What to Wear on Cunard’s Queen Mary 2: Navigating the Onboard Dress Code

Cunard's dress code is known for its elegance and formality, reflecting the line’s long tradition of luxury ocean travel. Aboard ships like the Queen Mary 2, the dress code varies depending on the time of day and event.

Daytime Attire: During the day, the dress code is more relaxed. Passengers typically wear smart casual clothing, which includes comfortable yet stylish outfits suitable for onboard activities, dining, and excursions.

Evening Attire: This is where Cunard’s dress code truly stands out. Evening dress is divided into two main categories:

Formal Nights: Cunard is famous for its formal nights, where passengers are encouraged to embrace black-tie elegance. Men typically wear tuxedos, dinner jackets, or dark suits, while women don evening gowns or cocktail dresses. These evenings are a highlight of the Cunard experience, often accompanied by gala dinners and special events.

Informal Nights: On informal nights, the dress code is slightly more relaxed but still polished. Men can opt for a jacket and tie, while women can choose a dress, skirt, or tailored pants.
Casual Dining Venues: For guests who prefer a more laid-back dining experience, Cunard offers casual dining options where a less formal dress code is accepted. However, swimwear, shorts, and flip-flops are discouraged in all indoor dining venues after 6:00 PM.

Special Events and Themed Nights: Cunard also hosts themed nights that may have specific dress guidelines, allowing passengers to get creative with their attire while maintaining an air of sophistication.

Overall, Cunard's dress code is an integral part of the experience, appealing to those who enjoy a classic, refined atmosphere. While some may find the formality controversial in today’s more casual cruise environment, for many, it is a key part of what makes a Cunard voyage feel special.

Please consider watching our entire Cunard Playlist to see more of this magnificient oceanliner as well as some of the adventures we had at each of the ports of call. This journey started in NY in January 2024 when we boarded the Queen Mary 2 and sailed to Southampton, England - Tenerife, Spain - Walvis Bay, Namibia - Port Elizabeth, Capetown & Durban, South Africa - Reunion Island - Mauritius Island and then finally Perth, Australia. We stayed in an inside cabin (check out our cabin tour & review video) for 45 days that included a Transatlantic Crosssing and 2 Segments of her World Cruise. With many interesting changes in weather, sickness, safety protocols, breaking-news LIVE updates, as well as amazing ports of call with two overnight stops we hope you find our videos both informative and fun to watch.

And as always... Thanks for coming along on our journey!
All the best, Michael & Andrea

Our Cunard Playlist can be found on our channel here:

All Hubbard's Journey Playlists can be found on our channel, click here:

[carleenspada]

It all sounds wonderful !! Love the idea of a few dress up nights as it only makes sense on such an elegant and dignified lady as The Q.E.2nd.👑❣️🌎🇺🇸

[royphelps]

We cruised on the Queen Anne in May 2024 (British Isles) and we loved the elevated dress code and gala nights. So I had my tux...something a little different than we usually do in America. Nice seeing others in formal attire also.

[allenmyers]

Yes, bring as much luggage as you want. But getting all that stuff into the closets or drawers can become a problem. Also, Cunard offers White Star luggage service through Luggage Forward that will ship luggage from your home to the ship and back again. Prices vary according to the size and weight of the luggage and how fast you want to get it from one place to the other.

[kaamkmca]

We thoroughly enjoyed your video. Myself and my wife always enjoyed Queen Mary 2. Dressing up for formal nights was always fun especially, Masquerade Night. It added to the interaction with other passengers who also loved the fun. We enjoyed your videos on your world cruise immensely. Look forward to your next voyage!

[dl]

We are 'almost local' to the Brooklyn port - and our QM2 sailings are round trips. As a result we tend to massively over pack, filling the wardrobe space in a Britannia room

[CarnivalCruiseAddicts]

Looking sharp you two! Great video! We usually dress up 1 of the elegant nights but would need a new wardrobe to go on this ship!

[Getstarmerout]

Don't go on cunard if you don't want to dress up, there are plenty of other cruise lines. Also where is the lido buffet and winter garden on Queen Mary?