p and o cruises dress code

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Understanding the p&o cruises dress code – what to wear on your cruise.

Take the stress out of packing with my guide to what to wear when cruising with P&O.

What to wear on a cruise is a dilemma many cruisers face. It can even put people off taking a cruise. However, it needn’t be that way.

These days dress codes on cruise ships are a little more relaxed than they used to be. During the day your usual holiday wear will be generally be fine, while in the evening it is very much the same as if you were going out for the night at home.

That said, for a first timer cruiser it can be difficult to know where to start when packing. I know I had no idea.

Before doing some research on the P&O Cruises dress code I wondered if I would have to dress up every night, if I could wear my jeans and trainers without getting strange looks and if I’d packed the right type of clothes for evening casual…whatever that meant.

However, the thing that gave me the most anxiety was the formal night, what on earth do people wear and can I get out of it if I want to were just some of the questions I asked myself.

Thankfully P&O Cruises make it easy for you with a clear and easy to follow dress code that allows you to show of your sense of style.

At a Glance: P&O Dress Code

• Comfortable casual clothing for day wear
• Smart casual attire for evening wear
• Black Tie for Celebration Night
• Celebration night is not compulsory – a few venues are not Black Tie
• Always wear footwear around the ship
• Keep swimwear for the pool area only, not the bars, lounges or restaurants

What to wear on a P&O Cruise

Daywear – onboard and onshore.

During the day, there is no official dress code as such. P&O suggest comfortable clothing that is right for you. So you can expect things to be casual and relaxed. When packing, you should take clothes you would normally wear on holiday.

However, do keep in mind the region you are cruising around.

If you are heading to sunny hotspots like the Caribbean or the Mediterranean think along the lines of T-shirts, shorts and summer dresses.

For colder destinations, such as Northern Europe in the winter, you’ll want clothes to keep warm in. Jeans, long-sleeved jumpers and a jacket will help to keep you toasty whatever the weather.

If you are going to the Norwegian Fjords you’ll probably want to pack a bit of everything. The weather can be VERY changeable in this region. You can get four seasons in one day depending on how your luck plays out.

Read more | What to pack for a Norwegian Fjords cruise

Wherever you are cruising it is worth taking some clothes you can layer up and down. It can get chilly on deck, even in the hot destinations. The sea breeze can be a bit harsh at times.

The photos below were both taken on deck. The first is as we were sailing into the Norwegian Fjords one June morning at 4 am (very breezy and very cold) while the second is from a UK cruise where the silent disco was held on deck in August (a bit chilly even though the day was warm hence the hoodie).

The only dress code restrictions that P&O ask you to follow during the day are

• that footwear is always worn around the ship (unless you are by the swimming pool)
• that swimwear is not worn in the bars, restaurants or lounges onboard.

Should you feel peckish or would like a drink when by the pool there are a few bars and food stands in the area. So, you can grab a bite to eat without worrying about being in your swimwear.

If you would like to go to the buffet or main dining from the pool area, you should take something you can change into. There are changing rooms nearby. Alternatively, you can pop back to your cabin and have a quick freshen up.

If you are heading on shore when in port it is worth packing some comfortable shoes. It is easy to rack up the steps without realising when wandering around exploring.

You should also be mindful of any local culture and customs. For example, some regions and attractions may require you to cover up various parts of the body. So, make sure you pop a shawl, light jacket or jumper into your suitcase.

It is also a good idea to check the weather forecast in the days leading up to your departure. If rain is forecast at your cruise destination then you’ll want to pack a rain jacket and umbrella. If it is looking like being hot and sunny, pop in some light clothes, sunglasses and of course some sunscreen.

Evening Dress Code

When thinking what to wear on a cruise in the evening, ballgowns, cocktail dresses and tuxedo’s may spring to mind. While they are great options for formal nights, most evenings on a cruise are not that traditional.

On P&O’s ships, there are two evening dress codes.

Evening casual

The majority of nights on your cruise will be evening casual with up to four black tie nights depending on which ship you are cruising on and the length of your cruise.

The evening the dress code is always evening casual for those under 17. Even if it is black tie for adults. Of course, that is not to say they can’t dress up too. On the cruises I’ve been on many of the little kids did dress up and they looked fabulous.

The dress code on evening casual nights is fairly relaxed. If you think along the lines of a nice evening out at home you won’t go far wrong.

So, for ladies that includes dresses, skirts or trousers with stylish top. For men, smart casual trousers and open neck shirts are a great option. You can also wear jeans but they should be smart dark denim and not ripped or torn. I’ve often worn my black jeans and had no issues.

If you are cruising in the Caribbean, tailored shorts may be worn in the bars on deck and in the buffet.

The only types of clothing you are asked not to wear are tracksuits, football shirts or trainers.

Celebration Night

Celebration Night is P&O’s take on the traditional formal night.

It is a night of glitz and glamour but a little more modern and less stuffy than you might expect. That said it is still the night you get to dress up in your most chic outfit or tuxedo or smartest suit.

For ladies, it is a chance to wear a cocktail dress, ballgown or some smart trousers and a sparkly top. Or in my case a rare opportunity to wear some sparkly shoes!

While for men, tuxedos or a suit, jacket and tie are suitable for this night. Military uniforms or formal national dress may also be worn. Although you’ll need to leave any ceremonial blades or swords at home. So, that will save you some space in your luggage!

How many Black Tie nights on P&O Cruises?

The number of Celebration Nights, where the dress code is black tie, depends on the length of your cruise.

On the family-friendly ships, Arvia and Iona , you can expect one black tie night on cruises up to 13 nights in duration. For cruises that are 14 nights long, there will usually be two black tie nights.

The rest of the fleet has more Celebration Nights, again depending on how long your cruise is.

• 2-6 nights usually have one black tie evening
• 7-13 nights have two black tie evenings
• 14 nights have four black tie evenings

When does each dress code apply?

Keep an eye on Horizon, the daily planner that is delivered to your cabin each evening, for details of which dress code applies for the following evening.

You’ll find this information on the front page just under the header. Below are two examples of how the information is displayed.

You can also see which dress code to follow on the My Holiday web page once onboard.

The dress code on P&O Cruises comes into effect at 6pm across their ships. If you are out and about around the ship, be prepared for the crew to let you know about the change. You may also receive a strange look or two from fellow passengers if you are in a venue where black tie is required around this time.

When I was last on Iona, I spent one afternoon in the Crow’s Nest. I was wearing jeans and a light jumper. Around 5.30 ish one of the bar staff wandered over to let me know that the dress code was changing at 6pm.

I left when I finished my drink however, people were already gathering for early evening meals in The Epicurean and I did overhear someone make a comment about me as I left.

It was a bit unnecessary as the dress code was only just about to come into effect but is an example of how seriously some people take it and are not afraid to let you know if they think you are not adhering to it.

What bars and restaurants does the dress code apply to?

While the dress code is generally ship wide, it is only enforced in certain venues. If you turn up items of clothing that don’t fit the dress code be prepared that you might be turned away from those venues.

Below is a guide to what venues the P&O evening dress codes apply to.

Do you have to dress up for Celebration Night?

Formal nights on a cruise ship can be a bit like marmite. Some people love them while others hate them. Whichever camp you fall into, you can have a enjoyable – and comfortable – night.

If you like the opportunity to dress up in your finest outfit, you’ll find plenty of others will be getting out the glitz and glamour too. You’ll be able to dine in the main dining room and many of the speciality restaurants.

However, if dressing up isn’t your thing don’t worry. You won’t have to spend the night locked away in your cabin or sneaking around the ship trying not to be seen.

A few venues, such as the Horizon Restaurant and most of the bars still have an evening casual dress code even on Celebration Night.

There is also the option of room service (or should that be cabin service) if you really want to avoid it all!

It is worth giving it a go though. You might be surprised at how much you enjoy it. I usually cruise solo so feel bit of a twit dressing up just to eat alone. However, on the occasions I have joined in, it’s been a great evening so I was glad I didn’t miss out.

The Last Word

P&O Cruises make it super easy to navigate the dress code on board their ships.

If you pack like you would for a resort holiday with some comfortable clothes for the day and a few nice outfits for the evening you will be fine. Just remember to pack your most glamorous outfit for Celebration Night.

Also don’t forget to check the weather forecast for the destination you are cruising to and pack accordingly.

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• Cruising the Norwegian Fjords on Iona
• What to pack for a Norwegian Fjords cruise
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10 thoughts on “ Understanding the P&O Cruises Dress Code – What to wear on your cruise ”

I know you’re allowed to take a litre of spirits/wine and unlimited soft drink onboard Iona. Is beer not permitted? Does the allowance include children as a ‘per person’? Thanks again for all info.

Hi Debbie, if you take a look at P&O’s policies it looks like beer is included. And it applies to guests over 18. Enjoy your cruise. Emma

Just booked Britannia for 2025 have been told by travel agent can take on board 1 litre of spirts to drink in our cabin is this per person and is this true

Hi Gail, Looking at P&O’s policies, it seems to apply for each guest as they embark the ship. Enjoy your cruise when it arrives. Emma

We ate not ones for rassle dazzle dressing up.we do however dress.smartish. but qe dont do black tie nughts. Is there other forms of eating places on board where we can eat on formal nights without being confined to our room.

Hi Denise, I was a bit worried about that too but it was fine. You can eat in the Horizon Restaurant (buffet),The Quays and I think the Olive Grove (if you can get a reservation). I ate in the buffet on one my Iona cruises on celebration night (wearing jeans) and it was fine. Enjoy your cruise (and don’t worry about the dress code too much). Emma

Are men able to wear chino shorts at night? Of course black tie would be a full tuxedo. Thanks!

Hi Megan, I think shorts are ok if you are eating in Horizon (the buffet) or if you are on a fly-cruise, to the Caribbean for example. Enjoy your cruise. Emma

Are you allowed to take 1 litre of alcohol on board Iona from Southampton On embarkation.

Hi Patricia, yes you can. Enjoy your cruise. Emma

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• Mar 31, 2023

P&O Cruises - Dress Code Guide

Updated: Oct 22, 2023

If you spend a lot of time on various cruise groups on the internet, you'll know that dress codes are always a bit of a contentious topic. Making sure you stick with the dress codes onboard can feel quite daunting if you haven't cruised before, as some peoples interpretation of those dress codes will be different to others. However on P&O, the dress codes are the same across the fleet and they do not apply during the daytime.

We think that P&O is a relatively formal cruise line. If you've cruised on some of the American cruise lines before, such as Princess or Carnival, you'll probably find P&O a more formal experience. We've found that the majority of people tend to stick to the dress code and even though it doesn't apply to under 18's, you'll see lots of children getting involved too.

There are two main evening dress codes on a P&O Cruise, so we'll take you through what they are and show you some examples of what we've worn for each of them.

Evening Casual

This is P&O's main evening dress code and guests are encouraged to "dress as you would for dinner in a nice restaurant". Quite a vague description, which is open to interpretation as one person's idea of a nice restaurant would be different to another's. For us, the point of this dress code is to interpret it how you'd like to. We've all got a different style and that's fine! There are some rules to adhere to, including no tracksuits, football shirts or trainers. Shorts are also prohibited in the dining rooms, and in most bars with the exception of on some ships when in the Caribbean. Recently, guests onboard Arvia have shared that on evening casual nights tailored shorts can be worn anywhere other than in Anderson's, Sindhu, Epicurean and The Crow's Nest. Exceptions like this, will always be detailed in the Horizon.

We tend to wear dresses or skirts, the type of thing we'd wear to go to a bar, or eat out on an evening at home. We only wear dresses because that's our preference, not because that's what's expected. We've seen plenty of women onboard wearing smart trousers and dark denim with nice tops that look great too. Footwear wise, we wear sandals or a smarter flip flop, regardless of the weather it always feels appropriate to wear sandals on holiday. We've also seen others onboard wear ballet pumps, court shoes and loafer style shoes.

For men, it would usually be smart jeans or trousers (chinos seem to be a popular choice) and a shirt. We've seen polo shirts worn onboard too without any objections. There are some rules around denim. P&O will only allow dark denim, and nothing that's ripped. This rule is rarely enforced, but you never know when someone might decide to!

This is the dress code that applies to P&O's Celebration night. It appears to be the dress code that causes the most debate and we've seen many people worry about what to wear.

We don't have many black tie events at home, so we love the opportunity to dress up and for us, its part of what makes cruising special. If it's not for you, there are plenty of bars that you can go to onboard where you don't need to follow the dress code. The buffet is always dress code free, (apart from no pool wear) and you can also enjoy an evening meal from any of the casual dining venues such as Taste 360 and The Quays on Iona/Arvia, as well as The Beach House, the poolside grills and pizzerias across the fleet.

We have a few dresses that we alternate between for P&O's Celebration Night. We've been lucky finding some great deals and have also repurposed dresses that we've purchased for other events such as weddings. P&O suggest a cocktail dress or ball gown and we've definitely seen a wide range of both onboard. We've also seen some lovely jumpsuits, and smart trousers with sparkly tops. If you aren't comfortable in a dress there's nothing to worry about, you won't be alone in wearing an alternative.

For men the guidance is either a tuxedo, DJ or suit that includes a jacket and tie. The jacket is definitely the important part and we have heard of people being turned away from the main dining room when they haven't been wearing one. On our February 2023 Azura cruise, there was actually a collection of jackets that the maître d' would be able to give to men who had arrived without one.

How many black tie/celebration nights will we have?

The number of black tie nights will vary slightly depending on which ship you're on and if there are any special occasions during your cruise. As a general rule onboard Iona and Arvia, you will have 1 black tie or celebration night for every 7 days of the cruise. On every other ship in the P&O fleet, it will be 2 black tie nights for every 7 days. If you're on a cruise that's shorter than 7 days, you will still have 1 celebration night.

When and where do the dress codes apply?

Dress codes apply after 6pm and they are usually enforced in the majority of bars and restaurants on P&O ships. If you're not sure, you'll see signage outside the bar explaining what the dress code for that venue is, so you won't be caught out. The venues differ on each ship. The list below showing which venues adopt the evening dress code, was taken from the P&O website -

Arcadia Main Dining Restaurant, Intermezzo, The Crow's Nest, Meridian, Sindhu and Ocean Grill restaurants.

Aurora Main Dining Restaurant, Anderson’s, The Crow's Nest, Alexandria, Medina, Sindhu and The Glass House restaurants.

Arvia Main Dining Restaurant, The Crow's Nest, Meridian, Zenith, The Epicurian, The Chef's table, Green &Co and Sindhu restaurants.

Azura Main Dining Restaurant, Blue Bar, Planet Bar, Meridian, Peninsular, Oriental, Sindhu, The Glass House and The Epicurean restaurants.

Britannia Main Dining Restaurant, The Crow’s Nest, The Epicurean, Meridian, Peninsular, Oriental, Sindhu restaurants.

Iona Main Dining Restaurant, The Crow's Nest, Opal, Pearl, Coral, Aqua, The Epicurian, The Chef's table and Sindhu restaurants.

Ventura Main Dining Restaurant, Red Bar, Metropolis, Cinnamon, Saffron, Bay Tree, Sindhu, The Glass House and The Epicurean restaurants.

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What do I wear onboard?

During the day, casual clothes are suitable.

After 5.30pm, 'smart casual' clothing is required in the public lounges and restaurants or as published in the ship’s newsletter.

On our cocktail nights, it’s time to get your frocks out and join in the fun! We suggest women wear an evening or cocktail dress and men wear a suit or similar (tie optional).

On 3 to 6 night cruises, our P&O Gatsby Party will be held on the cocktail night.

On cruises 5 nights and longer, 1 of the cocktail nights will feature the Gatsby Party, so get into the groove for the evening and dress up as a fun flapper or wear a debonair vintage suit.

• Aug 11, 2022

Do you really have to dress up for a P&O Celebration Night?

Short answer... no.

On a P&O cruise you can normally expect 1 Celebration Night and 1 Black Tie for a 7 night cruise. There may be additional Black Tie nights for cruises longer than 7 nights.

So what does P&O advise?

For both Celebration Night and Black Tie P&O advise the following dress code: Get dressed to the nines in glamourous evening wear. Don a cocktail dress, tuxedo, ball gown or dinner jacket, or a dark business suit and tie. You may also wear formal national dress or military uniform.

Where do you have to wear Black Tie?

P&O will communicate the locations that require Black Tie via the daily Horizon newsletter.

Examples from Britannia and Ventura are below which state that Black Tie is required in all the Main Dining Rooms, Epicurean, as well as some bars.

What do we do?

Before we embark we will make a decision if we are attending the Celebration Night or similar. We base this on the itinerary of the trip. For example, for our Norwegian Fjords trip we decided not to dress up as the trip is packed full of excursions and we expect to be tired throughout.

Similarly on Ventura we did not dress up and instead visited The Beach House. The buffet, Glass House, Sindhu and Limelight Club also do not require black tie.

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How many formal nights will there be on my cruise, and what is the dress code?

by · Published 8th February 2019 · Updated 7th March 2022

Formal nights are one of the main unknowns for any new cruiser.  There are always a lot of questions about this subject, and people are often uneasy and unsure about what to expect on their cruise.

Here is an overview of what you need to know about formal night on the major cruise lines.

Celebrity Cruises MSC Cruises Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) P&O Cruises Princess Cruises Royal Caribbean

• Celebrity Cruises

Celebrity have given formal nights a ‘modern luxury reboot’.    Formal Nights have now been replaced with Evening Chic, and Evening Chic attire has replaced Formal attire.  While dressier than Smart Casual, Evening Chic is intended to be less dressy than Formal attire.

Dress Code:

Evening Chic Women should feel comfortable wearing:   A cocktail dress OR.  Skirt, pants or designer jeans with an elegant top.

Men should feel comfortable wearing:   Pants or designer jeans with a dress shirt, button-down shirt or sweater with an optional sport coat or blazer

Evening Chic means that you can get glamorous and be sophisticated in your own way. If you would like to still wear a tuxedo or formal gown on Evening Chic nights, you absolutely should.

Smart Casual attire can be enjoyed every other night of your cruise.

Smart Casual Women should feel comfortable wearing:  Skirt, pants or jeans with a casual top

Men should feel comfortable wearing:  Pants or jeans with a short sleeve sport shirt.

T-shirts, swimsuits, robes, bare feet, tank tops, baseball caps and pool wear are not allowed in the main restaurant or specialty restaurant at any time. Shorts and flip-flops are not allowed in the evening hours. The dress code will be enforced at all restaurants. And guests are asked to follow the Smart Casual or Evening Chic dress code in the Celebrity Theater for all evening performances.

Number of Evening Chic Nights:

Cruises of 7 nights or longer:  2 Evening Chic nights. Cruises of 6-nights or shorter:  1 Evening Chic night.

All other nights of the cruise will feature Smart Casual attire.

Celebrity Xpedition will feature casual attire for the entire cruise.

• MSC Cruises

“Casual resort wear” is appropriate, except for formal evenings when men are required to put on suits or jackets and ties, and women cocktail dresses.  In addition, passengers who would like to participate in theme nights are encouraged to dress according to a specific theme. Examples of theme nights include White Night, Tropical Night or 60s/70s/80s Night.

The standard Lido buffet (and room service) will serve passengers seeking a more low-key dining experience and who don’t wish to dress formally.

After 6 p.m., jeans, T-shirts and shorts are not permitted in the ships’ public areas. No swimwear is allowed in main dining rooms. Jeans are allowed on casual resort wear nights, as long as they aren’t torn or ripped.

Number of Formal Nights:

4-6 night cruises:  1 Formal Night 7-9 night cruises:  2 Formal Nights 10-14 night cruises:  3 Formal Nights 15 nights or longer:  4 Formal Nights

Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL)

NCL’s ‘Freestyle Cruising’ ethos applies to the dress code on Norwegian ships.  NCL believe that guests will have much more relaxing cruise vacations when they are comfortable.

Resort casual is the norm throughout the fleet, so guests can leave their tuxedos and party dresses at home if they wish.

For those who enjoy dressing up for dinner, there is one (two on cruises longer than seven-nights) completely optional “formal night” in various areas of the ship.

P&O Cruises

P&O have two evening Dress Codes on-board their ships, Evening Casual and Black Tie.  Suggestions of the type of clothing you might like to wear are given in the documents below:

Evening Casual dress suggestions

Black Tie dress suggestions

P&O also host Theme Nights where guests are invited to dress up in line with the theme. Dressing up for a Theme Night is great fun but isn’t compulsory.

For 60s & 70s you can either just turn up and enjoy the music or jump at the chance to dig out your miniskirts and flares!

Black and White nights follow the same dress code as our Black Tie evenings with men in tuxedos or dinner suits and women in ball gowns or cocktail dresses.  You can also opt for an all black or all white ensemble (if your wardrobe will allow).

Tropical nights are all about Hawaiian shirts, grass skirts and optional flower necklaces.

Number of Black Tie Nights:

This can vary from cruise to cruise depending on the number of nights you are on board.

As a guide, there is approximately:

• 1 Black Tie night during a 2-4 night cruise
• 2 Black Tie nights during a 5-7 night cruise
• 3 Black Tie nights during an 8-10 night cruise
• 4 Black Tie nights during an 11-14 night cruise
• Princess Cruises

Princess Cruises have two evening dress codes on-board their ships, Smart Casual and Formal.  Suggestions of the type of clothing you might like to wear are given in the documents below:

Smart Casual Guest attire should be in keeping with what they would wear to a nice restaurant at home.

• Skirts/dresses, slacks, and sweaters for ladies
• Pants and open-neck shirts for men

Dinner wear such as pool or beach attire, shorts, ball caps and casual jeans (with fraying and/or holes) are not welcomed in the dining rooms. Shoes must be worn.

Formal When formal nights are held, please observe the dress code in the Traditional Dining and Anytime Dining venues for the enjoyment of all our guests.

• Evening gowns and cocktail dresses for women
• Tuxedos, dinner jackets or dark suits with a tie for men
• Royal Caribbean

Royal Caribbean have three evening dress codes on their ships.  Evenings will either be Casual, Smart Casual or Formal.    There can be 1-3 formal nights during a sailing and is at the ship’s discretion. The Chef’s Table dining experience also enforces a formal dress code policy.

Here are a few types of suggested attire for each type of night:

• Casual:  You’re on vacation – relax! Jeans, polos, sundresses and blouses are all the right amount of laid back. Please keep swimwear to the Pool Deck. Shorts are welcomed for breakfast and lunch, but not dinner.
• Smart Casual:  Think of this as a step up from your typical dinner wear. Dress to impress with collared shirts, dresses, skirts and blouses, or pantsuits. Jackets, sports coats and blazers are snazzy and welcomed.
• Formal:  Make it a night out in your best black-tie look – suits and ties, tuxedos, cocktail dresses or evening gowns.
• 3/4/5 Night Cruises – Usually on Day 2
• 6 Night Cruises – Usually on Day 2 and 5
• 7 Night Cruises – Usually on Day 2 and 6
• 8 – 10 Night Cruises – 2 Formal Nights, Days vary by ship and sailing
• 11 – 14 Night Cruises – 3 Formal Nights, Days vary by ship and sailing
• 15+ Night Cruises – 3 or 4 Formal Nights, Days and number vary by ship and sailing
• Oasis and Allure – Day 2 and 5 on Western itineraries and Day 2 and 6 on Eastern itineraries
• Empress of the Seas – Formal Nights are not offered on some sailings

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Trying to find out how many formal nights Ventura 12 nights & if any theme nights

You will have 4 formal nights on your cruise.

Theme nights, drop p&o a message they will be able to tell you or search Facebook and see if there is a group for your cruise.

Have a great cruise x

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By chrisg1uk , September 8, 2019 in P&O Cruises ( UK )

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No, thankfully not another discussion about the merits of "smart tailored shorts" etc.  I have booked to go on Britannia in Jan 2020 and have just noticed that the area on the Personaliser that details the dress code is blank rather than the expected 4 formal and 10 smart casual.   I know this may well be due to length of time I still have to wait (sob) but I also wonder whether they might be reviewing.    

Link to comment

Share on other sites.

Doesn’t look like they’re published yet

https://carnivaluk.metafaq.com/resources/carnivaluk/life-on-board/BR_Dress_Code_2019.pdf

Enjoy your cruise, when it comes

14 minutes ago, chrisg1uk said: No, thankfully not another discussion about the merits of "smart tailored shorts" etc.  I have booked to go on Britannia in Jan 2020 and have just noticed that the area on the Personaliser that details the dress code is blank rather than the expected 4 formal and 10 smart casual.   I know this may well be due to length of time I still have to wait (sob) but I also wonder whether they might be reviewing.    

P&O actively enforce Formal night.

This was on Ventura 23-30th August.

39 minutes ago, grapau27 said: P&O actively enforce Formal night. This was on Ventura 23-30th August.

With due respect, I think that you have missed the OPs point. This was not whether the dress code is enforced, but whether the absence online of detailed information for their Jan 2020 cruise was perhaps an indication that it is under review.

7 minutes ago, Denarius said: With due respect, I think that you have missed the OPs point. This was not whether the dress code is enforced, but whether the absence online of detailed information for their Jan 2020 cruise was perhaps an indication that it is under review.

Correct, thanks

2 hours ago, Denarius said: With due respect, I think that you have missed the OPs point. This was not whether the dress code is enforced, but whether the absence online of detailed information for their Jan 2020 cruise was perhaps an indication that it is under review.

Thank you for your respectful response.

 I think with the IT problems on the P&O website it was just an oversight as P&O are quite strict regarding their dress codes on board and we personally saw people being refused entry to these venues on Ventura 23-30th August.

We were advised when booking Azura for next March of the expected dress code so the ops TA should have advised them of P&O dress requirements for their January 2020 cruise which is before ours.

2 hours ago, chrisg1uk said: Correct, thanks

Your TA should have explained P&O dress codes as P&O website has had problems.

Please see my previous post#6

13 hours ago, grapau27 said: P&O actively enforce Formal night. This was on Ventura 23-30th August.

Ah! they have finally admitted that the Glass House is evening casual on formal nights. It always has been although the P&O site listed it as formal. Same for Azura I presume.

Oh dear.  My original post wasn't intended to be any comment on how strictly P&O enforced their dress code or whether someone hadn't told me something they should have.  I am fully aware of the guidance.  It was a simple observation that the dress code section on my Personaliser was blank rather than the expected  4 formal and 10 smart casual.  As Eddie11 suggests above, this is probably due to the length of time I still have to wait but since the current ratios have been in place for some time I was purely wondering whether this absence might be an indication that P&O are considering reviewing it.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           On Britainnia, I think the Glass House is smart casual although I believe that doesn't extend to shorts no matter how smart or how much they cost.   The Beach House however certainly allowed shorts in the Caribbean this January as the guy next to me was wearing a football short and shorts and trainers and was joking he had needed to buy some long trousers at the first port as he hadn't brought any with him as didn't think he needed them.   I think P&O really do need to be clear and be consistent as it only leads to upset.     

2 hours ago, chrisg1uk said: Oh dear.  My original post wasn't intended to be any comment on how strictly P&O enforced their dress code or whether someone hadn't told me something they should have.  I am fully aware of the guidance.  It was a simple observation that the dress code section on my Personaliser was blank rather than the expected  4 formal and 10 smart casual.  As Eddie11 suggests above, this is probably due to the length of time I still have to wait but since the current ratios have been in place for some time I was purely wondering whether this absence might be an indication that P&O are considering reviewing it.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           On Britainnia, I think the Glass House is smart casual although I believe that doesn't extend to shorts no matter how smart or how much they cost.   The Beach House however certainly allowed shorts in the Caribbean this January as the guy next to me was wearing a football short and shorts and trainers and was joking he had needed to buy some long trousers at the first port as he hadn't brought any with him as didn't think he needed them.   I think P&O really do need to be clear and be consistent as it only leads to upset.     

P&O are clear about dress code but they are inconsistent about applying it. Without judging people, there are those who push and push despite knowing that its wrong and its left to the poor waiters to sort it out. Its no wonder they get away with it. I was on Azura on a Formal Night in the Malibar and a Caribbean band were playing. They were dressed very smart. In front of us were three slobs in tracksuit trousers and baggy t-shirts. At the break the singer got off the stage and marched up to them and said "Why are you dressed like that? I have made an effort and I think you are disrespectful". He walked away. The slobs finished there pints and left.

All the staff need to do is refuse to serve them food or drink.

Harry Peterson

43 minutes ago, grapau27 said: During our recent 7 day cruise on Ventura I saw 1 person who looked like a tramp but otherwise everyone else were dressed according to P&O guidelines.

I wasn’t really thinking so much of the dress code. More the underlying character and general behaviour. One of the reasons we avoid the buffet.

2 minutes ago, Harry Peterson said: I wasn’t really thinking so much of the dress code. More the underlying character and general behaviour. One of the reasons we avoid the buffet.

We went into Saffron restaurant every lunchtime.

The general behaviour was very good all over the ship.

How sad that a simple question as to whether the absence of evening dress code details for a future cruise might indicate that the matter is under review has degenerated into the usual arguments. People really should keep to the point.

8 minutes ago, Harry Peterson said: Simple enough to do - just stop following the thread.

Lots of people have reported problems with P&O Cruise Personaliser and this seems to me the ops answer.

A phone call to P&O guest services hopefully would give the op his answer.

AndyMichelle

4 hours ago, grapau27 said: During our recent 7 day cruise on Ventura I saw 1 person who looked like a tramp but otherwise everyone else were dressed according to P&O guidelines.

You should have come over and said Hello Graham... 😊

5 minutes ago, AndyMichelle said: You should have come over and said Hello Graham... 😊 Andy

We stayed 2 nights in Westquay Premier Inn pre-cruise  and a day shopping!!! In Southampton.

We could have met for a drink and let the girls shop.

27 minutes ago, grapau27 said: We stayed 2 nights in Westquay Premier Inn pre-cruise  and a day shopping!!! In Southampton. We could have met for a drink and let the girls shop. Graham  

You should have said Graham, definitely next time. 

I am always up for a drink and Michelle is always up for shopping... 😊

17 minutes ago, AndyMichelle said: You should have said Graham, definitely next time.  I am always up for a drink and Michelle is always up for shopping... 😊 Andy

Sounds like a good idea.

We are on RCCL Explorer of the seas October 5th.

I am going to give Paulines car a run out and drive down.

We are staying at the Meon Valley hotel on October 4th.

You are both welcome to join us on the night for a meal and drink.

Clowns , Fancy Dress , Theme Nights ,  Formal Nights , Buffets , Bermudan Shorts -  its all a recipe for disaster ! 😂

On 9/8/2019 at 2:11 PM, grapau27 said: P&O actively enforce Formal night. This was on Ventura 23-30th August.

That's nice that P & O enforces the dress code. At least one cruise line has the balls to enforce them. We need to try them some time.

4 hours ago, ReneeFLL said: That's nice that P & O enforces the dress code. At least one cruise line has the balls to enforce them. We need to try them some time.

If a cruise line has a published dress code, you should comply out of respect for your fellow passengers. Which I always do, even though personally I do not care what my fellow passengers wear as long as acceptable standards of personal hygeine are observed.

1 hour ago, Denarius said: If a cruise line has a published dress code, you should comply out of respect for your fellow passengers. Which I always do, even though personally I do not care what my fellow passengers wear as long as acceptable standards of personal hygeine are observed.

We wear gowns and tuxes, but I don't expect others to dress that nice. I don't see why people can't at least put on some nice clothes and wear what is requested. It would be great if Royal (who I have cruised the most on) wouldn't allow shorts, tank tops, etc on formal nights. To me that's classless. A lot of people don't even show pride in themselves. Anyways that's my opinion and I know not everyone sees it the same way. I just didn't know that P & O tries to enforce their dress code which I see as good. 

We would like to get back to the UK as we love it there. We were supposed to be on the Indy TA cruise with a b2b out of Southampton next year, but they cancelled those. They decided to keep her in the Caribbean.  😥

On 9/9/2019 at 9:12 PM, grapau27 said: Sounds like a good idea. We are on RCCL Explorer of the seas October 5th. I am going to give Paulines car a run out and drive down. We are staying at the Meon Valley hotel on October 4th. You are both welcome to join us on the night for a meal and drink. Graham

Wow Captain Graham, are you ever on dry land!! 😄

That would have been lovely and thank you for the invite, but we are on our yearly sabbatical to Essex that week visiting my family, although most of them are dead so it is more a tour of the graveyards. 

I'm sure it won't be long until your next down here, so we will hopefully get to meet up then. 

40 minutes ago, AndyMichelle said: Wow Captain Graham, are you ever on dry land!! 😄 That would have been lovely and thank you for the invite, but we are on our yearly sabbatical to Essex that week visiting my family, although most of them are dead so it is more a tour of the graveyards.  I'm sure it won't be long until your next down here, so we will hopefully get to meet up then.  Andy

You were both very welcome.

Hope you have a great week in Essex visiting your family.

The next due visit to Southampton is when we disembark Azura from her TA early April.

I'll have to check flights back to Newcastle but no flights available yet to see whether we have a night at WestQuay premier Inn or fly home the same day.

moonstone01

We have just come off a seven day cruise on the Ventura, the standard of some peoples dress was eye-opening.  I don't expect people to be in shirt and tie all the time, but to come on board as if you have been dragged through a hedge is a bit much.  Nice casual clothes don't need to cost much, just put a bit more effort into the dress sense.

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P&O Cruises vs Cunard – Which is Better? (Tried and Tested)

If you are considering a cruise with either P&O Cruises or Cunard you may be wondering how they compare.

I’ve cruised with both cruise lines so in this post we will explore the differences in dress codes, dining, onboard experience, and more.

What Are The Difference Between P&O Cruises and Cunard?

Cunard cruises are usually more expensive than P&O cruises and offer a more traditional cruising experience. P&O cruises attract a younger market than Cunard and have a busier daily schedule. Dress codes and dining times are less strictly enforced on P&O cruises.

Both are British cruise lines but this really is where the similarities end.

Note: It’s worth noting that for the purposes of this article we are talking about the British portion of P&O cruises. There is also an Australian part which is much more of a party cruise line. 

Dress Codes & Formal Nights

Both cruise lines do have formal nights and dress codes in place but the dress codes for Cunard cruises are much stricter and are enforced ship wide. Lovers of formal dress would love both cruise lines as compared to other cruise lines they are both quite formal.

Cunard – Dress Codes & Formal Nights

The formal dress codes on Cunard are actually the reason why I started this website! I couldn’t believe how strict the dress codes were even on informal nights.

I had cruised before my Cunard cruise but only with Norwegian Cruise Line and MSC , both of whom are incredibly relaxed.

The informal nights on Cunard cruises are more formal than the formal nights of most other cruise lines so I started this website to tell people what I had learned. The rest is history!

Cunard Have 2 Formal Nights Per Week

On a 7 night Cunard cruise you’ll typically find 2 formal nights with the other nights being informal nights. On formal nights men have to wear a shirt, tie and jacket which cannot be taken off.

On informal nights jackets are still required for men but the tie is optional.

There are no dress codes during the day but guests have to wear long trousers to go to afternoon tea.

Are The Dress Codes Enforced on Cunard Cruises?

The dress codes are strictly enforced and guests who aren’t dressed appropriately will be asked to change. The dress code does apply ship wide with certain places being ‘formal nights dress code free’ such as the buffet.

Cunard cruisers take the dress code very seriously , I doubt that other guests would actually tell you off if you were underdressed but you’d certainly get some stares!

Generally speaking I wouldn’t recommend a Cunard cruise to anybody who doesn’t want to take part in the formal nights and dress codes.

To learn more about Cunard’s dress codes, including what you cannot wear, check out this post:

Cunard Dress Code – (Mens, Womens, Childrens – Real Examples)

The post above contains lots of photos of members of our Facebook group . A massive thank you to all who submitted photos!

P&O Cruises – Dress Codes & Formal Nights

P&O also have dress codes but these aren’t as strictly enforced as the dress codes on Cunard cruises.

Our Gala Evenings, or Black Tie nights, offer a chance to get dressed to the nines in glamorous evening wear. Don your favourite cocktail dress, tuxedo, ball gown, or dinner jacket, or alternatively a dark business suit and tie. You may also wear formal national dress or military uniform. cunard

Some guests cruising with P&O really do go all out and wear tuxedos and ball gowns. That said, other guests who don’t want to take part won’t look out of place either.

The dress code is enforced only in the main dining room so guests wanting to avoid dressing formally usually eat in the buffet or order room service, more about the room service later!

Are P&O Cruises Dress Codes Enforced?

The dress code on P&O cruises isn’t strictly enforced. 76% of P&O cruisers said that they didn’t feel as though P&O’s dress codes were enforced.

The survey was conducted in our Facebook group and 130 people voted for no, 41 for yes.

There are no specific day time dress code rules on P&O cruises.

Target Market/Families

Generally speaking P&O have a younger passenger demographic than Cunard. P&O often advertise to families and have discounted places for children to encourage families to come onboard.

Cunard – Target Market/Families

In my experience, the Cunard cruise which I took on the Queen Victoria had the oldest passenger demographic of any cruise that I’ve been on, I’ve been on 23 cruises to date on a range of cruise lines.

My gran who’s 92 LOVES cruising with Cunard and she’s probably Cunard’s target market.

Cunard Offer a Traditional Experience

Cunard focus on the traditional elements of cruising that older passengers tend to prefer. You will find some younger people on a Cunard cruise but I have to say at 23 I was probably the youngest person on my Cunard cruise.

I didn’t feel out of place but if I was looking for night life or friends my own age I would have been disappointed.

Some younger people do love Cunard though! Chris who wrote this post is one of them: Are Cunard for Young Adults?

Cunard cruise ships do have kids clubs but the ships themselves aren’t designed with children in mind, no ships in the Cunard fleet have waterslides or play areas.

I love the design of the Cunard ships, they’re very elegant and having waterslides on the top would definitely ruin this!

P&O Cruises – Target Market/Families

P&O advertise themselves as a family cruise line and you’ll find lots of families on board. I constantly recommend P&O to families, to find out why check out our recommended cruise lines page here:

Best Cruise Lines For Families (Tried & Tested, Pros & Cons!)

P&O Often Have Family Discounts

P&O cruises often have discounts on children’s places and sometimes even have £1 children’s places. Walking around a P&O cruise ship you’ll usually see younger people than on a Cunard cruise.

With the launch of P&O’s new ship Iona, the cruise line are definitely trying to attract younger cruisers and families to the brand.

P&O’s cruise fares include gratuities and are generally good value for money which is often attractive to families. They have kids clubs on board and many of their cabins house 4 or 5 people.

There is a lot more for children to do on a P&O cruise compared to a Cunard cruise.

Ship Design

Cunard and P&O’s cruise ships are similar in age and passenger capacity. The style onboard the Cunard ships is much more traditional and there is less variety between the Cunard ships than on the P&O cruise ships.

That said all ships in both fleets are widely loved for different reasons.

Cunard Ships – Ship Design

Cunard’s cruise ships are among some of the most famous in the world. They have a distinctive classic style and have become well known as being elegant and classy.

Cunard currently have three cruise ships in the fleet with a fourth on the way.

Cunard Fleet

The Queen Mary 2 was built in 2003 and is the only remaining ocean liner. She cruises across the Atlantic and cruises on her are often described as being the best way to take a transatlantic cruise. I would agree! If I was to take a transatlantic cruise I would definitely want it to be onboard the Queen Mary 2. She is built for such journeys.

If you’d like to find out why she’s so well designed for this journey check out this post which describes the differences between cruise ships and ocean liners, theres more to it than you’d think:  Cruise Ships vs Ocean Liners: 5 Fundamental Differences

Cunard also have the Queen Victoria who was built in 2007 and the Queen Elizabeth who was built in 2010. I sailed on the Queen Victoria in 2016 and had the most amazing time.

The Onboard Style is Cunard Ships is Traditional

The styling and facilities onboard all three ships are very similar. They feature classic designs and colours with all elements that you’d expect from a traditional cruising experience such as a promenade deck and open atrium.

It feels as though the ships are incredibly well look after and they are always clean and cared for.

P&O Cruises Ships – Ship Design

P&O cruises have a range of cruise ships ranging in size and age. The oldest was built in 2000 with the newest ship Iona being launched in 2020.

The stylings onboard are fairly modern and they appeal to a wide range of passengers. The older smaller cruise ships are a little more traditional than the newer bigger ships but even still there is a style onboard which is instantly recognisable across the fleet.

All P&O Cruises cruise ships have a union jack flag on the bow which makes it easy to identify them from far away.

Onboard Activities/Entertainment

Generally speaking the schedule on a P&O cruise is busier than that of a Cunard cruise. Both cruises do have daily schedules which will be delivered to your cabin each night, these detail the events which will be happening the next day of the cruise.

Cunard Onboard Schedule

I’ve been on 23 cruises to date on a number of cruise lines and without a doubt the schedule on my Cunard cruise was the quietest of any cruise line. Most guests will fill their days sitting by the pool with a book, dancing in the ball room or enjoying afternoon tea.

Cunard do have some very reasonable drinks packages, to learn more about these, including what I’d recommend, check out this post:  Cunard Drinks Package Guide and Menu With Drink Prices.

Typical activities found on a Cunard cruise include:

– Trivia – Movies – Needlework/Knitting – Live Music (String quartet, harpists, mostly classical music) – Theatre Lectures

If you are considering a Cunard cruise make sure that you bring a good book and are ready to entertain yourself. This isn’t a problem for me at all and I loved the chance to really relax but I do know that some people like to have busier onboard schedules.

On most days there tends to only be one activity per hour at most times on the onboard schedule.

Afternoon tea is a very big part of any Cunard cruise and this is included in your cruise fare. It’s amazing how fast you can get used to having another meal between lunch and dinner!

The events on the daily schedule cover roughly from 7am until 10pm.

P&O Cruises Onboard Schedule is Busier than Cunards

P&O Cruises tend to have a busier onboard schedule than Cunard but they are still relatively relaxed compared to the bigger American cruise lines. You’ll find activities happening much more frequently than on a Cunard cruise and there are definitely more entertainment options in the evenings.

Typical activities on a P&O Cruises Cruise include:

– Trivia and Gameshows – Movies – Poolside Games – Live Music (Pop, Rock, Classical) – Discos and Dancing – Exercise Classes

On a daily schedule for a P&O Cruises cruise you’ll usually find an event happening every 15 minutes to half an hour. There are additional activities for children throughout the day.

I took part in a cookery class with Marco Pierre White which was so much fun. I’m not normally a fan of cooking but I really enjoyed the experience. This does cost extra.

The events on the daily schedule cover roughly from 7am until 12pm.

Room Service/Dining

Both cruise lines include your meals in the cruise fare. Everyday breakfast, lunch, dinner and afternoon tea are available at a number of different venues.

The dining experience with Cunard tends to be more fixed than with P&O cruises.

Room service is free on Cunard cruises but there is a charge for it on P&O Cruises. Most cruise lines do charge for room service, either by the item or with a set fee for the delivery of the room service.

Cunard Have FREE Room Service

Some of the best room service that I’ve ever had on a cruise has been on Cunard. The room service is actually available 24 hours a day which is AMAZING.

There is a wide variety of food available and one of my fondest memories of my Cunard cruise is sitting on the balcony with my family as we sailed away from a port eating room service.

I only ever order room service when it is free so if you do take a Cunard cruise make sure that you take advantage of this!

The room service is also a great option if it is a formal night or you simply can’t be bothered to get dressed for dinner. It is worth noting though that as the dress codes do apply ship-wide you can’t go to the theatre in the evening wearing ‘inappropriate’ clothes.

P&O Cruises Have a Cost For Some Room Service

P&O Cruises do have room service but like most cruise lines you will be charged for this. The charge will automatically be added to your onboard account when you order and you’ll have to pay it at the end of your cruise when you get your bill.

P&O Cruises charge by the item.

Room service is however free for breakfast so I’d definitely recommend that you take advantage of this. Breakfast in bed or on the balcony is brilliant!

Cunard Dining Times

For the majority of passengers Cunard only offer fixed dining in their main dining rooms for dinner. There will be an early and late seating which you will usually be able to choose before you cruise.

If you are cruising in a ‘Britannia Club’ stateroom you are able to dine in the Britannia restaurant which doesn’t have set dining times.

There are no set timings for breakfast or lunch.

P&O Cruises Dining Times

P&O Cruises have both flexible dining times and set dining times. Ahead of your cruise you’ll be asked to pick either a set time for dinner or the more flexible option.

I always go for the more flexible option because I like to eat when I’m hungry, not when it’s dinner time.

We never had to wait for a table and had no problem getting a table for two. We were able to share with others when we wanted to which was great. We shared a big table for 10 on the first night of our cruise and met up again for the last night.

P&O also have a number of speciality restaurants where you can have dinner if you want something a little special.

Which Would I Recommend?

The experience on a Cunard cruise is much more traditional with fixed dining times, enforced dress codes and a relaxing onboard  experience so this would suit somebody who likes a quiet elegant atmosphere.

For families and younger cruisers I would usually recommend P&O cruises as the onboard schedule is busier and the dress codes and dining are more flexible.

I personally enjoy cruising with both lines.

To find out more about the cruise lines which I recommend, check out our recommended cruise lines page here:  Recommended Cruise Lines, Full List

If you’re more used to cruising with American cruise lines, check out this comparison between P&O Cruises and Royal Caribbean:

7 HUGE Differences Between P&O Cruises and Royal Caribbean

Free Insiders Cruise Line Guide

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