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7 minutes ago, PORT ROYAL said:

This appears to be de rigueur for Formal nights on some cruise lines.

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. 

1 hour ago, Dermotsgirl said:

Seriously?

 

You carry clothes in your hand luggage to cover every possible situation onboard, on the off chance that your luggage is lost?

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.

1 minute ago, Victoria2 said:

Rubbish.

 

If luggage fails to arrive [in time], consideration should be expected and given to the lack of clothes, formal or not.

 

There isn't a cat in hell's chance I'd have add a carry on suit carrier to any flight baggage and I speak as one who has max allowance on any flights we took/take.

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. 

31 minutes ago, Windsurfboy said:

I pack with risk in mind but it's casual comfortable and light,  but that wouldn't  cover a formal night, and I'm not I to rental clothes. I don't want hand luggage that weighs as much as a suitcase. Nor do I want the bother of a suit carrier, yes I know  they will hang them up. So no lessons thank you about be prepared and pack kitchen sink in hand luggage. 

 

As you can't control if your luggage is delayed it can't be seen as a strategy to dodge dress code never mind what the unsympathetic dress code fanatics say. 

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

3 minutes ago, Blokie said:

 

Absolutely.  If I'm taking "risk" clothes with me for an Alaskan cruise, the top of my list to carry-on is definitely not going to be a suit or tuxedo! 🙂

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

17 minutes ago, Windsurfboy said:

 

Agree, but also, if my luggage was lost , I'd appreciate some flexibility.  I would be most annoyed if I  was  told had to eat in the non dress code part of ship. 

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.

On 7/8/2024 at 8:45 PM, WantedOnVoyage said:

The reality is: we care more about the "dress code" than anyone at Cunard ashore or afloat.  During three plus week aboard QUEEN VICTORIA in May there was NO effort at enforcement of it by any staff member, in any public venue. None.  Shorts and tees during Gala Nights. Not common but not exceptional, either. Indeed, I saw passengers so attired in the company of cruise staff. 

 

"Hey Guys"... Cunard doesn't care about their dress code. Or those of us who do. 

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!

On 7/7/2024 at 3:13 PM, King Amo said:

It's not 100% clear in their language (as it could be interpreted in two ways), but it's generally understood that non-ripped jeans are only allowed in the casual spots, like the buffet, Golden Lion etc. Safer to go with smarter trousers. 

 

Also, not wanting to be appear to be a pedant, but it's useful for the understanding/interpretation, the non-formal nights are 'smart attire' not 'smart casual'. 

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.

On 7/7/2024 at 3:44 PM, D&N said:

The dress code suggestion in the daily programme specifically mentions jeans every night as being acceptable in certain casual venues: "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 Pub, Casino, Carinthia Lounge, and G32. Please note that non-ripped jeans are appropriate,...".

It doesn't specify them for the "Smart attire" code, but I think it's unlikely that the outfit you describe would be turned away from other venues, assuming the jeans concerned are not ripped, dirty or overly faded.

"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.