MamaFrog

3 hours ago, North West Newbie said:

Not exactly. Unlike hard cash any remaining credit will not be refunded and in my experience all forms of OBC cannot be redeemed against gambling activities.

Understood NWN - thanks for that.

We like watching the tables for a wee while - especially when people are lucky - but don't play.

Nothing against it - am just not born lucky, and a tad risk averse.

Especially with money  ( must be the Scottish heritage 😂)

All the best

🐸

4 hours ago, Sauer-kraut said:

The gift voucher just gets applied to your on board account, just like putting down real hard cash.  It will be used to pay down your on board purchases ANYTHING you purchase on board.

Thank you Sauer-kraut 🙂

Simply would rather have the choice of drinks + chocolates or a special meal than find out it's bottles of wine or flowers only!

Sounds just the ticket!

5 hours ago, North West Newbie said:

Our Gift Credits were purchased by me over the telephone with Cunard and they were added to the voyage by me quotation the booking reference(s) at the time of purchase. The credit(s) showed up on the onboard account as “Company Cruise Credit” and were used to settle all onboard spend with the exception of the Casino and Bingo. Likewise, I imagine that any gift purchases made via the Voyage Personaliser will automatically be allocated to the voyage that one is logged into.

 

I have no experience of receiving Cunard Gift Credits independently but it would seem logical that in order to use them on a particular voyage, one must contact Cunard prior to sailing and request that are redeemed against the Booking Reference of choice.

Brilliant 🙂 
Thank you.

It would be birthday treat money - so not looking to bring any back ; just a wide onboard choice 🙂

7 minutes ago, Victoria2 said:

From Cunard T&Cs

 

Gift credits can be used against any items featured within our Gift Collection as well as purchases made in the shops, florist, photograph gallery, bars, art gallery or shore excursions

 Thank you Victoria2 😃!

That's wonderful 🥳

I shall ensure we put Gift Cards on our Christmas lists too!

🐸

3 hours ago, T5LHR said:

Brilliant question...! 

 

People, well family, have been asking what I want for my 40th, and I am just going to ask them to get me vouchers that I can apply to my account and then not worry about treating myself to whatever onboard whenever I like! 

 

Brilliant! 

Hello Sunshine 😃

Exactly what I was thinking for Jenny's 50th

We had problems with a Hilton Voucher I was lucky enough to get for my birthday - as restrictions meant I couldn't save any to carry over for another time (they said) - and I just want to avoid similar disappointments.

A  Gift Card being restricted to particular voyage wouldn't be a problem here - it's supposed to be mega-treat time 🥳

What I'm thinking is - for example - 

Gift Card $200 - over a week might be be used for

1 lunch at the Verandah steak house for 2, 1 Pan-Asian dinner for 2 in Bamboo, Cocktails in the Commodore, and a wee cigar in Churchills

 or

a box of Godiva chocolates, a few glasses of good wine for the table in Britannia, a couple of drinks in one of the bars and a box of cigars

But if it's restricted to champagne, spa, and souvenirs I would have one unhappy lassie!

Fingers crossed more info filters through - and we will both know how to manage birthday lists to best advantage 😁

(Hope you had a good time with your Mum)

🐸

3 hours ago, North West Newbie said:

We had some too a few years back when Cunard were offering an extremely attractive rate to purchase USD Gift Credits (OBC) which were priced in GBP. I think any reference to having to be used all at once actually means it (the Gift Credit) has to be used during the course of one voyage as any remaining credit will not be refunded and cannot be transferred to a future voyage.

Thanks for the input North West Newbie.;that feels helpful 😃

There doesn'tactually  seem a way to add to one's on board credit now before the voyage; if anyone knows different please advise 🙂

The Gift Card I speak of is available in Little Luxuries, and I am wondering if one can use it as OBC - across bars and alternative dining - or whether one is limited to shop purchases.

🐸

On 8/7/2019 at 12:05 PM, cruiseluvva said:

Do you mean a gift card of money? If so, then yes, it would just be added to your account for you to use as you wish.

Hello Cruiseluvva

Thank you for answering and apologies for delay 

The Gift Credit from the Little Luxuries selection ; the information on line says " Gift Credit can be used across the Cunard Fleet, whether for shore events, fabulous mementos or even a celebratory bottle of Champagne."

I am wondering if one is able to spend it in the bars and for alternative dining - or has to use the shops?

Somebody told me it has to be spent all at once - no remaining credit!

I was hoping it could be used across the voyage - maybe cocktails or alternative dining one day, and something from the duty free later ?  If one is able to add it to onboard credit that would be ideal.

Thanks again for your reply

Hoping you or somebody else has the answer

Mama Frog

Hi,

Can anyone please tell me if one may use a Cunard Gift Card to pay for alternative dining, and cocktails in the Commodore?

Cheers

Mama Frog 🐸

26 minutes ago, 3rdGenCunarder said:

 

There was a VERY long thread on this subject on the HAL board a few weeks ago. Some of the things people reported seeing would make you never go near a buffet again!  Some people have no idea that what they do could affect anyone else. Most posters on that thread said they would not approach the "guilty" party directly, but instead tell a steward so that the "contaminated" food could be removed. That's what I would do. Someone with so little decorum, as you put it (nicely said!), could turn out to be quite nasty when challenged. 

Oh dear - one would have hoped this was a rarity!

I take your point about intervention. I believe it is considered bad form to point out such errors of etiquette too, but admit I would be hard pressed to keep the school teacher in me silent.

I am definitely turning into a grumpy old woman, and no doubt must appear a tad eccentric in these moderm times! Manners mattered to my father and they matter to me.

I struggled last voyage with the way some people treated the staff on board - no please or thank you, let alone a civil greeting. 

Heyho. Rudeness is the weak man’s imitation of strength. ( Oh for a fan to wrap their knuckles 😉)

8 hours ago, 3rdGenCunarder said:

 

I'm not thinking so much about temperature safety--QM2's buffet puts anything that has to be kept cold on chilled surfaces (until you learn where those are, it can be a challenge to find butter!). I'm thinking about issues of people touching foods that are open. I'm having horrible images of someone "tasting" the jam or swiping a finger into the crock of butter. 😱

Goodness gracious! I appreciate etiquette and manners have been somewhat in decline across past decades but I can't imagine people with such little decorum would escape notice and correction on QM2 - if not from the stewards from the passengers themselves.

24 minutes ago, chengkp75 said:

 The problem is with single use plastics and even things like the foil wrapper on butter that gets mixed with the food waste when the table is cleared.  Since food waste is free to be discharged overboard, when ground up, any contamination by plastic or other non-food waste item becomes a pollution incident.

Thank you for that clarification 🙂

Also for the information about jam and butter; sounds like the 'crocks' may work out well and certainly preferable to the gloop mentioned in another post!

Sounds like there are ways forward  

2 hours ago, chengkp75 said:

As far as the cruising public is concerned, about the only thing you will notice will be the reduction in single use plastics.  Everything else is pretty much behind the scenes.  Not surprised this statement has come out, as it is part of the mandated settlement of Carnival Corp's environmental probation violations.  Unfortunately, despite statements like this in the past, Carnival Corp has shown little progress in complying with environmental regulations, let alone leading the way in environmentalism.  While Cunard ships only accounted for 7% of the reported environmental violations during the first year (2018) of probation, the QM2 was the unfortunate leader with 22 violations.  We can only hope that the new program of potential daily fines for failure to meet compliance benchmarks ($1 million/day for the first 10 days, then $10 million/day afterwards) will work better than the single fines Carnival Corp and its subsidiary lines have been receiving for 26 years.

Personally I hope that this is more than lip service ...

Quite shocking to read QM2 has made so many  environmental violations!

There must be ways forward that don't deplete the hygiene standards previously mentioned  too

33 minutes ago, Host Hattie said:

They all sound like sensible things to do, I am sure some people will be disappointed with the changes but hopefully we can manage without a balloon drop.

I'll be interested to see what they do about the toiletries, large dispensers I assume as lots of other places already have.

 

Hi Hattie

Have never been up late enough for the balloon drop 😊

I too anticipate large dispensers in bathrooms - but hope quality and variety will be sustained (personally don't like all-in-one products) 

Will be interested to hear fellow travellers opinions as changes come in

Greetings all,

Wondering what to expect from Cunard's new environmental measures, detailed here 

https://www.cunard.com/en-gb/advice-and-policies/environment?utm_medium=email&utm_source=ECN1160&utm_campaign=brand&utm_term=CU-27363703&utm_content=cta_main

Would be grateful for any reviews of the changes as they are implemented 🙂

Thanks

😊 Hi

Could somebody let me know how ro Private Message/Friend a fellow cruiser please?

Thanks in antici                       pation

😄 Thanks Vannerhawk

I shall cross fingers and hope - travelling to celebrate a big birthday and the lady likes the occasional cigar 😊

☹️ Oh how disappointing.

Thanks Big Mike

I knew duty free drinks get delivered last day but had thought one could purchase tobacco products for use onboard

Hi

I wondered if anyone knew the current price of Davidoff cigars on QM2 and whether one can but in the duty free for use in the cigar lounge?

Also are there  limits on what one can buy to take home?(Not that I want multiple boxes but have other duty free to get too)

Cheers

45 minutes ago, cruiseluvva said:

Actually I was hurt, my shoulder was hurt where I hit the wall.

 

No it didn’t put me off, I had done many cruises before then - and since - and I know it was unusual. But contrary to what is often said, you definitely CAN sometimes feel movement on QM2. She still remains my favourite ship though. 

Oh my Cruiseluvva! Sorry you were hurt.

Glad such events are unusual - it must have been a huge sea. 

Agree that one can sometimes feel movement - we had a couple of staggery nights (due to waves not alcohol) and at such times one was conscious of the thud of the bow - but most of the time we really didn't notice.

Glad your tumble didn't put you off - that says much for the positive experience overall 🙂

Oh! 🙂

Thanks Stewart - that's really helpful. 

I assume you just put these in your cases ?

Any paper work?

I am dreadfully conventional.

'Actually caused a security man to smile on entering the USA first time - he asked if we were bringing in any food in and I blushed and said "Oh chocolate!" pulling a small bar from my handbag. He said " We can allow that ma'am" 😊

8 hours ago, Jack E Dawson said:

Be aware that Cunard allows you to bring your own alcoholic and non-alcoholic  beverages onboard for consumption in your cabin.. If you decided to bring your own bottle of wine to your dinner table there will be a corkage fee of $20-$25 I think. We always enjoy a glass or two of wine while dressing for dinner. 

 

Jack

That's useful to know Jack - does one pack this separately or declare it in any way?

We don't drink much at all but it would be lovely to bring one special bottle with us as we'll be celebrating a 50th 🙂

Do you know if a bottle of good port be allowed?

26 minutes ago, David rut said:

Thrown out of bed?? That sounds quite scary. Hoping for calmer seas.

 

thanks everyone for all the wonderful pointers. I didn’t realize you had to take the tablets before you wake up so that will no doubt be a big help for us.

 

we can’t wait. Thanks again everyone 

Glad you have found the boards helpful David 🙂

They were a blessing when we did our first trip. Whatever the query usually somebody, if not several, have a good answer 🙂

Cruiseluvva I'm amazed you were actually thrown out of bed! That must have been some storm. Trust you were not hurt, and glad it evidently didn't put you off ships.

David Roll Calls are a great way to get familiar with your particular voyage and make connections before the voyage too - have you found yours yet? They can be a fabulous resource and you meet some really nice folk who you may also meet in person if you wish. 

Wishing you well

14 minutes ago, Deafcruise said:

Great :0

 

I just now need to decide if drink package going to be worth it. 

 

 

Depends how much you drink 😄

I believe the limit is something like 15 a day, and there's a price cap - so not all drinks are included in any package.

Personally - whatever the drink - at my age I don't think I would ever leave the bathroom if I had 15 of anything 😂

4 hours ago, Deafcruise said:

Oohhh cannot wait! All booked 🙂

Marvellous 😊

You will have a splendid time
She is as beautiful as her photos 😍

Hi 🙂

I am sure you will have a splendid time 🙂

 I have no experience of other ships but can say QM2 lived up to all expectations and more on our first trip - so despite it being a 'once in a lifetime' trip we are booked again 😃

If you are hoping for something stylish, smart, and with good service you will not be disappointed.

This is quite a handy guide https://ask.completecruisesolution.com/help/ext/cunard/life-on-board/dress_code

My experience was that, throughout the ship, most men wore suits in the evening - and most women wore posh frocks or sparkling seperates. If one does wish to be casual then there are areas of the ship usable at all times, however I imagine as a Queens Grill traveller you are unlikely to be packing flipflops and little else 😁

You have plumped for luxury and that is what you will get - enjoy dressing for the occasion 🙂

Kind Regards

MamaFrog 🐸