Reuben's 3rd

Thank you for raising this question, Millybess.  I have been pondering this as well.  In September, we will be on the Neptune, starting in Bergen and ending in Montreal.  If the Neptune was going to have a number of immediately subsequent stops in Canada, I too was pondering using Canadian $, which of course I always have and can easily top up in Quebec City, the second last stop.  If the ship was going within the next two ports to the U.S., then I was going to have to acquire sufficient  American $.  I was going to base my decision on the currency where the ship would be for the next while.  A crew member using American $ at the Shoppers beside the Halifax port would be unlikely to get the best rate of exchange!

Canadian here.  We get lumped in with the Americans.  I have followed many of these thread topics, found it thouroughly confusing, and made my own decision.

1)  leave the standard daily charge in place.

2)  additionally, tip our room steward per day (assuming the so far excellent service)

3)   get a cache of small U.S. bills from our bank before we leave.  Good for all additional tips that we want to make.

Life is good!

I have followed this issue with interest and dismay.  I am a 10 time Cundarder, 9 on the QM2, 7 of those transatlantic, all from 2013 to 2019.  In my experience, the crew on the ship were always excellent (well, possibly with the occasional exception of the Purser's staff), but Cunard's administration is consistently appalling.  I had booked again once Cunard required Covid vaccinations for all passengers, but cancelled when they either wouldn't or couldn't tell me that they had the same requirement for their staff.  That was my choice.  I had been considering returning to my favourite, the QM2 Transatlantic, but this debacle gives me pause.

To paraphrase one correspondent, we should all hope for the best, but prepare for the worst.  It seems that Cunard failed to follow this.  Telling people that the sailing is cancelled on the day of sailing without a word of assistance for those already far from home was callous, cavalier and cruel. They must have know that this cancellation was a possibility. They may or may not have had a legal requirement to help, but their cold lack of empathy for their would-be passengers tells me that I do not want to risk being at the mercy of Cunard Corporate.

Last month, Viking Venus, DV cabin, we were easily able to get all of the pop (fizzy drinks, soda, mineral, depending on where you live) removed and replaced with soda water.  I think that I kept one tonic.

We just finished a Viking Venus, which departed Jan 12.  On Jan 13, 5:45 pm, the program shows a "Solo Travellers Get Together".  I would expect that this happens on other ships and trips. We also met a number of singles, including at a shared table.  That was an excellent evening!

Karen

We were just on deck 4, Viking Venus, Jan 12 to 19, 2023.  The washers and dryers were separate machines, dryer on top, washer on bottom.

They worked very well!

Karen 

Dear Farmecologist, I may have alarmed you with my description of our recent experience on the Bay of Biscay.  I should also point out more of my conversation with Viking's speaker.  He has been on many Viking voyages, including several transatlantics, and he told me that he had never experienced anything as extreme as we were then experiencing.  He said that if we were okay with that degree of roll, we would be absolutely fine with a transatlantic; his experience with them was much more calm.

As an indication of the unusual severity, Viking sent us (a general email to passengers) a note of regret over the conditions we experienced.  I understand that the Bay of Biscay is notorious, especially in January.

Karen

I so agree, Heidi13!  My one quibble is that I wish that Viking would stop telling me that I MUST have a valid US passport!  They do later mention those of us who are not American, but the bold declarative statement makes it sound as if only Americans are welcome.  

Karen

We have done 7 transatlantics on the QM2 since 2013, and enjoyed them, particularly the lectures, the promenade and the music.  We encountered varied weather, from smooth as glass to converging storms, Force 10, and the tail end of a hurricane, but then the QM2 was built for the North Atlantic, and we were fine.  We cancelled our last one, for April of 2021, when Cunard would not answer whether or not their crews were vaccinated against Covid.  Viking seems to offer everything that we enjoyed, and had a much more reassuring regimen concerning Covid, but we wondered how Viking would handle rough seas.

Last week, we completed the Viking Venus, Barcelona to Tilsbury, to test out the Bay of Biscay.  The Bay lived up to its January reputation.  After leaving Vigo (on, I believe, the 17th) we were experiencing 20 ft swells (and heavy rain).  My source was one of the speakers.  Certainly, there were a lots of things falling over and crashing.  I believe that we changed course further away from the continental shelf, and as a consequence missed a port call in Portsmouth.  Disappointing but understandable.  I am happy to say that we personally had no ill effects, and booked a crossing while on board, San Juan to Barcelona, for March of 2024. 

We enjoyed QM2, but Cunard's admin was generally sub par. I do believe that we are set to become loyal to Viking!

Karen

Like Navy Cruiser, mvj for our trip (Jan 12 2023, from Barcelona) said and currently says that dinner reservations were not yet open.  I used the chat function, explaining that we were under 60 days away, and the person on the  chat function was able to book us exactly what we wanted, one Chef's Table and one Manfredi's, both for 7:00 pm.  I checked and both bookings show up under the Calendar function.

Karen

Thank you!  It is good to hear from someone with greater experience.  It has certainly been my experience that Air Canada is usually in distant gates.

Karen

Thank you, KBs mum.  Not understanding the geography, I thought that Heathrow would be a quicker trip.  And to be fair, our last boarding at Terminal 2 in Nov 2019 was a zoo! We will bring books.

Karen

Does anyone know what usually happens for disembarkation at Tilbury?  Our first Viking cruise (Iberian Explorer, Viking Venus) ends at Tilbury on Jan 19, 2023.  We intend to take the Viking shuttle to Heathrow, but our flight is not until about 3:00 pm.  Sounds like we would get the shuttle by 9:30 at the latest, a lot of time (I hope!) to twiddle our thumbs in Terminal 2.

Karen  

Thank you so much, Blue Marble.  I was especially interested in your read on the lectures, since that is a great favourite of ours.  We too always book Britannia class, deck 5, midships aft, and have a DV, deck 4, midships aft booked on the Viking Venus next January (one year plus a day! ).  We have been eying Viking's repositioning trips as a possible future venture once Covid is tamed.  It is good to hear that in your opinion Viking has the gold standard on managing Covid.  

I also have some food allergies, that QM2 has always kindly managed .  Sounds like Viking also handled those well.  

Like you, we do not intend to give up on QM2 and the crossing, but Viking, with its lectures, quiet spaces, promenade and thoughtful cabins sounds like a contender.

Karen

I look forward to your posting, Blue Marble.  We love the transatlantic on the QM2, but have also decided to give Viking a try (booked for a year tomorrow, Barcelona to Tilbury; we are rather risk adverse). 

I always enjoy your postings, and find them informative and objective.

A Very Happy New Year!

Karen  

I hit the link.  What an interesting and informative post, NYBumpkin.  Thank you!

Dear MammallamaandDaddy, you asked a reasonable question, would you be comfortable on Cunard given that you prefer to not wear a jacket and tie. The first reply was clear and to the point. As you now know, the dress code is a hot button issue. While you received a lot of useful information, from Blue Marble, Lissie and ExLondoner amongst many others, you also found yourself on the receiving end of umbrage, assumption, judgment and snark (attitudes that I don't ever recall seeing on the ship). You handled all of this with grace.  It would be a delight to share a table with you.

On a “Smart Casual” night, you would need a jacket but could omit the tie. On a formal night, you need a dark suit or a tuxedo. To do otherwise would miss the experience of the Britannia Dining Room.

Is it pretentious? I don't think so; in my experience (10 trips, 7 crossings) everyone is treated with courtesy and respect. While it is not a party ship, there is lots to do. I have only met one person who moaned at me (captive in the laundry room) that the ship (QV) was boring. We happened to be in the fjords of Norway at the time; if none of the 4 pages of activities for the day appealed to me, I would have just watched the breathtaking scenery!

If you are a travel agent, no amount of training can tell you as much as experiencing Cunard. I do hope that you try.

We have sailed out of Red Hook twice, after having flown in on Air Canada to La Guardia.  Like you, we didn't want to go into Manhattan for just one night.  Both times we enjoyed our stay at the Nu Hotel, 85 Smith St (near Smith and Atlantic), in Brooklyn.  While they offered a simple breakfast buffet, we went to the nearby diner, the New Apollo for  a satisfying hot breakfast.  They were licensed and I am sure did a decent dinner, but the hotel was always able to recommend something nearby for a lovely leisurely dinner .  There were always families out for a walk, pushing strollers.  Nearby streets held comfortable homes.  We were quite at ease.  Covid may have changed things for the restaurants, but that was our experience.

The hotel arranged a car for the short trip to Red Hook for us, at a very reasonable rate. It was much more interesting than staying by an airport. 

Isn't wonderful that we now have enough faith that TA's are going to happen that we have turned our minds back to "What will I wear"?  I agonized (needlessly) about this before my first crossing in 2013.  To help a colleague who just wanted to fit in, I came up with this little test.  It works for both women and men:

Formal/Gala Evening:  Imagine that you are standing chatting to two gentlemen, one wearing full conservative tuxedo, the other wearing a dark suit, dark tie and white shirt.  Would a passerby assume that you were all heading to the same function?

All other evenings:  Same scenario, except one gentleman is wearing a suit and tie, the other is wearing a jacket, no tie, dress shirt and dress pants.  Would a passerby assume that you are all heading to the same function? 

I hope this helps.  I also noted that the O.P. is crossing eastbound.  On my two such crossings, on the days that the clocks went ahead (5 of the 7), the time change occurred between 1:00 pm and 2:00 pm, with the result that if you had early seating in the Britannia that day, the clocks said 6:00 pm, but my body said "Its only 5:00!"  Late sitting (8:30, being 7:30 by me) was much more enjoyable.

Karen 

Congratulations, Host Hattie.  You will be on a Queen again and meanwhile, the beautiful view that you posted, an excellent spouse to share the champagne; sounds pretty good to me!  Enjoy!

Karen

We are also booked on a westbound QM2, Apr 2022, but like others, we didn't have to put any more money down; just used the FCC that we purchased on Queen Victoria in 2019.  Fingers crossed; we want to spend Easter with family in Northern Ireland, then sail home.  The tuxedo is feeling neglected!

Karen

I am so sorry that this is souring you on Cunard.  I am considering writing to Mr Palethorpe anyway; he may be unaware that this is happening and how counterproductive the matter is to Cunard's long term interests.  I guess it depends on how long I "keep my Irish up".

Red-headed stepchild, huh.  Though now grey, I was the red-headed child of Scots -Irish immigrants.  I always rather liked it!

Karen

Dear OP, I can well understand your frustration.  I had intended to take this further, but Cunard granted me my OBC, so I don't have to.  In searching for those higher up the food chain, Cunard's and Carnival's sites were useless, but I did find the following through Elliott Advocacy:  elliott.org/company-contacts/cunard/  This shows their suggested primary contact as Simon Palethorpe, Senior Vice President, Cunard, simon.palethorpe@cunardukgroup.com. I pass it along to you.

I intended to put to him that the Future Cruise Deposit was in effect a contract between the purchaser and Cunard.  Cunard got the use of the purchase price for up to 4 years, as well as tipping the purchaser towards booking again.  The purchaser was motivated to purchase because of the OBC it carried.  The exclusions were clearly outlined in the FCD document.  If a trip did not fall within the exclusions, the OBC should be honoured.

To fail to do so would dry up subsequent purchases of FCD's.

If Cunard intended to exclude ANY reduced fare, they could have said so in the exclusions.  It does exclude any fares inside 120 days, the final payment date.  In my opinion, to deny the OBC beyond the exclusions on the certificate would be a breach of contract.

Dealing with Cunard is frustrating; just look at the mess that is "My Cunard".  But being on the QM2, oh-h, that is magical!  I hope that you won't let corporate ineptitude stop you from enjoying that delight.

Karen

Reading this topic, I became concerned. We had purchased future cruise credits while on the Queen Victoria last November. At Christmas, we decided to do the QM2 crossing leaving New York on July 31 2020. Early January, our agent booked us. Cunard's invoice specified that we could not use Cunard's future cruise credits for the deposit. No problem, I would apply them to the final payment. Last Thursday, I checked the President's Day Sale. Those rates would save us in excess of $1200 Cdn, and so I had my agent rebook this for us. I then read this topic, became concerned, and had him check for me; Cunard told him that because this was the President's Day Sale rate, I would loose the $600 US in onboard credits, the only reason that we had bought these deposits in the first place.

I checked the certificates. As someone else has stated, they say “The Future Cruise Deposit is not combinable with Last Minute Deals, Sailing Soon Savings and other fares offered inside final payment.” Sailing is July 31. This was not a “Last Minute Deal”. Cunard has “Sailing Soon Savings”, but this was not one of them. Final payment is due April 2, 2020, so this is not a fare offered inside final payment. If other people's certificates read as mine does, then Cunard was not living up to the terms of the deal as agreed on purchase.

I was ready to go up the food chain, but thought that I should first check, using the contact number shown on my certificate, 1-800-728-6273. I reached a pleasant young woman. I explained that I wished to confirm that I would not loose my onboard credits. She checked, came back telling me that I would. I pointed out that the President's Day sale was not one of the specified exclusions. She checked with her supervisor. Her supervisor applied our credits to our amount outstanding, and gave us our onboard credits. I asked what confirmation I would receive, and she said that it would be sent to my travel agent. He has sent me a copy, complete with onboard credits.

Now, at one point in our conversation, she tried to tell me that July 31 was “sailing soon”, which is of course a matter of opinion, but given that Cunard does have “Sailing Soon” named sales, I begged to differ on this interpretation. The certificate capitalizes “Sailing Soon Savings”, implying to me that it refers to something named that. So, be persistent. It worked for me.

Wow, this topic does seem to bring out the vitriol!  My husband prefers to wear a tux on Gala nights, but there have been trips for us without the tux.  He wore a navy blue blazer and navy trousers or a black blazer and dark grey trousers,  a white shirt, white pocket square and navy or black and grey bowtie.  I wore those "flowy" pants (palazzo's) and a silk top.  Never heard a single "tsk-tsk", either as we walked by or from our table mates.  We have had several lovely gala night dinners, enjoying the company of one or two male tablemates wearing lighter colour jackets or suits.  No one questioned their right to be seated.  I have seen the maitre "d" chatting pleasantly with a gentleman in a burnt orange suit, as he walked with him to his table, on a Gala night.  

Relax.  For whatever reason, many people seem to be more forceful in their opinions on this site than I have ever seen in 10 Cunard trips.  Look as if you have made an effort and all will be well.