Julie49

The pre-voyage information received from Cunard is, at best IMO, incomplete. After reviewing the documentation, and the very cumbersome website, my sister and I have questions as we prepare for a transatlantic crossing in June.

As background: My sister will have been backpacking with her daughter in Europe for 3 weeks before I meet her in London. We will have 5 days in London before embarking at Southhampton 24 June.

When I fly to the UK I will check one piece of luggage for the cruise and use carry-on for the time in London. The checked luggage will contain additional clothing for my sister.

1. For informal dinners / evenings - is a street length dress with scarf and/or jewelry (think business attire) acceptable? Would nice dress pants (not denims/jeans/khakis) and dressy top be acceptable. Or do we need to be dressier, we are in the Britannia dining room.

2. We are a bit taken back by the "no sandals" after 6 pm requirement and could use some guidance for former cruisers. Does Cunard define sandals as flip-flops or open-toed shoes? I have a pair of Wolky sandals that I had intended to wear as part of my evening dress.

3. For the masquerade, are costumes available onboard or are passengers to bring their own costume. How extensive are the costumes or will a simple mask be acceptable? And on masquerade evening ow "formal" is "formal" dress?

4. Are yoga classes available? I couldn't find a schedule of fitness classes on the website. Maybe I didn't look properly?

We are celebrating milestone birthdays and giving ourselves sister time with the cruise.
Obviously, this is our first cruise and don't desire to find ourselves as "outcast" because we didn't prepare properly. Please send advice / guidance/ and words of wisdom our way.

Many Thanks and happy travels,

MmePerdu

Firstly, I suggest you register and post your questions over on Cruise Critic. It's where my questions were answered, without exception. Lots of very knowledgeable people over there. I even met some of the people from the website on the crossing. You can put yourself on the list of people on your own voyage and make some acquaintances beforehand, if it interests you. http://boards.cruisecritic.com/

I did my first crossing on QM2, first time on a large ship, 2 years ago. Firstly, Cunard people LOVE to dress up. Lots of regulars dressing to the nines. If you don't care to, there are other options so you won't starve but do bring nice things if you plan to participate as it is clearly the thing to do.

I was on my own and found it a lonely experience. For that reason, it's hard to find like-minded people among the hoards with just a week and because cruising seems to be the extent of much of the conversation, I won't do it again. But with 2 of you, you should have a nice time.

Those on Cruise Critic should be able to answer the other questions if you don't get them here.

Julie49

Thank you Mme Perdu, I'll post on CruiseCritic ....dressing to the nines, while fun once maybe even twice is okay BUT when one doesn't have the wardrobe to begin with packing becomes a challenge.

MmePerdu

I understand completely. Most of my travel plans are casual in nature and as it was at the end of close to 3 months, the extra stuff for just a week of use was less than welcome. But I did want to try it so was resigned to my fate.

I found that dressy tops paired with a black longish skirt and dressy black pants reduced the numbers of items considerably and I didn't feel underdressed. Then I just needed 1 pair of dressy shoes and 1 small bag for all the outfits. I already had the skirt & pants but shopped for the rest over several months, finding things I may wear again sometime. What I discovered in the process was I'm not cruise material.

Cathinjoetown

I used the same dress strategy as Mme Perdu on a Cunard Queen Victoria crossing and did not feel under-dressed.

We didn't have a costume night but don't feel under any obligation to participate.

No sandals after 6:00 pm does refer primarily to flip-flops and similar.

historytraveler

We did the Queen Mary ll a couple of years ago and shipped a large suitcase through Cunard ( white Glove?) we spent two weeks in Scotland prior to trip. I was very disappointed in what Cunard allows regarding the proper dress code. It seemed very lax to me.I spent several months and some money on clothes I felt/understood to be suitable. I did a lot of research and asked questions as to proper attire on Cruise Critic. While I wasn't overdressed on any occasion, I thought all my purchases and preparations were a waste of money and time. Honestly a nice pair of black pants and top will get you through the formal nights and an even more casual approach through informal evenings.

After dining the first night with one of the most self-indulgent couples I've met and with food that resembled a cafeteria, we reserved the next night at Todd English's' restaurant. At least I think that's the name. It was the hi-light of our trip and we ate there the remaining nights.

Don't remember a Yoga class but they do have a decent gym/spa.

I also confirmed that I'm not a cruise person. Actually I was aware of that fact but just thought the Transatlantic venture might be fun and DH had refused to fly westbound on an international flight. I thought it might be an answer to his travel phobia. It wasn't

Honestly I got pretty bored and put off with all the emphasis on food. All the food you want, anytime you want it. If they still have the art gallery and lectures that's excellent and the musicians on board are usually very good.

Really all you need is a pair of long probably black slacks at least slightly dressy, a couple of nice sweaters or tops and maybe a nice skirt, long or short. A pair of dressy shoes, flats,heels and pumps will do nicely. No flip flops but open toe shoes will be fine.

Lady1

We did a 15 day QM2 cruise a few years ago. Everyone who ate in the Britannia DR was quite formal--maybe because it was a Christmas cruise. We loved it, but one of my big complaints is that there are so few occasions to dress up these days.

We will be doing the transatlantic trip in August and again back in October. We will have one bag we store with White Star (their shipping company)while we are in France and it will have my formal and semi-formal outfits and husband's tux. Most of mine will be of the black dressy pants/skirt variety with tops, strappy shoes and pretty wrap. There will be some ball gowns, but probably not many on a transatlantic.

There is very casual dining in the buffet if someone doesn't want to dress. And yes, the no sandals rule applies to flip flops, clogs, etc.

It will be our first transatlantic with so many days at sea with no stops, but that's exactly the kind of thing my husband likes. I'm pretty easily bored, but there are lots of things to do on board including those lectures historytraveler mentioned, shows and dancing at night, a movie theater, library, gym, pool. I just love sitting on deck being hypnotized by the water. But if all else fails, the cabins have tvs that show recorded programs and movies.

Hope you enjoy your journey as much as we expect to enjoy ours!