3rdGenCunarder

@cecilyf, thanks for reporting back. I'm disappointed that HAL didn't do more to make it up to you, but I understand letting it go. I do love a good argument, but not to the point that it would overshadow my vacation. Maybe I'll see you on QM2 someday!

Our corner aft (DECK 6 OR 7) was very different. @LAFFNVEGAS, did you have a proper sofa or love seat? We had a "fainting couch" (daybed?). The bed faced the side window instead of being under it. I love the little storage nook with the towels! My corner aft didn't have that. And the shower is bigger than the corner aft we had.

I wish Cunard would just tell us the times! I hate it when "early morning" turns out to be 1 AM. "Early morning" sounds like maybe I can go out for a quick look around before we leave. But it never is. Or worse, they say "overnight," which definitely implies some port time the next day. Sneaky.

I have had better prices on the Newark to Heathrow flight for a westbound transatlantic than I have for flights from Newark to Canada, both Montreal and Vancouver. Since @Jennifer Sandhurst is flying transatlantic, perhaps the prices will be better. Me too! Unless Cunard's price is better, I want to make my own arrangements.

My question was about your comment about fares being "locked in at time of booking." If I don't buy my air when I book the cruise, often because it's too early, at what point is my airfare "locked in?"

@cecilyf, I'm almost afraid to ask. How did this turn out?

When I book the cruise or when I book the air? I called in December, and the woman I spoke to told me to call again "in the new year."

I was surprised at how small our aft Neptune was on K'dam (deck 6 or 7). Quite a bit smaller than Neptunes we'd had on various decks of the Vistas. These suites do vary from deck to deck. I believe some have a side window and others do not. The midship/side Neptunes on K'dam are much larger than the afts. @dmaikui, did you check HAL Facts for the other corner of the same deck? That will be a mirror image of the suite you're looking for.

I'm not worried about arrival protection as I always go a few days early, and if I do have to take an alternate route, travel insurance will cover the cost of changing. I don't want to wait until 45 days out because airfares in the summer are more likely to go up, not down as it gets closer to departure time.

In the past, Cunard air has been less expensive than booking with the airline, but that was for transatlantic flights, so maybe they get better deals there. A few days ago, I asked for prices to Vancouver and Cunard Air was more expensive than United and Air Canada for the same flights.

I liked the threat to lock them in their cabin. Whenever I hear names read close to the time we should sail, I go out on deck and watch for the dock runners. In Costa Rica one time, three young men sauntered out of the souvenir market that was the way in and out of the port. When they saw that NOBODY was around, they started to run. Then they slowed down, so the captain blew the horn. THAT got them running again. There were catcalls and applause, and one man yelled, "Run, Forrest, run!"

Probably not. Sad to say, there are a lot of them out there. I think some guides turn a blind eye to the shopping lateness, especially in the Caribbean where the shop you're taken to is "recommended" because his uncle/brother/cousin/etc works there.

I have to disagree with @jimdee3636. I think Alaska is the exception to Americans in the minority. I've been to Alaska twice with Cunard and there were more Americans than international travelers. However, I do agree that there will be a more varied mix than on HAL. I am not a fan of Gin and Fizz because that's all you can get there. Despite having a variety of bitters, they couldn't make a champagne cocktail. What's up with that???? My recommendation for best bar is the Commodore Club, especially for Alaska in summer, when it will be light until late and you can enjoy the scenery while drinking your favorite cocktail. Try some of their special drinks named for past commodores. Or one of my favorite rum-based drinks, the Mary Pickford or the Honeysuckle Daiquiri. @DCThunder, you didn't say if you've sailed to Alaska before. Cunard has their excursions posted, and some are selling out already for my July cruise. So if you do book a cruise, start looking at excursions asap. And try not to have sticker shock--Alaska is expensive.

I think more often than not, it's a problem at the vendor's end, not a decision by HAL.

Probably cancelled. Usually, when a tour is sold out, you will see a box that says "Sold Out --Waitlist Available."

I'm going to Alaska in July. Cunard hasn't listed all of its tours for one of the ports, Wrangell. I keep checking. The other day, still nothing, and the next morning one tour was listed and already sold out. Fortunately, not one I would have wanted. I did some looking online and there aren't many tour companies in Wrangell. When I tried to book a boat trip to see bears, the date was blank on the calendar for two companies. That made me think Cunard has booked them. I contacted the companies and one replied that, yes, they have contracted with Cunard and that they think the tour should be posted soon. Then they suggested contacting the shore excursion manager. I know each ship has a manager on board, but that's no help 6 months out. Is there such a person shoreside? And if so a phone number or email? And if anyone has been to Wrangell on QE, what tours did Cunard offer?

Perhaps they should go back to the Chardonnay, or some other still wine. The bottle wouldn't be as thick and would break more easily.

I remember the unbroken bottle. Was it Pol Acker???

No, I got it. 😀

Have you tried posting this on the port of call board? Or on your roll call?

If you're going to drink that early, it should be champagne. That is appropriate at ANY hour.

It seems to be a trend. I had a balcony cabin on Eurodam and the TV was across from the foot of the bed. Cunard did this, too. My cabins on QM2 and on Queen Victoria were set up that way. There used to be a piece of art across from the foot of the bed. Take that down and there's plenty of room for a large flatscreen TV.

Sounds good. When I was first cruising, HAL did a Dutch menu one night. Delicious! Which ship were you on?

I think HIA doesn't apply to beverages bought on HMC.

Oh, right. When I read bottled water, I thought of plastic bottles. I hope Zaandam will have the bottles next month. The cans are horrible for taking water on a tour, and I need to take extra water to the beach to rinse my camera. Must remember to pack my water bottle.