Alaska on QE: Leave the Old Tux at Home?

[ricka47]

We sail mostly the Caribbean as the ports are nearby to us here in Florida.  But, I used to travel quite often to Alaska on business yet have never taken an Alaskan cruise and are considering doing so.  Now, we have never been on Cunard so we have some homework to do before we would book something.  We are looking at the Queen Elizabeth for this coming summer.

 

We recently completed an 11-night Caribbean cruise on Oceania and enjoyed it very much.  Just from the little research that I've done so far, I can see that Oceania and Cunard differ in some significant areas not the least of which appears to be the level of formality which is fine.

 

I have not worn my tux for the past few years and will put on a jacket and tie for our upcoming Thanksgiving cruise on HAL (but not the tux) for the two gala nights.  I read somewhere on this board that 70% of the gentlemen were wearing tuxes on a recent cruise (don't remember the itinerary).  I haven't seen that on any cruise for a very long time.

 

Alaska is a different (and wonderful) kind of place where tuxes and even jackets and ties are less common than perhaps other parts of the U.S. and Europe.   What will it be like on the ship - will the dress be similar to what I see on the "what to pack" section of the Cunard website?  If so, that's cool.  I might have to lose a few pounds though to fit into the tux!

Edited November 7, 2019 by ricka47

[carlmm]

Bring the tux!

 

Cunard is dress wise quite different from other cruise lines and mantains at least a minimum of style.

[ricka47]

3 minutes ago, carlmm said:

Bring the tux!

 

Cunard is dress wise quite different from other cruise lines and mantains at least a minimum of style.

 

I'll go try it on and leave the red flannel lumberjack shirt at home!

[Underwatr]

Red flannel is fine, just before 6 PM!

[Canuker]

On a ten day Alaska cruise with Cunard, expect 2 formal (i.e. tuxes or dark suits for the gents) evenings, called "Gala".
All others are "Smart Attire", which means shirt, jacket and long pants for the men. A necktie is optional. The exception: they will let you in the main dining room without a jacket on the first night, in case yourbaggage hasn't reached your cabin by then.
Longer cruises may have more formal nights.

 

There's more:

(quote) "Please note that after 6:00pm, shorts and blue or worn denim (for men and women); sandals and sleeveless tops (for men) are not considered appropriate within the ship. 

Of course, if you prefer to spend your evenings in more relaxed attire, a selection of casual dining and entertainment venues is always available for your enjoyment. Feel free to dress casually as you visit any of the following venues: Kings Court, Lido Buffet, Golden Lion, Casino, Carinthia Lounge, Winter Garden, Garden Lounge, Yacht Club, and G32. Non-ripped, jeans are appropriate, but please refrain from wearing shorts, sports attire, swim wear or sleeveless t-shirts outside of the gym, spa and deck spaces".

So there you have it. The fact that you are headed to Alaska, where casual is the norm for virtually everyone there, on board Queen Elizabeth it is Cunard's business as usual. And lest you wonder, yes, these rules are enforced on board. 

 

There's one other piece of men's apparel that doesn't get much attention: when you want to hit the dance floor, wear shoes with leather, not rubber, soles. You'll be gliding around the floor like a pro.

When asked to sum up Cunard's overall style, compared with other lines, I use one word: "elegant'.
My best suggestion: don the tux and feel like a million dollar James Bond. 

Edited November 8, 2019 by Canuker

[roscoe39]

6 hours ago, ricka47 said:

 

I'll go try it on and leave the red flannel lumberjack shirt at home!

no don't it will be a great contrast under your tux~!

[david,Mississauga]

My experience on a recent Alaska cruise is that about 50% of men wore dinner jackets/tuxedos in the Britannia Restaurant on the two gala nights. The others were in suits and ties. I was surprised at how many men removed their jackets and placed them on the back of their chairs. It wasn't hot in the dining room.

 

I realise this wasn't asked, but as a point of interest: On many other cruises I would say about 70% of men wear real formal wear, again based on my personal observations . On Atlantic crossings it can be as high as 95%, but certainly not always.  In the Grills, the percentage of men in formal wear is usually higher.

Edited November 10, 2019 by david,Mississauga