New Dress Code Designations?

I think it’s fairly implied that someone showing up in military evening dress uniform in the US or the equivalent British mess dress, which would be appropriate at a black or white tie event on land, would be more than welcomed into the dining room.

I'll buy that. That's a reasonable assumption.

There does seem to be more implied now in general about the dress code, especially in the US where the new "What to pack" page is the extent of what is available from Cunard for customers to learn about the dress code prior to booking a voyage. There is no longer any wording within the US FAQ about the dress code -- just a link to that "What to pack" page.

Don't get me wrong. I think the new "What to pack" page is an excellent resource. Just saying in my view it does take some interpretation now drilling down through the descriptions beneath the pictures within the style guide to determine what is expected (or perhaps just suggested now as others have already discussed in some length here). On the plus side, those descriptions do provide more details about various options than the more succinct wording in the FAQ provided.

In .a few years Cunard will have an additional ship to fill, diluting the dress code may be a way of encouraging a stream of passengers to cruise with Cunard who may not have done so in the past. Just a thought

In .a few years Cunard will have an additional ship to fill, diluting the dress code may be a way of encouraging a stream of passengers to cruise with Cunard who may not have done so in the past. Just a thought

But according to Cunard there is no dilution or changes in dress codes, it is "just a change of wording".

As a previous poster stated.

The question for Cunard is will these new passengers pay the Cunard price premium, when there are currently many "fun" ships floating around at a lower price point, and more importantly stay.

I think it’s fairly implied that someone showing up in military evening dress uniform in the US or the equivalent British mess dress, which would be appropriate at a black or white tie event on land, would be more than welcomed into the dining room.

They would not welcome us wearing our old jungle greens or battledress or camo suits, nor the Colonial military dress of khaki shirts and baggy shorts, lol.:o

'Mess dress is what they mean.

The trouble you have with a change of wording is people like my self who have never sailed on anything let alone the QM2 only know what the "new" dress code is. It will be adhered to and appropriate clothing is already purchased but I have no idea what it was before or where what was worn/not allowed. Unfortunately, my excitement of my very first TA is being quickly squash and replaced with the fear of being judged on how we will all look. I fear some of you will be jumping in front of me holding up a scorecard and marking us out of 10. Please try and remember not everyone on board is a seasoned traveler with Cunard and us "new" folks are just trying to get it right and that's the new dress code not the old one. Room service for 7 days is starting to look a safer plan.

There is no reason to fear being judged. I have made at least a dozen crossings on Cunard and there is no "fashion police". Unless a person goes into the dining room or a designated lounge on a formal/gala night dressed like a slob, no-one will pay much attention.

I have seen this only once on those crossings. On one formal night an elderly man entered the Royal Court Theatre wearing what appeared to be pyjamas, but may have been something else, and a Holland America baseball cap. (Given some previous discussion I will make no comment about the latter.) There were no tut-tuts or comments by those who followed the dress code, just a few smiles.

The dress code, whether called formal or gala, is very simple and need not cause any angst.

 

The dress code, whether called formal or gala, is very simple and need not cause any angst.

The name has changed together with the substance.

The Gala dress code is now an ask, not a requirement, by the insertion of the word "please".

This small change, actually changes the dynamics of the code, as per RCL, Celebrity, P&O et al, ultimately leading to these Line's current dress code status, and enforcement, or lack of either.

Only asking for clarification of the new wording, without waffle, or ambiguity, and the full enforcement of whatever precise code is published.

I've been following this discussion from the beginning. We are booked on our first Cunard cruise May 16 of 2019, Queen Victoria. The wording of the previous dress code left us knowing exactly what to wear and we were so looking forward to going back to what were "formal" and "informal" nights. We're Elite with RCI and Celebrity, started cruising in 1996 and miss that special feeling what you and most around you are lookin' good. With the new designations you are left wondering what the majority will look like. Once went to a wedding where the wedding planner told the bride not to say "black tie optional" as that leaves people wondering, just say "back tie" and then everybody knows exactly what is expected. I see similar problems here. I'm sure we'll enjoy our cruise (very excited about Princess Grill), but packing will actually be MORE challenging trying to dress properly and not "over dress." I'm sure we'll manage, but I much prefer the prior wording.

As the thread starter (and the self-appointed monitor of its status), it’s time to mention that this thread now has more replies than the previously most active dress code thread on this forum (the thread from 2013 titled “Cunard Dress Code change: Formal and Informal”) and is now in 6th place overall on this forum in terms of total number of replies. I think it’s interesting to note that the earlier thread from 2013 reached 681 replies (682 total posts) over a span of three months while this thread reached that milestone is less than one month. Another testament to how much attention the Cunard dress code garners.

Since the question was asked previously about how many different posters have contributed to this thread, I thought it might be interesting to provide some comparative statistics from both of those dress code threads at the point (prior to this post) when they had the same number of posts.

For this 2018 “New Dress Code Designations?” thread

Total posts: 682

Total posters: 117

Most posts by one poster: 66

Posters with a single post: 40

Posters with multiple posts: 77

For the 2013 “Cunard Dress Code change: Formal and Informal” thread

Total posts: 682

Total posters: 113

Most posts by one poster: 90

Posters with a single post: 55

Posters with multiple posts: 58

One sad item to report about the earlier 2013 thread is that the top two posters from that thread were the thread starter Salacia (with 90 posts) and Cruachan (with 54 posts). Sadly, both of those individuals passed away last year. It certainly would have been interesting to see what turns this latest dress code thread would have taken if they were still around to contribute.

As the thread starter (and the self-appointed monitor of its status), it’s time to mention that this thread now has more replies than the previously most active dress code thread on this forum (the thread from 2013 titled “Cunard Dress Code change: Formal and Informal”) and is now in 6th place overall on this forum in terms of total number of replies. I think it’s interesting to note that the earlier thread from 2013 reached 681 replies (682 total posts) over a span of three months while this thread reached that milestone is less than one month. Another testament to how much attention the Cunard dress code garners.

 

Since the question was asked previously about how many different posters have contributed to this thread, I thought it might be interesting to provide some comparative statistics from both of those dress code threads at the point (prior to this post) when they had the same number of posts.

 

For this 2018 “New Dress Code Designations?” thread

Total posts: 682

Total posters: 117

Most posts by one poster: 66

Posters with a single post: 40

Posters with multiple posts: 77

 

For the 2013 “Cunard Dress Code change: Formal and Informal” thread

Total posts: 682

Total posters: 113

Most posts by one poster: 90

Posters with a single post: 55

Posters with multiple posts: 58

 

One sad item to report about the earlier 2013 thread is that the top two posters from that thread were the thread starter Salacia (with 90 posts) and Cruachan (with 54 posts). Sadly, both of those individuals passed away last year. It certainly would have been interesting to see what turns this latest dress code thread would have taken if they were still around to contribute.

Think they are looking down on us novices with a smile, but one bets they still are contributing in spirit.

Under the “Dining” “what to wear” drop down, my (U.S) Personaliser now has “Formal/Gala” and “Informal/Smart”. I’m pretty sure the slashes are new in the last week or so, with the Formal and Informal being added. I think the expectations are quite clear. Mister will be in a tux on Gala evenings and in a suit with jacket (with or without a tie depending on how he feels) on Smart evenings. I will probably be a bit underdressed on Gala evenings and overdressed on Smart evenings (long skirt and sparkly top on both evenings) and I’m OK with that. We will be tramping through the fields in northern France after our crossing and we don’t want to carry a boatload (sorry) of clothes for our crossing and not have room for our outside field clothes.

Under the “Dining” “what to wear” drop down, my (U.S) Personaliser now has “Formal/Gala” and “Informal/Smart”. I’m pretty sure the slashes are new in the last week or so, with the Formal and Informal being added. I think the expectations are quite clear. Mister will be in a tux on Gala evenings and in a suit with jacket (with or without a tie depending on how he feels) on Smart evenings. I will probably be a bit underdressed on Gala evenings and overdressed on Smart evenings (long skirt and sparkly top on both evenings) and I’m OK with that. We will be tramping through the fields in northern France after our crossing and we don’t want to carry a boatload (sorry) of clothes for our crossing and not have room for our outside field clothes.

That's what White Star Luggage Service is for. We haven't schlepped the posh frocks on a pre-cruise/crossing land trip in years.

Under the “Dining” “what to wear” drop down, my (U.S) Personaliser now has “Formal/Gala” and “Informal/Smart”. I’m pretty sure the slashes are new in the last week or so, with the Formal and Informal being added. I think the expectations are quite clear. Mister will be in a tux on Gala evenings and in a suit with jacket (with or without a tie depending on how he feels) on Smart evenings. I will probably be a bit underdressed on Gala evenings and overdressed on Smart evenings (long skirt and sparkly top on both evenings) and I’m OK with that. We will be tramping through the fields in northern France after our crossing and we don’t want to carry a boatload (sorry) of clothes for our crossing and not have room for our outside field clothes.

Hi, Tonopah.

Just for the record, that change to the wording on the "What to Wear" page of the US Voyager Personaliser was made on March 28 when the new wording for the "Smart Attire" and "Gala Evenings" terminology was first introduced there along side the "Informal" and "Formal" terminology. See post #105 for confirmation of that original wording including the slashes.

Now I suppose it's possible the wording wasn't changed until more recently for your particular voyage which is further out. But my take on this is Cunard probably made the change in VP across the board since the "Informal" and "Formal" terminology is still in use until around mid-June. Cunard presumably did not want to cause confusion for those on voyages whose itineraries still designate the dress codes as being "Informal" and "Formal" by dropping those terms yet.

Regarding your proposed attire, with my rather limited fashion sense far be it from me to attempt any sort of fashion advice. But since I am already replying to your post, what you have described seems fine to me. You definitely will not be relegated to the miscreant lemming migration in that attire. :D

Hi, Tonopah.

 

. You definitely will not be relegated to the miscreant lemming migration in that attire. :D

Rats. Back to the drawing board.

Double rats I wanted some company on the migration to help dodge the crocodiles

 

Not as fast as clays, but still good sport.

That's what White Star Luggage Service is for. We haven't schlepped the posh frocks on a pre-cruise/crossing land trip in years.

Doesn’t the White Star Luggage Service have a tendency to show up a little damp?

Doesn’t the White Star Luggage Service have a tendency to show up a little damp?

Good one! :D

Just at the point many of you were probably relieved to see this thread dying down, we received a somewhat delayed pre-voyage brochure for our June 10 crossing on QM2 in today's mail. This is the last QM2 voyage using the dress code designations of "Formal" and "Informal (Jacket Required)".

Of interest to me is the wording in this brochure that still lists the evening casual venues as "the Kings Court or Lido restaurants ... the Carinthia Lounge, Winter Garden, Garden Lounge, Yacht Club or G32." This is the previous list of casual venues which does not include the Golden Lion or Casino.

On the other hand, the Voyage Personaliser for this voyage (and I suspect for all voyages at this point) shows the updated list of evening casual venues: "Kings Court or Lido Buffet, Golden Lion, Casino, Carinthia Lounge, Winter Garden/Winter Lounge and G32 or Yacht Club."

I suppose it's anyone's guess as to whether the Golden Lion and Casino will be treated as formal/informal or as casual venues on this or any other Cunard voyage prior to the switch to the new dress code terminology of "Gala Evenings" and "Smart Attire" around mid-June.

I cancelled my Alaska voyage for 2019 yesterday. For me the astronomical cost of a Grills cabin was not worth it when factoring in the changes - whether they are nominal or a step towards something more - so I told the Cunard rep we were cancelling. The changes may be small but to me it represented a change in what and how they are

marketing which represents a departure from what I love about Cunard. I described a bit of what I saw on the US website with the pictures of the attire. She was genuinely shocked they had shorts and sneakers as recommended day wear and at what some of the other pictures were suggesting. She gave me the corporate line of "only a wording change" but I said that was fine but I felt differently and was going to change to a QM2 crossing instead and then wait and see what came about after the summer. I booked a late Spring 2019 crossing instead. For the same category - including my OBC, free drinks & free gratuities - it was less than half the cost of Alaska. All the better.

I suppose it's anyone's guess as to whether the Golden Lion and Casino will be treated as formal/informal or as casual venues on this or any other Cunard voyage prior to the switch to the new dress code terminology of "Gala Evenings" and "Smart Attire" around mid-June.

Cmon everyone- you can wear jeans into the Casino de Monte Carlo these days- granted the dark, non torn variety, but of any time day or night. It represents a huge part of the ships revenue- especially on a crossing. If they lost even a fraction of the nights take because they were afraid the casino’s dress code might imply you need to be better dressed than you do (and more casual gamblers stayed away because of it) of course they’re going to update and clarify.

Cmon everyone- you can wear jeans into the Casino de Monte Carlo these days- granted the dark, non torn variety, but of any time day or night. It represents a huge part of the ships revenue- especially on a crossing.

The casino is not operated by Cunard, but an independent organisation.

Just at the point many of you were probably relieved to see this thread dying down, we received a somewhat delayed pre-voyage brochure for our June 10 crossing on QM2 in today's mail. This is the last QM2 voyage using the dress code designations of "Formal" and "Informal (Jacket Required)".

 

Of interest to me is the wording in this brochure that still lists the evening casual venues as "the Kings Court or Lido restaurants ... the Carinthia Lounge, Winter Garden, Garden Lounge, Yacht Club or G32." This is the previous list of casual venues which does not include the Golden Lion or Casino.

 

On the other hand, the Voyage Personaliser for this voyage (and I suspect for all voyages at this point) shows the updated list of evening casual venues: "Kings Court or Lido Buffet, Golden Lion, Casino, Carinthia Lounge, Winter Garden/Winter Lounge and G32 or Yacht Club."

 

I suppose it's anyone's guess as to whether the Golden Lion and Casino will be treated as formal/informal or as casual venues on this or any other Cunard voyage prior to the switch to the new dress code terminology of "Gala Evenings" and "Smart Attire" around mid-June.

Thus thread will not die until Cunard give full clarification, and remove the obvious ambiguity to their new wording. The insertion of new "soft" words of genuflection are causing concern. Also confirm if there will be any enforcement.

Just at the point many of you were probably relieved to see this thread dying down, we received a somewhat delayed pre-voyage brochure for our June 10 crossing on QM2 in today's mail. This is the last QM2 voyage using the dress code designations of "Formal" and "Informal (Jacket Required)".

 

Of interest to me is the wording in this brochure that still lists the evening casual venues as "the Kings Court or Lido restaurants ... the Carinthia Lounge, Winter Garden, Garden Lounge, Yacht Club or G32." This is the previous list of casual venues which does not include the Golden Lion or Casino.

 

On the other hand, the Voyage Personaliser for this voyage (and I suspect for all voyages at this point) shows the updated list of evening casual venues: "Kings Court or Lido Buffet, Golden Lion, Casino, Carinthia Lounge, Winter Garden/Winter Lounge and G32 or Yacht Club."

 

I suppose it's anyone's guess as to whether the Golden Lion and Casino will be treated as formal/informal or as casual venues on this or any other Cunard voyage prior to the switch to the new dress code terminology of "Gala Evenings" and "Smart Attire" around mid-June.

We are on the following voyage and also have Informal mentioned - though not Formal.

We normally book our cruises or crossings about a year ahead of time. With all of the confusion about exactly what Cunard is or isn't going to do with regard to the dress code, we have decided to wait until the end of this year before deciding if we will continue sailing with Cunard or look into spending our travel funds on something else since we know that no other cruise line will give us the experience we desire. Hopefully, we will not need to make that decision, but...

We normally book our cruises or crossings about a year ahead of time. With all of the confusion about exactly what Cunard is or isn't going to do with regard to the dress code, we have decided to wait until the end of this year before deciding if we will continue sailing with Cunard or look into spending our travel funds on something else since we know that no other cruise line will give us the experience we desire. Hopefully, we will not need to make that decision, but...

That's exactly what we've decided to do as well. We are on QM2 on 17th June and had been planning to book two, possibly three future cruises whilst on board. Like you, we have now decided to wait and see before committing. Each to their own ,but for us there is no incentive to pay more for Cunard than for other lines if they are diluting one of the main things that sets them apart from others, and one of the main attractions of the line for us.

.

We are already starting to look at alternatives just in case; had a pile of brochures for land holidays delivered yesterday, and some of them look very interesting...