15 hours ago, alibabacruisers said:

If you buy the 2 hour pass prior to boarding, is it actually for only the two hours or do you actually get the whole day?  I thought I read somewhere recently that the person booked a 2 hour slot but were allowed to use it all day.

No it is for a specific time (a two hour block) That is what we were told.  As I said we just did the full cruise unlimited for $299.

21 hours ago, newbie202020 said:

Sorry if this has been asked before but I've been reading conflicting info. Am considering an Alaska trip next summer on QE.

 

1. Is there a discount to buy the 2 hour pass for the whole trip (or multi day)? 

2. Is it cheaper to buy the pass online prior to boarding or should I wait until I board?

3. Are there sales (like on other cruise lines) once in a while that I should keep my eyes out for spa passes?

4. If I purchase online prior to trip, is it fully refundable if I change my mind before the trip starts?

5. Does it make sense to buy online now so that I don't lose out on booking popular times?

 

Thanks very much

We just left the QE two days ago in Ft Lauderdale.  Before you board the price is $35.00 for each two hour segment.  Once on board the price was $299.00 for unlimited for the 14 days we were there.  Buy on board and you will love it.

I just went on AARP to purchase my five gift cards for the month of August and the price is not $460.00 for the $500 gift card instead of the $450.00.  Still a good deal at 8%, but not as good as a straight 10% off.

Just an FYI

Does anyone know the email address to send the request for the shareholder's onboard credit?

Any info would be appreciated.

Thanks

Helen

23 minutes ago, cali-croozer said:

I had a positive experience with princess insurance (standard) so wanted to share. I had to cancel a cruise for medical reasons 18 days prior to sailing. Within 1 day, Princess refunded 25% of the cruise fare and port fees/taxes. I filed a claim for the remainder with AON on 4/18. It was approved on 4/20 and I received a check for the remainder on 5/1. 

I had the same experience this past January when I had to cancel my world cruise due to a family illness.  Booked on 2024 world cruise and added this ins. during booking (just in case).

2 hours ago, ocean sounds said:

Which ship did you decide on?

Inland princess, much better itinerary for me...

For me neither one was my preferred cruise.  Glad I booked with another cruise line for 24.  Glad for people who wanted those choices.

We just got off NS on 4/1.  Our ports on a 7 day cruise were changed because of an Azi-pod problem.  Looks like it wasn't fixed!

8 hours ago, exlondoner said:

Yes, I think it is important to remember that a Cunard ship is not part of New York, or Sydney or wherever you happen to live, and you should not expect the tipping custom to be what you do at home. The basics are set out in the brochure or the FAQs. If you truly intend to tip at every meal, you would be the only ones to do so, which is perhaps fortunate, as it might make service very slow. Also, as has been said, tipping in advance would seem like a bribe, with the insulting implication that the server won’t do their job properly unless they are bribed.

Thanks to everyone who has responded.  I am glad I posted this question.  We would not want to do anything to insult anyone or not respect the custom of an area, and that is why I started this thread.   As my father use to say.  "When in Rome........"

Again thanks...

This is our first Cunard cruise.  On other cruise lines we have sailed we generally tip our room stewards at the beginning of the cruise and at the end in cash.  We also tip our servers at breakfast, lunch and dinner, and we tip the servers in the lounges.  Would this be appropriate on cunard?  

Thanks in advance for your imput.

1 hour ago, hpeabody said:

The Sanctuary is a quiet place with nice loungers.  there are attendants to be of service and afternoon tea is always served.  Yes, there is a fee.  Unless it has changed full day $40.00, half day $20.00.  I believe a discount for the whole cruise.

 

Copied from Princess website

The Sanctuary

 

Relax in a Tranquil Retreat Just for Adults

Take a break and indulge in a private getaway at The Sanctuary, our exclusive adults-only retreat offering a relaxing alternative to the myriad outdoor activities and entertainment available elsewhere on the ship. With signature beverages, light meals, and al fresco massages, Serenity Stewards attend to your every need, whether it’s to be on hand to provide chilled face towels or Evian water atomizers.

 

 

Thanks hpeabody for the info.  That is what I was looking for.

I will be on the Island Princess for the world cruise in 2024.  On the deck plans there is a place called the sanctuary.  What is it used for, and is there a fee to use it?   From the deck plans it looks like a large area.

Thanks for any information.

3 hours ago, Banditswife said:

We were on NS last year for 2 weeks ( right after Thanksgiving week) & 2 weeks this year (March 25 - April 8.)  The difference was night & day, last year we loved the ship, service & didn't feel crowded at all.  This year it felt under staffed, crowded & loud.  So it might depend on the time of year you sail.  I thought spring break was early March- but found out it is later for most of the country.  We had 150 kids, mostly teens one of our weeks & more on the other week.  I will still sail NS again, but not over a holiday.

Just got off NS on 4/1.  Not my cup of tea.  Neptune Suite was SMALL compared to the older ships.  Ship was full.  Lots of kids, mostly well behaved.  

Pools were packed on sea days.  There were too many people for the amenities.  A ship this size needs 3 pools not 2!!!   OMG!!  There were babies in diapers in the pool.  I thought children needed to be potty trained before being in a pool.   

Banditswife, you are correct.  Last Nov it was a different ship.   Our next cruise will be this November and on an older ship.   The new ships have too many people for the amount of amenities on the ship.

48 minutes ago, Essiesmom said:

Yes, more formal than HAL.  The Princess Grill suite I glimpsed on QE was nearly identical to a mini-suite on Princess.  EM

Are they comparable to HAL'S Neptune suites?  Is the dress more formal???  On Queen Elizabeth we have a private table.  What exactly does this mean??  Should we brush up on our etiquette for dining,.  Does Cunard have "full" setting as apposed to HAL's partial settingup the last few years.   Thanks for any info.

Sister and I are booked the Queen Elizabeth for a 14 day Panama city canal cruise.  We usually cruise in s Neptune suite on HAL we are in a princess grill suite on the Queen Elizabeth are they comparable?  Is the dress the dress more formal?  Any info would be helpful.  Thanks.

Bill & Maryanne are you thinking about skipping next years WC?    Sure sounds like it from your report

1 hour ago, exlondoner said:

QE carries around 2,000 pax, and is never crowded. I don't think the tonnage figs are right either.

Oops my error I Will travel on QE this August.  The ship I am comparing to Konningsdam is QA.

I am new to the Cunard boards.  My first cruise on Cunard will be in August on the QE.  We are doing the westbound Panama Canal on our way home from Tahiti.   In doing the research on my upcoming cruise I stumbled across the 2025 world cruise.  I love the itinerary and was very impressed in his cust. service handled our original booking so I put a cabin on hold.  

I agree with the poster that said the music walk on the konningsdam is awful, it is.  I would love to find out who actually designed that mess!  It is a terrible idea.  

I just looked ar the stats of Konningsdam is 99,500 tons and carries 2650 passengers and QE is 113,500 and carries 2996 passengers.  The additional space should help with the additional passengers.  

I hope the designers have not copied konningsdam's promenade deck as that would be a mistake.  I will keep my fingers crossed on that one.

1 hour ago, gregma60 said:

Not once during the entire sailing??  Yikes.  How would one get coffee at 5:15am?

 

-gregma

Room service.  Pick up your phone and call...

Oops!   Forgot:  hope you are having a great Safari!!!

5 hours ago, The-Inside-Cabin said:

They typically announce the next world cruise during the mid cruise presidents visit.   That will occur around April 18th.    I expect 20/5 will be announced then.  

Thanks Pete.  Which one of the survey itineraries do you think will  be the "one"???

A,B, C or D?   I am onboard for all but "D".

My sis and  I are thinking of flying to Tahiti and spending a week on Moorea.  What is the best time to go?

Thanks for any info.

40 minutes ago, RuthC said:

Usually you can expect the bookings to open in June, a year and a half before the January World Cruise. So, figure 6/23 for the 2025. 
The itinerary and pre-bookings may be out in May. 

Thanks.  I have a "futuredam" booking already set up, but I only like 3 of the 4 itineraries that are proposed.  WhY does HAL dilly-dally with putting out the world cruise.  Even Princess has theirs posted!

When will HAL announce the 2025 world cruise's itinerary??? There are other cruises in February 2015listed but not the world cruise.  Any ideas when it will be listed???

Spoke to my ta.  She will book me as soon as the bookings open!!