balf
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Posts posted by balf
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I don't recall mentioning when any extra thanks are given and they certainly aren't given out at the table or in front of fellow passengers.
It's amazing what can be handed over in a 'thank you for everything' handshake and it's amazing what can be discreetly accepted in a handshake too!
Practised discretion, from the giver and the receiver. :)
Secret handshakes, now I've heard it all.
DAVID.
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Not many can say they have not had a doctor prescription in the last 12 months.
The Nationwide policy is invalid if you have.
David
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This is the relavent clause from the Nationwide policy.
I would read this carefully and check that none of them apply in your case. medical conditions that are not being presently treated???
DAVID.
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Just got e mail re auction of items after the remastering.
http://www.queenmary2remastered-auction.com/lite-ui/#lots?category=All%20Lots
DAVID.
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To me it's a bit like a Rolex Oyster. If you can afford it and it makes you feel good go for it, but it won't tell the time any better than a 20 quid watch (probably a little worse)
David
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Good to hear from you again Peppern and wishing you and yours well.
DAVID.
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Peppern doesn't seem to have been posting lately. Hoping he is still ok.
David
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Their are a few snobs, but luckily they are few and far between on the Cunard Ships, Just Ignore the one or two ! . All you need after 6pm, sometimes later, For the guys for informal are Long Trousers, Collared shirt and a jacket, Not always to be worn, Just have one ! For formal then yes you need a suit, DJ or Matching Trousers and Jacket (with a tie for formal) , Its not rocket science, Cunard Brand is a one off, once on board you will enjoy and wonder who the Dress Police are ! If you look at some of these posts you wonder whose these people are (Underneath their forum names) who brag about how much they have paid for their journey or that they are in the grills, Believe me most of those who are in the grills prefer at night to be in the General hustle and bustle of the ship. If it was not for the non grills people then I doubt the ship would survive due to costs. Once on board their is no snobbery, It is only on these forums this seems to exist. Very sad really. Enjoy travelling with Cunard. Tailored shorts and Blue Denim are happily accepted as dress code through out the ships until the evening.
And I thought it was only me. Brilliant.
David
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It will be enforced (hopefully) and you must comply.
t
You make it sound like a 1950's boarding school, no wonder so many people are anxious about cruising with Cunard.
DAVID.
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There is no valid excuse for breaking a contract, you would forfeit your deposit and lose your cruise.
David
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Apparently, my understanding of how gratuities are distributed on Cunard ships was also incorrect. The gospel, as it were, is written on this locked "sticky thread" http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2413808
As the poster who originally suggested that Bell Boy's post be elevated to a "sticky" I had no confidence that this would become gospel for all.
Posters will accept it as accurate: as I do because all the other theories seem to be basically unworkable, others will still have their own views, as is the case with much here.
David
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At one time you were asked to type 1111 in the address bar, then later it was log off.com. Have things changed again.
David
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One of the benefits of Gold is a 2 hour free internet. If we are both Gold, do we each get 2 free hours or is it per cabin?
TIA
2 hrs each.
David
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Thank you, Bell Boy, for confirming what had been my understanding.
As a fine point, I believe on most lines, for those cabins which had chosen to REMOVE the auto-tip option, the stewards and waiters are required to put cash tips into a pool for the immediate crew described above (NOT officers). I might think this is also true on Cunard - although, as you mention, enforcement depends upon voluntary reporting.
If auto-tip is selected, commonly additional cash tips are handled differently, depending upon the line. On Cunard, I think there is no required distribution.
I believe that at least P&O operate in just the same way as Cunard. As to waiters and room stewards "sharing tips" this is just obvious, they work as a team and it would be a very poor functioning team, and one that would not survive long, where the "leading hand" kept all the tips.
And Cunard need have no input to this, it's just the way work teams work.
DAVID.
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Hope the luggage arrives in your cabin, your sheets get washed, the food cooked and dishes washed, that the plumbing holds, the ship engines keep moving and the tenders work on your voyage. .
Which of course they will, whether or not.
David
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Only takes a second to expand the screen to get rid of the side panel on the I pad, though you do need to re do for every page.
David
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No it doesn't who cares and who will know how much your suit cost you can spend a fortune on a dinner suit and still look no better.
Maybe no one cares, but a Gieves & Hawkes bespoke dinner suit would stand out as class, a £50 one would say Moss Bros IMO.
David
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I don't think I've ever seen anyone wear a tie with a polo shirt.
David
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Of the USPH inspectors I worked with over the years, at least 6 were ex-NYC health inspectors, and they stated that the USPH inspections were more thorough, and the requirements stricter than NYC standards, and for the most part, they would prefer eating onboard cruise ships over 90% of restaurants ashore. Would love to know how many minutes the NYC inspections take.
In regard to U.K. I would far rather eat on a Cunard ship(hygene wise) than most of the local restraunts. Inspections are the responsibility of local authorities, and in practice are few and far between (local councils are under severe financial cuts) and only tend to be made after a complaint from a member of the public. But the horror stories we read after these inspections would put you off eating altogether.
And not just where I live apparently. http://metro.co.uk/2016/10/03/chef-at-top-london-hotel-restaurant-thought-mouse-droppings-were-spices-6167545/
David
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Tipping is a personnel matter tip what you think is right. On my last cruise I gave my Butler $800 & the under Butler $400 my 2 waiters $400 each the room cleaner $ 200 & $ 400 between various bar staff, I also cancelled the Auto tip as I do not believe in tipping staff that I do not see You have to draw the line somewhere. It was a 24 night cruise by the way.
I would think there was a group of very disgruntled staff having to hand that bundle of cash into the pool if the rules really are as some think.
As a US President might have said "ain't going to happen"
David
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This is very disconcerting to me.
Could I ask why.
David
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I would think that if a passenger gives a member of staff a tip in cash they would expect it to be kept by that member of staff and not distributed among the rest, otherwise what's the point.
As to whether individual tips are thrown into the pot Cunard FAQ's seem pretty plain without a definite statement. (quote) Naturally, you are free to tip any member of the crew over and above these amounts, at your discretion (quote)
Which strongly suggests that the recipient can keep them. Which basically is what Bell Boy was told.
DAVID
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Interested to know how this same question was received on the Cunard board.
David
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What about a smaller Cunard ship maintaining the Cunard style with the base level Britannia Club;
say 550 passengers , 250 Britannia Club, 180 Princess Grill, 120 Queens Grill;
I think there would be a market for it and it would lend itself to very different itineraries.
Rob.
Sounds a bit like Caronia.
DAVID.
Renewing our annual travel insurance....
in Cunard Line
Posted
True, while the ship is sailing when any treatment will be on the ship and should be covered by insurance. You could certainly be put ashore at your request at the next port though and use a local hospital under the EHIC scheme.
DAVID.