Salacia

It's with regret that I do have a friend that contracted bed bugs on QV just prior to her refit. She is a very frequent Cunard cruiser and she along with two others came home with the critters. Bed bugs was the verdict after a visit to her demonologist.

 

She really took it in stride, knowing that bed bugs does not equal dirty. The cleanest of clean hotels and cruise ships can have bed bugs, and they don't discriminate based on income either. Everything from Ritz Carlton to Holiday Inn and Carnival to Silversea can have them.

 

She wrote a letter to Cunard with the specifics and the cabin numbers in question. I'm not sure if she ever got a response. This was back in May. Just after this happened QV was going into a major dry dock so hopefully they were eliminated in that process. With all the carpet, mattresses, and bed linens replaces I'm guessing they were.

She visited her demonologist? - Must have been a Grill's passenger - us rowers can only afford exorcists !

Probably just as much chance to find the critters in any of the plush sofas, cushions, carpets and other such furnishings.

This makes me think twice about ever sitting nakef on the cabin sofa ever again...;p

...and that makes me think about ever sitting on the cabin sofa again !

Although I've always taken the clean pool towel from the bathroom and spread it out on the sofa before I sit down -mostly because washed terrycloth is a far more comfortable fabric than a fabric that has been sprayed with who-knows-what cleaners/fabric sprays .

buchhalm, you might want to try the pool towel idea. Pretty please. :)

I sometimes become a pedantic skeptic. In that mode, let me assure you that, considering that the critters are introduced by (often unaware) guests, so by the simple odds, given the millions of passengers aboard, there have been incidents. None that I've heard of. Nor any that are likely to be noted here. But even with impeccable care, bedbugs can be introduced.

 

Is there zero risk? Of course not. I'd place the risk somewhere between the ship being attacked by a giant squid and your needing the Heimlich maneuver after choking on a fish bone.

 

- Mark

Hi Mark. I agree with what you wrote, with one exception:" Nor that they [bedbugs] are likely to be noted here". I don't think any of us are shy about reporting experiences ?

But now you have me worried about that giant squid ! No one warned me about the squid !

-Salacia;)

Here's a link to the website for the ferry shuttle. It looks like it's about a 6 block walk to the Wall St subway Station in Manhattan where you can take a 2 or 3 train right to Penn Station/Macys/Empire State Building and to Times Square/Broadway/Midtown (both stations are also major transfer points for lines throughout the city).

https://www.ferry.nyc/routes-and-schedules/route/south-brooklyn/

 

And cabs are everywhere.

 

- Mark

As Mark wrote, cabs are everywhere. (Unless it's raining, snowing, or during shift change.)

If you can forgive the sexist heading, I think this is good advice for hailing a cab in NYC:

http://www.artofmanliness.com/2011/03/30/how-to-hail-a-taxi-cab-like-a-man/

I think we've given up on attempting this, but thanks. Our day will start at 3 am, I doubt we'll have that much energy by the time we arrive in NYC

abefroman, you and your wife come across as such lovely people. You've done so much planning and preparing...I sincerely hope you both have wonderful time.

Just to mention...on our first Cunard cruise, Hubby and I had so much planned...and then after a good night's sleep on board, we just melted, relaxed and forgot about our schedule.

After 13 QM2 voyages, there is still much we haven't done, but truth be told, we've always had a good rest, met interesting people and enjoyed each others company. I wish the same for you and Ms.abefroman. Cheers, - Salacia

After reading an RCI thread, I am just seeking reassurance that no-one has ever had or heard of any bed bugs in Cunard cabins?

Quite a provocative heading.

In answer to your question, no there has been no mention of bed bugs on a Cunard ship. Certainly, I have not encountered any, nor have I read reports of any bed bugs.

But don't believe me, do a search of this forum.

I don't know anything about any other cruise ship afflicted with bed bugs, but I wish those ships the best while having no interest in discussing their issues here.

Cheers to the cabin stewards on Cunard - they do their jobs extremely well.

Salacia

This is another case of double standards, unfortunately. United States cruising booking conditions imho are far more customer focused than the UK. Whatever the price is when we book, is the price we are stuck with, no reduction for us if the fair subsequently goes down for new bookings. In the US, I understand they just phone the cruise line and the new price is honoured.

Just to clarify: in the US, if the fare goes down, yes - passengers can obtain that reduced price PROVIDED that it is not past final payment date. (Final payment date varies, depending on voyage but most often it is 120 days prior to sale date.) Also, many special offers state that no further price reductions may be made, and that deposit is non refundable and due within (usually) three days. Some special offers require non-refundable payment in full at the time of booking

I believe UK posters have mentioned special offers that they availed themselves of - and those offers were not available to North American passengers.

Salacia

Next year a group of friends and us are taking a WB TA. We will be utilizing a car service to drive us the three hours home from the cruiseport. My question is - and search wasn't too helpful - what's a good time to give them to meet us?

 

Is 9:30 a.m. reasonable or should we aim more toward 10 a.m.? We won't be doing self-disembarkation but would like to get on the road somewhat early instead of sitting around a terminal waiting for our car to arrive.

 

Any suggestions?

Hi sppunk. Frankly, what conditions next year will be is anybody's guess. Difficult enough to predict best time to request pick up next month. Plus you haven't mentioned category you and your friends have booked (disembarkation goes from the top decks down, with World Club (WC) Diamond and Platinum having priority after Grill categories).

My suggestion is to ask the question closer to sail date with more particulars, if desired.

Regards,

Salacia

I've seen various "free drinks" offers...Here's the terms and conditions of current offer that expires on 31 August 2017: http://www.cunard.com/cruise-deals/sale/

Hi All, I'm

Sailing on QM2 from Brooklyn, NY . On July 28 , 2017. We booked the trip back in March 2017

As a guarantee, Balcony. Not the first time. Diamond Member also.

Haven't heard anything as far as Cabin. Cunard Customer Service Here in the U.S.A said

It's up to the inventory office in the U.K. For an assignment.

There goes the fun

And anticipating about the cruise. Now it is "if and When " we can a stateroom.At the Dock?

Anyone encountered this?

Hi turquoise. Second time a poster from the US reported cabin assignments were decided by the UK office. How that works out for passengers on this side of the pond remains to be seen...can't imagine why they wouldn't love us :o

Anyway, good luck on your cabin assignment and if you have time, please drop us a line during your voyage.

Bon voyage,

Salacia

What is currently the best way to get from LGA to Marriott in Brooklyn. Choices and pricing.

Various options are detailed on the LGA website found here: http://laguardiaairport.com/getting-to-from/

A couple of years ago, I asked my travel agent about paying for an upgrade since I noticed that several cabins became available after final payment date. She reported back, saying that Cunard had told her that I would have to cancel my booking, loose my down payment and OBC, and then rebook the cabin I wanted which was more expensive than the cabin I had already booked.

Unsurprisingly, I didn't take the offer.

"toffy-nosed"?

If you're looking for the definition, see http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/toffee-nosed.html

Book forward so one or two of the occupants can shower in the gym.

 

(Oops, on QM2 this requires a paid spa pass.)

I think there are shower facilities for women adjacent to the pool on Deck 12?

And what the heck is a "firkin"??????

https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/firkin

Thanks, everyone. Who would I call at Cunard?

Sorry, but I'm not clear as to whether or not you booked directly through Cunard. Did you book directly?

If you booked through an independent travel agent, you need to direct your questions to that person.

20 odd hours in the air or 11 odd hours and a TA, no brainier I would say. And if you don't want formal, we'll forget what you read here, it's not compulsory. Many would not agree but fine dining (which it isn't anyway) is a small part of a TA for many.

Nowadays it's not the only way to cross....but it's the only way.

 

David

David, that's a good point. I've read several post by passengers who have a fine time without 'going formal'. Informal dress code isn't that difficult even with luggage limitations.

And quite right, it isn't fine dining in the MDR. Good show though :)

Salacia

I've never received such a call.

Me neither. Maybe because they figured that if you had concerns, you would call them.

;)

I am embarrassed to admit that I don't recall if Cunard has a pre-cruise concierge who calls in advance of a cruise to inquire if there is anything that can be done in advance to make your cruise more enjoyable. I remember getting such calls on some other lines. I was on my only QM2 transatlantic two years ago, in QG, but I really couldn't have anticipated any requests, since I never had experienced Cunard before. So perhaps the call just slipped my aging mind? (I did my due diligence and searched for a relevant thread, but found nothing helpful.)

 

We leave in a little over six weeks, and we are excited to be in QG again. This time, I have a list of items I very much would like to discuss with a concierge in advance of embarkation. Can anyone tell me if I should expect a call? If not, can you recommend who I might call to inquire about these details? I have a TA, but frankly, she doesn't seem to know much or to be motivated to meet my needs, now that I have made final payment.

I would say that you should not expect a call. If you have concerns that you need to discuss in advance of embarkation, my suggestion would be to call Cunard directly.

In 2000-2004 when QM2 was being built crude oil averaged $25 per barrel.

25 USD in 2004 had the same buying power as $32.74 today.

Interestingly enough, today's closing price for WTI crude oil was $45.49 - a statistical difference of only 12.75USD per barrel compared with 2004 prices.

I just received an offer from Cunard for "Free Drinks in Balcony and Above" for 2018 sailings. In light of the increased drink costs, that sounds like a glimmer of good news.:cool:

Have you read the fine print on the offer? Personally, I don't see it as a glimmer of good news, I see it as Cunard making yet another sketchy offer that will only secure more red card passengers, and alienate repeat customers.

Video of the fireworks and commemoration of Mr Duffy here: http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/whats-on/whats-on-news/watch-spectacular-firework-display-light-13317103

What figure do you suggest for say a drinks waiter ?

Toad, I know you didn't ask me the question, but I've been thinking about it....A drinks waiter on a cruise ship who also is required to do other duties on turn-around days, train and perform in emergency situations, participate in code red (noro virus) duties, work how many hours per day per week for how many months? Gee, I have no idea what I'd suggest as adequate compensation.

All I can do is pay my fare, including the Hotel and Dining Charge - anything over that is an individual decision.

I have been told by long time cruisers from the UK, that tipping the staff was never in dispute - it was just the "done thing" to discretely give envelopes at the end of the cruise, so I'm having trouble understanding why tipping seems to have evolved to an argument about what you do in your country vs what I do in mine.

We're talking about an international practice on ships that has nothing to do with an individual's country of origin, at least that's my way of looking at it and while I respect the opinion of those who remove the H&D charge on Cunard ships, I respectfully disagree that is in the best interest of the crew or the passengers to remove the H&D charge and stop tipping for extraordinary service.

Regards,

Salacia

"Cunard mourns John Duffy, longest serving four-stripe officer "

"John Duffy, Cunard's veteran hotel manager and the line's longest serving four-stripe officer, died Tuesday. He was 73.

His passing came as Queen Elizabeth sailed into Duffy's home city—and Cunard's spiritual home—at Liverpool yesterday.

Widely regarded by guests and respected by colleagues, Duffy gave 47 years of loyal service to Cunard until his retirement five years ago.

Queen Elizabeth’s whistle sounded for 47 seconds as she sailed from the city Tuesday night.

Flags at Cunard’s UK headquarters at Carnival House in Southampton were scheduled to be lowered Wednesday.

Duffy served as hotel manager on the two most famous ocean liners in the world—Queen Elizabeth 2 and her successor on the North Atlantic, Queen Mary 2.

He joined Cunard in 1965, posted first to Queen Elizabeth and subsequently to Carinthia on the Liverpool to Montréal route. Other ships he served include Carmania, Franconia, Cunard Adventurer, Cunard Ambassador and Cunard Princess.

In 1978 he became the company's youngest hotel manager when, at the age of 33, he was appointed on Cunard Princess. In April 1981 became QE2's youngest hotel manager—a post he remained in longer than any other.

A winner of the Seatrade Seagoing Employee of the Year Award in 2009, he was also presented with the Merchant Navy Medal for long and distinguished service.

Aboard QE2 he welcomed heads of state and political leaders as well as countless stars of stage and screen, together with tens of thousands of other Cunard guests.

His attention to detail in ensuring the needs and expectations of all guests were exceeded is legendary.

Duffy is survived by his wife Marie and their son Johnny." - copied from http://www.seatrade-cruise.com/news/news-headlines/cunard-mourns-john-duffy-longest-serving-four-stripe-officer.html

Ssshhh.....I pulled out my stash. The date is on the lower rim of the lid. Around the word Tiptree.

Even the honey, and honey does not go bad.

Black currant, I'll be asking for that.

 

Pat.

I see it now! Thanks, Pat. I'll be having that orange marmalade on my toast in the morning!:D

-S.