QM 2 Christmas/New Year's cruise.

[The A Train]

Very surprised, maybe shocked, that the very often generous Cunard, all those shipboard credits for onboard bookings, did ZERO on this cruise for the inconviences that occurred.

 

The Members party, and the Officers party, for Platinum and Diamond members, were both cancelled, as described in a postcard note the day before disembarkation, because of the "requirements of our enhanced sanitation procedures". Yet, all revenue generating events, wine tastings, martini tastings, single malt tastings, and the gala New Years Champagne gala at $345pp went on as scheduled.

 

The least that Cunard SHOULD have done was to either send drink vouchers to all, with the note of apologies, and not just before disembarkation, or, open the bars for at least an hour at least twice during the latter days of the cruise for these party cancelations.

 

Cruise lines most often offer discounts on future cruises for inconviences, missed ports, reduced times at ports, etc., and, with the the inconviences experienced on this cruise, a prime cost holiday cruise, Cunard should have offered a discount, probably 10%, on a future cruise. Yet, NOTHING!

 

Most disappointed frequent sailor!

[capnpugwash]

Very surprised, maybe shocked, that the very often generous Cunard, all those shipboard credits for onboard bookings, did ZERO on this cruise for the inconviences that occurred.

 

The Members party, and the Officers party, for Platinum and Diamond members, were both cancelled, as described in a postcard note the day before disembarkation, because of the "requirements of our enhanced sanitation procedures". Yet, all revenue generating events, wine tastings, martini tastings, single malt tastings, and the gala New Years Champagne gala at $345pp went on as scheduled.

 

The least that Cunard SHOULD have done was to either send drink vouchers to all, with the note of apologies, and not just before disembarkation, or, open the bars for at least an hour at least twice during the latter days of the cruise for these party cancelations.

 

Cruise lines most often offer discounts on future cruises for inconviences, missed ports, reduced times at ports, etc., and, with the the inconviences experienced on this cruise, a prime cost holiday cruise, Cunard should have offered a discount, probably 10%, on a future cruise. Yet, NOTHING!

 

Most disappointed frequent sailor!

 

Maybe you would be happier if they held the events and you then spent 48 hours sitting on a lavatory. What a ludicrous stance to take!

[Underwatr]

Life goes on, I figure. The outbreak was something of a force majeure, nothing more Cunard could have done before or during to my observation better to have headed it off. The only cancellations I'm aware of were the free booze events noted in the OP, and I suppose also the galley tour - but you can't really blame them for thinking twice about that one...

 

Thankfully the outbreak was waning by the second week, although I did feel somewhat personally at risk counting down the New Year among the crowd in the Golden Lion (all the kissing and hugging and shaking of hands that the Captain had tried to warn us from doing)...

[keithm]

Maybe you would be happier if they held the events and you then spent 48 hours sitting on a lavatory. What a ludicrous stance to take!

We had the officer staff not shaking hands on our last Jan. Panama trip(QV)There was a "minor" Norovirus outbreak & they weren't taking chances, which was fine by me. They did resume the officer's party later in the trip after things seemed to be better.

[Salacia]

If I understand correctly, the OP indicated that revenue enhancing venues were not cancelled, whereas some events that were included in the fare (and that cruise does carry a premium charge) were cancelled. Yet any gathering carried the same risk of infection, hence the contradiction.

[capnpugwash]

If I understand correctly, the OP indicated that revenue enhancing venues were not cancelled, whereas some events that were included in the fare (and that cruise does carry a premium charge) were cancelled. Yet any gathering carried the same risk of infection, hence the contradiction.

 

At the cocktail parties there will be around 900 people present and the smaller ones probably at least a couple of hundred and the people will be mingling with each other and the officers. At the tastiings there may be 30 passengers seated and little chance of cross contamination. The champagne event usually has a maximum of 10 passengers seated around the champagne bar with 1 barman serving just like a normal day. There is always a risk of contamination just by passing people in a corridor or restaurant but it is sensible to limit that risk by not holding large gatherings. The small ones hold no more risk than day to day living on board so I don't see a financial conspiracy or contradiction.

[Whitemarsh]

At the cocktail parties there will be around 900 people present and the smaller ones probably at least a couple of hundred and the people will be mingling with each other and the officers. At the tastiings there may be 30 passengers seated and little chance of cross contamination. The champagne event usually has a maximum of 10 passengers seated around the champagne bar with 1 barman serving just like a normal day. There is always a risk of contamination just by passing people in a corridor or restaurant but it is sensible to limit that risk by not holding large gatherings. The small ones hold no more risk than day to day living on board so I don't see a financial conspiracy or contradiction.

 

Neither do I. Clearly there is no contradiction.

[Underwatr]

If I understand correctly, the OP indicated that revenue enhancing venues were not cancelled, whereas some events that were included in the fare (and that cruise does carry a premium charge) were cancelled. Yet any gathering carried the same risk of infection, hence the contradiction.

"Good evening ladies and gentlemen, this is your Captain speaking. I'm sorry to inform you that due to the continued presence of norovirus-like symptoms amongst our passengers, tonight's New Years celebrations are cancelled. I would like to request that following dinner all passengers please retire to your staterooms, where you may watch our Entertainment Director Ray Rouse presenting a live New Year's Eve countdown on Channel 41 of your in-room television."

 

Yeah, that would have gone over great. :)

[Olliesmum]

I understand exactly what you mean A Train, even if no one else does.

[keithm]

"Good evening ladies and gentlemen, this is your Captain speaking. I'm sorry to inform you that due to the continued presence of norovirus-like symptoms amongst our passengers, tonight's New Years celebrations are cancelled. I would like to request that following dinner all passengers please retire to your staterooms, where you may watch our Entertainment Director Ray Rouse presenting a live New Year's Eve countdown on Channel 41 of your in-room television."

 

Yeah, that would have gone over great. :)

A complimentary bottle of Pol Acker would have just capped off that evening!

[gentlemancruiser]

. Yet, all revenue generating events, wine tastings, martini tastings, single malt tastings, and the gala New Years Champagne gala at $345pp went on as scheduled.!

 

I understand what you are saying, and the notice about the Would Club party wasn't dealt with in the best possible way and yes the timing was wrong. However as a Platinum, I was invited to the FREE wine tasting and received the other perks provided to WC members. I didn't see the notices about the other events you mentioned.

 

I should clarify that other revenue generating events and non revenue events were held just as normal. Lectures went ahead as planned, so did the movies and the casino wasn't closed, the shops weren't shut down. So I don't see your point about one Cocktail party.

 

p.s. Sorry we missed you at the meet and greets

[Olliesmum]

I should clarify that other revenue generating events and non revenue events were held just as normal. Lectures went ahead as planned, so did the movies and the casino wasn't closed, the shops weren't shut down. So I don't see your point about one Cocktail party.

 

p.s. Sorry we missed you at the meet and greets

 

A Train, let's find a brick wall and bash our heads against it shall we?

 

Lectures and films- no costs to put on

Casino and shops-revenue collectors

 

I've just returned from a five nighter on the Queen Vic. I do quite a few of these and there has always been a general welcome cocktail party. This time, nothing. And no explaination either.

[gentlemancruiser]

There was a welcome aboard cocktail party held on the 2nd night. This was just before there was an increase in the number of cases being reported.

 

A train - Just curious how missing one or two cocktail parties (1 hour of free cheap wine, OJ, or Champagne) would be grounds for compensation from Cunard? I guess you could argue it was Cunard's fault for permitting an ill passenger to board the ship. Perhaps in future Cunard could require passengers be put into full body scanners to check our bodies for signs of illness before boarding ships (just a thought).

 

As a PLATINUM WC member I did receive:

*4 hours of FREE internet,

*priority embarkation and disembarkation,

*platinum lapel pin,

*20% off on my laundry,

*invitation to an exclusive complimentary wine tasting event,

*disembarkation lounge and,

*10% savings on White Star luggage service

 

I also received a Christmas present!!!!!

 

Other than board games being removed or the library shelves being locked up, I didn't notice any difference from other cruises.

 

If your sole purpose for this voyage was to attend events with free cheap alcohol, perhaps you should re-evaluate which cruise lines you travel with.

[Salacia]

...The Members party, and the Officers party, for Platinum and Diamond members, were both cancelled, as described in a postcard note the day before disembarkation, because of the "requirements of our enhanced sanitation procedures"...

 

Hi A Train. The posts from passengers on the trans-Altantic crossing prior to the Christmas/New Year Carribean cruise that I read seemed to indicate there was no problem with illness on board during the crossing (other than some suffering from sea-sickness). So I'm wondering if the enhanced sanitation procedures prior to your cruise was a preventative measure, or where passengers made aware of an outbreak of gastro-intestional illness on the preceeding crossing? Thanks, -S.

[Salacia]

"Good evening ladies and gentlemen, this is your Captain speaking. I'm sorry to inform you that due to the continued presence of norovirus-like symptoms amongst our passengers, tonight's New Years celebrations are cancelled. I would like to request that following dinner all passengers please retire to your staterooms, where you may watch our Entertainment Director Ray Rouse presenting a live New Year's Eve countdown on Channel 41 of your in-room television."

 

Yeah, that would have gone over great. :)

 

Heck, it would have been syndicated 'round the world! :D

[Salacia]

At the cocktail parties there will be around 900 people present and the smaller ones probably at least a couple of hundred and the people will be mingling with each other and the officers. .

 

There was a welcome aboard cocktail party held on the 2nd night.

This was just before there was an increase in the number of cases being reported.

 

 

Trying to understand...after the second night, there was an increase in the number of cases being reported, according the quote above; that would seem to indicate that on day on and day two, there were reports of gasto-intestional illness - which increased after the 2nd night?:confused:

 

Note: I wasn't on this voyage, and am not bashing Cunard - in fact, I think it was remarkable that the Captain and crew were apparently able to squash this nasty outbreak so quickly.

 

Actually, I wonder if certain events were cancelled because the staff/crew needed to direct their efforts elsewhere, and rightly so. While only 16 crew members reported ill (according to the CDC report), the remaining healthy crew members no doubt were called upon for extraordinary duties, and I believe they deserve honorable mention for their work. -S.

[gentlemancruiser]

 

Trying to understand...after the second night, there was an increase in the number of cases being reported, according the quote above; that would seem to indicate that on day on and day two, there were reports of gasto-intestional illness - which increased after the 2nd night?:confused:

 

Note: I wasn't on this voyage, and am not bashing Cunard - in fact, I think it was remarkable that the Captain and crew were apparently able to squash this nasty outbreak so quickly.

 

Actually, I wonder if certain events were cancelled because the staff/crew needed to direct their efforts elsewhere, and rightly so. While only 16 crew members reported ill (according to the CDC report), the remaining healthy crew members no doubt were called upon for extraordinary duties, and I believe they deserve honorable mention for their work. -S.

 

S - Good point about the crew redirection. I'm almost certain Captain Oprey made his inital - very long announcement warning about the 'increased precautions' on Dec 24th because a presentation in illumiations by rusty schweickart was interupted. The welcome aboard parties took place on Dec 23rd. From what I've read about norovirus it takes about 6 hours before those affected feel the symptons

[Underwatr]

There was a long noon announcement on the 24th but there was also an annoucement at 10 AM that same day. We were in the bridge lesson during the first announcement and suddenly felt very strange handling playing cards.

 

The welcome aboard party was on the 23rd but even then the Captain was not shaking hands with passengers.

[llam]

 

 

Note: I wasn't on this voyage, and am not bashing Cunard - in fact, I think it was remarkable that the Captain and crew were apparently able to squash this nasty outbreak so quickly.

 

Actually, I wonder if certain events were cancelled because the staff/crew needed to direct their efforts elsewhere, and rightly so. While only 16 crew members reported ill (according to the CDC report), the remaining healthy crew members no doubt were called upon for extraordinary duties, and I believe they deserve honorable mention for their work. -S.

 

Salacia- Thank you for the insightful note eventhough you were not on this cruise you truly made the perfect comment. The crew worked so hard to keep us all safe and infection free. Something had to be sacrificed. I was happy to be noro free to enjoy my cruise and would give up two complimentary cocktail parties to insure this. THANK YOU QM2 crew.

[turquoise 6]

Very surprised, maybe shocked, that the very often generous Cunard, all those shipboard credits for onboard bookings, did ZERO on this cruise for the inconviences that occurred.

 

The Members party, and the Officers party, for Platinum and Diamond members, were both cancelled, as described in a postcard note the day before disembarkation, because of the "requirements of our enhanced sanitation procedures". Yet, all revenue generating events, wine tastings, martini tastings, single malt tastings, and the gala New Years Champagne gala at $345pp went on as scheduled.

 

The least that Cunard SHOULD have done was to either send drink vouchers to all, with the note of apologies, and not just before disembarkation, or, open the bars for at least an hour at least twice during the latter days of the cruise for these party cancelations.

 

 

 

Cruise lines most often offer discounts on future cruises for inconviences, missed ports, reduced times at ports, etc., and, with the the inconviences experienced on this cruise, a prime cost holiday cruise, Cunard should have offered a discount, probably 10%, on a future cruise. Yet, NOTHING!

 

 

Most disappointed frequent sailor!

I would be a happy sailor since I know that the captain and crew are working to keep all the passengers safe!! I wouldn't want any perks from Cunard while my fellow passengers are very sick!!!!!!

[turquoise 6]

The officers party was cancelled because there was an emergency at sea.

The Captain and his Officers have to remain on duty during a crisis . This Noro

Virus was a major crisis.

[SeaFlint]

And not Pol Acker, either.

 

We heard from multiple crew that there were cases aboard from Southampton but that it had spread very quickly at the beginning of the Christmas/New Year's trip.

 

On QM2 trips we've taken before that had a few cases of norovirus, we were told that Southampton is a "hot spot" for norovirus. Not sure of the data behind that, but we've heard it multiple times. In fact, when my wife came down with it on the return leg of a trip in 2006, the doctor remarked on the number of times they had "picked up" norovirus in Southampton.

 

Not sure what anyone can do about it coming aboard, either, since people come from all over the world, gather in often-large port cities and then head out on ships together.

 

It is odd that I have never in my life heard of norovirus anywhere other than aboard passenger ships.

[Ray66]

It is odd that I have never in my life heard of norovirus anywhere other than aboard passenger ships.

 

It was in the news a lot here in the UK at the end of last year. Some hospitals had to be closed to visitors.

 

The HPA said there had been 4,407 laboratory-confirmed cases of norovirus so far this season. But for every reported case an estimated 288 are not reported, meaning as many as 1.26 million people could have suffered from the bug.

 

Experts said there had been 728 outbreaks in hospitals so far this season.

 

http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2013/jan/15/norovirus-winter-bug-loosens-grip

[SeaFlint]

It was in the news a lot here in the UK at the end of last year. Some hospitals had to be closed to visitors. Experts said there had been 728 outbreaks in hospitals so far this season.

 

Maybe when we in the US are hearing "flu" reports, they are lumping norovirus into those counts/reports.

[Austcruiser84]

Very surprised, maybe shocked, that the very often generous Cunard, all those shipboard credits for onboard bookings, did ZERO on this cruise for the inconviences that occurred.

 

The Members party, and the Officers party, for Platinum and Diamond members, were both cancelled, as described in a postcard note the day before disembarkation, because of the "requirements of our enhanced sanitation procedures". Yet, all revenue generating events, wine tastings, martini tastings, single malt tastings, and the gala New Years Champagne gala at $345pp went on as scheduled.

 

The least that Cunard SHOULD have done was to either send drink vouchers to all, with the note of apologies, and not just before disembarkation, or, open the bars for at least an hour at least twice during the latter days of the cruise for these party cancelations.

 

Cruise lines most often offer discounts on future cruises for inconviences, missed ports, reduced times at ports, etc., and, with the the inconviences experienced on this cruise, a prime cost holiday cruise, Cunard should have offered a discount, probably 10%, on a future cruise. Yet, NOTHING!

 

Most disappointed frequent sailor!

 

Rumour has it that the real concern was there being half the ship eligible to attend those events and they were not prepared to host multiple sittings.

 

Some 1400 simp passengers in fact.