Thoughts.

[zap99]

15 hours ago, yorkshirephil said:

Mrs YP does all the packing, except for the stuff I forget of course😁

It's often my fault. We booked a lodge in Cornwall. I humped all the bags and stuff from the car park to the lodge. Loads of stuff as we were there a whole week. Car was now empty. ' can you get the blue bag next.....what blue bag....the one with all the towels in it....what blue bag.....I put it in the bottom of the wardrobe, out of the way...Sorry dear.🤣

 

 

[Fitzplumbago]

Personally, I find formal wear a little uncomfortable to wear. But I do enjoy the traditional ‘experience’, which is what I believe to be the reason the formal nights exist today. My DJ and trousers cost the princely sum of £23, but I don’t feel as though I look out of place! One day, the experience may cease to be, but I still see many people enjoying themselves on these nights. In fact, the wait for the restaurant on these nights seems to be longer than others. 
 

Most rebellious person I’ve seen on a formal night was a gentleman wearing a Beatles t-shirt… It was black and white with the zebra crossing design though, so partially observed the requirements! 

[Jennizor]

8 minutes ago, Fitzplumbago said:

Personally, I find formal wear a little uncomfortable to wear. But I do enjoy the traditional ‘experience’, which is what I believe to be the reason the formal nights exist today. My DJ and trousers cost the princely sum of £23, but I don’t feel as though I look out of place! One day, the experience may cease to be, but I still see many people enjoying themselves on these nights. In fact, the wait for the restaurant on these nights seems to be longer than others. 
 

Most rebellious person I’ve seen on a formal night was a gentleman wearing a Beatles t-shirt… It was black and white with the zebra crossing design though, so partially observed the requirements! 

The worst I have seen on a formal night was a lady, probably in her twenties wearing a see through white lace dress that just about covered in her underwear, which was also mostly see through. She and her partner sat on stools at the bar. After a lot of staring by lots of people someone went to the bar and complained. As more people complained (not us by the way) she was eventually asked to leave the bar. She burst into tears and her partner put his coat round her and they left. This was several years ago, I’m not sure whether people would complain in current times. 

[LA30]

Personally I like the formal evenings in that they are something different and special.  Few of us dress up at home to such an extent!  However, the definition of 'special' is something out of the ordinary, and if they are held every three to four days they cease to be special !  I would like to see them just once a week on all ships.

[yorkshirephil]

14 minutes ago, LA30 said:

Personally I like the formal evenings in that they are something different and special.  Few of us dress up at home to such an extent!  However, the definition of 'special' is something out of the ordinary, and if they are held every three to four days they cease to be special !  I would like to see them just once a week on all ships.

I notice we have 10 on our upcoming cruise which albeit slightly less than two per week seems a bit much, but we do have a lot of sea days so maybe P&O are hoping more formal nights equals more spend in the pampering establishments. We have usually had seven on previous 35 night cruises which I thought was about right.

[davecttr]

20 minutes ago, LA30 said:

Personally I like the formal evenings in that they are something different and special.  Few of us dress up at home to such an extent!  However, the definition of 'special' is something out of the ordinary, and if they are held every three to four days they cease to be special !  I would like to see them just once a week on all ships.

I went on a 31 day world cruise segment several years ago and there were 9 formal nights. I took my dinner suit but only attended the first formal. Several passengers on the whole cruise told me they gave up on formal night because they were no longer special.

[Bazrat]

On 10/27/2022 at 9:05 PM, 9265359 said:

That change is already in the process of taking place, with P&O having reduced the number of formal nights (and renaming them so they seem less formal), and removing the nights where a jacket was required.

 

It would seem P&O already know what the majority of people actually buying tickets want and would prefer them not to go elsewhere, hence the changes they have made, and will continue to make.

 

But eat where? Was it in the seating areas that the designers of the ships have helpfully put outside Horizon and next to the pools.

Sorry but reread my original post they past us in the horizon, we did not trail them to see where they sat that would be weird.

Interesting to see you say there are less formal nights, on the cruise we are on there are 5, so your argument about being less is more to do with your imagination.

[Bazrat]

Just now, LA30 said:

Personally I like the formal evenings in that they are something different and special.  Few of us dress up at home to such an extent!  However, the definition of 'special' is something out of the ordinary, and if they are held every three to four days they cease to be special !  I would like to see them just once a week on all ships.

If it was 1 a week there would be no point in taking a suit, than it would be the death knell of black tie nights, ( not because we stopped doing it).

[terrierjohn]

5 minutes ago, Bazrat said:

Sorry but reread my original post they past us in the horizon, we did not trail them to see where they sat that would be weird.

Interesting to see you say there are less formal nights, on the cruise we are on there are 5, so your argument about being less is more to do with your imagination.

Overall there are less on average now, and the average will be even lower once Arvia is cruising. I imagine any new ships will also only have 1 formal night per week, so formal nights will be halved once Azura leaves the fleet.

[terrierjohn]

6 minutes ago, Bazrat said:

If it was 1 a week there would be no point in taking a suit, than it would be the death knell of black tie nights, ( not because we stopped doing it).

Formal night dress code on Iona is still well observed, even though there is only one per week, so passengers do seem to think it is worthwhile.

[Bazrat]

Just now, terrierjohn said:

Overall there are less on average now, and the average will be even lower once Arvia is cruising. I imagine any new ships will also only have 1 formal night per week, so formal nights will be halved once Azura leaves the fleet.

If you add the new ships than you will get less on average, but if you do a ship by ship calculation than you will find they have not reduced. 

[Bazrat]

Just now, terrierjohn said:

Formal night dress code on Iona is still well observed, even though there is only one per week, so passengers do seem to think it is worthwhile.

Is that fly cruises or port to port

[yorkshirephil]

1 minute ago, Bazrat said:

If it was 1 a week there would be no point in taking a suit, than it would be the death knell of black tie nights, ( not because we stopped doing it).

For a one week cruise I don't think I would bother with a dinner suit or possibly a two week fly cruise with one formal per week, especially as the luggage allowance seems to be gradually eroded. On our last cruise with MSC which was 15 nights we had three formals the one before with Ambassador which was 21 nights we also had three formals, I couldn't say one way or the other which was preferable we just went with the flow and enjoyed the whole experience, I do think as I get older I prefer less formal but wouldn't let it put me off if there were more.

[Bazrat]

Just now, yorkshirephil said:

For a one week cruise I don't think I would bother with a dinner suit or possibly a two week fly cruise with one formal per week, especially as the luggage allowance seems to be gradually eroded. On our last cruise with MSC which was 15 nights we had three formals the one before with Ambassador which was 21 nights we also had three formals, I couldn't say one way or the other which was preferable we just went with the flow and enjoyed the whole experience, I do think as I get older I prefer less formal but wouldn't let it put me off if there were more.

I am in agreement with you fly cruises I wouldn't bother with taking a suit for one night.

[terrierjohn]

6 minutes ago, Bazrat said:

Is that fly cruises or port to port

Iona does not do fly cruises.

[Bazrat]

Just now, terrierjohn said:

Iona does not do fly cruises.

So you could take your suit for one night a week, for me one week probably wouldn't bother.

[terrierjohn]

2 minutes ago, Bazrat said:

So you could take your suit for one night a week, for me one week probably wouldn't bother.

I don't do fly cruises either, so taking a DJ ior suit s no real problem; and we did on on our Iona cruise earlier this month, as did everyone else who used the MDRs.

[Bazrat]

Just now, terrierjohn said:

I don't do fly cruises either, so taking a DJ ior suit s no real problem; and we did on on our Iona cruise earlier this month, as did everyone else who used the MDRs.

Sorry you lost me I am currently on a fly cruise, so what I am saying is one formal night a week not worth the extra weight, on a one week cruise for me really wouldn't be bothered either way

[zap99]

32 minutes ago, terrierjohn said:

I don't do fly cruises either, so taking a DJ ior suit s no real problem; and we did on on our Iona cruise earlier this month, as did everyone else who used the MDRs.

We have just booked a week's fly cruise on Azura. DW remembered her Brother and his wife were on it at the same time. But THEY like to do formal nights....Oh poo !. I guess just this once won't hurt.😉

[PaulManchester]

On 10/27/2022 at 9:34 AM, Port out said:

I'm one of the old brigade having cruised for more than 30 years with P&O. Frankly things and passengers have changed so much and not all for the good imo. I fully understand the need for P&O to fill their ships but to offer out prices of cabins which represent such cheap deals and attracts folk who can't afford to live up to the standards of a quality holiday is disappointing. Unfortunately these deals impact on those of us who enjoy a good standard of dress especially in the evening and this brings the whole enjoyment of the cruise down several points which is such a shame.

I have also cruised with P and O, amongst others of course, for almost 40 years now, and to be completely frank, one of the reasons I have kept returning over the decades is precisely because P&O are, and always have been, unashamedly mid-market to budget in terms of their pricing and their ‘ offer’. And I for one, congratulate them for it.

In my experience, they haven’t ever pretended to be anything else. I do believe it is wonderful these days that more and more people are able to enjoy the peculiar delight of a cruise holiday - as we all secretly agree “there’s no other mainstream holiday quite like it”. I can say, hand on heart, I don’t believe I have ever even noticed the standard of clothing being worn by others, nor would I.

On those occasions when I have felt like treating myself and my family to a truly upmarket experience, I have done so. SevenSeas and Seabourn have been particular favourites in the past, along with a handful of exquisite private charters (when ironically I didn’t dress formally once).

I return to P&O because I have many happy memories of times onboard, and I actively enjoy meeting people from any, and all, walks of life. I often chuckle at my younger self who used to believe P&O were an exclusive cruise line, when the truth is they aren’t now, never were, and likely never will be. And I say all power to them for it.

Theres a place for all of us onboard, and that is precisely the way (I believe) it should be.

Long may they continue introducing more and more folks, from a huge and expanding variety of social and economic backgrounds to the absolute joy of cruising.

[Cathygh]

My DH and I disagree about whether people like formal nights or not ( he doesn't). I think they are still popular, my evidence being that, having just been on Azura for 2 weeks, formal nights in the freedom dining restaurants were very busy, much busier than other nights and service was very slow. 

[FamilyCruiserUK]

I suppose id be considered a middle aged cruiser being 44 and i must say i actually enjoy a formal night. Its one night where you can dress up, have pics taken and look smart. I do not wear a suit in the UK ever its just a smart casual shirt and chinos or smart jeans if i go out for a meal. As for shorts, well in evenings tailored shorts are fine, but i draw a line at gym shorts, tshirts, baseball caps, vests and flip flops in the MDRs or specialist resturants. As for the venue's being enforced, its like some places in UK. There will be a dress code. 

 

But then for me i have to work hard and save hard to afford a cruise so the formal night is a luxury i wont do outside of a cruise ship. I have even taken my mess dress and worn on occasions. 

[terrierjohn]

1 hour ago, Bazrat said:

Sorry you lost me I am currently on a fly cruise, so what I am saying is one formal night a week not worth the extra weight, on a one week cruise for me really wouldn't be bothered either way

I suppose I am saying that if you dont you might feel a little left out.

[JDB78]

1 hour ago, PaulManchester said:

I have also cruised with P and O, amongst others of course, for almost 40 years now, and to be completely frank, one of the reasons I have kept returning over the decades is precisely because P&O are, and always have been, unashamedly mid-market to budget in terms of their pricing and their ‘ offer’. And I for one, congratulate them for it.

In my experience, they haven’t ever pretended to be anything else. I do believe it is wonderful these days that more and more people are able to enjoy the peculiar delight of a cruise holiday - as we all secretly agree “there’s no other mainstream holiday quite like it”. I can say, hand on heart, I don’t believe I have ever even noticed the standard of clothing being worn by others, nor would I.

On those occasions when I have felt like treating myself and my family to a truly upmarket experience, I have done so. SevenSeas and Seabourn have been particular favourites in the past, along with a handful of exquisite private charters (when ironically I didn’t dress formally once).

I return to P&O because I have many happy memories of times onboard, and I actively enjoy meeting people from any, and all, walks of life. I often chuckle at my younger self who used to believe P&O were an exclusive cruise line, when the truth is they aren’t now, never were, and likely never will be. And I say all power to them for it.

Theres a place for all of us onboard, and that is precisely the way (I believe) it should be.

Long may they continue introducing more and more folks, from a huge and expanding variety of social and economic backgrounds to the absolute joy of cruising.

 

Great post. Without wishing to pick out anyone in particular, there are some people who look down on folk don't dress up and prefer they weren't onboard. If you can't afford to dress in a suit / tux all cruise you shouldn't be sailing with P&O type attitude. As has been mentioned a suit these days can be picked up for next to nothing but a designer t shirt might coz many hundreds of pounds so the price point of P&O and dress code doesn't really wash. Probably more of a class thing - cruising should be for respectable people who dress a certain way, not the riff raff who were dragged up.

 

I'm surprised to hear you say P&O have always been mid-market. Having only sailed with RC previously, the one thing that put me off booking with P&O was the perception I had of the ships being a bit stuffy and not being to relax on board (especially travelling with children). My 1st experience was on Ventura so guess maybe not the same experience we would have had on some of the older ships. On Arvia next year and can't wait - will of course pack whatever we need to. Wouldn't be my choice to take the tux, but I have a when in Rome attitude - can't have people talking about me now ha

[davecttr]

I was put of cruising with P&O because I had the impression they were too formal and when i eventually dipped my toe in on Ventura discovered there was both formal and informal if you wanted it. I have since cruised on all P&O's ships. With Iona the MDR's, Epicurian and Sindhu restaurants plus Crows Nest bar have formal  code on one night per week, the rest of the ship, and there is a lot of it, has evening casual code on formal nights. It appears Arvia will be less formal as the two smaller MDR's are being replaced with a re-positioned Olive Grove and a new American Diner. There is still plenty of choice for either preference