wombatsoup Posted April 10, 2017 #1 Share Posted April 10, 2017 The biggest part of my forthcoming P&O cruise that I'm fearing are the 4 "black tie" nights. I don't own a suit, and the last time I wore a tux was back in 2005 at the world premiere of the Peter Jackon's King Kong. Since then I've been very much smart casual, but I don't wear ties and I dislike jackets. Are there alternative dining options during those nights where formal attire is required? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mika6617 Posted April 10, 2017 #2 Share Posted April 10, 2017 The biggest part of my forthcoming P&O cruise that I'm fearing are the 4 "black tie" nights. I don't own a suit, and the last time I wore a tux was back in 2005 at the world premiere of the Peter Jackon's King Kong. Since then I've been very much smart casual, but I don't wear ties and I dislike jackets. Are there alternative dining options during those nights where formal attire is required? Hi, the answer is yes! On formal nights those who do not wish to participate in formal attire often dine in the buffet area. Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wombatsoup Posted April 10, 2017 Author #3 Share Posted April 10, 2017 (edited) Hi, the answer is yes! On formal nights those who do not wish to participate in formal attire often dine in the buffet area. Thanks, Mika6617. I thought that might possibly be an option (or alternatively room service). Will have to think. I remembered that I hired my tux last time, so I may look into that option this time. Martyn Edited April 10, 2017 by wombatsoup Corrected username, because I'm an idiot - sorry :\ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mika6617 Posted April 10, 2017 #4 Share Posted April 10, 2017 Thanks, Mika6617. I thought that might possibly be an option (or alternatively room service). Will have to think. I remembered that I hired my tux last time, so I may look into that option this time. Martyn No problem, I must admit that although I wear a tux myself, after the third wear I'm a bit 'formalled' out if you know what I mean? Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boycie Posted April 10, 2017 #5 Share Posted April 10, 2017 yes you can use the buffet ,but some areas of the ship will not serve you unless you are dressed formally, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davecttr Posted April 10, 2017 #6 Share Posted April 10, 2017 The buffet is not formal, just the normal evening casual. the Beachhouse is as well as was the Glasshouse last time I was on Ventura, despite P&O saying it was formal. The theatre and show lounge, a number of bars and the casino are evening casual as well. You will be OK, just enjoy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smj777 Posted April 10, 2017 #7 Share Posted April 10, 2017 If you get to a M&S you can buy a dinner jacket and trousers, shirt and dickie bow for about £75. that'll last for many cruises, premiers etc. If you are with your wife/girlfriend she will love the chance to glam up. And she'll think that you look extremely handsome too. Go for it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Florry Posted April 10, 2017 #8 Share Posted April 10, 2017 The biggest part of my forthcoming P&O cruise that I'm fearing are the 4 "black tie" nights. I don't own a suit, and the last time I wore a tux was back in 2005 at the world premiere of the Peter Jackon's King Kong. Since then I've been very much smart casual, but I don't wear ties and I dislike jackets. Are there alternative dining options during those nights where formal attire is required? Love the name [emoji23] I used to love the whole formal thing but as the years go by both my husband and I become increasing fed up of it - the novelty has well and truly worn off. I'm going to be honest, on recent cruises the buffet quality has been in a terminal decline, but it's doable for a few nights. What ship are you on? If it's Britannia I believe the Limelight Club is Evening Casual - great because you don't have to bother with formal in the restaurant or after dinner because you have your meal and entertainment in one venue. I believe the charge is approx £22pp. As mentioned the Beach House is another option. I'm sure at least one bar will accommodate a casual code too. We have found room service surprisingly good and a couple of times on our last cruise we're happy to catch up with TV we downloaded onto a memory stick and eat in the cabin. I know that some would regard this as crazy but we like to relax on holiday and do as the mood takes us. Hope that helps - you know what you like and what you don't so don't feel pressured to conform unless it's your choice. I would add though that if we choose not to 'go formal' we do respect the code around the ship and avoid areas where it is being observed. Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davenew Posted April 11, 2017 #9 Share Posted April 11, 2017 No problem, I must admit that although I wear a tux myself, after the third wear I'm a bit 'formalled' out if you know what I mean? Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk I tend to agree. I wear a tux frequently during the year, and whilst I support it on the ships, after the third, I have had enough, especially in high summer. I have just seen that our up and coming 17 nighter on Ventura, has FIVE, so we will be looking for an escape route at some point as well, after all, we are on holiday :D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mika6617 Posted April 11, 2017 #10 Share Posted April 11, 2017 I tend to agree.I wear a tux frequently during the year, and whilst I support it on the ships, after the third, I have had enough, especially in high summer. I have just seen that our up and coming 17 nighter on Ventura, has FIVE, so we will be looking for an escape route at some point as well, after all, we are on holiday :D Five eh? Two too many there I think. For me it's a change to wear a tux as normally I don't in 'normal' life but you find the novelty soon wears off especially when you notice that more and more people on board these days tend not to bother by the second week. Still there's always options I guess. Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mickey89 Posted April 11, 2017 #11 Share Posted April 11, 2017 I can understand many people's frustration with 2 Black Tie events every week, that is OTT. As said your option is Buffet but also the Beach House is casual on formal evenings. If you are going on Britannia then another option is the Limelight Club which again is casual for all evenings. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dgs1956 Posted April 11, 2017 #12 Share Posted April 11, 2017 Everyone is entitled to an opinion and mine is that two Formal Nights a week is entirely fine. There are plenty of other cruise lines that don't enforce Formal Dress and anyone who isn't happy with Formal Nights should really consider them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ergates The Ant Posted April 11, 2017 #13 Share Posted April 11, 2017 My other half hates dressing up, so we do end up in the buffet on formal nights, ( with me in my posh frock!) One gripe I have with P and O is that the buffet is often themed in the evening, so if you don't like curry or Mexican or whatever is on offer, there is not a lot of alternative choice. If you do decide to splash out on a tux for emergencies, check out Matalan, they were much cheaper than M and S, it's possible Asda, Sainsburys and Tesco may have them in their on line stores. Probably cheaper than renting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnnieC Posted April 11, 2017 #14 Share Posted April 11, 2017 Everyone is entitled to an opinion and mine is that two Formal Nights a week is entirely fine. There are plenty of other cruise lines that don't enforce Formal Dress and anyone who isn't happy with Formal Nights should really consider them. There are not "plenty of other cruise lines that don't enforce formal dress" sailing from Southampton, though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Florry Posted April 11, 2017 #15 Share Posted April 11, 2017 Everyone is entitled to an opinion and mine is that two Formal Nights a week is entirely fine. There are plenty of other cruise lines that don't enforce Formal Dress and anyone who isn't happy with Formal Nights should really consider them. OR alternatively people who don't want to wear formal on both nights can just use one of the alternative dining options as opposed to another line. That's why there are code choices. Isn't everyone happy then? Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wombatsoup Posted April 11, 2017 Author #16 Share Posted April 11, 2017 Thanks everyone! I may hire a suit for the two weeks I'm aboard the Arcadia. Gives me options, and should be cheaper. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dgs1956 Posted April 11, 2017 #17 Share Posted April 11, 2017 OR alternatively people who don't want to wear formal on both nights can just use one of the alternative dining options as opposed to another line. That's why there are code choices. Isn't everyone happy then? Sent from my iPhone using Forums Absolutely agree. Everyone should be happy.The point I was making is that P&O do have 2 Formals a week and you should know that when you book and they do offer alternative dining options so it is a matter of choice what you do. I have no problem whatsoever with that. I love Formal Nights and I get fed up reading about people moaning about them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wowzz Posted April 11, 2017 #18 Share Posted April 11, 2017 I don't think 2 formal nights is OTT at all. If you are going to the trouble of packing your glad rags, you need to know that they will get some use. If there was only one formal night, lots of folks would probably decide that it would not be worth the hassle of packing their finery. Don't forget that formal nights are a big revenue stream for P&O - people will tend to splash out on better bottles of wine, more drinks pre and post dinner, plus the ubiquitous photographs. It is therefore in P&O's interests to maximise the number of formal nights, within reason. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Presto2 Posted April 11, 2017 #19 Share Posted April 11, 2017 5 formal for a 17 day on Ventura. We are doing this in August. Just as well we aren't flying ... Sent from my SM-T310 using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davenew Posted April 11, 2017 #20 Share Posted April 11, 2017 Thanks everyone! I may hire a suit for the two weeks I'm aboard the Arcadia. Gives me options, and should be cheaper. Go online with M&S. Its cheaper than hiring for two weeks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davenew Posted April 11, 2017 #21 Share Posted April 11, 2017 Absolutely agree. Everyone should be happy.The point I was making is that P&O do have 2 Formals a week and you should know that when you book and they do offer alternative dining options so it is a matter of choice what you do. I have no problem whatsoever with that. I love Formal Nights and I get fed up reading about people moaning about them. Just to clarify my point, I am not moaning, I participate in formal nights, but in the height of summer it can be a little uncomfortable, and as I attend a lot of tux do's throughout the year, I will choose not to attend all 5 on my 17 nighter on Ventura. As stated, formal nights are purely revenue generators for the cruise line. What I will moan about is that having taken the trouble, they let people in the main dining room people that are clearly violating the dress code for that evening. I wouldn't dream of trying to get in wearing jeans and a tee shirt, but those that do clearly get away with it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davenew Posted April 11, 2017 #22 Share Posted April 11, 2017 OR alternatively people who don't want to wear formal on both nights can just use one of the alternative dining options as opposed to another line. That's why there are code choices. Isn't everyone happy then? Sent from my iPhone using Forums Well said Florry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davenew Posted April 11, 2017 #23 Share Posted April 11, 2017 5 formal for a 17 day on Ventura. We are doing this in August. Just as well we aren't flying ... Sent from my SM-T310 using Forums mobile app I think that is the same cruise we are doing:cool: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pidgeofcdf Posted April 11, 2017 #24 Share Posted April 11, 2017 We have 4 on a 12 night cruise on Britannia, too excessive I felt, 3 would have been appropriate. I will do all 4 if they are on the sea days but if 1 is on a port day I won't be. Beach house or room service will be my alternative dining option, I've had no problem going to live lounge and crows nest not dressed formally on previous cruises. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cahpek Posted April 11, 2017 #25 Share Posted April 11, 2017 (edited) Hi, the answer is yes! On formal nights those who do not wish to participate in formal attire often dine in the buffet area. Sent from my Moto G (4) using Tapatalk You could go to the buffet area, but depending on which ship you are going, the buffet could be very poor. At least, the MDR could be "hit and miss" (on formal nights, the MDR cuisine standard does not necessarily always match up to the level of the dress code). We had bad experiences especially with the buffet recently on the Ventura - that was probably the worst buffet cuisine we have had on our 10 cruises. The buffet dinner was so bad that after taking the food, we tasted it and we simply could not swallow any more . We just left it and walked off.( This has been discussed extensively in other P&O threads, so will not go on any more here). So, really, going to the buffet is not always a proper alternative. Edited April 11, 2017 by Cahpek Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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