Making Formal wear look cool?

[Single Cruiser]

The CruiseCritic Feature makes interesting reading on this and why more cruise lines are making Formal Optional. Interestingly for P&O it states that for those who don't want formal casual alternative dining areas are available..

 

 

http://www.cruisecritic.co.uk/articles.cfm?ID=545

 

P&O Cruises

The Code: P&O has formal, semi-formal and smart casual nights. Formal attire includes a dinner jacket or tuxedo (or alternatively dark suit or kilt and jacket) for men and a ball gown, trouser suit or cocktail dress for women. Semi-formal attire includes jacket and tie for men and anything from tailored trousers to smart separates or an elegant dress for women. Casual attire includes open-neck or polo shirts and trousers or smart jeans for men and casual separates, dresses or smart jeans for women.

 

Number of Formal Nights: Seven-night cruises average two formal nights; 14-night cruises average four.

 

Nightly Casual Option: If you're not inclined to dress up for formal evening, P&O has you covered with casual dining venues on its ships.

 

Written Restrictions and Jeans: Sportswear is prohibited in the evenings.

[David&Heather]

David? /Heather

 

On a 14n Ventura cruise p&o are now giving you 10 smart casual nights thats not bad is it surely? They are only requesting 4 formal 'dressing up nights' Please play along! ? If you OV cruisers are coming to our 'club' you can't expect us to change all our rules to suit you...we have bended and dropped semi formals to accomadate you, if a All casual cruise is all you can stomach, then perhaps another cruise line should be your choice? Is it HAL that is more formal?

 

We can cope with that, obviously would prefer no formal evenings at all but it's not a show stopper for us, we are more concerned about the attitudes of some on here and should we cruise with P&O and dare to mention that we have cruised previously with OV we will be treated like social outcasts.

One solution would be to cruise with NCL or another cruise line but P&O offer much better itineries in the Caribbean, the American lines tend to offer less port intensive cruises. A dilemma we will have to resolve, this forum is not giving us the confidence to part with our hard earned money and book with P&O.

[capasamari]

David and Heather:

 

Nobody has to comply with Formal wear. Most of us do because we enjoy it. If you don't think you would, then don't. Simple.

 

Thomson cruise to the Caribbean (amongst other destinations) and have only one formal night per week. Again it is not compulsory, though most people do.

 

We have enjoyed both cruise lines and would recommend either.

 

Carol x