e&mcruise

11 minutes ago, BigMac1953 said:

It's not a good option.

 

Over the years, they have consistently reduced the package availability.

 

Thanks BigMac, do you mean the wine packages are not a good option or the beverage package?

1 minute ago, sfred said:

 

No - the Captain/Commodore 6/12 bottle collection wine package is different from the per-day alcohol drinks package.  Interesting idea, though.

Thanks sfred.

Thought I had read it somewhere but it would be a good idea. That way you could have a drink (not wine) during the day or after dinner at a slight discount as you have already bought the wine component.

A question re Cunard Wine packages.......

If you buy the 6 bottle or 12 bottle wine package......do you receive 20% off other drinks at the bar as per if you have the full beverage package for drinks over the $13.50(?) limit?

Can't decide whether to purchase a Beverage Package so as not to have to worry about end of cruise bill surprises.

We do like our wine but as we are in Queens Grill we will also have our MiniBar so at US$70 a day for the package it could be overkill.

Thanks in advance. 🙂

3 hours ago, Mr Luxury said:

A  TA is generally less money than booking direct with Cunard.

As an owner of a small hotel, we guarantee that the best price any of our Guests can book a stay is directly. It makes no sense to me that when the TA receives a commission on bookings/sales how it can EVER be cheaper to not book direct with a business like a cruise line, hotel, car rental etc etc.

10 hours ago, LittleFish1976 said:

 

I don't understand what's so disappointing about a gala evening not having a particular dress theme. When you do have a dress theme, some people will follow the suggestion and many won't. I wore a navy sequinned dress on a recent Black and White formal night, just because I preferred to wear that dress that night. It's no big deal. I doesn't affect the food being served or the entertainment, at all.

 

I've not travelled with Azamara nor RCCL and have no particular desire to. Try to remember that your bad experiences with those lines have nothing to do with Cunard.

 

Have you had any particularly good experiences with any cruise lines?

 

It's not that big a deal you are correct but it was part of what we were sold on to Cruise with Cunard....the traditions, the dressing up, afternoon tea, old world etc etc. As someone who researches and reads T&Cs for fun, when things start changing before we have even boarded, I get nervous. 🙂

Certainly not looking for a Halloween experience but loved the idea of a sea of elegant formal red & gold or black & white or masks or flapper dresses as an experience.......just for one night. 😞

Regardless, as you say, it will be a sea of beautifully dressed people instead! 🙂

Let the countdown begin.......

Can I ask where on deck 3 & 10 are the smoking areas? Is it the same for QE as QV? Thanks.

11 minutes ago, exlondoner said:

Quite honestly, if you can, I would cancel the cruise. I fear that, if you go with that feeling in the pit of your stomach, you will have an experience dominated by your annoyance at minor glitches, however nice the rest is. Get out while you can. (Incidentally, I have loved every Cunard cruise I’ve been on, but I’ve never embarked feeling as you do.)

As totally non-refundable, will go in with as open a mind as possible, 🙂

1 minute ago, Victoria2 said:

Thank you.

I didn't know about that as I've never looked and as we don't book direct, it wouldn't apply to us.

The services of our agent far outweighs any faff in looking at differing prices..

Always want to book direct with a business where possible to save 3rd party commissions but would seem not relevant with Cunard. 

1 minute ago, Victoria2 said:

 I have never seen a UK price promise.

Price promise.

Enjoy the comfort and reassurance that you’ve booked your Cunard voyage at the best possible price. If you find a better price elsewhere within 24 hours of booking with us, we will match that price. Simply send us the quote for the exact same holiday, which you have booked with us, and we guarantee to match it. We want to assure you that you can book your Cunard holiday with trust and confidence, enabling you to revel in the excitement of your upcoming voyage.

1 hour ago, Victoria2 said:

Good heavens. Don't let a perceived hiccup on a Gala theme pre influence you on Cunard.

Unfortunately it is more than that. Reading about Champagne being subbed for sparkling. 1 bottle in mini bar, not two. Booked direct with Cunard and found a cheaper price on a 3rd party site but despite Cunard offering UK guests a Price Promise....not available to Aussies. Website not working/ not updated & links not working for Cunard and MyCunard. Just got a feeling in the pit of my stomach and so want it to be the cruise experience we have planned for and expect. 😞

2 hours ago, bluemarble said:

 

Sorry you have been caught up in one of the exceptions to the rule that gala evenings follow one of four themes.

Not sure where they list "exceptions to the rule" but understand what you are saying. Cunard are more than happy to quote T&Cs for any inquiry but are happy to make "exceptions to the rule" wherever they see fit obviously. This does not bode well for our first Cunard experience. 😞

How disappointing. On our first 5 night cruise on Cunard with certain expectations based on extensive researching and as per their own website:

Gala Evenings follow one of four themes – either Black and White, Red and Gold, Masquerade or Roaring 20s. 

Very First World Problem I know but I am the sort of person that expects to get what is published by the company, regardless of situation, in this case Cunard.

Makes me worry about what else won't be as "promised". Just call me "Nervous Nellie" based on previous bad experiences with Azamara & RCCL.

Have just received a response from Facebook....... Thought all Gala Nights had a theme?

2 hours ago, sfred said:

 

Dress codes for our Q408 voyage are in MyCunard, shown under "Your Calendar".  Screen shot pasted below.  Strange that your Q409A isn't showing yet. 

 

. 

Thanks sfred. Hoping it will pop any moment but based on your schedule, have to assume we are getting the Red & Gold theme if the cruise prior that you are on has Black and White, Masquerade & Roaring Twenties. Any Cunard regulars......do they rotate the theme nights in the same order? 

14 hours ago, sfred said:

QE, Feb 20-Mar 05, 2024 (voyage Q408, Sydney-SouthPacific-Sydney)

Feb 21: Black and White

Feb 27: Masquerade

Mar 03: Roaring Twenties

We are on the cruise after you, can I ask how you found out your schedule? Not showing yet in MyCunard for Q409A.

Thanks Bluemarble. Seems quite close for those travelling in January but we are in March so will be enough time to organise, theme dependant. 🙂

Anyone have any info or idea of when Cunard will release the Gala Schedule for 2024 cruises?

That was the one we were booked on. 🙂

Thanks Mic but getting hubby (let alone the 'rents) on to a P&O is NEVER ever going to happen.  Think we will be land lubbers for this event. 🙂

Can be anywhere AU based that we can get to and back from in 2 to 3 days. The big date is Fri 13 (?!?) Dec, 50 years since the big day! Could be a day or 2 either side.

We are Sydney based but the other 6  including the 'rents are all out of Melbourne. Think it is going to end up being a slap up flower drum dinner or a private dining room somewhere. Not very exciting compared but will be lovely I am sure.

Love the suggestion but we literally only have 2 days we can all get away so might be a little too far. That is why this Cunard cruise was so perfect. 😢

Any suggestions most welcome. 🙂

Now that is the $64k question!!!

Not sure how we top 3 penthouses and a Master Suite on QE but the thinking cap is on!

Thanks for all your advice everyone. We have ended up cancelling the entire trip, all 4 cabins. FYI though, the second we cancelled with our agent, we received an email saying we had cleared the cunard waitlist so it does definitely work. 🙂