Queen Victoria mini cruise next week

[Norfolk Brit]

, but P&O cruisers know the way, both lines are similar,

 

An interesting assumption, but I fear P&O cruisers won't know the way regarding elegant casual on Cunard if a couple of important differences are glossed over. I'm sure you would agree that it would be most unfortunate if someone asked for advice on here, took it, wandered along to the dining room wearing P&O smart casual of jeans and no jacket, and was turned away.

 

I personally care not what people choose to wear, but it helps if those who wish to follow the rules are given clear and accurate advice.

 

Kind regards,

 

Mary:)

[Norfolk Brit]

Thank you Mary.

I've learnt something about the dress-code on P&O, which is useful, thanks to you.

 

Digging out your (dark denim) jeans?

 

Mary:D

[Salacia]

PARTIAL QUOTE

...I personally care not what people choose to wear, but it helps if those who wish to follow the rules are given clear and accurate advice.

 

 

I agree. On one QM2 voyage, I witnessed the maitre d' trying to have a quiet word with a male passenger not wearing a jacket at dinner on an "elegant casual night", prior to being seated in the main dining room. The passenger became upset and made scene about the jacket requirement. As Norfolk Brit suggested, to save all concerned any disagreement on board ship, best to make it all clear on this board :)

[pepperrn]

best to make it all clear on this board :)

 

Hi Salacia,

 

I well remember learning so much from reading the Cruise Critic boards well before my first voyage with Cunard, all those years ago, asking questions, everyone here was so helpful :) .

 

(Now that I've taken quite a few voyages, during which I've kept my eyes and ears open, I'd like to try, if I can, to help new Cunard passengers in the same way, if possible. I hope I never stop learning more detail and new information)

 

There is so much experience here on Cruise Critic, tips and hints, so much information for everyone.

 

Very best wishes :) .

[sarahmouse]

off to pack,still tempted to bring a long evening dress, although no formal ! x

[pepperrn]

off to pack,still tempted to bring a long evening dress, although no formal ! x

 

"You can never be over-dressed on a Cunard ship" has been said here many times... pack it just in case :) ! You might feel like wearing it once on board, and if you've not got it with you...

(I've seen people in "formal" on "semi-formal" nights, incl. as recently as Oct. '11 on QM2)

 

Bon Voyage!

[Whitemarsh]

"You can never be over-dressed on a Cunard ship" has been said here many times... pack it just in case :) ! You might feel like wearing it once on board, and if you've not got it with you...

(I've seen people in "formal" on "semi-formal" nights, incl. as recently as Oct. '11 on QM2)

 

Bon Voyage!

 

That's certainly true. I overpacked for my last cruise, but on the other hand it was nice to have such an extensive choice of things to wear.

 

The evening dress codes are one of the things that make Cunard unique, and fun.

[Jimsgirl]

"You can never be over-dressed on a Cunard ship" has been said here many times... pack it just in case :) ! You might feel like wearing it once on board, and if you've not got it with you...

(I've seen people in "formal" on "semi-formal" nights, incl. as recently as Oct. '11 on QM2)

 

Bon Voyage!

 

I am not an expert in all things Cunard, I do endorse the above quote. Better to wear something more dressy than arrive looking as though you are going to the "corner store".

 

Personally I am very conservative, most of my dresses are very plain , round "jewel" neck, straight chemise to floor, but I do go over the top on the jewelery, stoles and evening bags

 

This way I can wear the same dress twice, three or even four times on a long cruise just varying the accessories to meet the code. I do space out the dresses, not wearing same dress two nights running For an upcoming 24 night cruise, I will carry 9 "evening" dresses

 

I wear very glitzy accessories for formal, less glitz for semi, and bring the stole/bag/jewels etc down to simple for "elegant casual".

 

If I have to give advice, it would be please do not wear your everyday walking shoes, (never wear running shoes) or carry your everyday- going -grocery -shopping bag. These ruin any level of evening dress code.

 

I wear flat sandals, (being a senior) , my evening bags are clutches

[simonpjd]

Well the mini cruise is over.

We had a fine time - lovely ship - lots of wood making it look a bit old but with all mod cons.

Great theatre - boxes a bit of a con mind.

Ballroom is an excellent space for all sorts of activities.

Food excellent (but very similar to Fred and P&O).

And we won a quiz in the Golden Lion.

We will be back.

[pepperrn]

Well the mini cruise is over. We had a fine time - lovely ship - lots of wood making it look a bit old but with all mod cons. Great theatre - boxes a bit of a con mind. Ballroom is an excellent space for all sorts of activities. Food excellent (but very similar to Fred and P&O). And we won a quiz in the Golden Lion. We will be back.

 

Hi,

Excellent news! So glad it all went well, and that you'll be back on QV.

Do try (similar) QE as well, for a cruise.

And for at least one voyage, do book a transatlantic crossing on QV's much bigger (151,000gt v 90,000gt) sister, QM2; my favourite passenger ship.

Thanks for reporting back with the good news!

[Stich17]

Well enjoyed the cruise, even if we didn't win the quizz.

 

On the Elegant caual nights most men wore shirt and jacket, however there were a few looking quite casual in the dinning room.

 

Semi formal night was a bit odd with quite a mixture of looks, Cunard should just have a formal night. After all at lot of people are on a short cruise to see what it's like and I think the "dressing up" bit of a cruise one of the highlights.

[Lynnewob]

We've just returned from this trip too.

 

On the late seating in Britannia, I saw a man in an untucked in denim shirt and no jacket and was surprised he was let in as it did say everywhere that jackets were required.

 

We came back happy though as we were $400 up after playing in the casino every night.

[MadScientist_01]

Well there's no formal night on my short cruise later in the year but I'm still going for it on the semi-formal night - what's the point in owning a DJ unless you get to use it every so often? :D

[keithm]

"You can never be over-dressed on a Cunard ship" has been said here many times... pack it just in case :) ! You might feel like wearing it once on board, and if you've not got it with you...

(I've seen people in "formal" on "semi-formal" nights, incl. as recently as Oct. '11 on QM2)

 

Bon Voyage!

Well, Richard doesn't mind the bowler(derby)but he won't let me bring the top hat.

[shinyshoes]

Well, Richard doesn't mind the bowler(derby)but he won't let me bring the top hat.

 

Proof, if proof were needed that it IS possible to be overdressed on a Cunard ship.

SS

[simonpjd]

'Dressing up is a highlight' ????

I don't think so. And if there is one thing which is likely to stop us returning to Cunard it is the formal nights. I spend all week sitting in an office in a suit and tie - I do not want to be even more dressed up on holiday.

We took a close look at the Brittania (1st sitting) on the semi formal night and we reckoned it was about a third in a DJ. We didn't see anyone without a jacket. It was a very civilised affair.

On HAL there were formal nights which, according to their joining instructions, should be a DJ. But many were still wearing jeans and t shirts. It was awful - the companies should enforce whatever dress code they set up.

[shinyshoes]

'Dressing up is a highlight' ????

I don't think so. And if there is one thing which is likely to stop us returning to Cunard it is the formal nights. I spend all week sitting in an office in a suit and tie - I do not want to be even more dressed up on holiday.

We took a close look at the Brittania (1st sitting) on the semi formal night and we reckoned it was about a third in a DJ. We didn't see anyone without a jacket. It was a very civilised affair.

On HAL there were formal nights which, according to their joining instructions, should be a DJ. But many were still wearing jeans and t shirts. It was awful - the companies should enforce whatever dress code they set up.

 

Sorry Old Man, I don't quite understand. Are you for it or agin it?

Shiny

[Whitemarsh]

'Dressing up is a highlight' ????

I don't think so. And if there is one thing which is likely to stop us returning to Cunard it is the formal nights. I spend all week sitting in an office in a suit and tie - I do not want to be even more dressed up on holiday.

 

A suit and tie every day? Do you work at Sterling Cooper?

 

Most white-collar workplaces have moved to basic corporate wear, (such as the example below) accompanied by a casual Friday.

 

Even the most casual observer of society would agree that the vast majority of the population dresses very casually 99% of the time. It's one of the reasons why a lot of people enjoy Cunard's formal dress code, it's an opportunity to wear clothes they don't normally wear; like evening gowns and tuxedos.

[simonpjd]

Shirt Jacket and Tie every day at work.

 

On board I hate it but I follow it. And thank goodness there are usually only 2 formal nights a week. My wife loves it as, I think, most women do.

It may be different after I retire.

 

Our next major trip has just been booked - 3 weeks in the Antarctic plus the Falklands and South Georgia. But even there there are a couple of smart evenings. Blimey - packing jackets and ties - maybe I should wear them for going ashore with the penguins. Make a good picture.