P&O dress code for teenagers

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Hi,
We have recently booked our first cruise, we are sailing in August with P&O.
My DS 16 is always in tracksuits, when I have mentioned dressing a little smarter to go for dinner I got teenager side eye! My DD 13 is a little more open to the idea...

If anyone has sailed with P&O with teenagers can you let me know what sort of thing they wore in the evening, is the dress code strictly enforced? We are sailing on Iona, not sure if that makes any difference.

Any advice is appreciated


On P&O, the dress code for children 17 and under is ‘evening casual’ and not really enforced. However, he might feel uncomfortably under-dressed or face the disapproval of fellow guests who have dressed up and made an effort!
In my experience Formal/black tie night almost everyone dressed up.
Certain bars like the Crows nest and all the restaurants except the Buffet expect you to be dressed while you are in there. Last cruise I did, most most people, from youngsters to the elderly, made an effort (Britannia). It's not compulsory, but as it's a feature of P and O cruises most people who book with them seem to like the idea.

That's exactly why I avoided P&O and booked Marella!
I do loathe being told what to wear and the snooty vibe of dress codes. Not helpful I know but when we have stayed in hotels with dress codes at meal times teenage DC took a pair of long trousers and wore them just for the meal, popping back to the room to change into shorts afterwards.

Thanks for the replies. I think I will take the one and only smart pair of trousers that he owns, at least he will have a choice to dress smarter once we are on board.

Not P&O but in cruises we have been my son was turned away at dinner fur wearing (nice) shorts. So I'd pay some attention. Nice polo and trousers were acceptable.

We went on Iona last year and there's no need to dress up if they don't want to. They may be limited to where they can eat some nights but can still go to the buffet or fast food places. We didn't take part in the formal night and it wasn't an issue and we didn't feel out of place at all.

Iona is casual for P&O. On the gala night older teenagers often wear whatever they wore to their prom, but a shirt and trousers (not Jean's is the minimum). On other evenings he can definitely get away with being more relaxed.

That's great thank you, I would really like us to eat some meals together in the main dining rooms or the speciality restaurants but it might be that DS and DD go off to the buffet.

Please don't feel the need to split up. There are so many options and the buffet is probably the most disappointing in the evenings. I'm on board v soon and will report back in plenty of time for you to lose your DS's hoodies and find the classic check shirt over a plain T shirt look!

(However, the buffet is fab at around 10 or 11pm when they do late night snacks)

We were on the Iona last year..it's very relaxed for teens. There was one formal night but not necessary to dress up - just go to a different restaurant!

@Dearover thank you. I'm incredibly excited, it looks a beautiful ship. I hope you have an amazing time! If you have any other tips for a first time cruising family please feel free to share

I forgot to ask, where are you going?

Off to the Fjords, super excited. We normally do all inclusive beach holidays but I was ready for a complete change.

We went on the Iona last year and there wasn't any real expectation to dress overly smart. I think the best way to persuade them is if you can find smarter wear in the brands they actually want to wear.

We’ve done the Fjords twice, it’s fantastic. DS (14) just wore school trousers and white shirt first cruise, he went to the kids club and arranged to eat in buffet with friends, occasionally ate with us. Second cruise he asked for a jacket as they all dressed up in the kids club. Don’t be afraid to ask for anything on board and one tip, if you don’t want to eat dinner on a table with others, just say no, a table for 4 please.

We went on a cruise with two teenage boys last year, eldest (19) dressed up as he loves that, DS2 could have shares in air Jordan so not so keen...! He was 14 though so young enough to get away without wearing formal wear, instead we managed to coax him into chinos and a shirt (before anyone twitters on about us needing to be firmer - he is ND and has a lot of sensory issues)

Thanks for all the tips and advice. We have a 3 year old as well as the teens so hoping there is something to keep everyone busy.

Update as promised. Very few teenagers but hoodies were the order of the day. Expecting a few shirts for gala night.

Last night was black tie night. Many took it literally and just wore a black tie with a shirt and chinos - that was for the grown ups. Your DS could undoubtedly wear a shirt and trousers, not jeans.

I did the Fjords on iona last summer.
we did one formal night, (with me and 10yo DD). But for the night I did the dining room and speciality restaurant I did smart jeans and boots. its fairly relaxed. So no tracksuits or shorts, but nowhere near formal either. :)

Thank you!! I have been drip feeding him YouTube vids so he knows what to expect! The next issue is WiFi.....

How do you think I'm messaging you! I couldn't face a week with my yound adult DC nog being in touch with their partner! They currently have a 4 for the price of 2 gadgets offer on board. This is the first time on 8 trips that I've paid. I got a good price by buying before we sailed and I get a loyalty discount.

Alternatively you go to McDs or Burger King in every port.

Also beg, borrow or steal some binoculars to take with you. I saw a dolphin yesterday and there were whales outside the windows in the dining room last night.

Final tips. If you want to eat in any of the speciality restaurants, book before you go. The Beach House is £11 pp cover charge. The Limelight Club £25 pp and the Epicurean £35 pp. There may also be supplements for certain dishes on top. No cover charge for the Keel & Cow, Olive Grove or Glass House, but supplements are payable. There are a lot of virtual queues in the evenings.

I haven't managed to get a seat for anything in the 710 Club or to see the Take That musical Greatest something as seats were booked as soon as we boarded on Saturday. If you want to see a show before 10.30pm you will need to book as soon as you get onboard.

Otherwise, all good (until I get our final bill later!)

Sounds like you are having a fab time. Good tip on the restaurants, we would like to try Sindhu and the Beach House. Great to know the WiFi works, that will make the kids very happy!!

Thanks so much for all of the updates!