Wisconsin Travelers Posted August 19, 2018 #1 Share Posted August 19, 2018 Here's an interesting little wrinkle. Upon booking our upcoming voyage on QV, I inquired about the cost of tuxedo rental for my husband, and was told $210 (U.S.) for the 15 day cruise. Today my husband found his tie, cummerbund and studs, so I called again to see if the rental fee would be reduced if he brought these items. Initially the fellow I spoke with said no, the cost would be $210. Then he kept reading and said, "Oh, I'm wrong. That's the price on QE and QM. On QV the price is $131." What??!! Does anyone have first hand experience who might be able to give us a definitive answer? Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Underwatr Posted August 20, 2018 #2 Share Posted August 20, 2018 I had always understood that it is priced according to the number of formal nights in your itinerary. I think you'll find that it's less expensive to buy something that he knows fits and perhaps is tailored. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wisconsin Travelers Posted August 20, 2018 Author #3 Share Posted August 20, 2018 Thank you, Underwatr. There are 4 formal nights on our cruise, so the higher price made sense to me. But the guy I talked to insisted it had to do with the ship - very strange. Since we don't normally cruise on Cunard, my husband really doesn't have any need to own a tuxedo. The one he had while we were both still working and attending various formal events doesn't fit him anymore! He tells people it shrunk at the dry cleaners . . . Hah! More like he managed to gain a fair amount of weight after retirement! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluemarble Posted August 20, 2018 #4 Share Posted August 20, 2018 That seems strange to me as well. In case you haven't seen this, the Cunard UK FAQ states the formal wear rental prices as follows. Black Tuxedo Packages Includes Dinner Jacket, trousers, shirt, bow tie & handkerchief. Number of Nights - Cost (USD) 1 - $90 2 - $125 3 - $170 4 - $210 5 - $250 This is in agreement with the $210 price you were originally quoted for 4 formal nights. If the pricing varies by ship, the Cunard UK FAQ makes no mention of that fact, although it does include the standard disclaimer "Prices are subject to change". Hopefully someone who has actually rented formal wear recently on QV will be along soon to give you a more informed answer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
picsa Posted August 20, 2018 #5 Share Posted August 20, 2018 At those prices, rather than wearing used clothing it would be cheaper to buy and throw away at the end of the cruise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VintageCCG Posted August 20, 2018 #6 Share Posted August 20, 2018 At those prices, rather than wearing used clothing it would be cheaper to buy and throw away at the end of the cruise. Dunno where you're buying your suits, at less than $250 for a tuxedo or formal suit, including shirt and tie and cummerbund ... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Jack E Dawson Posted August 20, 2018 #7 Share Posted August 20, 2018 Most tuxedo rental shops and stores like The Men's Warehouse will sell you a used tux for $125-$175. That's how I bought mine. I was able to go through the inventory of my size and pick out a tux that showed no signs of use. It was freshly dry-cleaned and pressed. While there were many styles to chose from I, selected a classic design that should always be appropriate onboard on the the QM2. The salesman even gave me a discount on two new tuxedo shirts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Neuhoftraveler Posted August 20, 2018 #8 Share Posted August 20, 2018 That seems strange to me as well. In case you haven't seen this, the Cunard UK FAQ states the formal wear rental prices as follows. Black Tuxedo Packages Includes Dinner Jacket, trousers, shirt, bow tie & handkerchief. Not to nitpick, but does the package not include braces, cummerbund, and studs? To the OP: better bring what you own even if you do decide to rent. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wisconsin Travelers Posted August 21, 2018 Author #9 Share Posted August 21, 2018 That seems strange to me as well. In case you haven't seen this, the Cunard UK FAQ states the formal wear rental prices as follows. Black Tuxedo Packages Includes Dinner Jacket, trousers, shirt, bow tie & handkerchief. Number of Nights - Cost (USD) 1 - $90 2 - $125 3 - $170 4 - $210 5 - $250 This is in agreement with the $210 price you were originally quoted for 4 formal nights. If the pricing varies by ship, the Cunard UK FAQ makes no mention of that fact, although it does include the standard disclaimer "Prices are subject to change". Hopefully someone who has actually rented formal wear recently on QV will be along soon to give you a more informed answer. Thank you for this information, John. On the Cunard U.S. FAQ there is no information at all regarding formal wear rental. The prices on the UK FAQ make perfect sense to me - more money for more days. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Jack E Dawson Posted August 21, 2018 #10 Share Posted August 21, 2018 Yes, the tux I bought included studs (2 extras), cuff-links, cummerbund and bowtie. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
picsa Posted August 21, 2018 #11 Share Posted August 21, 2018 Dunno where you're buying your suits, at less than $250 for a tuxedo or formal suit, including shirt and tie and cummerbund ... https://www.marksandspencer.com/l/men/mens-suits/dinner-suits-n-bzvul May not be great quality, but better than a rental worn by dozens of others. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bell Boy Posted August 21, 2018 #12 Share Posted August 21, 2018 https://www.marksandspencer.com/l/men/mens-suits/dinner-suits-n-bzvul May not be great quality, but better than a rental worn by dozens of others. Quite right picsa , nothing worse than seeing some Guys in their rental suits. One can tell a Cunard Rental Tux a mile off! poor fitting jackets and their trousers baggy or far too short.;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkBearSF Posted August 21, 2018 #13 Share Posted August 21, 2018 (edited) Quite right picsa , nothing worse than seeing some Guys in their rental suits. One can tell a Cunard Rental Tux a mile off! poor fitting jackets and their trousers baggy or far too short.;) Well, la de da! If someone doesn't have a tux, or the desire to own one and they want to rent one, good for them! And as far as the general feeling of a formal/gala evening, I'll take a rented tux over an ill-fitting sportcoat, or other non-formal choice any day. ...and I'd be willing to bet that the gent with the ill-fitting outfit is more likely using something he owns and hasn't worn in a few years, versus one with a tux which had been sized when rented the day before. Edited August 21, 2018 by MarkBearSF Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ivanidea Posted August 22, 2018 #14 Share Posted August 22, 2018 Charity shops in the UK can be a great place to look for a tuxedo, at a reasonable price. Most often they have only been worn a few times, so are in excellent (if not as new) condition. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VintageCCG Posted August 22, 2018 #15 Share Posted August 22, 2018 https://www.marksandspencer.com/l/men/mens-suits/dinner-suits-n-bzvul May not be great quality, but better than a rental worn by dozens of others. Good old Marks and Sparks! Wish we still had them in Canada, albeit ours were never up to the standard of the British shops. Still, they were the only Canadian source for Walnut Whips! Not to mention slippers and bathrobes (sorry, "dressing gowns") for Father's Day gifts. A decent inexpensive suit - or tuxedo - provides accessibility to those who cannot afford a bespoke suit in silk or fine wool . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Jack E Dawson Posted August 26, 2018 #16 Share Posted August 26, 2018 Well here I am packing my previously rented tux which I bought a few years back, as my wife and I prepare to leave for a week in Scotland before boarding the QM2 for Fashion Week. Yikes, Fashion Week, thank goodness the first formal night is on the second day and it will be too late to have me escorted back to the dock! Is walking the plank still practiced? Bell Boy, I think you will also be on this cruise. If you promise not to "drop a dime" on me, my wife and I would be happy to buy you a drink in the Commodore Club. I hope Powder Blue is is back in fashion:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluemarble Posted August 27, 2018 #17 Share Posted August 27, 2018 Well here I am packing my previously rented tux which I bought a few years back, as my wife and I prepare to leave for a week in Scotland before boarding the QM2 for Fashion Week. Yikes, Fashion Week, thank goodness the first formal night is on the second day and it will be too late to have me escorted back to the dock! Is walking the plank still practiced? Bell Boy, I think you will also be on this cruise. If you promise not to "drop a dime" on me, my wife and I would be happy to buy you a drink in the Commodore Club. I hope Powder Blue is is back in fashion:) Funny you should mention "walking the plank". A few days ago, on another thread, Fairgarth posted a link to a "Matt cartoon" from The Telegraph on that very subject. That link (and the one I'll provide here) requires a login to The Telegraph's site (which can be created for free, but is still a bit of a nuisance). https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/07/31/matt-cartoons-august-2018/matt-cartoon-august-21/ I'll describe the cartoon for those that don't want to bother logging in to the Telegraph's site in order to follow the link. The cartoon shows the stern of a cruise ship with an unfortunate passenger being forced to walk the plank. It's hard to tell for sure, but it looks like the offending passenger may be wearing shorts. The caption of the cartoon is "I had no idea the dining room dress code was so strict" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bell Boy Posted August 27, 2018 #18 Share Posted August 27, 2018 Well here I am packing my previously rented tux which I bought a few years back, as my wife and I prepare to leave for a week in Scotland before boarding the QM2 for Fashion Week. Yikes, Fashion Week, thank goodness the first formal night is on the second day and it will be too late to have me escorted back to the dock! Is walking the plank still practiced? Bell Boy, I think you will also be on this cruise. If you promise not to "drop a dime" on me, my wife and I would be happy to buy you a drink in the Commodore Club. I hope Powder Blue is is back in fashion:) I shall look out for you, I'm often found sitting at the Bar Top most evenings in the Commodore between 7.30 -8.30 pm or occasionally sequence. dancing in the Ballroom from 7.45pm -8.30pm . ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dtwtraveler Posted October 9, 2018 #19 Share Posted October 9, 2018 Buy the complete outfit at JC Penney! After tailoring, you'll receive compliments. Our executive-looking friend fools them every time!;););) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SALAD MUNCHER Posted October 9, 2018 #20 Share Posted October 9, 2018 That seems strange to me as well. In case you haven't seen this, the Cunard UK FAQ states the formal wear rental prices as follows. Black Tuxedo Packages Includes Dinner Jacket, trousers, shirt, bow tie & handkerchief. Number of Nights - Cost (USD) 1 - $90 2 - $125 3 - $170 4 - $210 5 - $250 This is in agreement with the $210 price you were originally quoted for 4 formal nights. If the pricing varies by ship, the Cunard UK FAQ makes no mention of that fact, although it does include the standard disclaimer "Prices are subject to change". Hopefully someone who has actually rented formal wear recently on QV will be along soon to give you a more informed answer. Do you think it could be something to do with a separate Franchise agreement with the on board shop owners? It's the only thing I can think of! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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