Kilt ordered

[westsussexbiker]

Cunard only do formal (black tie - no problem there, got the kit for that!) or informal. The latter means jacket, but tie optional. I will bring a "normal" suit, as I have some stunning looking ones, but really considering a jacket for the kilt as well for those nights. We're away for 11 nights, only 4 are formal, so that leaves 7 to consider and dress up for.

[TheOfficialBren]

I literally just got back from a cruise today. I took my kilt. I wore it a total of one time: wholest ashore in a foreign port.

My experience was one of the only odd ones that I've had kilted. Aboard ship it was not a positive experience (not for any particular reason, just overall) but once ashore it was entirely the opposite. I can confidently say that I was probably the only kilted man aboard our ship and probaby the only one in Ensenada that day.

I switched back into trousers (dinner jacket and waistcoat, tried out a new tie knot--the Onassis [LOVED it] knot) for the captain's dinner that night. A fewreasons for that: 1) no appropriate kilt jacket, 2) bad vibes aboard ship earlier in the day, and 3) absolutely impractical for getting around the ship (except maybe the formal dinner).

I probably won't pack a kilt on my next cruise (and have never taken one before). It was not practical for getting around the ship (worn casually, mind you) and on our particular cruise the crowd was less open-minded than the majority of cruises my family has experienced. Usually folks (passengers and staff) are very polite and welcoming/embracing of other cultures. This one was mostly dense dip-sticks (passengers and crew combined).

Enjoy your cruise. I hope that your kilted experience is better than mine was aboard ship.

Not trying to be a downer. Just sharing a kilted cruise ship experience.

[andycwb]

Cunard only do formal (black tie - no problem there, got the kit for that!) or informal. The latter means jacket, but tie optional. I will bring a "normal" suit, as I have some stunning looking ones, but really considering a jacket for the kilt as well for those nights. We're away for 11 nights, only 4 are formal, so that leaves 7 to consider and dress up for.

I quite like this 'daywear' jacket from Hector Russell.

http://www.xmarksthescot.com/forum/f...-tartan-80357/

Only been worn to try out so far, but works with a tie and without. I don't do 'tweedy' colours, so this suits my style. Would wear with a white shirt and tie, or plain shirt in a complementary colour as shown if no tie.

[TJ Kelley]

Sorry to side track your thread WSB but...

Really Bren? And I would have thought exactly opposite.

The one and only cruz I have been on "2001 mexico", both ships crew and pasengers were open to as much or as lil' attire as you care to wear. And what do you mean by "absolutely impractical for getting around the ship" also where was the cruz?

[TheOfficialBren]

Sorry to side track your thread WSB but...

Really Bren? And I would have thought exactly opposite.

The one and only cruz I have been on "2001 mexico", both ships crew and pasengers were open to as much or as lil' attire as you care to wear. And what do you mean by "absolutely impractical for getting around the ship" also where was the cruz?

The cruise was an Ensenada run that my family does periodically. It was a smaller ship than we normally take. The kilt was impractical because chairs were always on the move in dining and deck areas, recreational areas were full to the brim with herds of children running to and fro, and the bar areas were more compact than a pub. As a result I didn't want to risk snagging or tearing (these tartan tid-bits are expensive!).

I was also concerned about wearing it around pool water on deck and to access some of the ship's showrooms one was required (quite by design) to pass by the casino (which was very smokey--not where I want to take my kilt).

Although the staff and other passengers were generally polite it was a less inviting feel this time out. The crew are wrapping up their tourism season and then the vessel goes into drydock for some refurbishment and upgrades from stem-to-stern. Perhaps that affected the mood of the voyage on the part of the staff.

The people in Ensenada were very welcoming (in a touristy sort of way) and seemed to get a genuine thrill at the site of a kilt in their city. I am pretty certain that I was the only kilted bloke in the place! Many times they would say "Scottish" and "Scotland" in Spanish. I was regularly asked if I am from Scotland. I politely told them, "no but by family came from there." That was fine enough to satisfy their curiosity about it and was followed by nice compliments.

I wore my A_Hay! Custom Sporran. I popped into several leather shoppes. The leather artisans were absolutely thrilled with my sporran. They were curious about the style and construction. Tom, your work was praised on several occasions by some master craftsmen. Be proud, sir. It was praise well-earned.

It was a GREAT experience being kilted in another country. It was unusual (for me) but a nice experience (whilest ashore). Aboard ship was another matter. Not an awful experience but one to keep in mind for my future cruises.

My waistcoat and Onassis tie knot were a rousing success at the Captain's Dinner, though. If I'd had a kilt jacket with me them I might have ventured toward that for that particular occasion. Alas, I wore a three-piece suit. It looked fabulous...but Highland wear would have been fine, too. No black ties on this trip. It was more casual than previous trips. Still nice, though.

Sorry for rambling. Just answering a question and sharing my recent experience.

Happy kilting!! I would kilt up in a foreign country again without reservation. Great conversation starter (for genuine conversation and also haggling with the vendors), comfortable for being oot and aboot, and (most importantly) safe because you will be easier to spot if you are separated from your travelling companions and can be a walking rally-point.

[westsussexbiker]

Shame you had such a negative experience. We've been on Cunard cruises before so know what to expect (very traditional English, despite being an American cruise line) and have seen kilted men on the formal nights, which is what started me thinking I might want to try it!

If I decide to wear my kilt on the "informal" evenings, it would be evenings only. During the day I'll be in shorts or similarly casual. Although if what you say is true about attracting attention in different countries, I might try it one day. We stop in Lisbon first, then the Canaries and Madeira. Nothing like showing off a bit.

Just heard from my kilt maker this weekend and the tartan should be with him shortly. I'm "keeping busy" looking at unusual kilt pins and wondering whether to make one.

[fw_kilt]

Not a kilt but - Argyll Jacket and Vest. Share your "pain."