Gala/Formal Evenings

[DaisyUK]

Apologies if this has been asked and answered previously. Are Gala evenings the same as Formal evenings? On the cruise I am about to book, it looks as though there is only 1 Gala evening. Does this sound right? It's a 27 night sailing.

[Victoria2]

Gala and Formal are the same unless yet a new category has been introduced. One Gala in 27 days has to be a misprint somewhere.

[navybankerteacher]

As I read Cunard’s dress code,  “formal” (lower case) is how they refer to every evening — and “Gala” refers to those two or three evenings per week which are dressier - black tie or dark suit for men..  I recall there being one special, “themed”,  evening being scheduled per itinerary.

[TheOldBear]

36 minutes ago, navybankerteacher said:

As I read Cunard’s dress code,  “formal” (lower case) is how they refer to every evening — and “Gala” refers to those two or three evenings per week which are dressier - black tie or dark suit for men..  I recall there being one special, “themed”,  evening being scheduled per itinerary.

On crossings, two of the 'gala' nights were themed. One seemed to always be 'black and white' with the other themed night one of several choices. The theme was mostly honored in the Queens Room, but diners might wear/bring hats, masks or other theme accessories to dinner.

[bluemarble]

The Cunard US website does refer to the dress codes as "Formal attire" and "Gala evening attire" on their "What to pack" page found here: https://www.cunard.com/en-us/the-cunard-experience/what-to-pack.

 

However, the Cunard UK website refers to the dress codes as "Smart attire" and "Gala evening attire" on their "What to pack" page found here: https://www.cunard.com/en-gb/the-cunard-experience/what-to-pack.

 

And for the record, the Cunard Australia website also uses the terms "Smart attire" and "Gala evening attire" on its "What to pack" page.

 

Once on board, the dress codes have actually been referred to as "Smart Attire" and "Gala Evening Attire" in the daily programmes and elsewhere, in agreement with the terminology used on the UK website. The "Smart Attire" and "Gala Evening" designations have also been used in dress code schedules that have been made available to download in the past.

 

This use of the term "Formal attire" on the Cunard US website has caused some confusion in past discussions about the dress code and unfortunately this inconsistency between the Cunard US website and other Cunard websites remains.

Edited January 5, 2021 by bluemarble

[DaisyUK]

Thanks for the replies. I may be confused. I was looking at the itinerary, on which it mentions one gala evening and, so far as I can see, no other mentions are made about either 'formal' or 'gala' evenings, so I assumed that there is only one gala evening for the entire cruise - or maybe we don't find out how many and which nights until nearer the time?

[bluemarble]

16 minutes ago, DaisyUK said:

Thanks for the replies. I may be confused. I was looking at the itinerary, on which it mentions one gala evening and, so far as I can see, no other mentions are made about either 'formal' or 'gala' evenings, so I assumed that there is only one gala evening for the entire cruise - or maybe we don't find out how many and which nights until nearer the time?

 

@DaisyUK, for my benefit, could you help me out on where exactly you are seeing the dress codes listed on the itinerary for a cruise you have not yet booked? Are you seeing this on the Cunard UK website? That would be a welcomed new feature I haven't seen before if what it showed were accurate.

 

In the past, Cunard has made dress code schedules available for download, but I haven't found those for 2021 yet. If you've found those documents, I'd love to hear about that.

Edited January 5, 2021 by bluemarble

[BigMac1953]

Remember, the basic rule is three "Formal" nights per week on crossings and two per week on cruises, (although not always).

[DaisyUK]

I'm actually on the USA website, and I have just retraced my steps to find out where I saw the gala evening, and now I cannot find it so I think I must have been mistaken. In any case, from the replies above, it seems that there will definitely be more than one gala night on a 27 day sailing, so I am happy!

[naturelovergirl]

On 1/5/2021 at 12:15 PM, DaisyUK said:

I'm actually on the USA website, and I have just retraced my steps to find out where I saw the gala evening, and now I cannot find it so I think I must have been mistaken. In any case, from the replies above, it seems that there will definitely be more than one gala night on a 27 day sailing, so I am happy!

Once you are closer to your voyage on Cunard, you should be able to see the particular gala nights on your cruise on the “Voyage Personaliser” on your computer...

We had three Gala evenings on a 12 night in 2019... the ball themes on those Gala nights were...

-Black & White

-Roaring 20s

-Royal Cunard

 

 

 

[BklynBoy8]

23 minutes ago, naturelovergirl said:

Once you are closer to your voyage on Cunard, you should be able to see the particular gala nights on your cruise on the “Voyage Personaliser” on your computer...

We had three Gala evenings on a 12 night in 2019... the ball themes on those Gala nights were...

-Black & White

-Roaring 20s

-Royal Cunard

Hoping to one day experience the Royal Cunard and Roaring 20's on board.

[Hows the Serenity]

We are looking at a 20 day Barcelona to Singapore in the QE.

My husband is not terribly keen on being too formal, so he has asked the question what exactly is a Gala Night?  Is it just a formal dinner, or is it a ball? (he is no dancer I'm afraid).

Is it mandatory that one must where a full suit/tuxedo to these Galas, and are the the same as a Formal Night?

We have sailed with Silversea, HAL, Royal & Carnival........all have different ideas on what is the correct attire in the evenings.

I am also assuming, that on these Formal/Gala evenings that one may not attend dinner in the main dining room, but must only have access to the "buffet", if one is not attired in the correct manner?????

Thank you in advance

Chris

Edited March 22, 2021 by Hows the Serenity
missed some words

[bluemarble]

43 minutes ago, Hows the Serenity said:

We are looking at a 20 day Barcelona to Singapore in the QE.

My husband is not terribly keen on being too formal, so he has asked the question what exactly is a Gala Night?  Is it just a formal dinner, or is it a ball? (he is no dancer I'm afraid).

Is it mandatory that one must where a full suit/tuxedo to these Galas, and are the the same as a Formal Night?

We have sailed with Silversea, HAL, Royal & Carnival........all have different ideas on what is the correct attire in the evenings.

I am also assuming, that on these Formal/Gala evenings that one may not attend dinner in the main dining room, but must only have access to the "buffet", if one is not attired in the correct manner?????

Thank you in advance

Chris

 

A "Gala Night" is any evening where the designated dress code is "Gala" (as opposed to the "Smart Attire" dress code on other evenings). There will usually be a ball held in the Queens Room on the "Gala" evenings, but in this context the term "Gala" refers to the formal dress code which does indeed specify a dark suit or dinner jacket/tuxedo for gentlemen. The dress code applies to many of the public venues around the ship after 6:00 pm including the main dining rooms. For QE, the venues where the dress code does not apply are the Lido Buffet, Golden Lion, Casino, Garden Lounge, and Yacht Club. In practice that means if you do not wish to adhere to the designated dress code for the evening (whether it be "Gala" or "Smart Attire"), your dining options would be the buffet and room service.

[Hows the Serenity]

1 hour ago, bluemarble said:

 

A "Gala Night" is any evening where the designated dress code is "Gala" (as opposed to the "Smart Attire" dress code on other evenings). There will usually be a ball held in the Queens Room on the "Gala" evenings, but in this context the term "Gala" refers to the formal dress code which does indeed specify a dark suit or dinner jacket/tuxedo for gentlemen. The dress code applies to many of the public venues around the ship after 6:00 pm including the main dining rooms. For QE, the venues where the dress code does not apply are the Lido Buffet, Golden Lion, Casino, Garden Lounge, and Yacht Club. In practice that means if you do not wish to adhere to the designated dress code for the evening (whether it be "Gala" or "Smart Attire"), your dining options would be the buffet and room service.

Fantastic response,

My husband is happy to take a lovely jacket to wear on the gala nights.

For the nights wearing smart attire, is he able to wear casual trousers/dress shorts and short sleeve shirt, ie button through or polo?

thank you

Chris & Ken

[2BACRUISER]

4 minutes ago, Hows the Serenity said:

 

For the nights wearing smart attire, is he able to wear casual trousers/dress shorts and short sleeve shirt, ie button through or 

No smart attire nights are still pants and jacket but no tie. Please look at Cunard what to pack page. Hth 

Edited March 22, 2021 by 2BACRUISER

[carlmm]

1 hour ago, Hows the Serenity said:

My husband is happy to take a lovely jacket to wear on the gala nights.

For the nights wearing smart attire, is he able to wear casual trousers/dress shorts and short sleeve shirt, ie button through or polo?

 A lovely jacket might be ok for the smart nights, when jackets are part of the minimum requirement; a tie is optional but worn by many.

If you have sailed on various other lines it might be helpful to know that smart attire on Cunard is far above what some people wear even for formal/gala/elegant nights on other lines these days.

 

For gala nights morst men indeed wear a tuxedo. As stated by @bluemarble a dark suit (with appropriate shirt and tie) is accepted as alternative.

 

Enjoy!

Edited March 22, 2021 by carlmm

[BigMac1953]

Definitely no shorts in the evening. Think country club casual.

[bluemarble]

@Hows the Serenity, if you haven't seen it already, it is indeed worthwhile to check out the "What to pack page" found here on the Cunard Australia website. https://www.cunard.com/en-au/the-cunard-experience/what-to-pack

 

Since it can be hard to find a textual description of the evening dress code specifics on the Cunard website prior to booking your voyage, I'll provide that here.

 

Gala:
On Gala nights it’s dinner jacket, tuxedo, or dark suit for the men with a regular tie or bow tie. Evening or cocktail dress, smart trouser suit, or formal separates for the ladies please.

 

Smart Attire:
Gentlemen, every night we request you wear smart trousers with a shirt and jacket; tie is optional. Ladies, blouses and skirts or stylish trousers and dresses are welcome.

[TheOldBear]

Some of the "Gala Evenings" also have a 'theme' ["Royal Cunard", "Ascot", "Masquerade" .....] with some additional fashion accessory suggestions - these are mostly observed in the Queen's Room [few folks wear Masquerade  masks at the dinner table]

[Jim9310]

 

For a less-dressy, informal RELAXED EVENING, Cunard's website states:  "Casual venues include: King Court, Lido Buffet, Golden Lion, Casino, Carinthia Lounge, Winter Garden, Garden Lounge, Yacht Club and G32."

Although theater, film, and music venues are not mentioned, can one attend performances dressed casually for a relaxed evening?

 

 

[bluemarble]

1 hour ago, Jim9310 said:

For a less-dressy, informal RELAXED EVENING, Cunard's website states:  "Casual venues include: King Court, Lido Buffet, Golden Lion, Casino, Carinthia Lounge, Winter Garden, Garden Lounge, Yacht Club and G32."

Although theater, film, and music venues are not mentioned, can one attend performances dressed casually for a relaxed evening?

 

You may get some differing opinions about this question. The dress code does apply to the theater, film and music venues not mentioned in the dress code exception list. Whether the dress code is always rigorously enforced in all those venues is another matter. But I think it is safe to say many of your fellow passengers will appreciate compliance with the dress code in those venues.

 

Just to make sure it's clear about some of the venues on the exception list, the Golden Lion, Carinthia Lounge/Winter Garden/Garden Lounge and Yacht Club/G32 count as music venues. Sometimes there are even performances that could be considered theatrical in the Carinthia Lounge on QM2, although certainly not as elaborate as the performances in the Royal Court Theatre. Not sure about the equivalent Winter Garden/Garden Lounge venues on the other two ships in that regard.

Edited March 22, 2021 by bluemarble

[hamrag]

18 hours ago, Hows the Serenity said:

We are looking at a 20 day Barcelona to Singapore in the QE.

My husband is not terribly keen on being too formal, so he has asked the question what exactly is a Gala Night?  Is it just a formal dinner, or is it a ball? (he is no dancer I'm afraid)....

 

14 hours ago, Hows the Serenity said:

....My husband is happy to take a lovely jacket to wear on the gala nights.

For the nights wearing smart attire, is he able to wear casual trousers/dress shorts and short sleeve shirt, ie button through or polo?....

 

 

Maybe best to leave hubby home, or continue to sail the lines you are comfortable with! 😉

[Lakesregion]

5 hours ago, Jim9310 said:

 

For a less-dressy, informal RELAXED EVENING, Cunard's website states:  "Casual venues include: King Court, Lido Buffet, Golden Lion, Casino, Carinthia Lounge, Winter Garden, Garden Lounge, Yacht Club and G32."

Although theater, film, and music venues are not mentioned, can one attend performances dressed casually for a relaxed evening?

 

 

NO. It would appear that Cunard is not really the venue for your life style. It is traditional attire and when they state country club attire they do not mean your local public course. absolutely no shorts after 6 pm any wear on the ship.

[Jim9310]

10 hours ago, Lakesregion said:

NO. It would appear that Cunard is not really the venue for your life style. It is traditional attire and when they state country club attire they do not mean your local public course. absolutely no shorts after 6 pm any wear on the ship.

 

Appreciate this blunt, clannish response.  Your “life stye” rationale  reminds me of a time I inquired whether a person was allowed to wear a swimsuit anywhere on a “naturalist beach”!  😊😊😊

Edited March 23, 2021 by Jim9310

[PORT ROYAL]

7 minutes ago, Jim9310 said:

 

Appreciate this blunt, clannish response.  Your “life stye” rationale  reminds me of a time I inquired whether a person was allowed to wear a swimsuit on a “naturalist beach”!  😊😊😊

 

There is a distinct difference between Cunard dress code and that of a nudist beach.  
The nudist beach dress code would have deemed a swimsuit acceptable albeit possibly a tad overdressed.  
While on Cunard, a swimsuit around the ship’s interior after 6pm would be considered totally unacceptable, being completely underdressed, in breach of the dress code and bad form.

Simply put, if you like cruising with formal dress codes, then book Cunard.  If you prefer cruising with a fully country casual dress code, then don’t book Cunard.

There is no requirement to debate.