Please explain the dress code for gentlemen

[Tiny_Tim]

I see lots of posts about a dress code but I would like to know exactly what is allowed and/or required.

 

We are considering a 14 night cruise on the Victoria.

 

What are polo shirts considered?

Are collared shirts required to be button up type or are polo shirts with collars allowed.

Are there nights that require a tux?

 

Some clarification is needed and requested.

 

Thank you.

[bluemarble]

Just a bit of warning that you are entering potentially contentious territory here. There has been considerable discussion in the past concerning whether polo shirts are considered appropriate or not on Smart Attire evenings. That partly stems from the fact that the "What to pack" page on the Cunard website specifies "dress shirt" for the Smart Attire dress code while the onboard Smart Attire dress code as published in the daily programmes specifies "collared shirt". I don't think we've ever reached consensus on this forum regarding polo shirts.

 

The second part of your question is easier to answer. A tux is never required. The Gala Evening dress code allows a dark suit as an alternative to a dinner jacket/tuxedo.

[NE John]

My only two cents would be that many passengers go on Cunard ships specifically to dress up and abide by more than the minimum requirements of the dress code. Not everyone, but quite a lot on board dress up. 
 

[Craigrlewis]

This is what i opt to wear:

 

Formal/Gala Night - Tuxedo, white tuxedo/bib shirt & bow tie

Other Nights - Trousers, business/office with collar, tie and blazer

 

As NEJohn has said many people will dress up regardless of whether its formal/gala night or other night

 

As Bluemarble says no you do not need a tuxedo at all. 

 

I have seen people in button down polo shirts but you will look “out of place” as they're not tended to be worn

 

Get ready now for a slew of comments about “don't book Cunard then..” and other such comments - don’t let them put you off.

 

Dress code is a lot easier to follow/understand once you've been on board etc. and seen what people tend to wear.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Victoria2]

6 hours ago, Tiny_Tim said:

I see lots of posts about a dress code but I would like to know exactly what is allowed and/or required.

 

We are considering a 14 night cruise on the Victoria.

 

What are polo shirts considered?

Are collared shirts required to be button up type or are polo shirts with collars allowed.

Are there nights that require a tux?

 

Some clarification is needed and requested.

 

Thank you.

From the  UK Cunard site

Take from it what you will

 

Whatever you decide, I hope you have a marvellous time and no, a tux is not mandatory on Gala evenings.

Smart attire simply means a dress shirt and trousers, skirt and a top, or a cocktail dress.

 

Edited October 29, 2023 by Victoria2

[Bell Boy]

Personally I wouldn't dream of wearing a Polo shirt in the 'Evening on a Cunard ship', save that for Saga or MSC, however,  do enjoy wearing it throughout the day or if you are on a port tour.

Bluemarble has clarified Cunard's suggestion , in other words a Dress shirt is a 'Long Sleeved' shirt with a smart firm collar.   -    Open neck, Ideally worn under a jacket 👌 😉

  

 

[Kynance]

For the original poster - “dress shirts” don’t have to be plain either, patterned shirts are very popular now and Mr K has quite a collection. Those in the UK will probably know what I mean when we say we refer to them as his “James May” shirts. However, unlike James he always tucks them in (and wears a jacket!).  I think the key bit is the “smart firm collar” Bell Boy mentioned. I know we had a question on here before about whether Hawaiian-type shirts were ok - that might be pushing the definition of a dress shirt a bit far but I personally wouldn’t be “upset” if I saw someone wearing one, especially if it was worn under a nice jacket or with a suit, though they would be very much in the minority, along with those wearing polo shirts.

[Pushpit]

It's always good to look to Cunard's wording and understand that the best you can. So we can have our opinions as to whether a polo shirt is a dress shirt or not, ultimately it's your decision. The other fact to add here is the Cunard sentence at the end "Essentially, choose something along the same vein as you’d wear to a stylish restaurant or the theatre on a special occasion." Would you wear a polo shirt at the Abbeville Opera House on a $300 ticket? Or to a dinner to mark your birthday at an upscale restaurant?

 

Then we can all lay on our own opinions and preferences. My take is to say "polo shirts are sports style shirts, ok for the Lido but not in the other restaurants". But that's just my opinion and your opinion is just as important. For me, I do  wear a jacket and collar, long sleeve shirt on Smart Attire, usually a tie too; and a dinner jacket (tuxedo) on formal nights, knowing that a smart business suit would also be OK for formal / Gala nights. I would consider my service dress uniform, or my kilt as an alternative but I have never actually done so. I wouldn't want anyone else to be concerned or upset by what I am wearing, from a courtesy point of view.

[david63]

1 hour ago, Pushpit said:

whether a polo shirt is a dress shirt or not

If I am not mistaken doesn't Cunard say something along the lines of "Please refrain from wearing sports attire in an evening"?

 

By definition a polo shirt is sports attire. QED

[exlondoner]

43 minutes ago, david63 said:

If I am not mistaken doesn't Cunard say something along the lines of "Please refrain from wearing sports attire in an evening"?

 

By definition a polo shirt is sports attire. QED

I’m not sure about that. I don’t think many people would object to someone of either sex wearing a hacking jacket on an informal night, which equally is sports attire.

[Victoria2]

7 minutes ago, exlondoner said:

I’m not sure about that. I don’t think many people would object to someone of either sex wearing a hacking jacket on an informal night, which equally is sports attire.

I agree. Polo shirts have evolved over the years from shirts worn to play polo /tennis, to accepted mainstream wear.

Whilst I wouldn't advocate wearing one of an evening, I have seen them worn.

[exlondoner]

2 minutes ago, Victoria2 said:

I agree. Polo shirts have evolved over the years from shirts worn to play polo /tennis, to accepted mainstream wear.

Whilst I wouldn't advocate wearing one of an evening, I have seen them worn.

And particularly if with a jacket it wouldn’t be very noticeable.

[Host Hattie]

59 minutes ago, david63 said:

If I am not mistaken doesn't Cunard say something along the lines of "Please refrain from wearing sports attire in an evening"?

 

By definition a polo shirt is sports attire. QED

This is the wording from June this year -

 

What to Wear: Gala Evening

From 6.00pm, we encourage you to join in the sense of occasion with eveningwear of dinner jacket, tuxedo, or dark suit with a regular tie or bow tie, or floor length dress, ball gown, cocktail dress, smart trouser suit, or formal separates. Guests are welcome to embellish their Gala Evening attire to fit the applicable theme of the evening. A range of gentlemen's formal wear is available to hire on board in the fashion boutique on Deck 3.

Of course, if you prefer to spend tonight in more relaxed attire, a selection of casual dining and entertainment venues are available for your enjoyment. Feel free to dress casually as you visit any of the following venues Kings Court, Golden Lion, Casino, Carinthia Lounge, and G32. Please note non-ripped, jeans are appropriate, but please refrain from wearing shorts, sports attire, swim wear or sleeveless t-shirts outside of the gym, spa and deck spaces.

[exlondoner]

1 minute ago, Host Hattie said:

This is the wording from June this year -

 

What to Wear: Gala Evening

From 6.00pm, we encourage you to join in the sense of occasion with eveningwear of dinner jacket, tuxedo, or dark suit with a regular tie or bow tie, or floor length dress, ball gown, cocktail dress, smart trouser suit, or formal separates. Guests are welcome to embellish their Gala Evening attire to fit the applicable theme of the evening. A range of gentlemen's formal wear is available to hire on board in the fashion boutique on Deck 3.

Of course, if you prefer to spend tonight in more relaxed attire, a selection of casual dining and entertainment venues are available for your enjoyment. Feel free to dress casually as you visit any of the following venues Kings Court, Golden Lion, Casino, Carinthia Lounge, and G32. Please note non-ripped, jeans are appropriate, but please refrain from wearing shorts, sports attire, swim wear or sleeveless t-shirts outside of the gym, spa and deck spaces.

The more detail they give the more difficult it becomes. I’m sure no woman would be banned for wearing a smart sleeveless t-shirt. This must refer only to men.

[Victoria2]

39 minutes ago, exlondoner said:

The more detail they give the more difficult it becomes. I’m sure no woman would be banned for wearing a smart sleeveless t-shirt. This must refer only to men.

Equally, the less detail, the more folk can self interpret. I have dined in a very 'stylish' restaurant, all scrubbed up when some patrons were in jeans and very casual shirts. There are so many different  takes on what one wears, where. I couldn’t care less what folk wear but to have one piece of dress advice only to have a less specific version once onboard doesn’t help matters.

[exlondoner]

11 minutes ago, Victoria2 said:

Equally, the less detail, the more folk can self interpret. I have dined in a very 'stylish' restaurant, all scrubbed up when some patrons were in jeans and very casual shirts. There are so many different  takes on what one wears, where. I couldn’t care less what folk wear but to have one piece of dress advice only to have a less specific version once onboard doesn’t help matters.

I say I don’t care much what people wear, and have very little interest in clothes which is why I am happy to dress up for formal nights. Nonetheless, I was very taken with arriving in the QG on our last cruise to find everyone splendidly attired in black and white: it was really most impressive. Equally, I don’t want to be sitting near someone in the theatre, who is attired in a sweaty t-shirt they have been wearing all day, while touring a Med. port. So I do take some interest.

[NE John]

@Tiny_Tim You were warned that your question will open up a debate!

Seriously, polo shirts are perfectly fine during the day (no dress code at all). Gala nights are certainly more formal with no polo shirts. Smart Attire nights are the minefield of the dress code issue. You don’t want to feel underdressed. Please take part in Gala Night dress code to get the full onboard experience. 
Try dressing up at once, at least. Also, people are not snobby and the environment is more relaxed on Cunard than many think. 

[Victoria2]

28 minutes ago, exlondoner said:

I say I don’t care much what people wear, and have very little interest in clothes which is why I am happy to dress up for formal nights. Nonetheless, I was very taken with arriving in the QG on our last cruise to find everyone splendidly attired in black and white: it was really most impressive. Equally, I don’t want to be sitting near someone in the theatre, who is attired in a sweaty t-shirt they have been wearing all day, while touring a Med. port. So I do take some interest.

Luckily, we haven't come across 'the sweaty' so didn't factor that into my comment.

 

Edit

Perhaps naively, I assume folk will shower at the very least after a sweaty day, ashore or onboard.

Edited October 29, 2023 by Victoria2

[TouchstoneFeste]

1 hour ago, Victoria2 said:

I agree. Polo shirts have evolved over the years from shirts worn to play polo /tennis, to accepted mainstream wear.

Whilst I wouldn't advocate wearing one of an evening, I have seen them worn.

Indeed, what we in the US call "sport coats" and "blazers", which I think are explicitly ok'd for smart attire nights, evolved from hunting and yachting jackets. I think it's a little early in their evolution for polo shirts to qualify, personally. Give them a hundred years. (But like others, I wouldn't be offended to see them.)

[exlondoner]

4 hours ago, Victoria2 said:

Luckily, we haven't come across 'the sweaty' so didn't factor that into my comment.

 

Edit

Perhaps naively, I assume folk will shower at the very least after a sweaty day, ashore or onboard.

I’ve only really encountered the seriously sweaty once. Obviously, most people come back and have a soothing shower, after which they may as well put on compliant clothes.

[Jan10]

We were on QE I September in Grills and there were people wearing short sleeved shorts.  I don’t believe it makes a difference,  people should be able to wear what shirts they are comfortable in. We like to dress up and DH always wore a shirt and jacket. I always wore a cocktail dress except for Gala night when we both followed the theme.  

[Jan10]

That should read short sleeved shirts!

[exlondoner]

2 minutes ago, Jan10 said:

That should read short sleeved shirts!

What a shame. I was beginning to get excited. 

[Jan10]

Sorry to disappoint!  We are young 60’s , appreciate good dressing but do not get hung up if guests choose to be more casual!  Just not too casual and definitely no short shorts in the dining rooms!

[Victoria2]

19 minutes ago, Jan10 said:

Sorry to disappoint!  We are young 60’s , appreciate good dressing but do not get hung up if guests choose to be more casual!  Just not too casual and definitely no short shorts in the dining rooms!

Shorts are fine breakfast and lunch in the main restaurants but I agree on the Daisy Dukes.

 

Although DDs might be Ok on youngsters and those who can 'wear them well'!

Edited October 29, 2023 by Victoria2