Wiltonian

FWIW booked April 2022; been assured our booking (balcony, not guarantee) is safe.

Stuart.

2 hours ago, susan450 said:

My cruise on 16th March 2024 has officially been cancelled. It is what it is. I will find other exciting and interesting things to do

I’ve asked my U.K. TA to check the status of my booking with Celebrity. If we’re cancelled, may look at Cunard - and Princess and HAL.

Are the standard prices ever discounted once on board?

6 hours ago, Stella1250 said:

Yes, prom has always been a big deal here too. However, I think that it is the first time these kids are dressing up, and I don't see it going any further, at lease in America. I understand how the British feel, but here things are definitely different. In the US, the dress standards have slipped so far I wonder where they will end up!

I also wonder how representative NYC is of the rest of the USA. London isn't representative of the UK,

E: It might do but it shouldn't.  ;-)

Carnival are not going to remove the USP of Cunard - moderate formality and smartness - in a hurry; it's a niche product on 3 ships, and fits alongside their other lines. I agree with others that 25% does not match my experience.

1 hour ago, Victoria2 said:

Shorts can be worn in the restaurants, breakfast and lunch time. Just make sure they're not of the micro variety!

So the Cunard web site is just wrong?

Celebrity are having to slash some Med prices nearer embarkation, eg on the U.K. site, 9 nights in Aqua for £1179, 30 October, Barcelona to Venice, including drinks and grats.

https://www.celebritycruises.co.uk/cruises/cs-9-night-french-riviera-dalmatian-coast/CS09M118/20191030/?gty=false

Stuart

Don’t put yourself down! There’s no correlation between number of degrees and interesting conversation! (I can say that with 5, and could bore you silly talking about my research.) Just ask to be on a table with 6 or 8 people, and you’ll be fine.  Incidentally, we’re hugely cost-conscious too, funding our cruises by food shopping at LIDL.

Stuart

And a very ornate italic script is barely legible. I don’r try.

Stuart

Of course, P&O, Cunard's sister line in the Carnival fleet, have abolished "pseudo-compulsory" gratuities entirely. In various discussions and reports on the P&O board, it became pretty clear that those gratuities had no impact on staff income at all; they just boosted Carnival's bottom line. I'm not saying that Cunard works in the same way, but I think the consensus is that one should assess critically anecdotal conversations with crew members about what actually happens with those gratuities.

Stuart

12 hours ago, DYKWIA said:

By coincidence, after looking at a holiday next year and crunching a few numbers,  I asked my wife yesterday "how much do you think our 12 night Med cruise is costing us this year on the Infinity - just the cruise and "free" drinks packages - tips, flights, car parking, excursions etc extra" (2A Balcony)

 

"About £150 / night", she guessed.

 

"Closer to £380 / night", I suggested (500$)

 

"well the steak and seafood in the MDR needs to be a lot better or it will be back to land vacations" 

 

For £150 /night you can find excellent hotels in most parts of the world with £230 in your back pocket which will go a long way for food a drink.

 

A shame really but the continuing price rises whilst still affordable for us no longer appear to be good value.

We’ve cruised four times with Celebrity, 2014-2017, in Aqua or balcony, always with drinks package. A great experience each time. Every one was less than £150pppn, excluding air fares which we booked separately. Last year, Cunard to the Canaries significantly undercut Celebrity (though paying for each drink mounted up!) but booking onboard for $430 OBC each for next year to the Baltic was a no-brainer. Now, with Carnival shares purchased, adding another $250 OBC every time on longer cruises, Celebrity’s current pricing looks decidedly unattractive, apart from last minute bookings.

Stuart.

17 hours ago, Underwatr said:

Per the guidelines, a tuxedo or dark suit (with tie) is expected in most of the ship on "Gala" nights.

 

It's unusual for the ship's staff to approach people to remind them of the dress code.

It happened on the QE last autumn; no jacket, no entry to the MDR. 

Stuart

Even QG is that price! No way will Cunard honour it!

Stuart

6 hours ago, CRUZBUDS said:

I think Princess is the only mid-market line still call Formal Night - Formal Night.  As with all of the other lines,, there is no enforced dress code.  (aside from the obvious every night requirements)  

Cunard still does, of course, and since its prices are comparable with Princess and HAL and now often cheaper than Celebrity, it’s definitely mid-market.

Stuart

13 minutes ago, gourmetjan said:

One advantage that Princess Grill has over Britannia that all days are at sea and it is very difficult to get a seat to watch the guest speakers.  The theaters, at most, can only accommodate half of the passengers at any one time.  There was a long line everyday to attend the speakers in the theaters, but it looked as though those travelling in Grill Suites had access via another door before everybody else was allowed to enter.  Just my opinion.

For the difference in prices I’ve seen on some cruises, say £3k vs £6k, you could probably book the speakers to give you a private audience!

7 minutes ago, Edinburghgirl1 said:

On our last cruise in March there were two not on board on time. This became apparent by the numerous announcements asking them if on board could they report to guest services. It appear in these circumstances they enter your cabin and room safe to get your passports and any money you have and we could see these being handed to a port official. Just as the gangway was being pulled in they were spotted running towards the ship to much whistling and cheering from our ship and the P and O one docked opposite. They made it by the skin of their teeth but we weren’t waiting for them. If they hadn’t appeared when they did they would have to have made their own way back to Fort Lauderdale. 

Yup - but were they on a private tour, or just forgot the time.

This ‘we won’t go without you on an official tour, but won’t wait otherwise’ is the standard scare tactic of all cruise lines. It’s tiresome, but lucrative for them.

Imagine for one moment what would happen to a private tour company which missed the boat. Reputation torn to shreds; every cruising or travel forum across the world told. Sales would plummet. So it might happen occasionally - like the zip-line accident referred to above. But if someone needs protracted medical attention on an official tour, the ship would probably go.

Have always taken private tours; never ever been worried about being back in time.

Stuart

On the infamous new P&O site, you can now check availability for yourself.

Stuart

There is a normal bus from just outside the cruise terminal - but ticket from machine. If definitely taking a tour, the earlier you arrive at the Acropolis the better.

Stuart

Using your cell/mobile phone will be routed through the ship and be charged at extortionate rates.

When in ports, assuming AT&T don't hit you too hard for out of US roaming, you should be OK for phone and text.

On board, an internet package will give you access to email and FB messenger etc. So will the many free WiFi hotspots in port.

Stuart

Just book the local ferry to Delos yourself on-line; go early, and come back to Mykanos for a late lunch. No need for an official tour to Delos; an amazing place to explore on your own, with a guide leaflet or book,

Stuart

Just travel with large pockets. When they insist on weighing your hand baggage, if it’s overweight, put stuff in your pockets. You and the check-in staff know that once they’ve weighed it and you’ve walked away, everything will go back in the bag. It’s a game to be played.

Stuart

Sorry to hear of your bad cabin, but how do you expect Cunard to be able to magically create an empty cabin at the correct grade or better? Cruise lines seek to avoid any empty cabins, and, unlike hotels, people don’t leave on a daily basis.

Stuart.

10 hours ago, orchestrapal said:

 

Yo are right there. Not the right cruise line for you and we tried it and it definitely to formal and stuffy for us. Beware!!

I do think that honest reply, even it it seems a bit brutal, is the best response to these questions. Advice about how to avoid the restrictions: "you can go to A & B, but not to C & D" is not really helpful. I'm sure it can be done, but, especially on formal nights, most people dressed very casually would feel conspicuous. After all, the formality and etiquette that goes with it is the USP of Cunard. To want to avoid it entirely is a bit like saying, Can I go to McDonalds and never eat a burger or fries? You can, but what's the point?

Stuart

So they are not totally different, because they both have dodgy web-sites.