Dress to Impress - time to revive?

[Denarius]

Reading the large number of posts concerning that obsession of P&O passengers - dress codes, or more precisely what other passengers are wearing and whether or not it meets with their personal approval - I recalled one planned innovation of many years ago.

When the arrival of the previous Adonia - sister ship to Oceana - was first announced, we were told that she was going to be an innovative ship aimed at sophisticated adults (!) One major innovation was to be her dress code. At a time well before Ocean Village, when most cruise lines still operated a formal/semi-formal/casual dress code, Adonia was to break with tradition and have just two modes of evening attire - smart casual and "dress to impress". On dress to impress evenings, passengers were to be invited to dress a little more elaborately than on normal smart casual, but not necessarily more formally - the title said it all.

Regretfully, this never happened. P&O stalwarts raged, P&O got cold feet, and when Adonia finally arrived she operated the same dress code as their other ships. Times have, however, moved on.

Is it now time for P&O to revive the Dress to Impress concept, at least on Ventura and Oceana?

[Single Cruiser]

*Grabs Popcorn and sits back to watch the fireworks* :D

[davecttr]

Has anyone done a statistical analysis of the P&O threads with the most posts? I wonder what it would be ;)

 

Apparently my M&S dinner jacket etc will not be deemed expensive enough by some on my upcoming Ventura cruise although I must say I do look smart in it. People keep confusing me with Richard Attenborough.

 

Ducks below parapet :)

[ds0907]

Can,t agree more denarius, people in general don,t like change, I,ll give an outragous example , when the weather forecasts on TV where broadcast they used to show the UK in green but then changed it to brown and it still is but there was outcry.

[littlesteelo]

no, i don't think thats a good idea - Ventura and Oceana may be more laid back that the other ships but theres no reason whatsoever that they should ruin them by turning them into the next ocean village

[Single Cruiser]

no, i don't think thats a good idea - Ventura and Oceana may be more laid back that the other ships but theres no reason whatsoever that they should ruin them by turning them into the next ocean village

 

How do you ruin something by making a change that makes it more popular for the masses. If P&O did this they'd gain 10s of thousands new passengers overnight!

 

All things change over time and all older generations moan and resist changes. P&O is ultimately a business and to survive it has to match supply and demand, most younger cruisers (the pax of the future) were not brought up in times where people judged people solely by dress/status or conforming to a norm.

 

The line has to either adapt to the demand or reduce fleet size/berths, simple.

[davecttr]

no, i don't think thats a good idea - Ventura and Oceana may be more laid back that the other ships but theres no reason whatsoever that they should ruin them by turning them into the next ocean village

I would not mind if they did (stir, stir)

After all the traditionalists can go on azura and they have lots of P&O ships anyway. The ex OVers have nothing like their old ships.

 

As a previous Thomson cruiser (you can ignore me if you think it is the pits) I suggest P&O do this.

 

Adopt Thomson dress code for Ventura and Oceana. Basically on formal nights the formal code ONLY applies to the main dining room, the rest of the ship is smart casual like every other night. Or even better transfer the ships to Thomsons and we get the benefit of a wonderful crew and excellent entertainment as well. Plus the excursions are cheaper :D

 

They need to start fly cruises as well, lots of people don't want the long drag round Spain. Or base the ships in Marseille and we can all use Eurostar to get there in 4 hours. Think of the fuel they would save.

[Single Cruiser]

Or base the ships in Marseille and we can all use Eurostar to get there in 4 hours. Think of the fuel they would save.

 

What a great idea Dave. Kind of compromise between flying to the sun and home port for luggage weight etc..

[BORDER REIVER]

If people used their common sense and a bit of consideration for others, dress codes wouldn't be necessary. We try to dress fairly tidily, even during the day. By that I don't mean jacket & tie etc, just clothes that look clean and tidy. I think that standards are generally lowering everywhere, just to try and get more customers into establishments. We always dress for the theatre, yet we see people in shorts and T-shirts. We were having dinner in a good restaurant in Edinburgh and most customers were smart, but one young couple made a fuss about not being allowed in when they were wearing torn jeans and t-shirts. We have even seen people dressed down at black tie dinners. Fortunately, onboard ship, most passengers seem to enjoy being able to dress up a bit and when they do, what a difference it makes. I don't really like dressing up, but when we are both dressed for a formal dinner, we feel "a million dollars" for the evening.

I think the only time people let themselves down is during daytime, when some passengers appear to have got dressed in the dark, - but it's their choice. The only time we really object to any type of dress is in the buffets where passengers wearing swimsuits, vests etc. are just not considering hygeine at all.

[BORDER REIVER]

Just a thought on "dress to impress". It depends on where you come from, but in certain areas near us, "dress to impress" would be white trainers, calf length baggy trousers (with underwear showing at the top), t-shirt and quilted jacket with fake fur trim - together with tattoos, piercings and shaven head - oh, and a permanent glazed look in the eyes.

[Single Cruiser]

Just a thought on "dress to impress". It depends on where you come from, but in certain areas near us, "dress to impress" would be white trainers, calf length baggy trousers (with underwear showing at the top), t-shirt and quilted jacket with fake fur trim - together with tattoos, piercings and shaven head - oh, and a permanent glazed look in the eyes.

 

Oh to live in a class culture.. Retired, drive a BMW/land-rover and vote Tory do you? :D:D

 

Actually you have reminded me... Need to get a haircut.. sorry shaved.. :rolleyes:

[BORDER REIVER]

Oh to live in a class culture.. Retired, drive a BMW/land-rover and vote Tory do you? :D:D

 

Actually you have reminded me... Need to get a haircut.. sorry shaved.. :rolleyes:

 

Sorry, but you're wrong on all counts. I just like observing people and seeing how they dress and the effect that has on others is part of the game. I couldn't criticise having been reminded recently about how I used to look in the 60's / 70's / 80's. I thought I looked good then ....but am totally embarrassed by it now - pics are now destroyed. Whether at home or when cruising, we just try to be tidy and not dress to offend anyone.

[thranite]

Wouldn't everything just be so much simpler if everyone just observed the published dress code?

 

If the passenger has an issue with the Cruiseline's range of dress codes then it is the passenger's prerogative to sail with another line.

 

It's really not that complicated.

 

:)

[Denarius]

Oh to live in a class culture.. Retired, drive a BMW/land-rover and vote Tory do you? :D:D

 

Actually you have reminded me... Need to get a haircut.. sorry shaved.. :rolleyes:

I am retired

I drive a BMW

I (usually) vote Tory

I have my head shaved.

And despite it all I sail with P&O!

[thranite]

I am retired

I drive a BMW

I (usually) vote Tory

I have my head shaved.

And despite it all I sail with P&O!

 

 

I don't care. Do you observe the dress code?

 

:confused:

[cruiseluvva]

I never was entirely sure what "dress to impress" meant. I thought it was rather an ambiguous term.

 

As long as they keep the two formals per week, I don't really mind about the other evenings.

[SeaSickGill]

Just a thought on "dress to impress". It depends on where you come from, but in certain areas near us, "dress to impress" would be white trainers, calf length baggy trousers (with underwear showing at the top), t-shirt and quilted jacket with fake fur trim - together with tattoos, piercings and shaven head - oh, and a permanent glazed look in the eyes.

 

And that's just the women:eek:

 

I don't think that being expected to dress nicely is such a big deal, you don't have to wear expensive clothes to look smart, sorry formal:)

[Merlin7]

 

As a previous Thomson cruiser (you can ignore me if you think it is the pits) I suggest P&O do this.

 

Adopt Thomson dress code for Ventura and Oceana. Basically on formal nights the formal code ONLY applies to the main dining room, the rest of the ship is smart casual like every other night. quote]

 

This is the option right now on P&O ships. Formal IS only required on a formal evening in the MDR and usually 2 bars. Everywhere else, the minimum is smart casual.

[Single Cruiser]

This is the option right now on P&O ships. Formal IS only required on a formal evening in the MDR and usually 2 bars. Everywhere else, the minimum is smart casual.

 

That may happen on the ships but is NOT the rules. Not according to P&O. Until I get one from P&O that says that I'll book elsewhere, simple. If they confirm it's only MDR and a few bars I can steer clear off but still go to the theatre I'm booking this year!!.. simples..

 

Just checked...

 

Good afternoon

Thank you for your email.

 

I can advise that depending on the number of nights your cruise is will depend on which evenings will be which on board, the evenings are split up in to two categories, formal and smart casual. The order in which these nights take place is determined on board by the Cruise Director and then advertised each day in the ship's newspaper. It is not compulsory to join in on the theme nights, for example, western or 60's. The dress code for each night is applicable to all passengers in all areas of the ship except for the 24 hour restaurant, so if you did not feel up to dressing up that particular evening, this is always an option.

 

Formal: This is the opportunity for ladies to wear formal evening wear such as an evening dress, trouser suit or a cocktail dress. For men, a dinner jacket or tuxedo are the norm, otherwise a dark suit and tie or a kilt and jacket is fine.

Smart casual: Stylish resort or leisure wear, e.g. casual separates dresses or smart jeans for ladies and open-neck shirts, polo shirts and trousers or smart jeans for men. Attire such as shorts, trainers, tracksuits and football shirts should not be worn in the evenings.

Whilst the dress code is not always strictly enforced on board, you will find that it is expected that the main dining rooms and all public areas will adhere to this code. The ships staff do have the right to request that any passengers inappropriately attired vacate any of the dining rooms/public areas. We would therefore ask that all passengers dress appropriately for the dress code of that evening whilst in the public areas, other than the 24 dining venue.

I hope this information has helped to answer your enquiry and look forward to welcoming you on board in the future.

 

Kind regards

Kat Tupper

P&O Cruises

Customer Solutions

Carnival UK

[Single Cruiser]

which also aligns with the P&O Website.

https://ask.pocruises.com/help/PO/life-on-board/enforced_dresscode

 

Does the dress code apply to all areas of the ship?

 

The dress code applies to a majority of public areas, especially main restaurants, select dining venues, casinos and theatres.

Should you wish to dress more casually in the evening, then you will be able to dine in buffet style restaurants though you should be aware that nearly all passengers adhere to the evening's dress code and this helps to set the ambience for the evening.

[davecttr]

So here we are again, total confusion on what is the actual dress code for Ventura or Oceana. It seems to me that P&O are unwilling to formally acknowledge the de-facto dress code applying to formal nights on these ships despite passengers reporting that the code only applies to the main dining room and a couple of bars. I suspect this is because they are afraid that doing so would upset their returning traditional passengers and they might lose business. Of course they are probably losing those passengers who might book with the code clarified to what it actually is. This has nothing to do with cheapness or social class, nobody is suggesting that P&O should reduce the fare because they have a more relaxed dress code.

 

I will take my dinner jacket on Ventura this summer but it looks as if I will be nipping back to my cabin after dinner to change into something more comfortable. as long as some bars and the casino don't mind my smart casual I will be happy.

[Denarius]

 

As a previous Thomson cruiser (you can ignore me if you think it is the pits) I suggest P&O do this.

 

Adopt Thomson dress code for Ventura and Oceana. Basically on formal nights the formal code ONLY applies to the main dining room, the rest of the ship is smart casual like every other night. quote]

 

This is the option right now on P&O ships. Formal IS only required on a formal evening in the MDR and usually 2 bars. Everywhere else, the minimum is smart casual.

This was certainly the case on Ventura last August, the 2 bars were The Red Bar and Metropolis. Formal dress was also expected in The White Room. This is consistent with page 30 of the current brochure.

[blitznbobs]

How do you ruin something by making a change that makes it more popular for the masses. If P&O did this they'd gain 10s of thousands new passengers overnight!

 

All things change over time and all older generations moan and resist changes. P&O is ultimately a business and to survive it has to match supply and demand, most younger cruisers (the pax of the future) were not brought up in times where people judged people solely by dress/status or conforming to a norm.

 

The line has to either adapt to the demand or reduce fleet size/berths, simple.

 

Speak for yourself, not 'younger people'. I'm in my early 30s and I 'care' what people wear. I think it shows respect to others if you take care of your appearance. I like the fact that people are to 'dress for dinner'. I think there are plenty of ships who cater for those who don't care but I choose P&O mainly because they do.

 

BnB

[davecttr]

Speak for yourself, not 'younger people'. I'm in my early 30s and I 'care' what people wear. I think it shows respect to others if you take care of your appearance. I like the fact that people are to 'dress for dinner'. I think there are plenty of ships who cater for those who don't care but I choose P&O mainly because they do.

 

BnB

Actually if you want a british ambience ship there used to be 4 but now only 1. One old ship is not exactly much of a choice.

 

People who dress smart casual do care, they just do not care to wear formal wear. Some of this designer informal stuff is more expensive than a cheap dinner suit. The ships will NOT fill up with chavs etc just beciase of a relaxed dress code.

[Denarius]

It looks to me like P&O are making policy on the hoof on this, and spinning like a top in doing so. The result is a different policy if you read the brochure than if you read the web site (which itself appears to have two different versions), and perhaps a different policy when you get on board depending on the ship, the cruise director and (probably) whether there is an "R" in the month.

This is most unsatisfactory and indeed unacceptable. Passengers can rightfully expect that any restrictions as to their mode of dress be as printed in the brochure. They cannot be expected to have searched the website for conflicting information or to have e-mailed P&O - indeed, many do not have internet access. Nor can they be expected to have second guessed what the cruise director on their particular cruise may have whimmed.

But would it not be so much simpler if they just had Smart Casual and Dress to Impress?