Thoughts on the new QE

[blue whale]

We just looked at the itinerary for the world cruise 2012 on the QE. We have been booking primarily longer cruises on HAL and the Amsterdam. I do not see too much here about the new Elizabeth.

 

Can someone who has traveled on the new QE tell us his/her thoughts? Can it dock in most ports or is tendering required? How are the service and food? What level of balcony cabin gives the best value for the money? What is the dining pattern—assigned seating or open? Is the Britania restaurant nice?

 

Thank you for your thoughts

 

Blue Whale

[Norfolk Brit]

No-one on here has yet sailed on the new QE as her maiden cruise is not until 12 October this year; doubtless there will be numerous reports once some of us have been on board.

 

Mary:)

[blue whale]

Thanks, I did not realize that we will be sailing on a new ship if we decide to do it!! Fantastic!

[blue whale]

Just thought: Is the new QE structurally similar to one of the other queens, so I could make decisions based on postings about one of the others?

 

Thank you

[GAV BOY]

Just thought: Is the new QE structurally similar to one of the other queens, so I could make decisions based on postings about one of the others?

 

Thank you

 

Hi she is similar to Queen Victoria. :)

[southwestie]

Hi she is similar to Queen Victoria. :)

 

 

Similar, but the decor is art deco, light, i think nicer, but then I love the QM2 and the QV as well, we are sailing on her in August next year.

 

and what a great name to carry

[Norfolk Brit]

Just thought: Is the new QE structurally similar to one of the other queens, so I could make decisions based on postings about one of the others?

 

You may find this thread useful, used in conjunction with the QV and QE deckplans, as I'm not sure if the cabin numbers are identical on both ships:

 

http://cruiseforums.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?p=19181355#

 

Mary

[Savoia]

Similar, but the decor is art deco, light, i think nicer, but then I love the QM2 and the QV as well, we are sailing on her in August next year.

 

and what a great name to carry

 

 

Carnival will be using the revised Vista as they have with HAL and Costa. As with all Cunard brand vessels they are managed and directed by P&O/Princess. And as with all Cunard ships they are designed and staffed by P&O/Princess.

 

But this particular Vista has a reinforced bow, and it does say CUNARD along the hull..so that makes this ship an ocean liner.

[southwestie]

Carnival will be using the revised Vista as they have with HAL and Costa. As with all Cunard brand vessels they are managed and directed by P&O/Princess. And as with all Cunard ships they are designed and staffed by P&O/Princess.

 

But this particular Vista has a reinforced bow, and it does say CUNARD along the hull..so that makes this ship an ocean liner.

 

 

Yes it does state that, so two liners then, three if we dare call QV a liner, I am looking forward to seeing the new QE, the decor looks so good, QV is beautiful, just a little dark

[Savoia]

Yes it does state that, so two liners then, three if we dare call QV a liner, I am looking forward to seeing the new QE, the decor looks so good, QV is beautiful, just a little dark

 

For me, if Cunard doesn't build their own ships (in all fairness none of the Carnival brands do). And if they don't design, staff or manage their own ships..where is cunard in "Cunard"?

 

Cunard is the vision of its own comeptition.

[ILUVMTL]

For me, if Cunard doesn't build their own ships (in all fairness none of the Carnival brands do). And if they don't design, staff or manage their own ships..where is cunard in "Cunard"?

 

Cunard is the vision of its own comeptition.

 

 

Savoia, you seem to be suggesting that because Cunard ships are designed, decorated, and staffed by Carnival elements other than Cunard itself, Cunard loyalists are therfore being duped into perceiving something that does not in reality exist. I would argue that Cunard exists to the extent that consumers believe in it. After all Cunard is simply a brand, one of several that Carnival 'owns'. As such Cunard is a marketing concept and a successful one to the extent that it has substantial brand loyalty - successful despite the fact that the loyalists knows that Cunard ships are designed, decorated, and staffed by other Carnival elements. It is not unlike (in the days when General Motors had more brands than it does today!) the situation where certain Chevrolet models and certain Pontiac models were virtually identical, differing only in superficial detail. Despite that fact Chevrolet and Pontiac had fierce brand loyalists. You seem to be suggesting that because certain brands in many ways are not distinguishable, consumers should not have brand loyalty. Cunard's brand loyalty is a tribute to Carnival's marketing strategy. Presumably all marketing strategies rest on more than rational arguments, encompassing emotional factors as well. Indeed it may actually be the Cunard brand loyalists who create the ambiance on board that many feel makes Cunard special and distinguishable. What I don't understand is why you are so offended by Carnival's success in promoting their Cunard brand?

[Salacia]

Get the popcorn ready; this is going to be a good one!

[RobertGraves]

Hi Salacia, let the show begin (I hope)!:)

 

First I have to admit that Savoia is really brave to be prepared to fight against all of us Cunard lovers here. :)

 

That said, Cunard is not cast out of place and time. Cunard ships were different in Samuel Cunard's time, in 1900 or 1950, because they inevitably followed their time. As I have said many times, our modern time is characterized by homogenization and standardization, and Cunard is bound to have its share of this: with QV and QE, roughly belonging to the Vista Class of ships.

 

Is this a deadly sin? No, by no means. Vista Class ships may be somewhat common, but have proved to be successful with the cruising public, wisely designed, offering convenient public flow, abundant public spaces, lots of balcony cabins, etc. But most importantly, Carnival/Princess/Cunard, whatever you like, introduced brilliant innovations on QV, followed and enhanced now on QE, that differentiate the new Cunard ships from all other Vistas.

 

The Queen's Room, the Shopping Arcade, the Winter Garden, the two-story Library for example are not to be found on any other Vista ship. Let alone the expensive cost: QE will cost appoximately $340,000 per berth, compared to $260,000 of the other Vistas (if someone have more precise details, I would like to know).

 

So, I frankly believe that Carnival has really taken care of Cunard. Compare P&O Arcadia's deck plans (originally intented to be QV) with QV's and QE's. Compare respectively the interior decors. No comparison. Let alone the existence of QM2, most of all, which costed more than 40% compared to what a common cruiseship of her size would. All these are clearly a sign that there is consideration in Carnival's headquarters regarding Cunard's distinct status within their empire.

 

Last, having also travelled on Rotterdam, Amsterdam's sister in Holland America, I would like to say to the OP that we were impressed by HAL's friendly service and attention to detail in both hardware and sofware. But I feel Cunard is steps more on such matters as decor or ambience and it is really worth giving it a try, especially on a brand new ship.

[guernseyguy]

What I don't understand is why you are so offended by Carnival's success in promoting their Cunard brand?

 

None of us do.....its not like he's sailed on any of them......I get the distinct impression he's never been nearer than his computer screen.....From a pre-Carnival basket case to a post-Carnival young fleet with its greatest tonnage in decades.....what's not to like? Of course they are not perfect, and no, they don't design unique door handles for their doors.....but for those of us who have actually sailed on modern Cunard, there is a lot to like.....

[oldsilverfox]

I too am frequently perplexed by his postings. If the person concerned hasn't ever sailed on a Cunarder and apparently, judging by his output has no intention whatsoever of planning to do so in the future, what is the motive behind his continuously negative views on the Carnival business model/White Star service/Vista class etc.

 

The only answer that I could come up with is that someone, somewhere is offering a valuable prize for the number of times you can put "PO/Princess" and "Cunard" in the same posting.

[Cruachan]

First I have to admit that Savoia is really brave to be prepared to fight against all of us Cunard lovers here. :)

 

There is an alternative explanation...

 

:D

 

J

[Cruachan]

I too am frequently perplexed by his postings. If the person concerned hasn't ever sailed on a Cunarder and apparently, judging by his output has no intention whatsoever of planning to do so in the future, what is the motive behind his continuously negative views on the Carnival business model/White Star service/Vista class etc.

 

I am even more perplexed as to why he thinks anybody cares. In every single aspect of daily life; be it entertainment, fashion, cars, the print media, food, cell phones, personal hygiene etc etc, we use different brands of every kind of product under the sun. We all have personal preferences and favourite brands but I, for one, couldn't give a tinker's cuss who actually owns or designs my favourite brand of toothpaste, or socks, or breakfast cereal, or whatever. If it's a good product and I like it then I will buy it.

 

But, Savoia, don't take this personally. Keep up the good work - you add to the sum of human happiness around here and that's important. At least you provide us with a constant string of conversation starters - what more could we ask? :D:D

 

J

[pumpkin 11]

Hi Salacia, let the show begin (I hope)!:)

 

First I have to admit that Savoia is really brave to be prepared to fight against all of us Cunard lovers here. :)

 

That said, Cunard is not cast out of place and time. Cunard ships were different in Samuel Cunard's time, in 1900 or 1950, because they inevitably followed their time. As I have said many times, our modern time is characterized by homogenization and standardization, and Cunard is bound to have its share of this: with QV and QE, roughly belonging to the Vista Class of ships.

 

Is this a deadly sin? No, by no means. Vista Class ships may be somewhat common, but have proved to be successful with the cruising public, wisely designed, offering convenient public flow, abundant public spaces, lots of balcony cabins, etc. But most importantly, Carnival/Princess/Cunard, whatever you like, introduced brilliant innovations on QV, followed and enhanced now on QE, that differentiate the new Cunard ships from all other Vistas.

 

The Queen's Room, the Shopping Arcade, the Winter Garden, the two-story Library for example are not to be found on any other Vista ship. Let alone the expensive cost: QE will cost appoximately $340,000 per berth, compared to $260,000 of the other Vistas (if someone have more precise details, I would like to know).

 

So, I frankly believe that Carnival has really taken care of Cunard. Compare P&O Arcadia's deck plans (originally intented to be QV) with QV's and QE's. Compare respectively the interior decors. No comparison. Let alone the existence of QM2, most of all, which costed more than 40% compared to what a common cruiseship of her size would. All these are clearly a sign that there is consideration in Carnival's headquarters regarding Cunard's distinct status within their empire.

 

Last, having also travelled on Rotterdam, Amsterdam's sister in Holland America, I would like to say to the OP that we were impressed by HAL's friendly service and attention to detail in both hardware and sofware. But I feel Cunard is steps more on such matters as decor or ambience and it is really worth giving it a try, especially on a brand new ship.

 

Nicely said. Like Cunard has always done, they are just adapting to the times and should not be compared to a time when ships were built in different times with different styles and jobs. The New QE will be doing just that, serving it's purpose. It may not be as ornate as some older ships; but you can't go argue that cunard has a unique, and very nice product. I am sure that QE will serve its purpose very well.:)

[Savoia]

But I feel Cunard is steps more on such matters as decor or ambience.

 

And there it is.

 

 

Recently I had a good laugh with our marketing president in our firm. I explained to him that a cruise line called Cunard was making a promotional video for one of the vessels it was being given sail as their own. In the process, its very small inhouse marketing arm used an image of the Titanic as one of their own vintage vessels for their online assignment. His response was "any firm that can't tell its own product and uses the Titanic instead deserves what it gets".

 

What's interesting is how many people enamoured with Cunard give all the credit to Cunard for the end result. Cunard has no say in its look, there are no Cunard design represenitives to consult or ask. There are no Cunard engineers for design implementation or even operating engineers for that matter. Even Cunard's Commodore came over from another brand to fill the position. Cunard's marketing managers, the small desk in California whom we thank for the memorable Titanic faux pas, reports directly to its own corporate marketing sibling who happens to be their own competition. As a frequent cruiser noted "Cunard is P&O coming from the opposite direction at twice the price" (compare that statement for yourselves). Cunard doesn't decide on building its ships, managing them, decorating them, staffing them, operating them or even selling them. The only visible British element appears to be their names and their port of registry. One is hard to find an element from the very vibrant and active UK design world on any of these ships either. So, when giving credit for the experience of Cunard, who exactly at Cunard gets that credit? The level of disconnect from the top down is clear. At times it looks and sounds like Cunard merely manages these vessels on a lease basis given how deep the disconnect is.

 

Is the Cunard experience a bad one then?..not at all! For some it is wonderful..what its competition provides is above adequate. If Cunard has no voice of its own, where is the "Cunard" experience in Cunard these days? I'm not the only one wondering, as Peter tried answering on Yahoo's LinerList awhile back when someone else questioned they "why" of Queen Victoria. So much for the collective use of "us", Peter..:p

 

 

 

So today, I

[Salacia]

What happened? Everybody ok? Savoia, you ended with "So today, I"...what???

 

 

I'm learning a lot about ships from reading your discussion, so please keep writing more about ships. Thank you.

Regards,

Salacia

[Cruachan]

So today, I

 

OK - we need to hear from all the conspiracy theorists out there. Come on let's have it. What have the Cunard thought-police done to Savoia?

 

Is he locked in some damp cellar with strategically placed electrodes attached to sensitive parts of his anatomy. Are they using sand filled socks or rubber truncheons? Did the storm-troopers from Cunard's marketing department kick down his door as he was in mid e-mail. Has he been sentenced to spend the rest of his natural life sailing on a Vista Class ship while critically admiring its interior design?

 

We need to know! Indeed, to quote the much overused press justification for everything "The public has a right to know". Speak to us Savoia - your fans are in a state bordering on panic.

 

Come back Savoia - we need your insightful comments on Cunard/Princess/P&O/DFDS/North Sea Ferries/CalMac or whoever the hell they are!

 

A deeply worried J

[Salacia]

OK - we need to hear from all the conspiracy theorists out there. Come on let's have it. What have the Cunard thought-police done to Savoia?

 

Is he locked in some damp cellar with strategically placed electrodes attached to sensitive parts of his anatomy. Are they using sand filled socks or rubber truncheons? Did the storm-troopers from Cunard's marketing department kick down his door as he was in mid e-mail. Has he been sentenced to spend the rest of his natural life sailing on a Vista Class ship while critically admiring its interior design?

 

We need to know! Indeed, to quote the much overused press justification for everything "The public has a right to know". Speak to us Savoia - your fans are in a state bordering on panic.

 

Come back Savoia - we need your insightful comments on Cunard/Princess/P&O/DFDS/North Sea Ferries/CalMac or whoever the hell they are!

 

A deeply worried J

 

J, try not to worry. ;)

 

P.S. Perhaps I should explain that previously, when I asked if'everybody was ok, that has become a rather frequent question in this part of the world recently due to extreme weather conditions. Everybody ok? has replaced Hello, how are you?

[guernseyguy]

there are no Cunard design represenitives to consult or ask. There are no Cunard engineers

 

For a three ship fleet, why would there be?

 

Your 'Cunard Design Department' would be about to be laid off as work on Queen Elizabeth comes to an end. The 'owners' of the Cunard brand - like any brand manager - will have briefed design specialists on the outcome they wish. If you ever set foot on a contemporary Cunarder, do feel free to share your impressions. The original Queen Mary used Waring & Gillow for much of her interior furnishing.....so when, exactly, did Cunard ever have such a specialist design department?

 

Why would 'Cunard' have its very own special engineers, on a three ship fleet, when opportunities for learning and advancement are much greater across the corporate fleet?

 

Do tell......:rolleyes:

[guernseyguy]

What have the Cunard thought-police done to Savoia? Is he locked in some damp cellar with strategically placed electrodes attached to sensitive parts of his anatomy.

 

I reckon he's being fed cream teas whilst forced to gaze upon the 'identical' light fittings in the Queen's Room on Queen Victoria. Only once he states which ship they are 'identical' to will they stop......I do hope he was right.....otherwise we'll have a Mr Creosote (not for the faint hearted - Google Monty Python Mr Creosote on You Tube) on our hands....

[oldsilverfox]

I can exclusively reveal that he has been kidnapped by the henchmen of the "evil C------L Empire" and is being held, locked in the Grand Duplex Suite on the QM2, where he is kept busy comparing his surroundings with those on a PO/Princess Vista.