Winifred 22

4 hours ago, david,Mississauga said:

This subject comes up from time to time and the same suggestions appear.  No matter what changes Cunard makes to the club it will cause many people to be annoyed - to put it politely. 

 

It took us a long time to reach Diamond. There was no club on our first few voyages which started in 1973.  I don't remember when (mid-1980s perhaps?) the first version of the World Club was introduced. I vaguely recall points were earned and they could be applied to future fares.

 

Unfortunately we had a gap of about 18 years in our out-of-country travels and resumed Cunard crossings in 2008.  Because  there was a new club by then we were shown as first-timers.  I was able to prove our earlier trips and the  California office assured me we would be Gold level members.  On boarding the QE2 we were still shown as first-timers, but the lovely Yo-yo very quickly straightened everything out on her computer.  

I do like Yo Yo she is very competent. 

How lovely . I spent my childhood and  most of my working life in Salisbury and as a child used to go to Stonehenge for a car ride on a Sunday.  In those days you could sit and climb all over the stones. 

26 minutes ago, HopefulCruiser123 said:

It’s booked.  I won’t cancel because it is also our ride home.  My biggest complaint is that they continue to advertise it.  Website maintenance is not that expensive.  In fact, I could only find one specialty restaurant on the website this morning and I could have sworn there were others when we booked.  Something called Bamboo something or other and I think an Indian themed restaurant ( not positive about that one).  Either way, they have been removed so Cunard DOES have the ability to update their website.

The other restaurants are just pop ups that take over an area of the buffet in the evening. They vary which theme is offered depending where the ship is sailing. There is only one proper speciality restaurant on board. I presume you book onboard when you know the theme. I have never been as the food is never to my liking. Hopefully the Planetarium will be fixed by your crossing next year. 

I suppose it would depend on capacity too. It would be unfair if an event is oversubscribed and there were less places available as non eligible folk had taken them.

14 minutes ago, exlondoner said:

Cheaper laundry service is always nice. 15 items for  $41 on our last cruise.

I am really funny about laundry. However cheap it is I have to do it myself at home with my own machine. I won’t let anyone touch my washing. 

42 minutes ago, david63 said:

To be quite honest there is very little in the CWC that is of that much benefit - a few $$$ of wifi, 20% off laundry, a few "free" drinks. All of which is trivial when compared to the cost of a cruise.

 

There is nothing in CWC that would make me desperately want to achieve a higher level unlike P&O's Peninsular Club where there are some significant advantages such as 10% on all (a couple of exceptions) purchases onboard, 5% discount off cruise prices.

 

It would make a lot more sense if Carnival had a unified loyalty scheme that was applicable across all brands.

I think 135$ off WiFi which I would have bought anyway is worth having plus I enjoy the meal at  the Verandah. I don’t bother with the WC parties as they are not my thing. 

18 minutes ago, napria said:

Thanks for all the replies.

 

Does anyone actually wear their pin? As I said, I collect pins, but don’t usually wear them.  However if there’s a time or place that others do, I would too.

I have seen people wear them on formal nights.

1 hour ago, Poppy6879 said:

Sorry if this is in the incorrect forum!

I am booked on a 14 night Mediterranean cruise, with P&O later this year.

I assumed cruise travel insurance covered missed port cover, but just realised, this is an optional extra.

Is missed port cover worth it?

I noticed the extra cover also covers missed excursions, which we haven't booked any...

I am insured with Staysure. Cover is £104 for two of us.

And an optional £35 for the extra cover - I assume this is for both of us?

 

I would gamble and pay for missed ports as others have said it can be worth it. I had £150 back at Christmas so that covered the annual fee and paid for my onboard account for that cruise. 

5 minutes ago, S1971 said:

 

I guess you are one of the fortunate ones that never has any difficulty or problems with Cunard, but clearly some do as @Megabear2has pointed out with this thread.

 

Whilst my preferred method of booking is irrelevant, I don't book whilst onboard as I don't feel the need to "loiter" around a sales desk in the hope of being seen, my bookings are done via a trusted and respected cruise agent.

 

I know what's coming next, but regardless of that these are my opinions only and if they are not to your satisfaction you are welcome to put me on your ignore list.

Does your trusted and respected travel agent give you  the same discounts and benefits that booking on board does ? If so you are very  lucky. For me the extra benefits , far out way the minimum effort  and time it takes to get an appointment. 

It’s no different to when other advertised features are closed. I have travelled on various different Queens and for some of the time the pools, hot tubs are closed for a variety of reasons usually health and safety. They are advertised in the brochures and on line.  Annoying yes but these things happen and is part and parcel of cruising.  If the Planetarium is going to be an important element of your crossing it may be better to defer until confirmation from regulars on here  that it is back working again. I see you are booked for June 2025 so it may well be repaired by then. 

2 hours ago, S1971 said:

 

But the point is, several attempts were made to get an appointment, but to no avail.

 

The process of booking onboard should be an easy one, not a frustrating one.

 

I have never found it difficult, there are plenty of other ways to make an appointment eg, The Purser’s desk can book them or you can loiter around loyalty sales and ask for an appointment in person for a later date. Which is your preferred method ? and what direct experience can you share that  would be helpful for  folk trying to make future bookings. 

11 minutes ago, MylesS said:

After lunch I went to a casino lesson, and while I have a basic knowledge of casino games it was interesting and fun to partake - if only I could have cashed out my $175 "winnings" 🤣 I did a few table games while the low limits were on offer before we went to the 4pm show.

We really enjoyed the production show! We missed it during the maiden voyage so we were excited to see it on this cruise again, and it didn't disappoint - great acting, performing, and talent from all involved, including the technical side of things.

Dinner this evening was in the Britannia Restaurant, Deck 3 Open Dining. Great service, really good food as well. Such an improvement from the maiden voyage, and I made sure to communicate how good everything was with the correct people. I'm sure they're hearing a lot of complaints recently, so I hope some good news will balance things out.

Given we did the 4pm show, we decided to see Noir again. The cast actually recognised us and we had a quick chat, and they asked if we'd like to partake again (we did a lot during our first viewing) - however our request to remain as just viewers was kindly accepted, as we wanted to see everyone have a chance.

Back to the cabin now and I'm so happy to see that the Formula 1 Grand Prix will be hosted in the Pavilion tomorrow. Honestly something so simple has made my cruise! Can't wait to sit in the nice weather with a drink and F1 on the big screen.

We're in Vigo tomorrow and have a tour booked, so I may have a smaller/less frequent updates.

So pleased you can see tangible improvements already. Sounds amazing Formula 1 on the big screen. 

The other thing to bear in mind if you are not travelling on your own, everyone in the cabin has to have the same package. 

6 minutes ago, Minnie29 said:

Does this apply to the hot drinks package as well? 

Yes it applies to all packages 

10 minutes ago, HopefulCruiser123 said:

We booked our cruise in November of last year, set to sail in June of 2025.  One of the things that we got really excited about was Illuminations. It was described on the Cunard website as such:

Wherever on earth our flagship Queen Mary 2 carries you, set off on an adventure through the stars.

You know you’re on a special ship indeed when you can settle into your comfortable seat in the largest planetarium at sea on Queen Mary 2. More than this, Illuminations is a luxury 3D cinema and a classical music venue. The planetarium dome can send you on an epic voyage across the solar system, teach you to navigate by the stars, or show other science and natural history films, with up to four screenings on each sea day. With the dome retracted, Illuminations hosts 3D films and stunning concerts and recitals.

  This advertisement is still on their website as of today.   

 

Since booking I have read review after review that details that illuminations no longer works, and that in fact, it hasn't worked for a number of years.  And now it is used as a room for lectures.   The website also says this wonderful feature is included in our Cruise Fare.  How long can Cunard continue to advertise this feature and yet not deliver?  When does it become false advertising, or fraud (since they knowingly continue to advertise this feature when they know it is broken and that there is no way they can deliver on the promise)  or since they are registered in Bermuda, are they not governed by these same rules? (is Bermuda a lawless place?) 

 

I am sure we will enjoy our cruise, but this is just so disappointing.  And it doesn't bode well for good faith transactions going forward. 

 

Thoughts?

It was working last  November as I went to a showing and there was also new seats so not sure where the idea it was not working for years comes from. Also it was in use in the summer. 

40 minutes ago, S1971 said:

 

Well if that's what Cunard thinks of their customers, then I'd walk away.

Their argument could be you had 14 days to book an appointment so why make concessions.  I wonder many serious Cunard customers would walk away ? Not many. If there is something I definitely want to book I make sure I get an appointment and that is without playing the Priority card and getting a priority booking slot. 

25 minutes ago, Victoria2 said:

We haven't had a survey for years and anything relevant to say has been made to appropriate departments either on board or once at home.

I'm not sure how many Cunard cruises you have taken, but our holidays do not rest on trivial extras such as passenger surveys.

I'm sure I'm not alone here.

I have never received one and don’t have any real feedback that I could usefully put in one. Sure service was slower and on QM2 but I still got to see the shows and enjoyed my meals from a table set up that suited me. I am sure the waiters were new and everyone has to start somewhere. 

33 minutes ago, kruzseeka said:

Interesting analysis here on the position of P&O Australia and rationale for Carnival's decision.  As others have said, this isn't mirrored by P&O UK (I hope!)

 

https://www.theguardian.com/business/article/2024/jun/08/p-o-cruises-closing-down-comment

Interesting thank you for sharing. Also ties in with Cunard moving QE away from Australia/ New Zealand to the Caribbean and Alaska. 

7 minutes ago, MylesS said:

Thought I'd create this thread to take over from the QA British Isles cruise. (I wonder if we can have a thread for each cruise of her maiden season? 😉)

Our car hire will pick us up in an hour to hopefully have us arrive at the cruise terminal at around midday for embarkation.

Really excited for this trip, much more than the maiden voyage I think! My thoughts on the ship a month ago was she'll be great for the warm weather, which I'd imagine we'll be getting for the next 16 days.. even here in London, it's a lovely sunny morning.

Tours already pre-purchased as well as the drinks package. So it will be the WiFi and Thermal Spa and then hopefully spending little more from there 😂 (of course excluding tips, etc.)

Have a great cruise I am doing this itinerary in late July so will be very interested to read your  reports. 

12 hours ago, Flo71 said:

Thank you we have booked 6083 I'm an early riser so the noise won't bother me, hubby will either have to sleep through it or become an early riser 🙂

Think you will enjoy it. 

2 hours ago, Jonem2001 said:

I can only assume some technical problem with the freight lifts - it wouldn’t be any sane person’s way of doing things. 
 

Whether they’ve managed to get the issue fixed (possibly needing a technical specialist to fly in) since embarkation, I wouldn’t like to guess… time will tell. I have my fingers crossed for you all.

They routinely use the passenger lifts I doubt there is any technical problems. I have seen them use the lifts on all Queens. They have specially fitted padding they put on the walls of  the lifts to protect the inside from damage. 

1 hour ago, Megabear2 said:

This doesn't look like anything I've seen on any of the other Cunard ships. Even though it's early there are 10's of cases being moved to the landing on my floor and cages are stacked against the wall.

Was like that on QM2 last week. I have always seen them use the passenger lifts. They have special padding that they use to protect the insides of the lifts so doesn’t suggest it’s temporary. 

Never heard of it. My guess it’s fake. 

12 minutes ago, Megabear2 said:

I don't think hard sell comes into it though, as assumedly you book the appointment knowing you are wanting to buy.  I cannot see many "window shopping" wasting time on their holiday.

 

I have not always booked, sometimes  I or my daughters just see what prices and cabins are about and then  we may book or we may not. We may come back later or not. I don’t feel it’s a waste of my time. 

. 

16 minutes ago, King Amo said:

I would have thought those on board would be on a very healthy commission too, so they would be incentivised to get as many guests seen and 'banked' for themselves over any other agent. 

I wouldn’t think they are on commission I have never experienced a hard  sell.