Queen Mary 2 Dress Code: What to Wear Onboard
Here is my complete guide to dressing onboard the Queen Mary 2.
Dressing up is all a part of the traditional cruise experience, and this is something that is embraced by Cunard. While getting glammed up may feel natural to some people, others might worry about their outfit choices and wonder whether they will fit in with the other cruisers.
If you’re thinking about heading off on the Queen Mary 2, but you’re unsure about the dress code, then this blog post is for you. Here I cover the main dos and don’ts for different times of day, with examples for men and women.
Is There a Dress Code on the Queen Mary 2?
Yes, there is a dress code on the Queen Mary 2, but only in the evenings.
During the day the dress code is casual, meaning that guests can wear whatever they feel comfortable in. T-shirts and shorts, jeans and dresses are all commonplace throughout the day, as is swimwear around the pool areas.
The dress code changes in the evenings, requiring either Smart attire or Gala evening dress after 6pm.
If you don’t want to dress up, that’s absolutely fine as well. The Kings Court (buffet) and the Golden Lion (pub), are both casual venues all day long, including in the evenings and on Gala nights.
Queen Mary 2 Daytime Dress Code
Casual Daywear
Daytime on a Cunard ship is not strict at all, and guests can wear whatever they want. Examples of suitable daytime clothing includes shorts, t-shirts, jeans and dresses. Trainers, sandals and other footwear are also acceptable during the day.
I would recommend staying away from wearing flip flops in the restaurants, and making sure to cover up swimwear while walking around the ship.
Shore Excursions
If you’re sailing on an itinerary that includes port stops, then you may have booked yourself onto a shore excursion.
Although there isn’t an actual dress code for shore excursions, I would recommend wearing comfortable walking shoes and layers that you can adjust as the day goes on. Make sure you bring any weather appropriate clothing with you, such as a raincoat or sunhat.
Evening Dress Code on Queen Mary 2
Smart Attire Evenings
Ordinary evenings onboard the Queen Mary 2 follow a ‘Smart Attire’ dress code. This doesn’t necessarily need to be formal, although many guests will opt for cocktail dresses, smart shirts and blazers. It’s really up to you how formal you want to go.
The grand Britannia Restaurant on the Queen Mary 2
The main thing to remember is that shirts without collars are not allowed in most dining and entertainment venues after 6pm, and suit jackets are optional but encouraged.
Make sure you avoid things like gym wear, pool wear, t-shirts, jeans or flip-flops, as these won’t be allowed in most areas of the ship.
What Is a Gala Evening?
A Gala night is the name for Cunard’s signature formal night, and will usually happen two or three times on a 7 night voyage. On Gala evenings guests are encouraged to dress to impress, and you’ll see tuxedos, bow ties and sparkly cocktail dresses all over the ship.
The number of formal nights and their planned themes will be announced before your cruise, so you know what to pack in advance. Themes commonly used by Cunard include:
Black and White
Red and Gold
Roaring 20s
Masquerade Ball
Cunard really do go all out on their Gala nights, so expect on-theme decorations, signature dishes and cocktails, as well as lively entertainment continuing late into the night. Participating in the theme is optional, so don’t stress about your outfits too much.
It’s a great experience and the most important thing is that you enjoy it!
What Should Men Wear on Gala Night?
On a Gala night, if you’re not planning on eating in the Kings Court then men should consider wearing the following:
Tuxedo/dark suit/dinner jacket
Bow tie or necktie
Dress shoes
Photo by Alvin Mahmudov on Unsplash
If you’re not in the mood to dress up, then casual attire is permitted in the Kings Court buffet.
What Should Women Wear on Gala Night?
There are a wide range of options that women can wear on Gala night. These include:
An evening gown/cocktail dress
Elegant top and skirt/trousers
Formal jumpsuit
Dressy shoes and accessories (heeled shoes are optional)
Photo by FOTOGRAFÍA EDITORIAL on Unsplash
Do You Have to Dress Up Every Night?
Not at all. Most evenings have a Smart dress code, which doesn’t require any formalwear. Nice dresses, skirts, collared shirts and trousers are all acceptable on a regular evening.
If you don’t want to participate in the Gala nights, that’s fine too. The Kings Court is the ship’s buffet and is a casual dining venue all day long.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you wear jeans on Queen Mary 2?
Yes, jeans are permitted anywhere on the ship during the day, when a casual dress code is in effect. You may also wear jeans in the Kings Court buffet in the evenings.
Are trainers allowed?
Yes, trainers are allowed during the day, but are not allowed in most of the dining and entertainment venues in the evening.
Do children follow the dress code?
The dress code is not as strict for children, but Cunard do encourage little ones to follow the evening dress code as much as possible.
How many Gala Nights are there?
Expect there to be 2 or 3 Gala nights on a 7 night sailing, with more on longer voyages. I’ve sailed with Cunard on two 2 night sailings where we had 1 Gala night on each.
Can I skip formal nights?
Yes! Formal nights are entirely optional. Any guests who don’t wish to participate may eat in the Kings Court, or order room service (additional costs may apply).
What if I don't own a tuxedo?
You definitely don’t need to go out and buy a tuxedo if you don’t have one. Dark suits and dinner jackets are also acceptable, and many men won’t be wearing tuxedos.
Conclusion
Dressing for a Queen Mary 2 cruise doesn’t have to feel complicated.
Daytimes are casual, while smart clothing is expected in most dining and entertainment venues in the evenings. There is always a casual option available for those who don’t want to dress up, and the Kings Court is the QM2’s lovely buffet restaurant with great food.
Expect several Gala nights to take place during your voyage, when formalwear is encouraged. Many people will dress to impress, so I recommend doing the same (again, unless you prefer to eat in the casual dining restaurant or order room service).
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