Could this be the end of formal dress codes?

There was surprise and disbelief this week as Cunard announced that on some of their sailings the dress code will be relaxed. Read about it here.

Recently Celebrity Cruise Line ditched formal evenings on board, so no need to pack the tuxedos and ball gowns if you are sailing with them. Other cruise companies such as Norwegian cruise Lines and Carnival have been using a relaxed dress code for quite a few years now, but could this announcement mean that there may be an end to the traditional formal evenings on cruises altogether?

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Everyone will have their own personal view on this and I know that some people like sailing with Cunard because of the traditional dress codes on boards. By the same token some people stay away from them because of the very same reason.

Cruising has become much more popular over the years due to the growth in this leisure sector. Bigger ships (some that carry over 6,000 passengers) have been built and sometimes to fill these ships prices are reduced, making a cruise holiday more financially accessible for some. The cruise lines are desperate to ensure that they fill as many cabins as possible, so they want to appeal to a broad section of holidaymakers. In order to do this they have addressed areas such as family cabins, kids facilities, entertainment, alternative dining options and tried to move away from the perception that a cruise holiday is only for the elite. A formal dress code is something that has previously put some potential customers off a cruise holiday.

Personally I do enjoy the formal evenings on a cruise. I like to see the gents in their best bib and tucker and to see the beautiful dresses that the ladies have on show. I think those evenings feel quite special and I always try and make an effort myself.

What do you think? Are you more in favour of the relaxed dress code or would you miss the formal evenings if they eventually disappeared. Leave me a comment. I’d love to know!