Victoria2

We’re back on our home from home for a relaxing two weeker to the near Baltic, and back. Passengers on the two night portion of the cruise disembarked a couple of hours ago and it’s been lovely to see how well dressed most of the passengers have been of an evening, so far. Having been on the British Isles trip in May where the average passenger age was incredibly high, on this one, it was/is lowered by beautifully dressed teens, twenties and thirties, having a great time. Sure there are a few passengers who wander the ship in their own, definitely down market, version of the advised Smart Attire, but they really stand out as luckily they are so few in number. I'll add to this as and when, but any questions, just ask

I have my parents pins, plus their wonderful world cruise souvenirs. Sadly, I threw their menus and paper memorabilia away as that was pre our own Cunard cruising, which only started in 2011. I guess I’m a second generation Cunard cruiser.

Of course, eleven trips of fourteen nights would qualify for Diamond by dint of nights spent onboard. I think one would get the drift though. Nights spent onboard rather than number of trips would be a fair criteria to use.

I certainly believe feedback from staff with regards to guests is common. I can, to a certain extent believe fare paid might be knowledge shared to M'ds as it could affect pecking order of table positions. It also wouldn’t surprise me if previous offered grats. were remembered because that’s part of human nature. However, I am still sceptical information re who has left the auto grats. on the bill and who hasn’t is shared beyond accounts.

Points in line with spend, would most definitely benefit us 🙂 but in reality, I agree with nights spent onboard to show loyalty, but just my opinion, I don’t think number of trips should count as fifteen times three nighters, would qualify for Diamond as would fifteen trips of fourteen nights. Then 'spend' or lack of it, would have an influence.

I was told exactly the same as Bellboy, by a senior member of staff, years ago. Admittedly, that WAS years ago and I will try and find out but I have no reason to think things have changed. Maybe Bellboy can clear this up for us. Again. I am with you on all your post.

I agree with all your post especially the quoted part. I'm excited for you, for September, and if you have any thoughts or questions about the ship or the cruise, ask me and I’ll try and find the answer for you.

Think Dirty Dancing film, The Deerhurst, Huntsville Ontario was the nearest we’ve got to an all in North American resort. Great fun, especially with children.

and assuming the trains are running! Not an every day given at the moment. Sadly.

As I'm not pet passport aware I can't give a definitive opinion but thinking of all the dogs in kennels on QM2, Have you not considered the powers that be will be aware of all the paperwork which goes with animals carried on Cunard and will have advised accordingly?

We must be trusted not to nick the hangers in our cabin as they are normal hangers!!!😄

Let's not get carried away with conjecture. https://www.cunard.com/en-gb/the-cunard-experience/accessibility/assistance-dogs One has to assume the niceties of having an assistance dog, will be carried out.

Lions?? 🙁

Assistance dogs aren't allowed in the kennels. https://www.cunard.com/en-gb/the-cunard-experience/accessibility/assistance-dogs Support or assistance. Semantics but a huge gulf between the two. Assistance dogs are legally recognised. Support animal/creatures, [google unusual support animals...thinking peacocks and even snakes here] not so. Ewwww, hope Cunard don't allow snakes!!!! 😄 [Joke, folks!!]

We bought a rabbit [gorgeous dwarf mini lop] for our son's 8th birthday, the idea being it was going to be a house rabbit with a pad in the utility. It ended up with a luxury duplex in the garage and an equally luxury out door pen. I kept the rabbit AND the husband AND the child happy! My bank balance took a hit tho'!

It's sort of history. We've not been to Raffles for nearly forty years so not sure of any drink mix or ambiance, but the original Long Bar was on the ground floor of the hotel but was moved early 90s to the arcade. We had drinks [and peanuts] a few times in the pre moved Long Bar in the mid 80's and also did the touristy thing and took a bus tour which included ahotel tour with some visitors and quite frankly, was embarrassed to be seen sort of gawking at residents as we filed through the hotel and I can understand why the hotel moved the bar and was removed from any tourist trail.

No, they wouldn't, but my husbands allergy is so bad, it's nothing to do with smell and all to do with the allergens. The cleaning would have to be on an industrial scale to remove all traces.

I quite like my husband. He is allergic to some cats and some types of dogs. I wouldn’t be very happy staying in a room which has had cats or dogs as residents.

Not a lot! 😕

Aft lifts are usually empty when we get in. Must be in anticipation of us using them, 😄 Have been in a lift when it makes a noise after a well built couple got in. That scared the living daylights out of some fellow liftees and they got out and left the not so slight couple in. No way were 'we' eighteen in the lift.

Not really. The basic thought behind is the same. It's easier to go down to deck one to go back up to deck eleven than to meander midships to deck six or seven to wait for ages for a lift to go up.

Well we have been known to go down, walk to stairwell B to go up as it's often easier so I suppose it's us in reverse.

If in a fluster, press 10 and that will give you time to defluster in order to achieve the great heights of deck 11. 🙂 I have sussed the lifts on both Vistas, One ding - up, ding dong- down and slowly insert card for the green[?] light to show before pressing 11. Only took me a few years to crack it but I'm a maestro now. I even give master classes when those wanting to get to 9 press the top button of the bank of three and wonder why the lifts are slow! My calling in the next life will be to come back as a lift attendant! 😄

Interesting. We do get met as we first step onboard by our butler and we have tickets for priority tender [well some of us do but but others don't seem to as has been discussed] until open tendering is declared but apart from that, it's DIY to queues and the tour buses etc which we are very happy to do. I don't feel the slightest bit entitled as I press deck 11 but equally, don't make a show of it but, I think I could honestly say to be escorted to the front of queues and be segregated in the theatre etc would NOT float my boat so I'm with you on segregation, or not. MSC can keep their YC as far as I'm concerned.

I think the 'lol' gave it away as throw away banter. 🙂