Dress code strictness 2022

[84k]

Morning cruisers, unfortunately the pandemic/lock downs have not been kind to me and I've gained some extra baggage 😅

 

Not looking to purchase or hire any suits and fancy a more casual experience for Iona in April, is this possible?

 

Was hoping to wear shoes, black denim and a plain, fitted, hooded sweatshirt on the evenings. Will this get me into the more casual bars for the quiz nights, and the two/three (I've not brushed up on Iona) entertainment venues?

 

Tia

[davecttr]

The black denim should be OK as long as it is smart, not faded with holes or the crotch positioned at the level of your knees. There will be murmurings about the hood but my experience of Iona is the quizzes are in Brodies main bar next to the casino, actually not a large bar for such a huge ship. I now cruise casually and Iona will not present any problems. There are a few formal venues such as the Crows Nest, the  main dining rooms and one or two speciality restaurants. Iona only has one 'formal' night a week and even that is not called formal. Maybe take an alternative top in case you run into the fashion police 😁

[zap99]

2 hours ago, 84k said:

Morning cruisers, unfortunately the pandemic/lock downs have not been kind to me and I've gained some extra baggage 😅

 

Not looking to purchase or hire any suits and fancy a more casual experience for Iona in April, is this possible?

 

Was hoping to wear shoes, black denim and a plain, fitted, hooded sweatshirt on the evenings. Will this get me into the more casual bars for the quiz nights, and the two/three (I've not brushed up on Iona) entertainment venues?

 

Tia

Jeans and a hoodie sound fine. Go for it if you think that's appropriate.🤣

[indiana123]

84K   You will be loved.

 

There's nothing better on here than a good old discussion over dress code,  tips, or.. another topic I can't remember!!!!!

[kalos]

45 minutes ago, zap99 said:

Jeans and a hoodie sound fine. Go for it if you think that's appropriate.🤣

 

     

 

 

[majortom10]

edit

Edited March 16, 2022 by majortom10

[majortom10]

2 hours ago, kalos said:

 

     

 

 

God help us if thats the standard of dress on Iona or any P&O cruise ship.

[84k]

5 hours ago, indiana123 said:

84K   You will be loved.

 

There's nothing better on here than a good old discussion over dress code,  tips, or.. another topic I can't remember!!!!!

 

I know, I know!

 

I've been a member here 9yrs I just don't post 😅

 

[84k]

5 hours ago, zap99 said:

Jeans and a hoodie sound fine. Go for it if you think that's appropriate.🤣

Appropriate, maybe not, but it's what I've got! 😅

I'm sure that's all I wore back in '19 also but it feels a lifetime away and I can't remember.

Don't remember any disparaging looks tbh.

[84k]

7 hours ago, davecttr said:

The black denim should be OK as long as it is smart, not faded with holes or the crotch positioned at the level of your knees. There will be murmurings about the hood but my experience of Iona is the quizzes are in Brodies main bar next to the casino, actually not a large bar for such a huge ship. I now cruise casually and Iona will not present any problems. There are a few formal venues such as the Crows Nest, the  main dining rooms and one or two speciality restaurants. Iona only has one 'formal' night a week and even that is not called formal. Maybe take an alternative top in case you run into the fashion police 😁

Thanks Dave 👍

[cruising.mark.uk]

84K - I agree with Dave.  Our experience on Iona a couple of weeks ago suggests you'll be absolutely fine dressed as you describe.  Very few venues (basically, the standard dining rooms and one bar) were unavailable to those who didn't bring a suit / black tie.  I chose not to bulk out my luggage with formal kit for one evening per week and it was obvious that many others did the same.  In fact, given the target demographic of this ship and Arvia, I can see formal nights (or whatever they are calling them now.  I forget) being dropped on them altogether in the not too distant future and a universal smart casual dress code being introduced.  Those who favour the more traditional approach to cruising and the associated strict dress code will doubtless continue to be able to find what they want on other ships in the fleet.

[Denarius]

16 minutes ago, cruising.mark.uk said:

84K - I agree with Dave.  Our experience on Iona a couple of weeks ago suggests you'll be absolutely fine dressed as you describe.  Very few venues (basically, the standard dining rooms and one bar) were unavailable to those who didn't bring a suit / black tie.  I chose not to bulk out my luggage with formal kit for one evening per week and it was obvious that many others did the same.  In fact, given the target demographic of this ship and Arvia, I can see formal nights (or whatever they are calling them now.  I forget) being dropped on them altogether in the not too distant future and a universal smart casual dress code being introduced.  Those who favour the more traditional approach to cruising and the associated strict dress code will doubtless continue to be able to find what they want on other ships in the fleet.

I take a slightly different view. Whilst I would personally prefer an all smart casual dress code there are many young people who like the opportunity to choose to dress up.  So I think it more likely that P&O will folllow the lead of Regent etc and go for optional formal on some nights, with those who wish to being invited to don black tie whilst those who do not being able to remain smart casual. This is effectively the situation at present apart from some venues being resticted to those wearing black tie; I expect those restrictions to be quietly dropped.

Edited March 16, 2022 by Denarius
Specific comment addressed highlighted

[AndyMichelle]

We like to dress up where appropriate, but strongly believe it's your holiday, enjoy it your way. 

I think a lot of us have mellowed and will just be glad to be cruising again. 

Iona seems to be aimed at a more laid back audience, so I'm sure you won't be the only one. 

Have a great time. 

Andy 

[Snow Hill]

On 3/16/2022 at 4:38 PM, cruising.mark.uk said:

84K - I agree with Dave.  Our experience on Iona a couple of weeks ago suggests you'll be absolutely fine dressed as you describe.  Very few venues (basically, the standard dining rooms and one bar) were unavailable to those who didn't bring a suit / black tie.  I chose not to bulk out my luggage with formal kit for one evening per week and it was obvious that many others did the same.  In fact, given the target demographic of this ship and Arvia, I can see formal nights (or whatever they are calling them now.  I forget) being dropped on them altogether in the not too distant future and a universal smart casual dress code being introduced.  Those who favour the more traditional approach to cruising and the associated strict dress code will doubtless continue to be able to find what they want on other ships in the fleet.

I do hope that is the case, never a fan of formal attire, I am on holiday and I should be free to decide what to wear and not be told what to wear on specific nights, the smart casual option I can live with. 

[Billish]

48 minutes ago, Snow Hill said:

I do hope that is the case, never a fan of formal attire, I am on holiday and I should be free to decide what to wear and not be told what to wear on specific nights, the smart casual option I can live with. 

Oh good, a dress thread.  About time !

The P&O dress code is very clear,  and there are plenty of other cruuse lines available for those who do not wish to follow the code.   

[davecttr]

3 hours ago, Billish said:

Oh good, a dress thread.  About time !

The P&O dress code is very clear,  and there are plenty of other cruuse lines available for those who do not wish to follow the code.   

Actually it isn't but what is now TRUE is that you can cruise on a P&O ship and easily avoid all the formal venues. 😁

[Amyracecar]

I see the debates on FB all the time. You'd think on a ship like Iona it'd actually be pretty easy to resolve and work for everyone. It has 4 MDR's, just make some formal and some smart/casual on gala nights, that way people who want to dress up can do and be with others who feel the same, and those who don't can also relax and enjoy. I understand back on smaller ships where there were limited options, but Iona should be able to accommodate everyone without stress. 

[lujaha]

Now that is a very good idea.  Well done!

[Britboys]

It will continue to be a divisive subject all the time P&O try to be all things to all people...

[terrierjohn]

1 hour ago, Amyracecar said:

I see the debates on FB all the time. You'd think on a ship like Iona it'd actually be pretty easy to resolve and work for everyone. It has 4 MDR's, just make some formal and some smart/casual on gala nights, that way people who want to dress up can do and be with others who feel the same, and those who don't can also relax and enjoy. I understand back on smaller ships where there were limited options, but Iona should be able to accommodate everyone without stress. 

Although I quite enjoy formal nights, I do agree that with freedom dining and 4 MDRs, P&O could easily allocate at least one of them to casual dining on formal nights.

[Snow Hill]

6 hours ago, Billish said:

Oh good, a dress thread.  About time !

The P&O dress code is very clear,  and there are plenty of other cruuse lines available for those who do not wish to follow the code.   

Yes there are, we were thinking of trying another line as we have only ever cruised with P&O, dress code may feature on the list of criteria. My Dinner suit is now 11 years old, although only worn 2 or 3 times a year, the rest of the time it resides in the spare wardrobe. It no longer fits me, no intention of replacing it. My lounge suit still fits, but again rarely gets worn, I see zero point in buying clothes I rarely wear.

 

I used to have to wear suits at work, but my then employer dropped the requirement in 1998, so smart casual has been the order of the day since then. 

[Billish]

I appreciate the sentiments of those that want to go down the smart casual dress route,  and allocating certain MDRs to casual would a way forward.

My concern is that "smart casual" is open to far more interpretation than jacket and tie. 

One man's smart casual is another man's Saturday gardening clothes! 

[Eglesbrech]

27 minutes ago, Billish said:

I appreciate the sentiments of those that want to go down the smart casual dress route,  and allocating certain MDRs to casual would a way forward.

My concern is that "smart casual" is open to far more interpretation than jacket and tie. 

One man's smart casual is another man's Saturday gardening clothes! 

That made me laugh, I have often looked and clothing onboard for smart casual nights that I would have been consigned to gardening years ago.

 

 

[Harry Peterson]

Trouble is, the suits that were a perfectly acceptable alternative for formal nights have now also gone very much out of style post-WFH. Very few are being sold now.

 

There is in this house, I believe, a 6Os hippy outfit, complete with kaftan, worn on suitable occasions (weddings, funerals, orgies etc).  Is this acceptable for formal nights? Asking for a friend.

[Eglesbrech]

3 minutes ago, Harry Peterson said:

Trouble is, the suits that were a perfectly acceptable alternative for formal nights have now also gone very much out of style post-WFH. Very few are being sold now.

 

There is in this house, I believe, a 6Os hippy outfit, complete with kaftan, worn on suitable occasions (weddings, funerals, orgies etc).  Is this acceptable for formal nights? Asking for a friend.

Harry I would pay to see you in it.

 

Suits have come out of the “National shopping basket” just this week after 75 years. Replaced by sports wear apparently.