Margana

On a recent cruise on Oriana we were not aware that anyone was smoking on balconies. In conversation with passengers who did smoke, the consensus seemed to be that it was an unnecessary prohibition, but that they would follow the rule and only use the designated smoking areas. What caused annoyance to them was the infantile behaviour of some passengers flapping hands, holding noses or making unpleasant remarks as they walked past the designated areas. Presumably these same passengers had lobbied for and achieved the objective of banning balcony smoking. It seems an entirely logical consequence that people who would have previously smoked as individuals on their balcony would now tend to congregate in the designated open deck areas. If that’s a problem for some non-smokers, then it’s a problem that they have contributed to through their complaints, and consequently made worse for themselves. No doubt buoyed with success (?), the lobbying for a complete ban will continue.

I think we allo assumed that P&O would do their best to help if timing changes are required.

But according to some it says that dining times are allocated on board AND CANNOT BE CHANGED. I think most of us would be surprised if they stuck to this rigidly and I am sure there will be a bit of give and take. But if they do stick to it then, as you say, the money you have saved going cheap will pay for speciality restaurants. Everyone on board will think you are rich being able to afford the posh places.

Our 83 year old friend is travelling with us on her first cruise. She is booked as a solo passenger and paid the single supplement (double Saver fare), which is also significantly higher than the corresponding Select fare. She is certainly not travelling "cheap". We have no dining preferences, but there is no guarantee that she will be allocated the same dining arrangements as ourselves. We hope a reasonable attitude will prevail, otherwise the enthusiasm she has for this new experience will be severely dampened. It's not just about the fare category that people have paid.

Without wishing to cast aspersions as to the effectiveness of the marketing ploys used by Cunard: I have always found that you get what you pay for and if something appears too good to be true, it invariably is.

"Price is what you pay. Value is what you get."

Warren Buffet.

abo - You have quoted parts of Cunard's marketing talk which I, being a cynic in my old age, never for one minute believed. If you booked a Vantage fare you would only be eligible for whatever compensation Cunard chose to give if the later fare was also a Vantage fare. How easy it is for Cunard to introduce fares with new names at the drop of a hat. If you get a good deal out of them - well done. They now seem to have "early saver" and "saver" fares. We have a sector of QM2 world cruise booked and I have no idea what sort of a fare we have. Nowhere in our paperwork is the type of fare stated. My head hurts - I need a lie down.

I was interested in an August Queen Victoria cruise which included a $470pp on-board credit. At an exchange rate of £1 = $1.5, the on board spend allowance would be ca £300pp.The difference between the Cunard Fare and the Early Saver Fare for the cruise was £300pp making the costs comparable, and the Cunard Fare with the benefits relating to stateroom selection, dining preference and free shuttle buses the better option. However if low drinks consumption and a lack of interest in spa treatments, alternative dining, organised tours and expensive shops are the norm for a passenger, then the inclusion of on-board credit in effect will require passengers to spend on items/services they would not normally want.

By introducing different benefits for Cunard Fare relative to Early Saver Fare, (which cost the company very little), Cunard are effectively advertising a class structure which has been a reason given by many potential passengers for avoiding booking with Cunard. It may be clever marketing to encourage early booking and maximise higher fare bookings, but it may also rebound with previously loyal Cunard (Guarantee Fare ) passengers decamping to cruise lines with more transparent (and possibly lower) fares? Add in the disincentive for some which the withdrawal of balcony smoking will be a factor, and it will be interesting to see if the new marketing policies will be a recipe for success.