The Great Polo Shirt Debate

[Windsurfboy]

Personally I'll wear whatever the rules say in any of the dining rooms , but what about eating outside at dinner. I always feel there is an implicitly more relaxed dress code for eating al fresco.  However reading what trams quoted, the dress code applies after 6pm anywhere on ship, even in swimming pool if you take it literally. 

 

 

Edited June 19, 2021 by Windsurfboy

[maesteggirl]

I've just completed the 14 night around Britain crude on the Spirit of Discovery and yes there were men in the Grand Dining room wearing polo shirts!!

[Kohima]

Thanks for that information. Obviously everyone had more important things to worry about! Maybe my husband won’t have to continue to put a sweater over his polo shirt then.

[Host Sharon]

A recent definitive reply from ceo Nigel Blanks himself said no polo shirts.

[bishopstonierbill]

Hi all interesting subject. 

 

I am new to Saga and travelling on the SOD on the 27th, I do not really enjoy formal nights (I like to dress smart but not suit and tie) but fully understand that it is something many do. and can make a cruise.  So on the formal night where can I eat?  Is the formal night only in the main  restaurant or speciallty restaurants also.

 

Thnks In advance.

 

 

[Janet-]

We are with you on this, much prefer smart casual. Sorry to tell you that on formal nights the dress code applies to the whole ship after 6pm. The only option would be room service.

[bishopstonierbill]

So if I dress smart eg collared shirt and long trosuers not Jeans, I cannot eat anywhere on formal nights even the buffet?

[Kohima]

Unfortunately not.

[Jammy Bun]

We're with you too, and it's the main thing that's stopping me booking a Saga cruise this autumn.  Maybe they will drag themselves into the 21st century soon!

[Kohima]

Rather than going forwards, Saga have gone backwards. On the first Spirit of Adventure (2006-2012) on formal nights it was formal in the dining room, smart casual in the buffet, although the food was the same in both. This worked well. When Saga changed to ex UK cruises only and also included transport to the port in the package, we found the age profile of the passengers definitely increased and seemingly the liking for more formal wear. While many people like to get out the dressing up box, others don’t. Unfortunately their preferences are no longer catered for by Saga. It’s a pity, as choice worked very well in the past and encouraged people to try Saga who now have to look elsewhere.

[Windsurfboy]

I wouldn't want to wear a suit and tie , it reminds me of work.

 

However for special occasions I'm more than happy to wear a DJ and exercise  my inner peacock with various bow ties and cummerbands. I don't see why everyone keeps saying dressing up is an anachronism and Saga should drag themselves into the 21st century.  Yes wearing  a suit to work is a bit of an anachronism (don't  tell the speaker that) . However dressing up for a special occasion is not. People love the special nights and it's nice for everyone to join in. It adds to the ambience of the ship. Clearly  Saga has no problem  attracting customers,  

 

As far as the polo shirt debate on non formal nights , I'm neutral on that as long as people look smart.

[Kohima]

Opinions may vary. It’s not true that everyone loves the special dressing up nights as some contributors to this forum have pointed out, so it’s not nice that they are forced to join in merely to eat a meal outside of the confines of their cabin when they could easily be accommodated in a restaurant for that purpose. For now Saga has no problem in attracting customers but the many passengers in their 80s and 90s won’t be travelling forever.

[wowzz]

Let's face it , Saga have two ships with 999 capacity. They can easily find 2000 people a week who dont mind wearing a tie occasionally.

I'm sure Saga will find more than enough people who don't  mind making a small effort to dress up. After all, you can take on as much luggage as you like,  so what excuse is there not to pack a jacket and shirt and tie? 

[wowzz]

5 hours ago, Kohima said:

Opinions may vary. It’s not true that everyone loves the special dressing up nights as some contributors to this forum have pointed out, so it’s not nice that they are forced to join in merely to eat a meal outside of the confines of their cabin when they could easily be accommodated in a restaurant for that purpose. For now Saga has no problem in attracting customers but the many passengers in their 80s and 90s won’t be travelling forever.

I really think that Saga is not for you. Lots of us 50 and 60 year olds are quite happy with the Saga dress code. Why don't you try Marella - find a line that fits your requirements rather than vice versa.

 

[Kohima]

It’s good to respect the opinions of others. As a long standing Gold Britannia Club member on Saga, I am very happy for those who wish to have an opportunity to dress up to do so. However I was just mentioning in a previous post that Saga used to have a dining venue for those who preferred smart casual dress on formal nights. It was this that persuaded my 90 year old father, who hated dressing up, to cruise and us with him.
 

[Windsurfboy]

I partly understanding  why Saga have adopted a formal dress code everywhere even in buffet .   As they don't have the multiple venues of for example the big Cunard  or P&O ships with seperate rooms  such as the pub for them to go after eating . They only have the bars in the centre of the ship  by MDR and speciality restaurants which only have capacity for a third of the passengers,  and the big Brittania room.  There is nowhere left for people who don't like formal to socialise. 

 

However I do  think they should make it clearer on website and brochures that every part of the ship requires formal dress on formal nights. They only do this by omission by not having the message that others cruise lines do , " if you don't want to wear formal you can go to ......"

 

However I  do disagree with the statement, the passengers in their 80s and 90s won't be travelling forever as if they are the people driving formal nights.

Firstly they are not the core of the Saga demographics.  Secondly  there are plenty of people in their 40s and 50s who love dressing up , who will form the future Saga passengers. Saga seem to have a greater understanding of the older demographics than other holiday companies. They know that it is a growing market, and one with enough of them with money for luxury holidays. If they felt there was a need to appeal to people who don't like formal they would.

Edited August 22, 2021 by Windsurfboy

[Kohima]

To get back to the original issue, miscommunication by Saga has led to this whole debate.
Firstly, Saga’s brochures referred to smart casual as anything you would wear to a restaurant at home. Well that is open to interpretation, even in smart London restaurants. Secondly mention of a collared shirt appeared on the website. Well again, open to interpretation. Thirdly, only after booking and receiving the cruise booklet are polo shirts mentioned as forbidden garments.

With regard to formal dress, again there is no mention in the brochures that this is the only option on formal nights.

These requirements need to be made clear before booking.

[Windsurfboy]

24 minutes ago, Kohima said:

To get back to the original issue, miscommunication by Saga has led to this whole debate.
Firstly, Saga’s brochures referred to smart casual as anything you would wear to a restaurant at home. Well that is open to interpretation, even in smart London restaurants. Secondly mention of a collared shirt appeared on the website. Well again, open to interpretation. Thirdly, only after booking and receiving the cruise booklet are polo shirts mentioned as forbidden garments.

With regard to formal dress, again there is no mention in the brochures that this is the only option on formal nights.

These requirements need to be made clear before booking.

 

Agree completely,  why do cruise lines  (Saga is not the only one)  have such vague statements about dress codes on their websites.  It looks like they want to appeal to everyone.   It's not hard to be clear and complete

 

However , By not mentioning an alternative to formal dress on formal night Saga are saying that there is no alternative.  But it would be better is they spelt it out. 

 

You enter into a contract when you pay the deposit. Thus it is the information available at that point that matters not any added afterwards. They should ensure that information in brochures and website is clear and complete. Perhaps they should simply put  the generic parts of pre cruise booklet on the website.

 

Cunard are the same , but worse, in that you don't see their extra rules till on-board , they have extra rules in their daily programme that contradict  the statements on their website

[Denarius]

I suspect that Saga's apparent tightening of dress codes on their new ships is a commercial decision based on which other companies' passengers they wish to attract.

At their price point Saga are now in competition with Oceania, Azamara and Viking, and possibly the slightly more expensive Regent Seven Seas, all of which have a smart casual dress code. But I suspect that their passengers are not Saga's main target. Rather, Saga is seeking to attract UK passengers who would otherwise sail with Cunard, P&O or Fred Olsen, all of which feature formal nights, and are cosidering moving up market. And they must believe that the increased formality will gain them more passengers from this group than they lose to Oceania etc because of it.

[Windsurfboy]

36 minutes ago, Denarius said:

I suspect that Saga's apparent tightening of dress codes on their new ships is a commercial decision based on which other companies' passengers they wish to attract.

At their price point Saga are now in competition with Oceania, Azamara and Viking, and possibly the slightly more expensive Regent Seven Seas, all of which have a smart casual dress code. But I suspect that their passengers are not Saga's main target. Rather, Saga is seeking to attract UK passengers who would otherwise sail with Cunard, P&O or Fred Olsen, all of which feature formal nights, and are cosidering moving up market. And they must believe that the increased formality will gain them more passengers from this group than they lose to Oceania etc because of it.

 

Or perhaps they are targeting the more up market lines passengers , perhaps they think some of them would like some more formal nights as well as smart casual. Passengers who want the  quality of these more luxury lines, sp have not moved to P&O , Cunard or Fred. Whatever their reasoning not done on a whim. 

[Glenndale]

On 8/21/2021 at 10:38 AM, bishopstonierbill said:

So if I dress smart eg collared shirt and long trosuers not Jeans, I cannot eat anywhere on formal nights even the buffet?

Interestingly we have received a letter from Saga today which on Page 8 reads

"If you do not wish to take part in formal nights you may dine in The Grill or take advantage of our complementary room service"

Make of that what you will

[lincslady]

1 hour ago, Glenndale said:

Interestingly we have received a letter from Saga today which on Page 8 reads

"If you do not wish to take part in formal nights you may dine in The Grill or take advantage of our complementary room service"

Make of that what you will

 

What I make of it is that you can dine in the Grill - probably the same menu as the Dining Room- without the need to wear formal dress?  I think quite a few people would prefer that.

[Kohima]

Well that is back to how it used to be then.

[Kohima]

Thanks for the info Glendale. We have to rely on other passengers as the communications from Saga leave a lot to the imagination!

[Windsurfboy]

It may change again by the time you get your pre cruise letter. Don't hold your breath .

 

Did the letter mention  if after eating in grill , you could go to any of the bars or theatre.

Edited August 26, 2021 by Windsurfboy