LF2C

I am just worried that the ship is showing its age and the general layout of the ship . I see that you have done the Adriatic last year. The cruise that we are thinking about on the Constellation is a 10 day Dalmatian Coast & Italy out of Venice next June . What are your thoughts on this Itinerary ?

We’ve sailed on Infinity, Constellation (twice) and Millennium.

One of our cruises on Connie was the itinerary you have mentioned. Fab itinerary, fab ship. Yes, she is older than Solstice class, and smaller, but still a lovely ship.

Sent from my iPad using Forums

It certainly isn't! No different or unique perks over here for being C&A.

 

I think there must have been a promo when they booked which is something quite different to anything related to C&A.

No promo, just booked direct as I always do.

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

I am Elite on Celebrity and will be going on RCCL for the first time since 1998. Will I be eligible for the equivalent status on Royal? If so, what are the perks?

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

We are also Elite with X and hadn’t been with RCI since 2012. When I phoned to book Jewel for Sept I gave them my X member number, was told that we immediately qualify for Diamond and got 30% disc plus $50 pp OBC. I did ask about a drinks package, but as not big drinkers it was more out of curiosity.

I also understand that there are some additional perks and the Diamond lounge, so as far as we are concerned we think the RCI loyalty program is very fair

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Please define SMART CASUAL.

 

 

 

I find this term very difficult to understand.

 

 

 

For me, it is ...long trousers with short sleeved shirt/ polo shirt with closed toe shoes or sandals ( no flip flops) for men.

 

 

 

Long ( beach type) floaty dress, either linen or similar knee length dress or linen trousers and top, with wedge/ heeled sandals for ladies.

It depends which part of the world you come from!

Everybody understands formal (or should) but smart casual means different things to say, for example, Brits, Americans, Canadians or Australians.

Basically, us Brits will be smarter than the next country and so on. (Just my personal experience of observing various nationalities on cruise ships)

What smart casual isn’t is scruffy jeans, jogging pants, and tee shirts. And definitely no baseball caps in MDR, or any restaurant for that matter!

I appreciate that everyone will have their own ideas of the definition of smart casual, and sadly some of these will assume it still allows them to “dumb down” the cruise lines definition because it simply suits them.

The biggest problem is that staff don’t seem to want to refuse entry to MDRs in case they offend a passenger. What they have to understand is that the majority of us are offended by the scruffiness of the few!!!

Rant over.

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Another newbie here. Part of the allure (at least in my mind) of Cunard, and traveling on an ocean liner is the dress code (or maybe I just saw the movie Titanic too many times).

 

 

 

Although my "crossing" is still 4 months away, I'm already planning my wardrobe. In the evenings, I'll be wearing an evening gown on "Formal" or "Gala" nights; I'll be wearing cocktail dresses every other evening.

 

 

 

During the day, I'll be wearing tailored pants or skirts, with "nice" tops.

 

 

 

If I use the pool, I have a nice caftan-style coverup, and sandals, so I won't be traipsing through the ship in a swimsuit.

 

 

 

I'll be leaving my jeans at home. I plan to dress elegantly, because I think that's what a Queen deserves.

Although we’ve done quite a few cruises, we’ve never done a TA, and I always said that if we ever did I would only do it with Cunard as the QM2 is an Ocean Liner not a cruise ship.

Part of the appeal is the tradition and the dress code which we are looking forward to given the increasing informality of other premium lines we cruise with and will consider for future cruises.

For us, this will be a one-off as I don’t think Cunard would be our preferred choice for more regular itineraries, but who knows!

This forum has been very interesting for a number of reasons and also very amusing given the tone of some of the comments.

Don’t stress too much about what to wear or when. It’s really quite simple whether you’re a cruising newbie, or a Cunard newbie like us.

Whether it’s a TA or a more regular cruise, It’s a holiday and a great experience. Just enjoy [emoji41]

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Though your list is wonderful and obviously took time and effort, it only has the Cunard “what to wear / where” - not ‘what to wear’ .......

For example, where were you going to wear the tulle besides the spa?

What is “casual/relaxed” if not denim?

Please explain “smart attire and gala” ..........

These are all the questions new cruisers are asking (and old Cunarders) of Cunard otherwise the ships will be Australianised with, shorts, singlets and thongs before you can say “Cooee”

[emoji23]

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

Ok, so I’ve decided the only way to solve this is to wear my dinner suit to breakfast, lunch and dinner. That way, I can’t get into any bother with Cunard fashion police. Might even wear a dress bow tie for the pool 🤣[emoji23]🤣

Sent from my iPad using Forums

Hello, we are booked on two QM2 transatlantic cruises July 6 eastbound and August 19 back. We are also taking a two week river cruise and two week a Celebrity British Isles cruise in between beside 10 days on land. So, what attire is required on the Queen very important since we need different attire on each kind of ship! I had planned to bring tux and gowns for the QM2 in one suitcase and storing it in Southampton until we return 6 weeks later.

 

 

 

No matter what, still will have suit and sport coat for husband and "dress up" (wedding guest type of attire) along with a few silk flowing pants for the REFLECTION. This is what we wear on even Caribbean cruises. Everyone is very complementary and seem to appreciate our lack of jeans.

 

 

 

So my question is, is the above dressy enough for QM2 if the designations are ambiguous but they still mean formal and informal (to save the trouble and expense of lugging a third large suitcase)? It's been awhile since we sailed the QM2. We will not be in the Princess or Queen's Grill.

 

 

 

BTW, I'm sure not all the British understand American sense of humor at all times as well.

Sounds ok to me. My interest in this thread is because it will be our 1st Cunard “voyage”.

Having done a number of cruises and having watched dress standards decline, I’m fascinated and looking forward to the Cunard formality and the Grill Suite experience.

Not sure I’d want it on a regular cruise though, but my wife and I still like dressing properly.

Quite some trip you’re undertaking.

Sent from my iPad using Forums

Thanks DT_PB_all_at_sea for that follow-up with the information from your travel agent.

 

 

 

I do think one point in the latest information you have received appears to be at odds with what Cunard has stated elsewhere about the dress codes though.

 

 

 

- The Casino and Golden Lion Pub have been added to the existing venues where Smart Attire as opposed to Gala Attire is now acceptable.

 

 

 

That's not how I understand it. The Casino and Golden Lion Pub have been added to the existing venues where one may "feel free to dress casually" as Cunard has stated it. Cunard's definition of dressing casually (which does not require a jacket for gentlemen and does apparently allow jeans now) is distinctly different from their definition of "Smart Attire". So I think we may still have some room for confusion on that score at least.

Jeans is the one item of clothing I’d never pack for a cruise, even less formal ones than Cunard

Sent from my iPad using Forums

Hey, whats wrong with dressing as you like?? I have relatives in West Virginia and they consider Dungarees are FORMAL wear and to be used only for weddings, funerals, and Sunday church meetings ( shoes are optional ).

 

I am looking forward to the "dress as you like " option for daytime wear and can picture myself in my Mankini ( its like a bikini for guys ) queuing in the lido at lunchtime or partaking of a drink in the Golden Lion.:evilsmile:

 

I will of course comply with the evening dress codes presuming someone will have worked out by July exactly what they consist of.:confused:.

 

 

 

( for the benefit of Americans I must explain that the above is "tongue in cheek"

 

and not meant to be taken seriously ).

 

 

 

If I wanted to dress like that, or mix with people dressed like thatI would book a cheap package holiday, all drinks included, for about £200 a week and not spend a few thousand on a cruise.

I’ve been on CC for a few years and I realised very early that our US cousins really struggle with the British sense of humour, especially when it’s tongue in cheek [emoji23]

Sent from my iPad using Forums

Hi fellow cruisers, I will be sailing Cunard from Southampton to NY in 2019. Could someone please tell me where Cunard docks. I have read Brooklyn and also Manhattan. Thanks for any info.

 

 

 

Sandra

Brooklyn Cruise Terminal

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Yes, that blurb about attire in the main restaurants for breakfast and lunch has caused a fair amount of confusion over the years. Just so everyone is on the same page, here is the paragraph we are talking about that has been there for quite a few years now and is still there on the revised dress code page.

 

"During the day

Casual shirts, shorts, trousers and beachwear are ideal. The main restaurants require a casual wear dress code for breakfast and lunch, however you may wear shorts in either the Kings Court (Queen Mary 2) or Lido Restaurant (Queen Victoria & Queen Elizabeth)."

 

This is confusing to me on several levels.They talk about a "casual wear dress code" being required in the main restaurants for breakfast and lunch without actually defining what that casual wear dress code is. They don't come right out and state that shorts aren't allowed in the main restaurants for breakfast or lunch, but they certainly imply it by the use of the word "however" when stating shorts may be worn in the buffets.

 

Cunard's US FAQ site contains this statement which I think one could reasonably interpret as a definition of a casual wear dress code that clearly includes shorts.

 

"On board during the day, you’ll probably find yourself most comfortable in stylish casual wear, including shorts and smart jeans."

 

I actually queried Cunard early last year about whether shorts were permitted in the main restaurants during the breakfast or lunch. Here is a portion of the reply I received via email.

 

"I can confirm you are able to wear shorts (except swimming shorts) within the main dining room for breakfast and lunch.

 

If you would like to wear shorts in the evening, you may visit the Kings Court (Queen Mary 2) or Lido Restaurant (Queen Victoria & Queen Elizabeth)."

 

Now that reply may or may not have cleared up the point about shorts being allowed in the main restaurants during the day, but then it goes on the cause more confusion about what is allowed in the evenings. I have never seen a Cunard dress code (including the latest version) that permits shorts in the evenings, but then I am being told shorts are allowed in the buffets in the evenings.

 

I'll leave it at that for now for others to help interpret what to make of this.

Thanks.

I’d never wear shorts in the evening, whether on a cruise ship or hotel. It does seem from your post that I’ll be ok for breakfast and lunch in the Princess Grill but to be on the safe side I’ll check with our Maitre when we board

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

I always thought the dress code was no shorts in the evening, but on the Christmas cruise (2016), when I walked through the Lido on my way to a proper dinner, almost everyone in there was wearing shorts. It was Christmas night, which was a formal night.

I’d have made them all walk the plank!

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

The page on the Cunard UK FAQ for the question "Is there a dress code on board?" has now been updated to mention the "Gala" and "Smart Attire" dress code designations.

 

However, I think they have managed to add some confusion with what they have done here in that it continues to state in one place that blue denim is not considered appropriate within the ship after 6:00pm, yet states in the next paragraph that jeans are appropriate in the casual venues.

 

This page does agree with what has been stated elsewhere regarding casual attire now being acceptable in the Golden Lion and the Casino after 6pm.

 

Here's the link to the updated page.

 

https://ask.cunard.com/help/cunard/life-on-board/dress_code

 

For those who are unable to follow this link, here is what it says.

 

Q. Is there a dress code on board?

 

During the day, feel free to relax and dress as you please in all areas of the ship. Then as the sun goes down, the style goes up. Every night on board, we ask that you wear smart attire in most of our bars, restaurants and entertainment venues. On our much-anticipated Gala evenings, we invite you to dress to impress and celebrate with us. There are two or three of these special Gala evenings for every seven days of your voyage.

 

Of course, if you prefer to spend your evenings in more relaxed attire, a selection of casual dining and entertainment venues is always available for your enjoyment.

 

A full break down of dress codes, the number of Gala nights and any themed balls can be viewed via the following question with the suggested attire for each type of evening: What will the dress code be whilst I am on board?

 

During the day

 

Casual shirts, shorts, trousers and beachwear are ideal. The main restaurants require a casual wear dress code for breakfast and lunch, however you may wear shorts in either the Kings Court (Queen Mary 2) or Lido Restaurant (Queen Victoria & Queen Elizabeth).

 

Evenings

 

Evenings will be split into 2 different dress codes. You will be notified of the evening's dress code in your Daily Programme. As a guide, these will be:

 

Gala:

On Gala nights it’s dinner jacket, tuxedo, or dark suit for the men with a regular tie or bow tie. Evening or cocktail dress, smart trouser suit, or formal separates for the ladies please.

 

Smart Attire:

Gentlemen, every night we request you wear smart trousers with a shirt and jacket; tie is optional. Ladies, blouses and skirts or stylish trousers and dresses are welcome.

 

Please note that after 6:00pm, shorts and blue or worn denim (for men and women); sandals and sleeveless tops (for men) are not considered appropriate within the ship.

 

Of course, if you prefer to spend your evenings in more relaxed attire, a selection of casual dining and entertainment venues is always available for your enjoyment. Feel free to dress casually as you visit any of the following venues: Kings Court, Lido Buffet, Golden Lion, Casino, Carinthia Lounge, Winter Garden, Garden Lounge, Yacht Club, and G32. Non-ripped, jeans are appropriate, but please refrain from wearing shorts, sports attire, swim wear or sleeveless t-shirts outside of the gym, spa and deck spaces.

 

Children

 

Children under 18 do not have a dress code but should adhere to the daily dress code where possible.

 

National/Religious dress

 

National and Religious dress including headdress' are allowed on board. Depending on the amount of the face covered by the headdress, guests may be asked to unveil for a security photo at check in and passing through security check points ashore and on board during the voyage.

 

Some items of national dress such as ceremonial blades or swords are not permitted and guests should check our list of prohibited items under the question What am I not allowed to take on board?

I get it, even down to the banning of ceremonial swords [emoji23]. However, there is one thing about daytime wear that did confuse me. Does it actually mean that if I, a sartorially elegant gentleman, wishes to wear smart tailored shorts for breakfast or lunch, I cannot wear these in the Princess Grill Restaurant which will be our assigned dining venue? If, it’s one part of the dress code I really do find ridiculous!

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

This made me laugh out loud. Thanks. We’re from Florida and really stressing the North Atlantic weather in August. So we’ll be all set in 7 layers on our way from the stateroom to the pool. :cool:

Nah cumon lass, it’ll be like a Yorkshire millpond all’t way over, and as we board 3rd Aug the temperatures will be a balmy 25 c (at least for the first day and a half) [emoji23]

I’ve told my wife that August in the Atlantic will be just like the Med [emoji41][emoji41]

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Hello Paul and thanks for your question, the answer to which is last June; Taormina, Sicily ( I would call that a 'European beach', wouldn't you?). My point was that cabines are provided for people to change in. Walking down the street in swimwear at a beach resort can be off-putting to others but more expected and less unwelcome than inside a ship or hotel.

Italian beaches do have a certain chic and style, as do the people.

Just love Taormina, especially the Canolo!

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

I agree LittleFish - its generally lack of style:

 

- What I find interesting is, whilst I am no David Gandy (sadly), the ones showing off their huge volumes of flesh (inked or otherwise) a long way away from the lido area REALLY SHOULD COVER UP IN PUBLIC AREAS; save our eyes! LOL

Who is Littlefish? And who is David Gandy?

I see you are a fellow Brit so you obviously understand my “flab” reference to the Costas [emoji41]

As I said in my previous post, I’m finding this thread really funny, partly because on many other CC RCs, many Americans, Canadians and Australians are trying to get everyone to agree that as it’s their holiday, they should be allowed to dress as shabbily as they like. Sweatpants and dungarees are considered smart in some circles!!! [emoji12]

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

I'm afraid I must make comment about the daytime dress issue. Whatever Cunard may dictate for daytime dress standards with their rules, it behoves all of us to behave with the decorum which we use in everyday life. Just because Cunard does not tell their passengers not to wander along the corridors or passageways wearing swimwear in their new rules, does not mean that one has to put aside normal decorum, consideration for one's fellow passengers, and the basic courtesies of living in a civilised society.

 

 

 

 

 

I would be offended and shocked to see people walking about the ship in their swimwear or men bare-chested. Someone has commented that it would be 'Victorian' to get changed by the pool in a changing room; what a nonsense! That's what you'd do on any European beach! Or wear a cover-up, sundress, shorts and shirt/t-shirt over said swimwear and peel off poolside. And shoes or sandals, please while you're about it.

 

 

 

 

 

You might be wondering - I'm not 100 years old, just a normal person in my 50's and I'm sure many of you would agree with me.

Sorry, but when was the last time you were on a “European” beach? It is a very common sight to see men walking around the promenades in Spain without tops and women in skimpy bikinis, usually displaying obscene amounts of excess flab!

I don’t care which cruise ship/Liner I’m on, I don’t want to see anyone in public areas other than the pool decks without tee shirts or cover ups.

I also think that some of the comments on this thread are hilarious! [emoji23]

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

we are on QE on June 10th first cruise with new definitions and again in October with QM2 and QV next year I shall wait and see how the ambience changes (if it does) before passing a definitive judgement the 2 Cunard emails received over the weekend do show much younger specimen passengers than previous mailing

Curious!

I’ve been reading some of the comments on this post and have referred to the voyage details in my booking, which led me to the dress rules.

Unless I’m being stupid, and no I haven’t read every post, but it clearly states that on TAs and most other cruises (sorry, hardy Cunarders) journey, informal means a jacket for men, whilst on selected itineraries (particularly Med Summer) the jacket rule is relaxed on informal nights as long as the general rule about smart dress is observed. Simples!

I must admit that some of the previous comments made me chuckle in terms of some nationalities misguided interpretation of smart casual!

We have done a number of cruises with Celebrity and whilst not sticklers for rigid dress code, do enjoy dressing smartly and formal nights, so you can imagine our dismay when formal nights became evening chic, renamed shabby chic by me having seen the appalling way some people interpret smart casual, and Celebrity’s reluctance to chuck “tramps” out of the MDR

Oh well, rant over. Really looking forward to our TA on QM2 (Aug 3rd) and dancing in a proper ballroom at sea rather than the postage stamps most ships have for Dance floors.

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

I am so happy I found this thread! We are also on the August 3rd crossing (also for our 30th anniversary!) We have never wanted to go on a cruise, but we are going to Europe and the idea of being on an ocean liner with all these amenities was perfect. It is something different for us. This discussion is really helpful.

We are also on this crossing. Done plenty of cruises but 1st TA and 1st with Cunard.

Does anyone know if the afternoon tea in the Grills Lounge is the same as the afternoon tea in the ballroom?

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Come on guys, give the OP a break!

He has some unique ideas. Besides his ingenuity, he has attracted 313,000 views and 674 comments. And his thread is running for nearly 10 years!!!

If Id’ve realised when I read the post that it was old, I wouldn’t have wasted time answering!!!

So I’ll say goodbye to this thread

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Not because the economy is "weak" or gas prices have "skyrocketed" - most of which has been conjured up by the left-wing media - but we tend to cruise on the cheap. We search for off-season or repositioning cruises and then set our sights on a balcony stateroom with the cruise fare saved. We book the next cruise while on-board the current cruise for an OBC, use our C&A benefits for a discount, and use our RCCL stockholder benefits for an additonal OBC. When we have enough RCCL Visa card points accumulated, we cash them in for another OBC. Then, while on-board:

 

We don't buy the over-priced weak drinks in the smokey bars - but once in a while we'll order the drink of the day - or two - before the show.

 

We do not buy the art at the auctions - but do sign up and drink the free champaigne.

 

We don't buy a soda card - but do drink coffee, tea, and juices for free and even make our own "Cafe' Diablo" using their hot cocoa mix, coffee, and creamer.

 

We don't buy a wine package - but do use our C&A coupon for a free wine tasting.

 

We don't use any spa "treatments" but do occasionally sign up for a free lecture/sales pitch.

 

We don't use the laundry service - but do wash out our own quick-dry travel clothing in our cabin.

 

We don't use the high priced/low speed internet service on-board - but do use our own mobile web service when in port and cell phone service is available.

 

We seldom use specialty dining - but do order room service dinners or breakfasts and eat on our balcony where it is much quieter.

 

We DO try to book an excursion or two on-board so that it'll be charged to our sea pass - the one already front loaded with a bunch of OBCs.

 

The result? Most cruises we have a very small balance on our sea pass at the end of the cruise, and sometimes even have a credit.

 

Are you a tightwad cruiser too? If so, what do you do

You must be a real barrel of laughs on holiday, but it’s your holiday. You could spend even less by staying at home! [emoji23]

Why would you seriously want to tell the world how much pleasure you get from being so miserly!

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Yes, we are sailing on 3rd August, from New York to Hamburg. Neither of us have been a cruise before (never had the urge to do a cruise, but doing a TA crossing on Cunard has been on my bucketlist since I was a child - it's the second-to-last bucketlist item to be checked off!)

You have to bear in mind that a TA on the QM2 isn’t like a normal cruise, where you have lots of port days

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

The buffet is usually very busy on embarkation day as people push shove and fight to fill up their plates with as much food as possible, because obviously the ship will run out of food the next day. :eek::eek::eek:

D’you mean that Cunard are just like every other cruise line !!! and I thought the buffet would be serene, calm and oh so refined [emoji23]🤣[emoji23]

Sorry, British sense of humour!

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

First time cruiser - doing a TA New York to Hamburg this August, and I have some questions about the various restaurants on the ship, and about the dress code...

 

 

 

What are the Golden Lion hours? Do they serve dinner, or just lunch? Are there any charges to eat here?

 

 

 

I have the same questions about Sir Samuel's.

 

 

 

Most of the dinner options in the Britannia restaurant that I've seen online look too "frou frou" for my husband. Can he order just a regular steak or do you have to be in one of the Grills to order something which is not on a menu?

 

 

 

I understand the dress code ship-wide after 6pm (& I'm looking forward to the opportunity to dress up!) If I attend a movie at 5:00pm, am I expected to be dressed up for that (since the movie will end after 6:00pm)?

Are you sailing 3rd August? If so we’re on the same sailing but only back to Southampton. Been on lots of cruises but 1st time with Cunard. Looking forward to formal being formal and smart casual being smart casual. Also looking forward to dancing on a proper dance floor. Most cruise ships have dance floors as big as postage stamps!

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

He has a Facebook page. You can also Google him.

Marmite [emoji12]🤮

Sent from my iPhone using Forums