Can I survive being casual on Transatlantic Queen Victoria?

[uilleann]

About a month ago we finished a cruise on the MS Amsterdam. It was the perfect vacation except.... i hated the suit and tie on formal nights and the "smart casual" on other nights in the MDR. I wore a suit for a good portion of my career and hated it. My formal wear sits in plastic bags in the dark recesses of my closet. I find them, no matter how tailored they are, to be uncomfortable. And this world is getting Sooooo infested with rules of what others want you to do..... I just draw the line here.

 

Enough on that rant.

 

We are planning on going to England next year. I am also not a big fan of flying. Did that for 40 years.... Even as an USAF pilot. So I like trains now and maybe ships.

 

The question is .... Can I survive on the Queen Victoria if I am in my T shirt/ clean jeans/ and vest. That is my uniform of the day. Very comfortable. and its what I choose to wear. Can I eat at the Lido like this at all times? Are there other food venues that I can go to onboard. Will I be shot on site if I am walking the common areas of the ship during formal nights?

 

No Hissy Fits please.... Just the facts please.

 

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[Shawnino]

Given your preference, why would you choose Cunard over any one of a number of other lines doing transatlantic trips that are less dressy?

[Lady49Monet]

I doubt it. There will be formal nights where you are expected to wear a Dinner Jacket or a Dark Suit and tie. Informal nights you still need to wear a jacket but a tie is by choice. During the day jeans and tea shirt are fine. Although you cannot wear beach wear in the restaurants. You do not have to wear formal wear in the Lido Restaurant but you are very much restricted as to where you can have a drink without the correct dress code for the evening.

 

I hear what you say but if this is really important to you then you are not going to enjoy your cruise as you will miss so much. In my view the dining on Cunard is fantastic, Lido not bad but it is what it says on the tin Buffet.

 

 

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[uilleann]

Why choose cunnard?

 

I want to be in England & Ireland in the April/May time period. My budget, one way, for my wife and I is about $4000. And I want the quickest trip to England. Given those restrictions I can only find QV. I am cruising this cruise as a way to avoid air travel not to celebrate on a cruise. My Alaskan trip was about seeing sites from the boat, great ports, and great excursions. This trip is about how to get to England during the spring in the shortest most affordable means.

 

BTW I do not drink alcohol so no problem getting a drink with casual cloths.

 

I have read that others on Cunard ships do the same. I was just not sure what I would be prohibited from. It sounds like its mainly the main dining rooms. So it also sounds like I can eat at the Lido or our room. Other places??

[Lady49Monet]

If you are just using it as a mode of transport no problem. Room service and the Lido are your only options. You can get a drink in the bar up on deck if you fancied. You might make one night on an informal night just to try it out😉

 

 

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[T5LHR]

If you wish to follow the actual word on the dress code, then I believe Cunard state in the FAQ and sections of their website, that the dress code of that evening applies to all public rooms of the ship, except the buffet restaurant.

 

Yes, of course you will "survive", as much as people on this board, and onboard are ardent dress-code followers, and that being the main reason they chose to sail on Cunard, you won't be chased around the ship with daggers, hung drawn and quartered and thrown overboard to the fish…

 

You will stand out as different, but you will have a place to eat in the evening and be able to use all facilities during the day, but again, if people were to follow the rules to the letter in regard to evenings, the dress code applies to all areas of the ship, I believe once first sitting for dinner starts at 18:00.

 

Everyone has their reason to wish/want/need to be onboard a ship, yours is purely as a mode of transport, but others will be onboard because of their desire to follow a particular style of cruising/sailing, so, as long as that is respected on both sides, then yes, you will survive.

Edited June 28, 2014 by T5LHR

[pepperrn]

... The question is .... Can I survive on the Queen Victoria if I am in my T shirt/ clean jeans/ and vest. ...

Assuming this is not a "wind-up". Yes, of course you'll survive. You'll get on the ship, you'll get off. Still alive.

Can I eat at the Lido like this at all times?

In the buffet section, yes.

Are there other food venues that I can go to onboard.

In the evening, no. Just the self-serve buffet. And one bar (next to the buffet). That, and your cabin, is it each night. You could choose room service for all meals.

Will I be shot on site if I am walking the common areas of the ship during formal nights?

No, no-one is shot on sight on Cunard ships (although I would beg to be if I was found sailing with any other line). Almost the whole ship is off limits to you each night (other than one buffet, one bar, your cabin, the passageways/open decks). Your choice.

 

As others have said, why are you even looking at Cunard (other than to wind loyal Cunard passengers up for your own entertainment?). There are/must be other casual ships that you could book (Carnival Line, a row boat. etc).

 

Whatever you end up choosing, happy sailing.

Edited June 28, 2014 by pepperrn

[maina]

I'm absolutely no expert, and am not sure how many days you are willing to spend on transatlantic, but I did a quick google search and came up with the following for April/May, 2015 that avoid Cunard and its dress code (I'm sure there are others too):

 

Princess: April 25 - 14-day Transatlantic from Fort Lauderdale to Southampton, visiting Bermuda (Apr 28), Greenock (May 5), Dublin (6), Cobh (7), in Southampton on May 9 – prices from $1300 pp.)

http://www.repositioncruises.com/princess-repositioning-cruises/

 

Royal Caribbean from Boston, departing April 24. Makes stops in Cork, Ireland (May 1) and Portland, UK (May 2), not sure if you can debark there, however; goes to several other places, eventually ends up in Copenhagen (May 9). Prices from $1229 USD pp

http://www.royalcaribbean.com/findacruise/cruiseDetails/itinerary.do?packageCode=SR15T051

 

You mentioned Queen Victoria, and I can't find a Queen Victoria eastbound transatlantic from the U.S. in April/May 2015, except for the last leg of the world voyage which indicates stops in NY and Southampton on voyage V508B from Los Angeles to Southampton via Panama Canal. Is that what you are looking at? Do they sell the leg just from NY to Southampton as a separate voyage? If you need to travel faster than the typical repositioning cruises on other lines, Cunard, especially Queen Mary transatlantic, may indeed be the best bet, clothing code or not. Frankly, I do find it strange that someone should be so terribly unwilling to wear a suit or jacket for a few nights, especially since you own them and have apparently worn them in the past. But I'm obviously not in your shoes.

 

P.S. Have you asked your wife how she feels about dressing up for a few nights? Maybe she doesn't share your feelings and might enjoy doing so.

Edited June 28, 2014 by maina
typo

[carlmm]

About a month ago we finished a cruise on the MS Amsterdam. It was the perfect vacation except.... i hated the suit and tie on formal nights and the "smart casual" on other nights in the MDR.

 

If you hated the required and common dress code on a Holland Amercia ship, you will hate the Cunard style even much more. The formality, regarding the dress code as well as the overall atmpshere is much higher on Cunard.

Do you really just want to "survive" while you endure a style and way of life, much loved by the vast majority of humans around you but hated by you?

[Jimsgirl]

I will be taking that cruise, having booked a year in advance. I chose Cunard because of the dress code, and I cannot pretend that I am happy when someone states so boldly that they have not intention of behaving as requested when on board.

 

Cunard clearly states that the dress code applies starting 6p.m in all the public areas - this means all the inside bars , theatre, Illuminations, casino, and main walkways.

 

I will not rant, but frankly I suggest you look into other ships doing the transatlantic at that time, there are several "repositioning" then , where your attire will be normal.

I would prefer not to have someone dressed so out of code at my table when dining for dinner in the MDR.

 

You can dine in your cabin but the menu is very limited, you can eat in the Buffet, but Cunard would rather that you did not then walk around the ship, or go to places of entertainment.

 

When you were a USA pilot, I assume you had commissioned rank, tell me would you have worn jeans, T shirt, vest to a formal dinner ? What would you have thought of someone who so disrespected the rules of the day? Those are my thoughts as I write this thread.

 

I hope you change your booking or change your attitude.

 

Lynn

[pepperrn]

When you were a USA pilot, I assume you had commissioned rank, tell me would you have worn jeans, T shirt, vest to a formal dinner ? What would you have thought of someone who so disrespected the rules of the day? ... I hope you change your booking or change your attitude. Lynn

VERY well said :) . Edited June 28, 2014 by pepperrn

[Scrapnana]

I'm absolutely no expert, and am not sure how many days you are willing to spend on transatlantic, but I did a quick google search and came up with the following for April/May, 2015 that avoid Cunard and its dress code (I'm sure there are others too):

 

Princess: April 25 - 14-day Transatlantic from Fort Lauderdale to Southampton, visiting Bermuda (Apr 28), Greenock (May 5), Dublin (6), Cobh (7), in Southampton on May 9 – prices from $1300 pp.)

http://www.repositioncruises.com/princess-repositioning-cruises/

 

Royal Caribbean from Boston, departing April 24. Makes stops in Cork, Ireland (May 1) and Portland, UK (May 2), not sure if you can debark there, however; goes to several other places, eventually ends up in Copenhagen (May 9). Prices from $1229 USD pp

http://www.royalcaribbean.com/findacruise/cruiseDetails/itinerary.do?packageCode=SR15T051

 

You mentioned Queen Victoria, and I can't find a Queen Victoria eastbound transatlantic from the U.S. in April/May 2015, except for the last leg of the world voyage which indicates stops in NY and Southampton on voyage V508B from Los Angeles to Southampton via Panama Canal. Is that what you are looking at? Do they sell the leg just from NY to Southampton as a separate voyage? If you need to travel faster than the typical repositioning cruises on other lines, Cunard, especially Queen Mary transatlantic, may indeed be the best bet, clothing code or not. Frankly, I do find it strange that someone should be so terribly unwilling to wear a suit or jacket for a few nights, especially since you own them and have apparently worn them in the past. But I'm obviously not in your shoes.

 

P.S. Have you asked your wife how she feels about dressing up for a few nights? Maybe she doesn't share your feelings and might enjoy doing so.

 

Cunard does sell the TA sections of the World Voyage separately (we had a few hundred doing the westbound TA on this year's World Voyage). QV is doing the crossing in eight days and prices start at $1499 p/p.

[BlueRiband]

I prefer ships with an adult atmosphere. Can I survive a Disney cruise?

 

Booking a Cunard ship when one hates formal nights makes about as much sense as booking a Disney ship when one doesn't care to be around a lot of young children. Why on earth did you book this knowing of your unpleasant experience on HAL?

Edited June 28, 2014 by BlueRiband

[Cruise NH]

Why choose cunnard?

 

I want to be in England & Ireland in the April/May time period. My budget, one way, for my wife and I is about $4000. And I want the quickest trip to England. Given those restrictions I can only find QV. I am cruising this cruise as a way to avoid air travel not to celebrate on a cruise. My Alaskan trip was about seeing sites from the boat, great ports, and great excursions. This trip is about how to get to England during the spring in the shortest most affordable means.

 

BTW I do not drink alcohol so no problem getting a drink with casual cloths.

 

I have read that others on Cunard ships do the same. I was just not sure what I would be prohibited from. It sounds like its mainly the main dining rooms. So it also sounds like I can eat at the Lido or our room. Other places??

 

We've been on 10 Cunard transatlantics, we don't mind dressing up and we think it's kind of fun...that said, I've see lots of people who don't on each and every crossing. I really don't think it's any big deal. I don't judge people who don't dress up, I just figure that's not where they want to spend their hard earned money (or like you they're not comfortable).

 

They eat in the Lido each night and enjoy the rest of the ship the same as everyone else during the day. As someone mentioned, room service is a choice as well.

 

You may miss out on the evenings entertainment, though again on each and every cruise I see people in jeans in the balcony (QM2) during performances. I've never seen anyone kicked out. On one crossing, a Canadian couple came every night to the show, sat in the 1st row left of the stage wearing t-shirts and jeans. It was a little startling but again who am I to judge!

 

You will thoroughly enjoy the transatlantic, go ahead and book it.

[BlueRiband]

..On one crossing, a Canadian couple came every night to the show, sat in the 1st row left of the stage wearing t-shirts and jeans. It was a little startling but again who am I to judge!...

 

Yes, I'll be "someone to judge" should I see what you saw. A couple who would so blatantly give their middle finger to the expected standard of dress - by sitting in the first row to be seen - deserves to be judged.

[Im_Reading]

...The question is .... Can I survive on the Queen Victoria if I am in my T shirt/ clean jeans/ and vest. That is my uniform of the day. Very comfortable. and its what I choose to wear. Can I eat at the Lido like this at all times? Are there other food venues that I can go to onboard. Will I be shot on site if I am walking the common areas of the ship during formal nights?

 

No Hissy Fits please.... Just the facts please.

 

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I have used QM2 simply as transport, and yes, you can survive. I have a similar wardrobe: jeans, cashmere sweater, loafers. I usually eat breakfast and lunch in the restaurant and always have dinner served in my cabin.

 

While I personally find little use for the dress code, I respect that it IS important to other passengers. Some people may be on a once-in-a-lifetime voyage, others may be celebrating a special milestone, so I don't turn up for a fox trot in my comfy casuals and dampen their celebrations.

[loubetti]

Despite their ownership by Carnivore...er... Carnival, Cunard is still for those who want to re-live the old days with a contemporary twist (like a bathroom in their cabin). Now, granted, unlike the days of Mauretania or Aquitania, you will not see folks dressed up semi-formal during the day (though it does happen!), but the evenings are a different story. Respect the tradition and please comply, otherwise Cunard just becomes its parent company!

[david,Mississauga]

On our westbound QM2 crossing earlier this month we enjoyed meeting dozens of people at the open sitting of breakfast and lunch in Britannia. But I've never met so many moaners - all men - complaining about the dress code. The moaners were all Canadian or American. (Don't read this wrong; I am not saying all Canadian and American men were moaners.:)) Not one of the British or German men whom we met at these meals complained about the dress code. In most cases, the moaners admitted they went along with dressing up because "the wife likes to dress up." Several passengers, when entering the restaurant, would say: "Please seat me with German-speaking passengers" or "Please don't seat me with German speaking passengers." I was tempted to ask not to be seated with any Canadian or American men!

 

It appeared to me that the formal dress code is not enforced in public rooms. One night in the Royal Court Theatre there was a man whose casual dress stood out more than most. He was wearing a Holland America baseball cap and clothes that looked like pyjamas.

[balf]

 

Princess: April 25 - 14-day Transatlantic from Fort Lauderdale to Southampton, visiting Bermuda (Apr 28), Greenock (May 5), Dublin (6), Cobh (7), in Southampton on May 9 – prices from $1300 pp.)

http://www.repositioncruises.com/princess-repositioning-cruises/

 

Royal Caribbean from Boston, departing April 24. Makes stops in Cork, Ireland (May 1) and Portland, UK (May 2), not sure if you can debark there, however; goes to several other places, eventually ends up in Copenhagen (May 9). Prices from $1229 USD pp

[.

 

So are you saying that the crossings mentioned don't have formal nights?

 

David.

[KirkNC]

Given your preference, why would you choose Cunard over any one of a number of other lines doing transatlantic trips that are less dressy?

 

That is my question, choose a line that conforms to what you want to wear.

[grayjay]

We are not typical Cunard cruisers, as Celebrity ships are the ones we cruise most often. But for variety and to try something different, we have sailed on Queen Elizabeth once so far - worrying quite a lot before the cruise if we could adapt to the much stricter dress code. And yes, we survived and liked the ship so much that we'll go again! We prefer casual clothes as well, even if we grudgingly put on formal clothes on formal nights because we accepted the rules for that cruise I spoke of. But we could see on that cruise that even if quite a lot of people were dressed up to the nines and we wondered at the amount of suit-cases, care and money that was the result of so many well-cut evening dresses and gowns, a significant number ignored the rules both in the theatre or in some of the bars. We saw several sitting in the bars with just shirts or a pullover even after the fine-drawn line of 6 o'clock p.m. and nobody told them to go. We only were told once with a disapproving eye that no, we couldn't browse in the book-shop any more because they close at six o'clock so that people could change to more appropriate clothes :D ( my husband wore "just" a cashmere sweater at that time....).

We are quite willing to cruise again on Cunard and quite liked the experience, the beautiful ship and the food , the wonderful library etc. We learned that it is easy to comply to the dress code with clothes that are comfortable to wear but still follow the rules in a very general way: I wear silk evening trousers with a dressy, sparkly top, my husband wears comfortable dark slacks or black jeans with a jacket in the evenings. If he doesn't want to put on a suit/tie on formal nights, we eat in the buffet and have a drink in the Garden lounge. It's our personal compromise because like you my husband had to wear a suit and tie for most of his working life and I can understand if he doesn't feel up to it every night of the cruise.But a simple well-cut but comfortable jacket does the trick for men!!

Go ahead and enjoy your cruise/transatlantic.

[Keith1010]

Unless you want to sit in your room I would either go with the appropriate clothes or select another cruise line.

 

Keith

[santrah]

Oceania cruises have a cruise May 18th 2015, leaving Montreal for London. No formal nights, Country Club Casual every night. Superb quality, food is excellent.

[Cruise NH]

Oceania cruises have a cruise May 18th 2015, leaving Montreal for London. No formal nights, Country Club Casual every night. Superb quality, food is excellent.

 

I'm sure this was offered up with the best intentions but I do wonder what Cunard would think about some of it's most loyal customers steering potentially new customers to other ships.

 

Cunard is in a tough spot, as others have noted in this thread a lot of people just don't want to dress up, especially on vacation. So how does Cunard attract new customers in a world where most other cruise lines are becoming more casual?

 

We are loyal Cunard customers, soon to be Diamond members, and I like the atmosphere on board and dressing up is fun to a point, but my husband and I (as well as a lot people we see on board) are getting older, who is coming behind us?

[Shawnino]

@CruiseNH: Isn't that an interesting question.

 

It's my opinion that Cunard needs to try to stay doing what its doing and hope its niche of the market replenishes itself. I think I understand the other side of the argument, but the second Cunard starts playing in the other ships' worlds, Cunard runs the risk of not being able to frame the discussion on its own terms. It then becomes a discussion not of what Cunard ships have, but rather what they are perceived to lack as compared to other ships. No water park. No crew members wandering about in Mouse or Sponge costumes.

 

Cunard might be then further drawn in to try to compete on other lines' terms. I have yet to voyage on Cunard, only having been so kindly encouraged by posters here just this week. So I'm not quite sure, but I would think that most of Cunard's current clientele could rather do without the Hairy Legs Contests.