Cats2010

But it is (some) passengers who are asking for an additional facility which will undoubtedly cost money, simply so that they can indulge their habit, and it is reasonable to ask those making the request whether they would expect to bear the extra cost or would expect other passengers to share it.

 

I assume Churchills pays for itself (or at least offsets costs) through sales of cigars but I see no equivalent for a facility simply for people to smoke their own cigarettes - unless smokers are prepared to pay a fee of some kind.

 

Perhaps somebody will be prepared to explain how they think it would all work.

In this world usually it is as follows: What one buys he pays for. In this case it would be the ships company, so there is no need to worry about possible extra cost of a facility which only a selected elite uses :D.

Perhaps some of the smokers who are pressing for special accommodation could tell us about some of the practicalities.

 

Is this room to have additional filtering? If so, how is that paid for, both the capital (installation) cost and as a running cost (cleaning filters, etc)? Are smokers prepared to pay an additional fee for this somehow, or must all passengers contribute to the cost? (I note that the other "vices" mentioned here, alcohol and gambling, generate funds, not consume them, so are the opposite of a tax on all passengers).

 

Which staff member is supposed to enter this room and keep it tidy? (because even if it's only between cruises, somebody will have to). Will smokers give them an extra tip? (statistically, a proportion of the smokers will be those who remove the automatic gratuity and feel no need to tip anybody because "it's Cunard's job to pay staff"). Or are they just supposed to endure any lingering smoke without any additional reward?

 

No doubt there are more questions, but an answer to just these would be interesting.

Yes, you are right to look after your money. Please feel free to address your rather polemic question to the ships company, not to passengers :confused:.

Thanks to Salacia for her very useful comments! I mean to have read somewhere that, while in Hamburg last year to be remastered, QM2 had filters installed to reduce emissions. In addition, different oils are being used with less harmful influence on the environment.

"Smoking cigarettes is legal (for adults), and a well maintained and ventilated venue ideally should be provided for those who smoke cigarettes"

 

Skateboarding is also legal but no ship is obliged to provide a place for those who want to practice it. It's strictly a business decision.

True. No ship is obliged, but I am almost sure that you can find such places on the big fun ships. Ships companies provide them to please their passengers and for the same reason Cunard could provide better conditions for smokers.

Can't wait until the medical marijuana complaints start: The complaints from those who don't want to be exposed to the toxic smoke versus those who claim that they need to relieve their osteoarthritis pain. :confused:

So am I. :D

I think it's more that the general public has decided they don't want to share smokers' ill-smelling and carcinogenic smoke.

Well, it goes back to governments' measures or initiatives on the basis of health research in the US (to my knowledge) and with the assistance of advertising agencies and the press, which a great part of the public gratefully accepted in a way that one can call totally exaggerated.

It should not be forgotten that the tobacco industry, in the past, had added substances which were liable to encourage addiction. It seems that these substances are not allowed anymore. It also seems that smoking does not only cause cancer, but also hinders certain diseases of the digesting system to break out, and this on the basis of scientific research. As so often, there are differences of opinion amongst experts.

Anyway, if most of the passengers prefer a smoke-free environment on a ship, and in order not to disappoint and discourage smokers from booking, another space for the latter seems justified.

A long-standing principle or custom in society is to share. This is also anchored in christianity and in numerous other religions as well. Even in capitalism there is the rule of international division of goods and labour.

I have no problem to share, quite to the contrary: I enjoy it, it is a pleasure to share and most of the time it comes back, so there is double pleasure.

What would it mean to provide an extra room for smokers? Not much more than 3 or 4 in-hull cabins, but for those who believe that they cannot give instead of taking, some free space on the outside of that size could easily be made available on the big Cunard ships.

It is not a question of addiction, there are many other things one can be addicted to. The real question is intolerance, and I find the arguments of those who feel bothered by smoke are insufficient, poor and a sign of petit esprit.

When I see somebody who obviously had a glas too much, I go out of his way, that's all one needs to do.

P.S. I am a modest smoker, but I enjoy coffee and a cigarette after lunch or dinner.

There are certainly things that smell better than cold cigarette fume - what I like is the smell of cigars, it's aromatic and reminds me of my grandfather.

Whether or not smoking is harmful to health (in general it seems to be, for some it isn't), which is one of the reasons (another one are insurance companies' policies) for trying to abolish smoking completely, be it on ships or anywhere else.

I dislike the way this policy is put into practise by some -it is disrespectful and intimidating. Many hotels and restaurants etc. provide rooms for smokers. Is it really asked too much if Cunard did the same and provided an interior room, in addition to the aft of deck 7 of QM2?

 

After the last three years of 'rough' crossings everyone is avoiding the first legs of the QE and QV world cruises. Hence the price as they are desperate to fill the cabins.

Yes, I think so, too. In January 2011, we had high storms during two nights and one day on the transatlantic with QV. She did it well and I would do it again because, in my opinion, Cunard ships are the best to cross the North Atlantic :)

Anyone who has to beg, plead, coax, bargain with anyone to go on any trip winds up with a poor travelling companion.

 

Far better to Find someone who WANTS to take the trip, and make plans with them.

 

Happy travels to ALL.

How true ... You said what I was thinking. I would even go further.

Very best wishes. :)

I regularly follow 'my' ship wherever she goes. It seems that there was quite some fog at the beginning of the afternoon. It is clearer now and she is near the Azores. She does 21 knots at the moment. :)

Just checked the shipping forcast for westbound Atlantic crossing this week. Must say I am a little alarmed and a bit worried! Looks like we are in for a rough ride. Hope it doesn't put my family off cruising as it's our first trip.

Can anyone interpret a more positive forcast please😂😂

So you must be on QM2 on 15/12, right? I have done numerous transatlantics with QM2 at any time of the year. There is no better ship than her to cross the North Atlantic.

It could also very well be that by the time you are on the ship the weather has changed again.

Calm down.

Maybe you should write that one. Seems like you'd have something to say that the Paxtons and Brysons of this world haven't noticed.

 

 

 

.

Maybe. At the moment I am feeding my cat.

There should be something like 'How xenophobic Brits welcome foreigners'. :D

Seriously, if you can't get what has been mentioned before, QM2 has the world's largest library on a ship!

Whilst waiting for 'the right moment' to tell DH we should do a half world cruise while we are still relatively young and fit, two very similar trips have dropped into my inbox. 2018 voyages.

 

They both appeal and at approximately £2000 pp cheaper than the world cruise would definitely make DH very happy. Cruise is on the Queen Elizabeth through to San Francisco (which is the leg he wants to do anyway) and then depending on which ta's email it's either 2 or 3 nights in SF before flying to Las Vegas for 3 nights. All transfers and flights included!!

 

Never been to Las Vegas and I must say it does appeal.

 

Wonder how long we can wait to make any decision. What a problem :eek:

Have DH throw a coin!

Buy large quantities - they are made in France ;).

I think this might have been a mistake by your TA, Cunard don't describe these as obstructed cabins.

I think so, too, but both of the agents, independently from one another (one had already left) referred to Cunard in 2015 and 2016. Must be a mistake of the owner. Apart from that, I have always been very pleased with their service.

Obstructed or not, I like the in-hull cabins! :)

a) I can see the horizon in your photo. I think that's a key factor in defining obstruction.

b) By your criteria, any higher deck would suffer the same "obstruction" as you experienced on Deck 5

This message is not for me :confused:.

Please help me see where Cunard defines an in-hull sheltered balcony as obstructed.

I would love to help you, but the quotes (flash sales) and a confirmation, which I think it was in 2015, have all expired, so they are not visible anymore. You just have to trust my words.

I have not seen these balcony cabins described as obstructed just as sheltered.

The obstructed views on QM2 are on Deck 8, photographs are shown on the Cunard website.

Two collaborators of my TA have given this information in a booking confirmation. The latest one even sent me a photo of the sheltered balcony, because I was surprised as well, and described it as being obstructed.

Sorry too, (on your "common sense" basis the majority of Queens Grill suites on QM2 (deck 9) are obstructed view!!??) - but which in hull/sheltered Britannia cabins are designated obstructed view?. I thought all obstructed view on QM2 were on deck 8.

I do not know the QG suites on deck 9 of QM2; I am very happy with the in-hull cabins on decks 4, 5 and 6 and always take them. It is only since 1 or 2 years that Cunard describes them as being obstructed.

5057 is not advertised as an obstructed view and if you check out the Cunard website you can see the top of the lifeboat concerned from the window of 4057 below so I am surprised at the level of disappointment - after all the Queens Grill Q5's on the QM2 are in a similar position in relation to the lifeboats.

I am sorry but I disagree. Common sense tells me that the very moment I do not have a clear sight to the sea, the view is obstructed, no matter whether it's a lifeboat, machinery, spare parts or anything else that reduces the sight.

It is funny that in-hull cabins on decks 4, 5 and 6 on QM2 are now marked to have obstructed views :confused:. No matter what they are called, I prefer them.

Thanks for all the encouraging comments. BUT how do I convince my DH?

 

As I said before he is firmly in the Head Group and shifting him out of the norm can prove almost impossible.

 

Anyway this whole conversation may be a waste of time if the figures don't add up :(

 

Will do nothing until we are back from our voyage/cruise over Christmas and the New Year. This was actually the start of the whole world cruise chatter, because we couldn't decide between it and the Queen Elizabeth cruise to San Francisco in January 2017. What swayed us was the price plus 4+1 nights in New York.

 

Maybe looking at FCC whilst we are on board may help :D:D

Just wait for the right moment, whenever it is! :cool:

Future cruise credit.

Oh, is that so ? :D

Thanks for all the encouraging comments. BUT how do I convince my DH?

 

As I said before he is firmly in the Head Group and shifting him out of the norm can prove almost impossible.

 

Anyway this whole conversation may be a waste of time if the figures don't add up :(

 

Will do nothing until we are back from our voyage/cruise over Christmas and the New Year. This was actually the start of the whole world cruise chatter, because we couldn't decide between it and the Queen Elizabeth cruise to San Francisco in January 2017. What swayed us was the price plus 4+1 nights in New York.

 

Maybe looking at FCC whilst we are on board may help :D:D

I don't know what FCC means, but while on your Christmas/Near Year cruise you could try to get a better price on board and thus convince him?

Good luck!