Victoria2

Glacier Bay, one the the National Parks of the US has had a limit on cruise line concessions for ages. Cunard were awarded their ten year concession at the renewals a few years ago. Maybe some sort of 'pruning' of visitors will be environmentally good for the ports too although businesses might carp a bit.

If booking a one way, and I have no idea of the itineraries, after a couple of Inside Passage cruises, we found starboard the more scenic side for our Vancouver [Seattle for Cunard]/Anchorage one way.

Excuse me if I ‘hone in' on your criticisms and in this thread, the service you are nitpicking at as 'advising' to walk away from a cruise line because of a 'can’t book' onboard issue is in my opinion, petulantly anti the cruise line because you can book, but it takes a spot of planning. There are feasibly over a thousand plus passengers who might want to book onboard which would be an impossible feat to facilitate and some sort of system is needed, and it’s there as demonstrated by appointments booked. Phoning or visiting the front desk or Grills concierge to make an appointment has always been preferable to queuing at the future sales office and it’s up to individuals to use the time during their cruise to access that facility, via queuing or an appointment. No problem, Just be proactive as obviously, many passengers were as leaving anything last minute is subject to disappointment and booking onboard is no different. I will edit to say a voicemail system for the Future Voyage office would be a welcome addition...at least for passengers 👍 if only for a reply to come back saying there are no more available appointments and queuing is required.

Oh I would definitely fill one in but as to whether my form filling would be of use, the jury is out on that. Regarding areas which need improvement, I made my thoughts clear onboard.

Hmm, like the lifts??😁

I do apologise. Trivial was a word used in the spur of the moment to someone who seems to take any opportunity to nit pick at Cunard. To us, it's trivial as we've not had one for many years but make sure anything of relevance [hopefully] reaches the ears of those who can escalate our comments upwards which to my mind, is better than any survey. To even begin to contemplate 'walking away' from a cruise line due to the lack of a customer survey is to me, laughable. One comment I made was quite relevant. I will see if it has been acted upon on our next cruise.

We haven't had a survey for years and anything relevant to say has been made to appropriate departments either on board or once at home. I'm not sure how many Cunard cruises you have taken, but our holidays do not rest on trivial extras such as passenger surveys. I'm sure I'm not alone here.

Pink pigs and flying spring to mind! 😃

I agree, and before that too as the original Maiden was for January. Contracts would have been rostered to take all this in. The QG M d' is on leave 14th July and he has been heavily involved for months before the original Maiden.

1] Service/gratuity is included. No need [at all] to add extra 4] No gratuity needed or expected when QG bottle are replenished but [and not wishing to start a 'tip or not to tip extra' debate] what you do grats wise at the end of the cruise is up to you. 🙂

I'd be interested to know if the library has reverted to two books each time per passenger rather than the ridiculous five on the 10th May.

Once the [Cunard] form is reviewed and then submitted, a pop up appears confirming the submission with a one time chance to download the form to print out. For us, that's a Cunard confirmation the form has been received. If it became an issue at boarding especially after showing the submitted form, and I don't think for one moment there would be a problem, there would be hell to play and believe me, I can 'do hell'! 🙂

Shall be following with interest. We too have another trip booked this year and will be fascinated to compare the two experience. Enjoy.

Again, I would expect all M d's to help exactly as you have described. All of them without fail. It's part of their job and all the ones we have met are there because they deserve the position and as you say, do Cunard proud but that doesn't mean they are all 'perfect' all the time. None of the Senior M d's are intimidating. In fact no QG restaurant staff members are in our not exactly slight experience and if that is a perceived issue for some then that might just be a personal problem. I don't know what your experience is of Cunard M d's but if a tick sheet were to be completed, for us, most would get a full five star rating. Not making sure to speak to every table *very often would not rate five stars and yes, maybe not every night but some folk DO like to have the M d' come to greet/pass the time of day/ ask if everything is OK and seeing or reading of folk making the point that didn't happen does not detract from their position of Senior M d' but doesn't give the full five stars. Opinions will vary and it's down to experiences at the end of the day.

I can't comment on apps but we experienced left hand/right hand syndrome on the previous QA cruise but being proactive, I found out before it became a really serious issue. It was worrying but the end result was a feather in the cap of a certain member of Cunard staff and I made sure that was noted. I don't think we would ever be denied boarding but having 'proof' in the form of the print out the access protocols were followed and accepted is now part of the paperwork to bring with us. I think any passenger who has filled out the form, evac or just for help, should bring the paperwork along when boarding. A tad tedious but dotting i's and crossing t's is now part of our boarding process.

I would expect that from all staff, the senior ones being the ones able to be proactive.

Having an interest, I followed Selbourne's trials and tribulations [and the positives] on QA and so have read through this thread with great interest. Regarding Cunard, our agent states when booking, an evac chair will be needed and I fill out the tedious but necessary 'form' to confirm. One future cruise form is yet to be filled out as 'error please try later' shows up when trying to access the form, as it did with two other bookings but which have now been resolved. No problem as my agent informs Cunard of the need at the time of booking and because of that, I get periodic emails from Cunard saying I need to fill out the form[s]. Well I will when the website allows me to but the crux of this post is to say, as a cynic now having had potential boarding issue last year [resolved as it was 'misreading' of the assistance list], I print out the form after its acknowledgement by Cunard and crucially, take it with us, just in case.

Some staff are better at 'being inclusive' than others and some people get a bit upset if being seen to have been 'left out'. Reasonably so I guess at times. You only have to be a reader of this board to read of different experiences. I rate most of the Senior M d's as being inclusive but one I highly rate was most definitely panned on this board so different folk, different thoughts.

It's not that I don't 'like' him, I didn't think he worked the room as others do. No problem for us as we couldn't care less but it was for others so no, not top of my list.

It does. I'd go with that too. Not top of my list of great Maître d's

Disregarding QM2 as I have no knowledge there, it entirely depends on the dates and itinerary as to whether the 2s and 1s book out early so it's not a given they go first. As one who books these, we know which itineraries will sell out within the first day, or couple of days so book accordingly.

Or join in the 'disco dancing' in the Queens Room on QA. Now that was a treat to see.A lively, full floor of 'alternative' dancers. 🙂

Will do no harm to ask. Lobster tail is one of my salad toppings and Lobster Thermidor is always available, on menu or a special, so why not king crab if aboard.

Like most dishes, it's always available on request and is on the a la carte occasionally too. I have seen it on the main menu in the past so yes, definitely available. The senior staff on QA were brilliant at asking if any specials were required.

Think so. We were on Queen Victoria 100th anniversary of the sinking of Lusitania memorial cruise. Very moving ceremony in Cobh.