dgs1956

The doors are already open. I've already said that on my recent Britannia cruise that a number of people were allowed in the MDR wearing shorts although not on Formal Nights. Shorts were also allowed in every bar and in the Crystal Room as were t-shirts. That was my point, why have a rule if they are not going to enforce it.

For some people Smart Casual is a bit of a vague concept and some just push the boundaries but when you see an older woman wearing a baggy logo t-shirt, wrinkled 3/4 shorts and rubber flip-flops for a Formal Night then there is little doubt it is taking the proverbial.

I agree entirely and that was that's the point I was making as well. Why have a rule if they are just going to let people ignore them and not enforce them? I don't agree with wearing shorts in the MDR but they were nowhere near as bad as how some, mainly women, were dressed.

That's a fairly accurate comparison but probably best renamed as Club 38-50. We had one woman going about hiding plastic ducks for people to find. The significance of that was lost on me.

Like yourself I don't judge by what people are wearing but sadly my "shorts and flip flops" comment was my attempt at being diplomatic. As I say, we ballroom dance and the Crystal Room is a very good venue and on two Formal evenings we had to watch two different very drunk women dancing about on the floor who completely out of it only for it to be followed up by a quiz and Karaoke. We had the unique of experience of doing a Jive while a woman was dancing with a chair. What amazes me was that she was so beautifully dressed and made up but was out of it by 7.30.

We came home yesterday from our Caribbean cruise on Britannia, and we had a great time. We booked Premium seats and thought them well worth it especially when some passengers were taking almost 2 hours to check in. All in all, the cruise was much as expected with very good food, theatre was good etc etc. I've argued in favour of formal Nights many times but having just got back from our Caribbean cruise on Britanna yesterday I have to admit to a complete change of mind. The majority did appear to be adhering to the dress code but apart from the MDRs only the Crows Nest insisted on Formal Dress and even that was a bit lax. Whilst men were turned away from the Oriental if not wearing Black Tie, the women were a completely different kettle of fish with flip flops, shorts etc. We Ballroom Dance and love the Crystal Room but on Formal Nights the dancing finished at 9.15 to make way for a quiz and Karaoke. Without knocking either activity I really felt overdressed sitting there amongst people wearing shorts and t-shirts and I really question if these are suitable activities for a Formal Night. We thought the food was very good but no different on a Formal Night apart from the addition of an amuse-bouche. For me, it's time Formal Nights are ditched completely. I sound like a bit of a snob but the dress code for some people on Smart Casual Nights was not great and some looked like they'd come straight off the beach. Shorts (Tailored or not) and T-Shirts were allowed in the MDR and also in any bar. Why do P&O have a dress code if they don't adhere to it? I'm not against tailored shorts btw. I've read several comments on this Forum that P&O are aiming for a different market and to be honest I have been annoyed by these comments but again I have to admit to being wrong. P&O are definitely aiming at a different market and there is a substantial change now from even a few years ago. I'm not sure about "Butlins at Sea" but maybe more a "Party Ship". One thing that really did bug me was the sunbed stramash. Look for a sunbed after 8am and you had little chance. The Serenity Pool was all booked up by 7 am. The use of "Blue" towels was out of control with many people using two each and some 3 or 4. A lot of people just left them on the sunbeds and some even left them on the beach when finished with. It is difficult for me to be so negative as I'm a very loyal P&O customer and I've no doubt there will be plenty of people disagree with me and I do appreciate that the majority will have had a great time as we did to, but it is time that P&O stopped portraying these cruises as being upmarket. At the end of the day, would I go on another cruise with P&O? Yes, I definitely would but hopefully by then the Formal Nights will be no more.

Very well said. Excellent post.

Its 2 days before the ship departure according to the P&O website but I think its 2 days before you board. Its Caribbean cruises only.

Its only Caribbean cruises as far as I know,

They are sending emails to everyone booked after 10 November to make a refund. I've done that and re-booked with Lloyds

I was being polite. I choose your post because I was replying to a comment you made to me but sorry for upsetting you.

I agree the tiny minority is now a very small minority.

I've been reading the same stuff on this Forum by a small number of people for years as how things are changing blah! blah! and Formal will be done away with. It's still not happened. I couldn't care less what people wear and I don't understand why people have to make derogatory comments about those that want to dress up. Just accept that Formal isn't going to be done away with and enjoy your cruise.

Thanks. I assume you book a table with a number of other guests rather than a table for one.

Thank you. I'll give it a go.

We're on a Select Fare and chose Freedom as usual. Have you actually changed from Freedom to Club for 2? The cruise personaliser gives you that option but I don't think it's that simple.

Thanks. Probably best to stick with Freedom as we normally do.

Thanks. I pretty much thought that but I did wonder if having Freedom Dining would have helped.

We have Freedom Dining on our forthcoming cruise on Britannia but we were wondering what the chances were of changing it for a table for 2 in Club Dining First Sitting. Can anyone tell me if they know from experience if its possible to have that guaranteed?

Its certainly been more balanced than it used to be when both sides to the argument came out with excessively aggressive comments. I keep saying we're all entitled to an opinion and we should be able to express that in a reasonable manner. Thankfully that has been the case this time round. Personally, I am in favour of the dress code as it is. There used to be an additional level of "semi-formal" that meant wearing a jacket and I was really pleased when that level was dropped.

.... or maybe they just realise it is a boring and worn-out discussion and have left it to the small number of people that keep knocking away with the feint hope that P&O will introduce a dress code that will require us to wear t-shirts, shorts and flip-flops.

I think that's probably correct, at least that's my impression. I think P&O have decided to do that on the the two newer ships.

"Head in the sand" ? There is no need to try and be derogatory, everyone is entitled to an opinion. I've cruised with P&O for years and been on these Forums for years and the "dress code" topic pops up regularly with the same comments and the same non-conclusion. The small minority of people that want casual dress live in hope.

That's why I made the point about selecting a cruise line that suits you. There are plenty of people who think its not old fashioned as you put it. I absolutely understand why people don't want to dress up so why book on P&O?

......... or kilt of course.