latest poll from celebrity forum dropping formal night-59.13% in favour

[dgs1956]

The clothes shops are full of dinner suits due to the increase in popularity of prom nights, not formal cruising.

 

We love cruising but on meeting people and talking about cruising the most common response is 'we hate all that dressing up'. Celebrity have sensed a change in people's views and risked making a change. I've read a few posts on the Celebrity boards where they say they will leave that brand but read many more that say it's a positive step.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

Another one in a panic that people are supporting Formal Nights.

Firstly, Clothes shops aren't full of dinner suits and I never said they were? If you visit one you'll see they have everything from shoes to hats etc.

Secondly, I never said clothes shops stocked dinner suits because of formal cruising. Unlike you, I have not carried out a survey so I don't know why people buy them.

Thirdly, how many people over the age of 18 go to prom nights? Next aim for the younger market but there are plenty of other shops stock dinner suits for people who are no longer at school and they don't attend prom nights.

Lastly, by far the majority that we speak to on P&O say they enjoy dressing up for the Formal Nights. The fact that by far the vast majority do dress for Formal Nights would show that to be correct.

Edited November 17, 2015 by dgs1956

[Host Sharon]

As a Host Sharon I thought you would understand more than most. It's a major change by a cruise line that compete with P&O from Southampton and many P&O cruisers like ourselves are Celebrity cruisers as well. The change doesn't bother us but it's an interesting discussion point about the way cruising is heading so ideally suited to a post on this forum.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

And that is why I let it stand.

[john watson]

The clothes shops are full of dinner suits due to the increase in popularity of prom nights, not formal cruising.

 

We love cruising but on meeting people and talking about cruising the most common response is 'we hate all that dressing up'. Celebrity have sensed a change in people's views and risked making a change. I've read a few posts on the Celebrity boards where they say they will leave that brand but read many more that say it's a positive step.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

Prom nights are mainly for young people. When you think about it they are the next generation of cruisers and I believe there is a tendency for young people to want to go on occasions to somewhere where you can dress smartly in the formal sense.

 

Celebrity have made the move to "chic" but that does not surprise me many Americans prefer to dress more casually and in places like Southern California "chic" is probably more relevant.

 

I am sure that Carnival will be watching the success or otherwise of their rivals policy and if it proves successful they might well make a move themselves. The thing to remember about Carnival is that just like Royal Caribbean is that they have different "brands" in their respective portfolios and in this respect they will realise you cannot implement "chic" across all brands because you will miss a significant sector of the market. I remember when P&O did not offer UK fly cruises to the Med and people were going mad on the P&O forum about P&O being a Southampton based cruises provider and that start points can only be Southampton. Now with the extra capacity there is a UK fly cruise in Med each year during the season.

 

This happens; but it's not all P&O ships doing these cruises it is just one or two as appropriate.

 

Regards John

[Sanjam cruisers]

My wife and I both enjoy the formal nights on P&O ships as now that we have been able to enjoy early retirement it is the only occasion that we get to dress formally, and I think P&O have the balance just right.

As others have said if passengers do not like formal nights why pick a cruise line that has them when there are numerous lines that do not.

I don't like bingo or football but I don't start complaining that P&O have both on their ships.

[dgs1956]

My wife and I both enjoy the formal nights on P&O ships as now that we have been able to enjoy early retirement it is the only occasion that we get to dress formally, and I think P&O have the balance just right.

As others have said if passengers do not like formal nights why pick a cruise line that has them when there are numerous lines that do not.

I don't like bingo or football but I don't start complaining that P&O have both on their ships.

 

Well put Sanjam. I never go into Brodies, just not my scene, but I would never suggest doing away with it. Plenty of people obviously love it, including the bingo. :) Anyway there are plenty of other places to go. If the Formal Dress is such a big deal then people should really look elsewhere.

[daiB]

Rubbish, FB is now mainly used by the middle aged, youngsters have moved on.

 

 

Not rubbish at all, but kind of you to say so. Will you go on and tell all of the younger members of the P&O site that they are middle aged.

 

Your In put to the discussion has been so worthwhile I am sure everyone will be pleased you spoke up.

Edited November 18, 2015 by daiB

[Solent Richard]

Why are you posting this here?

What a ridiculous survey of a tiny number of cruisers.

 

I thought that too but I also thought Scriv's following post superb and saved me saying it.

Edited November 19, 2015 by Solent Richard

[Solent Richard]

The clothes shops are full of dinner suits due to the increase in popularity of prom nights, not formal cruising.

 

We love cruising but on meeting people and talking about cruising the most common response is 'we hate all that dressing up'. Celebrity have sensed a change in people's views and risked making a change. I've read a few posts on the Celebrity boards where they say they will leave that brand but read many more that say it's a positive step.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

Horses for courses I guess.

 

Celebrity is essentially an American brand that pops across to the UK for a bit of fair weather cruising.

 

I enjoy my times on both lines and am rarely bothered what folk think about dress style and sense.

 

Certainly on my last Celebrity Eclipse outing in May this year there was a majority who supported the formal night...

 

[Solent Richard]

Rubbish, FB is now mainly used by the middle aged, youngsters have moved on.

 

And there was me thinking that P&O's market was the middle aged and a sprinkling of seniors.

 

Oh well.

[johncandt]

Yes I was surprised by the strength of feeling. I think some people work on the principle that if it is said enough times it becomes a fact.

We sail with Celebrity and P and O, personally i like the formal nights 4 in two weeks is enough though and i am glad PO have dropped the semi formal nights as the weight allowance on TC and Thomson is awful, on Celebrity there are a fair few people who never dress up and i suspect their idea of "chic" will be torn denim and flip flops .as long as they eat in the buffet they won't be bothering me !! i will be in a restaurant in my dj

[Mrs Miggins]

I now dislike the Formal Nights and would therefore never cruise with Cunard or similar. It used to be fun but aircraft weight limits make packing much more difficult.

Our favourite lines are Azamara, Oceania and Star Clippers and thankfully there are no formal nights. We are also booked on Viking Ocean. That doesn't mean that the ladies can't dress up - but they don't have to pack long formal dresses. My husband is delighted not to take Black Tie -

Formal Nights do not necessarily equate with 'up market' in my opinion.

[dgs1956]

I now dislike the Formal Nights and would therefore never cruise with Cunard or similar. It used to be fun but aircraft weight limits make packing much more difficult.

Our favourite lines are Azamara, Oceania and Star Clippers and thankfully there are no formal nights. We are also booked on Viking Ocean. That doesn't mean that the ladies can't dress up - but they don't have to pack long formal dresses. My husband is delighted not to take Black Tie -

Formal Nights do not necessarily equate with 'up market' in my opinion.

 

I'm all for everyone being entitled to their opinion but I can never understand why anyone who refuses to cruise on P&O can be bothered to come on the P&O part of the Forum and express their comments.

Edited November 20, 2015 by dgs1956

[pisces14]

I'm all for everyone being entitled to their opinion but I can never understand why anyone who refuses to cruise on P&O can be bothered to come on the P&O part of the Forum and express their comments.

 

I have to agree. I've just joined this forum because I cruise with P&O and I'm interested in what people think of P&O. If someone doesn't want a cruise which entails wearing formal outfits that's their choice. I'm not quite sure why they think anyone on a P&O forum is interested unless it's to point out they are now cruising with a more upmarket cruiseline. Again a matter of choice.

[Mrs Miggins]

I was looking on this forum for a number of reasons. Firstly because of a wonderful review by Solent Richard of a Viking River Cruise since we are considering a similar one. So I thought I would look for more of his excellent work. In addition my sister has been on, and enjoyed, a P & O cruise and we were looking at possible itineraries.

I have been on Oriana for lunch and liked the look of it - but was told that there were no dining or other options on formal night and one had to more or less hide in the cabin if you preferred only smart casual. This was a few years ago and may not now be true but it did put me off. We have only done one cruise from Southampton on Independence of the Seas and whilst I did enjoy the cruise I missed the mix of nationalities I had found on previous fly cruises. Several thousand Brits combined with an American Cruise line doing their utmost to be British was a rather over the top for me. Therefore we were considering one of the Fly cruises now offered by P & O. as the prices that I get sent on a regular basis for various P & O cruises are encouraging. However it appears that I am not welcome to express an opinion on a poll conducted on a Celebrity forum (a cruise line I enjoyed).

I am sure there must be some wonderful people on board each P & O ship but it appears, from this thread at least, that they rather argue amongst themselves and outsiders are not welcome at all.

[davecttr]

Don't worry about the people on here, we are basically the lunatic fringe of cruisers ;)

 

As for Oriana, on formal nights you can eat in the Conservatory buffet or Sorrento (this might now be the Beach House american diner) or use room service. You won't be barred from the rest of the ship either and evening casual wear is welcome in the Theatre, Pacific show lounge, Harlequins club, the casino and Lords Tavern (main bar), plus of course the open deck bars on balmy evenings :)

[Florry]

Britannia has even more options as the Limelight Club is a dining and entertainment venue rolled into one and is evening casual. I find that for women what is one persons idea of formal is completely different to another's snd this isn't always reflected on the board. I see plenty of women in what I would describe as smart clothes. Men can wear an ordinary suit too. My husband wears a DJ lots outside of cruising and whilst he will wear it on a cruise he won't wear a bow tie, instead he has a black tie but it has black sparkly bits stuck to it. Do you like the idea of Britannia? I thought she was a wonderful ship and would offer more options with an evening casual code on formal nights.

Edited November 21, 2015 by Florry

[gadabout60]

I was looking on this forum for a number of reasons. Firstly because of a wonderful review by Solent Richard of a Viking River Cruise since we are considering a similar one. So I thought I would look for more of his excellent work. In addition my sister has been on, and enjoyed, a P & O cruise and we were looking at possible itineraries.

I have been on Oriana for lunch and liked the look of it - but was told that there were no dining or other options on formal night and one had to more or less hide in the cabin if you preferred only smart casual. This was a few years ago and may not now be true but it did put me off. We have only done one cruise from Southampton on Independence of the Seas and whilst I did enjoy the cruise I missed the mix of nationalities I had found on previous fly cruises. Several thousand Brits combined with an American Cruise line doing their utmost to be British was a rather over the top for me. Therefore we were considering one of the Fly cruises now offered by P & O. as the prices that I get sent on a regular basis for various P & O cruises are encouraging. However it appears that I am not welcome to express an opinion on a poll conducted on a Celebrity forum (a cruise line I enjoyed).

I am sure there must be some wonderful people on board each P & O ship but it appears, from this thread at least, that they rather argue amongst themselves and outsiders are not welcome at all.

 

Mrs Miggins, as far as I am concerned please come on and express your views. This is essentially a public forum

If some people don't like what you are saying they can express disagreement. They shouldn't try and put you off expressing your views (which many share) in the first place

 

This is a democracy!

[Mrs Miggins]

Thanks very much. As I said I only followed a link from Solent Richards profile - I am not a 'lurker'.

I think what I was trying to express was that the standard of dress on Azamara or Oceania in the evenings is very good. In all areas in the evening people were smartly and even elegantly dressed. There is a dress code which everyone follows. Yes I have seen long, sparkly evening dresses as well as smart black trousers with an elegant top (for the women). Men would wear formal shirts, sometimes with jackets, and sometimes but not always, with a tie. Many cruisers on those lines are on extended trips often combined with several weeks on a land tour, meaning that packing has to be light. This dress code means that no one is made to feel awkward or feels excluded from areas which, lets face it, they have paid to be in.

Not sure that P & O is on my wish list now, but who knows what the future holds.

Looking forward to our Viking Ocean cruise and investigating river cruises.

[dgs1956]

I'm entitled to an opinion as well.

 

I never said that someone should not post an opinion. I fact I have said numerous times that people are entitled to express an opinion. What I said was I cannot understand why people come on here who say they won't cruise with P&O and then pass comments disagreeing with the way P&O do things. If you don't like P&O then don't cruise with them. I have no problem with someone preferring any cruise line over P&O as its a matter of personal preference. Other cruise lines are different and not necessarily better to all of us.

The comment of "Several thousand Brits combined with an American Cruise line doing their utmost to be British was a rather over the top for me" to me is an unnecessarily offensive remark about fellow British cruisers.

[seapals2]

We are Caribbean loyalty members of P&O and have only recently moved to try a couple of Celebrity cruises (one out of Southampton) after a poor experience on a med Azura cruise. We found the overall cruise experience on Celebrity ships higher. Formal nights were more adhered to, perhaps not as many traditional DJs worn by the men but there were smart suits and very elegant ladies cocktail dresses. The whole ambiance of the ship is traditional cruising and we found it more like P&O used to be.

Since the introduction of the mega size ships .. .. Azura and Ventura and now Brittania P&O have entered into a price cutting war now offering some of the cheapest cruise deals going. A cruise is now not just for the rich and famous as it once was and times will change. If the poll also had an age factor it would be no surprise to find the majority voting for formal wear would fall into the older age group. It's cruising as we remember and we like our heritage. However it's unlikely cruising will wear the same face in ten years time. Cunard may well hold fast longer to its bygone traditions but it's a small fleet and may be a niche market for Carnival.

P&O on the other hand is aiming at the masses to fill its ships sailing from Southampton and its fly deals out of Europe. Will they keep buying the formal uniform?

P&O are unlikely to state changes they will just let passengers do their own thing. Dress will ultimately become less formal and no one will be refused entry to the MDR. People will keep protesting on CC .... Others like us will jump ship .... And change will still happen though it probably wont be chic or elegant.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[bee-ess]

We like the formal nights and like to see as many as possible dressed up but think that once a week is the way to go especially on fly cruises. I agree with Seapal's post above, I think P&O will go with what the masses want, they have to compete with RCI and Celebrity from Southampton and will do whatever they need to, will formal dress be a factor for new cruisers choosing a cruise line ?

Edited November 22, 2015 by bee-ess

[dgs1956]

We are Caribbean loyalty members of P&O and have only recently moved to try a couple of Celebrity cruises (one out of Southampton) after a poor experience on a med Azura cruise. We found the overall cruise experience on Celebrity ships higher. Formal nights were more adhered to, perhaps not as many traditional DJs worn by the men but there were smart suits and very elegant ladies cocktail dresses. The whole ambiance of the ship is traditional cruising and we found it more like P&O used to be.

Since the introduction of the mega size ships .. .. Azura and Ventura and now Brittania P&O have entered into a price cutting war now offering some of the cheapest cruise deals going. A cruise is now not just for the rich and famous as it once was and times will change. If the poll also had an age factor it would be no surprise to find the majority voting for formal wear would fall into the older age group. It's cruising as we remember and we like our heritage. However it's unlikely cruising will wear the same face in ten years time. Cunard may well hold fast longer to its bygone traditions but it's a small fleet and may be a niche market for Carnival.

P&O on the other hand is aiming at the masses to fill its ships sailing from Southampton and its fly deals out of Europe. Will they keep buying the formal uniform?

P&O are unlikely to state changes they will just let passengers do their own thing. Dress will ultimately become less formal and no one will be refused entry to the MDR. People will keep protesting on CC .... Others like us will jump ship .... And change will still happen though it probably wont be chic or elegant.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

A well presented discussion and you may well be right.

I absolutely agree that if P&O did change then it won't be to chic or elegant.

My concern is that if all the cruise lines head the same way then the choice becomes so limited and is just a matter of price and to a lesser extent to itinerary. Surely that can't be good.

[themanwithahat]

"Yes, a move forward"

 

Obviously not a leading question then.

 

Reminds me of someone posting a joke version of the Scottish Indie question, it was along the line of "I vote Yes, Scotland is wonderful" "I vote No, because I am a pathetic coward" littered with pictures of Mel Gibson in Braveheart.

[themanwithahat]

A well presented discussion and you may well be right.

I absolutely agree that if P&O did change then it won't be to chic or elegant.

My concern is that if all the cruise lines head the same way then the choice becomes so limited and is just a matter of price and to a lesser extent to itinerary. Surely that can't be good.

 

If P&O want to go downmarket, then that's up to them, but I think many of their current users will look elsewhere.

 

I would ; it's not the formal nights per se but what they represent.

 

The point about it being popular amongst the older may have some validity, but the older group is a significant market in cruising ; it's the only holiday where I feel I'm below the average age. (this doesn't bother me, it just is).

 

There obviously is a big market for the RCI style of cruising, but it's not so big that everyone can go there.

[daiB]

If P&O want to go downmarket, then that's up to them, but I think many of their current users will look elsewhere.

 

 

 

I would ; it's not the formal nights per se but what they represent.

 

 

 

The point about it being popular amongst the older may have some validity, but the older group is a significant market in cruising ; it's the only holiday where I feel I'm below the average age. (this doesn't bother me, it just is).

 

 

 

There obviously is a big market for the RCI style of cruising, but it's not so big that everyone can go there.

 

 

This idea that it is only the older cruisers that like formal is not exactly true. On our recent Britannia cruises the younger element were all dressed up to the nines, as were many of their, little, children and those not so were of the elder persuasion.