NavyPanda

Is this letter from the World Club a new thing? Did you receive your initiations to the parties on arrival? 

I've also had issues with pieces of the paper not being delivered. 

I went on a 7 nights to the Fjords in June and it was my 1st cruise as Platinum. I was a little disappointed not to receive my Platinum Pin, Wine Tasting invitation and Senior Officers cocktail party invitation.  With respect to the two invitations, I understand these aren't always held, so I didn't ask at the time, however it later transpired these events did take place. 

Thinking back, I didn't receive a voyage report at the end, but I did receive a questionnaire. 

I often read complaints about the quality of the food on board before I sail and get I start to get worried that maybe standards have deteriorated since I was last on board , however, when I'm actually on board, I've never found anything to complain about and have always enjoyed everything served. In fact, on my recent QV cruise in June 2019, I thought that the food was the best I've had yet on Cunard.

Perhaps I'm easily pleased, but I've never been disappointed the food I've been served. With regards to service, my only complaint would be is that it is a little challenging sometimes to order a drink in the Lido or Britannia Restaurant at lunchtime.

The information isn't on the Voyage Personaliser. I've had to 'phone Cunard, in the past, who then confirm the bookings have been linked or not.

1 hour ago, Windsurfboy said:

Sorry it should have read 

 

Are priority boarders given lettered cards if they arrive early in Southampton or are people with lettered cards general embarkation.? 

In June, I arrived about 11:40 and received a lettered (there were different colours) card as a priority boarder. Check-in was open and there was no queue, although there were people sat down, who had already checked in, waiting to board. At 11:45, just as I had checked in, they announced boarding based on the coloured lettered card. As I was a priority passenger, I was in one of the first groups to be embarked. 

My brother and sister-in-law had a similar issue recently. They were first time cruisers, but were assigned Gold CWC status on their e-tickets. About a week before departure, it switched to First Time Guest, which was correct.

6 hours ago, SALAD MUNCHER said:

I am diamond WC member and have just noticed on my e-ticket my time for boarding is 3pm! Not a problem for me as I am coming down from Up North by Cruise Connect coach and don't expect to be there before 2.30pm. Is this a change in procedures?

Mine said 1pm (Deck 1) and I'm Platinum. If you are Platinum or Diamond you can turn up at anytime, just ignore what your e-ticket says.

17 minutes ago, qe2postcards said:

You always get your pin on the cruise after you become Platinum etc

This was my 8th Cunard cruise (7 previously completed) and my 'card' was Platinum for this one. Are you saying that I will get it on my 9th cruise? 

Not that I'm too fussed, I still have my 'Gold' (red) one but it's always nice to have something else. If I don't receive it on my next voyage, I'll speak to the Pursers Desk.

5 minutes ago, Camgirl said:

We were on the fjords sailing departing 16th June and received invites to both. The tasting was on the first sea day and the senior officers was lunchtime on the last sea day. These were the only sea days on that cruise. 

I feel a bit left out now! It was my first cruise as Platinum and I didn't receive my Platinum pin either. Perhaps I should have said something? Too late now... I'll probably have to ask for my pin badge next time.

Edit: I did receive my invitation to the World Club (Gold) party, however.

14 minutes ago, Moscowlad said:

Thanks for all the replies.

 

We're going on the Norwegian Fjords jaunt, so they will probably arrange the officers' meeting for middle of the day when we are in port. 

On my 7 night Fjords cruise in June, I never received an invitation to a Senior Officers party or the wine tasting (I'm teetotal so I'm not to worried about missing the tasting). Still, I have to wonder whether those events happened at all on that cruise.

Boarded QV at the Mayflower Terminal last month. I arrived at about 11:40, where they were already starting to check people in, in fact there wasn't a queue at all. About 5 minutes after arrival, they started embarkation. Since I'm Platinum and they were embarking in the normal check in order (Grills, World Club then everyone else), which all happened very quickly, I was on the ship in only 10 minutes from arrival.

So my advice, would be to turn up at a similar time if you have priority embarkation.

58 minutes ago, majortom10 said:

Do not want the cheapest as cheapest isnt always the best but just dont understand why there is a surcharge for keeping your keys over those that leave them.

If they take your keys, they can park your car bumper to bumper with other cars, fitting in a far greater number of cars into a given area, then if you park your car in a parking space and keep the keys yourself.

Hi Richard,

Thank you for this really excellent and detailed review / guide.

I've been 'following' your blog for a little while and I know you've have always been a big Cunard 'fan', so it's a bit sad to read that you now feel that the QE/QV have now lost their sparkle and you no longer see the ships as a destination in their own right.

I would agree with you that is very disappointing that the dress code, isn't what it once was and the formal nights don't seem as numerous at they used to be. Sadly, Cunard foolishly weakened their dress code requirements in some of the public rooms, such as the Golden Lion, possibly in part, because the code was already been flouted there. However, this has just encouraged the offenders to push the boundaries in the theatre and in other locations leading to an overall decline in the experience.

I have a lot of sympathy for the crew on board after witnessing last year, someone being reminded when entering the Britannia Restaurant on QE, that he should be wearing his jacket. This prompted a very loud vocal outburst, which I have to say the waiter and Maître D handled extremely well. However, such behaviour will no doubt discourage further challenges in the future.

I'm not sure if this is a societal thing or not, I see on here that most of the dress code queries relate to 'what someone can get away with' rather than 'Is this too much?', however Cunard seem to be able to consistently fill their ships, despite prices rising steadily over the past 5-6 years and with far less aggressive discounting taking place, so the argument that Cunard has to change because people don't wish to dine as formally anymore seems a bit hollow. Regardless, of this I don't see why Cunard is trying to weaken a Unique Selling Point of theirs which is the formality of the experience, likewise, I don't know why people choose Cunard, despite not liking formality / lacking the willingness to abide by a dress code when there are plenty of other cruise lines out there which are more suitable for them.

On the plus side it was good to read you report back that the quality of the food is as good as ever, that is reassuring to know. It was also interesting to note, that you were able to sample the full menu at the Steakhouse/Verandah. Although, I haven't benefitted from the 'free' lunch yet, as I'm only Platinum, I believe that in the past, that this perk only extended to the Tasting Menu at the Verandah, has this now changed or am I misinterpreted things?

I think I may actually have something good to write about the new website!

I think that there has been an improvement in the cabin selection ability. Previously, after you selected a cabin grade, you were given a choice of 8 different staterooms and the ability to type in a number to see if it was available or not. Now the deck plan comes up with the ability to select Forward/Aft/Mid-Forward/Mid-Aft and the Deck Number. The cabins available to be chosen are now highlighted and you can now click on the one you like. The ability to type in a Cabin number also remains. It certainly makes seeing what is available a lot easier. 

However... the distinction between the cabins in the same overall category like BA/BB, is not so obvious. The price is still based on the lowest price in that category i.e. Balcony / Balcony (obstructed) / Inside etc. however there is a warning when you select by location / deck that staterooms in that area are 'additional'. Perhaps the distinctions between BA and BC are only for nerds like myself, and normal people are simply interested in the difference in cost to 'upgrade' to a different location.

This doesn't really affect me in any case. I'm a fully signed up member of the Early Saver Club and book through a travel agent for a small discount anyway.

If Cunard were being really smart, they'd insert a Discount Code box into the booking process and publish a 5% discount code where people who know where to find discount codes, would go looking for them. This would mean that they wouldn't pay the 8% or so commission they give to agents (so saving 3%) and the customer either pays the same price as they would through the agent or slightly less.

If you're either departing on or arriving from the Queen Mary 2 then Andaz on Wall Street would be a good choice for convenience. It is literally a 2-3 minute walk from Pier 11 where the ferry takes you to/from Red Hook, where Queen Mary 2 docks. The Holiday Inn Express Wall Street is almost right to it, across the road, if you're not looking for something quite as pricey. 

39 minutes ago, tv24 said:

We have sailed Cunard many times and have applied for the shareholder OBC many times.  Each time we ask for a confirmation from Cunard and we never receive it.  We always book through our TA, but he never receives a confirmation of the OBC either.  However, he is able to send us an electronic copy of our booking that shows the increase in the OBC and he is able to determine from the booking whether the shareholder OBC has been added.  There have been a couple of times that the Cunard staff have failed to process our request and we had to send it again.  There was one time that we had to hassle and hassle, even on board, to finally get our OBC.  Cunard's final response to this mess was, "That was not White Star service."  Indeed.  Note that we have not had these problems with other Carnival Corp. lines, Seabourn, HAL & Princess.  So the bottom line is work with your TA and keep on top of this.

I have had the complete opposite experience from the UK office. I submit my proof and details of the voyage and I then receive a response back to confirm that the OBC credit has been applied to my booking and that an update booking confirmation has been sent to my email address (or travel agent's email, who then forwards it on). I wouldn't say they were particularly speedy in replying back to you, but its normally within a week.

This is the email they normally send, I guess its a template.

"Good Afternoon,

Your Shareholder Benefit has been applied, a revised Booking Confirmation that will show the added On Board Credit has been sent.

Please note if you have booked directly with us you will receive this via your personal email address or by post. Alternatively, if you have booked via a Travel Agent, you will need to refer to them for the revised Booking Confirmation.

Kind regards "

A hire car is always a possibility. Hertz and Europcar are both on the Westquay Industrial Estate which is very close to the port and have branches at Gatwick Airport.

I noticed that the other day that Hertz will let you hire a car one-way on certain routes (mostly airports) for only £1. There seems to be availability at Southampton Westquay to Gatwick or Heathrow, however it seems you have to book at short notice. Just search for 'Hertz One'. Presumably you would have to pay petrol as well.

I've noticed this as well, but queried with another user on here whether Eggs Benedict was still available in the Britannia Restaurant on Queen Victoria and apparently it still is.

I normally book through a travel agent because they provide better prices than going direct and my current one at the moment has been very helpful with some queries and issues we've had in the past.

Generally when it comes to pricing, I've noticed there are three different types of pricing.

1. Direct with Cunard, which I call the base/highest price  (If you are an NHS employee, there is a 5% discount available, other employee benefit schemes also have the 5%, you may wish to check)

2. The same package as what you would buy from Cunard (flights, transfers etc.) sold through a travel agent at a fixed discount of the direct price. Most travel agents will discount and some do automatically. Expect a discount of 3-5% of the direct price. An agent recently (I assume, accidently) sent me their Agent Copy of the Booking Confirmation, and their base commission was 8%, which is how they are able to provide discounts. Because of the rules here, I can't recommend any travel agent to you, but if you click on 'Find a Cruise' at the top of the page, look for the cruise you are after, then click the 'View all Prices' drop down against a cruise, there are a few which are doing 3% at the moment. Alternatively, I know there is a travel agent which regularly does 5% off, have a look in the travel pages/ads in the Daily Mail / Express etc. and compare the prices for the same Cunard cruise amongst all the agents (even if its not the cruise you are after), invariably the discount is a fixed percentage across all the cruise they sell.

3. A different package sold through a travel agent, which includes the cruise, a few nights in a hotel and your flight there/back. Sometimes the whole package can actually work out cheaper than the Saver fares, on sale at the same time! I went on a Transatlantic in Nov 2016 and paid less for the cruise and 4 nights in NYC and flight back then I would have done just for the Saver fare (and I was able to choose my dining like a Cunard fare). Just checking a couple of travel agents which I know do these sort of packages, yields no particular deals, this time, but keep this in mind.

10 hours ago, Ray66 said:

Cunard Fare - the most expensive but with either OBC, free parking or free coach and your choice of cabin. A non-refundable deposit, but booking can be exchanged for another at a cost of £50pp (I stand to be corrected).

Early Saver - cheaper fare but with none of the incentives and no choice of cabin. A non-refundable deposit.

(late) Saver Fare - cheaper late fare and full (non-refundable) fare to be paid at time of booking. (These fares seem to appear less and less these days).

Both the Cunard Fare and Early Saver can be transferred at a cost of £100 per booking.

https://ask.cunard.com/help/cunard/before-you-sail/transfer

28 minutes ago, tag1000 said:

Question about this:  is the requirement that each person buying a package mandatory?  I always bought the soft drink package but the person I travel with would not benefit from any of the packages as they really only drink tea. 

It certainly seems like it. As it is (at least for the soft drinks package), I would struggle to make use of it enough to justify the cost. If I'm travelling with someone who isn't a big drinker (soft or alcohol) then just paying for drinks as normal, seems the obvious way forward.

I just hope this isn't Cunard going Royal Caribbean and softening us up for huge price hikes on the normal menu. 

The soft drinks package is now ridiculous. A year or so ago, it was $6.50/day and now its $10! The new terms and conditions are pretty mean-spirited too.

There was never a requirement before for (normally) both people in a stateroom to purchase the drinks package. Although sharing, was likely not allowed before, I've not been aware of anyone sharing drinks...

Additionally the 15 minute wait between orders seems petty too. I remember being on QV in 40c weather, where I certainly needed more than one drink during that time period!

If Cunard haven't changed their bar prices, the new pricing would mean I would have to drink an extraordinary large amount of soft drink each day, in order to make it value for money. IIRC a small (just over a half pint?) fountain soda is $2.50 and a large (pint) is $3.50. Even if you take the better value option, it would require me drinking three pints a day plus to break even and that is assuming my travel partner has the same amount (unlikely, in my case).

Seeing that I would struggle to drink three pints of soda on even a hot sea day, and I would probably like to take a break from the stuff every so often, I can't see myself buying a soft drinks package again. Which is a shame, as the restaurant sommeliers often have my favourite drink on the table waiting for my arrival, which makes their job a little easier and less rushed and its actually quite a nice touch.

Hi LadyL1, if you have the time, could you find out whether Eggs Benedict is still available at breakfast in Britannia? Thank you.

On ‎11‎/‎23‎/‎2018 at 4:43 PM, MarkBearSF said:

However, the government can appeal to (and ask for a stay from) a higher court, the Privy Council.

The Privy Council in this case, is the Privy Council of the United Kingdom. Mostly made up of senior politicians from the UK and a few judges.  Don't think there is much, if any, chance of a successful appeal from the Bermudan government against this same-sex marriage ruling.

Hopefully the Bermudan government won't try and that Cunard will be offering marriage ceremonies for all, once again, very soon.

Different cost of soft drinks package. $8.50/day on QV/QE and $10/day on QM2

https://ask.cunard.com/help/cunard/life-on-board/drinks_package