Dress code

[Gettingwarmer]

15 hours ago, Snow Hill said:

No sure why they would want pull down beds as ships adults only.

 

Some would say Iona & Arvia are not that attractive either, but that’s the way of new cruise ships today it would appear. 

Rooms have only sofas that are changed to beds at night. 

[Deeliteful]

Funny how it’s mostly men commenting on this thread.

I think most women, especially Brits, like to dress for dinner every night, being a little more glamorous than they have been during the day (well I know I do) and the formal is just a step up but not like the formals of years ago.

 

Cruises are definitely more casual in a dress sense than they were, but it does also depends on the cruise line and the port they sail out of. On my last cruise pre-Covid,  I was on an American ship sailing out of New Orleans. Mainly fabulously friendly people but the dinner attire was just 😱 - I wouldn’t wear some of their outfits to put the bins out!

 

Brits are more formal but not ball gowns anymore - thank goodness 🙄

And you should be able to relax and enjoy yourself whatever you wear.

[wowzz]

44 minutes ago, Deeliteful said:

Funny how it’s mostly men commenting on this thread.

I think the reason is, that women have so many more options. Dresses, skirts, trousers, assorted tops etc. 

Us poor men don't have the same flexibikity. The killer is the "tie" requirement.  So, you need a shirt with a collar,  and then it all goes down hill. Dinner jacket, or lounge suit, or sports jacket etc.

My wife can throw on (hopefully she won't read this!) a sparkly tee shirt, a jacket and black tousers and she is perfectly fine for formal night.  If  I put on a pristine white tee shirt, jacket and black chinos, I will not get past the podium . Pure discrimination 😁

Don't get me wrong - I do like getting dressed up, but male options are severely limited.

[davecttr]

8 hours ago, wowzz said:

I think the reason is, that women have so many more options. Dresses, skirts, trousers, assorted tops etc. 

Us poor men don't have the same flexibikity. The killer is the "tie" requirement.  So, you need a shirt with a collar,  and then it all goes down hill. Dinner jacket, or lounge suit, or sports jacket etc.

My wife can throw on (hopefully she won't read this!) a sparkly tee shirt, a jacket and black tousers and she is perfectly fine for formal night.  If  I put on a pristine white tee shirt, jacket and black chinos, I will not get past the podium . Pure discrimination 😁

Don't get me wrong - I do like getting dressed up, but male options are severely limited.

Maybe we will end up with dress to impress night. With Georgian fashion for men being popular, fancy yellow trousers, boots and a green jacket anyone, with cravat

[Harry Peterson]

I wear a dark suit because I loathe DJs. My wife dresses up in the usual finery.

 

She did take great delight last time though in wearing a pair of Doc Martens - not visible under a long evening dress, but infinitely more comfortable than anything else!

[Megabear2]

The well dressed man - you get what you wish for 1980's style.

[bobstheboy]

The last time we went on a hotel holiday in Minorca, 5 years ago in a nice 4 *, people were eating dinner in the restaurant dressed in grubby shorts and t shirts they had been wearing all day, and probably the day before. We vowed then it was the last time and we would stick to cruising.

 

If you totally stop any dress code that's what would happen very quickly on British cruise ships.

 

Do we really want that ?

[waddle]

10 hours ago, steve99 said:

Perhaps we should all be forced to go nude

I believe there are cruises for that

 

We once disembarked a Celebrity ship in Miami and the next cruise after us was going to be ‘specialist adult only’. Suffice to say there was not much luggage being carried on 😳

[Harry Peterson]

24 minutes ago, bobstheboy said:

The last time we went on a hotel holiday in Minorca, 5 years ago in a nice 4 *, people were eating dinner in the restaurant dressed in grubby shorts and t shirts they had been wearing all day, and probably the day before. We vowed then it was the last time and we would stick to cruising.

 

If you totally stop any dress code that's what would happen very quickly on British cruise ships.

 

Do we really want that ?

An insistence on smart casual would sort that out very neatly.  Obviously with the option to go formal if you choose to.

 

Very little inconvenience to anybody that way. Freedom of choice all round, subject to an easily achieved minimum standard.

[indiana123]

23 minutes ago, steve99 said:

) Its a bit creepy

Just a polite note to say, I am sure no-one actually looked you up.  All our posts are there under our avatar for all to clearly see.

[Denarius]

6 hours ago, waddle said:

I believe there are cruises for that

 

We once disembarked a Celebrity ship in Miami and the next cruise after us was going to be ‘specialist adult only’. Suffice to say there was not much luggage being carried on 😳

Gentlemen would just need a dickie bow for formal nights, and ladies their pearls.

[Windsurfboy]

7 hours ago, bobstheboy said:

The last time we went on a hotel holiday in Minorca, 5 years ago in a nice 4 *, people were eating dinner in the restaurant dressed in grubby shorts and t shirts they had been wearing all day, and probably the day before. We vowed then it was the last time and we would stick to cruising.

 

If you totally stop any dress code that's what would happen very quickly on British cruise ships.

 

Do we really want that ?

 

I think it's overstating it that only cruise ships have dress codes. Many premium resort hotels enforce a smart casual code, and would refuse entry for anyone in a Tee shirt and shorts at night.

 

You also have special black tie nights at many hotels (e.g new year) where a black tie dress code is strictly enforced.

 

But you are right that it's only the cruise industry where dress codes can be found at all "levels" ,  from entry to premium. But there are also cruise lines without a formal dress code at all levels. You can have an entry level line with black tie nights or one  without. Similarly you can have a premium line costing many times P&O which are casual, or premium lines  with black tie nights. So you pays your money and takes your choice. 

 

 

 

 

[Splice the mainbrace]

48 minutes ago, Denarius said:

Gentlemen would just need a dickie bow for formal nights, and ladies their pearls.

Where would they wear the dickie bow?

[FamilyCruiserUK]

Going on our first P&O cruise for many years next Aug so will be studying the dress code before we go. Although my father in law ex bodybuilder so struggles to find jeans that fit, be interesting seeing him in a suit lol.

Been on Royal lots of times and they have no real dress code anymore. A shame when some are dressed pooly on formal nights ( shorts, flipflops, tshirts etc). 

As a minimum non formal for me is a collar ( shirt, polo etc) with smart jeans and shoes. Used to it from the RAF Mess dress regulations. 

Formal nights minimum is shoes, trousers, shirt and tie. Jacket optional. 

But personally i enjoy looking formal tbh. Feels and looks good. Although this year may wear my mess dress and medals.

[bobstheboy]

18 minutes ago, Windsurfboy said:

 

I think it's overstating it that only cruise ships have dress codes. Many premium resort hotels enforce a smart casual code, and would refuse entry for anyone in a Tee shirt and shorts at night.

 

You also have special black tie nights at many hotels (e.g new year) where a black tie dress code is strictly enforced.

 

But you are right that it's only the cruise industry where dress codes can be found at all "levels" ,  from entry to premium. But there are also cruise lines without a formal dress code at all levels. You can have an entry level line with black tie nights or one  without. Similarly you can have a premium line costing many times P&O which are casual, or premium lines  with black tie nights. So you pays your money and takes your choice. 

 

 

 

 

I'll be more clear. I am not saying a formal dress code is necessary. I just want a clear dress code, whether it is smart casual every night or optional Black Tie nights included. As long as we don't descend into smart shorts as an option because who decides on what is smart ? Opens up a can of worms and I think Restaurant Managers will be reluctant to argue with passengers who believe their clothes are smart.

[Son of Anarchy]

55 minutes ago, FamilyCruiserUK said:

As a minimum non formal for me is a collar ( shirt, polo etc) with smart jeans and shoes. Used to it from the RAF Mess dress regulations. 

Formal nights minimum is shoes, trousers, shirt and tie. Jacket optional. 

 

Seems a lot more relaxed compared to when I used to stay in RAF and Army messes.  Was back in the 90s though!

[Britboys]

48 minutes ago, bobstheboy said:

I'll be more clear. I am not saying a formal dress code is necessary. I just want a clear dress code, whether it is smart casual every night or optional Black Tie nights included. As long as we don't descend into smart shorts as an option because who decides on what is smart ? Opens up a can of worms and I think Restaurant Managers will be reluctant to argue with passengers who believe their clothes are smart.

Absolutely can open a can of worms. For some, jeans and a freshly-washed, ironed 'designer' tee-shirt is smart casual. P&O do their best but with customers increasingly booking on-line, the numbers who have no idea that there is any sort of dress code are likely to increase.

[amajaa]

Do people dress up more now for this new celebration night or for the normal formal nights please? Just wondered which one to wear my ‘poshest’ dress for 

[Windsurfboy]

Terms ike smart casual are meaningless and impossible to enforce .

 

Must say simply "  collared shirt with perhaps addition of no polo shirts if they want to , and long trousers " for men.

 

 

[Son of Anarchy]

1 hour ago, amajaa said:

Do people dress up more now for this new celebration night or for the normal formal nights please? Just wondered which one to wear my ‘poshest’ dress for 

We treat both those terms as equals.  DJ for me, equally posh frock for both of those nights for The Ole Lady

[Red Leicester]

2 hours ago, Windsurfboy said:

Terms ike smart casual are meaningless and impossible to enforce .

 

Must say simply "  collared shirt with perhaps addition of no polo shirts if they want to , and long trousers " for men.

 

 

This is also open to interpretation - when are trousers not long?  What are trousers?  When do shorts become trousers?  What is the definition of long?  Chinos?  Some look almost jean-like from afar.

Can I wear a jumper if it's chilly? But then could I wear a polo under the jumper?  No-one would know.  What about a sweatshirt?  What about a hoodie?  What about a knitted jumper with a hood?

 

Also can I leave my shirt untucked from my trousers?  

 

It's a pedants dream!  Make venues either black tie or casual that way those who want to black tie can, those who want to casual can.

 

I still don't see what offence I'm causing wearing dark jeans and a polo sat in the buffet or Brodies on formal nights.  I have said many times in the thread I accept formal nights happen, they are not for me but I accept my movements are restricted as such.  You don't have to interact with me on such occasions though if you did you may find I'm actually a thoroughly decent and articulate chap.

[terrierjohn]

3 hours ago, amajaa said:

Do people dress up more now for this new celebration night or for the normal formal nights please? Just wondered which one to wear my ‘poshest’ dress for 

Different names for the same thing, both are black tie nights.

[wowzz]

1 hour ago, Red Leicester said:

I still don't see what offence I'm causing wearing dark jeans and a polo sat in the buffet or Brodies on formal nights. 

Personally, I don't think you are causing any offence at all.

[davecttr]

9 hours ago, Red Leicester said:

This is also open to interpretation - when are trousers not long?  What are trousers?  When do shorts become trousers?  What is the definition of long?  Chinos?  Some look almost jean-like from afar.

Can I wear a jumper if it's chilly? But then could I wear a polo under the jumper?  No-one would know.  What about a sweatshirt?  What about a hoodie?  What about a knitted jumper with a hood?

 

Also can I leave my shirt untucked from my trousers?  

 

It's a pedants dream!  Make venues either black tie or casual that way those who want to black tie can, those who want to casual can.

 

I still don't see what offence I'm causing wearing dark jeans and a polo sat in the buffet or Brodies on formal nights.  I have said many times in the thread I accept formal nights happen, they are not for me but I accept my movements are restricted as such.  You don't have to interact with me on such occasions though if you did you may find I'm actually a thoroughly decent and articulate chap.

I presume you mean on formal nights? Iona shows the future arrangements with the MDR's, Epicurian, Sindu and the Crows Nest being formal. Everywhere else is evening casual. Arvia appears to be even more casual with the two smaller MDR's altered to the Olive Grove and an American Diner.

 

Whats wrong with Polo shirts, they have a collar but lack a breast pocket and they were originally designed for gentlemen

Edited November 12, 2022 by davecttr

[jaydee6969]

2 hours ago, davecttr said:

 

Whats wrong with Polo shirts, they have a collar but lack a breast pocket and they were originally designed for gentlemen

 

Plus, most of my shirts don't even have a breast pocket.  Just packed for todays cruise on Iona, and all Polo's and T's, with full on shirt to accompany my DJ etc.