DT_PB_all_at_sea

After having been on winter North Atlantic crossings on the QM2 with Beaufort scale force 10 & 11 winds and the accompanying very high waves, there is no way that I would even consider doing this on either of the current baby Queens or a stretched Koningsdam design cruise ship. They may be fine for an occational relocation crossing, but certainly not for regularly scheduled NY-Southampton crossings with bad weather.

Hello, the only current Cunard ship capable of doing regular Trans-Atlantic crossings is Queen Mary 2; she as built to liner standards with a double hull and extra strong to be able to cross the Atlantic on a regular basis. Hence the huge expense in building her. All other cruise ships, including the current Cunard ships, would not be able to cope with the stains and stresses such regular crossing put on their superstructures. Assuming Cunard/Carnival Corporation go for yet another couple of cheaper 'cookie cutter' off the yard ships similar to QV & QE then IMO it is unlikely that we will see them on regular trans Atlantics.

IMO the new ships will be targeted at the super expanding Chinese/Far East markets & Australia.

At least the Boston Cup is safe on board QM2, for now anyway.

Hello, I am sure they will flog that too some day - then turn the ships in to Carnival Fun Ships!!

We returned from QM2 yesterday and a few days earlier it was announced in our Daily Programme that a Royal Standard and the Laconia Cup were being returned to QE2.

 

What is interesting is the fact that there were actually two Royal Standards displayed on the wall in the Queens Room; one small and one large.

 

The Daily Programme referred to the larger one on the starboard side but it was the smaller one on the port side that was eventually removed.

 

I guess it must have been a typographical error in the Daily Programme.

Hello, IMO clearly when Arison's company took over Cunard and finally sold on QE2 after aborted deals they did not bother to ensure that historic items relevant to Cunard AND not just QE2 were excluded from the sale. I think in particular of the 'Laconia Cup'. He and Carnival Corp are said to have little or no regarding or interest in the history of Cunard beyond the 'Marketing' and 'PR' potential. It is interesting that the displays on QV and QE have been subtlety removed - no doubt they may consider "flogged on" the remaining items of heritage with little regard for the consequences.

We have used them and been very impressed.

Last week as we disembarked QV they were inside the QE Terminal . At the Oceon Terminal they are usually near the zebra crossing just outside the terminal.

Hello, thanks for the advise - they are booked. Much appreciated.

David

Frequent customer here. They do exactly what they advertise in a friendly and efficient manner.

 

They will collect bags from your home a few days before you sail and deliver them to the ship on the day. On the morning of arrival at the end of the cruise they will text or call you around 8am and let you know where their van is parked, it is usually close to the exit from the terminal, and when you hand the bags over the driver will tell you which day they will be delivered.

 

M-AR

Hello, thanks for the info - we have booked them. It should be so much easier than taking so many bags across country by train.

Have some great future cruises, David

We have used them both to take luggage from our home to the ship and also to collect from the ship and return home - good service - no problems.

 

David

Hello, thanks for the comments - we have booked them for June and will re use them later in the year on our return. Odd thing giving a company two weeks of luggage!!! Did not fancy wearing same clothes for 2 weeks!! LOL.

Happy future cruises, David

Oh wow that looks like a great option. I have never heard of them. Thanks for posting DT PB.

 

Could be an excellent option for my Cruise from Southampton next year. It looks cheaper than actually flying with them.

Hello, we sail early June and I will post an update about the service when we get back.

Happy future sailings - David

Frequent customer here. They do exactly what they advertise in a friendly and efficient manner.

 

They will collect bags from your home a few days before you sail and deliver them to the ship on the day. On the morning of arrival at the end of the cruise they will text or call you around 8am and let you know where their van is parked, it is usually close to the exit from the terminal, and when you hand the bags over the driver will tell you which day they will be delivered.

 

M-AR

Hello, thanks for the feedback, which is much appreciated - first hand experience of a service is worth a lot of marketing. It seems odd to doubt the service but it is rather strange giving a company two weeks of luggage - I don't fancy a Trans Atlantic in the same embarkation clothes - nor would fellow passengers!

Thanks and happy future cruises. David

Could you use them to pick up from home if you are waiting for your stateroom number to be advised last minute or even only when you arrive at embarkation?

Hello, we are on a Cunard fare so had our cabin number. When I booked our bag pick up etc the person on the phone did say not having the cabin number when booking was not a problem as you can let them have it when its allocated. However that my be a challenge if they allocate it after the bags have been collected.

Unless others have first hand experience I think you would be better calling them - they are very helpful:

http://www.thebaggagehandlingcompany.com

Bon voyage

Thanks. A shame they have left qe but I guess they have gone back to where they belong.

 

Sent from my 9001X using Forums mobile app

With respect no - they have not gone back to where they belong. They we artefacts and commemorative items of high value given to Cunard as a shipping line. They were merely on general display on the Cunard ships - in that case the then Cunard QE2 as a sea going liner. The current QE2 is no longer part of the Cunard fleet, it is no longer a seaworthy ship. It a a mere floating hotel and is no longer owned by Cunard and therefore there should be no reason to strip these items from the Cunard archives/displays on the ships. Unless of course some idiot at Cunard/Carnival Cruise line sold them with the actual QE2: WHICH WOULD HAVE BEEN ONE AMAZING GARAGE SALE AND ONE MONUMENTAL MESS UP; which why explain why there is nothing being said officially about this by Cunard.

A friend has advised that on their P & O cruise a board was placed between the pontoon and the tender thus covering the gap between them both and making it easier and simpler to board and exit the tender. Can anyone advise if Cunard do the same now? On past cruises I know they didn't but wondered if they had changed. My wife has mobility issues and it would make boarding a tender so much easier if they did..

Hello, from past voyages Cunard seems not to do this. I cut and pasted this from the FAQ of the UK web site:

In some ports it is necessary to anchor off shore rather than alongside the dock or quay . When this is the case, we use a tender to take you ashore. A tender is a small vessel that carries around 100 passengers. In order to board the tender, please note that you will be required to use steps (up to 20cm/8 inches high) and navigate the gap between the platform and the tender (of up to 45cm/18 inches).

In the interests of safety, we require all guests wishing to use the tenders to have sufficient independent mobility to negotiate steps and traverse a gap of up to 45 cm/18 inches. Anyone wishing to board the tender will need to demonstrate this ability via a mobility test prior to tender embarkation by stepping unaided over a distance of 45 cm/18 inches. Children who are unable to step across a gap of this size will be permitted to use the tender service provided their parent/guardian is able to demonstrate that they can carry or pass them safely across the mobility test gap.

There will be crew members there to guide and steady you as you embark, but they cannot support, carry or lift guests on board the tender for safety reasons. Please wear appropriate, flat, and securely attached footwear, when embarking and disembarking the tender.

If you use a wheelchair or mobility scooter, please note that you or your travelling companion are responsible for assembling and disassembling your wheelchair/mobility scooter. The crew will endeavour to assist where practical and safe to do so, providing that no individual part weighs more than 20kg/40 lb.

If you have notified us that you have reduced mobility you will be invited to a tender briefing on board and given the opportunity to take part in the mobility assessment (described above) in advance. This must be completed independently, (deletion), without any assistance. If an officer decides it is not safe for you to board a tender, please respect their decision as this decision is taken to ensure your safety, in accordance with health and safety law.

Does anyone have a email where customer service can be reached or at least someone in some sort of management. I despised HAL last year and only booked it to see Alaska. We have the QE booked since they are now doing Alaska. I may just say forget it and not go on a ship at all. I wonder if they will care...2 fairly young people who have taken about 15 voyages and decide to say forget it from here on out if this is a "dumbing down" to HAL style cruising. Cunard is a fortune in the grills - I can go somewhere else if they dumb down the ships.

Hello, I agree with all the points you and many other Cruise Critic members have said specific to this mess around dress codes. I emailed both the Marketing Director and Cunard Guest Relations - I was promised a response within 28 days and indeed received a phone call within 5 days. However the response was a polite well put together PR spin; "no change", "nothing to worry about", "we thought the rewording was so subtle it not worth telling passengers". The person did however say the White Star Training was being improved and "ALL ON BOARD STAFF WILL BE REQUIRED TO ENFORCE THE DRESS CODE". Trying to be open minded about that statement but I am not convinced. Cunard even told my travel agent "if someone wanted to enter any restaurant in jean we would probably let them in"!! Good luck in your dealings with the body corporate that Cunard has become.

guestrelations@cunard.co.uk

Well done Blue Riband on taking your action.

 

I've found this particular thread most interesting and have been following it while refraining to join in up to this point, preferring the alternate debates on the Facebook groups.

 

I have a long Cunard cruise booked in the Grills for next year and am still keen because there are places on the itinerary that I am keen to visit. Plus of course there was a pretty hefty deposit involved. There is also story involved but for the time being I'm keeping my powder dry.

 

Meanwhile I find this whole dress code issue a double edged sword.

 

No one more than I and my wife enjoy dressing up, formally and informally: and not just on Cunard either. However, I also appreciate, as a Carnival shareholder, the dividends and onboard credit I reap sailing under their umbrella ( some $750 shareholder benefit over the last 15 months) and must therefore consider that business decision you mentioned.

 

My personal view of course is that the new wording of the dress codes is a pure red herring to detract from their more controversial decision to allow relaxed dress codes in other areas (touched all too infrequently within this thread).

 

Heaven forbid, can one imagine all those more casually dressed passengers, hanging over the balconies in the Queens Room on Queen Victoria & Queen Elizabeth, while we, in all our formal finery, dance the evening away?

 

I shall wait and see how it all pans out. But I do believe the writing is on the wall.

I am sad to have to agree with you both. IMO not only has Cunard PR & marketing handled this situation so badly but I, like you, suspect this is the beginning of a subtle dumbing down of the dress code - in that far more areas of the public rooms in the evening are 'open' to casual dress (including jeans). My major concern is currently the on board restaurant/bar management do little or nothing to impose the current dress code so IMO it is likely to get worse. We are Word Club Diamond members with x2 cruises booked during 2018 and two (including a full QV 107 day World Voyage) during 2019, we are also discussing our cancellation options should the June 2018 TA crossings not be up to the usual standard. We are looking at an alternative cruise line that offers both Ocean and River cruises and have book a 'tester' River Danube cruise to give them a try. Not an easy decision but I feel Cunard/Carnival have treated regular passengers contemptibly.

I've been looking at the "style guide" on Cunard's UK website which can be found via the "what to pack" link under "The Cunard Experience" and have a few observations.

 

Firstly, one of the photographs illustrating "smart attire" for the gents, shows the model wearing a round neck jumper under a jacket, without a discernible shirt. The blurb that goes with this section says:

 

 

 

 

 

"On those evenings when we’re not hosting Gala celebrations in most venues we ask that you wear smart attire. We request that you wear a jacket or blazer in the main bars, restaurants and entertainment venues, paired with trousers, chinos and a shirt with a tie or an open collar, or even just over a crew neck jumper. "

The last clause of this paragraph, together with the photograph suggests to me that Cunard will no longer require gents to wear a shirt on the smart attire/informal nights. However, my voyage personaliser and the FAQs still state the following:

"Smart Attire:

Gentlemen, every night we request you wear smart trousers with a shirt and jacket; tie is optional"

 

So that is clear as mud!!

Regarding the "Gala" nights, there is a photograph in the "style guide" of a gent in a fetching light grey suit, with a lilac tie. He looks very well dressed, particularly for a summer wedding but I think many on this forum would question whether this outfit accords with the following statement:

 

"A dark two-piece or three-piece suit is perfectly acceptable too, whether with a regular tie or a cravat."

Regarding the wearing of jeans, this is currently showing on the UK FAQs:

"Please note that after 6:00pm, shorts and blue or worn denim (for men and women); sandals and sleeveless tops (for men) are not considered appropriate within the ship.

 

Of course, if you prefer to spend your evenings in more relaxed attire, a selection of casual dining and entertainment venues is always available for your enjoyment. Feel free to dress casually as you visit any of the following venues: Kings Court, Lido Buffet, Golden Lion, Casino, Carinthia Lounge, Winter Garden, Garden Lounge, Yacht Club, and G32. Non-ripped, jeans are appropriate, but please refrain from wearing shorts, sports attire, swim wear or sleeveless t-shirts outside of the gym, spa and deck spaces."

So - the second paragraph, to my mind, contradicts the first! However, from my experiences of European cruises recently the wearing of jeans in the Lido/Kings Court in the evenings seems to be pretty acceptable (and something I have done on one occasion after a very tiring shore excursion).

Aside from the issue about jeans which I don't think is really a change, I would suggest that Cunard is certainly expanding the definition of what it considers suitable attire for gents for either the Gala or smart evenings. However, their published advice continues to be contradictory - though to say that "nothing is changing" regarding the definitions may be somewhat disingenuous. Or maybe the left hand of Cunard does not know what the right hand is doing?!

I also had a look at the photos showing ladies' fashions too - I thought they very much echoed the types of outfits that the models wear in Cunard's brochures and publicity shots rather than reflecting the true spectrum of what real women wear aboard their ships. However, at least Cunard didn't manage to introduce any confusion for us - and I did like the illustration of the trouser suit for formal nights, which I think will give confidence to some women who may prefer this style of dressing for gala/formal evenings. (I know this board sometimes has questions about whether women can wear trousers on formal nights.)

NB Apologies for not being able to make the quotations stand out more easily: I gave up trying to change the text colour using the stylus on my iPad - the highlighting functionality wasn't playing ball...

Hello - I totally agree with you on each and every point raised.

IMO clearly Cunard 'Executive Management' don't know what they are doing, we have to assume as their decisions/instructions are cascaded down the line the clarity becomes weaker and weaker. When if finally reaches the 'customer facing' crew and the passengers clearly CONFUSION FOR ALL.

From where I sit this entire situation is a mismanaged marketing mess!

But to be frank what ever the new dress codes are I DO NOT THINK A SINGLE ONBOARD MEMBER OF CREW WILL BE EMPOWERED OR INSTRUCTED TO ENFORCE THE DRESS CODE - they don't now!

That same "What to pack." page does indeed exist on the UK site. As I mentioned, that link to the US site I provided should automatically redirect you to the same page on the UK site if you reside in the UK. For you reference, here is the direct link for that page on the UK site.

 

http://www.cunard.co.uk/life-on-board/what-to-pack/

Hello - thanks for clarifying that. My confusion. That really has been snuck in to the UK site over the past couple of days - interesting. I wonder how long before we see similar photos outside daytime and evening venues = to help those incapable of understanding the basic written word? LETS HOPE THIS HELPS THE CREW TO ACTUALLY BOTHER TO ENFORCE A DRESS CODE!! Again, thanks.

Certainly not smart casual at Augusta National, The Breakers in Palm Beach nor the Greenbrier but then that is no longer Cunard's market.

Hello - thanks for the 'heads up' to the US Cunard site - certainly different from the site in the UK. Perhaps Cunard will be changing their UK site accordingly.....perhaps they will advise all of us?

To be frank it could be worse - the Gala looks Formal for both men and women and nice to see a clear indication of a jacket for Smart Attire and what to wear during the day. A bit sad that some need to be held by the hand and told this, but better than not bothering.

NOW THE REAL CHALLENGE IS FOR CUNARD TO ENSURE THE CREW ENFORCE THE DRESS CODE!!

When we did our EB Transatlantic a few years ago, we were delighted to have a UK Customs officer aboard to handle the formalities. We thought it was such a treat. We sailed off the ship. It had to be classiest way to travel ever. What a brilliant idea. Somebody in Her Majesty's Government has a clue.

 

We did a WB Transatlantic on the QV one year. It stopped in Port Canaveral and the next day sailed to Fort Lauderdale. We got off in Port Canaveral and sacrificed a days sail to avoid Fort Lauderdale. We hate that place. Port Canaveral is a bit of a sleepy backwater, so don't expect much from them.

 

My DH and I are both aircrew. We deal with various customs world wide. We deal with US Customs a lot. Most are very nice and it's a very hard job. Watch out for Barney the Beagle. If you have it, he will find it. Customs is grossly understaffed. There are some that need a new line of work. The TSA is even worse than useless. There is a reason why they are nicknamed Thousands Standing Around. We are equally critical of the treatment of aircrew by the Heathrow officials. It's out of sight of the public, but it has the worst reputation among crews world wide. I won't go into the reasons, but their conduct borders on abusive.

 

Anyhow, I can only apologize for my nation's inept and rude behavior to our guests. Welcome and enjoy your visit. Most of us are pretty nice people and want to extend our hospitality to you. Just bear with us, we have to put up with them, too.

Hello - your thread made me smile. Officials and autocrats, sorry bureaucrats seem to be the same the world over. And no one likes lining up/queuing!! Still love the USA though, looking forward to being back in The Big Apple in June, even if only for the day.

It's funny how some love a sheltered balcony and others don't like them at all. Some wags even refer to the sheltered balconies as "hull holes". I much prefer a room on eight deck that is obscured by a lifeboat. ( categories DB, DC, & DF) These rooms are less expensive than a sheltered balcony and there is a limited view of the ocean while sitting or standing. Also on sunny days the obscured rooms on eight deck can get light in the stateroom proper.

Hello - thanks for the advise; cant comment as we have never selected an Obscured View stateroom, I just don't like the idea of seeing an orange and white boat on a long voyage. Its a shame the Cunard ships have them at all. Perhaps the two new Cunard ships due 2021/2 will be able to avoid them by repositioning the life boats?

Cruiseluvva's description is the one I always use--the balcony is a room with a picture window, but no glass in the window.

 

I love the sheltered balconies, especially for a transatlantic. When the wind is so strong that it's uncomfortable to go out on a higher more open balcony, you can still go outside for fresh air on the sheltered balcony. And the low midships ride is smoother, if you're worried about mal de mer.

 

The other nice thing is if you stand at the opening and look down, you are looking directly at the sea, not lifeboats and the promenade deck.

 

We've been on deck 6 and not had issues with noise above us.

Hello - thanks for the advise regarding deck 6 - when booking a Sheltered Balcony we have always plumped for deck 5 - but it will be worth remembering that 6 seems not to be a noise issue, much appreciated.

any advice would be much appreciated.

Our 1st time ever cruising on the Queen Victoria for a week , this Sunday .

There’s two fun nights roaring 20s and black and white night .

Not sure about excursions, tipping ?

What to take ?

Hattie has covered everything. Queen Victoria is a lovely ship with a great crew who seem to all get on and it generally shows in the service.

One suggestion is - if you really have a great time and think you may want to cruise with Cunard again I suggest you consider purchasing a Future Cruise Deposit (FCD) it costs $50 per passenger which is credited to the future booking made via Cunard or an agent on land and give a chunk of extra On Board Credit for that future cruise, in addition to the normal OBC deal; we have always purchased one - in the past we have had $1400 and $1600 Cabin OBC because of deals plus the $50 refund + the FCD $ OBC.

You get it from the Future Voyage office - if you do consider it please see and say Hi to 'Dragana Prodanovic' in the office she is super helpful. Bon Voyage, very jealous.

6-9 nights on board

Sailings of 10 nights or more

I know there are several threads about this but I wondered if there is any restrictions when buying say in the Canaries. We are on a pre-Christmas cruise and enjoy some of the Spanish red wines. Can we bring them back onto the ship and enjoy them in our stateroom without restriction or charge.

D.

This may help - from the Cunard FAQ:

Someone on another thread cleverly noted that the four forward suites on Deck 10 of QM2 are named: Queen Mary, Queen Victoria, Queen Elizabeth and Queen Anne.

 

Based on the fact the other three ship names already apply to vessels still used today, Queen Anne certainly does seem the likely choice based on this observation.

 

Until Camilla decides at the naming ceremony to name it after herself. It's happened before (Queen Mary thought herself England's most loved queen and so we got RMS Queen Mary instead of RMS Queen Victoria).

Queen Anne seems a very likely and worthy name.

Regarding Camilla Duchess of Cornwall at the time of their wedding in 2005, it was announced that upon the Prince of Wales’s accession to the throne, Camilla would take on the title of HRH The Princess Consort instead of the traditional title of HM The Queen. Primarily taken to quell the hostility to the couple, it was a message that went widely unchallenged by the then ambivalent press and public, with many asserting it to be the right move. Ten years on Clarence House’s position persists: Camilla will become Princess Consort, not Queen.

Time will tell.

Hello,

I’m not at all familiar with the Queen Mary 2. Which cabin categories have the acrylic see-through balconies? Being offered a mid-ship 11th deck cabin for July 2019, but we’re concerned about being seasick that far up. Would appreciate your thoughts and sharing of info that can help with our choice. Thanks!

Britannia deck 11 Mid ships are great - no pitch and the QM2 really has no dramatic roll most of the time. In July having a glazed balcony is great, if not a windy crossing.

I would go for it.

We are looking to book a balcony cabin on QM2 for December 2019. One of the options we are being offered is a cabin with a "Sheltered " balcony. Can anybody tell exactly what that is. Looking at the diagram for the cabin online the balcony looks fully enclosed, effectively making it the same as an outside cabin unlike a proper balcony which is open to the air. The reason I ask is that it will be a 26 day cruise and the sheltered cabins are a lot lower in price then the standard balcony!

 

Peter and Jenny

We have had a sheltered balcony on few times on Queen Mary 2 - in particular on a Winter crossing. In short the cabin is the same as an equivalent glazed in cabin on higher decks. The sheltered balcony is deeper, with a large cut out opening and rail from chest height up. They are basically to protect the staterooms and their balconies from high seas and winds below deck 7 (the promenade deck). In the Winter they work really well:

- Protection from winds - but you can get fresh air - glazed ins tend to be wind lashed in the winter.

- Protection from high waves - the main reason for them.

To us the only disadvantage is you don't get direct sun and cant really sunbathe on them - but I guess you had not planned much balcony sunbathing in December!!

They are great at that time of year and offer good value - NB:

- Mid ships deck 5 are good.

- I suggest you avoid deck 6 as the cabin and balcony are below deck 7 - the Promenade Deck; could be a noise problem at certain times of day.

- Same for deck 4 Mid Forward & Forward as over the theatre and Illuminations - not sure about the sound proofing, others may know.

Bon voyage. David

It's the same half story we've all been getting ....

I agree Hattie, regardless of whether or not the 'changes' bother or don't bother us as individuals it is difficult to deny that Cunard has made definition changes and casual location & clothing (jeans) changes.

Cunard has not been transparent and has not advised anyone, agent or passenger, in advance of the 'changes'. As a loyal Diamond World Club passenger with x4 more cruises booked with them I am insulted and very suspicious of the actual motive for the changes.

Cunard PR/Guest Relations team clearly told me by 'phone "Cunard are improving the 'White Star Training Programme' and will be ensuring that ALL relevant ship board crew are empowered and required to ensure that the dress code is adhered to by all passengers", BUT I AM NOT CONVINCED, AND LOOK ON WITH A GREAT DEAL OF INTEREST.

I do not want to pre judge or ruin our next four Cunard Cruises before we sail but should the dress code standards go further South, "right down the Head", then we will be cruising with another line after 2019. BUT I DONT THINK CUNARD CARES.