Dress Code for Men

[LewiLewi]

The last time we were on the QM2 my husband wore his tux 18 of the 21 days on board. That was 8 years ago. Has the dress code relaxed since then or are tuxes still required?

We will be on a 7 night crossing in August.

Thank you.

[Thaxted]

There are now three formal nights on transatlantic crossings. There were plans to scrap all but one of them on the August 1 westbound sailing, but fortunately there was an uproar about this and the other formal nights were restored.

 

Tuxes are the norm on formal nights, but a dark suit will suffice.

Edited March 19, 2016 by Thaxted

[sb44]

We had 4 formal nights but saw many men in either suits, not necessarily dark, or even sports coats with ties. The younger travellers removed ties after dinner. Not so many long gowns either. Very pretty cocktail dresses. The world is changing like it or not and Cunard has to relax the dress code at some point to fill rooms. There is lots of competition out at sea.

 

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[claroquesi]

While that is true, it is Cunard's standards which will have us giving them our money over Celebrity who has recently eliminated formal nights.

[zider]

Cunard has to relax the dress code at some point to fill rooms. There is lots of competition out at sea. No they do not a Formal Dress code is a very big Selling point to Customer's & Long may it be so.

[sb44]

It may be a very big selling point for some but for others it's the deal breaker. All I'm saying is demographics are changing. Not for or against, just an observation. I love dressing up and so does my husband who owns tuxes. But many of our friends won't book because they don't want to be formal or want the extra baggage which becomes cumbersome and expensive to get back to the US. I hope the QM2 continues on as is for many years but my observation is that there are just not as many younger people who will participate and we older people can't travel forever.

 

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[DreamflightPat]

Cunard has to relax the dress code at some point to fill rooms. There is lots of competition out at sea. No they do not a Formal Dress code is a very big Selling point to Customer's & Long may it be so.

Do not agree with the comment that they have to relax dress code to fill rooms. They are cabins not rooms for one thing. I choose to sail with Cunard over other cruise lines because of their formal nights. For people who don't want formal nights please don't sail on Cunard. On my last two half world cruises there were lots of long gowns and men in tuxedo's.

Edited March 19, 2016 by DreamflightPat

[sb44]

Enjoy your cruises. I enjoy mine. Hopefully I won't be taken below in chains for calling a cabin a room. So is a suite an inappropriate term on a ship as well? Bet they didn't have them on the Santa Maria. [emoji23]

 

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[jimmybean]

We had 4 formal nights but saw many men in either suits, not necessarily dark, or even sports coats with ties. The younger travellers removed ties after dinner. Not so many long gowns either. Very pretty cocktail dresses. The world is changing like it or not and Cunard has to relax the dress code at some point to fill rooms. There is lots of competition out at sea.

 

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I don't doubt your observances, sb44, however, Cunard has not --of yet-- officially re-written dress code for formal nights.

 

Some people may have relaxed their compliance with the dress code and Cunard might waiver, at times, in strict enforcement, and on some voyages fewer formal nights may be scheduled, but sports coats are not formal attire and would be inappropriate on a formal night (according to Cunard's descriptions of prescribed dress).

 

For me, that is a significant difference.

 

It boggles my mind that wearing the prescribed attire seems insurmountable to some (some, not most) people. But, I also wonder why an occasional non-conformist at the gym goes clockwise on the track. Why people park cars in spaces reserved for handicapped individuals.

 

…If there is a rule, why not just follow it?

 

The only official dress-code change in the last eight years (that I know about) is allowing men to go tie-less on non-formal nights. So, now there are only two categories of dress, instead of three (as there were 8 years ago). We haven't been on a Cunard ship for almost two years, but on our last crossing, many gentlemen still chose to wear a tie with their sports coats voluntarily! All four gentlemen at our dinner table did.

 

We sailed on Celebrity once and it was a pleasant experience, but seeing men in blue jeans at dinner was just not the same as seeing smartly dressed gentlemen on the QM2.

 

The dress code is set by Cunard, not established by public vote. It may change in the future (in response to customer opinions), but until it does, why not just go along with it? It really isn't all that painful. Ask my DH. It really isn't all that difficult, because there is already a range of dress that is acceptable. For example, both cocktail dresses AND dark suits are perfectly "okay" on a formal night. The fact that more women might choose a cocktail dress isn't a relaxation--this choice is fully compliant.

 

When passengers merely follow the established dress code, the outcome is visually pleasing for all.

 

LewiLewi, have a wonderful voyage and welcome back!

[Thaxted]

I don't doubt your observances, sb44, however, Cunard has not --of yet-- officially re-written dress code for formal nights.

 

Some people may have relaxed their compliance with the dress code and Cunard might waiver, at times, in strict enforcement, and on some voyages fewer formal nights may be scheduled, but sports coats are not formal attire and would be inappropriate on a formal night (according to Cunard's descriptions of prescribed dress).

 

For me, that is a significant difference.

 

It boggles my mind that wearing the prescribed attire seems insurmountable to some (some, not most) people. But, I also wonder why an occasional non-conformist at the gym goes clockwise on the track. Why people park cars in spaces reserved for handicapped individuals.

 

…If there is a rule, why not just follow it?

 

The only official dress-code change in the last eight years (that I know about) is allowing men to go tie-less on non-formal nights. So, now there are only two categories of dress, instead of three (as there were 8 years ago). We haven't been on a Cunard ship for almost two years, but on our last crossing, many gentlemen still chose to wear a tie with their sports coats voluntarily! All four gentlemen at our dinner table did.

 

We sailed on Celebrity once and it was a pleasant experience, but seeing men in blue jeans at dinner was just not the same as seeing smartly dressed gentlemen on the QM2.

 

The dress code is set by Cunard, not established by public vote. It may change in the future (in response to customer opinions), but until it does, why not just go along with it? It really isn't all that painful. Ask my DH. It really isn't all that difficult, because there is already a range of dress that is acceptable. For example, both cocktail dresses AND dark suits are perfectly "okay" on a formal night. The fact that more women might choose a cocktail dress isn't a relaxation--this choice is fully compliant.

 

When passengers merely follow the established dress code, the outcome is visually pleasing for all.

 

LewiLewi, have a wonderful voyage and welcome back!

 

Very well said, jimmybean!

 

I know that there are people who find the dress code draconian, but others, like ourselves, revel in it. And contrary to what some may think, the great divide is not necessarily generational. I have friends in their seventies who hate dressing up. One, who remarkably enough will be joining us onboard this summer, confessed that he hadn't worn a tie in so long that he couldn't remember how to put one on. The good news, much to my surprise, is that he has bought a tux just for the occasion. On the other hand, when I describe my crossings to my university students, some tell me that they wished that they had an excuse to dress elegantly. One confided to me that she was so enthralled by the prospect that she was going to spend her honeymoon on QM2.

 

By the way, LewiLewi, like sb44 we had four formal nights on our last two crossings, but we were at sea for eight days, not seven. If you go to your Voyage Personaliser, you can find the dress code for each night of your voyage. Have a wonderful crossing!

[Cornus]

That was 8 years ago. Has the dress code relaxed since then or are tuxes still required?

 

Tuxes were never required. I am at *Diamond* level for many years now, usually do at least two, sometimes four, trans Atlantics every year, and have NEVER worn a tux...just don't like them! Of course, I abide by the dress code and wear a dark suit.

[lannp]

Tuxes were never required. I am at *Diamond* level for many years now, usually do at least two, sometimes four, trans Atlantics every year, and have NEVER worn a tux...just don't like them! Of course, I abide by the dress code and wear a dark suit.

 

I've seen Cornus on formal night and he looks very dressed up in his dark suit! Passengers spoke up last year on the Blue Note cruise and made it known that we did NOT want the dress code dumbed down. If you do not wish to dress up you have two choices. Sail with another line or be prepared to have your evening choices limited.

[BobBranst]

Do not agree with the comment that they have to relax dress code to fill rooms. They are cabins not rooms for one thing. I choose to sail with Cunard over other cruise lines because of their formal nights. For people who don't want formal nights please don't sail on Cunard. On my last two half world cruises there were lots of long gowns and men in tuxedo's.

I totally agree. The day Cunard eliminates the formal dress code is the day we stop cruising on Cunard. Like many others, we take one suitcase just for our formal wear. In my observation, the vast majority of the men and women on our recent WC segments were dressed in proper formal wear.

 

There are plenty of other lines for those who wish to dress any way they choose at any time or place.

 

Bob

[Host Hattie]

Enjoy your August crossing LewiLewi, Cunard's published dress code is

 

Formal:

Evening wear consists of an evening or cocktail dress or smart trouser suit for ladies. A tuxedo, dinner jacket or dark suit with appropriate neck wear for men or you may wear formal national dress and military uniform.

Informal:

Evenings would consist of a required jacket and optional tie optional for gentlemen, whilst ladies should wear cocktail dresses, stylish separates or equivalent.

 

Please note that after 6pm, shorts and blue or worn denim (for men and women); sandals and sleeveless tops (for men) are not considered appropriate within the ship. On formal nights, any guests wishing to dress more casually are welcome to dine in the Kings Court or Lido buffet restaurant and relax in the Winter Garden or Garden Lounge bar, but should not use other areas within the ship, including our Alternative Dining Restaurants, out of respect for their fellow guests.

 

I'm not aware of any plans to change it, one of the highlights for many people of a Cunard trip (especially a crossing) is the evening formality.

Edited March 19, 2016 by Host Hattie

[PORT ROYAL]

Enjoy your August crossing LewiLewi, Cunard's published dress code is

 

 

 

I'm not aware of any plans to change it, one of the highlights for many people of a Cunard trip (especially a crossing) is the evening formality.

 

 

The mention of "all other areas" always makes one smile, as I have a great fond memory of a lovely lady (taking her 12th RTW), insisting this location rule should also include the "elevators", making those not correctly dressed use the stairs. :)

[Camgirl]

Cunard has to relax the dress code at some point to fill rooms. There is lots of competition out at sea. No they do not a Formal Dress code is a very big Selling point to Customer's & Long may it be so.

 

I totally disagree. It is Cunard's unique selling point that they still have many formal nights and a strict dress code. There will always be people who really want to dress up, even amongst the younger generations. They only have to fill three ships compared with the much bigger fleets of other lines. I believe if the dress code is relaxed Cunard would just be one of many similar brands and could eventually disappear. They need to keep the formality to keep their uniqueness.

[Bell Boy]

We had 4 formal nights but saw many men in either suits, not necessarily dark, or even sports coats with ties. The younger travellers removed ties after dinner. Not so many long gowns either. Very pretty cocktail dresses. The world is changing like it or not and Cunard has to relax the dress code at some point to fill rooms. There is lots of competition out at sea.

 

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I really do have to smile at your comment sb44, "Change the dress code just to fill the ship" :D

 

I don't believe for one moment Cunard will have any need to do that. After adding additional staterooms to both Q.Vic & QE they are now having to 'add' additional staterooms to the QM2 as they can't accommodate all their future bookings.

 

There may be plenty of other cruise lines out there, however, a great deal of those are still owned by the Carnival Enterprise. In the cruise & travel industry there has always been a market for a Luxury Brand, Cunard's style,product and Brand Image reflects this.

[Capt_BJ]

a dark suit is perfectly acceptable

 

I'd say it was approx 50% tux and 50% dark suit last June's west crossing. Some of the tux colors pressed what I'd call the limits but to others a tux is a tux!

 

I did see staff chase folks out of lounges who were not in compliance with the evening dress code . . .

 

 

One comment about folks choosing Cunard because they do require formal dress ..... I never heard that comment from anyone on the ship. What we did hear A LOT, and it surprised us, was the large number of folks who saw the trip purely as 'transportation'. For what ever reason they just did not want to fly and so they took QM2 .... Often they were on their 10th or 20th crossing just as 'transportation'. They saw the dress code as something to live with and just part of the experience to travel the way they wanted to . . . not always retired and well off by the way. Families with kids, folk moving back to US ... folks who would NOT leave the dog behind . . . In a way that's how we got there .... QM2 with a balc was less than two business class plane tickets (bar bill excluded!)

Edited March 19, 2016 by Capt_BJ

[sb44]

You both look lovely.We also had the impression from others that they were on #10 or more, precisely as a means of transportation for exactly the reasons you mentioned. We go back and forth several times a year by plane lately and considered another crossing because we like the easy time change and just being at sea. The dates haven't worked out but will. Next time I will bring a long black skirt and several tops. My husband a suit and sportcoat. We also saw many men in the lounges and casino on formal nights wearing just shirts and a few with blue jeans. Nobody said a word to them. When we're in Europe we travel and after two extra large rolling bags with formal wear weighing us down, we will pare down but certainly look and act presentable.

 

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[rolfecms]

Do not agree with the comment that they have to relax dress code to fill rooms. They are cabins not rooms for one thing. I choose to sail with Cunard over other cruise lines because of their formal nights. For people who don't want formal nights please don't sail on Cunard. On my last two half world cruises there were lots of long gowns and men in tuxedo's.

 

We enjoyed the atmosphere on Celebrity until they changed beyond recognition, including eliminating formal nights. Our favorite is now Cunard because we like traditional cruising. If all cruise lines morph like Celebrity we'll find other ways besides cruising to spend our vacation time.

[pepperrn]

I don't doubt your observances, sb44, however, Cunard has not --of yet-- officially re-written dress code for formal nights. Some people may have relaxed their compliance with the dress code and Cunard might waiver, at times, in strict enforcement, and on some voyages fewer formal nights may be scheduled, but sports coats are not formal attire and would be inappropriate on a formal night (according to Cunard's descriptions of prescribed dress). For me, that is a significant difference. It boggles my mind that wearing the prescribed attire seems insurmountable to some (some, not most) people. But, I also wonder why an occasional non-conformist at the gym goes clockwise on the track. Why people park cars in spaces reserved for handicapped individuals. …If there is a rule, why not just follow it? The only official dress-code change in the last eight years (that I know about) is allowing men to go tie-less on non-formal nights. So, now there are only two categories of dress, instead of three (as there were 8 years ago). We haven't been on a Cunard ship for almost two years, but on our last crossing, many gentlemen still chose to wear a tie with their sports coats voluntarily! All four gentlemen at our dinner table did. We sailed on Celebrity once and it was a pleasant experience, but seeing men in blue jeans at dinner was just not the same as seeing smartly dressed gentlemen on the QM2. The dress code is set by Cunard, not established by public vote. It may change in the future (in response to customer opinions), but until it does, why not just go along with it? It really isn't all that painful. Ask my DH. It really isn't all that difficult, because there is already a range of dress that is acceptable. For example, both cocktail dresses AND dark suits are perfectly "okay" on a formal night. The fact that more women might choose a cocktail dress isn't a relaxation--this choice is fully compliant. When passengers merely follow the established dress code, the outcome is visually pleasing for all. LewiLewi, have a wonderful voyage and welcome back!

Very well said jimmybean :)

[pepperrn]

... And contrary to what some may think, the great divide is not necessarily generational. I have friends in their seventies who hate dressing up. One, who remarkably enough will be joining us onboard this summer, confessed that he hadn't worn a tie in so long that he couldn't remember how to put one on. The good news, much to my surprise, is that he has bought a tux just for the occasion. On the other hand, when I describe my crossings to my university students, some tell me that they wished that they had an excuse to dress elegantly. One confided to me that she was so enthralled by the prospect that she was going to spend her honeymoon on QM2.

Totally agree Thaxted,

 

Amongst my (now "senior") friends there are a small number of the "60s" generation (the "flower-power, woodstock and free love" era) who now hate "dressing up". On the other hand I meet many of the younger generation who positively revel in the chance to put on "black tie" or a long gown for a special occasion.

 

I would hope that Cunard not only continue to list "formal" nights for the dining rooms and majority of the public rooms, but to actually rigorously enforce the dress-code, turning people away who can't be bothered (the "It's my holiday" school of thought).

 

On the second highlighted point above; a friend was truly dreading having to wear a suit for his first voyage (QM2 crossing) in 2011. Afterwards he not only bought a dinner suit for his next trip, he booked many more crossings and cruises on QM2, and a full world cruise on QE (is now a Diamond Member), and positively looks forward to "dressing up".

 

Best wishes,

 

Thank you Thaxted.

Edited March 19, 2016 by pepperrn

[pepperrn]

... If you do not wish to dress up you have two choices. Sail with another line or be prepared to have your evening choices limited.

Very well stated, thank you :)

[Lakesregion]

The more cruise lines that lower their standards to the Wal-Mart level of attire to fill their ships, the easier it is for Cunard to fill their three ships with people who appreciate an atmosphere closer to Downton Abbey than to the downtown pub. Carnival has fallen to the American style - no table cloths in the main dining room, BBQ formal attire with only a single room visit per day by the stewarts as so many of the Carnival folks like to call the stewards.

[AZNative2000]

If you do not wish to dress up you have two choices. Sail with another line or be prepared to have your evening choices limited.

 

Hear, hear!

 

The more cruise lines that lower their standards to the Wal-Mart level of attire to fill their ships, the easier it is for Cunard to fill their three ships with people who appreciate an atmosphere closer to Downton Abbey than to the downtown pub.

 

About to be a first-timer on Cunard and delighted that the dress code is what it is. Having previously rented a tux when one was needed, I will be buying one of my very own to pack along as I board Queen Victoria this fall.

 

It would be a terrible shame if all cruise lines continue to try to all be the same. If one wants a "gala" night, a "cruise elegant" night, or even an "evening chic" ... there are lines there to provide them. It is sad that folks looking for those experiences seem to think that all cruise lines should re-invent themselves to appease them.

 

A tux takes no more space and weighs no more in the luggage than a suit. I can wear a suit at home. Rarely do I have an occasion for a tux and I welcome that I soon will.:):)

 

Cheers!

Edited March 19, 2016 by AZNative2000