Cunard Westbound Transatlantic Crossing - Fashion

[jp2001]

I am sure I saw signs outside the restaurants on the QE2 stating clearly 'Jacket and tie required'.

 

I thought both ships, QM2 and QE2, had the same dress code but since it's not the case, we will have to choose our cruise taking this into account. Thank you very much for the input.

[pnhmrk]

We had no 'Casual' nights on the QE2 during any of the cruises I've been on!

 

We did - one last Christmas! It was just as formal as an informal night - most men didn't have a separate jacket they could wear so they just wore a lounge suit.

 

I read the Daily Programmes and for casual night, they state ''no jacket is required, collard shirt with slacks is perfectly appropriate'' I think my boyfriend will go for this option

 

That might happen on QM2 (I've never been on her so check). On the QE2 casual includes a sports jacket.

 

I guess there is always the Lido if you want to avoid the jacket. This does confuse me a little though as I understood that the dress code on the QE2 (and maybe even the QM2) applied to the whole evening throughout the ship :confused:

 

I believe that the dress code only applies to the restaurants on QM2 (check) on the QE2 it applies to the whole ship (including the Lido).

[kevankiki]

I believe that the dress code only applies to the restaurants on QM2 (check) on the QE2 it applies to the whole ship (including the Lido).

 

We were appalled at the number of people who did not appear to be dressed formally at all on our recent cruise, despite reminders in the daily programme as to what 'Formal' and 'Informal' meant, and commented as such in the feedback we gave!

 

Husband spotted one diner in the Mauretania with no jacket and no tie either (and no, they weren't female!) :eek:

[jp2001]

I can't speak for the QM2 because my wife and I have only been on the QE2....

It sounds like you will have no problem with the ship but if your boyfriend has a problem dressing for dinner each night you might want to think about a different ship. But, what man doesn't want to look good when he is escorting a beautiful woman on his arm.

...

 

Bruno definitely want to ''fit in'', look good and be dressed on the same ''level'' as me when we go out for dinner, if we choose the QE2, he will comply with the dress code but he may prefer the QM2 because of the occasional casual night, we will keep this in mind to make our choice.

 

I may also choose to go on a crossing as a solo traveller since I want to live the full ''transatlantic crossing experience'' which, for me, means:

 

- Waking up early for a walk on deck (Bruno likes to sleep in on vacation)

- Attending many lectures (We are French Canadians and Bruno may find hard to follow lectures, his English is good but on the begginer/intermediate side)

- Trivia (same as above for Bruno)

- Reading a good book, wrapped in a blanket on deck

- Tea Time (I don't think it's something he would like)

- Dressing up for dinner (OK for Bruno but not what he prefers)

 

For him, a perfect weekend is an ATV trip (what we do often) and I enjoy it too even if VERY DIFFERENT from the transatlantic crossing dream I cherish.

[pnhmrk]

Husband spotted one diner in the Mauretania with no jacket and no tie either (and no, they weren't female!) :eek:

 

I don't think that I'd have resorted to feedback on the comment card - I'd have been right in complaining tot the Maitre D'!:mad:

 

I did take my jacket off once, after dinner, on our recent trip - they'd just repaired the a/c so it wasn't working. The Crystal Bar had the temperature and humidity of a sauna:cool:

[DocM3]

I believe that the dress codes for evening should be enforced. Most people do as is expected of them to everyones benefit and it is unfair to all that have complied to have others ignore the rules. Cunard should not be concerned about enforcing the dress code - Make even a bigger point of it when someone is booking and hopefully people will get the picture.

 

The majority of those sailing on the "Queens'" enjoy dressing for dinner.

[captain_rad]

I may also choose to go on a crossing as a solo traveller since I want to live the full ''transatlantic crossing experience'' which, for me, means:

 

- Waking up early for a walk on deck (Bruno likes to sleep in on vacation)

- Attending many lectures (We are French Canadians and Bruno may find hard to follow lectures, his English is good but on the begginer/intermediate side)

- Trivia (same as above for Bruno)

- Reading a good book, wrapped in a blanket on deck

- Tea Time (I don't think it's something he would like)

- Dressing up for dinner (OK for Bruno but not what he prefers)

 

My wife and I did exactley what you want to do and had a wonderful time. The lectures were great, the people were wonderful and very easy to talk to. Here it is eight months after our cruise and we are still talking about the wonderful people that we met and the great time that we had.

 

The QE2 is an old, elegant lady with a much slower pace. It sounds like you will enjoy her. Your boyfriend sounds more like a Carnival fun ship kind of a guy.

[kevankiki]

I don't think that I'd have resorted to feedback on the comment card - I'd have been right in complaining tot the Maitre D'!:mad:

 

I did take my jacket off once, after dinner, on our recent trip - they'd just repaired the a/c so it wasn't working. The Crystal Bar had the temperature and humidity of a sauna:cool:

 

Syrely the Maitre D' has eyes and can see what people are wearing, whereas the people that read the comment cards can't?

 

I think it's clear that Cunard is particularly formal regarding attire in the brochures, if people prefer not to wear a jacket then there is always Ocean Village :D

 

I think an exceptionally hot evening would be the only acceptable time to remove a jacket, particularly when sat in one place. My husband did this a couple of times, then put the jacket back on when he 'moved on', I don't object to this at all.

[mufi]

The dress code on QM2 applies only in the dining rooms. On QE2 it applies to the whole ship.

 

David.

[pnhmrk]

Surely the Maitre D' has eyes and can see what people are wearing, whereas the people that read the comment cards can't?

 

Yes, the fault is that of the Maitre d' and the branch of Cunard that trained him. Perhaps you should have complained to the MD and then written your comment (a belt and braces approach:D ).

 

The problem comes when you find out that the man in question has just booked 4 Deluxe Balcony Cabins for the next two years - he's commercially important - should Cunard intervene and tell him to wear a jacket?

[kevankiki]

Yes, the fault is that of the Maitre d' and the branch of Cunard that trained him. Perhaps you should have complained to the MD and then written your comment (a belt and braces approach:D ).

 

The problem comes when you find out that the man in question has just booked 4 Deluxe Balcony Cabins for the next two years - he's commercially important - should Cunard intervene and tell him to wear a jacket?

 

Surely if he has booked cabins of that kind he will be in a restaurant far more superior than the Mauretania? I've not dined in the Grills myself, but I assumed one would see far less (if any) lounge suits on a formal night for example?

[pnhmrk]

Surely if he has booked cabins of that kind he will be in a restaurant far more superior than the Mauretania?

 

As the original question was about Transatlantic fashion I deliberately picked a cabin at the top or the range for the Britannia Restaurant on the QM2. The cabins may equate to Caronia (although they're not in the single seating range), they're certainly not Grill Class. He doesn't have to have booked several cabins permanently, he could be buying cabins on each TA or just be a TA who puts a lot of business to Cunard. He doesn't have to be on the ship the entire time - he just has to be the person responsible for deciding on Cunard.

 

I've not dined in the Grills myself, but I assumed one would see far less (if any) lounge suits on a formal night for example?

 

I've never noticed a big difference on the QE2 - all the restaurants have been fairly dressy.

[pb82]

Just occurred to me that this might be a crucial datum in your decision about sailing on the QM2. Back in June my wife and I overheard two Canadian gentlemen in the Commodore Club complaining bitterly that there were no Canadian beers to be had on the QM2. Especially galling, they said, since Samuel Cunard came from Halifax. I'm sure that you both will love the ship, but if your home brews are important to you, bring some bottles with.

 

Paul

[kevankiki]

 

I've never noticed a big difference on the QE2 - all the restaurants have been fairly dressy.

 

Are you saying that you see people wearing dark lounge suits on formal nights in the grills too?

[pnhmrk]

Are you saying that you see people wearing dark lounge suits on formal nights in the grills too?

 

It's been a long time (a very long time since I was in the QG) but there were a couple of people in dark lounge suits on formal nights in the Princess Grill. Remember that the Grill only seats about 100 people - 2 men in lounge suits there equates to about 16 in the Mauretania.

[kevankiki]

It's been a long time (a very long time since I was in the QG) but there were a couple of people in dark lounge suits on formal nights in the Princess Grill. Remember that the Grill only seats about 100 people - 2 men in lounge suits there equates to about 16 in the Mauretania.

 

That's good to know actually. Why I believe hubby is contemplating buying a DJ for the next cruise, it may not actually happen, and even if it does our son will be with us this time and may not have one himself. It's unlikely we would end up in grill class, but you never know what the upgrade fairy might bring - well I can dream, can't I? :D

[pnhmrk]

I can dream, can't I? :D

 

By all means - as long as you leave some for me:) We're in Caronia next time, an upgrade would be nice.

[kevankiki]

I'd be happy to upgrade to Caronia, just for the single seating dining :cool: