Dress onboard QM2

[jonmar]

I am thinking of booking an inside cabin for the QM2 for a transatlantic crossing. What is the expected dress onboard? I wear a suit everyday for work, but I don't really want to do that on vacation too. Also, what is the median age of people on board? Thanks.

[Colin_Cameron]

See my reply to [url="http://messages.cruisecritic.com/2/OpenTopic?a=tpc&s=927093444&f=267097554&m=397107411&r=551106861#551106861"]this[/url] post.

Regards, Colin.

[Crouton]

Colin_Cameron's dress code schedule was the same on my crossing.

As one who is currently [I]not[/I] that fond of dressing up when I don't feel like it, I was pretty out of place on the nights that I didn't (regardless of the stated dress code). This is not such a big problem for dinner, but [I]afterwards[/I] if you want to join in the fun and everyone else is dressed to the nines.

One thing I wasn't prepared for is that the formal dress code ALSO applies to the Kings Court restaurants -- although it is not strictly 'enforced' (ie they graciously welcomed me into the Carvery with jeans on...). If you don't want to get dressed up on a formal night, you're only officially casual dress option for dinner is room service.

Crouton

[cruisr]

Hi,

I too was surprised on my 4-16 cruise how DRESSY people were, even on the optional formal/informal night.

We dined 4 nts in the alternates and my 13 year old was not happy that I made him wear his tuxedo and suit when we were not in the Brittania dining room. All around us in the alternates people were dressed up except one couple who were in casual (polo type shirts & khakis)

I find it fun to dress up and was very impressed with the gowns on the QM2

Bon voyage

[jonmar]

So are you saying that if my wife and I aren't dressed up, suit or tux most nights we'll stick out like sore thumbs? Casino, bar, pub etc, people were dressed up in all these areas?

[jonmar]

Just sound ridiculous to dress up, while eating in a buffet restaurant.

[Guest]

The QM2 seems dressy, there are plenty of ships where you can wear jeans to your hearts content, why not try a NCL ship? or a Princess cruise, I saw lots of casually dressed passengers on the Golden. I would think you would stick out like a sore thumb dressed down on a formal night on QM2.

[KTW35]

"why not try a NCL ship? or a Princess cruise" Because they wanted to sail on the QM2. I; The "Devil's Advocate"; must agree.

[cruisr]

Hi,

Just wanted to clarify- Kings COurt IS NOT buffet at dinner. It is a wonderful sit down dining experience where you make your reservations for either Italian (La Piazza) Asian (Lotus) or Beef, Steaks, CHops, etc (The Carvery) The food and service are incredible. The Italian was my favorite and we dined there 2x. The only self service is the wonderful antipasto bar that you can help yourself to for the Italian restaurant.

There is a sommelier there for wine and bar service. The lights are low and the table look beautiful. It is really a lovely experience.

People did tend to stay dressed for the evening but some did change BUT I never saw jeans at night anywhere.

Hope this helps.
Bon voyage

[imacruizer]

Hi Jonmar,
I'm glad that Cruisr explained the Kings Court dining option for the evening. One of the reasons many people choose Cunard is to experience the formal evenings that seem to be slowly disappearing from other cruise lines. The transatlantic crossings are probably the most formal cruises. After dinner, most guests remain formally dressed for the remainder of the evening. If you do not want to follow the dress code for the evening, the only dining choice on the QM2 is room service. I would encourage you to experience the transatlantic crossing and the formal evenings. You might be surprised at how much you enjoy it. However, if you really do not want to dress formally, I think you might be happier on another cruiseline.

[Crouton]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>If you do not want to follow the dress code for the evening, the only dining choice on the QM2 is room service. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> This is not entirely accurate, and the Cunard policy is subtle and reads something like "Tonight's dress is formal. Dress codes will be enforced in the Queens, Princess, and Britannia dining rooms."

What this means that you can show up in jeans at one of the four Kings Court restaurants and they will let you in -- even though the dress codes is technically "formal". (ie. it will not be 'enforced'.) I did this twice, and it was ulimately no big deal. When the waiters saw that I felt a little awkward, they took pains to welcome me and reassure me that it was fine.

Crouton

[jonmar]

For fear of sounding like the trailer trash of the board, I would like to clarify. I did not say that I didn't want to dress up, just not every night. I have now read several post on here and spoke with Cunard themselves. A couple formal night, no problem. My original concern was having to wear a tuxedo or suit every night. Since this is not the case, I booked a Balcony suite for my wife and I. Thanks to all that responded helpfully.