candle in the wind

 The only time I dealt with Cunard directly was when I had pre-paid a future deposit. Everyone was helpful and charming, but one of my flight bookings was cancelled, and they couldn't see that on their screens when I told them, but as I had already checked with Air Canada Cunard did follow up and reinstated my flight, but you have to be vigilant. I feel ChezR's frustration, but perhaps in time she/he will weigh the pros and cons.

Yes, I would contact your travel agent or phone Cunard directly. It can be very frustrating, and you aren't the first. Good luck!

I too was on the 2016 Quebec to NY and when we left Saguenay there were flags to wave along with chocolates given to us as we got back on board by the lovely people who lived there, and a fly over by the Canadian Air Force. It was a trip to remember, which we repeated in 2018. We are booked again for this year, but in the other direction with different stops. Hello to David who visited my stateroom in a group as part of the CC room visits, when we saw the magnificence of the new Single rooms. 

On ‎1‎/‎25‎/‎2019 at 9:09 AM, Nanabigjo said:

We have booked a round trip transatlantic on QM2 and wondered if anyone knows which terminal she usually berths at in New York? If it is Brooklyn , how easy is it to get to the 9/11 museum - are taxis readily available and at what time could you expect to leave the ship? We plan to be up early to see the sail-in so will be ready to disembark ASAP. When I asked Cunard about this they told me it is quicker to leave the ship if you book an excursion with them. We normally like to do or own thing ashore but if it is very time consuming to do this the we would be prepared to book with Cunard. All your views would be greatly appreciated.

My husband I disembarked after the September 30th Quebec to NY voyage arriving early morning and getting off after breakfast. We had ample time to get to the airport home, so were not unduly perturbed when we were in the line - up for customs/immigration for 1 1/2 - 2 hrs. There seemed to be no arrangements made for passengers who were just getting off for the day and returning before the QM2 left again for the TA. It was Bedlam, whether this was because it was a Sunday or because they were short-staffed, I don't know. There are taxis available outside but be sure to ask the terms BEFORE your luggage is put in the trunk of the car. I always feel like I have had a week in the womb with Cunard and then expelled into the reality of New York which is quite sobering.

Has anyone ever booked a guaranteed cabin with Cunard and if so, what was your experience?

 

My husband and I have booked guaranteed cabin (obstructed balcony) on QM2 for a sailing in November and having read the blurb on Cunard's website, they say allocation could take anywhere from 5 weeks pre-voyage (which will be this Sunday), to a day before sailing, which is a tiny bit worrying.

 

I'm sure it'll be fine, but with it being our first time with Cunard and first "guaranteed cabin", I'm paranoid that we're going to end up with a rubbish last minute cabin!

 

Sent from my ONEPLUS A5010 using Forums mobile app[/i have always been informed by email of the stateroom number about 2 weeks before. The only downside for me would be if the "upgrade" was from a balcony, to a sheltered balcony. Not so long ago a sheltered balcony was a grade below obstructed balcony. Some commenters like them, I am not one of them. You are guaranteed one thing, and that is that you are going to love the QM2.

An excellent idea ew101. My husband and I are booked for the first sitting on a table for 2, on our next voyage, and one reason for the table for 2 is because I know we will not be there some evenings and don't want to keep anyone hanging on a bigger table. For instance, if we take afternoon tea, there is no way I would be able to do justice to a full Brittania meal, so will have something small in the buffet. Same goes for a lunch in the pub, sometimes there is only room in there later than we would like. I do feel that someone could have benefited from our absence for those couple of evenings.

Loved your coverage of the transatlantic, seems like no stone was unturned.

Thank you, Host Hattie. I almost felt as though I were there.

It is such a generous gesture to send your daily updates for those of us that are in withdrawal.

Not really.

 

The prices on Cunard are very high. The prices on Celebrity are obscene. Just because Celebrity prices are, quite frankly, laughable (almost 10 quid for a bottle of London Pride - I mean, come on), does not make the Cunard prices acceptable.

Celebrity offer drinks packages which are reasonable, they includes alcohol, bottled water, speciality coffees, and a Premier package that offers an upgrade in alcohol etc. We have always had these included as complimentary "Perks" at the Verandah level. [balcony on Cunard].

Wow! Were they all different?

I would ask for the lower pillow on the left. I like a flat pillow and have asked for one of the oldest, flattest, pillows that turned out to be pre- refurbishment. Eeeww...I know, but I was waking up with a stiff neck and on these two occasions was not offered an alternative. Sad really, I just wanted a flat pillow with any filling. A good sleep means a happy Cunarder, in my case, anyway. I will now take a pillow on my next voyage. Sad really for an upmarket line.

I think my user-name was included, Hattie. Your reply to my question confuses me ??? I intended no impatience when asking about the shampoo brand currently used on Cunard ship.

 

Is anyone else able to answer my question. Thank you.

Hello jimmybean,

Hattie answered your query. The following statement on there is always present as she is the moderator and nothing to do with your question, it is for email questions direct to Hattie. Hope this clears things up.

Having yet to sail on Cunard (on Q.V. at the end of August) from reading the above do I understand the ship is cool inside in the evening? I do feel the cold moe than most.

Flolegs, I do find the QM2 cold inside. For the next voyage I will be taking an evening jacket, and not just a shawl. I don't know whether the QV and QE are chilly, too, or maybe it is just us people who feel the cold more than usual.

I'm pretty sure I'm going to get seasick at some point - I got motion sickness every time I flew in an airplane up until the age of 18 (and I flew a lot!). I get carsick if I sit in the back seat, and I've gotten seasick sitting in a rowboat on a flat Lake Michigan. I think that is what has stopped me from taking a crossing before now, but I will plan on visiting my doctor before I go, to get something to help (like a patch, or some other medication). I will also be traveling with ginger candy.

 

Airfares to New York, and home from Hamburg have been paid for using frequent flier miles.

 

Yeah, I'll have the expense of buying some evening gowns, but I'm looking forward to shopping for them.

I don't want to discourage anybody from taking a cruise on Cunard, but if you get car sick I urge you to reconsider. Whenever the topic of seasickness comes up you will always get advice like: Stay focused on the horizon, chew some ginger sweets, and while this may work for some, for sickness which confines the sufferer to bed there is medication available at the Pursers' Desk, and for more serious cases an injection at the Medical Station.

I love the movement of the QM2, and each voyage I have taken has had some interesting times with the high waves crashing against the windows and sometimes the deck closed.

My daughter and her husband were on a Winter Voyage, 2011 and she was not well at all, her husband wasn't adversely affected and enjoyed a day or two roaming around the QM2 that was reminiscent of the Marie Celeste. The nurses confirmed that there were many staff affected. It was an extreme case. To see a video of this voyage, you can Google it, Raw Footage of QM2 in Stormy Weather. I don't want to be alarmist, as the QM2 can handle this, but you can decide for yourself with full information.

Those 200 may have picked up a serving spoon after a person contaminated it. Their hygiene is not being questioned unless they touched a handrail as they walked downstairs or hit the lift buttons and then did not wash their hands or use the alcohol wash before eating. A recent study found that a person needn't be sneezed or coughed on in order to get the flu, it is in the air.

Hello Ponstad,

My husband and I took the same voyage Fall 2016 from Quebec.

I was elated that Quebec City was so beautiful. There is a tourist office where there are guides offering free walking tours, I am sure most people pay something for the service. While onboard we booked the Quebec Panorama, a coach trip which doesn't look very exciting on paper, but the guide Lin/Lyn ? made it a very interesting afternoon sharing the history of Quebec with us all and taking us around the city showing us the artwork done by the young people of the area, some of them homeless graffiti artists who were given the opportunity by the city to use specific walls. The scenery was perfect as the Fall Colours were just out.

I suggested to Cunard in my comments that some one like that guide would have been so good as a guest speaker onboard. I know some people are organised and have book marked what they want to see in the city, but I personally prefer a guide. Saguenay was very welcoming and we did a bus tour there. Halifax we did Peggy's Cove in the past, that was interesting.We have just booked to do the same trip again this year, as strange as it sounds some onboard guests were booking there and then for 2017 they loved it so much.

Fully agree. Very sharp edges to drawer pulls and because they need some resistance are very painful to my hands and that of my husband. Unbelievable that thousands were fitted without being tested on older hands. We left out comments after our last voyage, but doubt that anyone in authority is going to own up to this non life threatening, but annoying glitch.

Thanks to the people who posted photographs, I had no idea of a bunk bed arrangement.

We are sailing club on the QE soon and have requested a 2 top.Is it possible we could be shoved on a bigger table and would it be considered rude if we turned up late every night,which we do anyway.That's the perogative of club dining apparently with your guaranteed table.Cheers,Brian.

I have never booked Britannia Club, so have no idea if they shove the passengers to a larger table capacity, but you seemed to have answered your own question and it is your prerogative to turn up when you like, but I have no idea if the dining room closes at 2100 or if that is last orders. Let's hope you get your table for two.

I remember once arriving at the mdr and there was a couple in front of us and the lady requested a table for 2, they were then taken to a table.

We were then asked if we wanted a 2 or share and we said we didnt mind whatever was available first. We were taken to a 2 table sitting next to (very close) the couple who had been in front if us.

We had only just sat down when the lady started to talk to me. Why did they ask for a table for 2?

I also find the very close together tables very awkward because you cant avoid hearing the other diners conversations or argument as on one occasion I recall.

 

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In our case we choose a table for two because we do not always use the MDR for dinner. If we have a big lunch or go to afternoon tea we couldn't do a dinner justice, so we have a small meal at the buffet instead. We like the idea of the socialisation of a shared table, and perhaps we will choose one in future. I must say I am also guilty of opening up a conversation with the people two feet away from me. So much to learn.

Thank you babs135 for an interesting account.

I checked Trip Advisor and it doesn't have very good ratings, but one thing I noticed is that one customer said they paid 70 pounds sterling for two nights, so maybe you could do some investigating regarding the price. The customer ratings are not usually SO wrong. I would be on the attack, in the nicest way possible way, and tell the cruise company "How dare they put you there?" Good luck.

If I might add another option there are the Fall sailings 7 or 14 days [return] New York to Quebec City, or the other way around, or both ways. I loved Quebec City and the other smaller places we stopped at for the day, along the way. I hope to do the same trip again in 2018. The 5-day July trip is also worth doing, with more of a party [restrained] atmosphere. I now see this has been covered in a previous post and I can't seem to cancel mine.

Thank you host Hattie and a Merry Christmas to you and all The Cunarders.

Could anyone help me further with this. we start our holiday in a day and a half - flight on the 1st of December.

 

I have checked on virgins site again and cant find my booking reference on the flight confirmation.

 

I have been trying with cunard booking reference

I would call Cunard ASAP. I had a similar thing happen to me in May this year. I had the flight booking reference and was keeping an eye on it and I found it had been cancelled. I phoned Air Canada who confirmed it had been cancelled, but couldn't help as I had booked through a third party, Cunard Air. Even when I phoned Cunard Air they did not believe it as they had the details in front of them. Everything turned out alright after they rebooked and we had a good flight at a good price, but it took the glitter and excitement out of the journey to England as I had lost confidence in Cunard. Imagine trying to explain that at the airport if I hadn't been keeping an eye on my flight.

I am enjoying your account of your voyage, the details make it come to life.

I see the return sailing from Quebec to New York which boards on Friday, 29th, is still advertised on the Canadian site. I believe they were fully booked a few weeks ago, but staterooms became available again last week, mainly balconies, at a much reduced rate. Very handy for someone who lives near either port and has the flexibility to pack up at short notice.

Thank you for taking the time to share this experience with us.

I vote for Queen Latifah!

Good one.