Miadessa

Update:  OP here, just coming back to say that we sailed on the Queen Mary 2 again in September and it was wonderful!  The staff were all exceptionally friendly and helpful.  I noted, though, that all of the people were had encountered the first time had been replaced (Concierge, Maitre D', etc.).  So, make of that what you will.  Actually, the only weak link was our Room Steward, who unfortunately was the exact same person we had last time!  Minor issues there, but everything else lived up to what we were hoping for.  We had an amazing time.  We will definitely sail Cunard again!

2 hours ago, exlondoner said:

In fact, I have usually found the crew, even if not in passenger care, are usually the ones to greet passengers first. A grunt has been very rare, thank heavens. I can quite see why you found it so offputting. Whatever level cabin you are in, you are entitled to the same level of courtesy.

 

And, incidentally, if you have worked closely with people from the UK, you will probably know that many of us don't really like being referred to as Brits.

We (US and Swiss colleagues) jokingly  referred to our colleagues in the UK as "Brits" and we were "you Americans" (with, I believe, "dumb" implied to be inserted between the two)  🙂

You are correct.  I should have referred to them appropriately here.

Thank you everyone for the responses.  I hope that I see what others have seen and that my experience was unique due to Covid stressors and/or re-start issues.    Good to know that the Concierge's role on Cunard is no different from other lines.  I will be more confident in my requests, should I have any need for assistance on my next voyage.  Hopefully staff will be a bit friendlier as it is just proper manners, in general, to respond with a "hello" or "good afternoon" back and not grunt in response to someone greeting you- regardless of whether you are a customer or employee. I am not expecting overly effusive, as I have worked closely with Brits for many years, have travelled throughout the UK a few times, so I am familiar with the culture difference to the US.  I am just expecting reasonable requests and issues/concerns to be addressed efficiently and without a dismissive or superior attitude.  Hopefully that will be my experience next month.  I am doing a b2b, with the first week in a regular room and the second in a PG, so it will be interesting to be able compare the two experiences so close together.

I am confused and hoping some folks who have sailed traditional cruise lines in suites (eg-  Star Class on Royal Caribbean, Haven on NCL) can help me understand the value proposition for sailing Cunard.   I sailed in May and have another sailing booked that I made prior to the first sailing and am now possibly regretting my choice?

Disclaimer- I loathe complainers.  I am on vacation and want to enjoy every minute of it- complaining and focusing on the negative just ruins that.  I am posting this in the spirit of gaining insight within relative comparison to help me level set on expectations.   None of the below examples are major issues- just shared within the context of comparison of Cunard vs. other cruise lines.  Please no hate- I am genuinely looking for insight. I am not intending to bash anyone or anything- if we are taking even 1 vacation we are more fortunate than most people in this world. 

First, the QM2 itself is fabulous!  Loved the smaller, more intimate feel, but at the same time how spacious QM2 feels.  Loved the activities and the slower, relaxed pace. Second, the guests onboard the QM2 were absolutely lovely- even more than on other lines.   Everyone we encountered were super-friendly, pleasant and helpful (as one guest told me with a smile, "We all help each other out in the laundry room").   We enjoyed getting to know our fellow passengers and sharing stories.  Unfortunately, and in a very obvious way, this did not extend to the people who work for Cunard.  Customer service people over the phone were borderline rude with a derisive tone to every question I have asked.  Celebrating a special occasion- well, "you can buy a cake if you want, but no, they don't do anything special".   On other cruise lines I have been surprised with rooms being decorated, celebratory cake, etc. Heck, many restaurants on land will give you a special dessert on the house for a special occasion.

Many staff around the ship answered our cheery hello's with grunts or no response at all.  I am used to friendly greetings/responses from everyone I see on other cruise lines. 

Also, is the Concierge role on Cunard different from NCL, Celebrity, Royal, etc.?  I asked the Concierge for help because my room card was not working.  He told me to go to guest services.  I am, by no means, above standing in line, and appreciate that it would be a minor inconvenience, but then, what is his function?  We happened to still in the concierge lounge when, a few moments later, he advised that he was going down to help another customer anyway if I still wanted him to take care of the issue.   Hmmm... okay....  so was this something he was supposed to help with, or not?   If not, what kinds of services does the Cunard Concierge provide?

The Princess Grills Maitre D' came over to our table at breakfast one morning while we were waiting on coffee refills to (ironically) brag about the level of service that Cunard provides over any other line in the industry.  We just didn't see it.  Everyone just seemed so disinterested in helping.  

I am just genuinely confused because other luxury services (even outside of the cruise industry- vacations, shopping, dining, etc.), which Cunard seems to brand themselves as, are just so much better.  They speak about "unparalleled service" and clearly think they are offering it, but I just don't see it.  They were average, and underwhelming.  I have sailed on several cruise lines since Covid, so it isn't that.  What am I missing?  Were they really good at some point, but now not?  Has Covid hit them harder than other lines and they haven't been able to get great people back?  Has management changed? Is morale within the company really low?  Is it considered "low brow" to go above and beyond the way the other cruise lines do?  Am I too "low brow" to appreciate some other aspect of the service?  Please help me if you have any insight.  Thanks!!!!

On 4/25/2022 at 5:51 PM, FLcruisergrl said:

He is up there with Gian as my favorite so far! Such a sweetheart.

Agree about Alex Nikolic.  He was the absolute best concierge we have encountered on any cruise line.  Professional, responsive, and helpful- he went above and beyond on a few different occasions on our May trip on the Dawn.  We had a disaster cruise with a huge covid outbreak, (it happens) but even with that, will still remember him and our Butler, Roberto Villacruel, as two superstars at NCL.  

Yeah...  hard pass from me.  We are in a star class suite departing Saturday, and on principle alone, not going to book the cabana.  I understand they are trying to recover from covid losses, but agree with what others have said- if they sell at these prices, prices will stay high.  It is essentially a covered deck on a stretch of beach that they own.  Where is the value at that price, exactly?  I had a cabana at South Beach on PDCC back in February which was newer, nicer, and cost way less.

5 hours ago, Newbieflorida said:

Hubby and I did thermal suite for a week in September on Allure. Had to reserve times. You were allowed an hour, then they closed for cleaning for 30 minutes. In September, was never crowded, not sure what it would be like now. We were allowed to reserve multiple times a day if we wanted (never did more than once a day). Not sure if I'd do it again - enjoyed the ceramic chairs, found I couldn't breathe in wet steam room. 

THANK YOU!!!!  This is extremely helpful.  I knew 15 min didn't sound right!  I love the ceramic chairs and agree steam does take some getting used to!

Hi!  Can anyone who has cruised recently please confirm whether the thermal suite needed to be reserved for a specific time slot during post-covid cruises?  It is available for me to book it for my upcoming cruise, but the site is making me select a 15 minute time slot.  Can I still go whenever, or is entry time being controlled now because of covid?  I just spent (wasted) 40 minutes of my life on the phone with 2 different Royal Caribbean reps and finally was given the answer that not only is the thermal spa available for the specific time that you reserve it for, but that access is only for 15 minutes.  This can't possibly be correct, right?  I take that much time just getting changed!  LOL!  

Vaccinated and would not cancel.  It's time to move on and enjoy life.

36 minutes ago, Happy2cruise said:

Spoke with a Princess rep the other day and she said it is mandated by both CDC and Princess that all passengers and crew must be vaccinated.  If not vaccinated, not allowed to embark.  Hope she was right.

My Princess rep today clarified that the 5% unvaccinated, that the CDC guidelines allow, is reserved for passengers under 12 who literally cannot receive a vaccination.  All others MUST be vaccinated to board.  She told me that people were actually calling them asking to be put on the 5% list because they didn't want to get vaccinated 🙄.  

I just sent emails to both of my Senators.  I copied the textprovided in the link below.

https://cruising.org/en/clia-action-center

Strength in numbers...

I just sent emails to both of my Senators.  I copied the textprovided in the link below.

https://cruising.org/en/clia-action-center

Strength in numbers...

Having settled into my room (and asked my great room steward, Freddie, to empty the fridge)

Glad to hear you had a great time! I do have a question- what's with emptying the fridge? I have seen so many referring to this. What's in there that you all what out so badly? Flat soda? Old cheese? Dirty socks? :) Why do you want them empty?

Thanks for any help in clearing up my confusion! :D

Bagus was on the Star and incredibly gracious. He had the Balinese spirit that I grew to love so much when I lived overseas. I know he moved to another ship over the past year. We exchanged email addresses and when I contacted him to let him know we were returning to the Star in Oct if this year, he said he was returning as well and would see us then! Super excited and we did put in a request for him but understand that it may not happen. The concierge email stated they don't get their assignments prior to the cruise but our request would be confirmed upon embarkation.

We only tipped at the end and our service didn't seem contingent upon it. We of course made sure he was well compensated. ;)

Thanks for the response! I don't want to hijack the thread, but since we are talking about the best butlers, wanted to see what was the norm. :)

For those who have loved their butlers, maybe I am being cynical, but did you tip throughout the cruise, or just at the end? I will be staying in the Haven for the first time next month, and I have an amount set as the baseline of tipping, and will tip up from there for good service. Just wondering if I should be tipping all throughout the cruise or wait until the end? Curious if timing of tipping is a differentiating factor for better service?