Mickb

It may have something to do with HAL’s attempts to attract younger passengers due to the ageing demographic of their loyal clientele. IMO HAL is the only Carnival Brand that still does not seem to have a clear future before it. Princess has a niche, as do Cunard who espouse tradition and P& O who are transitioning into a large ship, fewer frills operation attracting a ‘new to cruising’ younger clientele but alienating many of their traditional past passengers. The Carnival European and Australian operations have a clear niche market. HAL cannot seem to make up its mind what it is.

What man excellent informative blog! BA seem to have upped their game a bit in Club! Let’s hope HAL lives up to expectations! Look forward to the rest of the trip. Bon Voyage!

Villa Vie Residences, an innovative new cruise line revealed in September 2023, has announced acquiring the Braemar from Fred Olsen Cruise Lines. The acquisition marks the beginning of a unique venture, transforming the Braemar into Villa Vie Odyssey, a residential cruise ship offering villa-style living on the high seas.

It’s a bit of a surprise that Ambassador beat FOCL ! Oceana, HAL and Disney are understandable as they operate modern ships with high numbers of balconies and multiple dining options. IMO the new management has a steep hill to climb with 2 functional but dated Ex HAL ships and Balmoral. Difficult to shake the money tree!

Good luck - I’ll start selecting ship and dates!😂😂😂😂😂

Maybe ask Cunard?

Precisely the reasons we sail with Cunard rather than aboard ‘Alton Towers of the Seas’ or similar!

As a grandparent with 2 toddler grandchildren, your toddler sounds amazing! All credit to you both and thank you for putting an entirely different complexion on a trip report! 👏👏👏👏👏

Ditto -

Certainly you could a couple of years ago just post covid but it may have changed now.

I think passenger demographics post covid also enter in to it. We have sailed on Rotterdam and Amsterdam when they were in the HAL fleet and they are nice, if elderly ships that really don’t offer what an ever more demanding younger market want. Think Iona, MSC, Royal Caribbean etc. Those sort of ships are an anathema to me personally, however I realise that with only a maybe three/ four years before insurance costs price out cruising as a holiday for my wife and I, we are not Fred’s long term target market. The question is - who is? As previous posters have pointed out, the reinvented SAGA are mopping up the better off ‘grey’ market and Ambassador are fulfilling a role at the budget end. That leaves the middle market’ still very price sensitive but with ever increasing expectations in terms of balcony cabins, dining etc. I cannot see Fred’s survival in the long term without a huge capital injection on top of huge losses.

Coming into the Princess Grill a year after our first crossing to be greeted - ‘Good Evening Mr & Mrs Mickb - how nice to have you back’. - probably only a good customer recognition programme - but we felt that we were walking on air - & all our preferences were remembered. Never happened on any other ship!

We have crossed twice in PG and believe it was worth every penny. The service and food were exceptional and nothing was too much trouble. The PG rooms on QM2 are much nicer than the QV/QM but they have a better location for the restaurant. If you do it , I’m sure you won’t regret it!

What wise words!

Thank you Victoria 2 for your very comprehensive review. Like you, QV is far our favourite Cunarder and it sounds as if she is better than ever. If a ship had a soul……..We have had to postpone our cruise booked for this autumn due to illness and have transferred to QA for next year. Feel very disloyal but we couldn’t find a QV cruise that suited when we wanted to go. Glad you had such a good time

Zuiderdam was in Torbay today. Torbay was the safe harbour for several months many HAL ships during the COVID layup. It was lovely to see a HAL liner back in the bay today on a lovely early summer day. She departed about 6pm with 4 long blasts on the horn.

Suggest you read the thread entitled as below. Not sure I would book Westerdam.

Thank you Pete and Judy for another really entertaining world cruise blog. It must take you a lot of effort to keep it up in the detail that you do but it really feels as though we were there with you. You are always positive, even during strong headwinds, and you make the absolute most of all the opportunities that life has brought you. Thank you!

We have sailed in 10042 which is a very nice comfortable cabin. The PG restaurant on QM2 is an attractive room albeit without the views of the QV/QE. staff will be really attentive and will very quickly get to know your preferences. Make the most of the table side flambée cooking and if there is something you particularly want - ask the Maitre D, as previously said they are very flexible. the Grills lounge is a nice if slightly soulless venue for pre dinner drinks. Usually the chart room has a really mellow jazz trio who are delightful to listen to after a 1st class dinner. I am sure this will be a very special experience for you - enjoy it!

We use the Ocean Village multi-storey.

This cruise sold out within 24 hours. We hesitated —- and missed it😢

Brilliant - sure there may be some red faces reading this. Keep it up!

We’ve crossed twice on the QM2 both times in Grills. The ship is amazing and rides the seas very well - most of the time there was very little movement - ordinary waves do not seem to affect her much. However if there is an Atlantic swell - then like all ships, she will pitch and the movement is definitely noticeable. A trip to the Medical centre for a scopolamine injection followed by a morning or afternoons’ nap will cure the problem - it certainly did for us. you may find service a bit more formal than on Celebrity but remember the QM2 is one of the world’s great travel experiences - way more than a cruise. have a great time!

We have not sailed HAL for some years but it used to be our line of choice until we tried Cunard. Have only ever sailed in PG - six voyages now and whilst HAL appears to be heading for the more casual approach to cruising, Cunard are more traditional and still encourage dressing up for dinner. It suits us but may not appeal to you. Service is the grills is very personal and off menu ordering is possible. The staff are excellent and get to know your preferences very quickly. You can take as long as you want over your meal. I personally think it is wonderful. I m sure that you will enjoy it.

We have done this route 3 times and always had good weather after the first couple of days.