formal nights- alternative?

[louthebowler]

I'm the one who originally asked the question and not long back from our cruise. My husband used a dark suit for three of the formal nights and the other formal night we ate at the buffet but we were still allowed into the entertainment although I do think it depends on the crew. I enjoyed the formal nights but only because it was the transatlantic cruise so was cool after we left the Caribbean.If the weather had been hotter not sure what we would have done as cant really see husband being happy in shirt, tie and suit and feeling hot and bothered, after all its a holiday not a wedding!

[LibraLass41]

I have read the comments with interest, we are usually Princess cruisers and reading the comments I believe P&O will be more formal.

 

We have 4 formal nights on our cruise. Do we have to pack the dark suit or can we get away with jacket & smart trousers on formal night?

 

We are happy to eat in buffet but do like the entertainment on board, do we need black tie to attend the shows after eating in the buffet?

 

Thanks for your help:)

 

Jacket and smart trousers are suggested for SEMI-formal night, its all in the brochures... Formal night is usually a black dinner suit and bow-tie -about 90% of men will be in this, or a suit -dark suggested. I suppose you may 'get away' with jacket and smart trousers in the buffet, but do look at the 4-5 course formal night menus first, it may well be worth packing a suit so you can enjoy the lovely food in the main dining room instead, formal nights menus are the best....

[Redland81]

I was turned away from formal afternoon tea on a P&O cruise as I had a sleeveless t shirt on and didn;t have my shoulders covered....

[philayl]

I was turned away from formal afternoon tea on a P&O cruise as I had a sleeveless t shirt on and didn;t have my shoulders covered....

 

Quite right too, should have been keel hauled and flogged round the fleet!:p:D:D:D

[capasamari]

I was turned away from formal afternoon tea on a P&O cruise as I had a sleeveless t shirt on and didn;t have my shoulders covered....

 

Paul was turned away from breakfast in the main dining room for wearing the same, though whether this was on P&O or Thomson I can't honestly remember. The dress codes are the same.

 

Carol x

[Starbright]

I can't understand why anyone would feel hot and bothered when dressed for a formal evening. The ships are air conditioned after all. It's not as though you're out in the hot sun wearing a formal outfit. In fact I often find it too cold inside on a ship.

[davecttr]

Jacket and smart trousers are suggested for SEMI-formal night, its all in the brochures... Formal night is usually a black dinner suit and bow-tie -about 90% of men will be in this, or a suit -dark suggested. I suppose you may 'get away' with jacket and smart trousers in the buffet, but do look at the 4-5 course formal night menus first, it may well be worth packing a suit so you can enjoy the lovely food in the main dining room instead, formal nights menus are the best....

It depends on the ship, on Ventura black tie nights evening casual dress is fine in the buffet and most of the ship venues.

 

black tie applies too

main dining rooms

cover charge restaurants

Metropolis Bar

The Red Bar

 

this leaves

buffet

Havana

The Tamarind Club

Ramblas

The Exchange

Fortunes casino

the theatre

The Beach house american diner?

in all these evening casual is OK

[daiB]

It depends on the ship, on Ventura black tie nights evening casual dress is fine in the buffet and most of the ship venues.

 

black tie applies too

main dining rooms

cover charge restaurants

Metropolis Bar

The Red Bar

 

this leaves

buffet

Havana

The Tamarind Club

Ramblas

The Exchange

Fortunes casino

the theatre

The Beach house american diner?

in all these evening casual is OK

 

Not if the 2012/13 brochure is to be beleved.

 

 

Gan Canny

 

 

Dai

[davecttr]

Not if the 2012/13 brochure is to be beleved.

 

 

Gan Canny

 

 

Dai

I can confirm that I checked the venues and this liberal policy was in place on Ventura last September and this March.

 

The venues where black tie was required had notices outside to that effect. I must admit i did not check the White Room but as East had the notice I presume the White Room had as well. I also did not check the theatre. It was interesting to see that East had the notice but smart casual cruisers were entering.

 

I think it is not confirmed in writing anywhere because P&O don't want to alienate any potential cruisers which prefer a more formal atmosphere. There was a large majority wearing formal wear but the fact remains that you did not have to for most of the venues on the ship.

[Britchic4]

We were on the previous Oceana cruise and there was a gentleman sat next to me in the show in jeans on one of the formal nights so I presume they aren't enforcing the dress code in the theatre. Putting this here purely for information, doesn't bother me what people wear on their holiday.

[daiB]

Dave,

 

That may all be true for last year but the brochure for this year starting this month is different. Well it will be if enforced.

 

 

Gan Canny

 

Dai

[davecttr]

Dave,

 

That may all be true for last year but the brochure for this year starting this month is different. Well it will be if enforced.

 

 

Gan Canny

 

Dai

My last Ventura cruise was this year. First proper cruise of the summer season. Over on the P&O forum someone has just reported that the Ventura code was the same on Azura, apart from the Azura jacket required nights. So it appears that I may be mistaken in believing that Azura was more formal than Ventura. Jacket required is not a problem. I will take my linen jacket and sling it over the back of the chair.

 

You may well be right that as the summer season gets going a different interpretation emerges, not that it worries me as I take my dinner jacket anyway. It would be nice to know that if I popped back to my cabin after dinner and changed into casual dress I would not be banned from the casino :D

 

Plenty of time to gain more info before my next Ventura trip this autumn, meanwhile I have the 'casual' Oceana to look forward to.

[Jospen]

It depends on the ship, on Ventura black tie nights evening casual dress is fine in the buffet and most of the ship venues.

 

black tie applies too

main dining rooms

cover charge restaurants

Metropolis Bar

The Red Bar

 

this leaves

buffet

Havana

The Tamarind Club

Ramblas

The Exchange

Fortunes casino

the theatre

The Beach house american diner?

in all these evening casual is OK

 

Thank you this is very useful information. At least we won't be confined to the cabin for 4 out of the 17 nights.

[davecttr]

Thank you this is very useful information. At least we won't be confined to the cabin for 4 out of the 17 nights.

A word of warning, My experience does not mean that this relaxed dress code will continue. Until we actually have it in writing from P&O I would not count on it being the same on future cruises.

 

Your best option would be to take formal wear, just in case :eek:

 

As for being confined to your cabin. Obviously P&O must realise that saying you can eat in the buffet but are banned everywhere else is just plain daft :D

[daiB]

Current brochure, page 24."We apply the dress codes in majority of the restaurants, bars and theaters."

 

New brochure for 2013/14 "Appropriate attire is essential for entry to the ships bars and restaurants." (Yes it came today).

 

So do not complain if you are refused entry.

 

 

Gan Canny

 

Dai

[davecttr]

Current brochure, page 24."We apply the dress codes in majority of the restaurants, bars and theaters."

 

New brochure for 2013/14 "Appropriate attire is essential for entry to the ships bars and restaurants." (Yes it came today).

 

So do not complain if you are refused entry.

 

 

Gan Canny

 

Dai

Fair point :)

[Denarius]

I have just returned from an Easter cruise on Ventura. In the in-cabin information manual it is now stated that on black tie nights formal dress is required in the MDRs, East, The White Room, Metropolis and The Red Bar. It is also specifically stated that passengers who prefer to remain in Evening Casual are welcome to use all other areas. This regularises what has been actual practice for some time.

 

The manual was updated during the cruise. I am therefore unsure whether the above guidance is new, or was there before the update. It is certainly there now.

[davecttr]

I have just returned from an Easter cruise on Ventura. In the in-cabin information manual it is now stated that on black tie nights formal dress is required in the MDRs, East, The White Room, Metropolis and The Red Bar. It is also specifically stated that passengers who prefer to remain in Evening Casual are welcome to use all other areas. This regularises what has been actual practice for some time.

 

The manual was updated during the cruise. I am therefore unsure whether the above guidance is new, or was there before the update. It is certainly there now.

Drat, you should have photographed it or liberated it :D

 

If P&O are now putting it in writing it looks as if it could be official. This does not conflict with the new brochure, at least for Ventura. Page 18 says "We apply the dress codes in the majority of restaurants and bars"

In the evening Ventura has 6 bars and 7 restaurants, a total of 13. Black tie code applies to 2 bars and 5 restaurants, a total of 7 which is the majority!.

 

The other relevant statement is "Appropriate attire is essential for entry to the ships bars and restaurants" The appropriate attire for each venue appears to be determined by whether it has a notice outside saying black tie is required.

 

It may be that P&O have now done enough to encourage all those unhappy Ocean Village customers to try Ventura.

[virginvirgo]

An interesting debate, I will let you know when I return from my first cruise on the Azura in a few weeks time :) for me though the big attraction of cruising is the opportunity to dress up, so really looking forward to that.

 

We attend a couple of formal do's a year at home and the bottom line is that "formal" doesn't mean you don't have a great time! By the end of the evening of non stop dancing after the formal meal bit most men have jackets and ties off anyway, so I'm hoping the cruise will be the same in terms of having a great time?

 

The other thing is I'm not convinced either that the future trend is going to be informal, even the very young and I mean 16-19+ enjoy wearing DJ's look at the growth in this country in the Prom market (American Import) something that didn't exist when I was younger for the masses. You can now buy a reasonable DJ for a very low price, so there must be a demand?

 

By having a mix of nights on a cruise and enforcing it surely that is a way of catering for all tastes, on our cruise there are 4 formal, 3 semi formal and 6 casual smart so pretty much 50/50?

[davecttr]

An interesting debate, I will let you know when I return from my first cruise on the Azura in a few weeks time :) for me though the big attraction of cruising is the opportunity to dress up, so really looking forward to that.

 

We attend a couple of formal do's a year at home and the bottom line is that "formal" doesn't mean you don't have a great time! By the end of the evening of non stop dancing after the formal meal bit most men have jackets and ties off anyway, so I'm hoping the cruise will be the same in terms of having a great time?

 

The other thing is I'm not convinced either that the future trend is going to be informal, even the very young and I mean 16-19+ enjoy wearing DJ's look at the growth in this country in the Prom market (American Import) something that didn't exist when I was younger for the masses. You can now buy a reasonable DJ for a very low price, so there must be a demand?

 

By having a mix of nights on a cruise and enforcing it surely that is a way of catering for all tastes, on our cruise there are 4 formal, 3 semi formal and 6 casual smart so pretty much 50/50?

This new interpretation will ease the concience of those men who want to do this as it is now allowed, it says so in the book :D

 

I don't know the interpretation for Oceana but I am going to buy an additional 'evening casual' shirt . I will be on early sitting and it would be good to be able to nip back to the cabin and don for me more comfortable wear.

 

In doing things this way P&O don't need complex code interpretations in the brochure as the policy can be varied by ship and even by time. A review will take place after this policy has been in use a season or so. Either you read it on a forum, someone tells you or you read it in the onboard cruise guide. I reckon lots of cruisers don't read that guide so the 'policy' may take some time to be generally known. Cynics could say this is a way of sneaking the change in by the back door!

 

Your last paragraph sums it up, they are catering for all tastes, something which is good for their customers and their shareholders.

[daiB]

This new interpretation will ease the concience of those men who want to do this as it is now allowed, it says so in the book :D

 

I don't know the interpretation for Oceana but I am going to buy an additional 'evening casual' shirt . I will be on early sitting and it would be good to be able to nip back to the cabin and don for me more comfortable wear.

 

In doing things this way P&O don't need complex code interpretations in the brochure as the policy can be varied by ship and even by time. A review will take place after this policy has been in use a season or so. Either you read it on a forum, someone tells you or you read it in the onboard cruise guide. I reckon lots of cruisers don't read that guide so the 'policy' may take some time to be generally known. Cynics could say this is a way of sneaking the change in by the back door!

 

Your last paragraph sums it up, they are catering for all tastes, something which is good for their customers and their shareholders.

 

I refer you to the wording in the 2013/4 brochure.

 

New brochure for 2013/14 "Appropriate attire is essential for entry to the ships bars and restaurants." (Yes it came today).

 

So do not complain if you are refused entry.

 

 

That is fairly plain.

 

 

Gan Canny

 

 

Dai

[davecttr]

I refer you to the wording in the 2013/4 brochure.

 

New brochure for 2013/14 "Appropriate attire is essential for entry to the ships bars and restaurants." (Yes it came today).

 

So do not complain if you are refused entry.

 

 

That is fairly plain.

 

 

Gan Canny

 

 

Dai

My brochure arrived yesterday and I will not complain because when using any of the designated black tie venues I will be wearing formal dress.

 

What we don't want to happen is for P&O to ignore the new code interpretation. Incorrect dress and no entry is how it should be.

[daiB]

My brochure arrived yesterday and I will not complain because when using any of the designated black tie venues I will be wearing formal dress.

 

What we don't want to happen is for P&O to ignore the new code interpretation. Incorrect dress and no entry is how it should be.

 

True but I don't understand is all the posts on here and every other message board asking about dress codes and when you get on the ship everyone is dressed as they should be and the subject never gets mentioned.

 

I do not recall in all our cruises, anyone ever complaining about dress codes and having to follow them.

 

It is and internet thing.

 

 

Gan Canny

 

 

Dai

[davecttr]

True but I don't understand is all the posts on here and every other message board asking about dress codes and when you get on the ship everyone is dressed as they should be and the subject never gets mentioned.

 

I do not recall in all our cruises, anyone ever complaining about dress codes and having to follow them.

 

It is and internet thing.

 

 

Gan Canny

 

 

Dai

Good point, i have not noticed anyone having a problem with it aboard either.

 

I take a interest here on the P&O forum because for some time I have been confused over the onboard interpretation of the code as published in the brochure. Hopefully with the latest developments everyone will know how it works and can concentrate on enjoying the holiday.

 

Just finished the ironing for Oceana next week :) The weather looks a bit dodgy though :(

[virginvirgo]

Hope the weather is good!! And you have a wonderful time ;)