrigued what your definition of both "southern England" and "city" are. The only one of those in the south is Bath, and while it's lovely, it's not a "city" in my book. 

Birmingham is most definitely South.

As is Cardiff which I forgot to out in there.

Just goes to show though, the North of England is the place to visit.

I also forgot to add Cardiff in there too. Cardiff is a beautiful City. With great pubs.

1 minute ago, KforKitty said:

The UK does not define a city based on population, although many large centres of population are cities.  City status is granted by the British monarch, and Bath does have city status.

 

St. David’s, a city in Wales, has a population of less than 2,000 people.  Most, but not all, cities have a cathedral.

 

Catherine

 

Beat me to it.

17 minutes ago, Zach1213 said:

 

Ah interesting, wasn't aware the UK had a legal definition of city based on population. So yeah, I guess Bath barely qualifies. 

This isnt really true at all. It can be a reason but isnt usually.

City status in the UK can be associated with having a cathedral or a university, a particular form of local government, or having a large population

2 hours ago, sofietucker said:

Lol. On the Edge, luminae has several rows of banquettes: we were often seated between two other tables.This, BTW, was when they had just resumed sailing: 318 pax on the ship, but the suites were sold out. The Retreat was mobbed and dinner was wall-ro-wall. We stood in herds each night waiting for a table; so much for distancing! As I like to sit on the bench, I found myself shoulder to shoulder with a guy who wore a different old, faded rock n roll tee each night. Talking Heads! Etc. I mean bands that broke up in the 80s. Had to tell us where he'd seen each show. No one batted an eye when he'd show up in his finery.

Would have loved that. At least its real.

Much better than those wearing Ramones T shirts who dont even know who Ramones are.

I could have talked to him for hours.

I magine that compared to "Nice Tux, where did you get it?"

Not sure you should be getting personal hygiene mixed up with dress code.

12 hours ago, K32682 said:

 

It is a British trait to rubbish their capital city and their criticisms have merit if you live or work there. Seeing it as a visitor is a different perspective and if city amenities are what you desire no other city is better than London. I've been there many times and always enjoy my return trips. The only city that comes close in my estimation is Edinburgh. 

Edinburgh is my favourite City in the UK. Its so much better than London.

So, what other cities knock the socks off London?

Liverpool

Manchester

York

Durham

Glasgow

Newcastle Upon Tyne

Bath

And contrary to popular belief, I like Birmingham. And I love Dundee

7 hours ago, sofietucker said:

Have seen plenty of violations in Luminae over the years too. But I also remember about 10 years ago, there was a rack of men's jackets in various sizes at the entrance to the MDR, and the maitre 'd handing them out to diners as needed... 

I swear I wouldnt notice. Unless someone walked in still wet from snorkelling, with the snorkel still attached.

The poster you quoted said, "you are not looking hard enough" if you dont notice.

Why would I even need to look? IO am enjoying my meal, and working my way through the cocktail menu.

Looking what others are wearing is about no. 23,345 on my list of things to do.

On 11/6/2023 at 1:41 PM, C 2 C said:

That's at least twice my budget.😀

4 x mine

On 11/6/2023 at 4:48 AM, ldubs said:

 

OK.  I'm still not sure how that relates to how wealthy people dress.  It just seems to be an odd focus. I follow the guidelines and don't look sloppy, but in truth being stylish is incredibly far down my list of things on the importance scale.   I don't think people are dressing the way they do on cruises because of budget constraints.  But what do I know.  

this 1 million times this

On 11/5/2023 at 12:39 AM, someguyfl said:

Adding a little bit more context to my previous post re: being dressed nicely. 
 

Cost of your clothing is irrelevant. If you focus on how truly wealthy people are dressed, the most important rules seem to be, in order of most to least important:

1) clothes should be clean and not wrinkled

2) should fit well

3) should be appropriate for the occasion (ie: gym clothes at a dinner restaurant is never acceptable, but a sun dress on a cruise ship dinner might be… use discretion). Sure it’s great to wear a suit on a formal night of a cruise… but nobody would be surprised if Bill Gates was wearing slacks and a sweater to that sort of event (assuming he actually went to such events, which I doubt)

4) (at this point, it’s already becoming much less important) should be stylish … but not necessarily expensive (I have plenty of clothing items below $100 that get tons of complements, as a guy)

5) should not be a walking billboard … sure, a billionaire might be wearing a $1000 Moncler sweater… but it isn’t going to say the brand name in giant letters…

 

If you follow those rules, there are very very few places they would ever give you a problem. Basically, a few Michelin starred restaurants… and a few special events (eg: weddings, award ceremonies), where the invitation spells out the dress code very clearly. 

I dont doff my cap to truly wealthy people. Seems a weird thing to concentrate on.

On 11/4/2023 at 5:58 PM, JLMcruise said:

We wear the same size - so he wears my slacks and save space in the luggage... Just kidding😂

Could be a fun cruise

On 11/3/2023 at 6:45 PM, sunshinegirl89 said:

Does the world come to an end if you wear "cruise casual" on an "evening chic" night?  Sailing the Apex next month with DH, DS18 and DD20.  We are very casual people and have zero desire to wear anything remotely fancy or formal.  Outside of wearing shorts to dinner, which I know is big no-no, we will be casually dressed. Guys will be in nice (lululemon) khaki style pants with a golf shirt, DD will probably wear a nice sundress, and I'll be in capris.  Hope no one gets their knickers in a twist.  

My kind of dress code.

There will be some furious with you though. You just have to laugh at them.

On 11/2/2023 at 12:16 AM, someguyfl said:

I'll just throw in my own $0.02 ... I don't personally care too much what people do, but I do think it would be nice if, in general, people did put effort into dressing nicer on the 'evening chic' nights.

With that said, I personally own a tuxedo and multiple suits, as well as designer jeans, t-shirts, styling sport coats, etc etc... Depending on the itinerary, bringing along a suit really might just be asking a lot ... eg: I will be doing a B2B cruise later this year starting in Santiago Chile, ultimately ending in Buenos Aires, and cruising Antartica... The full cruise will be 30 days and will range from hot/humid to ... Antarctica cold.

It seems it will be impossible to fly business class, so that would mean that I'd have to put my suit in my checked bags (which will get them entirely wrinkled), and take up a lot of space ... as well as an extra pair of shoes which will only be worn a couple of times.

Honestly, really not sure if it's worth the hassle to bring my suit, but, we'll see...

And, adding to that ... the difference in someone wearing nicely selected, tailored, designer jeans / t-shirt/sports coat (ie: dress to impress at a night club) vs someone wearing a rented Men's Warehouse suit... I'd say the Men's Warehouse suit is clearly the under-dressed person.

 

When I go to company parties, I regularly have all the ladies commenting on how I am the best dressed guy at the event, and, unless the dress code specifically requires a suit, I don't wear one -- and many other men do.

Likewise, I've dressed in a similar way on Celebrity cruises, and had various other cruisers cold-approach me to comment on how much they liked my style.

Sure, this might be a generational thing, but I can see the difference in quality very clearly, and I'd rather someone wear quality clothes than just "a suit" which ticks a box.

 

For the record, I'm 41 / Male.

Okay, off my soap box.

I refuse to pay more than £10 for a shirt. I darent tell you what I see as a rip for shoes.

I would love to be sat next to you on a cruise being judged because if it.

It would be comedy gold.

On 11/1/2023 at 2:08 PM, PTC DAWG said:

Agreed, that's not a big ask.  

I never wear shorts. So this doesnt bother me.

But in my simplistic view, life is too short to care if someone else in the dining room is.

I am usually having too much fun to even look at how other folk are dressed.

I cant contemplate my night being ruined because the fella at the next table isnt wearing a  cravat.

Where do you draw the line?

I mean, well, clothes dont necessarily make everyone easy on the eye, shall we say.

On 10/28/2023 at 7:46 PM, phoenix_dream said:

So you feel it's completely ok to wear whatever the heck you want to, even though you booked a cruise with a line that has specific rules about what you should be wearing?  That the rules may belong to other people, but not to you, or they can just be ignored because who cares about rules?   Wow.  That's a very interesting attitude.  Do you feel that way about their other rules?  Ok to smoke if you decide to do it?  Ok to roller skate down the hallways if you decide to do it?  Ok to bring bottles of alcohol onboard if you decide to do it?  Sorry (not sorry) I just don't see the difference.  Rules are rules.  You can't just decide which to follow and which not.  That's all I can say without getting booted off of Cruise Critic.

Someone smoking might impact your health and enjoyment. I agree with you here.

If someone is wearing clothes that get your disapproval, I suggest you get out more.

On 10/28/2023 at 4:57 PM, bigbenboys said:

 I dress smart casual every evening. Most evenings we dine in Luminae.

 

EVENING CHIC

Each itinerary features one to two “formal” nights we call Evening Chic. Evening Chic means you dress to impress, glamorous and sophisticated in your own way, with a cocktail dress, skirt, slacks, or designer jean, an elegant dress top or blazer—some guests even pack a tuxedo or gown for onboard photos. The Daily program, delivered to your stateroom and available at the Guest Relations Desk, will be your guide to the correct attire each evening. If you do not wish to participate in Evening Chic, Smart Casual attire is acceptable for dining and theater.

Always makes me laugh this. Why would any fella feel the need to dress up like the Penguin from Batman, just to have a very weird fake photo taken, when they should be having a good time, and getting happily drunk?