Victoria2

Of course some 'institutions' require a level of dress, that goes without saying but conduct in the sense you mean with regard to Cunard for that's what this thread is about should not be measured by anything we wear. The wearing of Black tie does not mean the wearer is beyond reproach for Miss Manners, just as anyone 'caught' in a dark suit [heaven forfend] is not about to let the side down. Maybe escrickwill let us k now if most of us have allayed her slight measure of foreboding re her QG booking. O repeat, one's attire does not reflect how we conduct ourselves in everyday life

Because they wanted to? escrick, hasn't said she doesn't want to 'comply' with Gala evening attire, she has wondered if they'd 'fit it' so until we hear from her, there's a bit of assumption here other cruise lines would /should be a better fit. I will also make an assumption. Maybe she has read some of the, let's say 'out of date' comments on this board as far as Gala attire is concerned and maybe thinks that's the reality when in fact, it isn't.

That particular tour, when I went on it, caused some angst for the concierge. She got some stick from irate passengers and one was extremely rude. As a complete aside, it showed up what staff have to put up with at times/ Always worth asking about any sold out tour though as this shows.

Us too but we do book any tours which have limited capacity as soon as they appear on our booking. A few of them have timed tickets eg The Faberge Museum and once sold, that's it and the same goes f or flightseeing tours. We have seen disappointed passengers pleading for the concierge 'to sort it' but being an early bird does have its perks.

Interesting. Did you use an agent or was it a direct booking? I know rules vary depending where about in the world you fly from but assuming it was all part of a fly/cruise package my assumption is it was Cunard's place to try and sort it out for you. ABTA might be worth a look into.

Yes Cunard 'do' the table elegantly and I'm not too sure about fish knives in the bistros but other than that, cutlery as described are not unusual in restaurants and even bistro pubs etc. Even our local pub has steak knives and a soup spoon, for soup. obviously. I'd be very careful where I ordered lobster but I have always been given a pick and cracker to winkle out the last shred of meat!

I do hope escrick and all those who have trembly knees at the thought of offending the miniscule minority who would like a Cunard Gala evening to be a watered down version of a Viennese Imperial Ball, realise there is the aspirational espoused by a few and then there's the reality. The trick is discerning who is the realist! Gala Evenings are lovely and I do like to see chaps dressed in Black Tie but the reality is a dark suit is just is acceptable. There are also those who find a Gala occasion brings out the peacock in them. All hues of the rainbow can be the new black!😄 Ladies, Ball gowns, as opposed to Ballroom [every day a new thing to learn] 'gowns' are rare. Long dresses, both elegant and not so, are worn and short cocktail dresses too with elegant separates closing the circle. Tremble not newbies. You'll fit in and NO ONE will be giving marks out of ten! 😀

Stuffy and OTT. Not my choice, as I said unless invited to lunch with non QG friends.

We can either have lunch in the Verandah or dinner at a Lido pop up but only utilised if dining with friends who aren't in our restaurant. Had a few lunches in the Verandah and if it was a choice, personal tastes are for Bamboo or Coriander

Reading through the answers escrick has received, it would seem to me they will fit into a Cunard slot/hole very nicely, along with the rest of us. 🙂

US$$ or ££ Whatever we have handy. At the moment it will be Sterling as we haven't any $$ lying around and I'm not going to buy any just for gratuities to Cunard staff. if I wanted to tip as in #6, I'd take coins.

Of course we want to enjoy a Gala evening but some give the impression elegance is only achievable if wearing 'gowns' and black tie. That is patently not true. Sure, wear a ball gown [not me, one of mine would take up half a suitcase on its own] if it survives the packing but this isn't an Imperial Gala Ball. This is hopefully an elegant evening on a cruise line which is noted for its more formal approach to some evenings. Lovely long dresses, cocktail wear and elegant separates are worn with panache and look lovely. Dinner suits or dark suits will also look great. We want those new to Cunard and those thinking about it to book, not tremble in their boots at the thought of 'not fitting in' and so choose another line. Cunard will die a slow death if that happens as 'natural wastage' occurs. I hope escrick gets the memo Enjoy. You'll have 'a ball'! 😁

Dream of cruising with Cunard? I love Cunard and will defend it to the hilt, but it's a cruise line. A 'nice' cruise line but just a cruise line. Dark suit is absolutely 'fine'!

The word 'gown' is often mentioned in relation to Gala attire but the days of ball gowns have gone for 99% of ladies [and gents too, let's not be discriminatory!]. I have only ever owned two 'proper' ball gowns and they haven't seen the light of day on Cunard for years. I prefer to use the word 'dress'. It's definitely more descriptive of what I see on board and that's only if you wear a dress. Mine are long and are more dressy than a maxi dress if that's of any help. For Gala evenings, I often wear evening trousers and beautiful jackets or tops and I certainly don't feel in the slightest bit underdressed. In fact, I feel better dressed than many. Dark suit as opposed to a tux? No problem whatsoever and don't listen to anyone who tries to tell you otherwise. The fact you're 'worried' means you care but no need to worry. You'll have a wonderful time. 🙂

and to add to exlondoner I find it a bit difficult to reconcile Tony's Victoria with the ship I know and love but post Covid. 'things' obviously haven't been up to scratch for a few passengers and the thing is, non of us were there to see the state of the cabin; the tea cup; the stained cutlery etc. I have been called out as incorrect when I've said things have happened on the ship when they haven't happened to others but that didn't mean I was wrong. Things happened and if 'you' weren't there, 'you' can't argue they didn't. The state of the cabin is one thing as that only affects the individual passengers, but catering is a another as it affects all passengers so it would be interesting to see what others on the same cruise had to say, I'll watch out for reviews on CC. As for screaming [really?] children, just get up and move and if no space available, walk out and re join later. I've never taken afternoon tea in the Queens Room but I have in PG and we always go a little later if we want a relaxed cup of tea. I wouldn't liken it to anything other than busy at times but go later and it's fine. So yes, it wasn't the most positive of reviews and there might have been an element of over egging at times due to disappointment, I don't know as I wasn't there, but thankfully, not many will experience that unacceptable level of hospitality. All I would say to Tony is your experience is not the norm. I'd say give it another whirl if an itinerary suits but |I'm guessing it might be a case of once bitten, twice shy. Shame really as she really does 'give great cruising'!

P&O have the same requirements as Cunard. *The definition of ‘fully vaccinated’ is having completed an approved (by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), European Medicines Agency (EMA) or the World Health Organization’s Emergency Use Listing (WHO EUL)) two-dose Covid‑19 vaccination course, or the approved single-dose Janssen Covid‑19 vaccine (plus a booster if applicable). One booster is fine

Cer Certainly was a few years ago as we haven't been able to step foot on a ship since Autumn '19 but with regards to #2, was in a main restaurant [QG] and most definitely post QE2 . 🙂 I have to add, it wasn't my cutlery. I think an ordinary knife is perfectly adequate for most dishes.

They've made appearances on Victoria too.

Our first Alaska cruise [we've managed a few] was thirty years ago and I remember The Times described our actual cruise as 'The Parka and Pearls cruise'. That was an August trip and yes, it was quite cool at times and a light jacket [ parka] was recommended whilst everyone scrubbed up for dinner. So saying, we've had a July cruise when it was really hot so weather is luck of the draw. Definitely take layers, and a light rain jacket is a must. I agree with others; a dark suit and tie is needed for Gala nights in the restaurant.

and book an appointment and cycle to work etc As a linguist, you will know verbing isn't new, but I've never heard it being used with the type of common noun such as 'museum'. Oh well, saves space when texting I suppose and it is 'to the point'!

I think this must be yet another difference between US Cunard bookings and those in the UK or possibly more precisely, my bookings. If seat selection were to be available as soon as the airline released schedules and without prior full payment to Cunard for the air component, I would gladly delay my payment until final invoice.

I was I was intrigued at private suites so had a google. The seats are the same or similar as I remembered so the issues I mentioned will still be worth taking into consideration.

Really? Totally enclosed? Floor to ceiling? Business? Wow. Things have moved on. The last time I flew only the First Class seats were totally enclosed. Business had 'cubicles' but they didn't block out the noise from the bar area and wouldn't have done so from a noisy galley. I couldn't call them totally private either as anyone walking down the aisles could see in if they wanted to. Airlines must have spent a lot of money reconfiguring their seats since we last flew.

'Tell me my dear chap, how do you navigate yourself around a museum and which departments do you go to first' might be a good start Other than that, 'How do you museum' whilst a revolting piece of grammar, is short, sharp and to the point! Not taking any bets against it finding its way across the pond and join upspeak and other imported language quirks. Good Grief, I'm a dinosaur! 😄 Edit Sorry Hattie, off piste again!🤫

'On vast majority of airlines in business when every seat has aisle access seat selection is not important.' Choosing seats in Business can be just as important. Sitting together, sitting with your group, avoiding communal areas where chaps and chapesses on business congregate and loudly get merry whilst trying to out do one another with their anecdotes is amusing to observe but not when you're trying to sleep, staying away from the galley and the loos, all are important to take into consideration when choosing a seat. We got bitten on our very first long haul to Hong Kong with Cunard and all the decent seats had been booked by the time we were allowed to book. Never again. Now we dictate, as I said and pay as soon as the schedules are released.