jerrymanos

I don't have formal night photos because Lady Kathryn is very camera shy, but I happened to be looking at youtube Cunard ballroom videos one day and was very surprised to find a video that included the two of us dancing. We are the fourth couple to show up on this video - and also the last. Lady Kathryn is the platinum blonde in the black and white dress and I am the guy with the dark hair and the beard.

This video is a couple of years old, but is representative of what one sees on Cunard for formal night.

Jerry of Jerry and Lady Kathryn

I actually wear white tie and tails on many formal nights. My wife always wears long, beautiful formal gowns, and she likes my tuxedos, so that's what I wear.

Jerry of Jerry and Lady Kathryn

I have stated on these boards before that I believe Celebrity is not only trying to attract younger passengers but is also trying to discourage older passengers.

My wife and I love to dance, but were finding it hard to do couples dancing to the music late one evening because of the type of music that they were playing. I had heard that same band do a song that my wife loves and I requested that song. Right after I asked, a young lady about 10 years old also requested a song. Her song was the next one that they played and they never got to the one that I requested for the rest of that set, so we left.

It is relevant to explain that it was about 11:30 pm. I would expect 10-year- olds to be asleep at that hour, so it was my assumption that Celebrity staff have been told to cater to the youngest passenger that they can, regardless of venue. That would also explain their not worrying about what older passengers think of 5-year-olds in their best restaurants.

I believe now that "Modern Luxury" means "Eschew Elegance & Eliminate Elder Excursionists", which is fine because I still have Cunard and Crystal and am willing to pay for them. In the long run, Celebrity will have what they are targeting -- a younger average age for their customers.

I have only one more X cruise reserved and it will probably be my last with them. Jerry of Jerry and Lady Kathryn

OP,

I think that you are a little early on hoping for a younger mix of passengers. We are in our 60's and Celebrity was our favorite line until the recent changes. I believe that X is actively trying to court younger passengers and actively trying to disinvite older passengers with the changes in music, food, and dress codes. They know that younger passengers would rather cruise with people their own age and that you are their future, so they really don't want my age group to continue taking up valuable space that is planned for their target demographic. It also means that the perks that the previously loyal customers received will not have to be honored. That helps the bottom line, too.

I hope that I don't sound bitter. I'm over that and it's just my humble opinion.

The bottom line is that it could take a few years for their plan to work. Then they can advertise that the average age of their clients has dropped, and people like you will be more comfortable with this cruise line. Happy sailing, Jerry of Jerry and Lady Kathryn

Lady Kathryn and I just found some great deals on Cunard on back-to-back trans-Atlantics aboard the Queen Mary 2. We will have at least 5 formal nights and that will be great for us. 17 straight nights of great dancing, with elegantly dressed passengers and for some of us, real formal wear that is comfortable, too. We love the formality of Cunard and the ride of the QM 2 in the north Atlantic.

We used to enjoy Celebrity a lot, but we now prefer Cunard and Crystal. With the new dress code on Celebrity and their style of music, things are not what I was used to. They obviously are targeting a younger demographic than myself. I used to think that they were just trying to attract additional younger clients, but I now think that they are trying to disinvite older clients that have previously been their mainstay. If they can chase people in my age group off, then it will be easier to market to younger cruisers by being known as a cruise line with a younger average age.

Looking forward to dressing up for a couple of weeks, Jerry of Jerry and Lady Kathryn

I have not traveled with Celebrity since I was on the Solstice and did not like their music or the fact that they had pre-dinner dancing in the main stair landing. I just saw an itinerary for an Alaska cruise in May on the Millenium. Are the musicians in the Rendezvous Lounge playing couples dancing music or are they playing mostly music that does not require partner contact? My wife and I love to dance, but do not enjoy standing in one place doing rhythmic bobbing. If that's the type of music that they will play, then I'll just plan another cruise line. Our last few cruises have been on Cunard and Crystal because we love the dancing and the overall feel of the experience, but this time we're traveling to Alaska to visit friends near Anchorage.

The pattern on the Solstice was that they would play some good partner contact dance music for a short while and then switch to music where no partner contact was expected. I was wondering if that's what all Celebrity ships are like now.

Thanks for the information. Jerry of Jerry and Lady Kathryn

OP, Slugsta and Porthopper,

I want to thank you for your kind words. I guess some people don't enjoy dressing up so much, but it's nice to know that we're not the only ones who appreciate it on cruises. We really have no opportunities to dress formally where we live. Lady Kathryn has 5 or 6 formals and I own 3 tuxedos. On some cruises I wear my white tie and tails. I find it as comfortable as slacks and a sport coat anyway. I make sure that my clothes are tailored so that I am not uncomfortable when I dress up. Alterations don't seem that expensive in the grand scheme and since we enjoy dancing, it's important to me to be able to move comfortably.

Porthopper,

I hope to meet you on a future cruise also. We do enjoy the Queens. We have not done a world cruise, but we have enjoyed the Panama Canal, a Caribbean, and several transAtlantics on Cunard.

Regards, Jerry of Jerry and Lady Kathryn

I miss the idea of formal nights on most cruise lines. One of the main reasons that my wife and I choose Cunard is the elegance of formal wear. We are going on Crystal on our next cruise and I will still take a tux for black tie optional night -- even on a seven night cruise. I know that comfort and casual attire is now what the majority of people seem to strive for, but I believe that there is still a place for formality in style. I just know that if more people could see how spectacular my wife looks in her formals, they would appreciate formal nights much more. I certainly do. I always tell people to just imagine a tall, slender, beautiful, graceful, elegant, platinum blonde in her formal. It just doesn't get much better than that. To top it all off, she is also an amazing dancer. It's certainly worth it to me to carry 5 extra pounds of luggage for the privilege of spending an evening with such an extraordinary woman wearing her finest.

Jerry of Jerry and Lady Kathryn

Rob,

Thank you very much for the lovely video. It brought back great memories as we disembarked in New York City just before your transatlantic. The ship was wonderful for the Panama Canal segment.

Hope to cruise on the Queen Victoria again soon.

Thanks again, Jerry of Jerry and Lady Kathryn

I have never performed your new role, but I would imagine that it takes more courage, tact and patience than I could muster. Thank you for volunteering to help everyone who reads these threads.

Jerry of Jerry and Lady Kathryn

My wife needs to have an acrylic fill done on her nails and may not have time before our cruise next week on the Queen Victoria. She would like to know if they work with acrylics on the ship.

Thanks for the input. Jerry of Jerry and Lady Kathryn

I have found that it depends on the cruise length and type of cruise. I am starting 2 weeks early for this next cruise because my wife and I have lost some weight. Some of the clothes are too large and will require some altering. That can take some time. It also means that we will have to do some shopping before we leave.

It's all part of the fun of anticipating the trip.

Jerry of Jerry and Lady Kathryn

Simply stated, "My most sincere thanks for posting this."

Jerry of Jerry and Lady Kathryn

Good Morning Ladies,

I just ordered a dress for our anniversary cruise in Nov. and need help on the accessories, shoes jewelry etc.

 

Hopefully this link works.

 

http://www.aliexpress.com/item/Fast-Delivery-Grace-Karin-New-Blue-Layers-Designer-Sheath-Long-Evening-Prom-Dress-CL4654/1418219295.html

 

Thanks in advance ladies,

Gerry

Gerry,

I know that you only asked for advice from the ladies, but I hope that you won't mind a comment from the coarser half of the world. I am a man who cares about cruise clothing and I enjoy helping my wife shop for cruise wear. Anyway, my arbitrary comment is, "If you wear that dress, I can't imagine that anyone will even notice shoes, jewelry, or accessories." It's beautiful. I'm sure that you and your husband will really enjoy your anniversary cruise.

Jerry of Jerry and Lady Kathryn

You both look fantastic! I especially love the Lady's gown, that sparkling draped fabric really makes that dress. Gorgeous.

 

Lorie

Lorie,

I love that dress also. This formal night on Cunard was the "Black and White Ball", so it is obviously the perfect formal for the theme. Lady Kathryn always looks so elegant, graceful and stylish in her formals. If for no other reason, she is enough of an argument (for me) for retaining formal nights on any cruise that I am on.

Jerry of Jerry and Lady Kathryn

I have sailed 3 times on Cunard inside cabins. Temperature control via the thermostat was very good. I would not hesitate to book another inside cabin in the future.

Jerry of Jerry and Lady Kathryn

Japke,

I really enjoyed your review. DW and I will be on the Queen Victoria from Los Angeles to New York City. We board in about a month, so your review is very timely. You mentioned that you were on the Queen Elizabeth in January. Was that the first leg of the world cruise that left Southampton around January 10, 2014? If so, we were your shipmates. It was a very enjoyable cruise for us. That is the reason that we booked on the Queen Victoria this year. Last year we took the Queen Mary 2 to Southampton and boarded the Queen Elizabeth immediately for a return transatlantic through New York City to Ft. Lauderdale.

We love to dance, so the large ballrooms are very exciting for us. We also met some really nice people on that trip. Your review gives me great hope and anticipation that our cruise on the Queen Victoria will be as perfect as our trip on the Queen Elizabeth.

Thanks again, Jerry of Jerry and Lady Kathryn

FYI the contact information is not always 100% correct. Durring last year's QV World Voyage, someone that posts on this site needed to us the contact number and it was not the correct number. Luckily their group made it back to the ship just i time.

 

Don

So, how would one deal with this? I will be on the Queen Victoria. Does it make sense to go to guest relations at every port and confirm the published phone number? I would hate to be a pest if it's not necessary. Has anyone else ever experienced an incorrect number? Thanks for your time.

Jerry of Jerry and Lady Kathryn

I always tear that bit out and put it in my wallet.

Well, that surely solves my issue. I feel a little stupid. It's embarrassing to realize that one is smarter when he is asleep than when he is awake. I never thought about this issue while awake, and I have been on about 20 cruises.

Thank you very much for your input and happy cruising.

Jerry of Jerry and Lady Kathryn

I had a strange dream the other night that I was on a cruise docked in Hong Kong on a private excursion and could not get back to the ship on time for sail away. It got me thinking the next morning about how I would call the boat should that really happen. I have never thought to have the cruise company's number with me on excursions. Does the Cunard seapass card have that information on it? We will be on the Queen Victoria in April. I wouldn't want that to miss a sailing time, but I also wouldn't want people on board having to deal with the situation of not knowing where I was and wondering if I was on my way back.

Most of the time we take the cruise-ship-sponsored excursions, so it's not an issue, but we have taken private excursions also. Does anyone have any experiences with this? I'm glad that I thought of this from a dream and not real life.

Jerry of Jerry and Lady Kathryn

I really appreciated the license plate. Very cool! I'm 63 and looking forward to an April cruise in 40 days on Cunard through the Panama Canal.

Happy Cruising, Jerry of Jerry and Lady Kathryn

Funny that you should post this now. I just finished watching an old Love Boat episode. The thing that I like most is seeing some of the old stars that did guest appearances.

The black tuxedos look pretty much as they do now, but the men wore gigantic black bow ties then.

I agree that the short stories are mostly lame, but as you stated, it's about fun. That's the whole reason that I cruise is the fun. Life doesn't always have to be serious and totally realistic. I worked at a serious job my whole career so that I could cruise and sometimes have frivolous, elegant, fun times. Next one is in April on the Queen Victoria through the Panama Canal.

Can't wait.

My DW doesn't watch the show with me, but then again, I generally enjoy cruising more than she does, so it makes sense.

It's nice to know that I'm not the only one who enjoys these old shows.

Jerry of Jerry and Lady Kathryn

Great looking couple.:)

I watched the whole thing and, lo and behold, saw a couple that was on the same cruise we were on in Oct.:D

Thank you for your kind words. We don't get to dress elegantly at home, so we enjoy formal nights on cruises. I guess that in today's world I'm just old fashioned, but I'm glad that at least on some cruise lines it's still okay to wear formal attire. I have been told that my white tie and tails are inappropriate for cruise ship attire even on formal nights. I just want to dress in a way that doesn't embarrass Lady Kathryn. I'm hoping that she will tell me if I'm too cartoonish for modern dress by dressing too formally. When she says that, I will go to wearing my regular suits.

Jerry of Jerry and Lady Kathryn

I know that some people believe that chocolates are not very important, but in my case, they're currently significant. While on board I hardly ever ate the chocolates because X always fed me very well. I would stash them and bring them home. Then I would have one every few weeks for a snack as an enjoyable reminder of the great cruising experience. My last cruise was with X in June, so....... no chocolates. My cruise before that was with Cunard last January. A couple of months ago I found my stash of chocolates from Cunard. They still tasted good. It started me thinking about booking another cruise. I now have a cruise scheduled in April on the Queen Victoria.

I'm not saying that the chocolates are the only reason that I booked with Cunard this time, but it was the chocolates that precipitated the idea to look for another cruise. Reading Cruise Critic and eating Cunard chocolates are fun ways to happily anticipate my 19 day upcoming cruise.

So, in my case, Cunard is getting their money's worth in advertising by including the chocolates on my pillow at night.

Jerry of Jerry and Lady Kathryn

Hello all.

Last January, DW and I sailed on the Queen Elizabeth from Southampton to Ft. Lauderdale. It was a really wonderful trip. Part of what made it wonderful were the great people that we met on board. We are from the USA. It seems that just about everyone that we met on board was from the U.K. Every single person that we met from the U.K. was interesting, kind, gracious, warm, and very polite. We have cruised quite a bit, but I have never enjoyed a group of people so much on other cruises.

We will be on the Queen Victoria this April through the Panama Canal ending up in New York City. Is there any way to find out how many people will be on that leg of the world cruise from the U.K.? I assume that it would be hard to find that out, but if I could know, it would just be something else to look forward to in addition to the Cunard experience. That last Cunard trip just made me want to spend more time with U.K. passengers. Jerry of Jerry and Lady Kathryn