New Dress Code Designations?

[axelskater]

It would be interesting to see if those disliking the new rules were older. 70 and over? No offense to anyone in saying that either. It's a generation thing. Like it or not if Cunard doesn't change then in 10 years time you will find they go out of business. The next generation "mostly" don't feel the same about formal clothes being worn all the time. Or a tie etc, and just wait till you get the millennials all grown up and on mass! You may hate it and want to keep it but it is how it is.

 

42. There you have it.

[levenlinks]

42. There you have it.

 

 

I've been reading the reviews of the Queens and I'm now thinking we are worried about the wrong thing. Dress is the least of our problems. The food was universally panned, service was awful, on and on. One man on a 4 week voyage got off after two weeks it was so bad. The upper deck buffet was called "nasty" and especially vilified. Think I'll book more evenings in the "Veranda" specialty dining room...

[axelskater]

I've been reading the reviews of the Queens and I'm now thinking we are worried about the wrong thing. Dress is the least of our problems. The food was universally panned, service was awful, on and on. One man on a 4 week voyage got off after two weeks it was so bad. The upper deck buffet was called "nasty" and especially vilified. Think I'll book more evenings in the "Veranda" specialty dining room...

 

That is not my experience in 15 voyages. My last 7 voyages were Grills but we enjoyed Britannia before that, and the specialty restaurants too. A nice mix of each.

People often complain more easily than they praise. If you love your voyage you go home with great memories. Statistically you are not likely to write a review. People who are disappointed, be it real or imagined are more likely to complain and vent, if for no other reason than to commiserate and find others to validate that complaint. I guess that is Psychology 101. I have no complaints about the food, cabins, entertainment, majority of staff, cleanliness and upkeep of ship, afternoon tea, activities - like flower arranging or lectures, Grills areas, shops and library... My one and only problem is I like the formality of Cunard and don't want that to change. Everything else has always been great.

[Happyboating]

That is not my experience in 15 voyages. My last 7 voyages were Grills but we enjoyed Britannia before that, and the specialty restaurants too. A nice mix of each.

People often complain more easily than they praise. If you love your voyage you go home with great memories. Statistically you are not likely to write a review. People who are disappointed, be it real or imagined are more likely to complain and vent, if for no other reason than to commiserate and find others to validate that complaint. I guess that is Psychology 101. I have no complaints about the food, cabins, entertainment, majority of staff, cleanliness and upkeep of ship, afternoon tea, activities - like flower arranging or lectures, Grills areas, shops and library... My one and only problem is I like the formality of Cunard and don't want that to change. Everything else has always been great.

 

We agree. We would actually cancel our next voyage if it wasn’t for the fact that we live in the UK and would lose our deposit if we did so but we now feel that the product we booked, and are locked into, isn’t what we signed up for, ie the expanding of areas where casual dress is allowed which will, in our opinion, spoil the ambiance of the ship.

[peteukmcr]

Apologies but I don’t have the time to read all 38 pages of this thread so could someone possibly summarise the changes that are causing so much displeasure?

 

I clearly understand the dress code in terms of formal and informal (smart) attire. I also understand that this is imposed after 6pm and that there are only certain areas of the ship after this time where casual attire is acceptable.

 

Is it the fact that certain venues have been added to the ‘casual’ list such as the Golden Lion, Casino and G32?

 

Having not yet sailed on QM2, I cannot appreciate the issues of adding ‘casual’ venues

[PORT ROYAL]

Apologies but I don’t have the time to read all 38 pages of this thread so could someone possibly summarise the changes that are causing so much displeasure?

 

I clearly understand the dress code in terms of formal and informal (smart) attire. I also understand that this is imposed after 6pm and that there are only certain areas of the ship after this time where casual attire is acceptable.

 

Is it the fact that certain venues have been added to the ‘casual’ list such as the Golden Lion, Casino and G32?

 

Having not yet sailed on QM2, I cannot appreciate the issues of adding ‘casual’ venues

 

Not imposed - suggested

For my part, it is the actual ambiguous wording, and how this could be interpreted, and the lack of an enforcement policy.

E.g. The new wording states one can be free to wear whatever you like in all areas of the ship, during the day. (Speedos and no footware or body covering in the Kings Court or Lido Buffets and Coffee Houses?)

 

 

The wording and enforcement matters are being dealt with by Cunard, with the first 'new wording' casulity being the "Jacket" situation, with the word "Required" replacing the new wording of "requested".

[peteukmcr]

Not imposed - suggested

For my part, it is the actual ambiguous wording, and how this could be interpreted, and the lack of an enforcement policy.

E.g. The new wording states one can be free to wear whatever you like in all areas of the ship, during the day. (Speedos and no footware or body covering in the Kings Court or Lido Buffets and Coffee Houses?)

 

 

The wording and enforcement matters are being dealt with by Cunard, with the first 'new wording' casulity being the "Jacket" situation, with the word "Required" replacing the new wording of "requested".

I am going as per the voyage personaliser which states informal (jacket required).

 

As for wearing whatever you want, is that a problem when it states shorts ok in Kings Court for breakfast and lunch, but casual attire in the MDR?

 

Just trying to understand the upset people are obviously feeling seeing as this thread is so many pages long.

[bluemarble]

The page on the UK FAQ for the question "Is there a dress code on board?" is now back. The only change I have been able to detect is that it now includes this additional statement (which also appears on the page for the question "What will the dress code be whilst I am on board?").

 

"For those who want some further help and guidance, or wish to view some examples of evening and day wear, please visit our What To Pack page on our website."

[PORT ROYAL]

I am going as per the voyage personaliser which states informal (jacket required).

 

As for wearing whatever you want, is that a problem when it states shorts ok in Kings Court for breakfast and lunch, but casual attire in the MDR?

 

Just trying to understand the upset people are obviously feeling seeing as this thread is so many pages long.

 

Others have their own legitimate and different views.

 

Myself, having personal experience of the "Just a change of wordings" regarding "Dress Codes" on Cruise Ships, where the word "Required" was changed to requested, then to suggested. With the subsequent loss of Semi-Formal, then Formal, and the enforcement removed on the introduction of the word "requested".

 

 

The Lines are:

Princess

RCL

Celebrity

 

In all cases the Lines' "Just a change of wording" was a defensive corporate mantra, but in reality it was a precursor to what Dress Codes exists now these three.

 

 

Cunard appeared to folllowing the same direction of travel.

[axelskater]

We agree. We would actually cancel our next voyage if it wasn’t for the fact that we live in the UK and would lose our deposit if we did so but we now feel that the product we booked, and are locked into, isn’t what we signed up for, ie the expanding of areas where casual dress is allowed which will, in our opinion, spoil the ambiance of the ship.

 

I did actually cancel my 10 day Alaska on QE because the cost was so astronomical (which would not really be an issue if Cunard made no changes at all) and went ahead and used that booking towards a TA on QM2. That will be it for Cunard until we see how all of this shakes out. People can make jokes if they like, but for my money I want the formal experience. It is not about the ports, etc.; it is just the closest thing we can get to stepping back in time (orchestra, dancing, strings concerts, formality) - which is so rare now. The ship's atmosphere is what it is all about for us.

[HaveDogWillTravel]

It would be interesting to see if those disliking the new rules were older. 70 and over? No offense to anyone in saying that either. It's a generation thing. Like it or not if Cunard doesn't change then in 10 years time you will find they go out of business. The next generation "mostly" don't feel the same about formal clothes being worn all the time. Or a tie etc, and just wait till you get the millennials all grown up and on mass! You may hate it and want to keep it but it is how it is.

 

No we are not all 70 and over. Age is 47 and we are cruising specifically for the ambiance created by everyone dressed in formal attire. We cruise 3-4 times a year. It would be interesting to see the data on Cunard's demographics and how they feel about dressing formally. This board may or may not be representative as we are all just self selecting to participate in this conversation.

[princeton12321]

No we are not all 70 and over. Age is 47 and we are cruising specifically for the ambiance created by everyone dressed in formal attire. We cruise 3-4 times a year. It would be interesting to see the data on Cunard's demographics and how they feel about dressing formally. This board may or may not be representative as we are all just self selecting to participate in this conversation.

 

 

 

I would venture to say that this board is a very small representation of their overall demographic or they would not have made the business decision they did based on market research.

[PORT ROYAL]

I would venture to say that this board is a very small representation of their overall demographic or they would not have made the business decision they did based on market research.

 

Don't think one needs a demographic respresentation to have a conversation.

 

No problem with "Casuals" having their own defined areas, with codes enforced in all other venues.

[Stella1250]

One thing is for sure, I think. If "jacket required" is now "jacket requested", we will see a lot less jackets in the MDR.

[PORT ROYAL]

One thing is for sure, I think. If "jacket required" is now "jacket requested", we will see a lot less jackets in the MDR.

 

Then everywhere, then Cunard could become a Carnival Queen, then rebranded, then remarketed, then to disappear.

 

On thinking seriously, maybe a disappearance is what Carnival wants, as Cunard does not fit their required demographic. Anyway, where would they fit the watersides? Grills Sundeck?

When building the new ship the water slides, climbing wall, dodgems etc could be added at a minimum cost.

Edited May 7, 2018 by PORT ROYAL
predictive

[Guest SilverHengroen]

One thing is for sure, I think. If "jacket required" is now "jacket requested", we will see a lot less jackets in the MDR.

Judging by the amount of people who wear ties regardless on informal evenings, I don’t think it will make a huge amount of difference, honestly. More people go the extra mile than try to subvert the dress code in my experience.

[peteukmcr]

Judging by the amount of people who wear ties regardless on informal evenings, I don’t think it will make a huge amount of difference, honestly. More people go the extra mile than try to subvert the dress code in my experience.

I’m sure they do, I know we do.

 

Even on RCI 3 weeks ago we wore formal attire (and so did many others contrary to rumour on the designated formal evenings) and on Celebrity we still do, as well do many others, again contrary to reports of people in shorts and t shirts in the MDR on ‘Evening Chic’ nights.

 

Even though our voyage personaliser only states ‘Informal (jacket required)’ for our upcoming taster on QM2 were are taking formal clothing as ‘Informal’ to us is the minimum required and others have advised that even on these short sailings, there has been an evening where ‘Formal optional’ has been suggested.

[sppunk]

Then everywhere, then Cunard could become a Carnival Queen, then rebranded, then remarketed, then to disappear.

 

On thinking seriously, maybe a disappearance is what Carnival wants, as Cunard does not fit their required demographic. Anyway, where would they fit the watersides? Grills Sundeck?

When building the new ship the water slides, climbing wall, dodgems etc could be added at a minimum cost.

Carnival owns Seabourn. Last I looked they aren’t installing slides.

[Host Hattie]

Carnival owns Seabourn. Last I looked they aren’t installing slides.

Or on P&O or Holland America ....

[princeton12321]

Or on P&O or Holland America ....

 

 

 

Although the new Cunard ship will be nearly identical to Holland America’s Koningsdam at least in construction and basic layout (Cunard signature features like the Grills incorporated of course).

[jburton59]

As was the QE and QV copies of Holland America's Vistas. Copying basic ship designs between the various lines isn't new.

 

Sent from my SM-J700T using Forums mobile app

[foodsvcmgr]

With regard to the suggestion that the older demographic prefers the more formal dress code, my observations on HAL, Celebrity, and Princess have been that the elderly have often been among the worst dressed, coming to dinner in the same clothes and sneakers they wore all day, while the maligned millennials have made considerable effort to dress up nicely.

[princeton12321]

As was the QE and QV copies of Holland America's Vistas. Copying basic ship designs between the various lines isn't new.

 

Sent from my SM-J700T using Forums mobile app

 

 

 

I guess my point was only half baked. What I was trying to say was that where Cunard eroded it’s identity for me (and I would guess for a number of people who have sailed with them for a long time) was not in the dress code but when the uniqueness of the ships went away. QE2, Caronia, the Sea Goddess sisters...now that was an experience. QM2 absolutely is still in that category (which is the only reason I still sail Cunard) but the rest of them are floating apartment blocks.

 

You want to see where Cunard lost its way? It’s not in who is wearing a sport coat and who’s not. I just don’t get the faux Art Deco interior of QE and QVs even more listless blend of art nouveau and deco. They aren’t a faithful recreation of liners past so much as a cartoon version of what people imagine they were. But the reality is Cunard liners more or less were always modern products of their time and decorated accordingly. Queen Mary wasnt nearly as daring as Normandie but she was still modern for her day. QE2 in particular was strikingly modern (some almost said too much) when she debuted and still retained a lot of those features when she retired.

 

So bottom line when we’re talking about Cunard losing their way, for me it has far less to do with the dress code than it does with the fact they’ve just become a mass market cruise line utilizing (for the most part) mass market ships that trades on an “old timey” fantasy.

[Camgirl]

With regard to the suggestion that the older demographic prefers the more formal dress code, my observations on HAL, Celebrity, and Princess have been that the elderly have often been among the worst dressed, coming to dinner in the same clothes and sneakers they wore all day, while the maligned millennials have made considerable effort to dress up nicely.

I agree. And on Cunard too. I have seen older men wearing cardigans in place of jackets on several occasions whilst the younger passengers are dressed to the nines. Often including any children.

[LewiLewi]

We have sailed on many cruise ships (160+ cruises) and we are very glad that Cunard may be lightening up the dress code. We have always appeared well dressed both day and evening, but we don't feel that wearing a tuxedo is necessary, unless one chooses to do so.. A sport jacket and tie is what my husband is comfortable wearing, or just a sport jacket on not "gala"evenings is more to our liking. We have already sailed on a full WC on the QE a few years ago, but were not happy with the strict dress code; and yes we enjoy dining in the MDR and not the buffet.

With this new policy, we have already decided to book the QM2 for our next WC. I think that there are many more passengers who feel the way we do.