Current QM2 TA Blog

[Whitemarsh]

I liked his pictures but I did not think there was anything special about the commentary. In fact, if not for the pictures, I doubt I would have read past the second day.

 

A non-professional writer tends to leave in many interesting comments that a professional writer would probably edit out. That's why I much prefer Capnpugwash's writings, or even your own writings, Whitemarsh.

 

Whitemarsh, I would encourage you to have another test meal at Todd English - prior to Hong Kong seems a great idea.

 

Louise

 

Yeah, I won't be trying it between Hong Kong & Brisbane - that's for sure.

 

You do have a point, blogs that include commentary about other passengers and on board gossip make for good reading. I do find them more interesting, even though there are details that have to be left out for propriety's sake.

 

Louise, you will remember to who I am referring to by the following nicknames: Catamaran, Scrunchie & 911 Mum.

[Louise D]

Louise, you will remember to who I am referring to by the following nicknames: Catamaran, Scrunchie & 911 Mum.

 

I expect there may be some danger of them returning for the NZ circumnavigation. If so, I will ensure they make a quick trip to a certain cabin on Deck 8.

[Jimsgirl]

Well, I manage to photograph empty rooms, including dining rooms, Library, etc, etc, etc by being up early... or by picking my times carefully. He does say that he photographs areas at approx 5 am to make sure they are clear of passengers.

I do not ask permission, arrange anything with the crew or staff, tell anyone in advance. I simply wander in with a camera. So simple. Sometimes I wait until a room or area is free of other passengers, other times I take the picture anyway. I've photographed an empty Spa on QM2, and areas I wasn't supposed to be in ("Grill only" areas for example).

 

Easy. Why should you feel there is a trick to it? :confused: Don't you use a camera?

 

No I do not use a camera.

 

When you have travelled the world for over 60+ years, you give up recording every minute of your travels - and frankly some of the places I have been I do not wish any "reminders".

 

I respect "do not enter" or "closed" signs no matter where they happen to be.

 

I do know that in the case of the Queens Room tea,(QM2) the staff empty the room and LOCK the doors for about 30+ mins whilst they lay the tables.

So anyone taking pictures of that room set for tea, minus staff or passengers has to do so with the agreement of Cunard.

 

Our "little grey cells" are in our heads to be used. We cn only be fooled if we let ourselves be fooled.

[Underwatr]

Possibly the blogger waited patiently for the doors to open and then rushed in to take a set photo based on earlier reconnaisance.

 

But this blogger isn't just another traveler who happens to have posted about his experiences. As he clearly discloses, he generally travels at reduced or zero cost - the cruise lines participate and sponsor his traveling so he can write his blog. Cunard even linked to his blog on their Facebook page - they were confident that his writings would reflect a positive experience.

 

He didn't get the access to the spa that he expected, but bear in mind that the spa is franchised and not run by Cunard. Perhaps they weren't sufficiently read in on the arrangement to allow early access as he may have obtained elsewhere.

[maz48]

I have really enjoyed his blog, more so as we are doing a roundtrip TA in a few weeks for the first time on any Cunard ship and it makes me even more excited about it.

 

However I must be very cynical as it seemed to me, even before reading this thread, that his exuberant reviews of just about everything was a bit unusual. At first I thought he was doing a tiny bit of showing off when he mentioned his Britannia Club stateroom and amenities or the Britannia Club Balcony every line end. Mmmm, maybe we should upgrade. Then telling all about the details of booking a second cruise onboard as if he was a Cunard TA giving the amazing deals. It didn't stop there.

 

All the 'gushing' didn't spoil my enjoyment. Actually I should say it really whet my appetite, which I guess it was supposed to do from Cunard's perspective. Not that I want to hear too many negative writings but I hope it doesn't just give wrong impressions.

 

I hope my experiences match his, I am really expecting them to now.;)

[missfrankiecat]

No I do not use a camera.

 

When you have travelled the world for over 60+ years, you give up recording every minute of your travels - and frankly some of the places I have been I do not wish any "reminders".

 

I respect "do not enter" or "closed" signs no matter where they happen to be.

 

I do know that in the case of the Queens Room tea,(QM2) the staff empty the room and LOCK the doors for about 30+ mins whilst they lay the tables.

So anyone taking pictures of that room set for tea, minus staff or passengers has to do so with the agreement of Cunard.

 

Our "little grey cells" are in our heads to be used. We cn only be fooled if we let ourselves be fooled.

 

Actually, they don't 'always' empty the Queen's Room and lock the doors to prepare for tea. I have been on twice in the last three weeks when that hasn't happened - on one occasion because something was happening in G32, another time I remained sitting reading while the room was set up and could have taken photos had I chosen to. We can also be fooled if we think our own experience (and I had thought the same as you prior to this last trip) is 'always' true.

[concordepa]

I have really enjoyed his blog, more so as we are doing a roundtrip TA in a few weeks for the first time on any Cunard ship and it makes me even more excited about it.

 

However I must be very cynical as it seemed to me, even before reading this thread, that his exuberant reviews of just about everything was a bit unusual. At first I thought he was doing a tiny bit of showing off when he mentioned his Britannia Club stateroom and amenities or the Britannia Club Balcony every line end. Mmmm, maybe we should upgrade. Then telling all about the details of booking a second cruise onboard as if he was a Cunard TA giving the amazing deals. It didn't stop there.

 

All the 'gushing' didn't spoil my enjoyment. Actually I should say it really whet my appetite, which I guess it was supposed to do from Cunard's perspective. Not that I want to hear too many negative writings but I hope it doesn't just give wrong impressions.

 

I hope my experiences match his, I am really expecting them to now.;)

 

That is my feeling as well. He isn't writing a review, he is documenting his experiences with an emphasis on the positives. Clearly he is sponsored (although not paid) by Cunard. He discloses the possibility. I rather like the approach, because it gives a third-person advertorial of the experience.

[balf]

When I was writing a blog I gave up trying to upload photos as it just took too long. /QUOTE]

 

I would suspect that he has some photo editing programme (although the images don't look great to me) Photoshop or Elements etc. If you try to post images at original camera resolution they will take an age, the secret is to knock down the resolution which will still be good enough for the image size in the blog. You get 8 hours Internet time with Diamond status.

 

Off subject a bit, there is Internet access for passengers and another for crew. Do the crew have to pay for theirs. I guess the answer is yes?

 

David.

[pepperrn]

Actually, they don't 'always' empty the Queen's Room and lock the doors to prepare for tea. I have been on twice in the last three weeks when that hasn't happened - on one occasion because something was happening in G32, another time I remained sitting reading while the room was set up and could have taken photos had I chosen to.

I saw similar myself on several occasions; closed but unlocked doors to the Queens Room prior to tea being served. There were stewards, musicians and others coming and going until they opened the doors fully to let passengers in. On two occasions there were already one or two people seated in the room when I entered near the head of the queue (and passengers were only just entering via the other doors), so presumably they had been invited.

We can also be fooled if we think our own experience (and I had thought the same as you prior to this last trip) is 'always' true.

Thanks for posting, very best wishes :) .

[missfrankiecat]

When I was writing a blog I gave up trying to upload photos as it just took too long. /QUOTE]

 

I would suspect that he has some photo editing programme (although the images don't look great to me) Photoshop or Elements etc. If you try to post images at original camera resolution they will take an age, the secret is to knock down the resolution which will still be good enough for the image size in the blog. You get 8 hours Internet time with Diamond status.

 

Off subject a bit, there is Internet access for passengers and another for crew. Do the crew have to pay for theirs. I guess the answer is yes?

 

David.

 

The answer is yes, crew do pay, a lower rate than guests but still expensive for low earners. That is why you see so many clutching their laptops in terminals on port days!

[capnpugwash]

I saw similar myself on several occasions; closed but unlocked doors to the Queens Room prior to tea being served. .

 

I believe that safety regulations preclude the locking of the majority of public spaces on a ship, I have never found one locked anyway. Closed doesn't mean locked.

[jsmeeker]

It may have been a bit gushy, but I still liked the photos. Ship looks great. I really like the look of the Commodore Club

[Salacia]

copied from http://avidcruiser.com/ftdc/about/

"Because everyone asks, and in the interest of full disclosure, I do tend to cruise for free, or almost free."

 

 

Nice work if you can get it.

 

Edited to add: There is no doubt that this "blog" is a commerical enterprise. At the risk of violating Cruise Crititic rules, here is further proof http://www.avidtravelmedia.com/destination-marketing-services/

[balf]

There are many people on this board who do a fine job of publicising Cunard and pay for the privilege. Don't know why they would give freebies to a guy writing an obscure blog. After all where do most people go to on line to get info on Cunard? Cruise Critic.

 

David.

[missfrankiecat]

There are many people on this board who do a fine job of publicising Cunard and pay for the privilege. Don't know why they would give freebies to a guy writing an obscure blog. After all where do most people go to on line to get info on Cunard? Cruise Critic.

 

David.

 

Not sure about that. Cunard have publicised this guy's blog on their FB page, which probably gives a much wider potential readership, and it's very clear from the comments that most people don't realise he is effectively 'paid' PR for them. It's quite canny marketing because his site does make it clear if you look hard enough that he is getting free cruises out of publicising cruises (which isn't going to happen if you write anything negative! ), but at the same time he has only been paid in kind and there is sufficient disclosure so Cunard don't contravene any marketing standards by implying this is independent of them. Judging from the positive comments generated by this even on this thread, Cunard have got their monies worth.

[Norine]

The first time my son joined me on board QM2 I took him on tour only to find that the Queens Room doors were well and truly locked. This was just after embarkation.

[pepperrn]

The first time my son joined me on board QM2 I took him on tour only to find that the Queens Room doors were well and truly locked. This was just after embarkation.

How odd! In all the little tours I've taken family and friends on since 2006 they have always been open, I wonder why they weren't when you tried them? Very strange. Maybe there was a crew meeting or training going on? I will be sure to check again next time myself.

Here they are in May 2011 very early afternoon on embarkation day...

I hope you find them open next time you're on board and showing family or friends around QM2, all best wishes :) .

[Jimsgirl]

How odd! In all the little tours I've taken family and friends on since 2006 they have always been open, I wonder why they weren't when you tried them? Very strange. Maybe there was a crew meeting or training going on? I will be sure to check again next time myself.

Here they are in May 2011 very early afternoon on embarkation day...

I hope you find them open next time you're on board and showing family or friends around QM2, all best wishes :) .

 

Please read the posting.

 

Each afternoon (around 2.45p.m) the staff clear the QM2 Queens Room of passengers, LOCK the doors and lay the tables for tea.

They UNLOCK the doors around 3.25p.m and admit the "waiting in line" passengers.

 

This does not happen on QV or QE becaus their Queens Room does not have doors,

 

I stand by that statement, in common with many other passengers I have been kept waiting in line until the doors are unlocked .

 

It would not be possible to simply enter, find the room EMPTY and take the picture as shown in the blog unless the whole thing was staged as a publicity shot by Cunard.

 

Tea is NOT served on embakation day.

[pepperrn]

Each afternoon (around 2.45p.m)... LOCK the doors and lay the tables for tea. They UNLOCK the doors around 3.25p.m and admit the "waiting in line" passengers.

Not in my experience, my observation.

When I've been on board... the doors have remained unlocked as I stated before, with stewards and musicians coming and going through them.

Then they open them and invite passengers in a few minutes before the advertised time to serve tea.

I am pleased that you arrive early enough to be at the head of the queue and physically check each time to make certain, well done you.

I bet you always get a table, some leave it too late and have to wait for a table to become free.

On QV I arrived very early on one occasion to secure a table, the stewards laid my table last of all! ;) .

 

All good wishes for your next cruise, why not take a friend or family member next time to cut down on the cost? I'm sure they would be delighted to go with you,

Bon Voyage whatever you decide to do :) .

[sfb]

Is it possible that some stewards lock one door on one side and keep the other on the other side unlocked to allow crew in and out? That way some would think the Queens Room was locked and others would think it was unlocked. Next time if there is a next time I will ask if I can go in a few minutes early as long as I promise not to sit down and take a picture of the room laid for tea. They can only say yes or no it seems to me. With the right approach to the right person I might get my momento Cheers. SFB.

[AstroExeter]

I have never known the doors to the Queens Room to be actually locked. They have been closed but at least one stays open to allow access to G32 and the smoking area.

[guernseyguy]

I have never known the doors to the Queens Room to be actually locked. They have been closed but at least one stays open to allow access to G32 and the smoking area.

I think for safety reasons they cannot be locked while the ship is at sea. I recall once being told that although doors may be shut - and are very heavy - they can be opened.

[Norine]

The only reason I posted about finding the QR door locked was because browsing through CC and reading the previous few comments I remembered what had happened to me. It really did - honest!! - it was prior to sailing on a back to back. I have no idea if they are locked prior to afternoon tea as I have never had to queue. We all come accross differant situations whilst on board depending on which crossing/cruise - time of year - how busy she is etc.

Happy cruising everyone - and as I met Jimsgirl on my return voyage may I extend my best wishes to a charming lady - keep cruising.

[Jimsgirl]

Thank you Norine,

 

You are so right in saying we each have different experiences depending on the cruise, and the staff at that time.

 

For instance in Aug/Sept this year I was on QM2, doing 24 days (B2B2B), after Eastbound TA in Southampton (with a big change over of passengers) I read that the MDR was no open for lunch. I went to the buffet, after another 10 days the ship was back in Southampton, and I learned that although the MDR was closed to passengers lunch would be served to a very large contingent of Travel Agents.

 

Not being a fan of the buffet, I asked the Maitre D' if I could eat in the MDR that day. He charmingly said "of course". So at 12.30 I went to the MDR. I went up the steps with a group of very young TA's,all wearing badges.

 

One "bright" person seeing I had no badge asked me "Where is your badge , which group are you with" , I replied I was not an agent but a passenger on an exended voyage.

 

This "bright"person who was a visitor to the ship (apparently the leader of her group) then informed me that -"You are not allowed in here today, GO TO THE BUFFET"!

 

This from someone NOT on the staff of Cunard!!!

 

I ignored her rudeness and simply went ahead, the Maitre D' smiled at me, and called over a waiter and said "Escort Mrs Richardson to her special table" and off we went. As I went I heard the "bright " person exclaim "Well I guess she has the penthouse suite"!

 

It was very amusing (if I had the penthouse suite I would not be dining in the MDR of course)

 

The main point of this posting is to point out that if you asked 99% of passengers if it was possible to eat in the MDR on that day they would say "NO" ,- yet I did,- and it was a great menu!.

 

Oh dear does that count as a "little extra"?

[Jimsgirl]

copied from http://avidcruiser.com/ftdc/about/

"Because everyone asks, and in the interest of full disclosure, I do tend to cruise for free, or almost free."

 

 

Nice work if you can get it.

 

Edited to add: There is no doubt that this "blog" is a commerical enterprise. At the risk of violating Cruise Crititic rules, here is further proof http://www.avidtravelmedia.com/destination-marketing-services/

 

 

Saalcia

Your links should settle the question as to whether or not this "blog" is PR.

 

I thinkthe pictures are very good in showing the rooms, but the writing is out and out publicity for Cunard, and ignores the reality of the average cruiser's experience.