Cunard Dress Codes and Reality

[leofwen01]

My wife and I have just returned from A Baltic cruise on the Queen Elizabeth. It is obvious that the dress code is being relaxed/ignored. Even on formal evenings many men were seen, all over the ship wearing shirts only. When we raised the issue with the staff in the Commodore Club, nothing happened. I have formally complained to the CEO of Cunard, and received an answer that the matter is a vexed question, and that they do not feel that people can be coerced into compliance. In my opinion the matter is not properly managed on ship, and ignores the wishes of Cunard's core market. The slide into anything goes continues.

[Silver_Shiney]

My wife and I have just returned from A Baltic cruise on the Queen Elizabeth. It is obvious that the dress code is being relaxed/ignored. Even on formal evenings many men were seen, all over the ship wearing shirts only. When we raised the issue with the staff in the Commodore Club, nothing happened. I have formally complained to the CEO of Cunard, and received an answer that the matter is a vexed question, and that they do not feel that people can be coerced into compliance. In my opinion the matter is not properly managed on ship, and ignores the wishes of Cunard's core market. The slide into anything goes continues.

Welcome to the forum

The argument will be that folk are paying good money so it's their decision as to what they wear but it does spoil the "specialness" for the likes of me and thee

[Frank Manning]

I agree about the tie with a jacket or blazer. I really like bow ties, but haven't always got the nerve to wear them. I suppose if I did it every day and people were used to it I wouldn't mind. Thanks for the advice anyway, we are looking forward to seeing QM2 close up, we may go down to Hythe to watch her sail out before our cruise.

Stick with me Frank - I wear a bow tie every night regardless of dress code (sadly I won't be on QM2 though) !

I wore a different one every night on QM2 qb. The first time I have had the nerve to do it on 'jacket' evenings. However since there were a lot of German passengers, and some of them wore them as well I was 'happy as a pig in wotsit'. I am also getting to be a dab hand at tying them.

[Manoverboard]

... In my opinion the matter is not properly managed on ship, and ignores the wishes of Cunard's core market. The slide into anything goes continues.

Who, one wonders, are the core market in 2016 ?

Cunard's relaxation of these codes would doubtless have been as a consequence of feedback from their ' core market ', clearly an ever increasing number of their passengers believe that your preferred code is out of touch in today's world.

It was inevitable of course but maybe it will continue to be enforced on the more upmarket niche market, Lines who operate with smaller ships ... Swan Hellenic for example ?

The end of an era I fear.

[Mervyn and Trish]

The argument will be that folk are paying good money so it's their decision as to what they wear

That argument is, and always has been, IMHO, cobblers.

They are paying good money for a cruise on a line known for its formality and with a published formal dress code and if that's not what they want they should book elsewhere. Simple. Not spoil it for those who also paid good money expecting the cruise line to deliver what they advertise in the brochure.

Do these same people pay good money for theatre tickets and expect to be admitted if they arrive in their underwear because it's their decision what to wear?

I realise the casual enthusiasts will deride that example as exaggeration but it is merely an extension of the same principle.

If I book a formal cruise, that's what I expect. Not some namby pamby crew pandering to people who are so arrogant they think the world should revolve round them. I don't believe the code should be enforced ship wide but it should be in the main waiter service restaurants and most bars.

End of rant.

[Silver_Shiney]

The argument will be that folk are paying good money so it's their decision as to what they wear

That argument is, and always has been, IMHO, cobblers.

They are paying good money for a cruise on a line known for its formality and with a published formal dress code and if that's not what they want they should book elsewhere. Simple. Not spoil it for those who also paid good money expecting the cruise line to deliver what they advertise in the brochure.

Do these same people pay good money for theatre tickets and expect to be admitted if they arrive in their underwear because it's their decision what to wear?

I realise the casual enthusiasts will deride that example as exaggeration but it is merely an extension of the same principle.

If I book a formal cruise, that's what I expect. Not some namby pamby crew pandering to people who are so arrogant they think the world should revolve round them. I don't believe the code should be enforced ship wide but it should be in the main waiter service restaurants and most bars.

End of rant.

Hey, I only said what the argument would be, not that I agreed with it

[Mervyn and Trish]

Not getting at you Shiney, but at those who put forward that argument to justify booking the wrong cruise!

[Frank Manning]

Over the past 16 day cruise we found that most people on QM2 stuck to the dress code. I have to say Cunard's seems easier to follow than P&O. However some of the German guests had rather unusual interpretations of it. I hate having to take a DJ on a cruise, but on the other hand I enjoy wearing it when I get there. If it ever goes all 'football shirts and trainers' I shall holiday elsewhere.

[qbman1]

I agree about the tie with a jacket or blazer. I really like bow ties, but haven't always got the nerve to wear them. I suppose if I did it every day and people were used to it I wouldn't mind. Thanks for the advice anyway, we are looking forward to seeing QM2 close up, we may go down to Hythe to watch her sail out before our cruise.

Stick with me Frank - I wear a bow tie every night regardless of dress code (sadly I won't be on QM2 though) !

I wore a different one every night on QM2 qb. The first time I have had the nerve to do it on 'jacket' evenings. However since there were a lot of German passengers, and some of them wore them as well I was 'happy as a pig in wotsit'. I am also getting to be a dab hand at tying them.

That's where it all falls apart for me Frank - most of mine are "ready-tied" as I just cannot get the hang of it despite having been shown how to tie a tie countless times by long-suffering friends !!

[Manoverboard]

Life's too short to be titting about tying bow ties .... hook 'n' eye does the biz and once adjusted ... etc.

[Silver_Shiney]

Life's too short to be titting about tying bow ties .... hook 'n' eye does the biz and once adjusted ... etc.

quite so

[qbman1]

Well, since I can't grasp the basic concept of hand-tying, there will definitely be no "titting about" for me !!

[oldbluefox]

Life's too short to be titting about tying bow ties .... hook 'n' eye does the biz and once adjusted ... etc.

How common!!!!!!!!!!
It's worth persisting. Once you can tie your own you'll never go back.

[Stephen]

Life's too short to be titting about tying bow ties .... hook 'n' eye does the biz and once adjusted ... etc.

With you there Moby. Can't be doing with all that faffing about. I'm there to conform with the dress code of the evening, not the cat walk.

[Frank Manning]

But it only takes a minute, and is easy once you have done it a few times. Any way Sue says to tell you lot that they add a splash of colour are a bit of fun, and they match my shorts and new high heels....so there!

[Stephen]

In that case Frank put me down for a gross

[allatc]

Are the Queens still "class ships" where the plebs can't go in certain areas ?

[qbman1]

Are the Queens still "class ships" where the plebs can't go in certain areas ?

On our Ship Tour of QE a couple of weeks ago, they were at great pains to tell us that there was absolutely no class distinction - and then promptly showed us the Queens Grill and the Princess Grill plus bar and a lovely little secluded outside coffee area.....when only passengers who had booked the top of the range cabins were allowed to go !

[sunseeker16]

But it only takes a minute, and is easy once you have done it a few times. Any way Sue says to tell you lot that they add a splash of colour are a bit of fun, and they match my shorts and new high heels....so there!

... and don't forget that as the evening goes by you can undo your self-tied and cultivate that rather attractive lounge lizard look

[qbman1]

I hear Frank has that look down to a fine art......me, I just look like a refugee from Burton's window !!

[sunseeker16]

Practice!