Winifred 22

5 hours ago, FiftyOnePlus said:

You get the same space. You're just not sharing it with anyone.
The bed is still there.
 

I always have beds configured as singles as use the spare one to keep stuff on that I would have otherwise put on sofa or the side. Couldn’t do that if I was sharing. Like wise all the cupboard and wardrobe space is all for me. Totally agree with FangledRose. 

1 hour ago, sucramdi said:

Is beef wellington still part of the menu rotation in Britannia for gala nights? 

Yes it was in July. 

Just now, buchanan101 said:

Are they still only doing one show in Bright Lights all week?

 

Can't remember what the one we saw was called... was pretty good though

We had 2 both repeated the 2nd week 

3 minutes ago, Megabear2 said:

Dozens of them on QA in May, especially for the Liverpool fireworks.

I didn’t have one in my cabin on QA in July or see any about but just as well as it was very hot for the whole two weeks. I expect they store them and bring out depending on itinerary. 

1 minute ago, Winifred 22 said:

Britannia late sitting 

3 minutes ago, RK-NC said:

 

Grills or Britannia? We've been on board for 26 days and have had no cheese rolls.

Britannia late sitting 

I had the most amazing cheese rolls on QM2 last week. Never had them before across any of the fleet. Had to have two. Soft and cheesy. 

5 hours ago, Megabear2 said:

Success ... but not on the telephone!  Overnight I emailed as suggested and rather cheekily copied in my P&O contact.  Around 12.30pm a young lady called to deal with the issue so it's all been dealt with.  Said young lady is training, started work in August and on her final week of training.  She was most helpful and sorted out my options.  So not a total cancellation at this stage.

 

The calculations were based on the base fare, minus the premium economy and drinks package.  It will of course be cancellation if we don't go ahead but we are now in Britannia Aft cabin D736 (in the rainy season!) departing 29 November next year.  Had a look at a large number of cruises but the prices were too low for the transfer, this one just squeezed in by £10pp on the base price.  This one also has a different itinerary, part of the reason we wanted to cancel this year was the repetitiveness.  

 

Interestingly I asked for Premium Economy and I'm told it will be Heathrow.  It was also £499 each compared to Gatwick at an extra £100pp.  Will be interesting to see what occurs.  Finally we have £740 OBC, apparently some offer at present.  Removing the "bargain free" drinks package saved us £900 and we were allowed to keep the £500 FCC from January's ill fated cruise.

 

So technically not goodbye P&O yet, I just need to get more enthusiasm and the different itinerary helped.

Glad you got it sorted in the end 

4 hours ago, buchanan101 said:

Yes - and you'll have some in your cabin (assuming you have a balcony)

I have never had any in a non grills cabin unless I asked for them 

25 minutes ago, Megabear2 said:

I tried that and it rang and I held gor 1 hrs 50 mins and it cut me off!

Oh no and it’s gone 8 now.

21 minutes ago, RK-NC said:

It is my opinion that a true working service dog would not need to be carried by the human it is working and serving. We spoke with the Administrative Manager of QM2 today and were told that it was our responsibility to avoid the dog. We have decided to stay in our stateroom as much as possible for the rest of the voyage. 

I too have never heard of of seen true working dogs needed to be carried. Doesn’t seem a satisfactory response at all. They must have  got on in Southampton as I didn’t notice them last week myself. There was a working dog onboard QA in the summer and there used to be a note in the Daily Programme every day reminding people not to distract him. Saw them a couple of times round  the ship and he always had a jacket on. 

50 minutes ago, Megabear2 said:

Which option did you choose please? I've been trying since 9.00am and just keep getting the since we are too busy message and cut off.  I've just tried again - my phone tells me I've called the number 32 times today! I get through but all options bar book a new cruise give this message and I held gor 1 hour 50 minutes on new booking before giving up.

1 hour ago, Megabear2 said:

Which option did you choose please? I've been trying since 9.00am and just keep getting the since we are too busy message and cut off.  I've just tried again - my phone tells me I've called the number 32 times today! I get through but all options bar book a new cruise give this message and I held gor 1 hour 50 minutes on new booking before giving up.

I rang and pressed 2 but I have just tried and like you told to try again later. How frustrating. Have you tried pressing 1. If you are trying to move it wouldn’t it class as a new booking  ? 

They are open until 8 today. I got through today around 2 in 15 mins and got called back when we were cut off. Wasn’t a new booking either. 

3 hours ago, spikemom said:

We are booked on a QM transatlantic cruise in December and I just received an offer to bid on an upgrade. We are booked in Princess and I am offered four versions of Queens Grille ranging from basic (LOL)  Queens up to Grand Duplex suite, which has a minimum offer of $3410. per person.  My financial caution is exceeded only by my inability to climb the stairs in the two duplex suites on offer.  However, I am considering bidding on the Queens Grille suite. What experiences have others have in bidding? The bids start at $395 and go to $855 per person. What do I have to bid to get the upgrade, without bidding too much? Any insight would be most appreciated.

First thing you need to do is contact your TA or Cunard and find out how much it would cost you to upgrade to the suites you are interested in. That will give you an idea if it’s worth it. If it’s more than the minimum bid you need to decide how much you want to spend above the minimum to secure a possible change. Only you know what’s a good deal for you . But do check first as there have been examples of bids being more than an original booking quote. Your quote from Cunard TA will be the applicable price at the time of booking in U K anyway. 

I for one am happy to accept the post pandemic offerings. Very little in life is the same or better.I have lost count of the food items that are subject to shrinkflation. Latest was butter sold in 200g pack instead of 250g. I would rather cruise with the product on offer than not. 

Currently on QM2 and have enjoyed meals in Britannia. A couple of new menu choices too. Found the entertainment enjoyable.i have several further cruises booked and looking with  anticipation at some 2027 options. I see no reason not to sail with her again. All buffer stations seemed to be open as I passed through and judging how busy it was there were plenty of folk choosing to eat there. My personal preference is The Golden Lion or Britannia. 

1 minute ago, NowVoyager2 said:

As far as reasoning behind business plans & the cause of cutbacks onboard - after covid Cunard / Carnivore Corp could of restarted the QM2 and queen Victoria at full staffing levels w a good quality experience all around.  The Queen Anne would be launched w a full staff and  quality onboard experience.  And finally Queen Elizabeth restart when capital & cash on hand would ensure the same quality.

 

But instead  the corporate decision was made  to make cutbacks all around  & deliver a less than promoted levels of food & service( including onboard maintenance).

remember these corporations are held to stock holders expectations / demand of higher earnings.

I always say look at the balance sheet & bonuses of these corporations & that is what tells the true story of a Corporation.

 

One recent example is the BOEING CORPORATION.  It just hired a new CEO at $30,000,000 a year while the union workers haven't had a raise since 2014!!!

1 minute ago, NowVoyager2 said:

As far as reasoning behind business plans & the cause of cutbacks onboard - after covid Cunard / Carnivore Corp could of restarted the QM2 and queen Victoria at full staffing levels w a good quality experience all around.  The Queen Anne would be launched w a full staff and  quality onboard experience.  And finally Queen Elizabeth restart when capital & cash on hand would ensure the same quality.

 

But instead  the corporate decision was made  to make cutbacks all around  & deliver a less than promoted levels of food & service( including onboard maintenance).

remember these corporations are held to stock holders expectations / demand of higher earnings.

I always say look at the balance sheet & bonuses of these corporations & that is what tells the true story of a Corporation.

 

One recent example is the BOEING CORPORATION.  It just hired a new CEO at $30,000,000 a year while the union workers haven't had a raise since 2014!!!

As has been frequently mentioned there was not enough crew available. Many had left the industry for good as like

many in other businesses when they shut down. It takes a long time for a crew member to become

compliant before they can set foot onboard.

you can’t just magic up crew across all grades. It just doesn’t work like that and rather naive to think otherwise. The balance sheet needs to be healthy to pay down the enormous debt that accrued and hats off to Carnival for the inroads they are making in reducing it.

15 minutes ago, chengkp75 said:

I'll just throw this out.  The maximum hours per day, and per week that a crew member can work is mandated by international convention to 14 hours/day of work or 91 hours/week (so actually limited to 13 hours, average, per day due to the week limitation).  Hours of the day that are not allowable work hours are considered "mandated rest periods".  Crew who are required to work during their mandated rest periods, must be given a "compensatory" rest period the next day.  So if a crew member works 15 hours one day, they must be given 1 or 2 hours extra time off the next day.

 

This is all tracked and recorded for each crew member, and these records are reviewed by port state officials, like the USCG, UK MCA, or Dutch Maritime Authority, when they inspect the ships in their ports, and non-compliance (working crew too much) can result in fines or detention of the ship.  About 6 years ago, Brazil (not noted for their worker safety culture) detained a cruise ship for a couple days while investigating these work/rest hour violations.

Spot on. 

34 minutes ago, MylesS said:

She's still looking very clean considering she's been in service for nearly 6 months!

What no rust. Shocking !! 

2 hours ago, PORT ROYAL said:

Yes, I know… my bad… sorry…. Red Lion is my excellent local (Margatetting) where food is exceptional for a “pub”.

Funny. There is a hotel/restaurant near where I live called the Red Lion but sadly trades on its past glories. It the food currently offered was a patch on the Golden Lion, Queen’s room afternoon tea or Britannia for big events I would be more than happy. 

Two absolutely take my eye QV Tangier and QM including Dakar. Definitely ones to watch out for when bookings open. Some great short breaks too which I love.

19 minutes ago, ernnnn said:

I find that so surprising because I have sailed with Holland America Line, Celebrity, Princess and MSC, and none of them had problems with that attire during non formal nights. And yes, there are venues with formal dress codes in Spain, but, if not necessary, I try to avoid them 😂.

Why is it surprising? Cunard is not HAL, Celebrity, Princess or MSC and has its own dress code. Sounds like this may not be the line for you. MSC and Celebrity are not even part of Carnival Corp whereas even though Cunard HAL and Princess are,

each brand  retains its own identity and in Cunard’s case that is a more formal, less casual dress code around the ship

particularly in the evening after 6.

Definitely no requirement to zero out with UK immigration. Not sure how the cabin switch will work but others on here will

be more informative. You will need to sort out your new cruise card and your previous account will be settled. Bonus if you have any loyalty internet allowance, it will

be re-set. 

8 hours ago, ernnnn said:

Is it also complimentary?

Golden Lion is included therefore at no extra charge.( Queen Anne only has some extra charge items on the menu.)

8 hours ago, PORT ROYAL said:

@D&N gave excellent advice, but treat the suggested dress code as a minimum requirement, and go big.  Others do…..  Embrace the Cunard dress code to be part of the Cunard ambience experience.

 

With regard to children.  There will be some, but only on a few occasions have they appeared to be feral.  But, heard that Cunard “spoke” with the parents, with a polite offer of disembarkation.  Solved.
Adults can often appear more feral than children.

 

There are two more complimentary dining options… The Red Lion Pub and stateroom service.  Both options are good.

 

Cunard in the Med., and weather dependent, can offer Alfresco dining on the stern open deck, for a small nominal fee.  
 

Also, there is the Lido Alternative, this attracts a small cover charge for dinner.  Then there is the Verandah to consider for both Lunch and Dinner, for which there is a charge.

Pub is called Golden Lion. 

11 minutes ago, ernnnn said:

So, you mean I cannot wear juans and a polo shirt any night (not formal) at the Main Dining Room? Really? 😳

No as D and N explained. Cunard has a stricter dress code than many other lines so may not be to everyone’s liking. Other included options would be the Golden Lion for lunch.