Qm2 Dress Code In Alternative Restaurants

[travel-to-go]

KC,

You are kind indeed, and forgive me my momentary indiscretion (okay, It took a lot longer than a moment, but you'll extend me a bit of license here, I trust?)

 

Yes, it is true that Cunard offers dressier and more formal vessels. That's why most of us sail on Cunard. We appreciate the finer things in life, and prefer an upscale experience to screaming kids playing keepaway and doing cannonballs into the pools and spas. We like a library with literary ingredients instead of "People Magazine" and Well- other such trash- I can't think of other names right now, as I do not personally read such garbage (IMHO- YMMV) And yes, we owe it to our friend and guest, Mssr Pasavant, who seems at least more erudite on some subjects than I can claim to be, to give him the truth. But we can say it in a kind tone, one which recognizes that dressing for dinner is not for everyone, and that indeed, just because he might not care for one particular item of clothing doesn't mean he is entirely unsuited to the ship.

It is the manner of informing that I object to, indeed, the entire haughtinees and "better-than-thou" tone which I object too. This constant reminder that "you might not be good enough for the Queens" is just very distasteful. Indeed, even *I* who love dressing for dinner, feel as though I were an errant child being scolded for even DARING to want to be comfortable on my own dime! The NERVE of me! The sheer AUDACITY. It is puritan "looking-down-the-nose"" at its worst. It reeks of classism and snobism, and I don't like it!

 

You, OTOH, I like! :o

 

Karie,

who has to leave for work!

AGGH! My days and nights are backwards! Someone get me out of this time warp!

[stowaway2k]

My values don't include making someone feel that they are not as good as me if they do not live up to MY standards.

 

Geez people. you oughta listen to yourselves! I have never heard such a bunch of sniveling, rude, arrogant, ostentatious types in my life! I can almost hear the collective SNIFF as you all stick your patrician noses in the air.

Get a life, people!

quote]

 

WOW! :eek:

woohooo!! You Go Girl!! :D

Karie, I'd love to share a table with you (Britannia or Mauretania, of course) anytime! :)

I like you on the night shift!

[bobby1119]

 

 

 

Just as I would look out of place in a dress suit on a Carnival vessel, someone not in either a dress suit or a dark lounge suit will look out of place on a Cunarder on a formal night.

 

 

Kindlychap (Matthew?),

 

LOL. Your best comment yet! I cannot imagine you on Queen Mary 2, let alone a Carnival ship! In response to Karie's dissertation/diatribe, I say quite simply that I agree with her and Malcolm and you. A caveat... if I opt to have dinner in the Lido on a formal night while on the QE2 world cruise, I am not wearing a Tux and I am going there in nice slacks and a shirt. I tend to hang out in the Yacht Club and have appeared there at the witching hour in -- here we go -- jeans and a tux shirt (or what's left of it). Bring it on.:rolleyes:

[highcbob]

For our American viewers: who was it that said ( oh yes, wait, it was Rodney King ) "can't we aaall get along?"

 

Miss Karie my dear, you are putting way too much effort into this. Perhaps a nice relaxing holiday will do the trick. A week in the QM2 Canyon Ranch Spa should do wonders I should imagine. Let's say we start a new topic? How about dressing attire by the spa pool? Should terry-cloth robes above the knee for those 50 and older be permitted? OH, and speaking of the spa, why is there always so many folk who can't remember which locker they placed their 'attire' in? "No attendant, I know this IS the locker I used, number 56" - after the attendent forcing open the lock "are these your clothes Sir?" "umm ( blush ) no" ( tee-hee! ) ... ( when, after much hullabaloo, it's really number 299 on the opposite side ).

 

Ah yes, the wonderful world of Cunard. Probably when it all boils down to it things really have not changed in a 100 years - and we're all lovin' it!

[berry22192]

...It appears that I can get away with dressing down on formal nights by dining in the alternative restaurants or in our cabin...

 

You are aware of course that the nightly dress code is for the entire evening and not just for the restaurant?

 

Chris

[travel-to-go]

wait, wait!

I'm not done yet! Bobby! Are you saying somone <gasp?> tore off your tux pants and ravaged your shirt so all you had left was to put on <horrors> the j-j-j-J- word? Why you sly devil you! Trust you to come up with some interesting entertainment aboard the Queen, then go back out dressed like that with your devil-may-care attitude as if there were nothing at all out of place about a man in a torn tux shirt, hair combed at a rakish angle (if at all), shirt awry, and <gasp> jeans from the waist down... Oh you sexy thing you! You go, guy!

 

And HighC, You don't want to see me in that bathrobe. I keep reminding people, at my age, gravity having done its worst, It isn't the knees you'd be seeing!

 

OTOH, I'll take you up on that week at the Canyon Ranch in QM2. You're paying, right? But can I sneak out of the spa every so often to grab a bite to eat at the Britannia? In my skivies? <G>

 

okay

We'll make nice. Just no more putting down a guy who doesn't like ties. He may have had a tracheotomy, from choking almost to death entering a burning building to save three crying babies, a grandmother and a litter of kittens and the nursing mama cat! After all, Wouldn't you feel bad to belittle him now, and tell him he belongs on <gasp> Carnival :eek: ?

 

Karie, who is wearing jeans and a scrub shirt (because I love all the pockets for my glasses, pens, cell phone, Blackberry and whatever else I have to carry around while working all over a huge switch at night alone. )

[travel-to-go]

My values don't include making someone feel that they are not as good as me if they do not live up to MY standards.

 

Geez people. you oughta listen to yourselves! I have never heard such a bunch of sniveling, rude, arrogant, ostentatious types in my life! I can almost hear the collective SNIFF as you all stick your patrician noses in the air.

Get a life, people!

quote]

 

WOW! :eek:

woohooo!! You Go Girl!! :D

Karie, I'd love to share a table with you (Britannia or Mauretania, of course) anytime! :)

I like you on the night shift!

 

Kyle!

You're on!

When?

Where?

I bet you'd be a fascinating table-mate. you've been a lot of places, seen a lot of things, and have the pictures to prove it!

Can I bring Marc along? He'll be quiet, I promise!)

I'd love to sit and listen to your tales.. in a tux, or naked! It doesn't matter to me!

 

BTW, I responded to you over on the Bridge Wings thread. Yes, it was Ellen Williamson. Did you know her? She was one marvelous lady. She did things that women of her age (and status) simply did not do! And she did them with style and grace. and class. She and Greg were wonderful people. I admired her greatly.

[highcbob]

Good night everybody. Where's my pillow sweet? do we have to turn back the clocks tonight dear? what happened to tomorrows daily program I was reading earl... zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz!!!

[stowaway2k]

 

Can I bring Marc along?

Who?

 

I'd love to sit and listen to your tales.. in a tux, or naked! It doesn't matter to me!

ummm...ok....in a tux. :rolleyes:

 

Yes, it was Ellen Williamson. Did you know her? She was one marvelous lady.

I have her book, and enjoyed it very much.

[travel-to-go]

 

 

Who?

 

 

ummm...ok....in a tux. :rolleyes:

 

 

I have her book, and enjoyed it very much.

 

She's written more than one. I assume you mean "When we Went First Class" Ellen also wrote a book on the stock market. She owned original stock in Quaker Oats. They are originally from Cedar Rapids, Michigan. Her Aunt and Uncle on the Titanic were Walter and Mahala Douglas. Actually, Walter and Bruce (his brother, father of Ellen) were co-founders of the Douglas company, manufacturers of cornstarch and Bruce (George Bruce Douglas) and his father (also Bruce) worked at the father's cereal company which became Quaker Oats.

 

When they raised a large piece of the Titanic in 1998 (which heartachingly, but maybe fittingly) fell back into the sea as it neared the surface, it turned out that it was one of the walls, of the Douglas' cabin, C-86.

 

For more (fascinating but slightly confusing in its construction) information as to Walter and Mahala and their Titanic experiences, go here:

http://www.brucemore.com/scripts/history_titanic2.asp

Brucemore was George and Irene's (Ellen's Mother and Father's estate in Cedar Rapids.

 

Karie,

Who has only another half hour of night work to go!

[pnhmrk]

You are aware of course that the nightly dress code is for the entire evening and not just for the restaurant?

 

Chris

 

I'm assuming that you're talking about the QE2? I thought that as well, until I got my tickets for Sunday - they say that casual dress is fine any night in the Lido but not in the restaurants or other public rooms. Are the corridors public? If so how do you get from your cabin to the Lido if you're not in evening dress?

[patwell]

Okee-dokee now...I said I'd stay out of this stuff, being on the euphoric high I am still enjoying from last week's QM2 extravaganza....but somehow my evil twin has taken over the keyboard and insists on entering the fray.

 

Malcolm....first, and in case my week of traveling back home gets away from me, ...have a fantastic time. What an interesting itinerary and on your favored QE2...dress to the 9s and enjoy every single moment of it. Christmas at sea is magic and I for one envy you the moment. BON VOYAGE...travel safely and happily!!!

 

Now then...having just got off the QM2 Caribbean (as I've bored you all with so much) I'll make this observation. Yes, we had 3 formal nights which surprised me even tho the tickets had said that...one was our port day in St Thomas. And yes, the vast majority followed the dress codes and it was lovely to see and be surrounded by. And yes, there were some who didn't , and guess what...it didn't spoil my trip at all!!

 

I am probably the biggest cheerleader on here for the dress codes...I'd be formal every night if I could....the elegance of the ship and the elegance of the attire only enhance the experience. But....and I'm sure some of you will be surprised to hear me say this, I was not offended by those who chose to eat in Kings Court in casual clothing. We passed thru there in all our finest duds, passsed folks enjoying their dinner in casual wear....we smiled and said a pleasant good evening to each other and the world didn't implode. MAybe they thought my husband looked silly in his tux (personally I thought he looked very Bond-ish and suave and gorgeous...ah, I digress...) There was even a lady in the casino on formal night in her J++++ (insert J-word here). I'm assuming that she felt they were formal...they had glitzy embroidery on her rather ample derrierre...in such a crowd of people I doubt very many took notice. My personal observation was that the last thing I'd ever do is pack those buns into something so tight and draw attention to them. Was I offended? Nope...but I did think she looked terribly out of place, but that was her problem, not mine. The casino was hot late at night...many men removed tux jackets and loosened ties...is that offensive on formal night?

 

I saw non-compliant clothes in Britannia and no one paid any attention that I could see as there were so few of them. Probably the thing I did find most offensive was a lady in her bathrobe near the entrance to Britannia at dinner...what the heck was that all about??? Now THAT, put me off!!!

 

The bottom line for me is that I don't ever want to see Cunard become one of "those other ships"...I want the glitz and the glamour and I think there are enough of us out there that sail Cunard for the same reason that we can continue to uphold that standard of dress. Will it always be that way?Who knows, change being the only constant in life,.

 

And to the OP, enjoy your voyage...you will love this ship as so many of us do. Toss a dress shirt and tie and jacket into your luggage...perhaps once you see the surroundings you might enjoy joining in and wear them in the dining room. Bon Voyage!!

 

Cheers, Penny...wishfully still "Live from the QM2"

[pnhmrk]

Okee-dokee now...I said I'd stay out of this stuff, being on the euphoric high I am still enjoying from last week's QM2 extravaganza....but somehow my evil twin has taken over the keyboard and insists on entering the fray.

 

Malcolm....first, and in case my week of travelling back home gets away from me, ...have a fantastic time. What an interesting itinerary and on your favored QE2...dress to the 9s and enjoy every single moment of it. Christmas at sea is magic and I for one envy you the moment. BON VOYAGE...travel safely and happily!

 

Penny - many thanks for your good wishes - it's only five days now. If I could only get those days to pass more quickly.

 

I think that "staying out" is the best way to handle it. It doesn't change the fact that the OP said "I have no desire to wear a tie and suit while on vacation". I don't think that saying a Cunard ship is not the place to go if you want an informal holiday is incorrect. I do think that there are many ships that will cater for that informalness whilst there are only a few that do offer a higher degree of formality.

[travel-to-go]

Malcolm,

I have to differ with you (ever so slightly, ever so politely) Please remember the gent said QM2, Carib, and also remember that dinner is not the entire reason for the ship, or indeed, a voyage. Dinner is one aspect of the cruise. If the OP is content to eat in King's court (I wouldn't be!) or ensuite, so be it! He could always wear the jacket and tie in to dinner, then take them both off. Then gauge the reaction of his tablemates (If he were at a large table, I rather suspect he might be inclined to leave them on, at least the tie, loosely. I suspect some men may remove the jacket to avoid dragging the sleeves through the soup!)

I just noticed your sig line. Africa! Wow! That should be fascinating. I assume Christmas Day is at sea? They usually try to make sure it is that way.

Will we be getting a review?

 

Penny,

As always, you are most diplomatic, and allowing for the widest range of opinion, without in any way, shape, or form, being judgmental or rejecting of anyone's position! How do you do it! I need to take lessons in diplomacy from you. And yes, I know your feelings about the J word, yet, you were most gracious. as for the lady with the "this space for rent" billboard derriere... Whoohoo! Being of ample derriere (which is not the same as being a big @$$, you know!) I think you were quite kind. I wonder if it was late in the cruise and that was her last remaining article of clothing that (barely) fit! Or she bought them in port (hmm, do they sell "those" on the shops on board?) in the biggest size she could find (trust me, it is extremely difficult to find plus size clothing in port- You'd think all of their citizens and visitors were lithe fashion models! <LOL>) to squeeze into after a week of good eating on board the QM2!

 

Karie,

who would love a week of good eating on board the QM2 right now!

[pnhmrk]

Karie - Penny was right. We should all stay out of it (But being in it is fun in some ways as well:) )

 

I have to differ with you (ever so slightly, ever so politely) Please remember the gent said QM2, Carib

 

He also said "I am thinking of taking the April 10th sailing on the QM2". He asked the boards' advice on dining if he didn't want to wear a jacket and tie. He was advised by the majority of posters that Cunard (including the QM2) were relatively dressy and that he would not be able to enjoy large sections of the ship if he was not willing to wear a tie.

 

That is not in contravention with :

If the OP is content to eat in King's court (I wouldn't be!) or ensuite, so be it!

 

However

I have no desire to wear a tie and suit

does contravene

He could always wear the jacket and tie in to dinner, then take them both off.

 

We enjoy Cunard ships but that doesn't mean everyone will. I would rather that someone went and enjoyed themself on a different ship than came with Cunard and went home with the dress code being the overriding thing.

 

You're right, there is much more to a cruise than dinner (there's breakfast, luncheon, afternoon tea and the midnight buffet as well:D ), but if all you can eat in the evening is room service that can become a major reason for dissatisfaction with the ship.

 

I just noticed your sig line. Africa! Wow! That should be fascinating. I assume Christmas Day is at sea? They usually try to make sure it is that way.

Will we be getting a review?

 

Africa? Agadir - demolished by an earthquake in the 60s and entirely rebuilt and Dakar - Been there, Done that, it's OK for a day but that's enough. I'd hate to be there for a week!

 

Your other questions are yes and yes.

[Linerguy]

I've also posted the following on SirDavid's thread about dressing on QM2,..it also applies here (BTW, stowaway2K, great post,...my thoughts exactly):

 

For the love of God people, enough already.

 

Wear whatever the hell makes you happy,...if you get it wrong, you get it wrong. Your idea of formal may be different than my idea of formal,...so what!? Doesn't make me right and you wrong, it simply makes us different.

 

There's a more disturbing picture here than if someone isn't wearing what someone else considers to be 'up to snuff'; and that's the fact that there are people who are willing to waste precious vacation time worrying about 'the other guy'.

 

If you don't want to wear a tie then, by God, DON'T. There are plenty of places to dine without wearing a tie and, trust me, only the people who need to get a life are going to notice. It's not like we're talking about showing up at Britannia in a MOTORHEAD t-shirt,...

 

If it's a formal night, and you want to participate, fine. If you don't, go to King's Court or order room service. If anyone gives you grief, simply remind them that your money spends as easily as theirs does and, although they may see it differently, they're the one with the hang up, not you.

 

-Russ

[patwell]

Karie...."the ample derriere"...NOPE, not the end of the cruise at all...actually 2nd formal night which would make it Monday...hadn't even STARTED to overeat at this point. She brought it with her...;) And you are too kind...diplomatic? Me? There are those who might dispute that!!!:rolleyes:

 

Malcolm my dear...I'm thinking you may be having a tad too much time on your hands while you wait for the weekend to arrive. Good grief man, how'd you do all the above??? I can't decide if I'm terribly impressed, or totally brain-drained from trying to figure it out!!:p :D Now go pack like a good boy so you'll be ready to board...and may your boarding be far more user friendly than ours was!

 

Cheers, Penny...still wishfully "Live from the QM2"

[Threadfin]

Sweet Karie and dear Penny, do you still love me? Threadless

[songanddance]

I've also posted the following on SirDavid's thread about dressing on QM2,..it also applies here (BTW, stowaway2K, great post,...my thoughts exactly):

 

For the love of God people, enough already.

 

Wear whatever the hell makes you happy,...if you get it wrong, you get it wrong. Your idea of formal may be different than my idea of formal,...so what!? Doesn't make me right and you wrong, it simply makes us different.

 

There's a more disturbing picture here than if someone isn't wearing what someone else considers to be 'up to snuff'; and that's the fact that there are people who are willing to waste precious vacation time worrying about 'the other guy'.

 

 

 

if you don't want to wear a tie then, by God, DON'T. There are plenty of places to dine without wearing a tie and, trust me, only the people who need to get a life are going to notice. It's not like we're talking about showing up at Britannia in a MOTORHEAD t-shirt,...

 

If it's a formal night, and you want to participate, fine. If you don't, go to King's Court or order room service. If anyone gives you grief, simply remind them that your money spends as easily as theirs does and, although they may see it differently, they're the one with the hang up, not you.

 

-Russ

 

Unfortuantely, and not to beat the dead horse even more, but it is just this attitude that will lead to the wearing of the MOTORHEAD T-SHIRT IN BRITANNIA.

 

CAN'T THOSE OF US WHO REALLY ENJOY DRESSING TO THE NINES HAVE AT LEAST ONE CRUISE LINE OUT OF ALL THE MANY WHERE WE GET TO HAVE OUR WAY. ALL OF THE REST HAVE GONE DOWN THE ROAD OF ULTRA CASUAL DRESS. NCL IS SO BAD THAT CONSTRUCTION DUNGAREES WITH HAMMER LOOPS ARE NOT AN UNCOMMON SIGHT IN THE EVENING PUBLIC ROOMS. AND YES I AM YELLING BECAUSE I AM TIRED OF BEING CALLEED ALL MANNER OF NAMES BECAUSE I WISH TO DRESS UP.

 

IF YOU DON'T LIKE DRESSING WELL TAKE A DIFFERENT LINE.

[Kindlychap]

Unfortuantely, and not to beat the dead horse even more, but it is just this attitude that will lead to the wearing of the MOTORHEAD T-SHIRT IN BRITANNIA.

 

CAN'T THOSE OF US WHO REALLY ENJOY DRESSING TO THE NINES HAVE AT LEAST ONE CRUISE LINE OUT OF ALL THE MANY WHERE WE GET TO HAVE OUR WAY. ALL OF THE REST HAVE GONE DOWN THE ROAD OF ULTRA CASUAL DRESS. NCL IS SO BAD THAT CONSTRUCTION DUNGAREES WITH HAMMER LOOPS ARE NOT AN UNCOMMON SIGHT IN THE EVENING PUBLIC ROOMS. AND YES I AM YELLING BECAUSE I AM TIRED OF BEING CALLEED ALL MANNER OF NAMES BECAUSE I WISH TO DRESS UP.

 

IF YOU DON'T LIKE DRESSING WELL TAKE A DIFFERENT LINE.

 

Shout away. I'm with you.

[Linerguy]

Perhaps you should go back and re-read my post. I said that, if you don't want to dress up, there are plenty places to eat without dressing up,...and this is Cunard's doing, not mine. If dressing down on board was going to be outlawed, they wouldn't offer a casual alternative. I personally like to dress up,...there's nothing cooler than gliding down the staircase of the Britannia Restaurant looking one's best...it's very Fred Astaire (not that I could ever pass for him).

 

The overall message of my post was to say that this topic has been burned at the stake so many times it makes the burning of Joan of Arc look like a weenie roast. No matter what ANYONE says here, folks are going to dress the way they damn well please,...

 

And as far as my "attitude" leading to the wearing of MOTORHEAD t-shirts, I think you need a reality check. Dressing down and dressing to intentionally offend are two different things entirely.

 

Lastly, screaming at me to take a different Line only re-enforces how far off the mark you are. There's nothing you can teach me about dressing up (or down), about cruising, or about proper behavior,....if you only knew.

 

Linerguy

[curlyQ]

INTERMISSION.

 

Let's all go to lobby and find ourselves a treat :)

 

stay tuned ladies and gents, part two is coming right up...

[travel-to-go]

Sweet Karie and dear Penny, do you still love me? Threadless

 

Threadless!

 

You need to go catch yourself some Red snapper, and no longer be threadless! Or maybe just book a cruise.

 

We'll find you a thread, my dear, but this probably isn't the one you want to jump into! Theere's a rumor that there are piranha to be found on this thread, and if you should happen to swim in wearing your everyday fins instead of your sunday-go-to-meetin' fins, you may get huge jaws snapped down onto your poor self and loose your tailfins!

 

Yes, darling, we still love you.

And if you hurry, you can watch Penny as she hops on I-91 Northbound out of your end of the state and back up to South Carolina!

 

So is Santa getting you a new rod and reel for Christmas?

 

Karie,

who still loves threadfin, and still loves STELLA!

[bobby1119]

 

CAN'T THOSE OF US WHO REALLY ENJOY DRESSING TO THE NINES HAVE AT LEAST ONE CRUISE LINE OUT OF ALL THE MANY WHERE WE GET TO HAVE OUR WAY. ALL OF THE REST HAVE GONE DOWN THE ROAD OF ULTRA CASUAL DRESS. NCL IS SO BAD THAT CONSTRUCTION DUNGAREES WITH HAMMER LOOPS ARE NOT AN UNCOMMON SIGHT IN THE EVENING PUBLIC ROOMS. AND YES I AM YELLING BECAUSE I AM TIRED OF BEING CALLEED ALL MANNER OF NAMES BECAUSE I WISH TO DRESS UP.

 

IF YOU DON'T LIKE DRESSING WELL TAKE A DIFFERENT LINE.

 

Songanddance,

 

I agree with you. Queen Elizabeth 2 and Queen Mary 2 are ideal for those who enjoy the classic experience of dressing for dinner and being a part of a community of like-minded travelers. And for those who don't want to dress, there are alternatives such as the Lido on QE2 and King's Court on Queen Mary 2 where alternative casual dress (read neat & tasteful) are acceptable. I agree with you that NCL's freestyle "dress as you want to dress" is an excellent example of the depths to which most cruise lines have descended. There are plenty of lines to accomodate those who want to waddle into the dining venues in all states of dress and undress.

 

Bobby

[pnhmrk]

There are plenty of places to dine without wearing a tie

 

Russ - I've got to disagree with you there about Cunard - You can only get away without a tie either by eating from room service or from The Lido (QE2) or Kings Court (QM2). That there are plenty of ships where ties aren't a requirement I wouldn't dispute:)