balf

Yes we have sailed with them a few times. They have smaller ships that at the moment are generally "getting on" but are well equipped and run. Their cruises are more expensive than the leading popular lines but they offer complementary car transfer to the ship and in our opinion the service is the best we have had. Food is far ahead of Cunard. An example is the cheese board which had around 20 different varieties on offer compared with Cunard's weary selection the last time we sailed with them.

And of course there is the Spirit of Disccovery being built now and on offer in 2019.

If you like smaller ships and the better service and food they are certainly worth considering.

David.

Turning the telly off seems to be the solution to the problem of some here. It's been well known for years that bunker oil is a very polluting fuel, used by nearly all merchant ships worldwide. Shooting the messenger won't make it go away.

David

Under the bed, nested if necessary.

Seven cases under a bed, good luck with that one.

David

Phew that was a near miss. Fake news again apparently.

David

If you have to ask the price you can't afford it.

Not true of course but compared with the total costs of a cruise I don't see the logic of penny pinching for the added extras that may only add a couple of percentage points.

David

They are both American as they are owned by American companies.

 

But p&o is an uber British product with all the British sailaways, the Union Jack flags being handed out, the Union Jack livery, all the drinks prices and speciality restaurant etc being in £s, the tipping structure being in £s etc etc

 

Cunard has all the prices in $s, the tips are in $s and are more in line with American lines, you pay sales tax on each purchase in $s plus yes more Americans on board particularly the Queen Mary 2 transatlantics.

 

That's just my understanding.

 

 

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100% correct, well explained.

David

I'm wondering why Cunard overbooks to begin with, not why people accept compensation in exchange for rebooking. I, too, would've jumped at the offer made to eroller.

 

Or are you wondering if someone makes an offer to Cunard in exchange for overbooking that they can't refuse?

Well people get bumped off flights because someone wants the seat they have booked and is willing to pay premium for it. With cruises it is rare, but it obviously does happen.

David

Why overbook at all? There's no such thing as a fully refundable cruise ticket, which means far fewer last-minute cancellations than airlines see, and I'd also venture far fewer people show up to cruise ports too late for the cruise than show up too late to catch a flight. Also, unlike airlines, it's not like you can rebook bumped passengers on an identical cruise that leaves the next hour, or even the next day.

Maybe they get an offer they can't refuse.

David

This all shows how unfair the contracts are between cruise lines and customers. A passenger cancelling in 6 days or less loses 100% of the fare paid, and the vacant cabin can be offered for sale again. Cruise line cancels in 14 days or less and passenger gets the fare refunded and 20% cruise credit, useless unless another cruise is booked.

The contract also specifically excludes payment of any other losses like travel, hotels etc.

"No consequential costs or loss of profit will be payable"

David

Several dozen were flown half way around the world only to be sent home!!?? I hope your friends were exaggerating because if it happened today it would cost Cunard dearly. What a CC thread that would make!

I'm a bit sceptical on this one. Hard to believe any cruise line could bump passengers, and yes that would be the rhread to beat any here.

David

I have never seen any of these meetings on a P&O cruise, though aboard Cunard its common. It's one illustration of the cultural differences between the two countries. Even saw a meeting of the Red Hat Society once and had to ask an American fellow diner who told me it was a nationwide club for women which started for over 50's but now any woman could join.

Let's hear it for the Women's Institute.

David

Like you, I have NEVER heard a horror story like this before and I've been sailing with Cunard since 1990.

Well you've heard a few now.

David.

Could I ask who runs the seminars, is it a Master of Wine or similar or, as with the free wine tastings for Diamond passengers one of the wine waiters.

David.

Saga is far above mid market. We have found the service and food way above P&O and even Cunard. They have used older ships but they are building a brand new one "Spirit of Discovery" in service summer 2009.

David.

Try one of the comparison sites (moneysupermarket etc) remembering to tick the cruise box and you will get quotes from many companies. You can read all the conditions for any.

David.

How does one get back to their room if you are in the Spa after 6:00 pm. Who are we going to offend getting back to our room to dress for 8:00 dinner.

Doesn't the Spa close at 5?

David.

Then end the scandal? Immediately inform P&O they are undercharging for Wine. There may be a reward for your actions.

Or inform Cunard that they are overcharging.

David

It seems to me that if you have a self service facility you should make self service as easy as possible for the users. Take away the trays and things are more difficult, particularly for those of limited mobility. And if you rely on the buffet staff to do some of the service what's the point of having it at all.

David

Solas chapter V regs.

2.The master of a ship in distress or the search and rescue service concerned, after consultation, so far as may be possible, with the masters of ships which answer the distress alert, has the right to requisition one or more of those ships as the master of the ship in distress or the search and rescue service considers best able to render assistance, and it shall be the duty of the master or masters of the ship or ships requisitioned to comply with the requisition by continuing to proceed with all speed to the assistance of persons in distress.

David.

Whatever the cost in terms of extra fuel, it has been returned many times over in terms of extra publicity.

And of course there was a legal obligation to assist regardless of cost.

David.

Good morning Cassandra.

 

I guess one of mine and Bell Boy's secrets is that we do mix socially and aren't afraid to offer our own hospitality on the odd occasion.

 

We are certainly never anonymous when onboard.

Some people like to be anonymous.

Not being a beer (or bear) drinker...I wish to go on record as supporting their right to drink the beverage of their choice, no matter how repulsive :halo:

Some of the "cheaper" wines are pretty repulsive IMO. I'm sure though, reading between the lines here that some sideways looks could be expected at times to a diner drinking the foul liquid, including from the wine waiters. Though not from you dear lady.

As so often it's a class thing: bottled premium beer would probably be more acceptable than a pint of Boddingtons!!

David.

But even I draw the line at the consumption of liquidised bear. Outside of Siberia, such things are barbaric.

You obviously don't know your beers.

https://www.ratebeer.com/beer/bespoke-ye-olde-black-bear-bitter/229952/

David

If this is a serious comment then the extraordinary levels of snobbery are very unbecoming from Cunard. I trust this is a joke.

Toad is correct. Protesting bear drinkers being led out of the MDR is a common sight. CAMRA members are put ashore at the next port.

You gotta believe it.

David.

Thanks John for your answer. I am looking at the Norwegian Fiords cruise with the Queen Elizabeth on August 11th, 2017. Nine nights from Southhampton.

Oceanview per person is US 1199. This means for two people is about US 2.500 including taxes and fees. But if booking solo, it comes a price of almost US 4.500 for same ocean view category including taxes and fees.

I'd be inclined to call Cunard and check that really is the fare and not a typo.

David