Does my husband need a dinner jacket for Ventura?

[Bobbyjean]

He was planning on wearing his plain old business suit with a normal tie to the formal night.

 

But I just read someone's blog (Tom_UK's, great blog) and he says that 95% of men wore a dinner suit to the formal night. We could rush out and buy one but it would pretty much be for one night on the cruise, as we do not tend to go to fancy dinners much.

 

What do people recommend?

 

Maybe we will just skip formal night ...

[littlesteelo]

He was planning on wearing his plain old business suit with a normal tie to the formal night.

 

But I just read someone's blog (Tom_UK's, great blog) and he says that 95% of men wore a dinner suit to the formal night. We could rush out and buy one but it would pretty much be for one night on the cruise, as we do not tend to go to fancy dinners much.

 

What do people recommend?

 

Maybe we will just skip formal night ...

 

A suit and tie should be fine. A lot of people go for the dinner jacket/bow tie option, but there are a good number who go for a regular suit. He won't look out of place at all. :)

[tom_uk]

He was planning on wearing his plain old business suit with a normal tie to the formal night.

 

But I just read someone's blog (Tom_UK's, great blog) and he says that 95% of men wore a dinner suit to the formal night. We could rush out and buy one but it would pretty much be for one night on the cruise, as we do not tend to go to fancy dinners much.

 

What do people recommend?

 

Maybe we will just skip formal night ...

 

Thank you!

 

Tell him to wear the suit and tie, and go to the formal evening. You'll both enjoy it.

[bilty]

Hubby, hasnt got a dinner jacket, but wears a black suit, and we bought a shirt and bow tie from Matalan. But as others have said, if not shirt and tie. Enjoy your cruise.

[mickatkirkby]

You haven't mention the cruise duration, bear in mind there will be 2 formal nights in one week and 4 in two week cruise. Suit will be fine.

[indiana123]

Suit and tie fine, but we did what the poster above did.. black suit with dress shirt and bow tie. You couldn't tell the difference.

[Bobbyjean]

Thanks for the replies.

 

It's hard enough to get him in a suit in the first place, so this is reassuring! We are looking forward to seeing the beautiful fjords. :)

[LibraLass41]

Yes you will have 2 formal nights on a 7n fjords cruise, and the formals on Ventura are the same as any P&O ship with 95% in dinner suits remaining in lounge suit, you'll hubby will be fine in a lounge suit. But bare in mind you will love it so much anyway this will be the first of many cruises!

 

My hubbie wasn't going to bother with a dinner suit(tux) on our 1st cruise but changed his mind a few weeks before when he read most men WOULD be wearing one...13 cruises later he must of worn in 30+ times now...more than he would ever have one a normal suit!!;)

[magpieman]

I've never been on a cruise before and am going on the Ventura in June.

 

I wasn't sure about buying a dinner suit but found a tuxedo from Asda for £40 :eek:

 

Amazing value and just the job as I probably will never be able to afford another cruise so it will only be used 4 nights on our 2 week cruise.

[yoj13]

Having not cruised with P&O for the last 5 years, it was good to read that formal night dress codes seems to be well adhered too as we are going on Ventura on 20/05/12. I quite like the 'dressy up' nights and if you don't feel particularly like you wish to partake, I think its safe to say you won't die of starvation!. However, only yesterday I read the most disappointing review from someone who said its 'Butlins at sea' and only suitable for the 'Benidormers'!!!! I'm trying to take what was written with a large pinch of salt, but someone please tell me differently. Since P&O we have cruised, RCI, Celebrity (mainly) & Holland America - all different but offering a great product. Thanks

[davecttr]

Having not cruised with P&O for the last 5 years, it was good to read that formal night dress codes seems to be well adhered too as we are going on Ventura on 20/05/12. I quite like the 'dressy up' nights and if you don't feel particularly like you wish to partake, I think its safe to say you won't die of starvation!. However, only yesterday I read the most disappointing review from someone who said its 'Butlins at sea' and only suitable for the 'Benidormers'!!!! I'm trying to take what was written with a large pinch of salt, but someone please tell me differently. Since P&O we have cruised, RCI, Celebrity (mainly) & Holland America - all different but offering a great product. Thanks

It was, even on Oceana with a more relaxed atmosphere there was a high proportion of formal dress on black tie nights.

[unclewilson2]

Yes you will have 2 formal nights on a 7n fjords cruise, and the formals on Ventura are the same as any P&O ship with 95% in dinner suits remaining in lounge suit, you'll hubby will be fine in a lounge suit. But bare in mind you will love it so much anyway this will be the first of many cruises!

[davecttr]

Yes you will have 2 formal nights on a 7n fjords cruise, and the formals on Ventura are the same as any P&O ship with 95% in dinner suits remaining in lounge suit, you'll hubby will be fine in a lounge suit. But bare in mind you will love it so much anyway this will be the first of many cruises!

Remember this applies to those eating in the main dining rooms on those nights. Eating in the buffet means you can stick with smart casual. Not that it matters anyway as nobody takes any notice what you wear after dinner.

 

I took the easy option and bought a M&S dinner jacket, excellent fit and not expensive. After dinner I changed back into smart casual for the evenings playtime!. On my next Ventura cruise I will take my DJ but probably won't wear it at all and may well eat in the buffet as I now find the P&O food samey, in fact it is the same in the MDR's on all ships?

[marylizcat]

Remember this applies to those eating in the main dining rooms on those nights. Eating in the buffet means you can stick with smart casual. Not that it matters anyway as nobody takes any notice what you wear after dinner.

 

I wouldn't say nobody notices - in fact everybody will notice that you are not in formal clothes and since they haven't seen you earlier will assume you have not worn them all evening. You will stick out like a sore thumb! But of course that only matters if you care what others are thinking! Personally I can't see the point of getting dressed up and then going to all the bother of changing your clothes yet again.

[davecttr]

I wouldn't say nobody notices - in fact everybody will notice that you are not in formal clothes and since they haven't seen you earlier will assume you have not worn them all evening. You will stick out like a sore thumb! But of course that only matters if you care what others are thinking! Personally I can't see the point of getting dressed up and then going to all the bother of changing your clothes yet again.

Well as I don't care it does not worry me. As I am welcome in the rest of the venues taking 5 minutes to change clothes is no hassle.

 

If it upsets anyone else they should check out the dress code rules in the in-cabin guide and the Horizon newsletter for that day!. P&O, at least on Ventura and Oceana, is a lot less formal than many believe, or perhaps would wish.

[paul.ed]

I've never been on a cruise before and am going on the Ventura in June.

 

I wasn't sure about buying a dinner suit but found a tuxedo from Asda for £40 :eek:

 

Amazing value and just the job as I probably will never be able to afford another cruise so it will only be used 4 nights on our 2 week cruise.

 

I was just looking around for a suit, went into Asda Home and found a row of tuxedo's. Tried one on and felt really smart for a change. So bought it and the actual price was £32, tag price was around £40 but till said £32. :D

 

Wore the Tux on our first mini cruise on the IOTS beginning of May. Bargain I say.

[Jospen]

Well as I don't care it does not worry me. As I am welcome in the rest of the venues taking 5 minutes to change clothes is no hassle.

 

If it upsets anyone else they should check out the dress code rules in the in-cabin guide and the Horizon newsletter for that day!. P&O, at least on Ventura and Oceana, is a lot less formal than many believe, or perhaps would wish.

 

Recently on the Ventura & a couple we spoke to were refused entry to some bars on formal night in casual clothes. We are normally Princess custs and were surprised at how formal, formal nights are on Ventura. Majority are in black tie.

[dorsetlad]

Recently on the Ventura & a couple we spoke to were refused entry to some bars on formal night in casual clothes. We are normally Princess custs and were surprised at how formal, formal nights are on Ventura. Majority are in black tie.

 

Can't really see how you could have informal formal. The clue is in the title.:)

 

Brian

[davecttr]

Recently on the Ventura & a couple we spoke to were refused entry to some bars on formal night in casual clothes. We are normally Princess custs and were surprised at how formal, formal nights are on Ventura. Majority are in black tie.

Those bars would be Metropolis and the Red Bar.

 

They would still be welcome in Havana, The Tamarind Club, Ramblas, The Exchange and Tazzine. Plus the theatre and casino.

 

It is all set out in the in-cabin guide.

[baldude]

Just back from Fjord cruise on Ventura. A dark suit and tie was worn by several passengers although the majority were in evening dress. You could find the full kit in M&S for £90. The majority seemed to stay formal for the evening entertainment, even the 22.30 shows. have a great time. :)