The Great Polo Shirt Debate

[Kohima]

Did the letter give answers to common questions? It seems that Saga’s phone system is causing extremely long wait times at present for all sorts of reasons. It would be very sensible to post comprehensive faqs on the website with definitive answers so that customers who just want answers to queries about all manner of things, including dress, do not have to clog up the lines. It is too late to send information only after booking when many issues could be answered on the website. At least then there would be definitive answers in writing.

[Glenndale]

We are due to cruise with them on 29th September and it seems that people with imminent cruises have been contacted with 9 pages of Frequently Asked Questions, to hopefully address the long wait times on the telephone.

I found an old Today, the Saga daily guide, from 2019 which stated,

"The following is clarification of our dress codes applicable from 6.00pm in ALL public rooms. Formal Attire Ladies Long or short evening dress or other elegant outfit. Formal Attire gentlemen: Tuxedo, dinner jacket or dark lounge suit and tie".

So maybe this is a small step forward for Saga,

Sadly it did not mention bars or the theatre.

The document also states that private transfers will continue for all departures in 2021.

 

[Kohima]

Certainly in 2018 and before there was the option to wear smart casual in the buffet on formal nights. The food was the same as the MDR and there were extra waiting staff if needed as well as tablecloths etc to make it more of an occasion. There was no expectation or rule to wear formal wear elsewhere on the ship.This only changed to formal wear only when we went on the new SOD in 2019.

[Janet-]

We are on Discovery at the moment. Formal dress code is all public rooms from 6pm. Having said that I did see a man in jeans and casual shirt in Britannia Lounge at 7pm

[Glenndale]

6 minutes ago, Janet- said:

We are on Discovery at the moment. Formal dress code is all public rooms from 6pm. Having said that I did see a man in jeans and casual shirt in Britannia Lounge at 7pm

And this is the problem with Saga, inconsistent information.

 

 

[Janet-]

Also no policing of their rules.

 

[Mr&MrsHendricks]

Why anyone would feel it appropriate to wear a Polo shirt in the dining room on an evening is beyond me.  (Even if the Polo shirt is in mint condition and no holes in the middle they’re still shouldn’t be worn)

 

However, as the Celtic Escape on 24th Sept is now going to the Isle of Man 🇮🇲 rather than Greencastle, would it be acceptable for me to wear a TT Shirt to dinner..????

[Jammy Bun]

1 hour ago, Mr&MrsHendricks said:

However, as the Celtic Escape on 24th Sept is now going to the Isle of Man 🇮🇲 rather than Greencastle, would it be acceptable for me to wear a TT Shirt to dinner..????

Fine by me - so long as you're clean and tidy, the only thing I would really like anyone to wear - on any occasion - is a smile on their face!

[CeaJay]

People can have their own opinions on what  they consider is appropriate dress.  However, it is down to Saga to issue the definitive dress code and for it to be available to people before they make their booking.  
 

If Saga are now saying that smart casual can be worn on formal nights in the Grill that will be nice for people who don’t want to dress more formally.  We are planning to dress up for formal nights but it wouldn’t stop us enjoying ourselves if provision is made for those who don’t want to.   I hope they make some provision for them to also have somewhere to have a pre and post dinner drink.

[Windsurfboy]

2 minutes ago, CeaJay said:

People can have their own opinions on what  they consider is appropriate dress.  However, it is down to Saga to issue the definitive dress code and for it to be available to people before they make their booking.  
 

 

Completely  agree , why wait to send a letter just  before people go on holiday. All the common requirements for all cruises and dress code , should be spelt out clearly and unambiguously on the website and in any new brochures. To be read before you book and enter into a binding contract. 

 

Saga unfortunately are not the only cruise line to think that vague statements about dress codes on their websites will suffice. 

[lincslady]

Since the dress rules seem to very inconsistent, sadly, I would suggest that for anyone who does not want to wear a DJ or suit on formal nights, maybe it would be worth packing a sports jacket and tie, just in case, which surely would suffice in the Grill., if not the Dining Room.

 

I have sometimes found on various cruise lines that the 'rules' can change when on board, and believe that some Captains, Cruise Directors or other senior staff make their own decisions!

 

It is all frustrating, and Saga is by no means the only line to  seem unable to make clear rulings.

[maesteggirl]

We are going on the Xmas cruise to the Canaries and have also received the information pack that says formal wear is not required in the Grill!!  It also says each household will be allocated a private car for the rest of 2021 and you are only allowed off the ship on ship's excursions. It details the tests necessary for disembarkation which (lateral flow 72hrs before disembarkation and PCR 48 hrs after) are at Saga's expense.

 

[LandC]

That’s very helpful to know.

[Jammy Bun]

Thank you Maesteggirl, that's really helpful.  Still watching the 20th Nov Canaries cruise, but don't intend to book until nearer the time, there is plenty of availability.  Being able to avoid formal dining if we want to, has made it much more attractive to us.

[Sekhmet]

On 8/28/2021 at 3:13 PM, maesteggirl said:

We are going on the Xmas cruise to the Canaries and have also received the information pack..................................................... It details the tests necessary for disembarkation which (lateral flow 72hrs before disembarkation and PCR 48 hrs after) are at Saga's expense.

 

We are sailing in October and have also received a letter with some details  - ref the tests as above, our letter states "We will take care of all the necessary arrangements for you to take both of these tests and instructions will be provided on board.  All testing costs are included in your cruise fare."

 

That sounds like we don't have to do anything (other than keep healthy!), and Saga will take care of the organising, which is good news and good customer service, we think.

[wowzz]

5 hours ago, Sekhmet said:

We are sailing in October and have also received a letter with some details  - ref the tests as above, our letter states "We will take care of all the necessary arrangements for you to take both of these tests and instructions will be provided on board.  All testing costs are included in your cruise fare."

 

That sounds like we don't have to do anything (other than keep healthy!), and Saga will take care of the organising, which is good news and good customer service, we think.

Won't you need the reference numbers for the Day 2 tests for the Passenger Location form, that you have to fill in just before arriving in the UK?

[Sekhmet]

18 hours ago, wowzz said:

Won't you need the reference numbers for the Day 2 tests for the Passenger Location form, that you have to fill in just before arriving in the UK?

Good point, and that thought had occurred to us - maybe Saga give us that information on board as well.  Whatever, when it gets nearer to the time, we'll ask the question of both Saga and our travel agent.  Plus, now that Saga have restarted non-UK cruises, if there are any CruiseCritic members on board, perhaps they could post the answer, please?

[maesteggirl]

It does say in the letter we had that Saga would 'take care of all the necessary arrangements for you to take both of these tests and instructions will be provided onboard. We will arrange all necessary documentation on your behalf or assist you in completing the necessary requirements during your cruise.'

 

Hopefully that will include the info for the Passenger Locator form.

 

It also states that if Passenger Locator forms are required by local authorities to go on ship's excursions that Saga will assist you in completing these forms.