Change in Dress Code - calling Rotterdam

[Jeanne S]

In the pre cruise documents the dress code for ladies has been changed. I do not have the documents with me so I’m quoting from memory, but it goes something like this:

Formal: now includes “cocktail dress,” which was previously part of In-Formal.

Elegant Casual is not listed. Only Formal, In-Formal and Casual.

The Cunard Brochure (page 22) still lists Cocktail Dress under In-Formal, so I wonder if this will be the code for crossings also. While I can certainly understand why this is being done for cruises from NYC – given the changing passenger demographics - crossings should be the time to really dress properly for an evening at sea.

[Rotterdam]

Hi Jeanne -

how can I help?

[cruisr]

Hi Jeanne,

The dress code for the 6 nt. crossing is 2 nts formal (tuxedo or dark suit and evening gown or similar for ladies) 2 nts informal - Suit for gentlemen and cocktail or dressy pants outfits for ladies and 2 nts casual. The descriptions are CUnard's from their website. Hope this helps.

Bon voyage

[Jeanne S]

Hi Rotterdam!

Am interested to know your thoughts about the changes to dress code that I posted above (and do you know if this also pertains to crossings). My very first sailing was on the Rotterdam in the 1960’s as a child, so I tend to wax nostalgic for those old days.

On QE2 (back when Cunard offered crossing deals with the Concorde), during my crossing in the late 70’s, everyone in the Casino or strolling the ship well after dinner was dressed as if it were a night on the Rivera (the original Pink Panther/To Catch a Thief comes to mind). It was so glamorous. One stayed dressed for dinner the entire evening.

By the way, I loved your post about Cunard memories.


Crusir:

Thank you. It is good to know that dressing up on a crossing is still di rigueur. When I went on the above crossing, it was 5 nights and four of them were formal though.


Jeanne

[hollywood heather]

Are the changes you are talking about also on qm2. Why would they include cocktail dresses under formal. It is not a formal dress.

[Rotterdam]

Jeanne -

I was on QE2 last in January 2003 for the Panama Canal portion of the World Cruise(NYC - LA, 13 days).

I have to say the ladies & the men dressed quite nicely each evening - not the usual cruise clothing - people really stepped up - 95% of the men in tux & lots of women in long dresses on formal nites. On the other nites women were seen mostly in Cocktail clothes - suits & beautiful short dresses & a scattering of pants - not much black clothing on the women - lots of colour & subtle prints. The jewelry was out in force (whether real or costume)& for the most part very tastefully done.

You really can't overdress -

One thing I note is that on the world cruise - there were more Europeans than Americans & an older sophiticated crowd.

You might also ask Miss Charlotte Vale her thoughts(she's the authority on clothes onboard Cunard & also ask Martha B over on the Seabourn boards - she too is a wonder.

If you pine for the old days - pull out that ball gown - you won't feel out of place.

During the daytime most people were in nice wool,khaki & linen slacks. Not many jeans & I never saw a t shirt!

I hope this helps - you'll love it.

[Colin_Cameron]

Having checked with Cunard for this Friday's QM2 crossing, the dress codes are: casual, formal, informal, informal, formal and casual.

The definition of each of these, however, has changed slightly. [B]Formal:[/B] Tuxedo (alternatively a dark suit) for men. Evening gown, cocktail dress or other formal attire for women. [I](That's right, women. Not ladies!) [/I][B]Informal:[/B] Jacket required and tie optional for men. Dress, pantsuit or similar for women. [B]Casual:[/B] For men, slacks and open collar shirt. For women, skirt or slacks with a sweater or blouse.

Well I can assure you right now, we will not be sticking to [I]those[/I] definitions.

Regards, Colin.

[cruisr]

Hi Colin,
I may be wrong but I bet you will be in your kilt for formal nights? I really like to see all the different tartans. Haven't started to pack yet and we're heading out on Thursday night.
Bon voyage

[Shipping Out]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by Jeanne S:
In the pre cruise documents the dress code for ladies has been changed. I do not have the documents with me so I’m quoting from memory, but it goes something like this:

Formal: now includes “cocktail dress,” which was previously part of In-Formal.

I think that the new dress codes on the QM2 are largely a matter of interpretation - and a way by Carnival of competing against NCl's "free style" appeal.

When I sailed transatlantic on the QE2 two years ago, there were four formal nights and the passengers dressed to the nines every night. The women wore jewels they must have taken out of the family bank vault. The Scottish passengers wore their kilts - what a treat!

Cunard attracts a very sophisticated passenger and I think that they will dress up to the nines - whether it is a formal or an informal evening. Wear your evening gown, with lots of beads and sparkle and you definately won't feel out of place.

I also think that the new dress codes are more for the men passengers and the younger set. Men are less eager to go formal - how many men have more than one tuxedo in their wardrobe, and will be inclined to have it dry cleaned every day, four days running?

As for the younger set, they tend to dress formally for the Galas, have their pictures taken with the Captain and at the dinner table, and then they change into a flirty dance dress, so they can disco at G32 into the wee hours.

I am sailing on the QM2 this Friday, and have decided wear a Diva cocktail dress at the Captains Gala welcome party, and an Indian outfit on the second formal night. My son, 12 years old, refuses to wear a suit, much less a tuxedo, so he is borrowing one of my dressy vests to wear instead.

Don't worry - formal or semi-formal, an evening on any Cunard ship at sea is like being in a time warp - a throwback to another time and place!

Elegant Casual is not listed. Only Formal, In-Formal and Casual.

The Cunard Brochure (page 22) still lists Cocktail Dress under In-Formal, so I wonder if this will be the code for crossings also. While I can certainly understand why this is being done for cruises from NYC – given the changing passenger demographics - crossings should be the time to really dress properly for an evening at sea.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

[Colin_Cameron]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR> I may be wrong but I bet you will be in your kilt for formal nights? <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
Not this time I'm afraid. The 20Kg weight limit on the flight just won't allow it.

You haven't started to pack either, that makes me feel better. We leave direct from work tomorrow night and we haven't packed. We've normally had three dry runs at the packing by this time, but I haven't even looked out the suitcases yet. We haven't been to get US$. I don't know where the wide angle lens for the video camera is. The tickets came in weeks ago and I [I]know[/I] I put them somewhere safe.

[Jeanne S]

Heather:

It is the QM2 that has the change in dress code for formal nights - this being for the May 7th Cruise. Am not certain what the dress code is for crossings though.

[Jeanne S]

So the dress code on QM2 will be the same be it crossing or cruise in that Cocktail Dresses are now considered formal.

Thanks everyone for answering.

So Rotterdam, on this 3 day Offical Maiden Cruise to Nowhere, should I go with a gown or black cocktail dress (Black and White party)? This should primarily be an American passenger base.

Last year on QE2 we wore gowns in Princess Grill (to Bermuda) and were saddended to see many passegers dressed down with a capital D for the three formal nights, which is why I am leaning towards the cocktail dress (with satin back buttons from neck to waist) for this mini cruise.

Jeanne

[Martha B.]

Jeanne~~~~Rotterdam is indeed a good "buddy" of mine......he flatters me so! But, will be happy to offer suggestions and tips as to formal wear.I always take my basic black St. John's knit short dress and a long basic knit, sleeveless frock~~~~then several short evening jackets. A couple are "glitzy" and a few, "designer-type dinner wear"......I always wear black satin pumps and carry a "drop dead" evening bag......my favorite is a black maribu feathered bag.....with matinee length pearls, "voila", Evita Peron! One can never go wrong with a black ensemble.......On our Seabourn Crossings I usually have to pay the extra weight to the airlines, as we have 11 nights of "dressing"~~~~ but I don't mind. I consider it a pleasure!

Have a wonderful sea voyage and please post a review upon your return!

"Port Out Starboard Home!"
MB

[Rotterdam]

Martha & Jeanne - Good morning!

As always Marta you are THE ONE to consult.

Jeanne - I compltetely understand what you mean about the dressing down - but its your vacation & certainly the Queens deserve the all out formal treatment.

When I graduated from college I was very fortunate to meet a beautiful European woman that worked as a salesperson here in NYC at Bergdorf Goodman(she actually talked me out of buying a winter coat because I wasn't entirely happy with it). For over 20 years before she retired she would offer advice & help me selct my wardrobes for work, leisure & my cruise clothes. Renata is such a beautiful person(inside & out) & she would always say just "referesh" your wardrobe, wear your best & always feel wonderful!

You only go around once!

[cruisr]

Hi Jeanne,

Leaving tonight for the Maiden Crossing. I will report back as to the amount of spangles, glitter and length of gowns/cocktail dresses.

Bon voyage

[Jeanne S]

Thank you everyone!! (and Martha for posting on this site - what wonderful advice). You have put my mind at ease. No matter what I do wear, it will be proper attire, my best, and (hopefully) I'll feel my best in it.

Rotterdam: I too have have a friend (gentleman) who for the past 30 years has given me advice, at first, unsolicated, but over the years I came to love and depend on it. He is always correct.

Cruisr: Have a great crossing - look forward to reading your review!

Jeanne

[Jeanne S]

Formal Night for our May 7th Maiden Cruise to Nowhere is a Black and White Ball. On the sailings so far, how were the passengers dressed for this occasion? Was there a sea of black & white?

[katyhotr]

I am not as concerned about the evening wear as I have my gowns already. Its the day time that I am having a problem with. Do people wear dress shorts?Do the men wear shorts? Can you wear a bathing suit with coverup through the halls to get to the pool and a workout outfit to get to the gym? We leave for London in 5 days
so I need to know ASAP.

[imacruizer]

Jeanne,
since no one else has answered your question about the dress for the black and white ball on prior cruises, I will. I was on a Caribbean cruise in March. People were elegantly dressed and the evening was very special. I would say that 90% of the men had on tuxedos. There were many more women dressed in black than white. There were other colors also, but black was the predominant color. The majority of women had on long gowns. You have had some wonderful fashion advice from some very knowledgable people on this board. Wear your favorite gown and you will look beautiful.

Katy,
To answer your question about wearing a swimsuit with a coverup on the ship to go to the spa or pool: That is just fine. You can walk down the hall from your room to the stairs or elevator that lead directly to the area where the spas and pools are located. You do not have to go through the major public areas. On our cruise in March, we would often walk outside to get to those areas. Perhaps someone who has recently done a translantic cruise will answer your question about wearing shorts.

[Jeanne S]

Katy:

Wearing shorts and/or a coverup is just fine. It is in the restaurants and other public areas (as above)where this would not be acceptable. We have always found it easy to get to the pool just as was described.

Thanks you and yes they are a marvelous group of fashion advisors - am truly blessed on this forumn.

Jeanne

[katyhotr]

Thank-you for the bathing suit and spa issues but can dressy shorts be worn in the public areas or capri pants with a dressy shirt?

[friedchickN]

katy,

I wore dressy shorts and capris on the QE2 last summer and was appropriately dressed. Although, I was a little chilly at times. In packing, I would err on the side of warmth for a crossing.
Technically, shorts are not to be worn in the dining room, but I did, inadvertently, one morning to breakfast and was certainly not out of place.

Have fun!

[Colin_Cameron]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR> Having checked with Cunard for this Friday's QM2 crossing, the dress codes are: casual, formal, informal, informal, formal and casual. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>
That info came straight from the horses mouth, but I should have known better than to trust a talking horse.

When we got on board we discovered that the arrangement was: casual, formal, formal, informal, optional(formal/informal), casual.

Not only that, but it seems that I wasn't alone in thinking that the new codes were too casual. It may have been because it was the maiden crossing but this was without doubt the most formally dressed cruise we have done.

On the first casual night we arrived at dinner to find that four of the five men at the table were wearing ties - under the new codes they're not even required on informal nights never mind casual. On the 'optional' night I would estimate that 70-80% of the men were in formal attire. On formal nights I was amazed at the numbers in 'white tie & tails'(I should have taken mine after all).

Seems to me the passengers are telling Cunard to re-think the dress codes.

Regards, Colin.

[JudyJB]

It is too cold on most transatlantic crossings to wear shorts. I had packed two pair and never wore either on two crossings, one in late May and one in early October. In summer you might get lucky with a few 70+ degree days, but don't expect hot weather. Remember it will be windy, even if warm because of the speed of the ship and you will want to find a protected spot out of the wind. Do take a jacket and sweater to wear under it in case it is cold and rainy.

Maybe one pair of shorts and a pair of capri pants would be good.

[Jeanne S]

cruisr:

How was your crossing? How where your impressions of style of dress onboard?

Jeanne