Cunard virgin

[WesternTrader]

The observant members will notice that this is my first post in a forum, but I have watched and read from the sidelines for some time. However, now is the time when I’d like to call upon the seasoned Cunarders for some advice.

 

Next month we take our first Cunard cruise on QV and (at the moment) I have three questions which I’m hoping you can help with.

1) We are in the Princess Grill and have been put on a table for 6; I wondered how the timings worked with people arriving at different times, or joining when other diners are half-way through their meal? As an aside to this, my wife is a little shy and it would lower her anxiety levels if I could change our reservation to a table for two; what is the best way to do this – now or when we board?

2) The dress code is understood (and welcomed), but I would like to check that a sand-coloured linen suit (with shirt & tie!) is acceptable for the semi-formal nights. I would sooner pack another suit or blazer etc than be out of place or suffer the indignity of pointed fingers or laughter as I make my way through the ship…

3) I also agree with the application of a standard tip, but I do like to reward higher levels of service where appropriate – are US$ or € preferred by the crew?

All advice or guidance welcomed.

Thank you

[carlmm]

Welcome at Cunard! I hope will enjoy the special atmosphere of a Cunard voyage.

 

1) We are in the Princess Grill and have been put on a table for 6; I wondered how the timings worked with people arriving at different times, or joining when other diners are half-way through their meal? As an aside to this, my wife is a little shy and it would lower her anxiety levels if I could change our reservation to a table for two; what is the best way to do this – now or when we board?

 

Just ask you travel agent to request a table for two and will work out. There are many tables for two. Yet most probably the maitre d' will be able to change your table once onboard, too.

 

In my experience people agree upon an approximate time to arrive for dinner as most often people choose a larger table because they enjoy the conversation. The steward normally do an excellent job in adjusting service times to bring everybody insync.

 

The dress code is understood (and welcomed), but I would like to check that a sand-coloured linen suit (with shirt & tie!) is acceptable for the semi-formal nights. I would sooner pack another suit or blazer etc than be out of place or suffer the indignity of pointed fingers or laughter as I make my way through the ship…

 

IMHO any light coloured and/or linen suit is not suitable on semi-formal nights. I would recommend a dark suit.

A ligth coloured suit is more often seen on elegant casual nights.

 

 

I also agree with the application of a standard tip, but I do like to reward higher levels of service where appropriate – are US$ or € preferred by the crew?

 

Both will be welcome. As the onboard currency is US$ and many steward nowadays do not come from Europe, $ might be better.

 

Have a great cruise.

[pepperrn]

Welcome to the Cunard board.

 

I second everything carlmm had said.

 

Bon Voyage, have a wonderful time :) .

[Cruachan]

...I would like to check that a sand-coloured linen suit (with shirt & tie!) is acceptable for the semi-formal nights. ...

 

I have a very similar linen suit but I tend to wear it without a tie for EC. I agree with the others - I think a dark suit is better for SF. Not that anybody will giggle or point or otherwise make fun of you - generally speaking everybody is too polite for that. :D

 

J

[Norfolk Brit]

1) We are in the Princess Grill and have been put on a table for 6; I wondered how the timings worked with people arriving at different times, or joining when other diners are half-way through their meal? As an aside to this, my wife is a little shy and it would lower her anxiety levels if I could change our reservation to a table for two; what is the best way to do this – now or when we board?

 

As others have said, I would contact your travel agent/Cunard and ask for a table for two - you will probably be told they are definitively allocated once you board, but those who pre-request them get priority (probably - Cunard moves in mysterious ways). They are pretty close together, so you can socialise if you wish and not if you don't; we've met some amazingly interesting people from our two-tables. You can even chance your luck and request a window table - there are some lovely ones in PG on QV.

 

We've also done PG on QE2 on a six table - we dine later and the rest of the table were well into their main course by the time we arrived. We just ate quickly and caught up:D.

 

Oh, and the dress code question - I'm not a member of the fashion police, but beloved wears dark business-type suit for semi-formal and fits in nicely. Linen suit, or similar, for elegant casual.

 

Have a wonderful time.

 

Mary:)

[Cruachan]

...I'm not a member of the fashion police..

 

Well, that's not what I heard! Your former employer mentioned to me, en passant, that when he first took you on as staff you had just retired after a long career culminating in an appointment as Deputy Assistant Commissioner of the Metropolitan Fashion Police (Cunard Division)! He told me that you insisted on him donning black tie before you would allow him to tuck in to his dish of Netto's Nourishing Tuna Chunks in gravy!

 

J

[Pies4u]

Absolutely nothing wrong with a lightweight suit. Not sure about linen, that always looks a bit "iffy" to me, partic with a tie. I, and many others, wear a light beige suit (Cardin usually in my case!) on s/f nights in the QG - no problem at all. A good suit is a suit, the hue is irrelevant! I've seen more light coloured suits, partic in The Med, than dark on s/f nights tbh.

 

I wouldn't follow the "it has to be dark" brigade, not sure I understand that at all, it's not a funeral! What century do these people actually live in?

[ToadOfToadHall]

A week ago on the QV ( Baltics ), light coloured linen suits were the order of the day, both without a tie on elegant casual nights and with a tie on Semi-formal nights.

 

I, myself, wore said linen.

[Sauer-kraut]

I h I agree with the others - I think a dark suit is better for SF. Not that anybody will giggle or point or otherwise make fun of you - generally speaking everybody is too polite for that. :D

 

J

 

No, they will just come over to this forum to complain about the passengers who failed to adhere to the dress code and then how standards onboard are slipping and Cunard should enforce the policies better! :D

[Whitemarsh]

No, they will just come over to this forum to complain about the passengers who failed to adhere to the dress code and then how standards onboard are slipping and Cunard should enforce the policies better! :D

 

So much better than the preferred option of some that don't like the dress code - which is to verbally abuse people for what they're wearing, in person - on the ship.

[keithm]

The observant members will notice that this is my first post in a forum, but I have watched and read from the sidelines for some time. However, now is the time when I’d like to call upon the seasoned Cunarders for some advice.

 

Next month we take our first Cunard cruise on QV and (at the moment) I have three questions which I’m hoping you can help with.

1) We are in the Princess Grill and have been put on a table for 6; I wondered how the timings worked with people arriving at different times, or joining when other diners are half-way through their meal? As an aside to this, my wife is a little shy and it would lower her anxiety levels if I could change our reservation to a table for two; what is the best way to do this – now or when we board?

2) The dress code is understood (and welcomed), but I would like to check that a sand-coloured linen suit (with shirt & tie!) is acceptable for the semi-formal nights. I would sooner pack another suit or blazer etc than be out of place or suffer the indignity of pointed fingers or laughter as I make my way through the ship…

3) I also agree with the application of a standard tip, but I do like to reward higher levels of service where appropriate – are US$ or € preferred by the crew?

All advice or guidance welcomed.

Thank you

1)Times can vary,especially when returning from excursions.You may discuss it with tablemates on your first night. You may also request a table for 2. You can do that now or see the Maitre D on board.

2)What others may say is irrelavent, The suit would be fine(just make sure it's not wrinked! You know how linen can be!)A tux is not necessary, a dark suit is fine on formal night.

3)Extra tipping is up to you.I recommend the Berlitz cruiseship guide. It gives a great discription of all ships/cruiselines, tipping is mentioned.Preferred tipping is in US$$, though gold Kugerands are accepted as well.(vain attempt at humour)

[Whitemarsh]

1)Times can vary,especially when returning from excursions.You may discuss it with tablemates on your first night.

 

I would suggest discussing it on the 2nd or 3rd night, the first night people are very much just having the "and do you have any pets?" sort of conversations.

 

If the table gets on well, suggest meeting for pre-dinner drinks in the QG lounge.

[shinyshoes]

I think a light coloured linen suit is ideal. Without tie for EC and with for SF. Particularly if said tie is slightly askew and the suit is somewhat rumpled (though clean), gives one that somewhat louche 'Our Man In Havana' look, dontcha know. Me and my mate Earnest never had any problems.

SS

[WesternTrader]

Thank you all for your posts.

 

Your responses to questions one and three have provided me with the help I needed, but it seems that on question two we have a split-decision. I'm half tempted to wear my DJ on the semi-formal night (presumably there would be no issues with that?) - as my wife pointed out it would only take a stray "spillage" on a light jacket to render the linen unusable... So, I suspect I'll end up with a dark suit (the one reserved for weddings and funerals Pies4u!!) as well.

 

shinyshoes - I like the cut of your jib - maybe a slightly battered Panama hat as well to complete the look... But not at the table, of course!

 

Thanks again to you all.