Formal or informal? The debate goes on!

[MawganTr]

We have just returned home from our 7 day trip up to Norway on the QE (10 - 17 Aug). If I could find the cure for post cruise blues then I think I'd be rich! However, now that we are home I have been reflecting on our experiences - not least of all, dress code!

This was our 4th cruise with Cunard and have, in the past, enjoyed the opportunity to dress up. I had been concerned, though, that with the change to 2 levels of dress code that there may be a dumbing down of standards. In my mind, the term 'informal' ran the risk of becoming casual. I needn't have worried though. I was pleasantly surprised that on the informal evenings the norm for outfits was very smart - for some it was almost formal! On each evening we only spotted 1 person in jeans ( in the theatre) and I'm sure they felt very outnumbered! All in all, a most elegant and well dressed bunch! However, we were lucky enough to be invited to dine with a senior officer one evening. It would seem that the change to 2 dress code levels is down to the results of 'surveys' where people are asked what would stop the, cruising with Cunard.....not wanting to dress up was the answer apparently. It would appear that those asked were people that don't already use Cunard. We were encouraged to voice our opinions to 'the powers that be'. There was also a lot of chat about pricing structure but that is a discussion for another time!

As for the rest of our experience, we weren't disappointed. The food was sublime, service amazing ( apart from one time in cafe carinthia when it took a while to be served) and staff extremely welcoming. The speakers were interesting and the evening shows were excellent. I enjoyed the mix of music, dancing, violinist, comedian during the week. We dined in The Verandah - it was out of this world.

Tender at Gerainger was smooth (although we didn't leave or return with the crowds as we were not on a tour)

Any negative experiences? Yes, the coffee in the Lido. It was horrible! We also felt a more commercial push -lots of 'a nominal fee applies' and 'would you like to purchase?' Not enough to spoil our trip but it was evident that they need to boost funds by selling more extras. And, don't get me started on the port presenter!

For the first time we were in an inside cabin - just about ok for a week but ( purely personal preference) I would like to have seen some daylight in our room.

We have had an amazing trip and looking for kidneys to sell to be able to travel again soon!

 

 

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[Classiccruiser777]

The dress code is just a minimum requirement. I, for one, will continue to wear a tie and jacket to 'casual' dinner, a tux on formal evenings.

 

As for up-selling, I wish the actual shipboard items such as the china were available for purchase. I collect ocean liner memorabilia and much of what I see on eBay are current items of use on Cunard. I reckon many of the same had grown legs and disembarked with passengers rather than be purchased.

[3rdGenCunarder]

The dress code is just a minimum requirement. I, for one, will continue to wear a tie and jacket to 'casual' dinner, a tux on formal evenings.

 

As for up-selling, I wish the actual shipboard items such as the china were available for purchase. I collect ocean liner memorabilia and much of what I see on eBay are current items of use on Cunard. I reckon many of the same had grown legs and disembarked with passengers rather than be purchased.

 

Sometimes they sell the china. For some odd reason, they had a bunch of sugar bowls out on the dreaded atrium tables on QM2 on our last voyage.

[MawganTr]

On our final (sea) day they were selling Norwegian souvenirs near the casino - the phrase 'jumble sale' sprang to mind. The swarms of people round it made it appear they were giving things away (sure they weren't!) we kept well away! No sign of any china though.

 

 

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[Norfolk Brit]

. For some odd reason, they had a bunch of sugar bowls out on the dreaded atrium tables on QM2 on our last voyage.

 

They've added sugar to the banned list. Salt cellars next?

 

Sir Martin

[3rdGenCunarder]

They've added sugar to the banned list. Salt cellars next?

 

Sir Martin

 

These sugar bowls were rather large compared to the ones they used to use. I forgot they're putting out the little packets now. Tacky. I remember the "good old days" of QE2, one of our desert-course rituals was trying to guess which of the sugar bowls had white sugar and which had turbinado.

 

I did buy one of the sugar bowls on QM2 to use for flower arrangements.

[Ray66]

Tender at Gerainger was smooth

 

So wasn't the new "Seawalk" pier in use yet at Geiranger?

 

Glad you had such a good trip. We love the QE.

[BlueRiband]

... I had been concerned, though, that with the change to 2 levels of dress code that there may be a dumbing down of standards. In my mind, the term 'informal' ran the risk of becoming casual. ..

 

What I observed for 21 days on QM2 (July 6-27) showed a definite dumbing down. While most people dressed formal on formal nights there was plenty of what I would call "business casual" and "summer party" casual. This was in PG - not to imply that PG passengers are "better people". But it is far more expensive and anybody with those financial means certainly should know the definition of formal. The offenders (by far mostly the women) could not all have lost their luggage or lacked the means to afford a nice dress.

 

What really got me was seeing casual at the CWC party - these being loyal Cunarders who one would have thought would want to preserve evening dress standards. The next step will be an official position of formal wear as "optional". It's not possible to maintain a formal atmosphere if half the passengers don't. (Perhaps my only option for formal evenings in the near future will be on Titanic II :rolleyes:)

 

... I wish the actual shipboard items such as the china were available for purchase. I collect ocean liner memorabilia and much of what I see on eBay are current items of use on Cunard. I reckon many of the same had grown legs and disembarked with passengers rather than be purchased.

 

In QM2's first year of service the actual china service used on board was available for sale in the shop except it had the Cunard crest while the pieces in combat use did not. (I thought that was smart - souvenir collectors usually want something with the venue logo.) Apparently once the supply sold out it was never reordered. So if what you see on auction sites has the Cunard logo it was honestly purchased. If not it was...stolen because theft is theft.

 

Last month there was a commemorative QM2 plate available but I'm not aware the design being in actual use anywhere on the ship. It appears too fragile to hold up to commercial food service.

 

One plate souvenir, which might even trump the Hermes QM2 En Avant Toute scarf, is the plate commemorating the QE2/QM2 tandem crossing in 2004 where the retiring Queen passed the transatlantic honor on to the new Queen. (No I'm not telling where I live and where I store it! :D )

[ukgirlie1]

QE- Fjords and waterfalls, Aug 10-17th

 

No, the Sea Walk was not in use and there was another smaller ship tendering too. Maybe that was why?

 

We felt the formal/informal dress code was followed pretty well by all passengers and we enjoyed dressing up. If money is tight you can always wear the same dress twice, especially if dining in different venues! Who is to know?

 

We agree that the drinks prices are phenomenal and this may well mean we go back to P and O who seem to have more honest/affordable pricing.

 

We really liked the canapés on offer with our pre-dinner cocktails in the Commodore Club and the Jasmine menu in the Lido Restaurant was wonderful (the Indian menu not quite so good I am afraid).

 

We feel there are more dining options on a ship like the Azura with three speciality restaurants:Sindhu, Seventeen and the Glass House. We would rather choose to pay the cover charge for these venues a few times during the cruise with the money saved on the drinks and perhaps smaller balcony accommodation. It is our preference to have the special dining experience over a slightly larger stateroom.

 

This cruise was our first experience with Cunard having only sailed on the Azura twice before. We really enjoyed it but, apart from a few improvements in our spa experience (the view was great, much better than the subterranean feel of Azura) we may find the Cunard dress code will not prove a strong enough draw for us to sail with Cunard again. We may try a Celebrity cruise next to see if they have a younger vibe while still encouraging a formal dress code, although I suspect the drinks may still be very pricey.

 

Here's to the next cruise whatever and where ever it will be!

[zider]

These so called Customer Survey's . Have a great deal of answering to do, Such as attempting to change the dress codes when Cunard's passengers don't want any changes, Then they go and ban smoking on balconies also claiming that the same said Survey was the reason for change Neither of these changes I believe came from passengers, I believe that they are trawling forums such as this one & listening to whoever shouts the loudest.

[Salacia]

These so called Customer Survey's . Have a great deal of answering to do, Such as attempting to change the dress codes when Cunard's passengers don't want any changes, Then they go and ban smoking on balconies also claiming that the same said Survey was the reason for change Neither of these changes I believe came from passengers, I believe that they are trawling forums such as this one & listening to whoever shouts the loudest.

 

Zider, I've wondered about that too...maybe I should start typing in ALL CAPS ! :D

-S

[Whitemarsh]

This was our 4th cruise with Cunard and have, in the past, enjoyed the opportunity to dress up. I had been concerned, though, that with the change to 2 levels of dress code that there may be a dumbing down of standards. In my mind, the term 'informal' ran the risk of becoming casual. I needn't have worried though. I was pleasantly surprised that on the informal evenings the norm for outfits was very smart - for some it was almost formal! On each evening we only spotted 1 person in jeans ( in the theatre) and I'm sure they felt very outnumbered! All in all, a most elegant and well dressed bunch!

 

Thanks for the good news update, it's much appreciated. :)

 

Good to hear that the food and service was excellent too.

[3rdGenCunarder]

These so called Customer Survey's . Have a great deal of answering to do, Such as attempting to change the dress codes when Cunard's passengers don't want any changes, Then they go and ban smoking on balconies also claiming that the same said Survey was the reason for change Neither of these changes I believe came from passengers, I believe that they are trawling forums such as this one & listening to whoever shouts the loudest.

 

I don't think CC has that much influence. I blame focus groups. They get a bunch of people who have never cruised on Cunard and ask they why not or what it would take to get them to cruise on Cunard. So, rather than being influenced by people here, who at least have done some cruising, they're influenced by people who haven't cruised.

[ToadOfToadHall]

I had been concerned, though, that with the change to 2 levels of dress code that there may be a dumbing down of standards. In my mind, the term 'informal' ran the risk of becoming casual. I needn't have worried though. I was pleasantly surprised that on the informal evenings the norm for outfits was very smart - for some it was almost formal!

 

I'm very pleased you found this. I'm going in a couple of weeks and I too was beginning to think people would be in jeans and a t-shirt in the evenings so I'm very happy that this is not the case

 

What about tails and a top hat and cane for format evenings ??!!

[keithm]

I'm very pleased you found this. I'm going in a couple of weeks and I too was beginning to think people would be in jeans and a t-shirt in the evenings so I'm very happy that this is not the case

 

What about tails and a top hat and cane for format evenings ??!!

I do wear a bowler on formal evenings. I'd love to do the top hat & tails. This was done on voyages long past.

[pepperrn]

What about tails and a top hat and cane for format evenings ??!!

I saw this on one guy (the whole "white tie" outfit) on QM2 in 2008 :) .

Many commented on how smart he looked, the ladies esp seemed to love it.

He could have done without the cane, hat and cape however :( .

[ToadOfToadHall]

I saw this on one guy (the whole "white tie" outfit) on QM2 in 2008 :) .

Many commented on how smart he looked, the ladies esp seemed to love it.

He could have done without the cane, hat and cape however :( .

 

I forgot about a cape !!

[pepperrn]

I forgot about a cape !!

I would try and aim for more like Fred Astaire and less like Bela Lugosi, if I were you ;) :)

 

All best wishes!

[ToadOfToadHall]

I would try and aim for more like Fred Astaire and less like Bela Lugosi, if I were you ;) :)

 

All best wishes!

 

Do you think this is going a bit too far then ?

 

[pepperrn]

Do you think this is going a bit too far then ?

 

Well... he does look as if he's just discovered the bowl contains tomato soup... and not his favourite...

 

But clothing wise, if you think you can get away with that look, and I'm sure a toad of your undoubted sartorial elegance can, then far be it from me to suggest otherwise... :D .

 

All good wishes :)

[ToadOfToadHall]

I've tried, and failed, to find a picture of Mr Toad in tails. I'm sure he must dress in said tails when the occasion demands it.

[david,Mississauga]

...

 

What about tails and a top hat and cane for format evenings ??!!

 

Three years ago on a QM2 TA a gentleman arrived in the Queen's Grill wearing just that. Maître d' Osman looked after his hat during dinner. It was the night of the Ascot ball. A very young man also appeared in the Queen's Room wearing the same full formal attire.

[ukgirlie1]

Dear Toad of Toad Hall

 

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aaLuWJBY-1M/UJiyz1XpP6I/AAAAAAAABDo/6PVXkyQS_2s/s1600/toad+of+toad+hall.jpg

 

I am useless at attachments etc. but this link , if you copy and paste it into your browser should take you to a picture of Toad in tails....

 

I hope you like it! :)

 

Sarah

[Aussieflyer]

I don't think CC has that much influence. I blame focus groups. They get a bunch of people who have never cruised on Cunard and ask they why not or what it would take to get them to cruise on Cunard. So, rather than being influenced by people here, who at least have done some cruising, they're influenced by people who haven't cruised.

 

A very good point. It could be that Cunard like many other businesses is after the new customer (passenger) even at the expense of maintaining their current clients. The business mantra in many spheres is to grow the business by bringing new customers on board (pardon the pun). I know fashions change and people's expectations of the norm change over time but this does seem to be a grab for new pax with a reduction in the dress requirements.

[LadyL1]

I was also on this cruise as mentioned by the OP. I was amazed (and pleased) by the standard of the dress code all around the ship considering it was only 7 days and in school holidays.

In the evening the young persons in the dining room where always dressed in the correct attire and were a credit to their parents. I understand there were 130 under 18's travelling, and their behaviour, at all times, was exemplary! This was really refreshing as you so often read negative posts of children on ships in the holiday period.

Cunard hopefully noticed the upkeep of the dress code, and it certainly seemed to go against their expectations that people wish to be a little more casual!