Cunard Dress Code change: Formal and Informal

[Salacia]

Good. Well done Cunard, a step in the right direction. I've done 4 TAs on the QM2 and the Hyacinth Bucketness over the clothes other people wear on board is not a Cunard selling point to me. I don't care, and it's none of my business, how other people dress themselves, if someone wants to wear a tux to breakfast, go for it... none of my business.

 

I expect the crew to dress formally, they are at work.

 

I have ~50 years of cruising time left, Cunard know what's coming after the stuffed shirts are gone, and they're adjusting accordingly.

 

 

To Peter Shanks et al : meet your newest loyal passenger.

[Louise D]

To Peter Shanks et al : meet your newest loyal passenger.

 

Are we having a competition to identify Cunard's most loyal customer now that Bea Muller no longer sails the seas? If so, who would that person be?

 

Edited to add:-

 

On reflection, Mrs Muller may not have been the most loyal customer as she was very critical of some aspects of the QE2 and Cunard's operations. (I understand this is why her book is no longer available). So perhaps I should have mentioned the Rosenbergs as the most loyal customers, but who have sadly stopped sailing with Cunard in recent years.

[Salacia]

Are we having a competition to identify Cunard's most loyal customer now that Bea Muller no longer sails the seas? If so, who would that person be?

 

My guess is that the most loyal customer is a composite of many passengers: from those that row to those who Grill. We keep coming back. From D to Q, we keep coming back.

But maybe not so much anymore...

[Cruachan]

My guess is that the most loyal customer is a composite of many passengers: from those that row to those who Grill. We keep coming back. From D to Q, we keep coming back.

But maybe not so much anymore...

 

Well, there's loyal and there's loyal. I am not only loyal to Cunard, but also fiercely loyal to that paragon of managmenent excellence, Sir Peter Shanks. A better CEO there never was - perfection in human form.

 

J

 

Pete - if you're still looking in. That's a Q1 on Queen Victoria, sailing from Soton 13 Sep 13. (Have I mentioned that before?)

[Norfolk Brit]

Well, there's loyal and there's loyal. I am not only loyal to Cunard, but also fiercely loyal to that paragon of managmenent excellence, Sir Peter Shanks. A better CEO there never was - perfection in human form.

 

J

 

Pete - if you're still looking in. That's a Q1 on Queen Victoria, sailing from Soton 13 Sep 13. (Have I mentioned that before?)

 

Just fallen off my chair:D. Naturally, I agree, but a little over-familiar to Sir Peter in your note at the bottom, perhaps?

 

Mary

[Cruachan]

Just fallen off my chair:D. Naturally, I agree, but a little over-familiar to Sir Peter in your note at the bottom, perhaps?

 

Mary

 

Good Grief! I didn't call him "pet" did I?

 

J

[6andy6]

Hear hear!

 

You still wearing a top hat, monocle and tails?

 

If not why not?

 

Thats what Cunard where wearing in the 20's.

 

Your wife working? Why? Until the 60's woman where not allowed to...and certainly not after being married.

 

I bet it was also a step in the right direction for you when they got rid of British stateroom and bar staffing and brought in 3rd world workers to keep your costs down.

 

The world changes...as does dress.

 

Well may you condescendingly say "hear hear' as I have no doubt we will soon be say 'Bye Bye' to you.....

[Norfolk Brit]

Good Grief! I didn't call him "pet" did I?

 

J

 

I know, I know - mistake spotted, but unable to edit it. Fondly believed no one would notice.

 

Mary

[Whitemarsh]

Good. Well done Cunard, a step in the right direction. I've done 4 TAs on the QM2 and the Hyacinth Bucketness over the clothes other people wear on board is not a Cunard selling point to me. I don't care, and it's none of my business, how other people dress themselves, if someone wants to wear a tux to breakfast, go for it... none of my business.

 

I expect the crew to dress formally, they are at work.

 

I have ~50 years of cruising time left, Cunard know what's coming after the stuffed shirts are gone, and they're adjusting accordingly.

 

Well it is to a lot of other people, and that's the point, that's why they choose/chose Cunard - for that formal atmosphere at night. So changing the dress code is going to impact on that, which has lead to the discussion you've just joined.

 

You may not care what people wear, but other people do.

 

Why is it, I wonder, that people who pride themselves in being open minded are so often judgmental of others? Heaven save us from Hyacinth, be her shirts stuffed or unstuffed!

 

I've wondered that too. Usually, the crowd that comes on here spouting their usual spiel about "never noticing what other people wear" etc (a complete and utter lie by the way - it's impossible not to notice what other people wear) litter their posts with snide remarks and insults about those that do chose Cunard because they like the formal atmosphere.

[Whitemarsh]

You still wearing a top hat, monocle and tails?

 

If not why not?

 

Thats what Cunard where wearing in the 20's.

 

Your wife working? Why? Until the 60's woman where not allowed to...and certainly not after being married.

 

I bet it was also a step in the right direction for you when they got rid of British stateroom and bar staffing and brought in 3rd world workers to keep your costs down.

 

The world changes...as does dress.

 

Well may you condescendingly say "hear hear' as I have no doubt we will soon be say 'Bye Bye' to you.....

 

Oh, so the recent decision by Cunard to dumb down the dress code was a civil rights issue was it? :rolleyes:

 

Get some perspective.

[Thaxted]

Oh, so the recent decision by Cunard to dumb down the dress code was a civil rights issue was it? :rolleyes:

 

Get some perspective.

 

Wise advice! Arguments about the dress code can be spirited without being nasty or insulting. But I'm afraid that asking for perspective, or even simple good manners, from the likes of our recent contributors is whistling in the dark.

[seasidegal]

Well it is to a lot of other people, and that's the point, that's why they choose/chose Cunard - for that formal atmosphere at night. So changing the dress code is going to impact on that, which has lead to the discussion you've just joined.

 

You may not care what people wear, but other people do.

 

 

 

I've wondered that too. Usually, the crowd that comes on here spouting their usual spiel about "never noticing what other people wear" etc (a complete and utter lie by the way - it's impossible not to notice what other people wear) litter their posts with snide remarks and insults about those that do chose Cunard because they like the formal atmosphere.

 

Whitemarsh:

 

Spot on! Thank you for helping to make this forum a great place to visit and learn...much appreciated.

 

 

Originally Posted by 6andy6

.....

Your wife working? Why? Until the 60's woman where not allowed to...and certainly not after being married.

 

 

6andy6:

 

My mother worked through the 40's and 50's. She worked while my dad got his law degree and she was definitely married! (so did many of her female relatives and friends). She also worked during the war as many married women did at that time.

 

best regards,

seasidegal

[Salacia]

You still wearing a top hat, monocle and tails?

 

If not why not?

 

Thats what Cunard where wearing in the 20's.

 

Your wife working? Why? Until the 60's woman where not allowed to...and certainly not after being married.

 

I bet it was also a step in the right direction for you when they got rid of British stateroom and bar staffing and brought in 3rd world workers to keep your costs down.

 

The world changes...as does dress.

 

Well may you condescendingly say "hear hear' as I have no doubt we will soon be say 'Bye Bye' to you.....

 

6andy6, no, I've never worn a top hat and tails. Not only am I too young to even remember that particular fashion style, but with my figure, I look much better in a cocktail dress.

 

And no, I don't have a wife, but I do have a husband and yes, he works. Since I have long been a feminist, it is not necessary for you to tell me the history of the movement. By the way, I don't know what country you were referring to when you wrote that married women were not allowed to work until the 1960's - that was certainly not the case in my country.

 

My first cruise was in 2008, so I have no experience with all British staffing. I find the term "third world countries" sterotypical and outdated, instead preferring the term "developing countries". I have also been told by people from those countries that they also prefer the term "developing countries".

 

I fail to see how the expression "hear, hear" is condescending; it is simply a short way of expressing agreement.

 

Lastly, I see no reason to make disparaging personal remarks about those who hold a differing opinion regarding the change in dress code, but clearly that is another issue upon which you and I disagree.

 

Best wishes for your next voyage.

Salacia

[Wordzz]

Lastly, I see no reason to make disparaging personal remarks about those who hold a differing opinion regarding the change in dress code, but clearly that is another issue upon which you and I disagree.

 

Salacia

 

Hear, hear!

[Thaxted]

6andy6, no, I've never worn a top hat and tails. Not only am I too young to even remember that particular fashion style, but with my figure, I look much better in a cocktail dress.

 

And no, I don't have a wife, but I do have a husband and yes, he works. Since I have long been a feminist, it is not necessary for you to tell me the history of the movement. By the way, I don't know what country you were referring to when you wrote that married women were not allowed to work until the 1960's - that was certainly not the case in my country.

 

My first cruise was in 2008, so I have no experience with all British staffing. I find the term "third world countries" sterotypical and outdated, instead preferring the term "developing countries". I have also been told by people from those countries that they also prefer the term "developing countries".

 

I fail to see how the expression "hear, hear" is condescending; it is simply a short way of expressing agreement.

 

Lastly, I see no reason to make disparaging personal remarks about those who hold a differing opinion regarding the change in dress code, but clearly that is another issue upon which you and I disagree.

 

Best wishes for your next voyage.

Salacia

 

Salacia, thank you for your kind reply to some very unkind remarks. You are a model of grace under fire!

[junglejane]

Just got our documents for our June 1 Eastbound crossing. It still lists the 3 tiered dress code. Personally, I'm not going to lose sleep over this one way or the other. We will have our formal wear and DH will have at least one additional suit or sport coat with assorted dress shirts, ties and dress trousers. And I always use an impending cruise as an excuse to buy a new outfit or two.:)

[keithm]

6andy6, no, I've never worn a top hat and tails. Not only am I too young to even remember that particular fashion style, but with my figure, I look much better in a cocktail dress.

 

And no, I don't have a wife, but I do have a husband and yes, he works. Since I have long been a feminist, it is not necessary for you to tell me the history of the movement. By the way, I don't know what country you were referring to when you wrote that married women were not allowed to work until the 1960's - that was certainly not the case in my country.

 

My first cruise was in 2008, so I have no experience with all British staffing. I find the term "third world countries" sterotypical and outdated, instead preferring the term "developing countries". I have also been told by people from those countries that they also prefer the term "developing countries".

 

I fail to see how the expression "hear, hear" is condescending; it is simply a short way of expressing agreement.

 

Lastly, I see no reason to make disparaging personal remarks about those who hold a differing opinion regarding the change in dress code, but clearly that is another issue upon which you and I disagree.

 

Best wishes for your next voyage.

Salacia

Our first Cunard trip was in 2004. I heard that a few years prior to that, there was a strike by a lot of the British staff. Many were fired & much of the staff then came from India/Indonesia/Phillipines. I've been told(not seen it myself, sorry) that the staff in the past could be quite surly. I've always found the current staff pretty much quite nice to deal with. It's true the language issue can be a bother, but I found if you have patience, then you pretty much could figure it out. I did find many more Eastern Europeans i/e Russian/Ukraine/Latvians, etc. in the Grills. These folks generally spoke better English, & had an attention to detail that was really outstanding. The Asian staff is generally more friendly, but lacking in some attention to detail(well in my opinion anyways)I just wish Cunard would do more Caribbean or B2B trips orginating in NY.

[glojo]

You still wearing a top hat, monocle and tails?

 

If not why not?

 

Thats what Cunard where wearing in the 20's.

 

Your wife working? Why? Until the 60's woman where not allowed to...and certainly not after being married.

 

I bet it was also a step in the right direction for you when they got rid of British stateroom and bar staffing and brought in 3rd world workers to keep your costs down.

 

The world changes...as does dress.

 

Well may you condescendingly say "hear hear' as I have no doubt we will soon be say 'Bye Bye' to you.....

I think enough has been said by folks that disagree with you and perhaps you forgot there have been two World Wars where especially in Great Britain married women played a very important role when they took over the working positions that were historically carried out by men folk. Be they working in factories, ship building, on the land or just about anywhere else where they were needed.

 

After the war then yes it might have been traditionally accepted that..... dare I say this??? The woman of the house looked after the children whilst the man went to work!!

 

There I have said it

 

and yes my wife stayed at home raising our children but some women opted to work... It's all about the freedom of choice?

[vjmatty]

The definition of jeans seems to have changed over the years. If a lady is wearing white jeans would anyone know, or rather would the MD in the dining room, know the difference? Or care.

 

David.

 

Perhaps they plan to pull a George Costanza and will reach out and feel the material of a woman's pants to make sure it isn't denim?

 

I think we need to start using common sense here. Just like "sleeveless shirt for women" conjures up an image of a beaded camisole rather than a muscle shirt, so too should "denim" on Cunard make us think "sharp slacks that happen to be made of heavy cotton" rather than "dungarees".

 

Let's give the loyal passengers of Cunard some credit and predict that they will continue to choose tasteful appropriate clothing. And for those who say "women can wear whatever they want now", women could always wear what we wanted yet that has not caused the female passengers to come in donned in micro shorts and tube tops. And yes, for men the description no longer says "collared shirts" but it doesn't mention shirts at all.... do you really think men will stop wearing shirts?

[Germancruiser]

Uah - so many nicely dressed people with such harsh words... not a good match. LOL!

[Salacia]

Perhaps they plan to pull a George Costanza and will reach out and feel the material of a woman's pants to make sure it isn't denim?

 

I think we need to start using common sense here. Just like "sleeveless shirt for women" conjures up an image of a beaded camisole rather than a muscle shirt, so too should "denim" on Cunard make us think "sharp slacks that happen to be made of heavy cotton" rather than "dungarees".

 

Let's give the loyal passengers of Cunard some credit and predict that they will continue to choose tasteful appropriate clothing. And for those who say "women can wear whatever they want now", women could always wear what we wanted yet that has not caused the female passengers to come in donned in micro shorts and tube tops. And yes, for men the description no longer says "collared shirts" but it doesn't mention shirts at all.... do you really think men will stop wearing shirts?

 

Hi vjmatty. According to the new evening dress code for Informal (IF) evenings which comprise roughly two-thirds of the evenings on board, men or women wearing denim jeans meets the code, provided that the jeans aren't blue or worn (?).

 

In answer to your question: no, I don't really don't think men will stop wearing shirts on IF nights. But there's a wide range of possiblities that meet the IF dress code, from tuxedo shirts to button down collared shirts to polo or t-shirts-- as long as men wear a jacket. Except on those occasions where no jacket is required.

 

Shorts of any kind are not considered appropriate within the ship after 6pm. [reference https://ask.cunard.com/help/cunard/latest_news/cunard_dress

 

Yes, I agree with you that we need to use some common sense here; it beats hyperbole :)

 

Regards,

Salacia

[Salacia]

Just got our documents for our June 1 Eastbound crossing. It still lists the 3 tiered dress code. Personally, I'm not going to lose sleep over this one way or the other. We will have our formal wear and DH will have at least one additional suit or sport coat with assorted dress shirts, ties and dress trousers. And I always use an impending cruise as an excuse to buy a new outfit or two.:)

 

Junglejane, good for you! Best wishes to you and your family for a wonderful voyage. Quite an exciting adventure crossing the Atlantic! :) Regards, -S.

[vjmatty]

Shorts of any kind are not considered appropriate within the ship after 6pm. [reference https://ask.cunard.com/help/cunard/latest_news/cunard_dress

 

You're right.... I should have said "miniskirts" rather than "micro shorts."

[Salacia]

You're right.... I should have said "miniskirts" rather than "micro shorts."

 

vjmatty, Yikes, you just reminded me! I hoped to meet you someday and share the story about a man wearing a Kilt talking to a woman in a miniskirt. They were sitting on a bar stool in the casino on QM2 around mid-night one evening when the sea was acting up. Oh, I nevermind, you get the picture :eek::D

[Pushka]

Goodness, Salacia and I have enjoyed some banter back and forth and sometimes we completely disagree but all in good spirit and learning. But some posts on this thread are just plain rude. And far worse than the "attitudes" complained about in those very posts.