carolina_yankee

It’s not about whether or not leg is being shown, but whether or not the dress is considered formal. Kilts can be considered formal. Shorts (short pants) are considered casual. Personally, I don’t care what the rules are. Whatever they are, I’ll follow them, and I won’t really worry about anybody else. I cited Cunard simply because they are regarded as one of the most formal lines out there, if not the most formal, and they are happy for people to wear kilts on formal night. I’m assuming it also means an appropriate button down shirt and jacket. Seriously, if one wanted to wear Bermuda shorts-style business dress, I wouldn’t care either. But others would. So, there. I’m clergy. At the end of the day, I can just toss on a cassock and wear whatever I want underneath! But since that would surely be a conversation killer at a group table, I’ll be in evening chic, suit, or formal, depending on the cruise line and th night.

On the class discussion front, generally those with class don’t talk about those without class. It’s not classy to do so! There’s a certain acknowledgment that one who has certain things is fortunate so it’s wise to not tempt fate. Now, talking about each other? Sure!

Kilt would be considered national dress and should be fine on formal night. As long as the top isn’t a T-shirt! Cunard encourages kilts and national dress on formal nights. That’s the way to have to the comfort of shorts and not worry about expanding waistlines or thighs!

Washington? The guy who never told a lie? 😉

I’m 57 and will be on the Apex in a month. And will be happy to follow the dress code! And may also pull my phone out to take a pic of the food or look up the answer to an arcane question we’re all arguing about at the dinner table.

Pendulums swing. In ten years, threads here will be dominated by those wearing shorts and T-Shirts in the Dining Room complaining about all the younger folk in formal attire ruining the chill vibe.

I like the idea of facing the ocean, that interests me more than the pool. On som pictures I’ve seen, there are (nice looking) chairs against the railing opposite the cabanas, so the walkway comes between the two. I haven’t seen any photos showing the Magic Carpet, so I don’t know if the pics I’ve seen are shown while the MC is in use for tendering, or what.

How does one find out how many evening chic nights there are on the cruise, and which nights? I don’t see it in the app for our 11/12 cruise. I’m assuming they are designated on all cruises?

Now, there’s an incentive! We have a Cunard cruise planned and are excited about dressing in tuxes. We haven’t had reason to do that in decades. However, on ships with more relaxed dress codes, we are very happy to go more relaxed. We’ll always follow the dress code, but we may do the bare minimum. I’m still not convinced we’ll go for actually tux vs. dark suit on Cunard. I like to dress up but I don’t like to pack and travel with things I might use once. Cunard makes it worth while, I’m not sure other ships do.

We sail Nov 12. It’s on our “do list,” but the other couple don’t want to book before seeing them. I believe the phrase “could be the most attractive uncomfortable seats ever” was used in the conversation. I see enough pillows that it probably doesn’t matter, but it also depends on if we feel we really need them to hang out, and what the weather is like, too.

If I do have to work (because I occasionally stupidly check my work email and feel I should answer with information I know would help) at least it’s with an ocean view from my verandah or the top deck with a favorite drink at my side!

Possibly. 😁

If Cunard is going to stick with Queens, they are going to have a small fleet with names recycled to successors. I like the idea of Eleanor of Aquitaine, but I might find a cruise on Queen (Lady) Jane a bit brief and possibly heading nowhere.

Oh, I don’t wish anyone ill. Just those who want to be unhappy tend to be unhappy.

Being connected isn’t a sign of importance or power. I’m essentially the boss of a mid-level non-profit. But I have the power to say, “I’m on vacation now. It’s your problem until I get back.” That’s winning in my book. And then I can surf / upload / chat / research / whatever online to my heart’s content while I’m on vacation and know that nothing can interrupt me. 🙂 That’s called Freedom in my book! Somebody else getting aggravated and having a bad vacation because they see me on my phone or tablet surfing away? That’s called Karma. If somebody wants to experience good internet on board - for whatever reason - it doesn’t help for somebody else to come in and say, “I don’t know. It’s not important to me and shouldn’t be important to you.”

We've sailed in traditional verandah and ocean view staterooms on other lines and have been perfectly happy with our choices, but we knew what we were getting. There are things I like about the IV, and things I don't (not having sailed in one yet), but I consider it to be basically a fourth category (inside, ocean, infinite verandah, verandah). I know what I'm getting and I'll be OK with it. The rest of the ship will determine if I sail in an IV again. (i.e., do I like Edge Class overall?) At the end of the day, I'm about the whole experience - our cruise is a Western Caribbean itinerary, which isn't my favorite, but I'm fine with it because we'll be with friends and I look forward to being on the water. There are also many things about Edge Class I'm excited to try, and I may well be fine with IV as a fourth booking category. If I can relax and have a good tine, Edge class is fine! In terms of the overall aesthetic of the ship, given comments about how the Magic Carpet is so windy. I wonder if they've done studies to see if the drag created by MC reverses the savings created by the IVs!

We’ve enjoyed decorating our door on DCL - but that’s an environment that really gets into it. People do it to have fun, that’s the only real reason needed, but it does also help break up the monotony of the long passageways.

Absolutely ditch the paper. Paper is heavy. Even recycled paper requires fuel, manufacturing, and transport. And recycled paper costs more, so I’m not convinced they’re buying recycled, or partially recycled, paper. And partial is partial - which means bad for environment. Will Celebrity follow suit? Eventually, but Royal has a younger cruise base so easier to work out the kinks there. The mistake is pretending the online version has to be the same format as the printed version. Instead, design a version that takes full advantage of app capacities. It is the future. Might as well get there!

Congratulations to your partner!

A lot of great tips and ideas - thanks. Now, shawl, notch, or peak. Hmmm. . . .

It definitely seems like purchasing will make the most sense. I like Jos Bank stuff and could look for sales. This is midnight sun cruise next June so there is time, and I'll have a better sense of my measurements then (and how long I'm likely to keep them). Online would have more options, but then there is the fit question. We have a couple of Jos. Banks in the area. Even in better shape, I always fit better into separates than combined suits so sometimes the options are better that way in a brick and mortar store, sometimes not. At a good price - purchasing, using, and then donating if necessary is not a problem compared to the whole cruise. I have all the other paraphernalia so they'll appreciate being trotted out! None of this is about resistance to dress codes or tuxes, but about making sure I have what fits comfortably and isn't crap.

We will be on that sailing and have the basic internet in our package. Awesome! We may not need to upgrade.

From checking older posts, if we opt for tux it seems that buying definitely makes the most financial sense. Next in UK has been recommended by many, so I’ll see if there is a comparable online merchant in the US. Will have to figure out the careful packing!

Thanks. A good idea. I did think about buying inexpensive for that reason - problem is I have Champagne tastes! There are plenty of options, though, and it would encourage me to stick with Cunard on future sailings. 🙂 I’ll do a search. I know some are against it, but if the dress code permits dark suits, then we’re fine with that, too, but I do like to dress the part when I can.

Thanks, curious about experience and pricing - basic information, before making the call so I know a bit more about what’s available and what I can expect. I realize, most here probably own their own (and I did in my 20s), but some may have had first-hand experience or through a family member or friend.