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Salacia

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Posts posted by Salacia

    Drinks Prices

    in Cunard Line

    Posted

    Thanks for the look, it was very hard to read. We are going on a Transatlantic in October 2017 and have the package where drinks $12 and under are free (service charge we pay). We are not big on Alcohol but like an occasional wine. If I read your pictures right, most glasses are $7-9 dollars, right?

     

    Sherrie, Pennbank's post is dated 16 Sept 2016. According to more recent posts, there has been an increase, but surely the house wines remain under $12 per glass? - Hopefully someone recently on board will confirm. Regards, -S.

    A jam and preserve question

    in Cunard Line

    Posted

    Without doubt the best question I have seen on this board. hope they have black cherry.......

     

    Never seen black cherry, nor have I seen an expiration date on those lovely little jars. Perhaps I just don't know where to look for the expiry date? (Confession: I brought one home from our last cruise...but how old is it?) Thanks for any advice as I'm in a jam :-)

    Is Cunard for us ?

    in Cunard Line

    Posted

    If I were going to cross the Atlantic, I'd book passage on an ocean liner - and currently there is only one: Queen Mary 2. That's something I haven't done yet, but it's on my bucket list.

     

    From what I've read (and I read a lot), I would book a Britannia category sheltered balcony, mid-ships on decks 4 or 5. I'm sure the Grills are lovely, but on a trans-Atlantic, I'd be more interested in a smooth ride rather than the special menus and amenities offered in the Grills. Again, that's just my personal opinion.

     

    Maybe you'll like Cunard, maybe not. Try Cunard once, and I suspect you'll be back.

     

    Best wishes,

    Salacia

     

    P.S. We recently completed our 13th QM2 voyage. I've got itchy fingers to book the next one :-)

    Tipping (sorry!)

    in Cunard Line

    Posted

    Indeed yes, someone's rate of pay is between them and their employer.

     

    But you do not appear to be correct regarding US minimum wage. It varies by state, the lowest is Wyoming at $5.15 (£4) and the highest is DC at $11.50 (£8.90). The most common is around $7.50 (£5.80). So it's not anywhere near $2.

     

    Right, it's no where near two bucks an hour.

     

    Minimum wage in the US is a complex issue, and while it varies by state, the minimum wage also varies depending on full or part time employment, tipped wages, etc.

     

    I live in NY, and here is the minimum wage scale laws: https://www.ny.gov/new-york-states-minimum-wage/new-york-states-minimum-wage

     

    Pertaining to US minimum wages in general, this might be of interest:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minimum_wage_in_the_United_States

     

    Frankly, I don't understand how US wages are germaine to the wages paid on Cunard ships.

    .

    Dress Question

    in Cunard Line

    Posted

    For those who easily take offence; this thread was mocking Trump and not our fellow passengers. Please feel free to have your well done steak with ketchup and ice cream for afters - as long as you don't wear the red cap.

     

    Gee thanks.

    Two questions for upcoming QM2 cruise

    in Cunard Line

    Posted

    I intend to be part of the 5-50% who wear black suits and ties, in part because it means my wife doesn't have to dress to match a tuxedo.

     

    Looking back at photos, a black cocktail dress and tuxedo made for a simple but elegant, classic arrangement of two people I can barely recognize in our daily lives.

    Tipping (sorry!)

    in Cunard Line

    Posted

    Teddy,

    Are you saying that I should OR that I should not tip the room service breakfast server every day.

     

    Saltydog, tip or not, that is your decision. Yikes, it's not that hard, is it? If you don't have good service, or if you don't have a few extra dollars to spare, then don't tip.

    Cunard Corporate

    in Cunard Line

    Posted

    Somebody on the roll call for the current trip has just started the roll call for next year after booking on board so hopefully it's not all bad.

     

    Hi Hattie. I see what you mentioned - to quote from the roll call "...Have this cruise booked already for 2018. Got terrific deal on board with lots of on board credit, comp. gratuities and comp. Verandah Restaurant too, which is spectacular!..,"

     

    Unfortunately, future cruise credits are not applicable for this cruise when booked as 5 nights. I don't know where the special deals, comps etc. become available, but apparently, for some it is a great deal - for others, it is increasingly looking like something less.

     

    BTW, I thought we weren't permitted to mention on the open forum what was posted on roll calls; but I gather things have changed ? If not, please excuse.

    Thank you.

    Cunard Corporate

    in Cunard Line

    Posted

    It has been a good cruise and I love sailing on QM2. I am annoyed that the casino manager is catering to a small group of people rather than all passengers. What I will do is express my disappointment to corporate in writing. Hopefully I will hear back from them.

     

    Thanks for all the responses. Katherine

     

    Hi Lady Hudson. Glad you enjoyed the cruise, and thanks for keeping us posted. Looking forward to reading Corporate's response, if you care to share it. Best wishes, -Salacia

    Cunard Corporate

    in Cunard Line

    Posted

    I just realized that this cruise is the 5 day one. I can imagine that the corporate powers decided that this was a great cruise to offer to the high rollers. They embark in NYC and debark there also over a holiday period. . I am not saying that this is a good idea, but I believe it would be the one in the heads of Cunard Corporate.

    My experience with any of the shorter/taster cruises is that they are not anywhere near the quality of the regular Cunard cruises. (or any cruise line for that matter)

     

    Hi bananavan. I've taken the 5-day Independence Day cruise several times. The fares are higher than most other cruises from NY, and historically this is the only short cruise offered on this side of the pond. Personally, I don't think this cruise compares based on the complaints I've read about on some other short cruises, but unfortunately, that might be changing.

    Cunard Corporate

    in Cunard Line

    Posted

    Lady Hudson: Sorry this is happening. If I had been on your voyage, I would be furious. I spend way too much time playing blackjack in the QM2 casino (too much time in terms of my budget!), so I am sensitive to the way it is run. On our last crossing, just a few weeks ago, I found the management of the casino to be unfriendly and downright depressed. The dealers were fine and friendly, but all the pit bosses were nasty and depressed, as though they all hated their jobs. It created an unpleasant atmosphere in the casino, very different than my many other experiences on the QM2. There were a couple of nights that I avoided the casino since I could no longer take their nasty depressed attitudes. So I wish you luck in pursuing this. I'm not sure whom the casino staff work for. There is some relation to Carnival Corporate since I know staff move from one Carnival ship to another. I don't have any hope that writing on this forum will reach anyone in charge, nor I am confident that comments on your comment card or on the on-line survey will help, since they now provide limited opportunity to thoroughly explain one's concerns. But I do feel for you. This is a shame.

     

    I have to agree with you tv24. It is a shame, considering how much fun the casino was years ago. The atmosphere at the tables recently is very different, and has been going down-hill for years.

    In desperation to keep the shrunken, outdated casino viable, high stake gamblers are more welcome than loyal passengers...well, we'll see how long that profit margin holds!

    Cunard Corporate

    in Cunard Line

    Posted

    How does a red card get a comped room? It's obviously not based on their Cunard rating h they didn't have one before boarding.

     

    I can see getting drink comps based on their onboard play to date. Are you sure they're in a comped room on this trip?

     

    Underwatr, someone tried to explain this to me years ago in the QM2 casino. Can't say I understand what it's all about, but for those who spend more money than I do (which is just about anyone who goes to the casino :)) there are ways to get comped on rooms and drinks, etc. even if it's your first trip on a particular Cunard ship - as long as you have built up a history of spending in the casino, and are members of Carnival Players Club < that's where the rating comes into play.

     

    See https://www.carnival.com/casino-premier-cruises.aspx

     

    Again, I'm not experienced on this scheme, but perhaps someone with personal knowledge can comment further.

     

    Salacia

    Future Cruise Credit

    in Cunard Line

    Posted

    Sorry for being so oblivious here. In the past, we've always resisted encouragement to prebook a cruise while aboard. (On all lines, including Cunard.)

    In May, after doing a RT TA, we decided to book another RT TA for Sept 2018 and received $360 pp OBC. We're from the USA, so those rules apply. I had always heard that those OBCs were transferrable, should we decide on another voyage. However, I didn't press Yoyo on this when I booked, (There was a waiting line that afternoon)

    Looking at the current offers, I already see better options, and will expect that better offerings will come up in early 2018. If my TA cancels and rebooks us (before the cancellation penalty) will our OBCs still be in effect?

     

    Mark, my understanding is that you didn't buy a Future Cruise Credit (FCC), you booked a cruise with certain offers. Most often the terms and conditions state that if you cancel that booking, the offers are not transferrable - unlike Future Cruise Credits.So my guess is that your OBC's will not carry over from a cancelled booking to a new booking. I hope I'm wrong. Best, -Salacia

    Future Cruise Credit

    in Cunard Line

    Posted

    Sorry for being so oblivious here. In the past, we've always resisted encouragement to prebook a cruise while aboard. (On all lines, including Cunard.)

    In May, after doing a RT TA, we decided to book another RT TA for Sept 2018 and received $360 pp OBC. We're from the USA, so those rules apply. I had always heard that those OBCs were transferrable, should we decide on another voyage. However, I didn't press Yoyo on this when I booked, (There was a waiting line that afternoon)

    Looking at the current offers, I already see better options, and will expect that better offerings will come up in early 2018. If my TA cancels and rebooks us (before the cancellation penalty) will our OBCs still be in effect?

     

    Hi MarkBear. I agree with you about resisting booking while on board...Well, to tell the truth we did book once during our 13 QM2 cruises. I had been following the prices on a certain cruise through my on line travel agent, and when I read in the Daily Program me that double on board credits were on offer for that cruise, I booked on board - with the stipulation that the booking went through my travel agent. As it turned out the travel agent was also offering a generous OBC and a lower fare than what I was quoted. Pretty sweet.

     

    Now, that's only happened once in 13 cruises over ten years. But hope springs eternal that it will happen again (fat chance). Meanwhile, I continue to purchase future cruise credits while on board without booking a specifc cruise. We'll see how long that lasts ;) <--- are those new emoticons creepy, or what?;p

    A Charge for light Lunch, now in force in the Q.Vic Chart Room.

    in Cunard Line

    Posted

    Yet another example of them moving the 'goal posts' after a cruise has been booked.

     

    Yup, and those examples are mounting up. Obviously, Cunard knew when this new charge was going to be implemented, but gave no advance notice.

     

    Is this "bait and switch"?

     

    Either way, such tactics do not inspire confidence in those booking long in advance. Not that I'll be booking long in advance - I've learned my lesson several times over :)

    Future Cruise Credit

    in Cunard Line

    Posted

    I was awarded the $100 obc from the future cruise credit after my travel agent spent 50 minutes on the phone with three Cunard personnel, ending with upper management..........They argued I received outdated paperwork on the ship but their main argument was that I had booked a "flash fare." If I did, it was news to me, I have booked one in the past so am aware of the terms and conditions. My argument: flash fares are not published and I was paying the reduced price on their website.(since lowered) .............before I went to my travel agent, I called Cunard directly for details and no mention it was a flash fare from that rep -- I purchased Cunard Air and Cunard Care which are supposedly not available with a flash fare. They gave me my military obc. They forced me to take a guarantee without telling me if I paid more, I could pick a cabin - it its a flash fare, higher price should be available.. Paperwork from the future cruise credit should state all limitations. ....The most recent info I can find on Cunards policies on flash fares goes back to June 2009.................................from what others have posted, it sounds like future cruise credits are still policy and that is good news - although I am convinced after talking with my friend who was on the Victoria in January , that Cunard was trying to change policy.....

     

    Hi Keuka Lake Sailor. Happy that it worked out for you & thanks for the update. My husband and I usually purchase a FCC on board ($600 total for two FCC). Next time I'll be a better consumer and request that the terms and conditions are clearly indicated in the purchase contract (it was never that formal in the past). Thanks again & have a great trip. Regards, - Salacia

    Bringing a drone in baggage?

    in Cunard Line

    Posted

    Thanks for the advice but I am not only an ex-pilot but also a very experienced drone pilot. I have access to the uav regs for all of the countries I plan to visit AND I am in contact with other drone flyers in those countries. What I do not know is how flexible Cunard is in transporting my drone without giving me access to it till disembarkation.

     

    Hi ulilleann. Being as experienced as you are, no doubt you know that by contacting Cunard directly, you will get a direct answer :)

     

    Of course, even the neophytes amongst us know that security measures seem to be in a state of flux. So while drones might be acceptable one day, the next day a person possessing one can be held for questioning if a drone was implicated in an illegal act. Hasn't happened yet, but I wouldn't risk pack a drone for overseas travel.

     

    Bottom line, you know you need to contact Cunard about your drone. And you also know that whatever answer you get today might be different tomorrow. Sadly, that is the story - which is why I agree with Kamloops - leave the drone at home and enjoy your holiday.

     

    Salacia

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