DRG-Mobile

Not the ones I usually want to be on. Indeed, it’s one of the reasons our first Holland America was probably our last and why we were going to try Celebrity but heard bad reviews from folks who have taken them recently and now won’t. People should understand what they are buying into and act accordingly. Or choose something else.

I carry a selection of what I would need for a few days in case the luggage doesn’t arrive. So if I am bringing a tux, a suit, and a couple of jackets, a few pairs of khakis, shorts, etc, I’ll have at least one pair of nice pants, a jacket, a couple of pairs of shorts, couple of bathing suits etc. So if my luggage does get lost, I’m not sitting in a dining room in a pair of shorts and a t-shirt looking like somebody who doesn’t know how to travel.

I disagree. You know the luggage could be lost. You should have consideration for the people who are paying for the experience and prepared to comply. Or cruise elsewhere.

It sounds like you should travel on cruise lines that don’t have dress expectations.

Then you should take cruises where those items are not expected during the cruise.

Of course, but I don’t see it as an excuse to wear whatever one wants. We pack with risk in mind. We check a bag but also have a carry on with one jacket, some khakis, a couple of collared shirts, one bathing suit, a couple of pairs of shorts, t-shirts etc.. in case the luggage doesn’t arrive. And since we would never fly in to arrive the day of departure, there is always time to buy a few things. Travel insurance (and in Canada the rules on lost baggage carrier obligations) will reimburse for some of the costs. Last year our luggage was delayed on a flight into Croatia. We were leaving on a sailboat in three days. Due to the carrier’s horrendous communications, we had no idea that the luggage would join us in time so we went out on day 2 and bought bathing suits, tank tops and some sandals. Air Canada’s obligation was $400 per person so we were completely reimbursed.

I guess it all depends on what you're going for. "Staff didn't turn me away," is not the standard we go for. On the QM2 holiday cruise last year there was a guy who wore sunglasses on his head every night at dinner. Staff didn't say anything but we all certainly did!

Agreed. The fact that the reference to "non-ripped jeans" is included in the section on where you can eat casually ("Feel free to dress casually as you visit any of the following venues: Kings Court, Lido Buffet (Including Al Fresco), Golden Lion, Casino, Carinthia Lounge, Winter Garden, Garden Lounge, Yacht Club, and G32. Non-ripped, jeans are appropriate") means to me that they are NOT welcome in the main dining rooms.

"Unlikely to be turned away" is not the criteria I would use in evaluating what to wear. One thing I've heard fairly consistently from the Cunard travellers that we have travelled with is how much they appreciate that the line has maintained some standards of dress. I saw somebody turned away for wearing shorts in the evening in one of the alternate theme restaurant spaces on the QM2 holiday cruise last December/January. We cheered that. I don't recall ever seeing somebody wear jeans in the dining room. Conversely, anything seems to go on Holland America or Celebrity these days, which is one of the reasons we prefer Cunard.