Dress Code

[begagirl]

My husband and I are considering a seven-day cruise from Southampton on the Queen Victoria.  We will have just disembarked from an Oceania cruise from Buenos Aires where the dress code is "Country Club Casual" and my husband will have a jacket and tie to wear some evenings and I will have "after five" but not "formal" outfits.  I have read the Dress Code for Cunard and that on Formal Nights we would have to eat in the buffet and be "advised to stay from other areas on the ship out of respect for fellow travellers".  Is this really the case (especially the "staying away from other areas of the ship - we would hardly be getting around in shorts/jeans/t-shirts etc)?  

[Lakesregion]

16 minutes ago, begagirl said:

My husband and I are considering a seven-day cruise from Southampton on the Queen Victoria.  We will have just disembarked from an Oceania cruise from Buenos Aires where the dress code is "Country Club Casual" and my husband will have a jacket and tie to wear some evenings and I will have "after five" but not "formal" outfits.  I have read the Dress Code for Cunard and that on Formal Nights we would have to eat in the buffet and be "advised to stay from other areas on the ship out of respect for fellow travellers".  Is this really the case (especially the "staying away from other areas of the ship - we would hardly be getting around in shorts/jeans/t-shirts etc)?  

Oceania and Cunard re two different specie as you have noticed by your post. And yes if your husband does not have a dark Suit (not just a sports jacket) or a tuxedo, he will not be allowed to mingle with those who can and do observe the proper level of decorum. 

 

When in Rome as the saying goes - Cunard is Cunard because of the level of atmosphere that the ship and its passengers create, please do not try to lower that level.

 

On the other hand, the Buffet in the evening puts out a decent meal and you can enjoy entertainment in the adjoining lounge in your casual day time attire and the casino will be happy to take your money under dressed.

[LittleFish1976]

57 minutes ago, begagirl said:

My husband and I are considering a seven-day cruise from Southampton on the Queen Victoria.  We will have just disembarked from an Oceania cruise from Buenos Aires where the dress code is "Country Club Casual" and my husband will have a jacket and tie to wear some evenings and I will have "after five" but not "formal" outfits.  I have read the Dress Code for Cunard and that on Formal Nights we would have to eat in the buffet and be "advised to stay from other areas on the ship out of respect for fellow travellers".  Is this really the case (especially the "staying away from other areas of the ship - we would hardly be getting around in shorts/jeans/t-shirts etc)?  

 

 

I would think that 'after five' wear would be perfectly acceptable in the evenings, even on formal nights. In my experience, not all women wear floor-length gowns on formal nights. I would consider  'after five' to be something you would wear to an elegant restaurant on land or to an evening cocktail party. Perhaps you and your husband could have a quick shopping trip to top-up the wardrobe before boarding if you still feel your attire won't cut it. It sounds like a good chance to have a lovely European sailing on QV - why miss it?

 

 

[tv24]

See if your husband can pack a black jacket, black slacks and a white shirt, with a conservative tie.  That's what I do and I pass muster with the fashion police.

[BigMac1953]

Having spent (or will be spending) a few thousand pounds on a cruise, wouldn't it be rather silly to miss out on all that's available for the sake of £100?

 

That's what a low cost dinner suit (tux) costs at such places as M&S and a whole load of other outlets in the UK.

 

On the other hand, if it's a statement thing, then you've picked the wrong cruise line and risk wasting your money.

[SargassoPirate]

8 hours ago, tv24 said:

See if your husband can pack a black jacket, black slacks and a white shirt, with a conservative tie.  That's what I do and I pass muster with the fashion police.

 

 

Here is the outfit I wore on the QM2 after travelling around Europe on land by bus and train for two months.  I did not pack and haul "formal" wear for the cruise from Hamburg to NYC, but I did take a black sport coat, a pair of black slacks in addition to other clothes that I could wear on land.  To dress up for dinner, I wore my sport coat over a black T-shirt, black slacks, a pair of all black sneakers, and slipped a black pocket square into the breast pocket of my sport coat. 

 

I'm not sure if the fashion police approved, but the maitre d did, and he was very interested in my adventures on land.

 

The sport coat adds 20 ounces to my luggage. Not sure what the black slacks weigh.  You can't blame airline baggage fees for not dressing up.

 

 

 

[BlueRiband]

If dressing for dinner is something that you hate, then Cunard may not be a good match for your preferred vacation style.  It's no different then if you were contemplating a Disney itinerary but did not care to have so many young children on board.  One person's paradise can be another person's hell. 

[SargassoPirate]

10 minutes ago, PORT ROYAL said:

 

Think your photograph evidences the Princess Cruises dress code, which is perfectly  acceptable to Princess.  Good to note the Princess MD found your dress code acceptable, which they would, as one believes the dress code on Princes is advisable.

However, this attire would not show the due respect for The Cunard Dress Code, the Cunard ship, your Cunard table mates, other Cunard diners, and Cunard guests in other areas of the ship where the same levels respect are required.

If there is no wish to show the levels of respect required on Cunard, then there are many other lines who would  find your attitude acceptable.

 

While that photo was indeed taken on a Princess Cruise, it is the same outfit that I wore on the QM2 crossing that I described.  Here is the dress "code" language on the Cunard website.  According to the photos given as examples of formal wear, I was over-dressed for formal nights, and for the Gala evenings I did not accept their invitation to go beyond that.   I guess I could've packet a cravat.  As I said, the MD had no problem with my attire.

 

"During the day, feel free to relax and dress as you please in all areas of the ship. Then as the sun goes down, the style goes up. Every night on board, we ask that you wear formal attire in most of our bars, restaurants, and entertainment venues.

 

On our much-loved Gala evenings, which are the highlight of the voyage for many, we invite you to dress to impress as the celebratory atmosphere and sense of occasion is heightened across the ship. There are two or three of these special Gala evenings for every seven days of your voyage. Of course, if you prefer to spend your evenings in more relaxed attire, a selection of casual dining and entertainment venues are always available for your enjoyment"

 

https://www.cunard.com/en-us/the-cunard-experience/what-to-pack

 

 

The photo below is the example on Cunard's website of formal wear.

 

 

 

 

 

[bluemarble]

6 minutes ago, SargassoPirate said:

 

While that photo was indeed taken on a Princess Cruise, it is the same outfit that I wore on the QM2 crossing that I described.  Here is the dress "code" language on the Cunard website.  According to the photos given as examples of formal wear, I was over-dressed for formal nights, and for the Gala evenings I did not accept their invitation to go beyond that.   I guess I could've packet a cravat.  As I said, the MD had no problem with my attire.

 

"During the day, feel free to relax and dress as you please in all areas of the ship. Then as the sun goes down, the style goes up. Every night on board, we ask that you wear formal attire in most of our bars, restaurants, and entertainment venues.

 

On our much-loved Gala evenings, which are the highlight of the voyage for many, we invite you to dress to impress as the celebratory atmosphere and sense of occasion is heightened across the ship. There are two or three of these special Gala evenings for every seven days of your voyage. Of course, if you prefer to spend your evenings in more relaxed attire, a selection of casual dining and entertainment venues are always available for your enjoyment"

 

https://www.cunard.com/en-us/the-cunard-experience/what-to-pack

 

 

The photo below is the example on Cunard's website of formal wear.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I'm afraid you have fallen into the misunderstanding where the US web site incorrectly labels the "Smart Attire" dress code as "Formal Attire". The pictures you have posted here are appropriate for the "Smart Attire" evenings, not the "Gala Evenings" which are the true formal evenings.

 

Although you can't actually find the official wording for the dress code on the Cunard web site prior to actually booking a voyage, here is that wording for your benefit.

 

Smart Attire:
Gentlemen, every night we request you wear smart trousers with a shirt and jacket; tie is optional. Ladies, blouses and skirts or stylish trousers and dresses are welcome.

 

Gala:
On Gala nights it’s dinner jacket, tuxedo, or dark suit for the men with a regular tie or bow tie. Evening or cocktail dress, smart trouser suit, or formal separates for the ladies please. You can also wear formal national dress and military uniform*.

[BigMac1953]

 

The photo below is the example on Cunard's website of formal wear.

 

No it's not!

 

It clearly states "Smart attire" above the picture that you posted.

 

Under "Gala evening attire" it shows a dinner suit.

 

 

[bluemarble]

18 minutes ago, BigMac1953 said:

The photo below is the example on Cunard's website of formal wear.

 

No it's not!

 

It clearly states "Smart attire" above the picture that you posted.

 

Under "Gala evening attire" it shows a dinner suit.

 

Unfortunately the US website states "Formal attire" instead of "Smart attire" on the "What to pack" page. I've always been afraid that was going to cause confusion and now we have concrete evidence that it has. Here's the wording on the "What to pack" page of the US website (with the photos removed).

 

Evening style guide.

For those who want some help and guidance on what to pack, our style guide includes new ideas for your evening cruise wardrobe, including for our Gala nights—and a little help with the finishing touches.

Formal attire.

Every night on board in most venues we ask that you wear formal attire. You can still feel free to dress to impress, yet with less formality than during our Gala celebrations.

(insert Smart attire photos here)

Gala evening attire.

Two or three times during every seven nights on board, our Gala evenings (sometimes themed) encourage you to be at your most glamorous from when the clock strikes 6:00 pm.

(insert Gala evening attire photos here)

Edited February 18, 2020 by bluemarble

[SargassoPirate]

Here are the two examples of what Cunard considers formal wear for men. These are screenshots from the Cunard website.

 

 

 

Edited February 18, 2020 by SargassoPirate

[SargassoPirate]

And here are the two examples of what Cunard considers Gala dress for men.

 

[Host Hattie]

As bluemarble explained above, those photographs are wrongly labelled. It's clear when you compare the description of what is suitable for formal night with the photographs.

[bluemarble]

30 minutes ago, Host Hattie said:

As bluemarble explained above, those photographs are wrongly labelled. It's clear when you compare the description of what is suitable for formal night with the photographs.

 

And just to make sure it's clear, that first set of photos is only labelled "Formal attire" on the Cunard US website. The Cunard UK and Cunard Australia websites have those photos correctly labelled as "Smart attire". They are meant to illustrate what is appropriate for the "Smart attire" evenings (which used to be called "Informal" evenings in the dress code terminology from several years ago). That first set of photographs is not meant to be interpreted as examples of what is appropriate attire on "Gala" evenings (which used to be called "Formal" evenings several years ago).

 

I do understand the confusion caused by the Cunard US website's misleading use of the label "Formal attire" on its "What to pack" page. Hopefully this further explanation will help to clear up some of that confusion.

Edited February 18, 2020 by bluemarble

[JohnoClark]

Will this dark (but not black)  suit and my wife's outfit be OK for the Gala nights on QM2

[SargassoPirate]

8 hours ago, bluemarble said:

 

Smart Attire:
Gentlemen, every night we request you wear smart trousers with a shirt and jacket; tie is optional. Ladies, blouses and skirts or stylish trousers and dresses are welcome.

 Call it smart attire, and indeed it looks to me like the example photos meet the requirement for any evening except gala nights. Thanks for clarifying.

Edited February 19, 2020 by SargassoPirate

[SargassoPirate]

8 hours ago, bluemarble said:

 

 

Gala:
On Gala nights it’s dinner jacket, tuxedo, or dark suit for the men with a regular tie or bow tie. Evening or cocktail dress, smart trouser suit, or formal separates for the ladies please. You can also wear formal national dress and military uniform*.

And it looks like the example photos posted meet the requirements for gala nights.

 

I may have to upgrade my black T-shirt under a black jacket ensemble with a cravat 

[candle in the wind]

35 minutes ago, JohnoClark said:

Will this dark (but not black)  suit and my wife's outfit be OK for the Gala nights on QM2

I would give it a thumbs up!

[naturelovergirl]

On 2/17/2020 at 9:07 PM, begagirl said:

My husband and I are considering a seven-day cruise from Southampton on the Queen Victoria.  We will have just disembarked from an Oceania cruise from Buenos Aires where the dress code is "Country Club Casual" and my husband will have a jacket and tie to wear some evenings and I will have "after five" but not "formal" outfits.  I have read the Dress Code for Cunard and that on Formal Nights we would have to eat in the buffet and be "advised to stay from other areas on the ship out of respect for fellow travellers".  Is this really the case (especially the "staying away from other areas of the ship - we would hardly be getting around in shorts/jeans/t-shirts etc)?  

It is Cunard- it is a beautiful and special experience after six on “smart attire” evenings and the formal “Gala” nights... It is part of the Cunard experience.

On the Gala nights you will absolutely see women wearing formal long gowns and a large amount of men wearing tuxedos on Gala evenings... but you also do see men in dark suits with tie or bow tie and women in shorter sparkly cocktail dresses and such on the formal Gala nights too. 

We had three gala nights on my voyage last year... and for my formal dresses I wore one long gown, one midi length, and one knee length... my husband wore his dark suit with bow ties two nights and a tie the other. We had a great time!

On our next voyage we will have two gala evenings... for this one I have one long formal and one midi length formal.
We were able to pack well for the trip- we even had weight restrictions on our luggage since we were flying from the US.

Sparkly jewelry is nice and small to pack 😏

 

[begagirl]

In response to some of your replies to my query:  "not being allowed to mingle"; "please do not try to lower that level"; "casino will be happy to take your money under dressed"; "why miss out on this experience for the sake of 100 pounds"; "if this is a statement thing" - I find these answers rather insulting.  

 

My original question was whether my husband wearing a jacket, dress shirt and tie would be suitably attired for dinner in the main dining room on non-formal nights.  We would certainly not be so gauche as to attend a formal dinner dressed inappropriately and would have had dinner at the buffet on those evenings but would still expect to be able to access other areas of the ship (not the casino!) without offending other passengers.

 

We could bring formal wear from home but as we are on a three months round-the-world holiday we really don't want to have to bring clothes we would wear only a few times.  Buying a cheap 100 pounds polyester suit or hiring ill-fitting outfits on the ship is not an option we would consider. 

 

The only reason we looked at the  Cunard cruise was that it was a relatively inexpensive option to fill-in a few spare weeks we have between cruising to and from Europe.  It was definitely not going to be a "cruise of a lifetime" experience.  

 

If some of the people who have replied to my query are any indication of the type of passenger Cunard attracts then I agree, it is not a cruise line for us.  We have, therefore, made a reservation on Seabourn Ovation.

[BigMac1953]

I think you have forgotten your original question.

 

You did NOT ask about non-formal nights, you specifically asked about FORMAL nights:

 

I have read the Dress Code for Cunard and that on Formal Nights we would have to eat in the buffet and be "advised to stay from other areas on the ship out of respect for fellow travellers".  Is this really the case

 

You were given good advice, but may well be right and Cunard possibly is not for you.

[LittleFish1976]

2 hours ago, begagirl said:

In response to some of your replies to my query:  "not being allowed to mingle"; "please do not try to lower that level"; "casino will be happy to take your money under dressed"; "why miss out on this experience for the sake of 100 pounds"; "if this is a statement thing" - I find these answers rather insulting.  

 

My original question was whether my husband wearing a jacket, dress shirt and tie would be suitably attired for dinner in the main dining room on non-formal nights.  We would certainly not be so gauche as to attend a formal dinner dressed inappropriately and would have had dinner at the buffet on those evenings but would still expect to be able to access other areas of the ship (not the casino!) without offending other passengers.

 

We could bring formal wear from home but as we are on a three months round-the-world holiday we really don't want to have to bring clothes we would wear only a few times.  Buying a cheap 100 pounds polyester suit or hiring ill-fitting outfits on the ship is not an option we would consider. 

 

The only reason we looked at the  Cunard cruise was that it was a relatively inexpensive option to fill-in a few spare weeks we have between cruising to and from Europe.  It was definitely not going to be a "cruise of a lifetime" experience.  

 

If some of the people who have replied to my query are any indication of the type of passenger Cunard attracts then I agree, it is not a cruise line for us.  We have, therefore, made a reservation on Seabourn Ovation.

 

I'm so sorry you have had that experience here and wish I had jumped in again earlier when I saw the tone of some of the replies. Your question was perfectly reasonable and your suggestions quite appropriate. Just why some people have to take such a tone is beyond me. In my experience those people are not indicative of the types I have met on board the Cunard ships. I do hope you give Cunard a try one day and I hope you enjoy the cruise you ended up booking.

 

[begagirl]

2 hours ago, LittleFish1976 said:

 

I'm so sorry you have had that experience here and wish I had jumped in again earlier when I saw the tone of some of the replies. Your question was perfectly reasonable and your suggestions quite appropriate. Just why some people have to take such a tone is beyond me. In my experience those people are not indicative of the types I have met on board the Cunard ships. I do hope you give Cunard a try one day and I hope you enjoy the cruise you ended up booking.

 

Thank you very much for your support.  

[exlondoner]

28 minutes ago, begagirl said:

Thank you very much for your support.  

 

You have probably made a wise choice. We all find different things offensive. I am slightly crushed by the implied derision of 'cheap $100 polyester suit' being beneath consideration. While Cunard passengers do not always come across well in dress code debates on these boards, on the ships themselves at any rate I have never felt despised for being (relatively) poor.