aaaaa

4 hours ago, King Amo said:

Presumably passengers are able to stay on board as an extended port of call, rather than Cunard seeking hotels? 

The new itinerary begins the voyage with 4 nights in Barcelona.  There's no indication that passengers will need a hotel for those nights,  

For those who disfavor Barcelona, is it safety-related concerns?

The Cunard website states that, once on-board, "the cost [of excursions] may be higher than if you were to book them in advance."  Have you found this to be true, and, if so, how much more costly are the excursions?  Thanks.

A Cunard telephone agent reports that transfers from Trieste to the Venice airport are offered -- at a cost of $50 per person.  The transfer was available for purchase over the telephone in advance of the sailing.  The agent did not know when the transfers were scheduled to depart.

6 hours ago, rog747 said:

My choice is:
If the Ship offers a coach transfer to the Venice Marco Polo Airport then you can book a shared speedboat shuttle from the Airport to any of the Venice Hotels, or those on the Islands with Venice Link.
Shared Speed Boat Transfer

I'm not aware of any cruise ship transfers going in to Venice itself, but since the Ships no longer dock in Venice then there could be coaches now, but more likely on trips and tours only.


Or there is FlixBus (coach transfer) that runs from the Trieste bus station to Venice Mestre Station, where you can take a train or a Taxi across the lagoon causeway to Venice S.Lucia station, or the P. le Roma main square, then take a water taxi or walk to your hotel.
 

Some Flix buses drop you at Venice Tronchetto which has a pier for the water buses Vaporettos. If you travel as a couple, or with group of friends - the private or shared water taxi service is a most comfortable and affordable way to get from Tronchetto Car Park to Venice.

FlixBus from Trieste

FlixBus also runs direct to the Airport!

There are also a few trains that run from Trieste to Mestre, where you may have to get another train to S.Lucia, then you need to take a water taxi, or walk to your hotel.

The problem with the morning departure off the ship is getting to the Trieste bus or train station. With thousands of pax disembarking, there can be quite a line for taxis.
The bus and train stations are about a 15-20 minute walk from the cruise pier.

Personally, I would take the cruise ship transfer to the Airport.
From the airport you can catch a taxi to Venice (P. le Roma) for 45-50E for the 20 minute ride, or to book (which would be my choice) the speedboat shuttle direct to the nearest pier for your hotel, as it is the only way to arrive in Venice!

Be very aware of the Santa Lucia Train Station and Piazzale Roma, both of which can be problematic, especially in the evening. Have your wits about you. The beggars and pickpocket gangs of Venice will be around.
 

Many thanks for your detailed reply.  I do hope that the ship offers a transfer to the Venice airport.

Good day -- Does Cunard offer transfers to Venice (the island rather than the airport) after disembarkation in Trieste?  (I couldn't find information about that on the Cunard website.)  Related, is there an easy method to make the transfer independently?  Thank you.

On 2/28/2024 at 9:54 PM, roscoe39 said:

Im board at the moment and the refurbishment is for May.

 

May 2024 or May 2025?  The ship's sailing schedule seems full during both of those months.

Primarily, yes, although closer to mid-ship the casino appears to curve toward the starboard side as well.  Related, I'd be interested in whether sound from the grand lounge on the starboard side (across from the casino) leaks upward into the cabins above.

Any update on this?  Thanks.

How was the condition of the cabin and balcony furnishings on Eurodam?  Reports are mixed.  Thanks, and safe travels.

Is it permissible to leave the ship after embarkation to wander the port area?

Is there still a smoke smell near cabins 150 (and up)?

Can OBC be used for WiFi?

Good day.  I read that, in March 2023, Windstar enhanced its plant-based food options.  Can any recent Windstar cruisers -- pre- or post March 2023 -- advise on the variety and quality of the vegan and gluten-free options on-board (e.g., tofu, veggie burgers, gluten-free pasta).  I'm specifically considering the Wind Surf, but any advice would help.  Thank you!

"She gets hers in May and I think returns to sailing May 18."  Regatta or Marina?

Regatta is fully engaged in sailings during May (2024).  The next break in the sailing schedule for Regatta is March 30, 2025, to April 9, 2025.

https://thepointsguy.com/guide/cunard-queen-anne-cruise-shipyard-preview/

13 hours ago, Blackduck59 said:

Really by the time you hump all this stuff aboard have you saved what $5.00 total?

14 hours ago, CruiserBruce said:

God forbid they seek to make a profit...

Thanks for your replies.  But my concern is related to health, not financial, concerns:

https://www.cbsnews.com/news/pfas-chemicals-in-sparkling-water-polar-topo-chico-study/

3 hours ago, Abe3689 said:

"Not to sound overly harsh or dramatic, but in my experience thus far on my fourth day there are no redeeming qualities on my experience on HAL."

 

 

If this comment, plus your earlier likening of the food to "dog food," is not "overly harsh or dramatic," what would be?

I'm sorry to hear that you are not enjoying your cruise.

Mostly covered here:

"Items such as sodas, energy drinks or other non-alcoholic items are not allowed on board in any form. . . .  However, an allowance of six liters, twelve (12) cans or cartons (500 ml in volume or less) or six (6) cans or cartons (1 liter in volume or less) of water are allowed per stateroom." 

Is carbonated/sparkling water considered "soda" (disallowed) or "water" (partly allowed)?

Soda cannot be brought aboard on embarkation in any form -- e.g., cans, plastic bottles, glass bottles?  What's the rationale for the new policy?  Is it only to enhance profit or is there some sort of safety-related concern?

No more BB Kings on this ship?

19 minutes ago, babysteps said:

Simple-minded question alert!

On O, can one choose to book a guarantee in a given category when specific cabins are still available?

 

On O, we've only ever booked GTY when there were no cabins available to book

I've never seen "guarantee" cabins available for booking on O while other cabins in the same category were still available.  But some other cruise lines do offer that capability (e.g., Azamara, Celebrity).

2 hours ago, ak1004 said:

 

Can someone verify that it's the same for the US website by comparing pries directly in USD between the website and the brochure?

 

 

For two itineraries, I compared pricing between the brochure and the website.  For each itinerary, the US website alleges that a 10% discount will be provided for bookings through December 31.  For both itineraries, the brochure prices were indeed 10% less than the current prices on the US website.  Presumably, once bookings open (or, at the latest, once a booking process is underway), the brochure prices (i.e., the discounted prices), rather than the website prices, will appear.

22 hours ago, ak1004 said:

Just got the brochure from our TA. The prices in the brochure are 5% lower than the website prices for sailings that indicate 5% discount. So it looks like the early booking discounts are not baked in the website prices.

For what it's worth, I just spoke with another phone agent who was confident that the 10% discount is already baked into the prices listed on the website (and will be until year's end).  We'll see!