MarkieMarkNYC

You will have a butler, as has been mentioned.

If you don't feel the need for their many services, don't feel shy about letting them know.

I find them to be sometimes convenient, sometimes intrusive.

Cunard will be sorry, as standards will drop lower and lower and eventually lots of people will wear any old thing. We love to dress up.

Frequently we travel on Holland America and our cruise to Alaska a few days ago was appalling. Most people turned up for Gala attire, in whatever they had worn all day.

Sandra

The slippery slope argument, often used in this thread, is typically considered to be a fallacy.

Calm, rational thinking is always a better approach.

Your comment is interesting if "Cunard got into line with other cruise lines" why would anyone pay a premium to cruise with them?.The formality and ambiance is a Cunard USP. If people want less formality there are plenty of other cruise lines.

Your sentiment has been expressed by a few people, and I find it interesting.

If the only thing that sets Cunard apart and makes it worth paying a premium is the presence of a dress code, it sounds like there isn't much there. No special service. No special food. No special enrichment programs. No special cabin comfort. No special excursions. No special entertainment. It's really just about having other passengers play dress-up so everyone can fantasize that they are living in a different era.

I would imagine there are cheaper ways to fulfill that fantasy.

It does seem fair that one should receive a meal if one has paid for a meal.

I always steer visiting friends and family away from pedicabs. They are remarkably expensive and the guys who peddle you around are young people very unfamiliar with NYC and who give all kinds of incorrect information. I spend a lot of time in Central Park and am continually amazed at how much wrong stuff I hear them telling their passengers.

If you are able, I would recommend getting a map and walking a part of the park on your own. In addition, there are several walking tours offered by the Central Park Conservancy and led by properly trained guides. Most are free.

I research destinations very intensively -- doesn't mean that I'm not interested in hearing what others (for some of whom it is their life's work) know, or in the opportunity to ask questions....

I don't disagree. I love a good lecture on an interesting topic.

It's just been my experience that the more broad-based an audience is, the less "academic" the lecture tends to be.

I agree some of the lecturers are good but you never know what ones will be on your sailing ;)

We had David McCullough for our Panama canal cruises

"Path Between the Seas" author

some other lecturers leave a lot to be desired

Wow! You hit the jackpot with that one!!

I totally agree that it's a crap shoot. I prefer to read up on the destinations I most care about before and during the cruise.

Same here for us, we are terrified of not being "dressed" properly. But then I thought better of it. We paid to be on the ship just like you did, and I will not allow you to ruin my vacation by your pettiness of if we are dressed to suit you. Live and let live, the way someone else is dressed is not my concern. Enjoy your vacation and don't allow someone else to ruin it for you!

Good for you!

Keep in mind that Cunard carries tens of thousands of passengers every year. On this site, you are seeing the same few posters obsessively posting about the dress code. You will always encounter people who are terribly concerned with what you are wearing, doing, saying, thinking, etc. But we learn to ignore those people. Just focus on the people who value substance over style and content over clothing. You'll have a great time!

Agree but she lost me when she something about being upset that she was not part of the decision process. In my opinion, if you are paying for the vacation, you should be a part of the decision process. Otherwise, just be appreciative and do not write letters or go on and on to your parents as to why they should do a different cruise line!

 

I assume that the TS is a "she" based on women intuition:halo:

I wasn't raised by parents who felt that children should be seen and not heard. I'm lucky that my parents encouraged their kids to communicate and share thoughts and opinions. It sounds like the OP is rather smart and, in my opinion, writing a letter explaining his/her thoughts seems intelligent and mature and that skill will serve him/her well in the future.

Sure, the parents are paying and should make the final decision. But not being open to a child's feedback seems bizarrely retro in a rather bad, selfish way.

Good point.

But Cunard confirmed it is only a change of wording, and all else remains the same. So why don't Cunard just say yes? Unless it is actually more than a change of wording.

 

So why couldn't Cunard be fair, decent, honest, ethical, and open with guests? To not be so, is not Cunard.

I so agree with you.

The point is you can go away if you wish and Cunard will survive without you. If there us no other line that's formal enough for you, maybe the problem isn't all the cruise lines.

+1

Some of the posters threatening to leave are overestimating their importance to a laughable degree.

I suspect that the TS (thread starter) was looking for posters to agree that a lesser cruise line would be better. While I admire the fact that she came onto the Oceania board to ask questions, I am of the mind that she should respect her parents decision. If she wants to throw away this opportunity, so be it -- it would likely be a decision that she would regret. However, I would not to want to be on a cruise with someone that did not want to be there as it would put a dark cloud over the cruise.

Did you see her second post? (Thread post #4)

She sounds rather upbeat and open to everyone's input.

That happened in Nov.2008. It wasn't an exaggeration. Sorry but it was just totally disgusting. Fine by me if you naysayers are all right with dress like that on a "formal" line, sorry but I'm not.

I still question the scenario as presented as well as your response. Maybe it's all true. I doubt it.

That said, no one here has said that it's "all right with dress like that on a 'formal' line".

There seems to be limited reading proficiency here tonight.

Reading is fundamental.

I am really amazed how people TRY to be argumentative and sound "insulted" when some one makes a statement on this board, "wishing" for ONE "different" thing or a small change....

 

- If I remember right,Ken the Cruiser has always praised "the buffet" and how much he enjoys it ,so why would you be bothered if there was one formal night at GDR?

 

- Harry has said he likes A LOT of things about Oceania,and WISHES there was a formal night ,he did NOT say it HAS to be there, so why are you (MARK) suggesting he should go to another cruise line.. it is not up to any of us to tell others to go somewhere else.... don't act like you have "ownership" .. ,

You are rather spectacularly missing the point.

I'm correctly stating that one can dress formally if one wishes. Similarly, one can choose a buffet, the GDR, or a specialty if one wishes. Oceania is big on "choice".

Those who are supporting a "formal night", when those who don't wish to dress formally can eat somewhere else, are the ones who would impose their will on everyone.

I didn't "tell others to go somewhere else". I suggested that there are options.

Try to read carefully before getting upset and saying that I am claiming "ownership". I choose my words to explicitly communicate what I'm trying to say. I can only hope that readers are similarly conscious of the importance of language.

Mark;

 

I’m confused! I clearly said it would be only one night, and attendance would be 100% optional. If on didn’t want to attend, they could eat at any of the other dining venues with their regular dress codes. Why does that scare you so? In your case you’d schlep nothing because you didn’t want to attend. Zero burden on you!

What in my post suggested I was "scared"?

Apparently you don't seem to understand that one can dress formally if one chooses. If you are frightened of doing this without others around you in similar attire, you might consider another company.

We don't often get the chance to don black ties. Personally, I like doing this, so, do other people not like it?

 

Mark

I’d have no problem with a single formal night. Have it in the GDR, disperse the Captain and his Senior Staff throughout the tables. Bring in the String Quartets for enjoyment. Nothing mandatory, letting those not wishing to take part eat that the other multiple dining options. Advertise well in advance the precise evening for the formal dining event so all passengers can prepare as they see fit.

 

It would be an additional dining option. Why should anyone oppose? Anyone other than those whose spouse wants to attend and they don’t! LOL!

I'm confused. Is there something preventing either of you from choosing another cruise line that caters mostly to adults and requires formal attire?

Part of Oceania's appeal is the more relaxed dress code. For those of us who like that, it means less to pack, schlep, and don.

I have traveled on Cunard a number of times and packed a tux, a couple of sports coats, various ties, etc. It was fine but to me it felt like a hassle. I'm glad to have an option that still feels relatively upscale without the strict formalities.

Go check out the Cunard board. There's a large thread addressing concerns that their dress code may be relaxed.

The clutching of pearls and grabbing of smelling salts is a sight to behold.

Can you not see how your behavior is worse than violating the dress code?

I'm guessing there's quite a bit of exaggeration in his story. It reads more like a self-aggrandizing fantasy.

Oy vey.

Sorry you had that experience. I guess it helps to recognize the need to expect the unexpected when traveling and understand that things might not be the same as it is at home.

A couple more details to emphasize how fraught the visit can be;

o Your two hour window begins when the ticket says it begins whether or not you are at the museum and ready to go.

 

o You will not be allowed to carry anything with you into the museum. That includes checking a purse. I was not a happy camper when I had to surrender my purse with credit cards and money. If I had known that in advance, I might have brought a neck wallet to keep things on my person the way my husband does. Arrive early enough to take care of these check-in details and not cut into your two hour window.

 

Some reassurance: the art was worth the stress.

I would counter that making plans ahead of time and showing up on time is not particularly stressful. But agree that the art is worth any perceived stress.

The benefit of pre-purchased, timed tickets is that they effectively control the number of visitors. When we arrived there was an incredibly long ling and I was worried that the place would be too crowded to allow enjoyment of the art. But once they start letting the line in they seamlessly direct segments of the line to different starting points. It was subtly done and the museum never really felt crowded. Also, most people zip through quickly.

I love to linger and read descriptions and circle back to look at pieces a second and third time - and this was easily accomplished in the 2 hours.

If you enjoy amazing art in a stunning setting, I think you'll be pleased!

I miss hoop skirts and top hats.

Well, I think the lesson here is that you can slap Dockers on a pig, but underneath it's still a pig.

Have visited Rome a few times over the years. Vatican Museums and St. Peter’s Basilica twice. Suggestions for something new and different to see and do while there for 2 days

Have you visited the Galleria Borghese? I was blown away by it.

It's relatively small but packed with amazing art. The Venus Victrix is there - it's a sculpture by Canova and is one of my favorite works of art.

Showing up in a pair of comfort fit Lee blue jeans is just, and claiming them to be dress jeans is just as ludicrous as me showing up in bib overalls claiming them to be dressy! I’ve witnessed many show up to the various restaurants in jeans, and turn away, because only in their mind were the jeans dressy and not casual! It’s no different than a decade ago when people started showing up in slick fabric sweat suits acting like they were dressy! No they’re sweat suits! 98% of the blue jeans sold are no dressier than sweat pants, and a very low percentage of people wearing blue jeans, attempting entrance into the GDR or Specialties, are wearing one of those 2% of blue jeans that might pass as dressy. However, all of them like making a scene and arguing with the Matre de over the issue!

Where do you get your statistics?

If you are dressing to impress..... go for it but don’t tell other people to stay home. That is arrogant. Particularly from someone who has never been on a cruise. I could throw that right back at you, that with your fantastic expectations maybe you should stay home. You should lower your expectations.

+1.

Many here are far too focused on the attire of other guests while they're on vacation. If one is so obsessed with the dress/habits of others, why not stay home and let people who wish to enjoy their vacations do so without your tsk-tsking?

I love that some here can't imagine one looking fashionably great while wearing jeans. I assume it's a reflection of their imagination - or perhaps they just don't get out much.