Dress Code On P&O

[stopgo]

And nul points for typing.

 

Sir Martin

I thought you would have learned your lesson by now, it's my turn is it ? now you have finished picking on Cruise Kitten.

[Pontius Navigator]

I thought you would have learned your lesson by now, it's my turn is it ? now you have finished picking on Cruise Kitten.

 

I thought you would have learned your lesson by now, it's my turn is it, now you have finished picking on Cruise Kitten?

 

:D

 

Just to show CK what banter is. ROFLOL.

[Oarsman55]

:D

Just to show CK what banter is. ROFLOL.

 

Banter is only permitted on here if instigated by our moderator, Mrs Stropgob, and hers is pretty underwhelming.

 

Know when you're beaten and give up:D.

 

Peter

[stopgo]

So who are you Oarsman ? you seem to know me well after just eight posts. If I was to take a guess I would say ether the Norfolk Brits or Capt Pugwash.

[Gerrym]

That is the problem Mrs. StropGob, your reputation precedes you and a new member knows within days that you are a troll.

 

Is it not time you were off on another absence of leave?

 

Gerry

[saidia]

Dear All,

Can you not see that by constantly going over and over this point you all contribute to the uncertainy around the dress code and will ultimately contribute to the demise of formal attire. P and O are a formal cruise line, travel with them if you like to dress for dinner or go elsewhere if you do not. The bottom line is P and O state formal dress on all her ships in all areas end of story!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[KarenR_UK]

OK - Wasn't going to post again as it suddenly occurred to me that I was arguing against, as Saidia has suggested above, what I personally prefer - which is the formal experience.

But being the sad sod that I am (;)) I had already emailed P&O to get the 'official' version (why I thought my email would get a different response to others, I don't know:D)

 

But in the interest of completeness

Question:

There are heated debates re dress codes causing much angst to new P&O cruisers; Your website says that all bars & restaurants adhere to the dress code of the day. I was recently on Aurora,where the dress code was indicated by signs outside & enforced in 2 bars & both main restaurants. I took this to mean that the smart casual dress code was acceptable in the

buffet areas - indeed there were many people in less dressy clothes when leaving these areas (including ripped jeans) : this to me was perfectly acceptable - formal for those who wanted it; smart casual for those that don't Is it possible that someone could actually check what the actual situation is on the ships - (I'm sure its in the onboard guide) - especially in relation to Oceana & Ventura on which these people are travelling / considering travelling, as this uncertainty is causing people to reconsider to booking with you

thanks

Enquiry Date: 27/08/2009 12:55:30

 

The response (28 August, 2009 13:04:01)

 

Thank you for your email.

 

Whilst the dress code is not always strictly enforced on board, you will find that it is expected that the main dining rooms and all public areas will adhere to this code. The ships staff do have the right to request that any passengers inappropriately attired vacate any of the dining rooms/public areas. We would therefore ask that all passengers dress appropriately for the dress code of that evening whilst in the public areas, other than the 24 dining venue.

We believe jeans are now accepted more widely as smart casual attire. However I can assure you the dress code is at the discretion of the

Restaurant Manager. Passengers are advised if they are dressed incorrectly and are declined entrance to the areas that require the dress code.

 

I would also take the opportunity to assure you that we have no intention of taking away formal evenings which allow passengers the opportunity to dress up at meal times, something that is an accepted feature of cruising with P&O Cruises.

 

I hope this information has helped to answer your enquiry and look forward to welcoming you on board soon

 

So apologies for muddying the waters - it was not my intention - indeed I was trying to clarify them:rolleyes:.

 

Karen

[Pontius Navigator]

Forgive me for picking out one item but:

 

the dress code of that evening whilst in the public areas, other than the 24 dining venue.

 

This sort of covers it, but not quite.

 

The 24-hour dining venue on Oceana - Cafe Jardin - becomes a Marco Pierre White venue with a cover charge between 6pm and about 11pm. Pretty clearly people paying a premium do not expect to dine with others in casual clothes.

 

OTOH the Plaza, which is open until 9pm and is evidently not 24 hr, is where most people, not wishing to dress formally, will go for casual dressing and dining.

[KarenR_UK]

Forgive me for picking out one item but:

 

 

 

This sort of covers it, but not quite.

 

The 24-hour dining venue on Oceana - Cafe Jardin - becomes a Marco Pierre White venue with a cover charge between 6pm and about 11pm. Pretty clearly people paying a premium do not expect to dine with others in casual clothes.

 

OTOH the Plaza, which is open until 9pm and is evidently not 24 hr, is where most people, not wishing to dress formally, will go for casual dressing and dining.

 

Same with Aurora - the buffet is not 24hr - the 24 hr place is, in the evenings, a select dinning location (I don't know the dress code)

 

PS used to love Cafe Jardin & Cafe Bordeaux (before they were taken over by the 'chefs') best places for breakfast! :D

[capasamari]

We have just come back from Ventura's weekender. Our formal night gala party pre-dinner drinks were served on all three floors of the atrium. My parents saw one man sitting there wearing shorts and with his feet up on a table. They don't think he was actually at the party, just in the area. A member of staff went and spoke to him and he and his wife left, though not with good grace.

 

Carol x

[Cruise_Kitten]

Hi i have also just come back from the Ventura Weekender (review to follow soon) and from what i saw and did was that we dressed for both the formal and smart casual as stated, formal for me was a black cocktail dress and smart casual was smart trousers and a white shirt. During the smart casual i saw many people, my boyfriend and members of our party included, wearing jeans to the smart casual and there was no batter of an eye from the crew. They all had on a smart t-shirt and smart shoes but the crew didn't ask any of our group to change. For the formal we all dressed to the occasion but after dinner we all went back to our cabins, changed in to casual wear and went out again to carry on the party. We changed only because it was so hot and we all felt rather uncomfortable sat in the warm all dressed up. But we went back to the casino dressed in our casuals and no one came and asked us to change back. There were quite a few who did this and there was no problem.

So it seems as long as you dress for the occasion of the night for the dinner part, what you do after that is no problem.

 

CK x

[garigoun]

During the smart casual i saw many people, my boyfriend and members of our party included, wearing jeans to the smart casual and there was no batter of an eye from the crew. They all had on a smart t-shirt and smart shoes but the crew didn't ask any of our group to change.

CK x

 

An oxymoron surely.

Gari

[GixxerGal]

'phew at least we dont have this type of thread on OV, makes life so much easier :-)

 

I *dress up* regardless of who I sail with - when I am at home and go for a meal or a just a drink in a pub ........should I fancy too. :p

 

My fella is not a great dress-up person - he has done that all week .. so he will dress casual -- By the same token ..... if I want to wear a T shirt and jeans I will (obviously NOT if it was formal).

But to see a show or drink in a bar ....... My jeans prob cost more than a ball gown, so I allways take a pair on holiday ☺

 

 

 

***** There will be bitchyness about dress code wherever. Starting from Easy Cruise :eek: up to Qm . its life ......

 

 

***** (its just something women do , and if we dont say it , we think it lol ;))

 

 

(my point is when OV has gone ......... and we are all homeless -- their could be a divide of passengers on cruises in the future - and dress codes may well have to be more liberal on some ships than as is now.)

 

I do agree with the lady who said about the young ones dressing up (proms etc) and perhaps things will change again in years to come --a child of the 40's/50's here never heard of such things :( *when I were a Lass* lol

[MattyBarlow]

A T-shirt and Jeans can be smart-casual. It comes down to personal preference. Formal is easy, we all know what we should wear. Smart causal is different. I believe smart casual is more down to the persons own belief on what is acceptable. Yes we know football shirts are not acceptable but is for instance a linen shirt and nice shorts not smart? A nicely cut t-shirt and well pressed jeans? P&O, or anyone else, really have no right to dictate what is acceptable for smart casual clothes. In fact isnt the very term smart casual contradicting itself?

[sheeper370]

A T-shirt and Jeans can be smart-casual. It comes down to personal preference. Formal is easy, we all know what we should wear. Smart causal is different. I believe smart casual is more down to the persons own belief on what is acceptable. Yes we know football shirts are not acceptable but is for instance a linen shirt and nice shorts not smart? A nicely cut t-shirt and well pressed jeans? P&O, or anyone else, really have no right to dictate what is acceptable for smart casual clothes. In fact isnt the very term smart casual contradicting itself?

 

To say that smart casual is more down to the person's own belief on what comprises casual makes a mockery of society's system of having rules and conventions, and is a naive statement.

 

A T-shirt was designed as an undergarment and is still regarded so by many. Jeans were designed as working clothes and are still regarded so by some.

 

P&O have every right to dictate what is acceptable dress on their vessel as has every cruise-line, just as they have the right to dictate what is acceptable behaviour - the two go hand in hand. That why they lay it all out in a contract.

 

"Smart casual" means "not formal, but don't go too far and take liberties". No doubt somebody could come up with a less awkward phrase!

 

:)

[MattyBarlow]

To say that smart casual is more down to the person's own belief on what comprises casual makes a mockery of society's system of having rules and conventions, and is a naive statement.

 

 

 

Dont agree im afraid.

 

A T-shirt was designed as an undergarment and is still regarded so by many. Jeans were designed as working clothes and are still regarded so by some.

:)

 

Yes that may have been the case but fashions have changed as has P&O!!!! Try telling someone (not me i add) that buys deigner t-shirts and designer jeans that they have bought work where.

 

The younger generations regard clothes differently. Is there really that much difference between a shirt and a nice t-shirt? Buttons and a collar?

What about a polo shirt? Maybe a shirt should be called a V,with italics shirt?

 

Fashions change and i believe perceptions of what is smart have as well.

 

Out of interest Sheeper, and this isnt meant to be of offense, just curious, what age bracket do you fall into?

[MattyBarlow]

"Smart casual" means "not formal, but don't go too far and take liberties". No doubt somebody could come up with a less awkward phrase!

 

:)

 

 

Dictionary definition: of clothing, somewhat informal but neat

[Alycidon]

"Smart casual" means "not formal, but don't go too far and take liberties". No doubt somebody could come up with a less awkward phrase!

 

The trouble is that smart casual is an oxymoron, and hence a misleading phrase. This is why no-one can agree on what it means.

 

However the context surely implies an element of dressing up, which must surely preclude T shirts and jeans. The amount paid for jeans (cf supra) doesn't alter the fact that they are clearly casual wear. Thinking of Gentlemen, I'd say that at least a blazer/sports jacket and tie was required for "an element of dressing up" and I'd not go to a good restaurant in the UK in anything less. However that is probably a view that is regarded as a little old fashioned by some.

 

All one can really do is look at the published code carefully. It is possible to feel perfectly at home, as a new cruiser, solo, if one does this - I can say that because that is exactly what I did on my first crossing on the late and much lamented QE2 - which was a more formal ship than any now sailing.

 

You will not, as a man, go wrong with a suit on any night.

[MattyBarlow]

You will not, as a man, go wrong with a suit on any night.

 

Ok so does smart casual vary in the caribbean? I wouldnt want to wear a tie or blazer everynight in those temperatures and will not do so in November.

[Alycidon]

Dictionary definition: of clothing, somewhat informal but neat

 

So what is "informal"? Strictly speaking, black tie is informal. True formal wear is white tie.

 

Making up a definition isn't going to work - because the term means different things on different lines. On Cunard, for example, a man wears a jacket every night. That certainly isn't the case on Easycruise......

 

Which is why I suggested looking at what is published by the individual. One line may define "elegant casual" as the same clothing that another would regard as formal.

[Alycidon]

Ok so does smart casual vary in the caribbean? I wouldnt want to wear a tie or blazer everynight in those temperatures and will not do so in November.

 

I have sailed in the Caribbean. The couple of nights that we had were "informal" (QE2 didn't do elegant casual save in overnight stops) and I wore a dress shirt, black bow tie and white dinner jacket. I would do so again.

[soletread]

There seems to be even more questions about dress code on board P&O ships particulary Oceana and Ventura.I really wonder if P&O are partly to blame themselves.Opening their latest brochure to page 8 and what does it quote .'Relaxed and INFORMAL Evenings' on board Oceana and Ventura.Even today in the Daily Mail in their Readers Offer Oceana is described as Informal I guess that many inexperienced cruisers look no further than this.Yet in P&O 's Brochure the section 'Your Questions Answered'page 221 we find that Formal Nights are applicable to all ships.

Let me say that I am an advocate of Traditional Cruising and believe that Formal night are part and parcel of Cruising and I hate to see people delibarately ignoring the recommended dress code but I can understand their confusion.I really feel that if it is P&O's intention to replace the two Ocean Village ships with Oceana and Ventura they should really consider issuing separate brochures for 'Informal Cruises'.It would not be of interest to me but I fully understand that many people enjoy an Informal approach.

 

I agree P&O need to clarify and be exacting about the dress code it is very confusing especially for the first time cruiser

 

I returned yesterday from a 4 night continental break on Artemis and to be frank was a little dissapointed in the general dress codes observed through out the ship at all times of day and in the evenings

 

And before anybody jumps I know you cannot judge a vessel or an overall cruise expereince on a 4 night mini cruise but I have sailed now with P&O 4 times this was out 8th cruise in total and I feel with P&O standards are slipping

 

We choice to try Artemis as we love Arcadia another child free ship and like and enjoy the formal style Cruising, Artemis is promoted as an Elegant traditional style ship

 

Therefore being honest I was disappointed when we received our pre-cruise pack to notice there would be no Semi Formal night only one formal and the other 3 smart casual

 

As we all know Smart Casual now covers Dark Denim well there was plenty of denim knocking around and some of it was far designer dark denim in fact I would not have gone shopping in some of the jeans on show let alone out for dinner

 

I am pleased to report that around 95% of the passengers made great effort for the formal night all looking wonderful and creating a great atmosphere

 

I just feel P&O need to decide which ships they wish to pitch at which market establish the dress codes and format and stick to it and be clear

 

I fear for me personally if I want to continue cruising in a traditional style with establish dress code my time with P&O could be limited

 

I want to try Celebrity again out of the UK and Holland & America I sail with Cunard on the QM2 for the first time in November and interestingly enough came home to pre-cruise pack clearly stating the dress code requirements for the full TA including Black and White and Ascot night it is clear that Semi Fomal is Shirt Tie and Jacket and the Elegant Casual requires a Jack but no tie and in no circumstances are Jeans allowed

 

Lets see if Cunard are better at upholding there strict dress codes

[MattyBarlow]

A reminder and i do think some poeple on here are getting these two confused with each other.

 

Semi-Formal

Ladies can wear anything from tailored trousers to smart separates or an elegant dress, while men are required to wear a smart shirt and trousers with a jacket such as a blazer or sports jacket. A suit and tie may be worn but is not compulsory. (From April 2009 Semi-Formal applies to Arcadia, Artemis, Aurora and Oriana only.)

 

Smart Casual

Stylish resort or leisurewear is ideal, for example casual separates or dresses for ladies and open-neck polo shirts and casual trousers (not shorts) for men. A jacket and smart trousers may be worn but are not compulsory. Smart dark denim may be worn however we request that the following items are not worn: sportswear, e.g. trainers, football shirts and tracksuits. Bring your brightest clothes for our Tropical evenings. (Applies to all ships.)

 

 

So if i wear a t-shirt and dark jeans then im following the rules and conformity that society, sorry, P&O have set out! Therefore P&O class dark jeans and polo shirts/t-shirts as smart/causaul...why not just call it casual with the same rules...this whole thread would be solved!:rolleyes:

[Johnthed0g]

I am 60 now & when I was 16 we had the same old arguments about jeans..so it ain't new!!

[History addict]

What comprises casual/smart casual definately varies by individual and life experiences.

 

I was always brought up to dress up when eating in a restaurant, going to the theatre, etc. Not formal wear (couldn't afford those type of venues!) but not jeans or t-shirt either. To me smart casual would be a minimum for such and, regardless of cost, I do not consider any jeans or t-shirt to fall into smart casual. Neither would I consider shorts, no matter how well tailored, to be smart casual.

 

My interpretation of smart casual for men would be a collared shirt (polo shirt just about makes it if smart) but no tie or jacket. Luckily for us women virtually anything goes other than aforementioned jeans and t-shirt.

 

However this is very subjective and personal hence the length of this thread.

 

What should not be subject to debate is that a cruise line has a right to set a dress code and, having set it, should expect passengers to adhere to it.

 

NB, I am only in my mid-40s but I suspect that society in general outside of people who cruise are out of the habit of dressing up to go out (by which I mean dressing up formally rather than what passes as suitable attire in a night club - don't get me started on that subject!)