Bell Boy

3 hours ago, Solent Richard said:

Queen Anne - Maiden Voyage

 

5 May 2024 - Gala Black & White

 

8 May 2024 - Gala Masquerade 

 

Bit disappointing really for such a special occasion. 😈

 

I'll be Dressed to the Nines 'on every evening' !  I'm sure you and Mrs SR will be too. 😉 

20 minutes ago, michalmaron said:

Hello

Firstly, apologise for digging out this topic. I realise there is a few similar ones but I would like to focus on “Optional Gala” thing again. 
It’s a bit of time but I’ll be doing a 4-day cruise Southampton-Hamburg-Southampton in October where the following gala applies on both sea days.

I personally don't have any problem to jump into tuxedo or any other formal clothes (black tie etc) however I was just wondering if the following tweed suit could be accepted on that slightly different gala (not a formal one but not smart attire also)?

I don’t want to open the pandora box (like it happens quite often here 😏) so I would just like to hear super short opinion: YES or NO. I understand that your answer may be influenced by the style or habits or taste so first thought probably would be the best one.

Thank you

 

 

As this is a Guys thing - Tweed and a Waistcoat 'indoors in the Evening' , No not really 👎-  A dark navy blue suit - and perhaps a Tie yes . 

Sorry, but you did ask.  

2 hours ago, exlondoner said:

I used it for booking one of the pop-up restaurants, when nobody answered the phone.

Booking face to face ( and you can ALWAYS find the time when stolling through the Lido) often assures a good table 

Well it certainly has worked for me 😉

3 hours ago, exlondoner said:

Or, better still, they’ll abandon the thing altogether.

 

How many times on this forum have I been posting DITCH that Blessed App Thingy ! 

Get back to interacting face to face - refer to your hard copy of the daily programme ( use a highlighter and never miss anything) 

As seasoned Cunard guests we  have all been doing this for years , what on earth is the attraction, other than burying one's head in a smart phone . 

20 minutes ago, devolve said:

When we were on QV this year tables for 2 were extremely close together.

On Open Dining (Q.Vic)  yes, five tables for two in a long line with a three inch space in-between each , looked more like a canteen,  whilst  Fixed dining on deck three perfectly spaced, the arrangement  didn't appear to be any different from pre pandemic . My idea of a perfect dining experience , dedicated table and wait staff who understand your preferences and welcome you by name. 👍  

Oh I forgot,  OK on special occasions  I don't mind wearing a Paper Hat if invited to dine with the Hotel Manager 😅 😉 

14 minutes ago, RJChatsworth said:

We have completed over 50 voyages on Cunard but never at Christmas or New Year.  Apart from decorations etc what is different?  We don’t particularly want extra quizzes and parties but what is the attraction please other than to get away from the cooking and washing up?  Are the meals the same with the addition of turkey on Christmas Day?

 

Experiences that would entice us for once away from family get-togethers would be appreciated?  The Canaries would be our favoured choice.

 

 Christmas Jumpers, stateroom doors decorated and dozens of children - Turkey on the menu that is no different from throughout the year,  and  not forgetting, high prices.  If you want a Christmas experience with close family, grand kids etc then it's ideal.     

For me I give it a miss  .   

No two evenings in the Main Dining room (on open sitting) are going to be the same. You will need to managed your dining arrangements on the day . 

1 hour ago, colingu said:

Can anyone advise from their own experiences how late (ie days before sailing) did Cunard allocate saver fare cabins?

I've been known on one occasion to have a saver fare cabin allocated at 'Check -In'. Dropped off luggage in the usual way, however, I attached a large 'Luggage label - name CLEARLY printed'  ( in addition to labels supplied).

No problem, luggage was outside the door on arrival.   

2 hours ago, david,Mississauga said:

 

It was, I believe,  in 2018 when we had to transfer accommodation in New York. Our steward contacted the Housekeeping Manager who said no to the hanging trolley and apparently said that is no longer done. The steward said it was a recent change in policy and he was surprised the manager wouldn't allow an exception.

 

I'm pleased to read that the convenience has being restored - at least on some voyages. We have to change cabins next September on a Southampton-NY-Québec voyage.

When you mention New York I'm assuming the above experience was on QM2. There is one thing that irritates me with Cunard Line , there is often no consistency in the onboard service delivery across their fleet. 

I often wonder if some of these inconsistencies are a result of an individual Snr Manager on the day.

As I have mentioned in a previous post I witnessed the hanging trolley ( Q.Vic) in action in December 2022

I'd also like to mention in 2020  ( Queen Victoria South American cruise 78 days) after the first leg of the itinerary I transferred to another stateroom for the remainder of the cruise . The hanging trolley was certainly in evidence, transferring  my six Evening Jackets, Five suits plus dozens of shirts - Britannia category - solo guest 😉    

17 hours ago, ExArkie said:

Interesting that we did not get the hanging trolley in December 2022. Perhaps because we were moving from PG to QG, but we had to pack everything not our suitcases. 

Well that's shocking considering you were 'in the Grills'.  The example I quoted above was deck Six   Britannia category. ( the date was December 23rd morning of disembarkation at Southampton)   

Edited to add;  Just to clarify, QG,PG, Britannia balcony, inside or ocean view should make no difference to the 'hanging rail trolley procedure/s', for years this has been standard.  Lost count of how many times I've transferred (B2B)  in the past.

If one experiences any hassle with their transfer you should contact the Housekeeping manager immediately. 

3 hours ago, stan01 said:

 

A hanging trolley is great news, that would be wonderful and easy to do!  Thank you!

This is the standard procedure and has been for years .  It was was only 'temporarily suspended' during the pandemic, another useless procedure even though it had no scientific evidence.

The hanging trolley and moving procedure  was in evidence on my last cruise as recent as December 2022. Observed a couple a few doors away moving to a new Stateroom on a disembarkation day.      

On 12/8/2023 at 6:12 PM, Victoria2 said:

Ah, the cabin we had in July. Folk came to our cabin for a bit of a do too, and our cabin on deck seven and...

 

Nice to know we'd be considered lacking in airs! 😅

  Airs/Hairs Oh that blessed predictive / or was it spell check 😅  these Apple laptop devices they love to have their own way - It had already challenged me twice on Mauretania   .  Often have to smile when some  refer to Corinthia Lounge ( QM2) rather than Carinthia . 😅   

2 hours ago, D&N said:

I would call a room for sleeping in or anything else one might do in your private space on a ship, a cabin. I would apply that to rooms on sleeper trains as well.

I can understand that a multi roomed cabin could be described as a suite (of rooms).

From a practical point of view [cabin & suite] have the same number of letters if one is writing the word, but a larger proportion of folk are likely to spell the former correctly.

 

To me cruise lines use the term stateroom in promotional material simply to try and impress.

Couldn't have said it better  D&N  

On a previous cruise in 2022 I met a delightful couple who invited me for drinks - the conversation went something like this  Quote;   "We'd like you to join us for drinks in our 'Cabin'- 6204 tomorrow evening"

on arrival it turned out it was the Mauretania suite. 😉

No hairs and graces from this couple 👍 

27 minutes ago, Underwatr said:

Not sure but I think the umbrage may have been at the use of the term "cabin" rather than stateroom.

I think it's about as important a distinction as calling a cruise on Cunard a "voyage," frankly.

Or referring to them as Rooms, as the author did in their post 168 

9 hours ago, transatlantic fan said:

I don't have any photos for these so called cabins as you put it.

The steward was kind enough to show us, and I had no intention of getting him in any trouble by putting them on here.

Oops  sorry if you found my question irritating , you provided interesting information I'm sure I'm not the only one who would have liked to have seen/hear more.  

18 hours ago, transatlantic fan said:

Forgot to say the new rooms also have the very nice glass shower bathrooms. 

You can also tell the new rooms as the stateroom doors are a matt wood.

I'm surprised that you haven't any photos for us . By the way, are these 'so called new cabins' at a premium .   

1 hour ago, Victoria2 said:

I wouldn't bother. We never upload photos and it's done when we check in.

Me too, and even when one has gone through all the trouble of uploading one , the check-agent often takes it again .

Re the 5.15pm 'Senior officers party',  it might be wise to double check with 'Voyage Sales' or Concierge  (don't waste time at the Pursers desk) to confirm if there is a later reception at 7.15pm .

Last month there were two, my  travel companion friends received 5.15pm and I received 7.15pm , we were all dining at 8.15pm .  

33 minutes ago, Winifred 22 said:

More confusing. I got off on the 19th and we definitely were at Mayflower.  We left from QEII but most definitely returned to Mayflower. 

Even departing from QE11 terminal , Check-In procedure is immediately as one walks through the main door , 'Security' takes place after the check -in waiting lounge .   

1 hour ago, exlondoner said:

Thank you. Interesting. Whenever I’ve embarked there, security has been last. They must have completely reorganised it.

You are correct,  passing through Security 'AT Mayflower Terminal' takes place after check-in . Probably with all the excitement of embarking QM2 after the major refit the author may have been confused - unless the ship departed from City Terminal  on the day ?   

43 minutes ago, 2Oldpeopleinlove said:

We will be happy with two half bottles as we drink it only as an additive to orange juice in morning mimosas.

And if you don't managed to use the unopened one, you can take it home with you. 

1 hour ago, MCC retired said:

For many years , the bottle of Pol Acker was the subject of jokes and undrinkability comments .

Seems now that the bottles are half of their original size , everyone is upset?

 

Your are correct, 👍  and not only that !  during the first few weeks when Cunard returned back to regular service in 2021, due to the pandemic and shortage of supply and demand  there was an uproar when they were not delivered' to every stateroom on Embarkation Day.

Have to admit, I was one who often questioned this to the cabin steward,  even though I've never touched the stuff. 😅   

Pleased it has now been rectified, Thanks for coming back to us .

Clarification why the 'HALF bottle/s of Pol Acker ;

The other month whilst I was onboard Cunard, I was determined to get to the bottom of this new concept of 'These Half Bottles' . Speaking with F&B manager and Snr Housekeeping  it appears ( apparently this came from guest feedback 🤷‍♂️ )  Two half bottles over a 'couple of days', during a lengthy itinerary are more welcome than a large bottle, I understand this feed back came from the many 'solo guests' who I expect were unable to consume a large bottle  without it loosing it's fizz 🤦‍♂️  lol 

I wouldn't know, I've never touched the stuff .