S1971

16 minutes ago, Selbourne said:

Sunday has probably been our most enjoyable day so far. We had pre-booked tickets for Titanic Belfast at 11am and as the shuttle bus went to the city centre I assumed that we’d need a cab, but even that’s a struggle for my wife as most of them are minibus types (which she can’t pull herself up into) or cars (which have the opposite issue of being low down). Anyway, partly by doing some iPad research and also phoning Titanic Belfast this morning (who were very helpful) I decided on a plan B.

 

Just as in Orkney, we were able to get the regular shuttle as there was a drop down ramp and space for a wheelchair user on all the buses. This is so much easier than the wheelchair accessible mini buses, much as we appreciate the provision of those when no other option exists. 

 

Having alighted opposite the town hall, I pushed my wife down Royal Avenue, along the High Street, past the tilting Albert Clock, across the river via a pedestrian bridge and along the waterfront to Titanic Belfast. Some cobbled stretches aside, it was very easy with dropped kerbs everywhere. We really enjoyed our visit to Titanic Belfast. We probably slightly prefer the Titanic museum in Cherbourg, which includes artefacts from the ship and includes the beautiful art deco booking and luggage halls, whereas the Belfast version, aside from a deckchair (one of 6 remaining), was more about the construction and shipbuilding in Belfast. It was still well worth it though and included a 6 minute ride which even had a wheelchair accessible car. All the staff were brilliant. Welcoming and helpful, as were the shuttle bus organisers and drivers. 

 

Back on the ship we tried the deck grill and gelato bar for the first time for a late lunch. 10/10 for both. Just about to leave Belfast now but another enjoyable day. 
 

P.S. Walked on and off the ship with absolutely no issues today 👍

Sounds like another really enjoyable day in Belfast, I'd imagine it was nice for your wife to get off the ship for a while also.

Thanks to both yourself and MB2 for your daily postings, both really enjoyable.

After the disappointment of the last couple is days, I'm really glad you've had an enjoyable day in Greenock, may it continue for the rest of the cruise.

Understandably there will be a period of transition with more experienced members of staff being transferred to QA.

But given more recent reviews and comments on these boards, Cunard do really need to get their act together, obviously QA's launch is highly important, but it shouldn't be to the detriment of the other ships in the fleet, more especially given some some of the other cutbacks mentioned in the opening post.

6 minutes ago, D&N said:

But they are both wearing patterned button down collar shirts with creasing that suggests they have been badly packed

You can't expect to much, they are only 4th Class after all 😄

27 minutes ago, Selbourne said:

I shall add the fact that we haven’t been provided with the advertised itinerary to my list of things to discuss with the Customer Service Manager, if he ever gets back to me (I’ve requested a meeting but heard nothing yet). 
 

Some aspects of the cruise have been excellent. We have really enjoyed Britannia Club dining and some of the entertainment has been excellent (Brief Encounter, Noir, Midge Ure, Frank Bruno etc) but I feel that we have been taken for fools over the whole ‘scenic cruising’ for 2 days which has just not been delivered and this has added to the disappointment with our accessible cabin. 
 

There is a chance that we may cancel our only other future Cunard cruise (also on Queen Anne) because of these issues, so FCC will be of no use. 

It's such a shame these negatives have impacted on your cruise Selbourne, glad to hear somethings have been good though.

Given the accessibility issues you and your wife have encouraged and without any assurances things are going to be improved, I guess cancelling your future cruise is probably the best option.

Not having to use these facilities myself, is there an option to transfer to another of Cunards ships, or are they pretty much the same fleet wide?

6 hours ago, Selbourne said:

Maybe I’m naive, but I expected better from Cunard. 
 

Not naive at all, they are simply not delivering the itinerary advertised, which must be bitterly disappointing.

4 minutes ago, Megabear2 said:

The horse I have shares in didn't do much better, finishing 8th in the 2.35pm.  

Never mind, better luck next time as they say.

At least you couldn't get a bet on, so a small saving I guess.

3 minutes ago, Megabear2 said:

Thank you.  No its tennis, I've been in here since about 3.45pm hoping it might come on.  How did the King's horse do?

If it was Treasure it only had one behind it, so not so good!!!

1 minute ago, Selbourne said:

Just concluded. Took well over half an  hour. 

That's good news, hopefully all will be ok.

11 minutes ago, Megabear2 said:

And more announcements from the Captain about staying indoors and no filming.  What on earth is wrong with people who can't follow a simple instruction.

Couldn't agree more, people should think about how fortunate they are not to be in this position and enjoy it rather than rubber necking at other peoples misfortune.

Let's hope they get them off soon so they can get the medical help they obviously need.

4 minutes ago, Selbourne said:

The Captain has issued a ship wide instruction, including in cabins, that those of us in balcony cabins must remain inside with the doors closed. So our neighbours are ….. yep, on their balcony 🙄

No doubt they are not the only ones 😡

Thoughts and prayers to those involved.

5 minutes ago, Megabear2 said:

Totally agree, and many get honours for nothing more than making money.  

 

The standing room only seems to indicate a great many do think highly of the man and as you say their choice.

Precisely.

26 minutes ago, mrbluesea said:

Not too sure everyone would agree with the plaudits to our Frank.

No one has to agree, it's personal choice. 

I've met him at a charity event, a delightful person who's raised lots for different charities.

There are a lot more out there with Knighhoods and the like who've done a lot worse than him.

42 minutes ago, exlondoner said:

What has it to do with the King?

The intention was to add a bit of humour.

3 minutes ago, Megabear2 said:

He does have an MBE and I would have thought that his mental health work is more than enough to qualify for proper recognition. Any tax problems were very many years ago, cleared and a major part of his complete mental breakdown - unlike the aforementioned Ken Dodd he did not go to court or get charged by HMRC.

 

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/minister-visits-frank-bruno-foundation-mental-health-initiative

One of sports true gentlemen, 100% agree a knighthood is long overdue.

Hopefully the King reads these boards 😁

11 minutes ago, Selbourne said:

Thank you. I will ask if he is still onboard. 
 

I raised these issues at the Pursers Desk on the day we embarked when asking for a raised toilet seat, and also twice with our deck manager when he called to follow up our concerns. However, I have no confidence whatsoever that anything will be done about them, so will try this route. 

I have every confidence that you will bring this up in the most courteous of ways, however sometimes a more stern approach is necessary given the serious implications that could potentially happen, not only to your wife but to your own health.

You probably will have already, but if I may, please photograph and video all your areas of concern and get the names of all those you've spoken too, even the other passengers who've been affected, keeping evidence is essential.

Hope you get to resolve this soon and please do keep us informed of your progress.

In the meantime take care and enjoy.

5 hours ago, Selbourne said:

Yes, a week in to the cruise and we are still quite shocked about this and in fact have just been discussing this very subject with another wheelchair user. 
 

We really like the ship (other than the truly awful Promenade deck - see below) but our supposedly accessible cabin has proved to be a major challenge for my wife, so much so that we are going to have to think very carefully whether we go ahead with our second QA cruise in November or cancel.
 

I am now in discomfort myself from having to lift my wife, due to the fact that there are only grab rails on one side of both our toilet and shower seat, which is inexcusable. We looked at an accessible bathroom on one of the public decks and it was the same, so my wife couldn’t have used that either without me lifting her. My wife can only access the cabin and the balcony if I am with her, due to there being no automation on any of the doors

 

The poor and easy to miss signage in the theatre has been moved from in front of the wheelchair companion seats and placed on the seat backs, where they are even more impossible to see. Consequently these seats are still being taken by those who shouldn’t be using them, meaning that we have to turn up half an hour early to be able to sit next to each other. 
 

The Britannia Club dining experience has been excellent and has been our saving grace, which is just as well as the poor accessibility aspects have resulted in this being far from a relaxing holiday for us. 

Good morning Selbourne.

It is really disappointing to hear that the engineers of such a modern ship didn't have the foresight to install essential and basic disability aids such as grab rails where needed.

This should be a relatively easy fix, hopefully your feedback along with others will be taken seriously and the problem will be resolved soon and before your next trip.

I hope your discomfort improves soon and enjoy the remainder of your cruise.

39 minutes ago, renji said:

I would do the $300 tab in a heartbeat

Me too, it totally eliminates the needless expense of two drink packages and makes perfect sense, it also gives one freedom of choice, unlike the Cunard one which limits the choice by price.

42 minutes ago, Winifred 22 said:

I don’t believe Virgin offer drinks

packages . You can purchase a bar tab as individuals.

 

What's the benefit of purchasing Bar Tab?
It pays to pre-pay! Boost your experience with a pre-purchased $100, $200, or $300 Bar Tab and score bonus onboard credit for extra rounds on us throughout your voyage. So feel free to order that extra drink - and don't be afraid to Shake for Champagne.
 

$100 Bar Tab: an extra $10 to spend and a total of $110 in drinks to share
$200 Bar Tab: an extra $25 to spend and a total of $225 in drinks to share
$300 Bar Tab: an extra $50 to spend and a total of $350 in drinks to share

By purchasing this you can buy drinks for anyone.

Makes a lot more sense than having to buy two packages and more Cost effective.

2 minutes ago, Selbourne said:

Thanks for clarifying. I still think they should only charge the additional cost above the price cap though.

Yet another irritant is both occupants having to buy the package, which is an issue when one barely drinks any alcohol!

Yes, you'd think by now you could have one drink package per cabin, once the limit is reached then normal purchases apply.

In all honesty they'd probably sell more packages that way, I believe Virgin Voyages do something similar.

19 minutes ago, Selbourne said:

I’ve never understood why you can’t order what you like and just pay the additional cost over and above any price cap. To make people pay the full price (as I believe happens) seems outrageous to me, and results in either restricted choice or effectively paying twice. 

Totally agree, charge the difference fair enough, but the full price less 20% as @david63 stated is very underhand, more especially if your normal drink is unavailable.

1 minute ago, Megabear2 said:

The wine choice is very poor, but I knew that when purchasing.  I'm no wine connoisseur so no problem to me.  I find the "cheap" Pinot Grigio quite acceptable with a meal and pre dinner now enjoy a large g&t with Fevertree or a cocktail.

 

I'm getting my money's worth very easily with tea, coffee  water, wellness mixes and four or five alcoholic drinks on a normal day.

Glad to hear that MB2, I guess everyone has different tastes, tolerances and overall drink preferences.

I'm just of the opinion that if people are buying a package all the drinks within that package should be readily available across all bars, if not available then a satisfactory alternative should be offered even if it crosses the cost threshold.

13 minutes ago, TowandaUK said:

Victoria has hit the nail on the head. Emails didn’t work and the first person I spoke to in customer services didn’t help, however the last time I rang I spoke to somebody who actually knew what they are talking about and the refund has gone through. The refunded drinks package will pay for the 2 nighter taster on QM2.
We cancelled the package due to medication being prescribed to my husband just before boarding. This unexpected turn of events did us a favour. I would not book a package again. We were shocked once onboard to discover that there were very few red wines available that were covered by the package. On the one or two occasions that I had wine in the Britannia restaurant there were only 4 red wines by the glass within the package, one of which was unavailable. When dining in Sir Samuel’s only one wine would have been available to us. We shall definitely be pay as you go in future. 

Glad you've got things resolved.

Regarding the drink package, I guess they don't work for everyone especially if some standard wines and spirits are unavailable or above the package price limit.

Unfortunate but weather is something out of their control.

Curious as to why they can't dock on the 1st though, given they are not striking until the 2nd.

8 minutes ago, exlondoner said:

While I’d never heard of him. Or actually is it a woman? The only Midge I knew was, short for Imogen.

As well as Live Aid he was the singer with Ultravox, best known for the single Vienna, it's one of those songs that if you hear it you'll know it.