Eric2005

8 hours ago, safarigal said:

We made our final payment several months ago - this email, which arrived on April 7th, relates to our May 1st crossing

Did they say if they would give a full refund if you wanted?  

Safarigal, Thanks for this information.  Did you receive this notice before or after full payment?  If AFTER, a travel voucher would be useless for a passenger unwilling to comply with the booster requirement.  Cunard never sent me this notice.  I only found out by accident.  This neglect and the contradictory website show a careless, sloppy attitude on the part of Cunard. 

Thanks.  I called, spoke to an irritable rep who cited the passage you quote.  Then after much delay the rep found another message on their site that states that they "strongly recommend" the booster.  Then after that the rep found a statement that they REQUIRE the booster.  The rep told me this was a New York City requirement but I don't think so.  Sounds as though Cunard made this decision, if in fact it's correct, and not a legal requirement.  I only found this out by accident. Cunard never informed me.  As I have had health problems due to the initial jabs I can't take the risk of more.  With absolutely NO requirements to enter the UK - no Covid vaccinations, no tests - this is really unreasonable.  A prior PCR test should be quite enough.  Looks as though I'll have to cancel.  REALLY Cunard needs to make these matters CLEAR and inform passengers.  Their website is a bundle of contradictions.  

What are current Covid vaccination requirements?  I had two doses Pfizer over 270 days ago.  Had a serious adverse effect; can't take more.  What's the policy for transatlantic crossings? 

I called the US number today. Was on hold for 23 minutes.  Maybe my complaints helped.  I was told that they have been flooded with calls due to cancelling sailings through November.  

Update:  I called Cunard in the UK and explained that it's not possible to reach Cunard in the US.  I asked that the UK office notify Cunard that it's not possible to get through to their customer service people in the US.   Seems that any changes can only be made in the US if that is where the ticket was purchased.  

4 hours ago, PORT ROYAL said:

 

Forget Cunard Customer Services - An oxymoron 

Go direct and complain about the time spent holding on and not getting a response requesting a call back.

Executive.Correspondence@carnivalukgroup.com

 

it will work 
 

Thanks.  Just sent an email.  Will let you know what happens.  

I've tried for the last two weeks to reach Cunard through their 800 number.  You get put on hold indefinitely.  I've waited up to an hour.  WHAT's going on?  How can I contact them?  This is outrageous !

Thanks I'll call Carnival.  Tried again today - on the line for half an hour.  No answer.  Outrageous! 

Let me add that you get the recorded message that you spoke of but then no-one ever answers.  I've tried many days.

The line is not dead - there is just NO answer.  I waited one hour yesterday.  They just never pick up.  It's terrible -- and what does someone do if they want to cancel? They could pass the deadline and lose their deposit.  

Nobody at the US number answers.  I guess they've dramatically cut staff.  What a problem if you have to cancel and face a deadline.  You could lose your deposit as you can't get through.  

I have called repeatedly to Cunard's 800 number.  A recorded message says they appreciate their loyal customers.  They ask you to wait then the line just goes dead.....Is there another number I can use?  

Since I'm not sailing until 2022 I have until the end of December to ask for my deposit back.  I hope that by then health conditions will not require masks and social distancing however I am not counting on it.  Three sittings in Britannia means rushing diners through their meals.  Not for me.  If everyone has to be distanced a meter from the next person (how is this possible?) there can be little conversation - a lot of Cunarders are hard-of-hearing to begin with.   If I have to wear a mask all day long I'd rather another type of holiday that affords me more freedom.  

2 hours ago, Jack E Dawson said:

I called Cunard two weeks ago regarding our May 2021 crossing reservation and was told by the representative that 3 dinner seatings was under consideration as a possible safety step but that no decision has been made. Now this agent may have no more accurate information than I do but the fact that he freely volunteered this possibly is interesting. He also mentioned that a small block of cabins will be held empty to serve as an isolation area for passengers and crew who might become infected with the COVID-19. He spoke of this as fact not just consideration. He went on to say that this whole situation is very fluid and that actual on-board restrictions will not be decided until shortly before departure and may change quickly once they resume operations. 

All this makes sense to me and I also recognize that for much of the situation, Cunard's hands are tied by whatever restrictions are imposed by the UK, the US and CLIA. 

 

Jack

 

An agent told me the same.  Personally I don't want  to sail if we are still in this crisis.  A rushed dinner, masks etc will make the trip unpleasant.

I understand that Cunard are considering three dinner sittings.  That would mean a rushed meal, especially for those of us who take our time to eat.  I understand the safety issue and the need for social distancing but I wonder if once such a plan is implemented it will stay in place after the Covid crisis is over.   

Just checked trans-Atlantic fares late 2021 and April 2022.  Dramatic increases.  Though I am a Cunard enthusiast,  I can't justify the new prices,  especially in such an uncertain environment.  We have no idea how this virus is going to play out.  A vaccine may be only 50% or less effective and it may not even be safe (consider what happened in the US in 1976).    I read the other day that for those 70+ 20% efficacy is likely.   I don't want to spend a lot to have to wear a mask all day and be socially distanced from everyone.  If that's what's needed to be safe I'd rather do something else.  

Some people may be willing to pay 25% more to wear masks and sit alone or with their travel companion in a dining room and possibly be rushed through dinner because they need three sittings in order to observe social distancing; others will prefer to wait it out until a real normal returns, not a "new normal' which is a euphemism for an unpleasant way of life.  And then there is the risk of a shipboard infection, a quarantine and a repetition of what happened to the Diamond Princess and other ships.  Time will tell how much people are willing to put up with.  

It amazes me how unrealistic people can be.  Do they think this virus is just going to vanish?  And even if ships sail, are passengers going to enjoy wearing masks all day long and 'social distancing'?  I originally posted about Cunard and I'm only interested in transatlantic voyages.  What I most like on Queen Mary 2 is the traditional style, dinners at a set hour with the same table mates, the lectures, classical concerts and the general quiet of the ship.   How can Cunard continue with group tables under these conditions?  How are they going to attract quality speakers willing to sail?  About all that they will be able to maintain is the quiet.  The situation is hopeless.  You just can't assemble large groups of people any more.  Let's just hope that Cunard can survive this crisis.  

I think most people here know deep down that cruising is over for some time.  They just don't want to admit it.  Even the cruise lines are in denial.  There has never been a vaccine for a Corona Virus and even if there is one within a year or so, I personally am not eager to be one of the first to try it.  It will have been rushed into production and risky.   

Well I'm not paying those prices, especially if there are three dinner sittings.  That means the staff will be exhausted by the third when I want to dine and they'll rush us.  And then there are the masks and risk of quarantine.  Not worth it. I think travel in general is going to be very limited and not much fun for a long time.  

Rep said fares were up around 25%

10 hours ago, carlmm said:

 

Just to clarify further: The anti.social aspect you mention is only true for the freedom/anytime dining concept on other lines.

In the Cunard grills you have the same table with the same waiters and the same fellow guests for all three meals every day, breakfast, lunch and dinner. The tables is yours for the whole voyage, you can come and go during opening times as you please.

Thus you can have "the camaraderie of the same group every night" if you choose a table not just for two.. There is a small risk of getting table mates that are not interested in the social aspect but often people agree on a common time frame or meet before dinner.

The problem is that table mates might show up at different times.

8 hours ago, T5LHR said:

I have re-booked for next year and the price was almost the same. I think less than £100 difference, I can't remember now. 

 

I have heard rumour of some changes to the service onboard, passenger number capping and other restrictions on types of passengers onboard, and if any of it comes to fruition, I will look to cancel. 

Glad to hear that but I saw a big increase in trans-Atlantic fares.  The Cunard rep confirmed that.  

7 hours ago, majortom10 said:

Freedom/Anytime dining is the same procedure as in Grills/Club where the restaurant is open form say 5-30pm until 9-30pm and you can turn up at anytime to suit you and unlike Grills/Club you can ask for any size table and have different table companions each night. Very popular on other cruise lines and Cunard is one of the few mass market cruise lines who do not do it.

Thanks for clarifying.  Not having dined in the grills I didn't know this.  it seems less social to me.  I'd rather the camaraderie of the same group every night.