Victoria2

We put all our bags out at the same time in S'ton. Our black and blue cases are never next to one another in the baggage hall. That's why we have extremely garish ribbons attached to all the handles. Takes less time to be identified in the sea of black and blue.

My husband wears jackets as he doesn't possess any kind of blazer, but a blazer would fit the bill if that's what you'd like to wear. Bear in mind, a jacket isn't essential wear should you like a night/couple of night/all the non Gala nights from wearing a jacket/blazer.

Flown to Oz a few times. Horrendous. Son in the sitting room on a sofa bed, husband in the bedroom, me in the bath with a pillow and a blanket on one memorable first week as I couldn't sleep. Flying on to Tahiti over the date line was even worse. And I was young and fit so I'd be fit for nothing now.😄

Shorts are fine breakfast and lunch in the main restaurants but I agree on the Daisy Dukes. Although DDs might be Ok on youngsters and those who can 'wear them well'!

Another dilemma, to like or to laugh!! 🙂

Might work for some but day or night flights, travelling East for us is a nightmare for jet lag.

Don't know about anyone else but jet lag is a killer for me these days travelling East, so my two pennyworth would be travel back to the UK by ship. Yes you lose an hour nearly every day but having done a TA twice, landing back on home soil with no jet lag beats the heck out of the 25hr days travelling West gives.

Luckily, we haven't come across 'the sweaty' so didn't factor that into my comment. Edit Perhaps naively, I assume folk will shower at the very least after a sweaty day, ashore or onboard.

Equally, the less detail, the more folk can self interpret. I have dined in a very 'stylish' restaurant, all scrubbed up when some patrons were in jeans and very casual shirts. There are so many different takes on what one wears, where. I couldn’t care less what folk wear but to have one piece of dress advice only to have a less specific version once onboard doesn’t help matters.

I agree. Polo shirts have evolved over the years from shirts worn to play polo /tennis, to accepted mainstream wear. Whilst I wouldn't advocate wearing one of an evening, I have seen them worn.

It's the same for both ships and I would generalise and say sort of in the wide bit of the Promenade area deck three and as far as I can tell, around the Pavilion Pool 'viewing' area on deck ten although does extend a bit more than that.

Deck three Starboard smoking is why, in the past, we would never have picked a deck four cabin. Smoke drifts.

Decks 3 and 10, starboard have smoking areas. Deck 8 is all accommodation and as you say, smoking is prohibited on baloneys.

From the UK Cunard site Take from it what you will Whatever you decide, I hope you have a marvellous time and no, a tux is not mandatory on Gala evenings. Smart attire simply means a dress shirt and trousers, skirt and a top, or a cocktail dress.

I don't know any influencers, and wouldn't be influenced anyway but you only have to read the questions on this board to realise how so many folk want to make sure they 'do things right', such is the reputation of Cunard.

It was a chap's blow up gun along with trilby and spats which turned an evening outfit into fancy dress. I like the phrase 'classy and tasteful'. That could be a theme!!😀

I know Bitbob mentioned their personal insurance cover, but have any of the others affected mentioned theirs? This saga has certainly made me look at our coverage and also to double down on what goes where hand luggage v checked bags.

Themes for a Gala evening, unless dressing in a lovely long dress/beautiful separates with husband in full black tie is considered a theme, aren't required. In fact, themes are a real PITA! They cause consternation/folk in fancydress/worries about what to wear...Ditch them all and just go with GALA!

When you are in a bind and you need help with a booking is when you find out exactly how good agents are. Even then, there are good agents and terrific agents.

Thank you. I didn't know about that as I've never looked and as we don't book direct, it wouldn't apply to us. The services of our agent far outweighs any faff in looking at differing prices..

My husbands jackets go with which ever trouser complements a colour in the jacket.

If champagne is specified, we have always had champagne. If anyone doesn't gwet it, then they should ask for it. We have always had the correct number of mini bar bottles and if you don't get them, then just make a request. No big deal. Cunard pricing is fluid. It can go up and down for the same accommodation. I have never seen a UK price promise. Website is well known for its 'foibles'. You have obviously concentrated on the glitches. Smooth runnings don't make headlines. If there is a problem, and it sounds as if you';e in QG as you're talking champagne, then just ask the Butler.

My husband always wears a jacket but rarely a tie these days. I does depend on the shirt. For him, a plain white shirt under his jacket, requires a tie. Other than that, no ties. Most of the chaps will not be tie wearers on non Gala evenings.

Good heavens. Don't let a perceived hiccup on a Gala theme pre influence you on Cunard.

I know. Novel or what!!!😁