Newbie and worried!

[indiana123]

I did Christmas and New Year on Oriana.. which is advertised as quite formal.

 

Formal dress came in all kinds from long evening gowns, short cocktail dresses, and lots of ladies in elegant black velvet or floppy trousers with a simple but sparkly top, with jewellery and lipstick etc. Everyone looked stunning. The range was vast but everyone I saw looked comfortable and elegant. I worried too, before I went, but it was a waste of my time. So please don't worry, everyone is different in size and in person. I found that just taking a bit more time getting ready made mne feel really good.

 

I wore short black for some formal nights and a chiffon flowy trouser suit on others. They fitted in perfectly.

 

My partner hasn't worn formal wear for years, due to medical equipment situated around his body, but managed to get a suit made and his words were "Goodness... I feel great".

 

Just enjoy and people watch.

 

As for drinks, he owns a bar and we were very surprised at how reasonable drinks were on Oriana.

[liauq]

having done four thomson cruises, we tried the ventura last year; the clientele, dress code etc. are pretty similar but it's a much bigger/newer ship.

try out the specialist restaurants; they're good.

it can be a bit nippy in places, paticularly the ramblas!

have a good one..

[the english lady]

I am short to-have to say I tended to buy normal clothes ,which on me nearly made it to my ankles. I think really it comes down to the actual material, rather than the lengths. Chiffon/silk/sparkly etc always looks more formal/posh than cotton/linen. It also comes down to the ship. I have been on Aurora and found her quite posh...most nights I found most ladies wore what I would call semi formal..lucky I had taken quite a few embellished tops and chiffon trousers ,so they saw me though.

[smithy62]

Well, it now almost time and the whole dress code issue is still a real stresser!!!!

 

I hope whoever does a cruise feels comfortable and glamorous, I will simply be worried. Before, during and after :))))

 

I so wish I was a man. Black tie - easy. Smart casual - easy.

 

60/70/80's night.......... easy. Dress as usual :))

 

Thanks for your help, I really do appreciate it - I will be the one dressed inappropriately no doubt, but having fun :)

 

Sx

[dsrdsrdsr]

Have you ever been turned away from anything before for inappropriate clothes? Been sent home from the office? Refused admission to a wedding? Barred from a party? You're as likely to be refused admission to the restaurant as any of those things. The people on the door are checking that the men are wearing a jacket, and that no-one's in jeans, shorts or shell suits. The checkers are almost always men. They wouldn't dare criticise a woman's outfit for being not formal enough, unless it was clearly against the written rule.

 

As for looking out of place - that's just vanity. You might think every eye in the place will be looking at you as you walk in - well, you'll be wrong. No-one will care - unless there's the odd uber-snob who enjoys looking down on people. And if you're concerned with what they think, then you've got a problem.

 

You're on holiday. Enjoy yourself.

[angiebabes]

Karen Millen dresses all the in my opinion! Remember to take a black and white dress as one formal night tends to be that theme! You get bargains on eBay, brand new ones at a snip of the price!!!! I can confirm this cause i have a wardrobe full!!! The latest purchase has tags on with a price label of £190, i bought it for £42!!!! It looks stunning

Angie xxx

[Scorpio1411]

Hi All,

 

Been registered for a while and do alot of lurking/reading etc so hi!

Am not travelling till Xmas 2012 - Fly Barbados, then Cruise 2 weeks. Thing is I am starting to get a little anxious as to what I should expect. Have only ever done one cruise which was a Thomsons one and we did have a really good time but obviously not in the same league as this next one.

The whole dress code issue! Boys will be fine but what about the girls? The formal nights: is it long, short or cocktail???

Is it true that Xmas day all the ladies wear red dresses?

Do all the men wear black tie (I have two 16yr old boys with me?)

Do all the younger girls dress up too? (20 yr old daughter)

Then there are the other questions:

At 20 can you drink on board?

At 16 can you drink on board? whats the law!

Is everyone on the ship from the UK?

Will we be able to 'not see' the kids for most of the time?

Is it cold inside (air con wise?)

Are all the drinkies expensive?

Blimey I could go on and on!!

 

Like I say, have lurked for ages and read lots and lots of stuff but its easy to get confused and also to start to panic over what to buy - or not!

 

All replies most gratefully received and my Barclaycard thanks you in advance!

 

sx

 

p.s NOT watching channel 4 tonight. Couldnt take the stress :)

 

 

 

 

Hi there

 

We were on Ventura at Christmas/New Year 2009 for 14 nights and we had 4 formal nights and the rest were smart casual. There was also a Caribbean night where you could dress in colourful shirts/dresses but this was not compulsory.

 

Regarding the formal nights, I don't own a long dress or a red one. I dress up in what I feel comfortable in and I'm sure your daughter will love it. Teenage boys always look smart in their ties/bow ties (they don't have to be just black as you mention) and they only have to wear them in the restaurant. Once they've left the restaurant they can take the tie/bow tie off if they want to.

 

You don't even have to dress up in formal dress on formal nights if you don't use the main dining room and use the cafeteria upstairs (we've spoken to several people on cruises who do this as they don't like dressing up but that's up to them). I like dressing up for the few days we get as you can't do this going to the local pub/club so it's a great opportunity to do so.

 

The drinks are priced more or less like at home (depending on where you live I suppose).

 

My brother and his wife took his two sons on Ventura (aged 17 and 19) and he hardly saw them. The younger one didn't want to get off at the end as he enjoyed himself so much and made some good friends. There were places they went to where they met others their own age.

 

We're going back on Ventura again for 2 weeks to the Caribbean in January and really looking forward to it (and we've got 4 formal nights and the rest casual again).

 

Enjoy yourselves and have a lovely time. :)

[ilovecruisesme]

We're also booked on Ventura for Xmas and New Year and we're really looking forward to it. This is our first time on Ventura but we have been on a few P and O cruises and were on Oceana Xmas cruise two years ago. I noticed that most ladies wore red dresses on Christmas day which is formal so I've just bought a beautiful floaty long red dress and can't wait to wear it. I prefer long dresses on formal nights but some people do wear cocktail dresses and look lovely too. I've also seen lots of people wearing ball gowns but I'm not sure if many will on this cruise due to the luggage allowance. Our son's are 18 and 15 and both wear tuxedos on formal nights. This will be the first cruise our eldest won't be in kids club so he's taking a friend with him but our youngest will be going to kids club as soon as he can. He really loves it and we have to drag him out to go ashore or have a meal with us.

 

Hope you enjoy your cruise on Ventura (hope we do too) but I'm sure you will and it really is magical sailing at Christmas, I would go every year if we could!!!

[simonpjd]

Dont get stressed. You will look great and have a fabulous time. Practise your smile for the picture with the Captain and relax. It is a holiday.

[somersettop]

Just a quick note, that if your Kids don't have formal wear then George at Asda usually have somthing in a reasonable price for younger people (After all they will only grow out of it quickly!):)

[Two 2 Tango]

The good things you will find, are when you drop your bags at the airport; the next time you see them will be at your cabin (maybe). When you get to Barbados you will walk off the plane onto a bus to the ship, you don't need to go through the airport; and similar on the way back. Look out for pestering taxi drivers at each port, and have a good time on a much nicer ship than Thompson.:)

[CRUISIN LINDA]

The good things you will find, are when you drop your bags at the airport; the next time you see them will be at your cabin (maybe). When you get to Barbados you will walk off the plane onto a bus to the ship, you don't need to go through the airport; and similar on the way back. Look out for pestering taxi drivers at each port, and have a good time on a much nicer ship than Thompson.:)

You do have to go through the airport coming back, and good luck to you. We found the staff there very rude.

 

By the way, have you actually been on a Thomson cruise and if not how can you compare the two?

[Two 2 Tango]

You do have to go through the airport coming back, and good luck to you. We found the staff there very rude.

 

By the way, have you actually been on a Thomson cruise and if not how can you compare the two?

 

Sorry been on them all, just not a saddo who needs to put a list of all the cruises we have been on.

When we came back can confirm we did have to "go" through the airport but were just lead to the plane; perhaps you did not fit the security profile they were using.

[dorsetlad]

Didn't realise I was a saddo.:confused: Ah well, it takes all types.

 

Brian

[CRUISIN LINDA]

Didn't realise I was a saddo.:confused: Ah well, it takes all types.

 

Brian

Think he means me :D:D

 

Sorry been on them all, just not a saddo who needs to put a list of all the cruises we have been on.

When we came back can confirm we did have to "go" through the airport but were just lead to the plane; perhaps you did not fit the security profile they were using.

What profile is that then? Surely you had to go through security? When we came back from the Sea Princess, we got back to the airport too early as we had been on a trip round the island. So just 4 of us went through together and I think they were probably a bit bored. We were searched and I was made to pay for a plastic bag to put items in, even though they are free at Gatwick. The attitude of the staff was surly to say the least. I have say that Jamaica was even worse! When we came back from Barbados this year after a wonderful cruise on the Thomson Dream it was much better, so obviously we "fitted the profile" this time :rolleyes::rolleyes:

 

BTW I think you were probably led through the airport

[daiB]

Didn't realise I was a saddo.:confused: Ah well, it takes all types.

 

Brian

 

Brian,

 

Remember I am a bigger saddo than you:rolleyes:

 

 

 

Gan Canny

 

 

Dai

[Two 2 Tango]

I knew that would get you all going, what a naughty boy I am.:D

 

But was just trying to be helpful with first reply, People just jump to conclusion about the cruises I have been on because I dont list them, too many.:D

[CRUISIN LINDA]

I knew that would get you all going, what a naughty boy I am.:D

 

But was just trying to be helpful with first reply, People just jump to conclusion about the cruises I have been on because I dont list them, too many.:D

I think I had better take mine off now we are heading for our 14th :eek: I did make the print smaller though.:D

 

I was thinking of trying P&O until I found they allow smoking on balconies, because I bet I would get a chain smoker in the cabin next to me :rolleyes: I think I heard you can only smoke on one side of the ship. Is that true?

[daiB]

I think I had better take mine off now we are heading for our 14th :eek: I did make the print smaller though.:D

 

I was thinking of trying P&O until I found they allow smoking on balconies, because I bet I would get a chain smoker in the cabin next to me :rolleyes: I think I heard you can only smoke on one side of the ship. Is that true?

 

Errrrrr, No.

 

 

Gan Canny

 

 

Dai

[BrianI]

I was thinking of trying P&O until I found they allow smoking on balconies, because I bet I would get a chain smoker in the cabin next to me :rolleyes: I think I heard you can only smoke on one side of the ship. Is that true?

Yes its is. Smoking is limited to one side on the promenade deck and other open decks. However smoking is permitted on all balconies whichever side.

Brian

[Brayman]

Yes its is. Smoking is limited to one side on the promenade deck and other open decks. However smoking is permitted on all balconies whichever side.

Brian

 

I'm not sure it is the whole length of the promenade deck on all ships. Certainly on Oriana and Oceana it only appears to be about 25%.

[CRUISIN LINDA]

Yes its is. Smoking is limited to one side on the promenade deck and other open decks. However smoking is permitted on all balconies whichever side.

Brian

Thanks Brian. That must be what I read, memory going:rolleyes:

[nellydean]

I shall be thinking of you, as I am slaving away on Christmas Day in a hot kitchen - not!

 

Sounds wonderful, I keep threatening not to do another big family dinner ever Christmas Day night, and say I am going away next Christmas, but they keep emotionally blackmailing me and, like a sucker, I give in :D

 

Have a great cruis,e not long now

[LibraLass41]

nelly, I can't ever get away for Christmas as have parents and older children to cook for every year (sigh:cool:) but this year I'm sneaking off on Dec 29th for the next best thing - celebrating New Years Eve on OCeana, while she's berthed over night in Amsterdam:), best thing only need ONE day off work as well as we arrive back on Jan 2nd...:D