QM2 Transatlantic Britania Dining... How formal is formal?

[susan1234]

We are sailing with family members that have never worn a tux nor owned one. Could they get away with a dark suit and tie on formal nights? I have a feeling that even though I rent them the tux, they might not wear it. :(

 

Please advise. Thanks!

[DanZ]

Well, that does pose a problem for you, doesn't it? Dark Suits and a tie are an alternative. To make both them and you comfortable, you might consider having them wear a black suit with tie. If you want to take it a step further, go to a formal shop or Nordstrom Rack and buy them a tasteful contrasting vest (charcoal gray, dark silver-ish, deep navy, etc...) that can complement the color(s) in their tie.

 

This is a special event and you should let yourself feel it!

[Richard Schmidt]

We are sailing with family members that have never worn a tux nor owned one. Could they get away with a dark suit and tie on formal nights? I have a feeling that even though I rent them the tux, they might not wear it. :(

 

Please advise. Thanks!

 

Do yourself and all the other passengers a favor and insist they wear a tux, purchased or rented. Formal nights on Cunard are part of a long, grand tradition. Why be part of the destruction of all that? You and your family will feel much more comfortable if dressed appropriately. Have a good time.

[susan1234]

Thanks for the advice. I will try to pursuade them to bring a tux, anyhow. If they really do not feel comfortable and will be miserable all night wearing it, what are the dining alternatives, if any? I am trying to look for compromise or a middle ground here. What about the buffet, is it open during the formal nights?

 

Would it really be that awkward and out of place wearing a dark suit/vest/tie instead of a tux? (We are talking about Britania Dining, not the other upper class Grills. ;) )

Oh, the women have no problem dressing up to the nines, only the men. :)

[elaine61]

Susan

 

In my experience if they don't wear a tux they may feel out of place. Most men tend to wear a tux on formal nights. My son has grown up with cruising and at only 18 has to have a new tux each year because he outgrows the suit. Of course I suppose you have to also think about whether it will get worn again. Renting here in the UK for a long period (which our cruises tend to be) is rather expensive, so we always buy him a new tux in the sales. This time of year there are plenty in the sales as there isn't much call for a tux here in the summer. Come nearer christmas and they will not be in the sales. We picked our son a new tux up here for £99GBP. It will probably do him for our QM2 trip and our cruise at Xmas, but next summer we will have to buy another one. And at that price it is much better than renting. The charity shop then gets the nearly new tux. I feel like I am helping the charity and someone gets a pretty darn good dinner suit!!!!!

 

I have not been on QM2 yet and can only tell you what it is like on our normal cruise line (P & O). You will find the odd 1 or 2 men in dark suits, but not many and they do look noticeable!!!!

 

Try to persuade them to rent one if that is your best option. I do believe that they rent them out on board. Someone with knowledge of QM2 may be able to confirm this.

 

Elaine

[iceman666]

Before our crossing in Apr 05 I was told that they rent out tux but not formal ladies wear. However, when on board they only appeared to be selling dinner suits or tux jackets, bow ties, cumerbund. However, on the plus side all were really cheap prices against what they would cost in the UK.

 

I agree with others that a tux/dinner suit is the ideal for formal nights. But, we did see men in dark (not black) lounge suits and that was in Princess Grill. Ladies were wearing everything from long gowns to dressy pant suits on formal nights.

[Jeanne S]

Susen1234

 

The style of dress is not necessarily more formal in some of the Grills in Relation to Brittania. If you are on a Crossing a tux is usually worn while on the Carribean Cruises it seems anything goes. I have seen gentleman in SeerSucker suits for formal night entering the Princess Grill. IF they do were a suit it should be dark.

 

Jeanne

[JGR01]

It is NOT just the dinner that is formal. The whole night is formal.

 

Normally on a formal night there are events such as Captains Reception and other 'grand' activitites. The show that night might be more upscale also. They also take formal pictures.. something nice to send out with the Christmas cards!

 

So it really is not 'dressing for dinner' .. as much as it is 'dressing for the evening' that needs to be considered.

 

GET A TUX for a crossing and continue the Grand traditions of Cunard.

[amuld]

We were in Queen's Grill on a crossing last July and people who didn't wear a tux were very obvious. As my wife and I moved about the ship, it seems that most men and women in all categories of cabin adhered to the formal dress policy. For us, this was one of the pleasures of traveling on the QM2( along with space to breath). Encourage at least some of the men to dress for the venue and the event. They may even find that they enjoy it. We've already booked a crossing for next July and are looking forward to it. She is a great ship!

[CruiseShelly]

Men on formal nights (2 on our last QM2 outing) were mostly in tuxes. Not that the few in very dark suits looked out of place, but I know they must have been feeling that way. How could they not have felt it?

 

There is nothing quite so special as retiring to your cabin for a nice drink, the ritual of dressing for dinner while music is playing, and then emerging along with 2600 other guests of like mind into the exquisite rarified atmosphere of the QM2 on formal night. It's magic.

 

And the previous poster is correct -- it's not just dressing for dinner, but the whole evening. Dinner, the show, the casino, a movie or a quiet drink before bed. It's a world that doesn't exist on land for most of us.

 

And there is no buffet for supper. They turn the buffet area into four distinct eating venues (Oriental, Beef, Italian....). You can go there and be less dressed up, but WHY?!?!?!?!?!?!?

 

The grandness of the evening and of the ship is one of the reasons the QM2 exists.

[ciaobella]

How about white dinner jackets with the requisite bow tie and cummerbund? Are these just as "de rigeur" as a tux?

 

Thanks to all of you style gurus!

[JGR01]

PLEASE tell us .. prior QM2 cruisers .. are White (creme) dinner jackets formal or non-formal????

 

Have planned on two tuxes (traditional and double-breasted) plus a creme wool dinner jacket.

 

Being in Queens Grill where I am told non-formal nights are still defined as suit and tie required.. was planning to use the dinner jacket on those nights in addition.

 

First night .. sail-away was planning suit and tie. Assume second night is formal .. and traditional black tux for that night. Then for the next night (non-formal) night use the dinner jacket. Don't have room for more clothes! Am planning on changing with stud sets and shirts and ties.. a bit.

 

Is this acceptable .. or too 'over the top' as the Brits would put it???? Or can a Dinner Jacket be worn on Formal Nights too??

[Blazerboy]

The white dinner jacket is for wearing with formal clothes, although it appears to some as a little more casual. There really shouldn't be any difference in formality simply because of the choice of restaurant, and, on QE2, we haven't seen anyone in Queen's Grill or Princess Grill in formal wear on informal evenings. Perhaps best to bring a black or navy suit for those nights, and either leave one tuxedo or the white dinner jacket at home if luggage space is an issue. The true difference in the restaurants seems to be that, on the first and last nights, that the passengers in the grill restaurants are still dressed to the "informal" standard of jacket and tie or suit and tie.

 

Have an enjoyable trip- you'll love it.

[KenC]

Call me old fashioned but don't you think white dj's/tuxes are more appropriate for more southerly climes than a North Atlantic crossing - even in Summer???

[Blazerboy]

Yes, I agree with you, KenC. But I also know that people enjoy wearing what they have in their wardrobe, and will bend the rules a little. As long as it's between Memorial Day and Labor Day, I won't fuss too much.;) For ease of packing, I usually don't bring mine, no matter what the itinerary. Also not sure where JGR01 is 'cruising' so it may not involve a crossing, as that was only stated in the original post headline, but you may be right.

 

Off topic, have enjoyed your QE2 SOLAS posts.

[ciaobella]

According to the etiquette books, FORMAL means a tux but a white dinner jacket can also be used from Memorial Day to Labor Day, and white dinner jackets are always aceptable on cruises! The white dinner jacket is the "Summer" tux - same pants as a black tux! It will be interesting to see what folks wear. I don't think the women should have all the fun of wearing different outfits! I will be very happy to be escorted by my groom (of 30 years) whether he is wearing his tux or his white dinner jacket. And, either will be perfectly acceptable!

[Paul NH]

Most people on the June 9 Eastbound were in black tuxes; some were in white dinner jackets, and the remainder were is suits. I am not a tuxedo type - only bought my first tuxedo for the crossing - but I thought the suits looked out of place on formal nights. When so many people are dressed in gowns and black tuxedos, the suit men looked like the "just don't get it" crowd. I would recommend they get themselves a black tuxedo.

[susan1234]

Again, thanks for all the useful suggestions/advice above. I have managed to pursuade the 'men' to go check out the formal wear stores in the mall. Baby steps. ;)

[3rdmate]

I have an active license in the US Merchant Marine and as such have a black naval style uniform with cover (hat). Any uniforms, outside of crew, noticed on board? I assume the ship's officers wore their "blues".