DCThunder

Rather than start a new thread, I'll ask this question here.  I've booked a standard balcony cabin.  Am I "allowed" to walk through the Queens Grill or other haunts of those booked in the fancy parts of the ship?  Or are there barred doors, a la Titanic to keep the hoi polloi at bay?😉

14 minutes ago, NE John said:

@DCThunder

We love to banter around about dress codes on these Cunard boards so don’t take too much to heart. As mentioned, the best advice is to dress so you don’t feel uncomfortable or out of place. It’s a nice ship and people dress to match the decor. Don’t worry about going all out though; there’s a happy medium. 
I can’t wait to hear about your Amazon trip too. 

There are many topics that are a constant across all of the Cruise Critic message boards.  These include: indoor smoking, chair hogs, tipping/gratuities, and many others.  But one absolute constant topic is proper dress for that particular line. 

Cunard, HAL, Princess, Celebrity, you name the line, there will be long discussions about what's proper and improper to wear on "their" line.  All of this is a long way of saying that I have found the posts on this topic very enlightening and will help guide my packing for Alaska.  I asked the question and got honest answers.  I couldn't have asked for anything more.

10 minutes ago, VMax1700 said:

I don't see any posts from Princess Cruises on that thread.

I guess Princess doesn't contribute.

I never said it did.  The thread is entirely dependent on contributions from passengers sailing on Princess ships and providing information to keep the list up-to-date.  The impression I got earlier in this thread is that HAL had discouraged people from doing the same thing on this board.  Is that a mistaken impression?

1 hour ago, CruiserBruce said:

I think its a bit about privacy. Not telling the world when you aren't home.

This is an interesting rationale given that there's an extensive thread on the Princess board that lists the captain, CD, ED, and DOR on each ship and has been going on since approximately 2012.  I guess Princess doesn't care about the privacy or safety of their senior staff.

Just now, NE John said:

@DCThunder I’ll be on the same voyage as you and we plan to dress up to the code like we’ve done on TA’s and Med trips. Many people go on Cunard to dress up anyway. I agree fully with @D&N that you don’t want to feel underdressed or out of place by skirting the minimums. Cunard does create a nice environment after 6pm. Don’t worry about snobby people because I’ve really never experienced those people often and ignore them anyway.
There is an Ice White theme and Masquerade night during our cruise   Don’t go crazy getting a mask but try to dress up. 
Hopefully you’ll like Cunard so much that you’ll buy a tux now for future trips. Also, I’ve read so much of the decline of the dress code on other lines that pax are coming to Cunard to not feel out of place when they want to dress up. 
I look forward to meeting you onboard and keep track of the Roll Call. 

Thanks @NE John. I appreciate your comments. 

I've been looking at "pre-owned" tuxes and have seen several that would fit the bill without breaking the bank. I also just tried on the jacket of the only dark suit I have and looks like I'd need to go shopping either way as I've bulked up a bit through the shoulders and chest.  I've got a 30 day cruise to the Amazon River upcoming, so I'll be revisiting the tux shopping in mid-March when I get home from that.

I likewise look forward to meeting you aboard QE.

1 minute ago, D&N said:

Can I ask what you would like to wear on gala evenings? I think there are two scheduled on that voyage.

I don't own a tux and I think the last time I wore a dark suit was to a funeral when I lived outside DC.  I've lived in a fairly laid back beach community in North Carolina for the last six years.  I'm not averse to getting dressed up, but a blue blazer and a nice pair of khaki pants is about all that I've needed on other cruises.  It sounds like said blazer and khakis are about what I'd need to wear on a non-formal evening, even in Alaska. 

Somewhere in that picture is a joke about "junk in the trunk", Honky Tonk Badonkadonk, butt implants, and videos of well-endowed ladies in micro-bikinis on yachts on the Miami River, but I'm not sure exactly what that joke is or if it could be told on this board. 🍹

20 minutes ago, D&N said:

The attached photo shows the information always given in the daily programme for a Gala Night.

While there are sometimes reports of a few folk not adhering to the suggested dress code most people do. You won't feel out of place if you follow that guidance. I don't think it's possible to overdress on a Cunard ship.

 

Thanks for sharing this information.  My question was more is Alaska less formal than a TA on QM2 or a Mediterranean cruise given that Alaska is the "Last Frontier" and all that.

I have wanted to try Cunard and got what I think is a good deal on a Queen Elizabeth Alaska cruise for late June 2024.  I've been reading threads on these boards about how guests on Cunard tend to be more dressy than on either HAL or Princess.  Does this extend to the Alaska cruises as well? I want to make sure I pack the right type of clothes for the formal/gala evening.

2 minutes ago, lcdyoung65 said:

Oh, sure, I just meant if couples are changing tables throughout the cruise would it get confusing?  And thanks!  🙂

 

If the couples started changing cabins, that might be a problem unless they had upside down pineapples outside the doors.  😈

7 minutes ago, crystalspin said:

I think you are too late! It takes a couple-three days for the Sheer app to verify your membership... but follow the link that HalJo gave you and good luck!

It is pretty clear that the AARP OBC is only available for new bookings made after you verify that you are an AARP member.  I was also told by a HAL CVP that the AARP agreement dated to July 1, 2023 and so any booking made before then wouldn't be eligible, even if you were able to get them to try to give it to you.

14 minutes ago, Honolulu Blue said:

 I know that Disney prohibits ducks onboard

There's one duck (who doesn't wear pants) that Disney definitely allows on board.  And maybe his nephews and his uncle who swims in a huge pile of golden coins. 🦆 

No it doesn't quite work that way.

If on your 14 day cruise you buy two FCDs, the OBC you would get would be on the new cruise that you book and use the FCD to make the deposit.  There's no impact on the cruise you're on when you purchase the FCDs.

If while on the cruise, you went to the Future Cruise Desk and booked a 7 day Alaska cruise for this summer, nd used the FCDs for the deposit, you'd get the appropriate amount of OBC on the Alaska cruise.

9 minutes ago, arizonaperson said:

I have not booked any EZ Air through cruise line….. I would think a con would be that you would not be able to choose seats( which I like to know if I’m sitting by a window or with my traveling partner, etc. -right when I book )when you book the airfare for an international flight in premium economy or business class, until after the cruise is paid for, but I’m not entirely sure on this. Not sure how much control you have over your reservation, as opposed to booking it through the airline direct? That would be my con. 

You are allowed to select seats if the class of service you book allows it.  Once the booking is made, you get a record locator and can go to the airline website and do all the same things you could if booking directly with the airline.  The only difference is the flight isn't ticketed until 30-45 days before departure and you don't have to pay for the flight until final payment for the cruise. is made.  This is, of course, depending on how far in advance you make the flight booking.

Yes, I got there, but then when I created an account and put in my information for the Zaandam cruise, I got a message from the site: "Can't find schedule for specified parameters".  I was using the Brave browser.  On MS Edge, I couldn't even get that far.

Oh well, I'll be talking to them on the ship about luggage direct.

7 minutes ago, Haljo1935 said:

Here's the HAL link for the program: https://www.maketraveleasier.com/holland/order

I sign up for it on the ship using the form that's sent to the cabin; those are the pictures I posted. Happy to send again if you want them.

There's also a Seattle specific site, but the link didn't post. I'll grab it again and it separately. 

I tried to follow the links in that website and they seem to be very glitchy.

3 hours ago, pmjnh said:

Luggage Direct was not an option on the Oosterdam TA in November. I believe that it is available only on the "regulars" as far as ships coming in and out of FLL...ie Panama Canal, Caribbean sailings, etc.

I'm doing the Amazon River cruise RT from FLL (actually we leave from Miami, but return to Port Everglades) in two weeks on Zaandam.  I hope that we will have the Luggage Direct service for our American flight from FLL.  I don't know if Zaandam counts as a "regular" since it's often out on the wild blue sea.

1 hour ago, ISABELLA said:

All good advices. Not a lot of good/ convenient itineraries from Orlando.

Might have to look into flying to NY and search for flights from NY. 

Thank you all for sharing your thoughts and experiences. And we always get travel insurance.

 

Why don't you check out Miami or Atlanta?  And frankly I'm surprised that there aren't good flights to MCO from European cities.  Don't Euros want to come see The Mouse?

3 hours ago, LACruiser88 said:

When we fly internationally, we have been using EZair to book our Business Class seats.  EZair has been anywhere from 30% to 50% cheaper than any other source, including directly via the airlines.  We have never had any issues with cancellations.  We try to fly non-stop.  If not possible, we will do one connection and always allow for at least 3 hours between flights.  Our "home" airport is LAX, so we usually have many available flights/airlines.  

 

For domestic flights, we always book thru the airline or Amex.  

While I agree with you generally (especially the point about domestic flights) I was trying to find the lowest cost business class seat from Sydney to LAX.  I ended up booking Fiji Airways (with a stop in Fiji) for about 40% less than the best SYD>LAX flight I could find through EZAir.  I also considered flights through Seoul on Asiana or booking on Qantas directly, as all those options were less than EZAir.  When I looked at flights all the way home to Charlotte, the EZAir flights had crazy routings.

Unfortunately, although Charlotte is an American Airlines hub, it doesn't have the same flight options as you have in LAX

I always check the prices offered through EZAir for international flights, but also check the fares posted by the airlines themselves.  Sometimes EZAir has good prices, sometimes not as much. 

You can't use any airline or credit card points to pay for EZAir fights, although you don't have to pay for them until final payment for the cruise.

EZAir routings can sometimes be convoluted with multiple stops.  You also have to be careful with connection times, as they sometimes propose short times to make the next flight.

Oveall, I'm positive on EZAir, but you can find all sorts of horror stories around these boards.  Do your homework before booking anything.

5 minutes ago, clo said:

I never knew that although from the South originally. I'll have to pick some up.

From New Orleans.

Just now, MacMadame said:

I carry a tea bag in my purse. It's for tea emergencies. 🤣

Being from the South, I consume large quantities of iced tea.  Since Earl Grey or English Breakfast make horrible iced tea, I bring Luzianne tea bags with me and make my own.  Hot water, a tea bag, and ice in an insulated cup and it's almost like I'm back home!

37 minutes ago, PescadoAmarillo said:

Princess announced an itinerary change for the WC.

 

https://www.cnn.com/travel/red-sea-tensions-disrupting-cruises/index.html

There's a thread over on the HAL boards about the re-routing of their 2024 WC as well:

 HAL reschedules the GWV to avoid the Red Sea - Holland America Line - Cruise Critic Community

14 hours ago, princeton123211 said:

You most likely have a little less time than you think-- 10 hours will compress a bit when you consider getting off a large plane, immigration formalities on arrival, and the need to check in and go back through security coming back to the airport. Also assuming that things run on time. 

 

The quick answer is yes, there are quite a few airport hotels immediately adjacent to LAX that offer day rates and might be a good idea after a long flight from Australia (assuming you don't have access to an arrivals lounge with a shower at LAX through either status of cabin class). 

 

If you were looking for something a bit upgraded from your standard airport hotel you might consider a day rate at the Ritz-Carlton Marina del Rey which is close to the airport and an easy Uber ride. 

 

If you forgo the day use hotel you could do a number of things-- take an Uber to Santa Monica, Hollywood, or Venice and walk around and get drinks/dinner are the ones that pop into my head. 

 

The bags obviously aren't an issue if you get a day use room. If you don't, and the airline you are continuing on with domestically is codeshare with the airline you are taking from Australia, you might be able to check your bags all the way through at Sydney and not have to worry about them at LAX. If that's not the case then you could bring them with you and check them at a hotel where you end up-- for example you could take an Uber from LAX to the Fairmont in Santa Monica, grab a drink or meal at the Fairmont, and they would be happy to check your bags for you. 

Thanks.  This is very helpful.  I'd thought of Santa Monica or Venice, but the Marina del Rey idea is very intriguing.

We're flying Fiji Airways (in Business) which is a OneWorld partner with American, but I'm not sure we'll be able to check bags all the way through. It would be nice if we could...

Later this year (late November 2024) I have a flight from Sydney to LAX after my cruise ends.  I then have a roughly 10-hour layover at LAX before flying back to the East Coast on a redeye.  Any suggestions as to what I could do for an afternoon and evening without having to rent a car?  Do any of the airport hotels have day rates and are there places to store luggage for the day? 

Thanks for any suggestions in advance!