Evening dress

[NancyC]

If we wish not to dress formally on gala nights, what venues are open to us?  I know we can eat at the buffet.   Can we go to the evening show?  Are there bars and dance venues open to us?  Or is it easier to state where we can’t go?

[bluemarble]

Here is how it's stated in the Cunard dress code (where I have highlighted the names of the casual venues in red).

 

"Of course, if you prefer to spend your evenings in more relaxed attire, a selection of casual dining and entertainment venues is always available for your enjoyment. Feel free to dress casually as you visit any of the following venues: Kings Court, Lido Buffet, Golden Lion, Casino, Carinthia Lounge, Winter Garden, Garden Lounge, Yacht Club, and G32. Non-ripped, jeans are appropriate, but please refrain from wearing shorts, sports attire, swim wear or sleeveless t-shirts outside of the gym, spa and deck spaces."

 

Note some of these venue names vary by ship:

Kings Court = QM2; Lido Buffet = QV & QE (buffet)

Golden Lion = All three ships (bar)

Casino = All three ships (bar)

Carinthia Lounge = QM2; Winter Garden = QV; Garden Lounge = QE (bar)

G32 = QM2; Yacht Club = QV & QE (bar and dance venue)

 

The Royal Court Theatre (where the evening shows are performed) is not on the list of casual venues.

Edited August 29, 2019 by bluemarble

[ClipperinSFO]

14 hours ago, bluemarble said:

 

 

On QM2 iirc, you have to walk through the Queen's Room to get to G32, but I doubt that will be an issue.   

[RJChatsworth]

We recently spent 15 nights on QE and every evening in the Royal Court Theatre, there was one guy who every night of the cruise was dressed in T shirt and shorts irrespective of the occasion.  On a number of nights there were two of them.  They entered by Deck 1 entrance close to the stage and raced out as soon as the lights came up at the end of the show.  Where were the fashion police?  They seem only to be at the main entrances and perhaps do not have a mandate if passengers are flouting Cunard's recommendations.

 

When passengers have taken the trouble to dress-up as required why would some want to selfishly detract from the occasion?  

[ClipperinSFO]

3 minutes ago, RJChatsworth said:

When passengers have taken the trouble to dress-up as required why would some want to selfishly detract from the occasion?  

 

I think that's what the OP is asking: where can they go so as not to "... detract from the occasion".   Probably why your sartorial scofflaws made a discreet entrance and a quick exit from the theatre.

[NancyC]

Yes, we are just considering Cunard and my husband doesn’t own a tux and rarely wears a suit.  In order to not offend anyone, I was trying to know the limits ahead of time.  Thanks for all of your comments.  It sounds like we will go another direction.  

[Tonopah]

32 minutes ago, NancyC said:

Yes, we are just considering Cunard and my husband doesn’t own a tux and rarely wears a suit.  In order to not offend anyone, I was trying to know the limits ahead of time.  Thanks for all of your comments.  It sounds like we will go another direction.  

We also. We’re not “dressers” before our first crossing. We bought a tux and the store threw in a matching suit jacket. We discovered we quite enjoyed dressing up for dinner and the evening. 

 

I believe you will enjoy your Cunard voyage, but I would encourage you to consider at least dressing up a time or two. They do rent tuxes on board. Happily sailing!

[BigMac1953]

It's all part of the fun and it costs so little to buy a tux (or at least a dark suit).

 

It would be like buying expensive theatre tickets then spending the whole night sitting in the theatre's bar watching TV. Pointless.

 

As has already been suggested, don't knock it until you've tried it. Who knows, you might even become like the rest of us!

 

Stewart

[tacticalbanjo]

My husband hates wearing suits and not too long ago turned down a job that would have required him to wear a suit every day. He loves dressing up on Cunard though. It really makes the evening into an event. 

[babs135]

OP, for the cost of a dark suit, smart shirt and a bowtie the whole of the ship will be open to you.  Is it worth his reconsidering? It really is a lovely experience to see everyone dressed up and be part of it.

 

[siforest65]

I must admit to in the past not being a fan of dressing up on holiday but sat in the Commodore club for pre dinner drinks with dinner suit and bow tie with the lovely ambience in there was a definite high point of the cruise.

Edited August 30, 2019 by siforest65

[Windsurfboy]

I'm only into my 4th cruise,  but wearing a DJ/TUX has become part of the fun. Its grown on me as time goes by.  I've even bought self tie bow ties in various colours, cummerbands, and dress shirt studs.  So it's not only my wife who spends time getting ready for dinner. A glass or two of bubbly on the balcony then trying to do my tie is part of the ritual. 

 

The dinners are a highlight of the day. Especially as gala evenings are normally on a sea day. Spend all day relaxing then change gear an dress up for a "ball".

 

Go one by a TUX and join the party.

[nybumpkin]

After three weeks on QM2 this summer, the question I've been most asked is "What about the dress code?" My answer is, "It really isn't that hard to meet." I have two ankle-length cocktail dresses that are very travel-friendly (read: if I wanted to, I could just wad them up and jam them in my suitcase😉), and I supplemented them with long skirts and tunics. DH has a tux with an accompanying dinner jacket. (Had to pack them a little more carefully than I had to pack my dresses.) He brought several bow ties with matching pocket squares, as well as a pair of slacks and blazer for the less-dressy nights. We really liked the dinners and after-dinner activities, and are looking for our next opportunity to sail. 

[megr1125]

I'm allergic to dressing up but I managed to find, on huge sales, 3 long gowns to wear on my 1st crossing in November (I spent maybe $100 bucks total! Gotta love sales on top of sales with coupons too!! :😄.  I have enough dresses for the other evenings.  I figure, it may be the only time I do this, so what the heck!!  Very excited.  Had I not found things I liked, I would have just gotten a black skirt, a couple tops and some blingy jewelry.

 

So excited!!  

[3rdGenCunarder]

8 hours ago, siforest65 said:

I must admit to in the past not being a fan of dressing up on holiday but sat in the Commodore club for pre dinner drinks with dinner suit and bow tie with the lovely ambience in there was a definite high point of the cruise.

 

And thank you for contributing to that ambiance! The Commodore Club has such a sophisticated feel that it deserves a well dressed clientele.

 

[NancyC]

Thanks to all for your understanding and suggestions.  We have decided to go shopping and give QM a try.  Thanks again.  

[ClipperinSFO]

12 hours ago, NancyC said:

Thanks to all for your understanding and suggestions.  We have decided to go shopping and give QM a try.  Thanks again.  

 

That’s great! Just as a matter of interest, are you considering a cruise on QM2 or a crossing?

[NancyC]

We are taking QM2, Quebec City to NYC. 

[Tonopah]

3 hours ago, NancyC said:

We are taking QM2, Quebec City to NYC. 

Please let us know what you think. I’m excited for you. 

[NancyC]

Yes, hubby consented to get & wear a black suit.  

[Host Hattie]

It's good to hear that the advice was useful, have a wonderful time.

[theavonb]

On 8/29/2019 at 4:02 PM, NancyC said:

Yes, we are just considering Cunard and my husband doesn’t own a tux and rarely wears a suit.  In order to not offend anyone, I was trying to know the limits ahead of time.  Thanks for all of your comments.  It sounds like we will go another direction.  

We have booked the QM2 to come home to Canada instead of flying. We are not dress up people but still want the experience of just being on the ship. We know the dress codes and will adhere to it, but we will eat in the Kings Court, which we are perfectly fine with. In all our cruises we have never eaten in the MDR. that is just us. So during the day we will enjoy the ship and in the evening we can be peasants and stick to deck 7, no problem. 

[NancyC]

I would have been fine without dressing up but we love the evening shows and would miss the entertainment.

[Jack E Dawson]

NancyC, 

Would love to hear a follow-up from you on how the trip went. 

 

Jack

[fizzy1]

On 8/31/2019 at 9:51 PM, NancyC said:

Yes, hubby consented to get & wear a black suit.  

You will love it xxxx