southwestie

I hav learnt over the years to read these boards over the years and now I do it with great humour:).

I think people should be allowed to post there thought on ships, the food , the buffet, cabins etc, its there cruise, its the ship they wanted to try, its there thoughts, sadly though whenever I look I can the the same old same poeple rushing like children to defend the ship and company, the same old same like children stand up and fight to heilt, in the past this would have caused upset of the highest level something like play ground sulking, so its best in many ways never to run down the Cunard ship or criticise anything then even if it was true.

some of the same old have been on many voyages, we must say voyages and not cruises, some think they have been on a few more than they really have and become the expert on the ships, some can even tell you name of all the rivits in the building, but often the end results is a an almost rude sarcastic snobbery in the answers.

I have sailed on quite a few ships, many cunard, and I like them very much, i like the formality of cunard, there are other ships out and trust be they offer better cabins, better beds, better room service and better food, sadly these other ships glitter in brass and neon and upset the real cunarder, well not all because many of us who take several cruises a year book to go with them.

I have seen many changed since I started with cunard, food is not as good, service is not a good and can vary a lot with some cruises, I have sailed on MSC and RCL and there service beats cunard a lot and im happy to rebook with them again,

so why not allow people to have never cruised, cruised with other line to come and say what they think with the back lash, the words often appear, were you on the same cruise as me, well yes, they were on it, they saw something they didnt like, it maybe wrong in your eyes or just theres, but accept that some people just dont like cunard, some dont like p&p, NCL or RCL.

There was a time when some of the same old same old left and this board was amazing, there return has often brouhght back the bitter back lashing again, thank good not as they were.

lets all enjoy the ships, the ship we are going on or just back from.:)

Now, many wont agree, but I hope some of the new comers to cunard will ,or lord help me its my turn for the lash,

Hi Rob. Being a native New Yorker, I have no experience with tourist buses - I really should try that sometime. I'm not sure what Ho Ho bus you referenced...is it this

 

http://www.newyorkpass.com/En/bus-tour-packages/?aid=8&gclid=COG10KCc1b4CFSOPOgodQGIAow

 

or this http://www.newyorksightseeing.com/

 

Just to confess: I have often taken sailing tours around Manhattan on the Circle Line http://www.circleline42.com/new-york-cruises/home.aspx and many more times on the Staten Island Ferry (which is free of charge) http://www.nyc.gov/html/dot/html/ferrybus/staten-island-ferry.shtml

 

Anyway, there are many ways to see Manhattan, at a cost from free to big bucks- such as a r/t lower Manhatten via the SI Ferry or booking a private limo tour, custom arranged (either through the Tour Office on board or through a local provider).

 

Cheers,

Salacia

 

P.S. There are interesting sights available in Brooklyn, about 10-15 minutes cab from the Cruise Terminal in Red Hook. Such as the Brooklyn Museum, the Brooklyn Heights Promenade, etc.

I was told to try the bus and see just easy it was, this was a normal city bus, we changed for the subway and then took a ho ho bus from times sq, any are good

Why not get off the ship , take a can into the city and pick up the Ho Ho bus from almost anywhere and see everything, or for less money and great fun, walk to the bus stop and take the bus and subway into the city .

Be warned that the roads are all under construction, we got stuck in the traffic for 3 hours back in January and they are still warning people to avoid .

http://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/11172491.Motorway_works____essential_to_growth_of_the_city___/

I have seen it many times, too many, so many say I leave it on and then when they think no one is looking they are at the pursers desk and then you see the paper being signed, :)

its never the newbies, they dont know about tip removal:)

They dont give you comp soft drinks or coffee in the check in lounge any more another cut back, although NYC did have some coffee back in january

Agree, Class, whether it is through manners and behaviour or by the old privileged birthright status and Money don't always match.:D

Thank you,

There are two ticket prices at the staion, make sure you take the 12euro ticket, it will give free bus and metro rides, you make your way through the sites from ST Peters and take the metro back to the main terminus.

trains run twice an hour and take 45 mons too St peters and an hour too return

They were even talking about class on the local radio this morning. It seems to completely escape people that many cruise lines have different eating arrangements according to whether you've purchased a suite or not. Same with flying. And that is not an issue of class as anyone is free to buy whatever accommodation they want.

Spot on

In all my readings and travels, I've never heard of a cruise line where people announce their cabin category. Can you imagine? "Hello, I'm traveling in an inside cabin, you?" "Oh, I'm in a deluxe balcony excuse me while I find someone more appropriate to talk to."

 

The outside perception of Cunard is that it is a class system. I have yet to speak to an actual Cunard cruiser who felt discriminated against traveling Britannia and not the Grills. Most Cunarders are happy just to be traveling.

I am never quite sure what people mean by Class system, on Cunard it not kind of upper, middle or lower class, bpeople from all walks of life book inside, balcony and grill cabins, and trust me, I have met many staying in grills that have no class :eek: and many in isdie who think they have, but only think.

also having sailed on quite a few other lines, I have never yet heard the word "Class" but"Segregation" is often used, and this happens on other lines and do it better, MSC Yacht club is something to wonder at, it knock spots of Cunard grills.:)

So, they earn 40,000 GBP :) That's good. I was referring to the average of 28,000 GBP, as reported in a recent release in the UK media on average salaries. Naturally there will be teachers who reach an excellence level (and therefore earn more money). I believe those at the peak of their profession can earn up to 57,000 GBP. To go higher they need to ascend the ranks of management.

 

I've met a few fellow educators on cruises/voyages in the past - from Australia, England, and America. Obviously they were all above average on the pay scale :) However, I don't go on holiday to 'talk shop' (although people always ask questions).

 

It's always nice to meet people from a range of professions while on board. I find I learn a great deal from the experiences of others. Some people live absolutely fascinating lives. That's why I always ask for a larger table at dinner.

Im with you there, shop, politic or money:eek:

also right about a larger table

With public school teachers being paid six figure salaries now in Western Australia, there is certainly a lot of travelling happening. $90,000 a year salaries on the East coast also helps.

 

Cannot imagine how anyone would want to teach in the US, where salaries are between $25,000 and $40,000 a year (some states don't even pay the summer holiday period)! I even looked up UK salaries not so long ago and saw teachers, on average, earn 28,000 GBP (approx. $56,000) a year.

 

Unfortunately, teachers have to travel during peak periods, often meaning prices are higher. Planes are often filled with students and so are holiday resorts. Cruises in Australian waters are always full of children and teenagers. Even as far as the Caribbean, I encountered a family with teenagers studying their final years of schooling - I even got asked about homework!!! (as they were studying the same as what I was teaching my own classes)

 

I won't complain though. I've travelled extensively and am culturally richer for it. I think it helps me to do my job better (not including the relaxation time after very, very long term time weeks - as you also attest).

 

While I like to get a lower price on my cruise holidays (and airfares - I got quite a reduction during a sale this time by purchasing during the Oct/Nov travel expo season in Australia) I realise that I can't expect prices to get too low otherwise the quality of my Cunard experience would be compromised.

 

Happy to pay thousands rather than hundreds. You generally get what you pay for. If people want rock bottom cruise prices with Cunard then I'd argue they are looking at the wrong cruise line.

I must point out that I know 3 teachers, one my neighbour, plain and simple teacher earns more than double £20,000 pa,

To be honest i think most people would stuggle on such a low wage , let alone teachers

I've learnt that booking later is better as well. My upcoming QE Med cruise was initially priced at $7,500 (single supplement). This went down to $6,129 (when I upgraded myself from deluxe inside to a balcony) and then fell again to $5,300. I was surprised when my TA said Cunard would match my fare with the fallen price.

 

Plus I got $150 onboard credit.

 

Given that I paid a premium last time and have paid a premium for Grills on QM2 I suppose it evens out.

 

No complaints. That said, sometimes not booking early means you don't get what you want. That's always the risk.

 

If you're not fussy you can always book flights and then wait for the cruise price to drop. The biggest thing for me living in Australia is having to secure flights early on to get a good price. So I have to lock the cruise part in reasonably early too.

Its hard if you have to book a date and flight, but you can book just the flights and sates and sit back and wait for the offers, often they drop so low you save by changing the booking anyway even if you lose the deposit,

A piece of string is as long as ever.

 

New price structure, same price slashing as in the Vantage / Getaway days only just departed.

 

And Cunard wants to move upmarket?

 

David.

Cunard are always doing this, we never booked early anymore, just wait to see nearer the time , the price just drops too silly money in the end, I dont think those high end days will ever come back, other lines are much better at it:) but those who think it can still dream

We would be grateful if you would spare up to 40 minutes of your time to complete the survey attached to the link in this email.

 

I'm not sure how anyone could have done it in 15 minutes. Are you sure you got to the end? There were dozens of pages to fill in with multiple choices. Sometimes it took me a while to decide my preferences.

Took no more than 20 minuites Max, so 15/20 minuites, and yes got through too the end, im entered into the draw so must have finished it :)

does look like they maybe doing voyages from Liverpool

Each voyage has a life of its own. For me some worse , some better

But to be a critic , one should be analytical

And tell the good and the bad. That's how things improve

I agree with you, :)

Maybe it changes now and then,

I think you have misunderstood the gist of the thread Classiccruiser. I was answering regarding a survey that is being offered by Cunard in the United Kingdom and I was stating that I would be interested in participating if offered to me. For instance, a question may be if I would be interested in more voyages from Liverpool or New York. I would willingly answer these questions, but realise that they might be too complex and time consuming for some. I don't rely on Cunard reading C.C. message boards to get my points across, I, like yourself, would prefer to ask in person or mail or survey.

 

I have no complaints about Cunard, in fact I wonder how they manage to deliver such a wonderful service at the price.

They do read all the messages on here, they never reply to them unlike some shipping lines, but they read them, all of them:)

I'm glad you said that. I kept quiet because I was beginning to think I'd left a whole raft of questions out.

I did as well, it was faster than I thought and then it was over with, didnt really want to know much, the first one was better, re loyalty, packages, free drinks, less parties etc, be interesting to see what comes out of that one

I did it out of interest, I dont think it took more than 15 minutes, I also had the other one as well, re the new loyalty incentives and think they are coming up with some better ideas on that front, at last

There is not a lot there to see, when you dock, walk into the town and you find a few (old) shuttle buses that take you too Olympia for around 10Euros return.

The small town is fine to walk and so is the site as well, dont miss it, its amazing and flat as well, easy to walk,

try the lenon drinks in the town as well, , I think the buses stay around 2 hours,

My Flight is at 2pm - ship gets in at 10am. What is the earliest first tags off ? or should i choose walk off ?

we just disembarked at Genoa and it was easy, the ship started to disembark very early, however we had to wait for the bags to come off.

I would self disembark, take my own bags, get off at 10.15 and head for the airport

Yes you will be, they add 15% to everything, they did reduce it purchase by 15% though, but you will gain by ordering in advance

I ordered 2 tours and 2 drink packages a long time before I paid the balance, the tpurs and packages were paid for on the ship

Glad to hear it, i booked the same! Are different types of coffee, like cappuccino and espresso included or just regular coffee? Thanks in advance!

PS

dont have regular coffee , if your anywhere on the ship they will bring you the real stuff and it was amazing