Cummerbunds and black shirt studs,

[Frank Manning]

Having done the PandO "it's still the days of the Raj" cruise and the Thomson "it's the 21st century, not the 1920's" cruise
I can confidently sate that the dress code makes no difference what so ever to the atmosphere on the ship
Dressing up to impersonate your social betters, which is all formal night is, is very dated and shows PandO lack of originality, when compared to other lines, which is why they are mired in the past
mind you it is good business for Matalan and M&S . as it seems that is where most of the nylon DJ's come from

We will have to agree to disagree there DK - my interpretation of 'dressing up' has never been to impersonate my 'social betters' in fact I don't believe anyone is better or worse than anyone else and I would never judge a person on how they dress .. each to their own is my motto but I will be continuing to cruise with the lines who offer me the option !!!

Well said DQ! i feel sorry for DK that he doesn't feel a swell of pride as he dons his Dj:-

"I'm steppin' out my dear
to breathe an atmosphere
that simply reeks of class". As Fred Astaire sang in Top hat.

For the same reason one would never go into the restaurant without a smart jacket, whatever the dress code, or a tie most nights. It isn't impersonating my social betters, its looking good and feeling good. Self respect in the face of global dumbing down. I haven't tried Cunard yet, but it sounds as if Downton Abbey on sea is right for me.

[Dark Knight]

When the dinner jacket (tuxedo in American English) first came into fashion in the Victorian era, it was used as a less formal alternative for the tailcoat which men of the upper classes wore every evening
from Wiki

an affectation that the working class and lower middle class adopted to try to imitate their social betters, oddly enough Black tie isn't actually formal attire, it is semi formal, sartorially speaking, as white tie is still the epitome of formal attire
so all those ickle penguins running about are actually in semi formal, oops bit of a social faux pas there peeps

[Frank Manning]

Gosh DK, that means I can wear it even more often!

What about my medals? Could I wear them as well?

[Kenmo1]

My husband was a lorry driver until he retired. I never thought I would see the day when he was prepared to wear a dinner suit but he enjoys the 'dressing up' on formal nights as much as I do. We don't have much of a social life, no clubs or dinner parties etc, we just meet up with friends regularly usually in jeans and sweatshirts, which we live in, so a cruise is the only chance to spruce ourselves up.

We do not consider ourselves 'cruise snobs' - we go for itinerary, cheapness and convenience so have used Thomson, Princess and PO. Ken has a white tux and a black dinner suit and I love to see him in either. The only annoying thing is that he will insist of wearing his shirt sleeves rolled up so you don't get that dashing look of white cuffs with cufflinks showing at the end of the jacket arms.

I like to see people making an effort on the formal nights particularly - if that makes us cruise snobs then so be it. Obviously Ken doesn't go the whole hog with his dinner suit but we enjoy ourselves making the effort we do.

Each to their own.

Maureen

[oldbluefox]

It's very difficult to argue with somebody who agrees with you.

In the interests of forum friendliness I agree with DK et al. Formal dress is old fashioned, pretentious, over the top, archaic, etc etc. P&O is likewise old fashioned and stuck in a time warp.

It suits me and I love it!!!

Each to their own, I say.

[Kenmo1]

It's very difficult to argue with somebody who agrees with you.

In the interests of forum friendliness I agree with DK et al. Formal dress is old fashioned, pretentious, over the top, archaic, etc etc. P&O is likewise old fashioned and stuck in a time warp.

It suits me and I love it!!!

Each to their own, I say.

Couldn't agree more, OBF.

Maureen

[Dark Knight]

well done foxy

viva la difference

totes agree

[oldbluefox]

Of course DK, my friend, some people put on so much weight on their Thomson cruises they wouldn't get in a cummerbund anyway!!!

I'll have a word with Keefy for you if you like.

[david63]

When the dinner jacket (tuxedo in American English) first came into fashion in the Victorian era, it was used as a less formal alternative for the tailcoat which men of the upper classes wore every evening
from Wiki

an affectation that the working class and lower middle class adopted to try to imitate their social betters, oddly enough Black tie isn't actually formal attire, it is semi formal, sartorially speaking, as white tie is still the epitome of formal attire
so all those ickle penguins running about are actually in semi formal, oops bit of a social faux pas there peeps

Whilst those definitions are, strictly speaking, correct they are irrelevant where P&O, and probably most other cruise lines, are concerned.

P&O have three evening dress codes which they define in the way that they wish - in fact P&O do not use the terms formal and semi-formal any more.

I cannot understand why we have to keep having the same old same trotted out about cruise ship dress codes. There are either specific or implied dress codes in many walks of life that we accept without any argument - so why do cruise ships get special attention?

I, along with Mrs63, like to "dress up" occasionally and will actively seek out venues where we can do so - especially at New Year and on cruises. It is what we, and apparently others, like to do.

[Dark Knight]

foxy
As Thomson, are a modern line, there is no need for archaic dressing up ,such as cummerbunds etc
therefore the need to watch ones waistline is somewhat redundant

[oldbluefox]

foxy
the need to watch ones waistline is somewhat redundant

Adds a new dimension to the phrase 'lardy-da'.

[Romig1]

In answer to the OP, I always wear a cummerbund...... to hide the beer belly.

Though, in reality it isn't so much hidden...more pushed upwards a few inches!

[david63]

In answer to the OP, I always wear a cummerbund...... to hide the beer belly.

Though, in reality it isn't so much hidden...more pushed upwards a few inches!

That's called a corset

[Ray B]

I am with Frank on this one, it is part of a PandO cruise.

DK wrote;- Having done the PandO "it's still the days of the Raj" cruise and the Thomson "it's the 21st century, not the 1920's" cruise.

I don,t know any thing about Thomson Cruises but I am sure that a great time on a Thomsom ship will be had, but 21st century I do not think so, the Thomson Fleet range from 1982, 1983, 1984, 1986, 1992.
A cruise is enjoying your time aboard and dress codes are part of it, it has been said before, If you don,t like what the cruise line has on offer find another one that suits you. I like what PandO has on offer.


Ray

[Dark Knight]

Ray B
the age of the ship is not the issue, it is the atmosphere onboard that matters
for me ,semi formal black tie nights, such as the ones foisted upon me by Pando have no interest for me and I refused to believe that the way people dress makes one iota of difference to the way they behave, therefore, I do not do semi formal black tie nights whilst on my holidays
I am sure many people enjoy them and take much delight from dressing up, but I am not one of them and as such I will exercise my right to opt out of them
If we cruise with Pando again, I will be off to the buffet on the prescribed nights and leave the dressing up to those that take pleasure from such things

[Mervyn and Trish]

Thank goodness there are lines such as P&O who have their formal nights. I'm not really bothered what other people feel about the wearing of DJs, cummerbunds, black ties or whatever. If it is a formal night it gives me one of the now infrequent occasions to dress up and complement/compliment my lady and all the other ladies. There are plenty of other cruise lines which offer more relaxed dress codes and if that's what 'floats your boat..............' (no pun intended).

I'm with you Foxy.

Thomson Cruises .... 21st century I do not think so. The Thomson Fleet range from 1982, 1983, 1984, 1986, 1992.Ray

And with you too Ray. How can a line running ships older than my old Ford Cortina be 21st century?

[Dark Knight]

Merv
as detailed previously, it is not the age of the ship but the attitude of the company running it and the passengers
the coffin dodgers cruise line you favour is mired in the past, I mean half its regular passengers still hark after the Canberra for heavens sake and the other half think putting on a nylon tux from Matalan makes you posh
look at all the negative comments about the new ships, Azura, Ventura and Britannia, speaks volumes for the outlook of the customers
they might have newer ships but they are stuck in the dim and distant past

[HK phooey]

Batty, you are like these new era atheists who are desperate to convert others to their ideas. You don't like the formality of P & O, fine, lots of us do so leave us alone

[Dark Knight]

good for you
that's why I went elsewhere for my cruise and will continue to do so the smell of mothballs and lavender put me right off

[Mervyn and Trish]

As opposed to the smell of Kurust and steam coal smoke?

I knew HK was a girl with class.

p.s. My posh suit came from a posh shop, where the likes of us aristocracy shop. Never heard of Matalan. Is that high end couture in 'Ull?

[Dark Knight]

no idea about Matalan
my tux is made by posh folk as well

[Mervyn and Trish]

You're full of surprises. Was it just the string vest that came from Poundshop?

No just joshing. I know from our little sojurn in 2012 that you actually scrub up reasonably well for a travelling salesman. I suppose even if you don't care for formal cruising you have to have the posh kit for the corporate freebies?

[Dark Knight]

I do a few black tie dinners during the year, so have to have one
mine is made by racing green

[Mervyn and Trish]

No I think that is just the colour it goes when you spill the soup down it.

And of course the colour of my Aston Martin DB5.

[Quizzical Bob]

Ray B
the age of the ship is not the issue, it is the atmosphere onboard that matters
for me ,semi formal black tie nights, such as the ones foisted upon me by Pando have no interest for me and I refused to believe that the way people dress makes one iota of difference to the way they behave, therefore, I do not do semi formal black tie nights whilst on my holidays
I am sure many people enjoy them and take much delight from dressing up, but I am not one of them and as such I will exercise my right to opt out of them
If we cruise with Pando again, I will be off to the buffet on the prescribed nights and leave the dressing up to those that take pleasure from such things

I'm with you DK, I can't stand all this pretentious golf-club attitude.