AusMum

I’m female and 100% agree with you. Ties can look really ‘stuffy’ on some men. There’s some beautiful shirts available these days.

I am Gen x and I think you are accurate. I've noticed my inlaws, now in their 70s, have ceased to travel as much. I'm disappointed for them because it was something they really enjoyed (especially cruises). Their needs are now very different. When I saw the advertisements for Antarctica and the Arctic, my husband and I both agreed we were at a stage in our lives where we needed to do more expedition style journeys whilst we were 'still physically able'. We all age differently, and you get some people in their 70s and 80s who are fitter than people 30 years younger! Unfortunately, my father in law is already showing signs of dementia, and it's just becoming too risky for him to be on the other side of the world with my husband's mother. They did have their travel dreams abruptly halted because of the pandemic, but many others experience life changing and unpredictable hurdles in life. In 2021 I had a tough battle with septicaemia, that infected my heart and my eyes. I was given a 5 to 10% chance of survival. Consequently, I ended up in hospital 9 times in 2021/22 and got through the worst of it. Sadly it caused glaucoma in my eyes, which is something I am still fighting. I have surgery again in a few weeks time, to once again try to save my sight. We've been lucky enough to experience many forms of travel, and seen most countries we have both wanted to see. I now want to do as many things as I can, because we really don't know when our life journeys will finish. I just know that planning this amazing trip to Iceland and Greenland fills me with hope and optimism. I'm not going for another year, but I've been spending my days immersing myself in Icelandic novels, Icelandic language, Icelandic history etc. I have maps, I have books, I have watched every documentary. EVERY person on The Silver Endeavour will have a 'story' about how and why they ended up in The Arctic. I will be surprised if their main motivation will be to show off their latest purchase from Neiman Marcus. With only 200 passengers, I'm sure I'll meet some amazing people from all over the world! I loved Ryan's blog about his young family's recent cruises throughout Scotland and onto Iceland, where they were so impressed with their voyage, they booked another one to Greenland! You are right; Ryan and his family represent a new market for SS (I believe they are millennials). I love that Ryan took his kids to places where they could really learn something about isolation, the impact of climate change, resilience, and so many other factors that will help craft their young minds.

Being from Bermuda, you wouldn't get many opportunities to wear a suit! I get the impression the majority of posters who are strongly in favour of 'formal attire' come from the US (or parts of the UK). What if someone wanted to wear their cultural or religious attire? would that be deemed offensive because it wasn't what someone in North Carolina would wear? If nothing else, surely the pandemic has made society look at "the more important things in life". How privileged are we to come out of this alive and affluent enough to afford such experiences.

I have recently purchased an OM System 5. I love how light it is, it's weatherproof, and has some awesome lenses.

I'm glad you asked this question, as we are going on a similar cruise in September 2024. I have booked what I can, and also saw the same msg about other excursions being available on board.

Ours is 16 nights in September 2024 - love to hear about your experience!

I thought I was imagining things when I looked at the shore times for our cruise next year, but it probably has changed!

Some people also forget that SS is an 'international' cruise line and different countries (even US states) have different fashion beliefs, which we really shouldn't judge.

Can't wait to find out what this ship is like

My husband is an accountant in one of the more traditional business districts of Perth. When he first graduated he wore a suit and tie every day, then he eventually got rid of the jacket. It's now so unusual to wear a tie in his industry, they have become more difficult to purchase. He is still a bit more traditional, and will often wear a tie. In a firm that now has 40 accountants, he is the only one. Most men are opting for a nice dress shirt.

The advertising campaigns in Australia don't sell this idea at all, and neither do the travel agents! the current campaign shows exotic and adventurous locations. I'm guessing they are now seeking new markets and new 'experiences' for their cruises. With their smaller ships they can offer this. I paid a lot of $$$ because of the promise of feeling like I was going on an 'expedition', but some posters on FB have made it sound like it's only for those who feel they are "better than everybody else". I was hoping to be joining people who want to see the Arctic because they are intelligent, adventurous and care about the environment.

at least most people on here are being respectful - some on Facebook are so abusive about saying people should get super dressed up, I'm actually dreading our cruise (not because of what we are expected to wear, but because of the elitists trying to push their personal agenda).

Which one are you going on?

100%

Perfect time for the north of Australia. It's technically winter, but it's the dry season.

If you need any tips/help with Perth let me know (I live there). Rottnest really is amazing!

EVERYTHING in Australia is air conditioned. We die when we go to cooler climates that have heating. You will find Australia's heat is very similar to what you get in California, especially on the coast. It will vary with the seasons. The worst time to travel is from about November to February because it's very wet in the north, but a lovely dry heat in the south. That's also cyclone/hurricane season. We have just driven from Perth to Karratha (in the very north) and the weather was sublime. Think 75F with no rain, and just a nice breeze.

We have just driven from Perth to Karratha. If anybody ever has questions on Australia, I will do my best to help you!

and often they are online just to push their agendas

I'm someone who gets 'dressed up' happily, but am also getting that vibe

100%!

My husband is an accountant whose office is in a traditional business district. In the past, it was frowned upon if you didn’t wear a business suit, tie and well shined shoes. He still wears a shirt and tie most days, but has ditched the impractical jacket in our warm/hot climate (Australia). It’s now unusual to see men wearing ties, and I’ve noticed it’s becoming more difficult to buy them. Most men are wearing nice shirts and trousers, and have ditched the ties. Accountants were one of the last professions to do so.

I hope you have an awesome time!

We booked Silversea because we saw an ad and loved the itinerary; which was unlike any we had seen offered before. We have done numerous cruises, and it hasn’t been an issue ‘dressing up’, but imho travel has become more complicated post Covid, with airlines cutting back in luggage requirements, and passengers being more concerned about losing their checked in luggage. I believe our Greenland cruise isn’t as formal as other cruises. We are going to a wedding in Denmark prior to the cruise, so we will at least have those clothes to wear on the ‘informal’ night. I think much depends on how far away a passenger is from their destinations and port, and just how much you can carry? if you’re doing a land based tour in Alaska or Iceland, you need to make room for practical cold weather gear, so you have to weigh up what’s important. I don’t think passengers should stress over what they are going to wear for dinner on two nights of a cruise. I like to believe that the pandemic gave us all the opportunity to gain a reality check on what’s really important in life. Many of us are just thankful to be able to explore the world again.

I would love to help!