Shingles Mark Posted July 9 Author #26 Share Posted July 9 18 minutes ago, DukeBeetle24 said: You'll get a lot of conflicting responses. But your suggestion would fall within the dress code as stated on the Cunard website. A jacket is optional. Jeans are acceptable (if not torn, darker denim tends to be smarter) and smart shoes - altogether your suggestion would be a nice outfit for non-gala evenings. Thanks Duke I think yours is the most understandable answer so far 😉 I wouldn’t dream of wearing them on a gala night . Mark 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DukeBeetle24 Posted July 9 #27 Share Posted July 9 Just now, Shingles Mark said: Thanks Duke I think yours is the most understandable answer so far 😉 I wouldn’t dream of wearing them on a gala night . Mark Just don't forget the collared shirt underneath said jacket! 😉 Most of all, enjoy it, there's far too much debate about dress code. Smart for one isn't smart for another, if the crew have an issue, they will flag it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Windsurfboy Posted July 9 #28 Share Posted July 9 10 hours ago, NE John said: Trousers tend to be tailored, jeans not so much. I believe Cunard requests a more tailored look after 6pm. If Cunard wants a more tailored look they should write it down, communication by telepathy doesn't work . Saying "wear what you'd wear to a smart restaurant ashore" is too vague to be meaningful. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
david63 Posted July 9 #29 Share Posted July 9 59 minutes ago, Windsurfboy said: Saying "wear what you'd wear to a smart restaurant ashore" is too vague to be meaningful. Before now I have been to a Michelin restaurant where some diners looked as if they had just come in from doing the gardening! 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
exlondoner Posted July 9 #30 Share Posted July 9 2 minutes ago, david63 said: Before now I have been to a Michelin restaurant where some diners looked as if they had just come in from doing the gardening! It’s more worrying if the waiters look like that. 😀 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bell Boy Posted July 9 #31 Share Posted July 9 On 7/7/2024 at 8:09 PM, Shingles Mark said: Would a nice jacket with jeans and smart shoes be ok for the non formal nights ? Mark Stick with a pair of Chinos - What is it with this jeans thing guys . Leave em at home or wear on shoreside tours . Probably not the answer you expected but I'm being frank with you .😉 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare D&N Posted July 9 #32 Share Posted July 9 1 hour ago, Bell Boy said: Stick with a pair of Chinos - What is it with this jeans thing guys . Leave em at home or wear on shoreside tours . Probably not the answer you expected but I'm being frank with you .😉 Having ruined several photos with Chinos, chino shorts, and short sleeve shirts last time, they'll all be staying at home as well. They're fine for a summer's day on the Riviera. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DRG-Mobile Posted July 9 #33 Share Posted July 9 On 7/7/2024 at 3:44 PM, D&N said: The dress code suggestion in the daily programme specifically mentions jeans every night as being acceptable in certain casual venues: "Of course, if you prefer to spend tonight in more relaxed attire, a selection of casual dining and entertainment venues are available for your enjoyment. Feel free to dress casually as you visit any of the following venues: Kings Court, Golden Lion Pub, Casino, Carinthia Lounge, and G32. Please note that non-ripped jeans are appropriate,...". It doesn't specify them for the "Smart attire" code, but I think it's unlikely that the outfit you describe would be turned away from other venues, assuming the jeans concerned are not ripped, dirty or overly faded. "Unlikely to be turned away" is not the criteria I would use in evaluating what to wear. One thing I've heard fairly consistently from the Cunard travellers that we have travelled with is how much they appreciate that the line has maintained some standards of dress. I saw somebody turned away for wearing shorts in the evening in one of the alternate theme restaurant spaces on the QM2 holiday cruise last December/January. We cheered that. I don't recall ever seeing somebody wear jeans in the dining room. Conversely, anything seems to go on Holland America or Celebrity these days, which is one of the reasons we prefer Cunard. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DRG-Mobile Posted July 9 #34 Share Posted July 9 On 7/7/2024 at 3:13 PM, King Amo said: It's not 100% clear in their language (as it could be interpreted in two ways), but it's generally understood that non-ripped jeans are only allowed in the casual spots, like the buffet, Golden Lion etc. Safer to go with smarter trousers. Also, not wanting to be appear to be a pedant, but it's useful for the understanding/interpretation, the non-formal nights are 'smart attire' not 'smart casual'. Agreed. The fact that the reference to "non-ripped jeans" is included in the section on where you can eat casually ("Feel free to dress casually as you visit any of the following venues: Kings Court, Lido Buffet (Including Al Fresco), Golden Lion, Casino, Carinthia Lounge, Winter Garden, Garden Lounge, Yacht Club, and G32. Non-ripped, jeans are appropriate") means to me that they are NOT welcome in the main dining rooms. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare D&N Posted July 9 #35 Share Posted July 9 11 minutes ago, DRG-Mobile said: "Unlikely to be turned away" is not the criteria I would use in evaluating what to wear. ....................... I don't recall ever seeing somebody wear jeans in the dining room. 7 minutes ago, DRG-Mobile said: means to me that they are NOT welcome in the main dining rooms. It's not my criteria either. I dressed in tux etc on extra evenings over and above our four gala nights, and in dark lounge suits with shirt and tie every other night. However I have seen folk wearing jeans in the MDRs, and there are several posters here that claim to have worn them or seen others wearing them. While you and I might prefer that folk didn't wear them other than in the specified venues, it is often pointed out to me and others that what we might prefer is not the published dress code. We only visit one of the venues where they are listed as being permitted anyway and the lighting isn't very bright there, so we probably won't notice them. 😀 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blokie Posted July 10 #36 Share Posted July 10 Alaska in September on QE will be my first Cunard experience. I'm happy with black/navy chinos and shoes for the "smart attire" evenings - my question is whether short sleeved (full button-down) shirts are acceptable (seems so from the guidance, but wanted to get the view from you experienced folks), and also whether a jacket is required too? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
exlondoner Posted July 10 #37 Share Posted July 10 Just now, Blokie said: Alaska in September on QE will be my first Cunard experience. I'm happy with black/navy chinos and shoes for the "smart attire" evenings - my question is whether short sleeved (full button-down) shirts are acceptable (seems so from the guidance, but wanted to get the view from you experienced folks), and also whether a jacket is required too? Short sleeved shirts OK, but not that common, at any rate on cruises I’ve been on. Jacket not necessary, but the air con may make you think otherwise. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Windsurfboy Posted July 10 #38 Share Posted July 10 On 7/9/2024 at 7:17 PM, DRG-Mobile said: Non-ripped, jeans are appropriate") means to me that they are NOT welcome in the main dining rooms. "Means to me" is vague and clearly not enforceable. Again what people think or say doesn't count, it's what's written down that counts. It is not difficult for Cunard to make the dress code unambiguous, as they have not done this, I think they purposefully want it to mean everything to everybody. So as not to put anyone off, sound formal to the formalister's sound casual to the casualister's (invented words) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
david63 Posted July 10 #39 Share Posted July 10 24 minutes ago, Windsurfboy said: Again what people think or say doesn't count, it's what's written down that counts. Even that is not necessarily correct - it is what actually happens on the ship that counts! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DRG-Mobile Posted July 10 #40 Share Posted July 10 On 7/8/2024 at 8:45 PM, WantedOnVoyage said: The reality is: we care more about the "dress code" than anyone at Cunard ashore or afloat. During three plus week aboard QUEEN VICTORIA in May there was NO effort at enforcement of it by any staff member, in any public venue. None. Shorts and tees during Gala Nights. Not common but not exceptional, either. Indeed, I saw passengers so attired in the company of cruise staff. "Hey Guys"... Cunard doesn't care about their dress code. Or those of us who do. I guess it all depends on what you're going for. "Staff didn't turn me away," is not the standard we go for. On the QM2 holiday cruise last year there was a guy who wore sunglasses on his head every night at dinner. Staff didn't say anything but we all certainly did! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare WantedOnVoyage Posted July 10 #41 Share Posted July 10 (edited) Me, I've completely given up on this Dress Code stuff... we wear what we have always worn as a gentleman and a lady on a Cunarder for the last... gosh, for us since 1993 and for me since 1977. For me, it's jacket and tie "smart casual" and I think I'll go back to wearing a suit too. Cunard is intent on yes... dumbing down and dressing down... and content on looking the other way when people cannot or will not have the courtesy to even comply with the diminished standards of dress and decorum the company have set, confusingly, themselves. My eyebrows are done worn out and if Cunard doesn't care (and they don't), if people want to dress "19th hole" or "I just mulched my lawn" for the evening (gala included), go for it. They are usually the ones who say "I don't see what's so special about Cunard, it's no better than P&O..." And they might have a point before long. I do like the sunglasses on the head though... it could be worse and they could be astride a ball cap, too..... Edited July 10 by WantedOnVoyage 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john watson Posted July 10 #42 Share Posted July 10 6 minutes ago, WantedOnVoyage said: Me, I've completely given up on this Dress Code stuff... we wear what we have always worn as a gentleman and a lady on a Cunarder for the last... gosh, for us since 1993 and for me since 1977. For me, it's jacket and tie "smart casual" and I think I'll go back to wearing a suit too. I think you have come to a sensible pragmatic attitude to those about you. If one starts to become upset about what others are wearing you tend to get upset about it. I look at others and sometimes conclude what are you thinking dressed like that? I have been sailing Cunard for a very long time and standards have gone downhill a long way. Problem is that modern cruise lines have to attract the public which is there. Regards John 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Victoria2 Posted July 11 #43 Share Posted July 11 7 hours ago, WantedOnVoyage said: Me, I've completely given up on this Dress Code stuff... we wear what we have always worn as a gentleman and a lady on a Cunarder for the last... gosh, for us since 1993 and for me since 1977. For me, it's jacket and tie "smart casual" and I think I'll go back to wearing a suit too. Cunard is intent on yes... dumbing down and dressing down... and content on looking the other way when people cannot or will not have the courtesy to even comply with the diminished standards of dress and decorum the company have set, confusingly, themselves. My eyebrows are done worn out and if Cunard doesn't care (and they don't), if people want to dress "19th hole" or "I just mulched my lawn" for the evening (gala included), go for it. They are usually the ones who say "I don't see what's so special about Cunard, it's no better than P&O..." And they might have a point before long. I do like the sunglasses on the head though... it could be worse and they could be astride a ball cap, too..... If you must continue to use the word dumb, Cunard would be dumb if they didn't change to meet the cruise market of today. I miss 'the old' but realise there might not be a Cunard in a few years time if the tweaks hadn't been put in place and as there is nothing stopping anyone 'dressing for dinner', and the vast majority of passengers do scrub up well, there will be a Cunard for years to come. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blokie Posted July 11 #44 Share Posted July 11 20 hours ago, exlondoner said: Short sleeved shirts OK, but not that common, at any rate on cruises I’ve been on. Jacket not necessary, but the air con may make you think otherwise. 10 hours ago, david63 said: Even that is not necessarily correct - it is what actually happens on the ship that counts! This was more to my point - if I'm going to dinner or the theatre I typically wear chinos, shoes and a short-sleeved shirt. Whilst I'm comfortable with this (and wouldn't mean needing to purchase several new shirts I would likely not wear again), if the vast majority will be wearing long-sleeved shirts thn I'll just stump up and buy some as I don't want to stand out from the crowd..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
exlondoner Posted July 11 #45 Share Posted July 11 1 minute ago, Blokie said: This was more to my point - if I'm going to dinner or the theatre I typically wear chinos, shoes and a short-sleeved shirt. Whilst I'm comfortable with this (and wouldn't mean needing to purchase several new shirts I would likely not wear again), if the vast majority will be wearing long-sleeved shirts thn I'll just stump up and buy some as I don't want to stand out from the crowd..... Or wear a jacket and nobody will know where your sleeves end unless they look closely. 😀 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DukeBeetle24 Posted July 11 #46 Share Posted July 11 51 minutes ago, Blokie said: This was more to my point - if I'm going to dinner or the theatre I typically wear chinos, shoes and a short-sleeved shirt. Whilst I'm comfortable with this (and wouldn't mean needing to purchase several new shirts I would likely not wear again), if the vast majority will be wearing long-sleeved shirts thn I'll just stump up and buy some as I don't want to stand out from the crowd..... The dress code is collared shirt. Long sleeved or short sleeved is entirely your preference, and will probably also depend on your destination. If you have short sleeved collared shirts and are comfortable in them - wear those, your suggested outfit fits the dress code. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShipboardSteve Posted July 11 #47 Share Posted July 11 However long this thread continues, the long and the short of it is that it will be what passengers do, or don't do, that will govern the future atmosphere on board Cunard cruises. Each passenger will in the end decide whether they wish to pay for a cruise where the current traditions suit them, or if people don't like it then they can, and will, decide to go on different holidays than a Cunard cruise. Scanning the various forums and groups on various social media would indicate that people are already changing which cruise lines they are going on. Some of course are trying out Cunard for the first time, and others who are long standing Cunard cruisers have tried cruises on other lines, and others are asking questions on other forums, having booked voyages with different lines in the coming months. It would certainly seem that Cunard have pretty well made a pigs ear of the transition to the new ship, with a huge number of complaints about dining services in particular, and not just on Queen Anne - with more complaints than in the past about service on board QM2 for example. The entertainment on board all the ships seems to have generated a range of posts with some glorifying wonderful experiences, and others condemning it as terrible. The whole issue of dress code looks like it will continue to generate animosity into the future too. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
e&mcruise Posted July 11 #48 Share Posted July 11 9 hours ago, WantedOnVoyage said: I do like the sunglasses on the head though... I am guilty of this with both eyeglasses and sunglasses as I am blind without them......hope that is ok too 😉 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Victoria2 Posted July 11 #49 Share Posted July 11 19 minutes ago, e&mcruise said: I am guilty of this with both eyeglasses and sunglasses as I am blind without them......hope that is ok too 😉 and me. Also keeps the hair back sometimes so I see glasses on head as a hair accessory too.😀 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Victoria2 Posted July 11 #50 Share Posted July 11 #47 Golly, hold the front page. Passengers trying different cruise lines, passengers disenchanted with Cunard and passengers delighted with Cunard. T'was ever thus and will continue to be so. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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