The Real Scoop on Dressing Down

[carlsbadbruin]

Ok, so my husband doesn't want to dress up... at all. I'm lucky if he'll wear jeans or cargo pants instead of shorts. If you're wondering why Cunard... well, we didn't realize this when we booked. He doesn't own a suit, or a tux, and refuses to wear one on a vacation (he's a physician and doesn't take many vacations, so I'm giving in). So, do we need to eat every evening meal (QV2, Fjords itinerary) at the buffet, or are there other eateries we can go to? Does the food in the buffet include the highlights from the dining room? Can we still attend any of the shows or anything else, like the casino? We don't dance (or drink), but like theatrical shows, etc. What are we really missing? Thank you! We promise not to walk anywhere we're not welcome -- I will be the woman in a cute dress with the guy in jeans :).

Edited May 16, 2023 by carlsbadbruin
adding ship

[esrs]

I don't know about the casino, but you need to dress to the dress code in the theater. We never eat in the buffet in the evening so can't help you there. Chinos and a collared shirt will meet the guidelines on smart attire evenings but not on gala nights.

[Pushpit]

Indeed it's Gala Night where you may have an issue, see your Cunard login to see how many you have on your trip, but I suspect it's just one or two nights. On those nights your food options are the Lido (buffet) and room service. The Lido has a large range of food options and a pizza making section, which overlaps the Britannia menu to some degree plus has many other hot dishes, so plenty of food, plenty of choice, you won't starve. On QV consider going on the starboard side for a table, it's often a lot less busy.

 

On Gala nights you can visit these venues: Lido, Casino, Winter Gardens,  Golden Lion (no evening food, and many people there will be dressed up, ditto Winter Gardens), Yacht Club (not much happens there until past 10 pm).  There will be entertainment options in these places.

 

Most nights won't be Gala: The photos in this thread give a clue as to what's ok on non Gala nights and as @esrs says, chinos, shirt and a leisure jacket will work well for most nights. Post 31.

 

I find it odd that (us) men struggle to embrace this - all we have to do is put on a standard suit, takes 30 seconds, no imagination needed, and so long as the suit isn't too shabby, we start to look a bit more impressive. As craggyness and beer guts loom, it's the easy option.

[Victoria2]

59 minutes ago, Pushpit said:

Indeed it's Gala Night where you may have an issue, see your Cunard login to see how many you have on your trip, but I suspect it's just one or two nights. On those nights your food options are the Lido (buffet) and room service. The Lido has a large range of food options and a pizza making section, which overlaps the Britannia menu to some degree plus has many other hot dishes, so plenty of food, plenty of choice, you won't starve. On QV consider going on the starboard side for a table, it's often a lot less busy.

 

On Gala nights you can visit these venues: Lido, Casino, Winter Gardens,  Golden Lion (no evening food, and many people there will be dressed up, ditto Winter Gardens), Yacht Club (not much happens there until past 10 pm).  There will be entertainment options in these places.

 

Most nights won't be Gala: The photos in this thread give a clue as to what's ok on non Gala nights and as @esrs says, chinos, shirt and a leisure jacket will work well for most nights. Post 31.

 

I find it odd that (us) men struggle to embrace this - all we have to do is put on a standard suit, takes 30 seconds, no imagination needed, and so long as the suit isn't too shabby, we start to look a bit more impressive. As craggyness and beer guts loom, it's the easy option.

A jacket, leisure or more tailored, will be worn by a good proportion of the chaps [mine included] on non Gala nights  but it is no longer a requirement. A dress shirt and Chinos will be perfectly acceptable.

[2BACRUISER]

QV - Fjords on smart attire nights you can go to the MDR if hes dressed in smart trousers and a decent shirt, my DH took smart black jeans and these were acceptable, sometimes he wore a jacket with them always a collared long sleeved shirt.

Gala nights are where you have the problem, id say 99% dress to the nines. This link tells you what i wore but also what my DH wore on same trip. HTH 

See 

 

[exlondoner]

Incidentally, if you are going to the fjords, even in summer, it can be pretty cold (and wet). He may have problems other than in the ship’s dining rooms, if he is hoping for shorts. 
I don’t think the Lido does the same dishes as the restaurants, but I’m sure they’ll have reasonable choices.

[lissie]

5 hours ago, carlsbadbruin said:

Ok, so my husband doesn't want to dress up... at all. I'm lucky if he'll wear jeans or cargo pants instead of shorts. If you're wondering why Cunard... well, we didn't realize this when we booked. He doesn't own a suit, or a tux, and refuses to wear one on a vacation (he's a physician and doesn't take many vacations, so I'm giving in). So, do we need to eat every evening meal (QV2, Fjords itinerary) at the buffet, or are there other eateries we can go to? Does the food in the buffet include the highlights from the dining room? Can we still attend any of the shows or anything else, like the casino? We don't dance (or drink), but like theatrical shows, etc. What are we really missing? Thank you! We promise not to walk anywhere we're not welcome -- I will be the woman in a cute dress with the guy in jeans :).

On most nights he doesn't need a tux or suit. He needs long trousers and a collared shirt - I assume he owns both of those as a doctor?  So the only nights you'll have an issue are the gala nights - and yes the code will keep you out of the theatre too. 

[PORT ROYAL]

Plus Bars, public spaces etc, except the Winter Garden and like.

 

You’re not going to experience everything that Cunard offers onboard.  One’s enjoyment areas are somewhat reduced.

 

 

[buchanan101]

40 minutes ago, lissie said:

On most nights he doesn't need a tux or suit. He needs long trousers and a collared shirt - I assume he owns both of those as a doctor?  So the only nights you'll have an issue are the gala nights - and yes the code will keep you out of the theatre too. 

The requirements seem to have changed slightly since last autumn where a "collared shirt" was all that is required (ok, plus trousers) - now it's dress shirt. I wore a collared polo shirt on occasion, with or without jacket, back in October (with chinos).

 

Surely he at least has a polo shirt - which would probably still be fine

 

I'm normally one for slumming it in shorts whenever possible, but I quite liked the idea of being relatively smart: I even got a not inexpensive tux for the trip (which means to get good value from it I have to go on more cruises - Norway next June for starters)

Edited May 16, 2023 by buchanan101

[naturelovergirl]

Cunard is different from other lines as it does have a dress code after 6.

(Other cruise lines might have suggestions of clothing choices at night… but Cunard is a traditional line and actually has a dress code at night. It makes the ship feel very special in the evenings.)

On the smart attire evenings, if you both dress nicely within the code, then all is good. You will have free rein of the ship and all the activities. I would absolutely suggest that as a minimum. Do the smart attire evenings.

 

Personally I would not miss out on the full Cunard experience, though. On Gala Nights he would be fine in a dark suit with tie or bow tie. It does not have to be a tux. Then you could enjoy everything.

 

(The phrase “when in Rome, do as the Romans do” can just be switched to “when on Cunard, do as the Cunarders do” 😊)

 

Seriously, my husband and I will be hiking boots by day (we love the outdoors and exploring) in port and then spruce up at night on Cunard. It’s all part of the experience which we embrace.

It is something to consider.

 

 

[NE John]

Thank you for the respectful question about the dress code. A few commenters appear on these boards to challenge and belittle what Cunard holds as a dress code. 
 

One other question, are you In Britannia, Club, Grills? It would be a shame to pay a premium for the Grills and eat in the buffet. 

Your trip sounds awesome and is on my list, especially to finally try the QV. 

[Tonopah]

Sadly you will miss 90% of the good stuff in the evening. He doesn’t have to wear a tux but slacks and a jacket with a clip on tie for gala nights will suffice. If he refuses that doesn’t mean you have to stay in the cabin or buffet. Dress up yourself and leave him to his choices. 

[BigMac1953]

When we were on in November 99% of men wore dinner suits and 100% in the Grills.

 

"A formal suit, shirt, and tie of any colour will also do just fine for Gala Evening"

 

Can't find any reference to "slacks and a jacket".

[steve4031]

I am wondering if my clothes need to take an IQ test to determine if they are "smart" . . .

[naturelovergirl]

2 minutes ago, steve4031 said:

I am wondering if my clothes need to take an IQ test to determine if they are "smart" . . .

If you would wear them for a nice evening out to a lovely restaurant or the theatre then your clothes are “smart”

 

✨Of course in my house choosing to take each other out to the theatre and/or a beautiful restaurant is VERY SMART! ✨

😏

[Solent Richard]

45 minutes ago, steve4031 said:

I am wondering if my clothes need to take an IQ test to determine if they are "smart" . . .

 

I've always believed that 'jeans' and 'Smart' illustrate the perfect oxymoron.

[Windsurfboy]

3 hours ago, buchanan101 said:

The requirements seem to have changed slightly since last autumn where a "collared shirt" was all that is required (ok, plus trousers) - now it's dress shirt. I wore a collared polo shirt on occasion, with or without jacket, back in October (with chinos).

 

Surely he at least has a polo shirt - which would probably still be fine

 

I'm normally one for slumming it in shorts whenever possible, but I quite liked the idea of being relatively smart: I even got a not inexpensive tux for the trip (which means to get good value from it I have to go on more cruises - Norway next June for starters)

 

They've changed it to "dress" shirt , which is an Americanism for a proper long sleeved shirt with a collar,  to make it clear that polo shirts even though they have a collar are not deemed smart evening wear.

 

 

[exlondoner]

12 minutes ago, Windsurfboy said:

 

They've changed it to "dress" shirt , which is an Americanism for a proper long sleeved shirt with a collar,  to make it clear that polo shirts even though they have a collar are not deemed smart evening wear.

 

 

I always wondered what a dress shirt is. Thank you.

[carlsbadbruin]

Thanks, all! He'll be sure to pack decent travel pants and collared shirts for the non-Gala nights, and maybe I can talk him into bringing one dark suit "just in case" :). It's nice to have options, rather than being disappointed once on board.

[Host Hattie]

That sounds like a good plan, have a great trip. 

[babs135]

49 minutes ago, carlsbadbruin said:

Thanks, all! He'll be sure to pack decent travel pants and collared shirts for the non-Gala nights, and maybe I can talk him into bringing one dark suit "just in case" :). It's nice to have options, rather than being disappointed once on board.

You won't be sorry.

[ddgarner1]

Maybe he should just wear scrubs with a bow tie.  At least there might be some genuine laughter at his appearance rather than disdain from some stalwarts for his being under dressed. 

Full disclosure:  I travel on Cunard specifically for the opportunity to dress formally. We are also members of a private club where formal dress for regular events is mandatory. 

[Victoria2]

Thankfully, most passengers who choose to travel Cunard have manners and so there will be no disdain and there will be no laughter.

 

OK, slight correction there, plenty of laughter but not directed at fellow passengers.🙂

[Windsurfboy]

As long as you follow the dress code for the venues you visit,  there is no such thing as being under-dressed.

[GonzoWCS]

Great discussion here.

 

Cheers