First trip attire thoughts

[Criticname]

I'm bout to book my first voyage, what's day wear like and evening wear for practical purposes. I'm not trying to ball out in a tux, what are my acceptable options?

 

Jeans and a blazer?

[cruiseluvva]

Jeans - smart jeans, not torn, dirty denim - are acceptable during the day. Jacket not required.

 

In the evening, a jacket is required every night, with or without a tie on Informal evenings. On Formal nights, a dark suit or Dinner Suit (tux) is required, with a bow-tie or tie.

 

If passengers choose not to dress according to the dress code of the day, they may dine in the buffet and use only the Winter Gardens, everywhere else requires the correct attire.

[pepperrn]

Jeans - smart jeans, not torn, dirty denim - are acceptable during the day. Jacket not required. In the evening, a jacket is required every night, with or without a tie on Informal evenings. On Formal nights, a dark suit or Dinner Suit (tux) is required, with a bow-tie or tie. If passengers choose not to dress according to the dress code of the day, they may dine in the buffet and use only the Winter Gardens, everywhere else requires the correct attire.

Good answer, thanks for posting :)

[Lakesregion]

You have been given by those answers the bare minimum standards. Now let's follow the Cunard brochures and tone up the overall shipboard appearances by following their brochures. Instead of the "uniform" so many people seem to love - jeans - substitute a pair of nice dark gray flannels for the winter months or for a summer or warm climate cruise something in a light linen or all weather wool slack. Always a tie for dinner. After all, the tables are set with linen, decent china and glassware and the staff is in livery. Do we not owe the effort a reciprocal attempt? It takes very little if any additional effort to take it all up a notch and many will appreciate the better "look" to the entire ship's appearance and atmosphere. Just my opinion.

[BobBranst]

You have been given by those answers the bare minimum standards. Now let's follow the Cunard brochures and tone up the overall shipboard appearances by following their brochures. Instead of the "uniform" so many people seem to love - jeans - substitute a pair of nice dark gray flannels for the winter months or for a summer or warm climate cruise something in a light linen or all weather wool slack. Always a tie for dinner. After all, the tables are set with linen, decent china and glassware and the staff is in livery. Do we not owe the effort a reciprocal attempt? It takes very little if any additional effort to take it all up a notch and many will appreciate the better "look" to the entire ship's appearance and atmosphere. Just my opinion.

 

I share your sentiments. Unfortunately, there are always a few who choose to dress like they are on an underground/subway train instead of a Cunard ship.

 

Bob

[nuekruizer]

If you do not wish to follow Cunard's dress code, simply choose another line. Its that simple. End of discussion. Why do people go on and on about the injustice of it all. Carnival cruise awaits! I also cruise Carnival when I want to go cheap and casual.

[fantasy51]

If you do not wish to follow Cunard's dress code, simply choose another line. Its that simple. End of discussion. Why do people go on and on about the injustice of it all. Carnival cruise awaits! I also cruise Carnival when I want to go cheap and casual.

 

It was my understanding that the poster wanted to better understand Cunard's code so as not to be underdressed.

 

I don't think I have noticed any posts on the Cunard threads where people go on and on about the injustice of the dress code. Most of us love it.

[janecambridge]

Princess Grill.....Do men have to wear a jacket for lunch? Do men have to wear a bow tie in the evening for dinner?

[Victoria2]

Princess Grill.....Do men have to wear a jacket for lunch? Do men have to wear a bow tie in the evening for dinner?

 

Jackets definitely not required for lunch in QG so I would imagine you can discard them for PG too.

 

Apart from obvious sun deck wear, breakfast and lunch is very casual in QG and again, I suppose PG. Jeans, polo shirts and chinos are all perfectly acceptable attire. I've seen men in shorts too although my husband wouldn't go that casual.

As for a bow tie of an evening, yes if you're wearing a dinner suit.

[janecambridge]

Thank you.Having looked at you tube,it appears to show all men quite dressed up.I never saw one gentleman with tie!

[janecambridge]

Thanks.How Funny.

We do like to dress up,but I'm not sure my husband will want a bow tie each evening,so if a tie is sufficient,then great.;)

[Victoria2]

Thanks.How Funny.

We do like to dress up,but I'm not sure my husband will want a bow tie each evening,so if a tie is sufficient,then great.;)

 

 

Cunard's 'Informal' has a tie as optional wear and on the very odd occasion the code is relaxed further to 'casual', jackets can be ditched too.

 

I have yet to see a guest arriving for dinner without a jacket [apart from the casual evenings] but I'd say at least 50% go for the open neck look, some more successfully than others.

[Salacia]

The truth is you can dress how you like and nobody from the ships company will harass you or even pass comment should you choose to wear a t-shirt and jeans to dinner.

 

What you will find is some of the dried up old prune faces on board who are wearing primarks finest dining attire and own a fake Rolex will make the most ghastly comments (normally after you have passed them) like you have murdered a baby kitten!

 

It's nice to be respectful and dressing up is part of the fun but if you can't be bothered or it's not your thing do what you like and just ignore the prune faces!

 

I personally observed the maître d in Britannia Dining Room on QM2 having a 'chat' with a man not wearing a jacket in line waiting to enter the dining room for dinner. The man left the nicely dressed woman he was with and later returned to a table near mine; he was wearing a jacket, complaining loudly about being asked to put on a jacket. The dress code is clearly stated, and I don't think it should come as a surprise to anyone as to what is required - nor should it come as a surprise that the dress code can be politely enforced by the maître d.

 

Frankly, during my 12 voyages on QM2, I have witnessed any man not wearing a jacket at dinner in the MDR or Britannia Club dining room on the rare occasions when we ate there. (Although I did see a man wearing a windbreaker rather than a jacket once.) Of course, anyone wishing to dress more casually is welcome to dine at Kings Court.

[capnpugwash]

I must admit that I'm only about to take my third trip on Cunard but on more than one occasion we have been in the restaurants with the 'wrong' clothing on and nobody has ever said boo!

 

You must be so proud.

[brigittetom]

I must admit that I'm only about to take my third trip on Cunard but on more than one occasion we have been in the restaurants with the 'wrong' clothing on and nobody has ever said boo!

 

 

Not even the "dried up old prune faces"? :)

[maria1963]

So I take it even in the summer months in hot climates a jacket is required on informal evenings then? There's no relaxation of the jacket required to allow for seasonal or climate variations?

[Victoria2]

So I take it even in the summer months in hot climates a jacket is required on informal evenings then? There's no relaxation of the jacket required to allow for seasonal or climate variations?

 

I can only speak for QG, and jackets are required every night, tropical or cold water cruises, unless the code has been relaxed to casual. Even then some gentlemen wore their jackets.

[Salacia]

So I take it even in the summer months in hot climates a jacket is required on informal evenings then? There's no relaxation of the jacket required to allow for seasonal or climate variations?

 

I've read on this forum that there have been (rare?) occasions where the evenings dress code was relaxed and no jacket was required as published in the ship's daily Programme. However, that hasn't occurred during any of the 12 QM2 cruises I've taken. Just to mention that while the ship may be in warmer waters, the temperature inside the ship is cool (at least, that's been my experience).

[cruiseluvva]

We did from Singapore to Southampton last year and sometimes it was HOT, but jackets were still required every night and yes, the ship can actually be glacial at times.

[Lakesregion]

Proud no but I would be offended if a catering assistant told me how to dress!

 

The correct course of action would have the Captain request a private audience with me and ask me to take part in the fun, I would however remind him that it's people like me who pay his salary and if I wanted fashion advice I would go to Armani!

 

There will always be those who try to enter through the exits of life. And those who think it smart to appear stupid. A well trained and experienced Maître 'D knows who will be willing to listen to sound advice and go back for their jacket and those who will just cause a major scene. Those people are usually quite boorish and not worth destroying a career over. So they are let in to be part of the evenings gossip.

[Seago2]

If you do not wish to follow Cunard's dress code, simply choose another line. Its that simple. End of discussion. Why do people go on and on about the injustice of it all. Carnival cruise awaits! I also cruise Carnival when I want to go cheap and casual.

 

Silversea and Oceania are also dress casual. No need to sail Carnival to escape the Cunard (forum) dress code.

[Salacia]

Silversea and Oceania are also dress casual. No need to sail Carnival to escape the Cunard (forum) dress code.

 

Here is the Silversea dress code:

 

Clothing Suggestions – Shipboard Attire

Casual resort wear is appropriate for daytime aboard ship or ashore, and consists of standard sports outfits as worn at resorts. Shoes should be flat or low-heeled for deck activities. Evening attire falls into three categories: casual, informal and formal. On casual evenings, open-neck shirts, slacks and sports outfits are appropriate. On informal evenings, women usually wear dresses or trouser suits; gentlemen wear jackets (tie optional). Appropriate formal evening wear for women is an evening gown or cocktail dress; men wear tuxedos, dinner jackets or dark suits. On formal nights, guests dining in La Terrazza may opt to wear casually elegant attire (dresses or trouser suits for women; jacket, tie optional for men). Following dinner, all guests are free to take advantage of any or all of the public spaces for both entertainment or cocktails and after-dinner drinks. All inclusive cruises of eight days or less typically feature two formal nights, while longer voyages usually have three or four formal nights..." copied from http://www.silversea.com/general-information/

 

Here is the Crystal dress code:

"Throughout the day, our guests wear a mix of active resort wear. Dining room attire is casual during the day; however, swimsuits, swimsuit cover-ups/robes and baseball hats are not appropriate. If you do not wish to change for a meal in the afternoon or evening, alfresco dining on deck is available. After 6 pm, casual daytime attire is not appropriate. Shorts and baseball caps are not permitted for men or women...

 

NEW! Crystal Casual dress code calls for a dressed up version of casual looks. For women, Crystal Casual attire includes a dress, or a blouse or sweater and skirt or dressy slacks. Men's Crystal Casual attire can include a sport coat, dress shirt, button-down shirt, open-collar or collared polo shirt and dress pants or european smart trousers (No tie required).

 

Black Tie Optional

A Black-tie Optional evening offers our guests a celebratory opportunity to dress more formally on a special evening(s). For men, this includes a dark suit with tie or tuxedo; for women, this includes a formal cocktail dress, evening gown or dressy evening separates. On Black Tie Optional evenings, we request at least a jacket to be worn by men and dress, skirts or dressy slacks and blouse or sweater be worn by women. Jeans may not be worn in any dining venues or lounges, including the Casino on Black Tie Optional evenings..." copied from http://www.crystalcruises.com/guidebook/sailing-on-the-ship--18

Edited March 10, 2015 by Salacia

[Cunard's Queen]

There will always be those who try to enter through the exits of life. And those who think it smart to appear stupid. A well trained and experienced Maître 'D knows who will be willing to listen to sound advice and go back for their jacket and those who will just cause a major scene. Those people are usually quite boorish and not worth destroying a career over. So they are let in to be part of the evenings gossip.

 

Lakesregion, I'm unsure why you continue to believe this. We've had this discussion many times now. What someone is wearing does not modify their intelligence level. What is with the obsession on Cunard that you need to wear a tuxedo and be uniform with all other passengers in order to "look nice." Just nice, not even spectacular or "amazeballs." I've said this earlier - you can look fabulous wearing a nice pair of jeans with a t-shirt.

 

I fail to understand how you claim a good Maitre d' can determine which passengers will be in compliance with a "request" and those who wish to cause a scene and disrupt the dining hall. To me, the Maitre d' who permits admittance to someone that isn't in compliance is a terrible leader. Internal company procedures should be followed at all times and a Maitre d' should not pretend an incident did not occur or ignore its existence in order to better suit himself in his professional career. A good Maitre d' also would not talk negatively about another passenger to other crew members as "gossip" and "entertainment."

[Cunard's Queen]

Here is the Silversea dress code:

 

Clothing Suggestions – Shipboard Attire

Casual resort wear is appropriate for daytime aboard ship or ashore, and consists of standard sports outfits as worn at resorts. Shoes should be flat or low-heeled for deck activities. Evening attire falls into three categories: casual, informal and formal. On casual evenings, open-neck shirts, slacks and sports outfits are appropriate. On informal evenings, women usually wear dresses or trouser suits; gentlemen wear jackets (tie optional). Appropriate formal evening wear for women is an evening gown or cocktail dress; men wear tuxedos, dinner jackets or dark suits. On formal nights, guests dining in La Terrazza may opt to wear casually elegant attire (dresses or trouser suits for women; jacket, tie optional for men). Following dinner, all guests are free to take advantage of any or all of the public spaces for both entertainment or cocktails and after-dinner drinks. All inclusive cruises of eight days or less typically feature two formal nights, while longer voyages usually have three or four formal nights..." copied from http://www.silversea.com/general-information/

 

Here is the Crystal dress code:

"Throughout the day, our guests wear a mix of active resort wear. Dining room attire is casual during the day; however, swimsuits, swimsuit cover-ups/robes and baseball hats are not appropriate. If you do not wish to change for a meal in the afternoon or evening, alfresco dining on deck is available. After 6 pm, casual daytime attire is not appropriate. Shorts and baseball caps are not permitted for men or women...

 

NEW! Crystal Casual dress code calls for a dressed up version of casual looks. For women, Crystal Casual attire includes a dress, or a blouse or sweater and skirt or dressy slacks. Men's Crystal Casual attire can include a sport coat, dress shirt, button-down shirt, open-collar or collared polo shirt and dress pants or european smart trousers (No tie required).

 

Black Tie Optional

A Black-tie Optional evening offers our guests a celebratory opportunity to dress more formally on a special evening(s). For men, this includes a dark suit with tie or tuxedo; for women, this includes a formal cocktail dress, evening gown or dressy evening separates. On Black Tie Optional evenings, we request at least a jacket to be worn by men and dress, skirts or dressy slacks and blouse or sweater be worn by women. Jeans may not be worn in any dining venues or lounges, including the Casino on Black Tie Optional evenings..." copied from http://www.crystalcruises.com/guidebook/sailing-on-the-ship--18

 

They aren't going to confine you to your stateroom for not wearing a sports coat.

[Salacia]

They aren't going to confine you to your stateroom for not wearing a sports coat.

 

Neither is Cunard; passengers wishing to dress more casually are invited to dine in Kings Court/Lido - but I think we've been through this several times already.