Booking Tuxedo Tips Please!

[ABoatNerd]

A fine good day Cunard cruisers.

 

My husband I are booked on our 1st Cunard trip. We are Celebrity regulars.

 

We look forward to our June 5 2014 TA sailing from Southampton.

 

We understand the QM2 and Cunard is more formal than Celebrity so we thought booking a tuxedo would be grand.

 

Could folks share some booking tips so we acquire the best tux and service.

 

Thank you kindly in advance for your time and consideration.

 

Regards,

 

ABoatNerd

[Mack704]

DW and I are also Celebrity regulars, taking our first Cunard voyage this year on the May 9 TA out of Southhampton. My extensive research on the Cunard web site has indicated that there is formal ware for hire on the ship. However it states no eligibility to pre-book.

 

We are spending a week in Europe prior, and have no interest in schlepping more than necessary around Paris and London. So one of our first stops upon boarding will be to the shop where we can rent my tux for the three formal nights.

 

Is this what you're asking?

 

Harvey

[Thaxted]

The cost of renting a tuxedo onboard is $90 for one night and $250 for five nights. At these prices I think that you'd be better off buying an inexpensive tuxedo before you sail. Besides, you can't be sure that the ship will have a tuxedo in your size.

[Mack704]

The cost of renting a tuxedo onboard is $90 for one night and $250 for five nights. At these prices I think that you'd be better off buying an inexpensive tuxedo before you sail. Besides, you can't be sure that the ship will have a tuxedo in your size.

 

I mentioned the same price quotes to my wife. She'd rather us pay the rental cost than schlep. The wide range of sizes offered include what would fit most men. I believe the chance I'll be taking that they won't have my size is minimal. If they don't, I imagine I'll be getting a lot of condescending looks in the Britannia on formal nights. But, who cares? The food will still taste the same.

 

Harvey

[pepperrn]

When looking at the cost of hiring a dinner suit on board, please consider buying one, even on the morning of your departure from Southampton, in either Marks and Spencer or John Lewis (both in the West Quay Shopping Centre a few minutes from the terminal).

It can be cheaper to buy than to rent, and then you'll have the dinner suit (tux) all ready for your next Cunard crossing or cruise, and the one after that, and the one after that, and... ;) :) .

 

Whatever you decide, have the most wonderful crossing, Bon Voyage! :)

[jimmybean]

One of our tablemates on a QM2 crossing several years ago confided that he rented his tux onboard the ship.

 

The price for this rental was as stated above. Our tablemate was so put-off by the rental price he spent the third night at Kings Court buffet.

 

The rented tux fit and looked fine, but at the rental price, purchasing a tux would have made more sense.

 

People DO wear conservative dark suits on the ship as well. While the vast majority of men wear a tux on formal nights on Cunard ships, it is possible to get by without one.

 

Why don't you look into purchase options and then make a decision. Amazingly, a tux seems less expensive than you would expect.

 

Happy Sailing!

[Mack704]

Thanks for the advice, Pepper. We will consider it. And thanks for the best wishes. The anticipation is running rampid through my veins. Final payment in just a couple of weeks! Yea!

 

Harvey

[busmech]

The price is for how many formal nights there are, not just the days of the trip.

[david,Mississauga]

As others have said, buying a tuxedo is the best thing. For many years I was able to use the same dinner jacket and trousers, but five years ago I decided to replace it - not because it was worn out but because it was quite thick and heavy. One day when I wasn't looking for one I came upon a sale in suburban Toronto. I was able to get a light-weight tuxedo and a shirt and black tie (although I didn't need these) all for about $100 including tax. It takes up little space in my luggage, certainly no more than a cardigan and trousers.

 

The Marks & Spencer suggestion is a really good one. My wife and I love the stores and miss them here in Canada, where they shut down about 14 years ago.:mad:

[QM2 fan]

Matalan also have a branch in Southampton,and do full tuxs for £75 !!!! My father was wearing a Matalan one on a Princess caribbean trip....an American they made friends with asked for the name of dads tailor so he could get the same tux.......Dad says "Sure, his name is Matt.... Matt Alan..."

[Underwatr]

When looking at the cost of hiring a dinner suit on board, please consider buying one, even on the morning of your departure from Southampton, in either Marks and Spencer or John Lewis (both in the West Quay Shopping Centre a few minutes from the terminal).

A couple of years ago in London I looked at the Marks & Spencer tuxedos and was impressed with the quality for the price (as I recall, around 100 pounds).

 

I bought a couple of suits at M&S in Bath on my first UK trip a long time ago and they still are in great shape.

[southwestie]

Matalan also have a branch in Southampton,and do full tuxs for £75 !!!! My father was wearing a Matalan one on a Princess caribbean trip....an American they made friends with asked for the name of dads tailor so he could get the same tux.......Dad says "Sure, his name is Matt.... Matt Alan..."

 

 

A friend just purchased a Tux from Matalan, I have to say I was surpised by the quality, it really was very good and a crazy price:)

[ColumbiaSC]

Stop dilly-dallying. Buy a tux and forget it! If you can afford a Cunard voyage, you can afford a tuxedo.

[pepperrn]

Matalan also have a branch in Southampton,and do full tuxs for £75 !!!! My father was wearing a Matalan one on a Princess caribbean trip....an American they made friends with asked for the name of dads tailor so he could get the same tux.......Dad says "Sure, his name is Matt.... Matt Alan..."

My father bought his dinner suit at George in ASDA, my mum was very pleased as she reckoned he looked great in it, as he escorted her into dinner mid-atlantic on board QM2, and he was pleased 'cus it cost him less than £50! :) . Edited January 27, 2014 by pepperrn

[southwestie]

A friend just purchased a Tux from Matalan, I have to say I was surpised by the quality, it really was very good and a crazy price:)

 

 

Make sure you get one made with a high percentage of wool, much nicer and cooler as well

[laktex]

Stop dilly-dallying. Buy a tux and forget it! If you can afford a Cunard voyage, you can afford a tuxedo.

 

Absolutely, and at £50 for 4 evenings use just dump it if you don't wish to carry it around after the cruise. Better still, hand it in to a charity shop after you disembark.

[ABoatNerd]

As the original poster, I thank you all kindly for the excellent advice.

 

We will patronize local stores in Southampton and purchasea tuxedo.

 

We plan to enjoy many Cunard cruises in the future - hopefully a world cruise someday when retired.

 

Regards

 

ABoatNerd

[bill_posters_is_innocent]

bought my dinner suit in marks and spencer for just over £50 in 2008.

I only ever wear it on cruise formal nights so after approx 35 evenings wear

it is still as good as new.

Enjoy your cruise.

[flag fan]

Stop dilly-dallying. Buy a tux and forget it! If you can afford a Cunard voyage, you can afford a tuxedo.

 

I think the poster indicated the issue was not cost, but the bother of lugging a tuxedo around. I think renting makes sense if you are pretty sure they will have your size. The only place anyone ever needs a tuxedo these days* is on a cruise (and it seems only Cunard really requires tuxedos these days, even Crystal lists suits as perfectly acceptable on formal nights (which are optional, anyway). If you can afford a cruise, you can afford to rent a tuxedo when you cruise (and can afford the convenience of not being stuck with dealing with one before and after a cruise).

 

(* Assuming you are not someone who will be waling the red carpet at the Academy Awards.)

[burchan]

I think the poster indicated the issue was not cost, but the bother of lugging a tuxedo around. I think renting makes sense if you are pretty sure they will have your size.

 

To hire is to wear secondhand. It is the same.

I could not do that.

[ToadOfToadHall]

To hire is to wear secondhand. It is the same.

I could not do that.

 

Do you not hire your cabin on a cruise or your room in a hotel ? You do not own your cabin or room, you are only renting/hiring it. It is the same.

[capnpugwash]

I think the poster indicated the issue was not cost, but the bother of lugging a tuxedo around. I think renting makes sense if you are pretty sure they will have your size.

 

To hire is to wear secondhand. It is the same.

I could not do that.

 

Do you take bedsheets and towels with you to a hotel or on a cruise? :cool:

Edited February 3, 2014 by capnpugwash

[burchan]

 

Do you take bedsheets and towels with you to a hotel or on a cruise? :cool:

 

Sorry, I think you are right.

[2irisheyes]

 

Do you take bedsheets and towels with you to a hotel or on a cruise? :cool:

Doesn't everyone - explains the huge suitcases some travel with.:D

[Dajo5601]

Dear AboutNerd, no contest - buy one, not only can it be cheaper, but once you've sailed on Cunard, you;ll be back, so over the coming years - you'll be quids in !!!