Cunard Dress Code change: Formal and Informal

[vjmatty]

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

 

At least they were in technical compliance with the dress code ;)

[vjmatty]

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.

 

I really don't think it is rude to say "hey let's have some faith in the judgment of our fellow passengers and not assume the worst will happen." Optimism isn't rude just because it is contrary to the pessimist.

[Pushka]

I really don't think it is rude to say "hey let's have some faith in the judgment of our fellow passengers and not assume the worst will happen." Optimism isn't rude just because it is contrary to the pessimist.

 

I don't think you've understood the post I was referring to and its personal nature.

[Salacia]

At least they were in technical compliance with the dress code ;)

 

Hee hee....They sure were - neither of 'em were wearing shorts!:eek: :D

[Oarsman55]

 

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 (?).

Salacia

 

I got the new brochure yesterday. My understanding from carefully reading it is that jeans are ok in the buffet and Winter Garden/bar, but not in the MDR or any other venue.

 

Is that how others read it?

 

Peter

[Salacia]

I got the new brochure yesterday. My understanding from carefully reading it is that jeans are ok in the buffet and Winter Garden/bar, but not in the MDR or any other venue.

 

Is that how others read it?

 

Peter

 

Hi Oarsman. Yes, that is also my understanding of the new dress code for Formal nights.

However, on Informal nights, jeans are permitted provided the jeans "are not blue or worn denim". The new dress code can be found here https://ask.cunard.com/help/cunard/latest_news/cunard_dress Regards, -S.

[Oarsman55]

Thanks, Salacia, but I don't find it terribly clear.

 

Here's what it says in the new UK brochure: "Informal - Jacket required, tie optional for gentlemen. Cocktail dress or stylish separates for ladies. No jeans or shorts."

 

Good old Cunard!

 

Peter

[MadScientist_01]

I will be doing my bit for the standards of Cunard-past by poking any miscreants on-board with a sharp stick if they do not come up to scratch regardless of the new regs - a bit of operant conditioning will soon shape new Cunard cruisers into the correct way to dress, no need for all this dress-code nonsense

[Salacia]

Thanks, Salacia, but I don't find it terribly clear.

 

Here's what it says in the new UK brochure: "Informal - Jacket required, tie optional for gentlemen. Cocktail dress or stylish separates for ladies. No jeans or shorts."

 

Good old Cunard!

 

Peter

 

Hi Oarsman. Could that be the most recent guidelines? Maybe cunard.com hasn't been updated? What does the Cunard UK website show? I'm wondering how many different definitions of the dress code are being published.:confused: Regards, -S.

[Pushka]

I cannot interpreting the new code to allow jeans in the MDR on informal nights. This is from the Oz site:

 

Please note that after 6pm, shorts and blue or worn denim (for men and women); sandals and sleeveless tops (for men) are not considered appropriate within the ship.

 

Their dress code for both formal and informal differs only in that a tie isn't needed on informal nights but jackets are.

[glojo]

I wonder how up to date these brochures and the web sites are? I am not suggesting they were prepared after the new codes came into being, I am merely asking a question.

[msk68]

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?)

 

Don't give up hope! It happened to us. We were upgraded to the suite you want on a Med cruise, it was absolutely delicious. The deck is beyond obscene!

[Salacia]

I wonder how up to date these brochures and the web sites are? I am not suggesting they were prepared after the new codes came into being, I am merely asking a question.

 

 

I wondered the same thing. But all media (print and web based) published by Cunard should have had the same information; that was totally under their control. Peter Shanks, as the Talking Head of Cunard should have also been prepared to convey the message. Yet that was not the case. Why is that? Why did Cunard give so little lead time before the changes in dress code was to take effect?

 

To me it appears a rushed decison, badly conveyed to the public and to the media; a mixed message, almost desperately trying to appear to be all things to all people.

[glojo]

I wondered the same thing. But all media (print and web based) published by Cunard should have had the same information; that was totally under their control. Peter Shanks, as the Talking Head of Cunard should have also been prepared to convey the message. Yet that was not the case. Why is that?

Hind sight is a talent that arm chair critics excel in but errors are made, especially in such a large organisation. It shouldn't, but in the real World no one is perfect.

 

Some Cunard brochures advertise the 2014 Queen Elizabeth World Cruise as being 118 days in length, others state it is 119, some literature tells us it ends at Lisbon Portugal. I guess we have to be very cautious when we read brochures and not just those wrote by the Carnival Group\Cunard.

[Louise D]

Actually, for some years now the dress code on Cunard has been a bit of a moving feast.

 

I expect that most here do not recall that for at least three years after QM2 was first launched, it had a different dress code from QE2.

 

This is the dress code that Cunard published for the QM2 and QE2 for March 2006 to April 2007.

 

Queen Mary 2 - General Cruising

 

First and last nights on board - Casual

Days at sea, with a maximum of 3 per week on voyages that are not port intensive - Formal

Days in port when sailing before 6pm - Informal

Overnight in port or later sailing - casual

 

Queen Mary 2 - Transatlantic Crossings

 

First and last nights on board - Casual

Days at sea - 3 formal, 1 informal

 

QE2

 

First and last nights on board - Informal

Days at sea - Formal

Days in port when sailing before 6pm - Informal

Overnight in port or later sailing - casual

 

At that time "Informal" was defined as:-

 

Jacket and tie for men

Skirt or slacks with a sweater or blouse for women.

[balf]

Ladies, are jeans always made of denim or has the term changed over the years to mean a style?

 

I only ask because if a lady turned up on formal night dressed in white tailored jeans made of some other fabric or even of denim,would she be sent back to change? I think we all know the answer.

 

Just as I know the answer to flipflops (seen those) and sandals (seen those as well)

 

David.

[junglejane]

Ladies, are jeans always made of denim or has the term changed over the years to mean a style?

 

See Post #63 above from Whitemarsh for an example of stylish white jeans. http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showpost.php?p=37611628&postcount=63 I wish I could say that they would look that good on me, but the truth is that they wouldn't!

[vjmatty]

See Post #63 above from Whitemarsh for an example of stylish white jeans. http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showpost.php?p=37611628&postcount=63 I wish I could say that they would look that good on me, but the truth is that they wouldn't!

 

Yes Whitemarsh post predominately features skinny jeans.... unfortunately I am better suited for boot cut or other flared styles so as to minimize the hip area.

[vjmatty]

Ladies, are jeans always made of denim or has the term changed over the years to mean a style?

 

I only ask because if a lady turned up on formal night dressed in white tailored jeans made of some other fabric or even of denim,would she be sent back to change? I think we all know the answer.

 

Just as I know the answer to flipflops (seen those) and sandals (seen those as well)

 

David.

 

Jeans tend to suggest denim, but not all denim is of the faded dungaree-style variety.....which is why I stated in an earlier post that with many styles, one would have to feel the material to know any different, and who would dare pull such a move in the dining room?

[glojo]

Jeans tend to suggest denim, but not all denim is of the faded dungaree-style variety.....which is why I stated in an earlier post that with many styles, one would have to feel the material to know any different, and who would dare pull such a move in the dining room?

I think it would be a very brave, knowledgeable or reckless person that would now try to sort out visually what are jeans and what are casual slacks :o:o... Had to be careful what I said...

 

From what I am reading not all jeans are now made from denim, suede, mohair and just about every type of material is being used and to me this is all a minefield.

 

I see no harm in just having two dress codes but the informal should be in keeping with the traditional standards that have worked for Cunard over many, many decades. After 6pm why not wear a jacket and tie in the main air conditioned dining areas? Ladies dress is a minefield and I know my place when this is being discussed ;):o

[vjmatty]

I think it would be a very brave, knowledgeable or reckless person that would now try to sort out visually what are jeans and what are casual slacks :o:o... Had to be careful what I said...

 

From what I am reading not all jeans are now made from denim, suede, mohair and just about every type of material is being used and to me this is all a minefield.

 

I see no harm in just having two dress codes but the informal should be in keeping with the traditional standards that have worked for Cunard over many, many decades. After 6pm why not wear a jacket and tie in the main air conditioned dining areas? Ladies dress is a minefield and I know my place when this is being discussed ;):o

 

Wise move :)

[Lake Barcroft Sailor]

We are sailing on the 1 July 2013 trip to Canada & Boston from and to NY on the Queen Mary 2 and received the following yesterday from our TA:

 

We wanted to let you know that Cunard Line has introduced a new Dress Code Policy:

 

Whilst keeping the same frequency of formal nights, the policy has been simplified to include just two classifications: Formal and Informal.

 

- Formal: dinner jacket, tuxedo or dark suit with tie for gentlemen; evening or cocktail dress for ladies.

- Informal: jacket required, tie is optional for gentlemen; cocktail dress, stylish separates or equivalent for ladies.

 

On Formal evenings, guests wishing to wear less formal attire may dine in the casual alternative restaurants (Kings Court or Lido) and enjoy pre/post dinner drinks in the Winter Garden or Garden Lounge Bars.

 

For your day-by-day dress codes, please visit "Your Voyage Information" on the Voyage Personaliser at www.cunard.com. You will also find this information in the Travel Documents and Preparing to Go sections on the Cunard website.

 

So that's that.

[pkirkbride]

I think the move is very sensible and combines the reality of 21st century attitudes with the best of Cunard traditions. The reality is that Cunard has to attract and retain customers across the board (and world) ... not just Brits and (some) colonials stuck in the 1950s wistfully trying to recall an age that has gone.

This approach, which would not have been adopted by Cunard without in-depth market research, is sensible. Well done Cunard!!

[3rdGenCunarder]

We are sailing on the 1 July 2013 trip to Canada & Boston from and to NY on the Queen Mary 2 and received the following yesterday from our TA:

 

We wanted to let you know that Cunard Line has introduced a new Dress Code Policy:

 

Whilst keeping the same frequency of formal nights, the policy has been simplified to include just two classifications: Formal and Informal.

 

- Formal: dinner jacket, tuxedo or dark suit with tie for gentlemen; evening or cocktail dress for ladies.

- Informal: jacket required, tie is optional for gentlemen; cocktail dress, stylish separates or equivalent for ladies.

 

On Formal evenings, guests wishing to wear less formal attire may dine in the casual alternative restaurants (Kings Court or Lido) and enjoy pre/post dinner drinks in the Winter Garden or Garden Lounge Bars.

 

For your day-by-day dress codes, please visit "Your Voyage Information" on the Voyage Personaliser at www.cunard.com. You will also find this information in the Travel Documents and Preparing to Go sections on the Cunard website.

 

So that's that.

 

"Less formal attire" on formal evenings. So how much less formal can you be in the casual restaurants? Is there a minimum dress code for these restaurants on formal nights, or is anything OK? And what about informal nights? Is the minimum dress code (if one exists) for these restaurants the same as for formal nights, or does it get even more casual? This really doesn't give people much guidance.

 

Also note that there is no statement about not being in other public areas on formal night if you're not dressed according to the formal dress code, although we've seen that in other versions of the new dress code.

[Pushka]

Kathy, I did read somewhere in the new guidelines that guests not in formal attire were able to dine in the buffet areas and be in the winter garden but were restricted from other areas.