How are formal nights these days cruising in the UK?

[voljeep]

2 minutes ago, Oxo said:

How can anyone say what will be accepted and what won't?

It all depends on who is at the door when you walk in.

Try it and see what happens. 

AI scanners will replace that 'person at the door' - at that point it will be business, not personal

[billco]

39 minutes ago, voljeep said:

AI scanners will replace that 'person at the door' - at that point it will be business, not personal

My Ring Doorbell already has AI. It can tell the difference between a salesperson, Jehovah Witness, Girl Scout, or escaped convict. It tells them all that I can't come to the door right now.

[JG&Lcruisingnewbies]

Was wondering if I dare reply but I’m feeling brave, so…. 😉

 

You asked specifically about Southampton

 

I was on a P & O cruise recently with majority Brits. And a full Sky Princess last month with less than half the passengers being Brits (1900). Both cruises out of Southampton.

 

I am a Brit and we seem to have a reputation for dressing up, but I promise not to police your attire in the MDR 😂 

These are observations. Not instructions, I promise!

 

formal night on P&O- majority on board British.

 

MANY more in Black tie/ tuxedos & long gowns than seen on Princess.

Seen P&O turn people away if you have light jeans/ shorts/ t shirt in the MDR on any night. 

 

Formal night on Princess-

 

for the men/ boys- saw minimum of trousers and a collared shirt.

some had ties, some had jackets. Some went the full hog & wore a Tux.

 

for the women- smart blouse & trousers or skirt, dresses of all lengths & colours.

anything from what you’d wear at a nice restaurant, to a wedding, to ballgowns not out of place on Cunard.

 

yes ok, I was checking out what people were wearing. I’d read on here that Brits tend to dress up more on a cruise so I wanted to compare 2 cruises I’ve been on recently. I find that sort of thing interesting which might make me weird but oh well 😊

 

personally I prefer the more relaxed vibe I saw on Princess. I’m in a long dress but just a smart one. Not a ballgown. Husband in a suit & tie, not a tux. 10yr old daughter in a gorgeous dress more put together & smarter than her parents for sure lol

 

Also personally- I don’t think formal wear should be a ‘rule’

 

Although If I told a fellow Brit ‘he went to the MDR in shirt & pants’ then I’ve just said he’s in his underwear. he’s definitely broken a rule 🙃😜

[Eglesbrech]

2 hours ago, billco said:

Never have so many talked so much about so little.

And you have added your own contribution to that mighty cannon of work.

[Guest Snaxmuppet]

3 hours ago, billco said:

Never have so many talked so much about so little.

... by so few

 

It is only a few people discussing it isn't it. It is an emotive topic though and one that needs a regular airing to flesh out the changes in views, opinions and attitudes. 

 

My thoughts on the topic have changed since starting this discussion. I now see the folly of expecting any kind of dress code enforcement on Princess and so I have to let it go. It is what it is and no amount of me liking or preferring there to be a smart dress code in the MDR will make P enforce it or make people want it. So my attitude has changed directly because of our discussions... and if that has helped me then it sure is likely to have helped others.

 

So yes, I can see how the regulars on the forum might say "... oh here we go again..." but these discussions are worthwhile IMO even if they are boring to many of you.

[suzyed]

On 9/11/2023 at 4:13 AM, SCX22 said:

 

Below is a Princess Event Listings from a Sky Princess cruise ex Southampton.  The prescribed dress is "White & Gold."  (This wasn't a themed cruise.)  If I did participate in that evening's dress recommendation, I'm not sure what I would wear.  I wouldn't be too keen on buying an outfit to adhere to what Princess is recommending.  It's in this instance that I'm glad you recognize, that there are limitations to what should be enforced.

 

 

The White and Gold night is held in the Piazza as far as I was able to discern. Didn't see a whole lot of folks dressing in White and Gold throughout the ship (on Enchanted NYE sailing). I wouldn't go out and purchase a new outfit for this "event" but I happen to have a muted gold top I may bring with us on our upcoming sailing.

[suzyed]

On 9/11/2023 at 8:07 AM, SargassoPirate said:

Saw this combination on Cunard and the fellow said it's easy to pack lightly.  The sport coat weighs 19 ounces.  Add a few colored T-shirts with matching pocket squares, black jeans that can be worn anytime and weight or space packing "formal wear" for the cruise is not a valid excuse for not dressing up.

 

 

 

 

Did Cunard say this was ok on formal night?

[Lucky TGO]

On 9/10/2023 at 4:42 AM, Over from NZ said:

Mediterranean.. shorts and T-Shirts are now acceptable in the dining room on Forma night.. so would expect out of UK to be similar?

You will be welcomed at this fine dining establishment in old Boston’s  

Scully Square wearing shorts and a T-shirt.😀

[SargassoPirate]

9 hours ago, suzyed said:

Did Cunard say this was ok on formal night?

Evidently.  I can't recall the exact wording of the "gala/formal" night dress code wording on our last Cunard cruise, but a jacket was stated for men.  I didn't notice any enforcement, but I was in a suit 

 

Since I saw that a black jacket and T shirt with matching pocket square was acceptable on Cunard, I have started using that approach myself and found that packing for a longer trip is easier since the T shirts do double duty and the only real addition to my load is the black sport coat.

 

Does anyone think the guy pictured would be turned away on formal night in any cruise line?

 

[tobyt]

While I enjoy the “what to wear” banter sometimes I was hoping for a different POV.

Port intensive trip, cooler weather, longer days off ship, possible rain and damp would to me equal a less formal and relaxed attire, as an example heading to dinner right after return from an excursion.

Can anyone comment if attire layered for weather changes would be a problem?

Next planned trip is for us much longer than average week ish and of course weather challenges in the shoulder season we like to travel in.

[Steelers36]

On 9/13/2023 at 12:29 AM, Lucky TGO said:

You will be welcomed at this fine dining establishment in old Boston’s  

Scully Square wearing shorts and a T-shirt.😀

 

How about here?  Should be no problem as long as you're with me.  They know me here:

 

 

 

 

[karatemom2]

On 9/9/2023 at 3:50 PM, kiwimum said:

Sailed in the Sky out of Southampton mid August and was amazed by the number of men and boys in tuxedos,  women and girls in long dresses.   Families looked amazing and wore their formal attire very comfortably.   Well done.

We just returned from a Med cruise on the  Sky out of Southampton and had the same impression. It was one of the dressiest groups we have experienced on any of our cruises. Lots of tuxes, very nice suits, long gowns and even some very impressive kilts. People really seemed to love the formal nights and went all out. It was nice and I was glad we made the effort to dress up too, albeit not to the extent of many others. We have tended to go a bit more casual on some of our recent cruises but I am glad we lugged the suit along in this one!

[love to cruz]

On 9/9/2023 at 1:14 PM, teenieleek said:

Yes, yes, yes.  I love getting dressed up.  An extra piece of luggage? So what?  Every post-cruise (hyphen in right place?) questionnaire I, and my friends, have ever filled in there is always a section where we say “enforce the dress code if you’re having one”.  They never do.  Cunard and Fred.Olsen do enforce it, don’t know of any others.  

I could not agree with you more. There are land vacations for the "casual" people or a Carnival cruise. I personally feel it is very disrespectful to the hard working dining room crew on the ship to come in looking like you are eating at Joe's down home diner.

[Bgwest]

For those looking for a more formal experience (dressier if that's a better description), Cunard is definitely the place for you (Not Princess) if you will feel "disrespected" by those of us who choose not to follow the dress SUGGESTIONS.

It's Princess for goodness sake. Those in my camp will not allow ourselves to be browbeaten by the fashion police.  

Thank heaven each cruiser is given freedom of choice in deciding which cruise line to choose so that we are aligned with the dress SUGGESTIONS (or CODE in the case of Cunard) of that cruise line. There is clearly room at sea for everyone.

Enjoy your cruise!!😀

 

 

 

Edited September 20, 2023 by Bgwest

[BestGuessed]

We are British and we have sailed from ports in the U.S as well as from Southampton and a couple of the smaller U.K. ports.    
We enjoy dressing for dinner every evening, particularly on the formal nights and love to see others in their glamorous attire.  
On the cruises we have been on from the British ports it has been noticeable that more people like to dress in formal evening wear than when we have sailed from the U.S.  

Each to their own … we like to dress up and we accept that not everyone does, but we always feel the formal evenings are more special and enjoy them for what they are. 

[Oxo]

From looking at the pics provided on other forums, specifically the Enchanted Princess, Champaign Water Fall, not too many people are dressed on that Formal night. That cruise went out of Rome or Barcelona. What would we talk about if we didn't have Formal nights. LOL

[MissP22]

1 hour ago, love to cruz said:

I could not agree with you more. There are land vacations for the "casual" people or a Carnival cruise. I personally feel it is very disrespectful to the hard working dining room crew on the ship to come in looking like you are eating at Joe's down home diner.

You're not serious? Since when do the passengers feel the need to dress up for the crew? 

If that's the case, surely you would be more comfortable on Cunard than Princess, especially now that Princess is casual dress all the time. 

[1965]

1 hour ago, MissP22 said:

You're not serious? Since when do the passengers feel the need to dress up for the crew? 

If that's the case, surely you would be more comfortable on Cunard than Princess, especially now that Princess is casual dress all the time. 

Well said. 

[ECCruise]

Our typical trips are 60 to 80 days, which may include 7-10 nights on a line with "formal" codes (HAL or Princess) and often another 14-21 on a line without them.  And many nights on land.

 

There is no way I am dragging more formal attire (even a suit or sport coat) halfway around the world for the benefit of others on 2 nights or so on the above. 

[SCX22]

8 hours ago, love to cruz said:

I personally feel it is very disrespectful to the hard working dining room crew on the ship to come in looking like you are eating at Joe's down home diner.

 

The passengers' cruise fares pay the crew's salary.  The crew should be impressing us, the passengers.  We, the passengers, shouldn't have to impress the crew.  With all due respect to the hard working crew.  The crew is FORCED to wear the black and white uniforms on formal nights.  Us passengers cannot be forced to adhere to a dress suggestion.

 

Not sure if you've been on Princess recently but even the crew uniform has changed.  On some days they can wear t-shirts that advertise the Come Feel the Love campaign.  I've seen this waiters in the Piazza and the entertainment crew (sound, stage hands, etc.) wearing these.  The casino workers wear Ocean Play sports jerseys some days.

Edited September 20, 2023 by SCX22

[love to cruz]

On 9/9/2023 at 1:14 PM, teenieleek said:

Yes, yes, yes.  I love getting dressed up.  An extra piece of luggage? So what?  Every post-cruise (hyphen in right place?) questionnaire I, and my friends, have ever filled in there is always a section where we say “enforce the dress code if you’re having one”.  They never do.  Cunard and Fred.Olsen do enforce it, don’t know of any others.  

I could not agree with you more. There are land vacations for the "casual" people or a Carnival cruise. I personally feel it is very disrespectful to the hard working dining room crew on the ship to come in looking like you are eating at Joe's down home diner.

[love to cruz]

To each his own. I do not wear the same clothes for a nice dinner out as I do when going to McDonalds. My Mother had a saying "Class will tell."  To each his own. Some of us are rule followers & others are rule breakers. NO need to bash because you disagree.

[SCX22]

41 minutes ago, love to cruz said:

I do not wear the same clothes for a nice dinner out as I do when going to McDonalds.

 

It's banquet type food eaten in a floating banquet hall.  Not sure where the nice dinner comes into play.

 

As you stated, each to their own, but no one should be subjected to something they don't want to participate in.  The world has changed; dress no longer equates to class.  Princess ships aren't the Titanic where there were areas for first class and areas for steerage.

[c-boy]

🤔  aww yes, the dumbing down of the Princess cruise line syndrome. 

[Bgwest]

2 hours ago, c-boy said:

🤔  aww yes, the dumbing down of the Princess cruise line syndrome. 

Which of us exactly are you identifying in your “dumbing down” pronouncement?