A different dress code question...

[amias]

Greetings. My husband is a retired military officer and has worn his mess dress on formal nights, instead of a tux, on other cruise lines. Is this acceptable on Cunard?

Many thanks.

[BlueRiband]

Perfect!

 

From ask.cunard.com:

 

Formal evening wear consists of an evening or cocktail dress or smart trouser suit for ladies, a tuxedo, dinner jacket or dark suit for men or you may wear formal national dress or military uniform. Military or Award decorations may be worn on formal nights. A range of gentleman's formal wear is available to hire on board...

[ducklite]

Any line it wouldn't be acceptable on is a line we should all avoid. Please thank him for his service.

[amias]

Thank you for your responses. Should have thought to look at the Cunard site first, I suppose! Over the course of several cruises he was only ever once asked if he was the Captain. (He said no - he was the Major!). Looking forward to our first trip with Cunard.

Happy sailing.

[buchhalm]

I am sure that the military uniform is very presentable, but on any ship other than USA registered ships ( and no matter who in the end is the owner of the cruise line), nobody would care about a US military uniform. Some might even find it offensive. The US trying to display a perceived supremacy. Perhaps this uniform may be well received on Celebrity, Carnival etc, but on a ship with distinct "European" flavour / marketing ploy, any sort of military uniform would be weird. I would never consider wearing my military dress uniform at other than official military or government occasions.

I do fully appreciate that your husband probably does not intend to make any political statement, but perhaps leave any military uniforms or insignia within US juristiction.

[bobby1119]

It will be sharp and smashing!

[ducklite]

I am sure that the military uniform is very presentable, but on any ship other than USA registered ships ( and no matter who in the end is the owner of the cruise line), nobody would care about a US military uniform. Some might even find it offensive. The US trying to display a perceived supremacy. Perhaps this uniform may be well received on Celebrity, Carnival etc, but on a ship with distinct "European" flavour / marketing ploy, any sort of military uniform would be weird. I would never consider wearing my military dress uniform at other than official military or government occasions.

I do fully appreciate that your husband probably does not intend to make any political statement, but perhaps leave any military uniforms or insignia within US juristiction.

 

Considering that well over 50% of the people on Cunard crossings are Americans, and Brits have also been known to wear their uniforms on her (I haven't sailed, but have seen photos) it seems that your perception might be based more on personal bias than truth.

[caber]

wear it and be proud.

[pmb1]

The most memorably dressed gentleman that I've ever met on a QM2 formal night was a Lt. Colonel in the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. His dress uniform (gold braid of course, and spurs!) was spectacular without being in any way gaudy. My wife and I enjoyed sharing conversation and drinks with him and his lovely wife in Churchill's, but I couldn't help but feel a bit sorry for his charming and beautifully gowned lady because he stole the show.

[caber]

Exactly how I feel when my husband wears his kilt. I am the one in the background when the ladies line up for a photo with him.

Edited May 16, 2014 by caber

[lannp]

A few years ago we had a retired U.S. Army Chaplain at our table. He wore his mess dress and looked wonderful. We had people stop by our table, etc. and the response was always positive.

[Yoshikitty]

Exactly how I feel when my husband wears his kilt. I am the one in the background when the ladies line up for a photo with him.

 

I would love to have a photo with him, too! :D

[NYteacher]

Two gentleman on my current roll call (neither of whom are American) are discussing their mess dress for a June crossing. I love a man in a dress uniform!

[BlueRiband]

I am sure that the military uniform is very presentable, but on any ship other than USA registered ships ( and no matter who in the end is the owner of the cruise line), nobody would care about a US military uniform. Some might even find it offensive. The US trying to display a perceived supremacy. Perhaps this uniform may be well received on Celebrity, Carnival etc, but on a ship with distinct "European" flavour / marketing ploy, any sort of military uniform would be weird. I would never consider wearing my military dress uniform at other than official military or government occasions.

I do fully appreciate that your husband probably does not intend to make any political statement, but perhaps leave any military uniforms or insignia within US juristiction.

 

There's only one registered USA ship in service, NCL's Pride of America on the Left Coast - Hawaii run.

 

If the sight of an American service member's dress uniform offends anyone - I'm glad. Let them deal with "being offended".

 

Australia must had a completely different attitude toward their country's military if an active or retired service member has to be ashamed of their service.

Edited May 16, 2014 by BlueRiband

[BlueRiband]

... he was only ever once asked if he was the Captain. (He said no - he was the Major!). ...

 

Just love it when our service members come up with a great line like that!

[Olliesmum]

I am sure that the military uniform is very presentable, but on any ship other than USA registered ships ( and no matter who in the end is the owner of the cruise line), nobody would care about a US military uniform. Some might even find it offensive. The US trying to display a perceived supremacy. Perhaps this uniform may be well received on Celebrity, Carnival etc, but on a ship with distinct "European" flavour / marketing ploy, any sort of military uniform would be weird. I would never consider wearing my military dress uniform at other than official military or government occasions.

I do fully appreciate that your husband probably does not intend to make any political statement, but perhaps leave any military uniforms or insignia within US juristiction.

 

This must be the most ignorant thing I have ever read on here.

[Olliesmum]

My husband always wears his mess dress.

 

Medals on civilian dress can also been worn on formal nights.

[Jimsgirl]

I may be incorrect, but I seem to remember my husband (35 years in RAF) saying that according to QR's British ex military may only wear their uniforms (dress or otherwise) on "official " occasions. Wearing on a cruise ship or liner regardless of where the vessel is registered would not be regarded as "official".

 

When the war ended , he travelled in civilian clothes , used a civilian passport never used a military ID when travelling in civilian transport. For formal nights outside the military he wore black dinner jacket.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

_

[Salacia]

I may be incorrect, but I seem to remember my husband (35 years in RAF) saying that according to QR's British ex military may only wear their uniforms (dress or otherwise) on "official " occasions. Wearing on a cruise ship or liner regardless of where the vessel is registered would not be regarded as "official".

 

When the war ended , he travelled in civilian clothes , used a civilian passport never used a military ID when travelling in civilian transport. For formal nights outside the military he wore black dinner jacket.

_

 

Hi Lynn. Apparently, you are not incorrect, but it seems the current rules are somewhat flexible. Or maybe I'm just confused as usual :) [Reference: http://www.raf.mod.uk/rafcms/mediafiles/0F179C00_5056_A318_A8D8F975CD47447B.pdf ]

 

I remember one formal night on my earlier QM2 voyages - I so much enjoy seeing people dressed so well, including military dress uniforms. I noticed several men (dressed in tuxedos) wearing metals on their lapel. One night, a gent in the casino had a metal that I didn't recognize, so I asked him about it. "That's my Knights of Columbus metal", he replied. Thankfully, he wasn't dressed in full regalia :eek::) Cheers, -Salacia

Edited May 17, 2014 by Salacia

[Salacia]

I may be incorrect, but I seem to remember my husband (35 years in RAF) saying that according to QR's British ex military may only wear their uniforms (dress or otherwise) on "official " occasions. Wearing on a cruise ship or liner regardless of where the vessel is registered would not be regarded as "official".

 

When the war ended , he travelled in civilian clothes , used a civilian passport never used a military ID when travelling in civilian transport. For formal nights outside the military he wore black dinner jacket.

_

 

Hi Lynn. Apparently, you are not incorrect, but it seems the current rules are somewhat flexible. Or maybe I'm just confused as usual :) [Reference: http://www.raf.mod.uk/rafcms/mediafiles/0F179C00_5056_A318_A8D8F975CD47447B.pdf ]

 

I remember one formal night on my first QM2 voyages - I so much enjoyed seeing people dressed so well, including military dress uniforms. I noticed several men (dressed in tuxedos) wearing metals on their lapel or lined up on their beast pockets. One gent in the casino had a metal that I didn't recognize, so I asked him about it. "That's my Knights of Columbus metal", he replied. Thankfully, he wasn't dressed in full regalia :eek::) Cheers, -Salacia

 

edited to add: now that I think about it, I can only recall active service members wearing their uniform - at least that was my experience when I had the opportunity to chat with those dressed in a US military uniform.

Edited May 17, 2014 by Salacia

[Olliesmum]

Actually Jimsgirl is incorrect. Mess dress can be worn at any function that invites attendees to do so, e.g. it could be a dinner party at someone's home. I don't know about other countries but British mess dress can be worn by serving, former and retired military personnel (and personnel of certain civilian organisations) with their latest rank markings (unless they have been dishonourably discharged of course......)

Edited May 17, 2014 by Olliesmum

[rhkennerly]

just off the QM2 Wbound. Saw four mess dress uniforms, 3 army 1 navy. Also several kilts...as well as those rather odd plaid kilt pants that looked like they came from Bobs Plaid Pants Warehouse.

[Olliesmum]

just off the QM2 Wbound. Saw four mess dress uniforms, 3 army 1 navy. Also several kilts...as well as those rather odd plaid kilt pants that looked like they came from Bobs Plaid Pants Warehouse.

 

They are called trews and are worn as an alternative to the kilt.

[caber]

They are called trews and are worn as an alternative to the kilt.

 

And very smart if well made.

[rhkennerly]

They are called trews and are worn as an alternative to the kilt.

 

thanks. Not flattering, however.