Is there a dinner option for those who do not want to dress up?

[majortom10]

The problem of the definition of smart you only have to look on Princess and some think they look "smart" no doubt on Formal nights in baseball caps and black t-shirts. The same can be said for P&O with track suits and football shirts. We actually witnessed a male being refused entry into MDR on P&O in football shirt and trackie bottoms because he wasnt wearing a jacket so he obviously went back to his stateroom and got the trackie jacket and was allowed in because we saw him. The problem is the definition of "smart" and what is defined as a dress shirt which is in Cunard's definition on their website, but clearly many think polo shirts are "smart" because we saw many around the ship at night only earlier this month on QE. What worries me and I dont aim to be the "dress police" but it is a slippery road and there are always some that will push the boundaries and where will it end. One of the main attractions to Cunard for us is the formality of the dress code and would hate Cunard to become an expensive Princess/P&O cruise.

[Splice the mainbrace]

1 hour ago, majortom10 said:

The problem of the definition of smart you only have to look on Princess and some think they look "smart" no doubt on Formal nights in baseball caps and black t-shirts. The same can be said for P&O with track suits and football shirts. We actually witnessed a male being refused entry into MDR on P&O in football shirt and trackie bottoms because he wasnt wearing a jacket so he obviously went back to his stateroom and got the trackie jacket and was allowed in because we saw him. The problem is the definition of "smart" and what is defined as a dress shirt which is in Cunard's definition on their website, but clearly many think polo shirts are "smart" because we saw many around the ship at night only earlier this month on QE. What worries me and I dont aim to be the "dress police" but it is a slippery road and there are always some that will push the boundaries and where will it end. One of the main attractions to Cunard for us is the formality of the dress code and would hate Cunard to become an expensive Princess/P&O cruise.

 

Dress shirts though are shirts that are worn with dinner suits or tuxedos so it's a bit of a poor description by Cunard, unless it is a term used in the US for any collared shirt that can have a tie worn with it.

I have cruised on Cunard for 30 years and always have complied with the dress rules at the time, we are on a 4 weeks cruise on QM2 in January and disappointed that there are only 4 formal nights IMO there should be at least a couple more with so many sea days. However I welcome the more relaxed non formal night dress code as I wouldn't normally wear a suit or jacket if I was going out to theatre or restaurant. Nowadays I think that a chino, shirt (including polo shirt) and boat shoe look is more classy than someone pulling on an old lounge suit or tweed jacket. I agree that people push the boundaries though and to some the chinos become jeans and the boat shoes become trainers!!

[majortom10]

2 minutes ago, Splice the mainbrace said:

 

Dress shirts though are shirts that are worn with dinner suits or tuxedos so it's a bit of a poor description by Cunard, unless it is a term used in the US for any collared shirt that can have a tie worn with it.

I have cruised on Cunard for 30 years and always have complied with the dress rules at the time, we are on a 4 weeks cruise on QM2 in January and disappointed that there are only 4 formal nights IMO there should be at least a couple more with so many sea days. However I welcome the more relaxed non formal night dress code as I wouldn't normally wear a suit or jacket if I was going out to theatre or restaurant. Nowadays I think that a chino, shirt (including polo shirt) and boat shoe look is more classy than someone pulling on an old lounge suit or tweed jacket. I agree that people push the boundaries though and to some the chinos become jeans and the boat shoes become trainers!!

Exactly and jeans and trainers were seen around the ship on 1st Nov cruise and can see more and more wearing these and a dumbing down on dress onboard Cunard. How Cunard can say its due to public demand is nonsense as there has been no cruises for nearly 18months and they no longer send out cruise questionnaires anymore so all the decisions being made are made by management with no public interaction.

[PORT ROYAL]

21 minutes ago, Splice the mainbrace said:

 

I have cruised on Cunard for 30 years and always have complied with the dress rules at the time, we are on a 4 weeks cruise on QM2 in January and disappointed that there are only 4 formal nights IMO there should be at least a couple more with so many sea days.

To save any angst, Just create one’s own dress code. After all, the published Cunard dress code is only a minimum (basic) standard.  
Do consider a QM2 TA Voyage, where an unofficial formal dress code exists for all Voyage nights, except (if wished) the first and last night, where casual (with jacket) is considered acceptable.

 

 

 

 

 

[majortom10]

1 hour ago, PORT ROYAL said:

To save any angst, Just create one’s own dress code. After all, the published Cunard dress code is only a minimum (basic) standard.  
Do consider a QM2 TA Voyage, where an unofficial formal dress code exists for all Voyage nights, except (if wished) the first and last night, where casual (with jacket) is considered acceptable.

 

 

 

 

 

Whilst I agree with what you say there is no suggestion this is a minimum dress code and we all know people have differing ideas. Like I have said there were people walking around the ship in the evening in jeans and trainers on our recent cruise and as time goes on I think more will follow suit and apart from the paltry number of formal/gala now onboard the dress code will drop and jeans polo shirts will become the norm. I am afraid your example of a QM2 TA is in the past and there is no difference of dress code on any of the ships so think even QM2 will become no jackets and polo shirts on "smart attire" evenings on future TAs.

[PORT ROYAL]

15 minutes ago, majortom10 said:

Whilst I agree with what you say there is no suggestion this is a minimum dress code and we all know people have differing ideas. Like I have said there were people walking around the ship in the evening in jeans and trainers on our recent cruise and as time goes on I think more will follow suit and apart from the paltry number of formal/gala now onboard the dress code will drop and jeans polo shirts will become the norm. I am afraid your example of a QM2 TA is in the past and there is no difference of dress code on any of the ships so think even QM2 will become no jackets and polo shirts on "smart attire" evenings on future TAs.

If your ideas become real, then the noble Queens will become Princesses.

[zap99]

On 11/21/2021 at 6:36 PM, exlondoner said:

 

How are we sure the OP is not a female one? A woman would wear a top.

Ladies having to wear a top would be compulsory on most cruise lines. A few American speciality cruises may make an exception.

[Victoria2]

I will be very interested, in a year or two's time, to see how many of those who are so concerned about the perceived deteriorating dress code compliance. have jumped ship.

 

The  way folk dress of an  evening, is part of the pleasure of our Cunard  experiences, but there is much more to Cunard, for us.

 

We will keep up our own dress standards and I think the majority of passengers will do the same.

[majortom10]

2 hours ago, PORT ROYAL said:

If your ideas become real, then the noble Queens will become Princesses.

I am sure in time they will.

[exlondoner]

2 hours ago, zap99 said:

Ladies having to wear a top would be compulsory on most cruise lines. A few American speciality cruises may make an exception.

 

I believe possibly some Aida ships as well. But I wear dresses nearly all the time and occasionally swimming costumes, though not in the restaurant. These aren't really what people call tops.

[Se1lad]

9 hours ago, PORT ROYAL said:

To save any angst, Just create one’s own dress code. After all, the published Cunard dress code is only a minimum (basic) standard.  
Do consider a QM2 TA Voyage, where an unofficial formal dress code exists for all Voyage nights, except (if wished) the first and last night, where casual (with jacket) is considered acceptable.

 

 

 

 

 

I didn't notice the unofficial dress code on my last TA in August 2019.  On the Smart Attire evenings in QG there were a couple of gents in back tie, and the rest was a 50/50 split between tie vs no tie.

 

I think there were more gents in black tie on the Smart Attire evenings on the 4 night January 2020 Southampton-Hamburg-Southampton cruise on QV.

[majortom10]

12 hours ago, Se1lad said:

I didn't notice the unofficial dress code on my last TA in August 2019.  On the Smart Attire evenings in QG there were a couple of gents in back tie, and the rest was a 50/50 split between tie vs no tie.

 

I think there were more gents in black tie on the Smart Attire evenings on the 4 night January 2020 Southampton-Hamburg-Southampton cruise on QV.

You wouldnt have noticed the unofficial dress code on your TA in August 2019 because the "Smart Attire" no jacket required is a recent format change by Cunard. Pre covid the dress code was Formal and Semi-Formal i.e. jacket required but tie optional.

[Victoria2]

1 hour ago, majortom10 said:

You wouldnt have noticed the unofficial dress code on your TA in August 2019 because the "Smart Attire" no jacket required is a recent format change by Cunard. Pre covid the dress code was Formal and Semi-Formal i.e. jacket required but tie optional.

I assumed Port Royal and subsequently Se1lad were referring to pre'21 sailings.as no new QM2 TA 'unofficial dress codes' will have seen the light of day yet due to the fact no one has sailed her for well over a year.

I hope today marks the start of semi normality for her. 🙂

 

 

[majortom10]

1 hour ago, Victoria2 said:

I assumed Port Royal and subsequently Se1lad were referring to pre'21 sailings.as no new QM2 TA 'unofficial dress codes' will have seen the light of day yet due to the fact no one has sailed her for well over a year.

I hope today marks the start of semi normality for her. 🙂

 

 

The dress code has changed on Cunard's website and there is no mention that "smart attire" only applies to QE/QV and "jacket required" on QM2 so one can predict that it applies fleet wide. Why else would they change the dress code on their website if 2 ships are not sailing unless it is applicable fleet wide.

[Victoria2]

44 minutes ago, majortom10 said:

The dress code has changed on Cunard's website and there is no mention that "smart attire" only applies to QE/QV and "jacket required" on QM2 so one can predict that it applies fleet wide. Why else would they change the dress code on their website if 2 ships are not sailing unless it is applicable fleet wide.

I agree.  but that has nothing to do with post #63 regarding a supposed unofficial dress code in '19 which was the post you addressed and to which I replied. 

[nybumpkin]

On 11/25/2021 at 8:03 AM, Mudhen said:

Although I haven't recently checked the cost of a one way ticket to England from the US and vice versa, it "used to be"  it was  cheaper to sail across the Atlantic rather than fly. It may still be the case today. 

 

When we did our B2B on QM2 in 2019 that was precisely the case. We originally booked the two-week Southampton-Liverpool-Reykjavik-Corner Brook-Halifax-NYC crossing and planned to fly in, spend a few days around Winchester, and then board the ship - and then realized that it would be cheaper to book the previous weeks' EB crossing in an inside cabin rather than fly. Three weeks on QM2 and no airline baggage limits - sold.

 

BTW, this past weekend I shopped for dresses for oldest son's May 2022 wedding - and what was in the back of my mind was, "will this work on QM2?"🙂

[navybankerteacher]

On 11/27/2021 at 1:06 PM, zap99 said:

Ladies having to wear a top would be compulsory on most cruise lines. A few American speciality cruises may make an exception.

Going topless remains a very narrowly approved option (at least to date).

[navybankerteacher]

On 11/27/2021 at 12:07 PM, PORT ROYAL said:

If your ideas become real, then the noble Queens will become Princesses.

Just as a brief stop on the way to becoming Slatterns.

[Victoria2]

Looks as if there will be a few ex Cunard aficionados  on this board in years to come. I wish them well on their new cruise line should they wish to continue that mode of travel.

 

We will be quite happy to continue wearing our present wardrobe and I am sure there will be thousands of Cunard passengers who are not members of Cruise Critic Cunard, who will have the same attitude. 

 

[majortom10]

10 hours ago, Victoria2 said:

Looks as if there will be a few ex Cunard aficionados  on this board in years to come. I wish them well on their new cruise line should they wish to continue that mode of travel.

 

We will be quite happy to continue wearing our present wardrobe and I am sure there will be thousands of Cunard passengers who are not members of Cruise Critic Cunard, who will have the same attitude. 

 

Having already seen the number of cruisers on our cruise recently taking on the new Smart Attire dress code and not wearing jackets both in Britannia restaurant and PG I think you will be very disappointed.

[Victoria2]

32 minutes ago, majortom10 said:

Having already seen the number of cruisers on our cruise recently taking on the new Smart Attire dress code and not wearing jackets both in Britannia restaurant and PG I think you will be very disappointed.

No. I won't be disappointed. Unlike some, what others wear, has no effect on the enjoyment of my holiday. I think the majority of passengers will dress appropriately. 

 

I have said many times Cunard means more to us than chaps wearing jackets but if jacketless passengers offend, then it's time for those who are offended, to choose another cruise line.

 

I wish those who do so, well.

[PORT ROYAL]

10 minutes ago, Victoria2 said: then it's time for those who are offended, to choose another cruise line.

it's time for those who are offended, to choose another cruise.

 

Okay, understand now.  Those who offend the stated Cunard dress code, causing offence to the special Cunard ambiance are now requesting the offended to foxtrot oscar.

[Victoria2]

There have been some pretty offensive comments made over the years on this board with reference to the dress code and to those who are deemed non compliant.

 

Give me  polite, considerate, happy and gregarious fellow passengers any day over those who judge others by their ability to keep their jacket on in the theatre and can weather an over heated restaurant without removing said jacket.

 

I have NEVER come across anything onboard remotely like the thoughts expressed by 'some' here. Never. I hope those who are offended to such a degree take their offended sensibilities and go and find another cruise line which will suit them.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Victoria2]

3 hours ago, PORT ROYAL said:

Okay, understand now.  Those who offend the stated Cunard dress code, causing offence to the special Cunard ambiance are now requesting the offended to foxtrot oscar.

 

I have said many times Cunard means more to us than chaps wearing jackets but if jacketless passengers offend, then it's time for those who are offended, to choose another cruise line.

 

If you're going to quote me, don't cherry pick a line out of context. I was responding to a comment made about the  stated dress code.

 

The 'new' stated dress code. The code which does not have request jackets on some evenings so any trotting off by Oscar is indeed a personal choice.

 

 

[majortom10]

1 hour ago, Victoria2 said:

There have been some pretty offensive comments made over the years on this board with reference to the dress code and to those who are deemed non compliant.

 

Give me  polite, considerate, happy and gregarious fellow passengers any day over those who judge others by their ability to keep their jacket on in the theatre and can weather an over heated restaurant without removing said jacket.

 

I have NEVER come across anything onboard remotely like the thoughts expressed by 'some' here. Never. I hope those who are offended to such a degree take their offended sensibilities and go and find another cruise line which will suit them.

 

 

 

 

 

 

With the utmost respect when was your last cruise onboard Cunard. Whilst I agree the standards of dress onboard have always been adhered too Formal and Semi Formal (jacket required) when we first started cruising Cunard every night that wasnt Formal you would not have got into MDR without a tie on. The changes mentioned to Smart Attire and the dumbing down is already taking effect since cruising restarted. You perhaps never have come across people wearing polo shirts or shirts without jackets or trainers if you havent cruised since before the pandemic and whn you do next cruise you will see changes taking effect because we have. Prior to pandemic you would never seen a gentleman not wearing a jacket on any night but certainly many did on our recent cruise and have the belief that once cruising gets back to full capacity then it will increase and the ambience throughout the ship will be inferior IMO. Which at the end of the day is one of the reasons why we all cruise with Cunard the ambience in the evening.

Edited November 30, 2021 by majortom10