Kids on formal nights?etc etc

[loopyloo33]

This is such hard work!

 

OV passengers are being told by P&O staff that they can wear smart casual on formal nights everywhere except the MDR!!!! (And wear shorts and jeans in the buffets)

That is why we are booking to go on Ventura. Every single week OV passengers are being bombarded with adverts and presentations and tempting prices to sail on the two "casual and informal ships of the P&O fleet"

 

Excuse me for asking a question!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

I will put my questions in future to P&O themselves as that seems to be where the issue is.

[KenAndJulie]

P&O is OUR cheapo cruise! £1650 for 1 week for 2 adults and 2 kids in school holidays compared to £4800 for 2 weeks on OV!:p

'Cheap' is not always monetary. I have always said P&O offers much better value, including price, than OV, which is the only reason why we never returned to OV .. why would I book a 3 star experience on OV when for the same money or less I can get a 4 star or 5 star experience on the likes of P&O, Princess or even RCI.

[vizzog]

This is such hard work!

 

OV passengers are being told by P&O staff that they can wear smart casual on formal nights everywhere except the MDR!!!! (And wear shorts and jeans in the buffets)

That is why we are booking to go on Ventura. Every single week OV passengers are being bombarded with adverts and presentations and tempting prices to sail on the two "casual and informal ships of the P&O fleet"

 

I do hope you have not been mis informed?:confused:

 

I have checked with P&O regarding dress code as we have just booked a June 2011 cruise on Ventura for 12 nights to the Canaries and were wondering how many formal nights there would be.

 

We were also told "the dress code applies to all restaurants with the exception of the buffet and certain bars".

 

However I must say this year while on Ventura on formal nights there were very few who did not dress as such.

[ROSEBASKETS]

I do hope you have not been mis informed?:confused:

 

We were also told "the dress code applies to all restaurants with the exception of the buffet and certain bars"

 

Go to the Beech House at 7.30pm on the 2nd, 3rd and 4th formal nights, you will see the place is full and there be at least a 1/2 hour wait for a table. There will be over 100 sat in there dressed casually, plus loads more waiting in the bars or eating in the buffet area.

[BigTanya]

 

The trouble with P&O formal cruise nights is that the same passengers wear the same clothes they cruised in year after year, after year, after year and wear their best outfits that have been mothballed from one year to the other, so what was fashionable in 1973 is still the norm. If you want a "Life on Mars" experience minus Gene Hunt, then P&O formal nights are the place to be!!!;)

That is so so true.

That is so so funny.

All you have to do is look at some of the pics on this site, you will see the mothballed 1973 formal wear. Even the men are wearing velvet bow ties... ha ha, how funny is that. Have a look :) please do.:) You will have a good chuckle.:)

My granddaughter and I often have a chuckle at the wannabees trying to look good.

They are such a sad lot, all like Mrs Bucket.

Maybe there is room for a pony in the cabin too.

[capasamari]

Formal nights (one per week) on Thomson are much grander than on P&O. Everyone who wants to (and the vast majority do) is introduced to the Captain and has a photo taken with him, then is shown to a table in the show lounge, offered free drinks and canapes, then the cruise director and the Captain introduce all the senior officers and welcome you on board.

 

Selected passengers (eg a honemoon couple we spoke to) dine with the Captain, then he escorts them into the show lounge where they sit with him and the rest of his party for the evening entertainment.

 

Even on the smart casual nights people were extremely nicely dressed with the ladies in particular looking very glamorous.

 

Carol x

[BigTanya]

Formal nights (one per week) on Thomson are much grander than on P&O.

Even on the smart casual nights people were extremely nicely dressed with the ladies in particular looking very glamorous.

 

Carol x

 

Hi carol.

I agree with all you said. Formal nights on Thomson are far better than P&O.

Having enjoyed cruising with P&O in the past, I have to admit that their product is on the decline.

[BORDER REIVER]

I think dress codes and adherance with them is down to respect for other people. If any cruise line wants passengers to conform to a particular dress code at a particular time and location, then out of respect for them and fellow passengers, we should try our best. Dress codes are well publicised in brochures and can be found on-line. After researching our options and finding that say, half the cruise lines have a strict dress code and we don't fancy that, then we can choose to look elsewhere, or use areas of a ship where dress codes aren't in force. We have recently returned from an 18 day cruise on Aurora and in the evenings, whatever the dress code, it appeared to be adhered to almost without exception. We, personally like the formality, but aren't bothered by those that opt out. The only area where I would be really bothered is if passengers had swimwear or vests on in any eatery - it just isn't hygenic.

We made friends with a couple who opted-out of the whole formal / semi-formal stuff, but they were always smart-casual at least and always tidy, the same applied during the daytime. On the other hand, some passengers we saw looking splendid in tux and evening wear in the evenings, looked dreadful during the daytime and had either not used the cabin mirrors before leaving or had no idea what looked decent. Looking at it this way, I would say that the couple who opted-out, but who always looked smart, were more considerate to other passengers than those that dressed up after 6.00pm and dressed down during the day.

[ROSEBASKETS]

Some passengers we saw looking splendid in tux and evening wear in the evenings, looked dreadful during the daytime and had either not used the cabin mirrors before leaving or had no idea what looked decent. Looking at it this way, I would say that the couple who opted-out, but who always looked smart, were more considerate to other passengers than those that dressed up after 6.00pm and dressed down during the day.

 

I would whole heartedly agree with this statement. It's all very well dressing for dinner, but walking aroud with a string vest, 1950's tight shorts, socks up to the knees and knotted hankie during the day just isn't "de rigueur" ;)

[BigTanya]

I think Ov casual dressing cruisers may have a better cruise on Thomson, said one poster not familiar with the Thomson product., (Please show some respect towards your fellow site members.)

 

That's the trouble with the constant whingers on this site, they don't have any experience of the cruise lines they comment on, or critisise not knowing the full facts.

 

Formal nights (one per week) on Thomson are much grander than on P&O. Ell the senior officers and welcome you on board.

 

I think dress codes and adherance with them is down to respect for other people.

[bazzaw]

Oh dear!! I sometimes wonder what we are getting ourselves into - after reading some of the attitudes here on the P&O UK forum.

 

Personally, I can't see what is the difference between a Dinner Suit and a business/funeral suit - they both have jackets and both are usually worn with ties.

 

I have purchased a "penguin suit" for our coming cruises on Oriana and Arcadia and will bring my usually good manners with me - but I am hoping that my fellow male passengers in their penguin suits leave their stuffed shirts at home!!! I don't think it is the style of dress that is the problem here - but the stuffing in the shirts. :p

 

 

Barry

[grannypops]

We think the formal nights can be fun actually if you get into the vibe of - I mean where else can you dress up as if you're a filmstar? :D (unless you get invited to red carpet events/balls anyway of course!) and the buffet can never compare to the MDR experience can it?

 

I absolutely do understand people wearing suits to work all week not wanting to wear them on their holiday though.

 

Grandadpops is a builder and likes to wear jeans too, so I didn't think he'd be happy to wear a tie and jacket on a cruise let alone a dinner suit, but you know what, he loves it - I think he enjoys pretending to be James Bond for a night :) lol bless him...

.....and he has quite a collection of cufflinks, wing collar shirts, cummerbunds and bow ties now... but no purple ones lol :rolleyes:

 

You'll still enjoy the cruise even if you don't go for the formal side of the experience... I'm not entirely sure what the dress code for the evening in the buffet is, but 'smart casual' evenings for the MDR is definitely not jeans or shorts.

[Single Cruiser]

Well I'm just back from my latest and last :( OV cruise. And it's all hard-sell P&O, in the mags, on the announcements, even when they do the fruit carving asking where the chef is going.. oh yes P&O.

 

Here is some snippets from the OV daily newspaper:

 

 

 

As has been mentioned before and aligns with what I've also been told by an agent Formal is strict in the MDR and selected bars. There is no need to dress up in the buffet and some of the lounges..

 

 

and so on.. every day..

 

So it's blatently obvious that P&O are Marketting the two ships towards ex-OV passengers..

[muddyw]

Well said, Rosebaskets. As a P&O veteran of some 20 cruises, I like most aspects of P&O except their excess formality and the snobbish attitude of some of their passengers. If an influx of former Ocean Village customers leads to a more informal atmosphere and a relaxation of dress codes, I will welcome it with open arms. An all casual ship would suit me fine.

[Merlin7]

Well said, Rosebaskets. As a P&O veteran of some 20 cruises, I like most aspects of P&O except their excess formality and the snobbish attitude of some of their passengers. If an influx of former Ocean Village customers leads to a more informal atmosphere and a relaxation of dress codes, I will welcome it with open arms. An all casual ship would suit me fine.

 

Another wind up, surely. P&O cruises, and you hate the formality!!! Book elsewhere then. There are lines that cater for informality, even P&O on Ventura.

 

Snobbish passenger are few and far between, thankfully, mostly

at lunch, in our experience, and we detest them as much as you detest the dress code on P&O, it seems. Amazed you have stuck with them for 20 cruises, but what length?

[ROSEBASKETS]

There are lines that cater for informality, even P&O on Ventura.

 

The whole point of the discussion is that some on here don't think that P&O should cater for informality . If P&O did cater for informality on Ventura then the OV ers would be happy.

[travellin' light]

We applaud Bazzaw's comments. What an emphasis on attire ! Like Barry we will conform to

the dress codes and good manners and look the best that we can. After that we will just enjoy everything that the wonderful cruise has to offer - new friends, 5 star dining, entertainment, exotic ports of call etc etc - What a privileged lot we are!

Cheers Liz and Ed

 

PS We are certainly not new to cruising and always check on protocol of different cruise lines prior to sailing. Seems like velvet bow ties are out.

[bazzaw]

Liz and Ed

 

In 1970, when I was an Officer Cadet with the RAAF - I had a big blue fluffy velvet bow tie that I would occasionally wear in the Officers Mess at a Mess Dinner . It wasn't looked upon kindly then either! :) But somehow it has disappeared over the past 40 years - and you can't buy them any more. The only coloured ones that you can get now are those shiny satin ones - give me velvet any time!! :p

 

Barry

[travellin' light]

Liz and Ed

 

In 1970, when I was an Officer Cadet with the RAAF - I had a big blue fluffy velvet bow tie that I would occasionally wear in the Officers Mess at a Mess Dinner . It wasn't looked upon kindly then either! :) But somehow it has disappeared over the past 40 years - and you can't buy them any more. The only coloured ones that you can get now are those shiny satin ones - give me velvet any time!! :p

 

Barry

 

OK - One black velvet and one blue velvet and one to " conform" eh! All good fun. By the way we will look after the ship for you until we reluctanly disembark at Sydney and when you board.

[bazzaw]

Just make sure it still has plenty of good English Ale on board for the trip back to the UK :)

 

Barry

[Denarius]

As a newcomer to this forum, I am amazed by how obsessed many of my fellow Britons are with what others are wearing. Dress code is the last thing I consider when choosing a cruise - I am much more interested in itinery, and standards of service and cuisine. I prefer to dress casually, but if my chosen ship has formal nights I will comply out of respect for my fellow passengers. Like others on this site, I believe that P&O is a little too formal for my tastes, but put up with it because I like most other aspects of their product. I reserve the right, however, to argue for less formality, and would resent being told to take my business elsewhere rather than do so.

[travellin' light]

As a newcomer to this forum, I am amazed by how obsessed many of my fellow Britons are with what others are wearing. Dress code is the last thing I consider when choosing a cruise - I am much more interested in itinery, and standards of service and cuisine. I prefer to dress casually, but if my chosen ship has formal nights I will comply out of respect for my fellow passengers. Like others on this site, I believe that P&O is a little too formal for my tastes, but put up with it because I like most other aspects of their product. I reserve the right, however, to argue for less formality, and would resent being told to take my business elsewhere rather than do so.

 

Well said !!!!

Liz and Ed

[Saligo]

It would be a shame if some people saw a “lah-de-dahs versus oiks” dimension to the dressing up issue. We’ve just come back from a very enjoyable cruise on one of the more traditional P&O ships where nearly everybody went along with the dress codes, and we encountered very few people we’d apply either of these labels to.

Our table companions for dinner included a coach driver, a lady who had worked in a frozen food factory gutting fish, someone who worked in property development, a teacher and a local authority civil engineer. All clearly enjoyed dressing up for formal evenings but were equally happy to dress down for casual evenings. We were completely relaxed in each other’s company and conversations were lively and spirited, whatever we were wearing.

The dressing up business and time taken for multi-course dinners can obviously be different and difficult for families, but there were some families whose members all enjoyed making a grand entrance on formal evenings, including young girls revelling in an opportunity to show off their flamenco dresses acquired on shore excursions.

The only time there was any sense of awkwardness was early on formal evenings when first-sitting diners were on their way to the restaurants in their finery while others were still around the ship in poolwear, but that was hardly serious and didn’t last long.

Having said all that, I think it is a shame that Carnival are pulling the plug on the Ocean Village operation, which has a very useful place in the spectrum of holiday types, and I am not confident that P&O’s attempt to do the splits and be all things to all people will work well. Perhaps Norwegian Cruise Line is a more natural home for people who don’t like formal evenings, though looking at their website it appears that even they have a dress code of sorts.

Strangely, for me the difficult evenings on cruises have been the semi-formal evenings, especially on Cunard where this really means jacket and tie for the men (with P&O the tie is optional). I have had to wear a jacket and tie for all my working life, and on holiday I want to dress up or dress down, not dress as though I was going to work.

I have not cruised on Ventura, and even if I had it would be difficult to give advice on what to do in the future if a lot of former Ocean Village customers have been encouraged to transfer to her. On the whole I think it might be better if she was designated a casual ship, in spite of the resistance to this by other contributors to this thread. There would still be plenty of choice in the rest of the fleet for the traditionalists. If P&O don’t do this, then I think harmony will best be served by packing a formal suit for the men – it needn’t be a DJ/tux. It would get very boring eating in the buffet restaurant every formal evening.

I hope you have a lovely, relaxing cruise, Tracy.

[Single Cruiser]

Well I finally got a reply from P&O. The usual standard one and didn't quite line up with that being told OV passengers. It still states only the 24hr buffet on formal nights. If I'm going on a cruise I want to see the evening ents..

 

Carnival have now lost my custom.... as can be seen below :D

 

I can advise that depending on the number of nights your cruise is will depend on which evenings will be which on board, the evenings are split up in to two categories, formal and smart casual. The order in which these nights take place is determined on board by the Cruise Director and then advertised each day in the ship's newspaper. It is not compulsory to join in on the theme nights, for example, western or 60's. The dress code for each night is applicable to all passengers in all areas of the ship except for the 24 hour restaurant, so if you did not feel up to dressing up that particular evening, this is always an option.

 

Formal: This is the opportunity for ladies to wear formal evening wear such as an evening dress, trouser suit or a cocktail dress. For men, a dinner jacket or tuxedo are the norm, otherwise a dark suit and tie or a kilt and jacket is fine.

 

Smart casual: Stylish resort or leisure wear, e.g. casual separates dresses or smart jeans for ladies and open-neck shirts, polo shirts and trousers or smart jeans for men. Attire such as shorts, trainers, tracksuits and football shirts should not be worn in the evenings.

 

Whilst the dress code is not always strictly enforced on board, you will find that it is expected that the main dining rooms and all public areas will adhere to this code. The ships staff do have the right to request that any passengers inappropriately attired vacate any of the dining rooms/public areas. We would therefore ask that all passengers dress appropriately for the dress code of that evening whilst in the public areas, other than the 24 dining venue.

[KenAndJulie]

Having said all that, I think it is a shame that Carnival are pulling the plug on the Ocean Village operation, which has a very useful place in the spectrum of holiday types, and I am not confident that P&O’s attempt to do the splits and be all things to all people will work well.

I agree with you Tracey. I am surprised that they could not find another ship for OV ... I would have thought that something really glitzy like the Carnival Elation would have been well received.

 

Sadly there are some people trying their best to wind up both the P&O and OV passengers (they are usually best ignored). What I would suggest to any OV passenger is give it a go, stick a suit in the case, you don't have to wear it (P&O have made it clear there are options) or you may wear it once and decide its not for you .... but as many often find (including myself), it is not that big a deal and, for the ladies at least, there is something special about a formal night.