New poll regarding the “Affluent” and cruising

[Louise D]

On QE recently the only people treated to the "Red Carpet" were Travel Agents, who were taken on board , wined and dined, while IN TRANSIT passengers waited for hours in a cold terminal not even given a cup of coffee or tea, , KEPT OUT OF THEIR CABINS FOR WHICH THEY HAD PAID , and totally ignored by Cunard staff.

 

.

 

If that took place in a U.S. port, the fault would have been that of the overzealous Department of Homeland Security, and not Cunard. I have memories of exactly the same thing happening on QE2 in Los Angeles on a regular basis.

[glojo]

If that took place in a U.S. port, the fault would have been that of the overzealous Department of Homeland Security, and not Cunard. I have memories of exactly the same thing happening on QE2 in Los Angeles on a regular basis.

I have indeed read numerous posts on numerous forums involving various cruise companies and there are dozens of complaints about this 'over zealousness' :o:o

[PennyAgain]

All you have to do is visit any of the top restaurants in NY, LA or London (with a very few exceptions) and you'll see the most affluent people dressed very casually. That's life nowadays and clinging to the good old days is fine if you want but most people do not. Cunard is just starting to follow the trend. In five more years you'll see uneven more relaxed dress code.

 

I am putting together an east to west crossing for us on Cunard with another trip booked for cruising in Northern Europe. If Cunard had an unbreakable dress code, I wouldn't be making that booking.

[PennyAgain]

Sadly the Grills experience is simply not good enough for the price Cunard extract

 

Who wants to scorch in the totally unshaded grills area or be unable to dine with friends on other tables without the nonsense of your assigned waiter having to serve you and vica versa

 

I would prefer to go with Regent or Crystal etc if I want to pay for exemplary service and free drinks etc etc

 

The Cunard Grills are costly but are a different experience from Regent or Crystal for that matter.

 

I'm booking travel by ship now without loyalty to any particular company or ship but by whether or not the ship is going where I wish to go and when I wish to do so. I'm finding that companies seem more willing to do more for returning passengers who've been away for a long while and for brand new customers than for people who have cruised with them recently.

 

I am very willing to let the various cruise companies work hard to get my business for the first time or to get it back. This plan is working to our advantage in price and what we are being offered. I have a wonderful travel agent who is very willing to approach companies with "do you want to get this customer back?' or 'would you like to have a new customer?'

[Classiccruiser777]

The vast majority of people in the world couldn't possibly afford to take a Cunard cruise. Those that do are "affluent" in my book. And based on my recent experience it is still a great way to travel in comfort with minimal stress.

[Bostonjetset]

The vast majority of people in the world couldn't possibly afford to take a Cunard cruise. Those that do are "affluent" in my book. And based on my recent experience it is still a great way to travel in comfort with minimal stress.

 

This comes of as a VERY general statement. Of course if you count the entire world population you are most likely quite correct but then again a "majority" [vast or otherwise] would likely not be able to afford a cruise on ANY line [or any form of leisure travel for that matter]. I would beg to disagree with your statement if you are speaking primarily of "first world" or "developed" countries. Cunard is certainly more expensive than some of the other mass-market lines however they do offer accomadations within most peoples' price ranges [meaning people that are likely to travel in the first place]. I would think most middle-class folks in the USA/Canada, Europe, Japan, or Aus/NZ could afford to travel in some form on Cunard if they so desired; one would not have to be "affluent" in the strict sense of the word.

 

P.S. I have not travelled with Cunard yet but it is most definitely on my list.

[dan dan]

I am so glad Cunard still have steerage (britannia) and I am proud to take my place and enjoy myself, in my M&S tux , sipping gently at the house wine.

[Jim Avery]

I am so glad Cunard still have steerage (britannia) and I am proud to take my place and enjoy myself, in my M&S tux , sipping gently at the house wine.

 

How true. I, also, like my Cunard dress up times but as many have said, times are changing (they always do). Baggage rules on airlines as well as generally moving toward more casual in all areas of life are playing a big part in the decline of dress codes on most all lines. Do I consider that sailing on Cunard puts me in the "affluent" box? No. Now if I had a flat in Monaco with the jet and yacht to match, maybe so--but then why would I need Cunard?:eek::D At least you are not sailing with the "effluent" on Carnival.:eek::D

[Jimsgirl]

If that took place in a U.S. port, the fault would have been that of the overzealous Department of Homeland Security, and not Cunard. I have memories of exactly the same thing happening on QE2 in Los Angeles on a regular basis.

 

I think you missed the essential point in my narrative.

 

Namely:- At the port and time in question Travel Agents were WELCOMED and escorted on board by Cunard staff to be "Wined and dined " whilst fare paying In-Transit passengers - who had been CLEARED by the Immigration staff over 90minutes before - were NOT ALLOWED to go back on board to their paid for cabins etc.

 

This is clearly a fault to be laid at the door of the ship's administration. and Immigration (Home Land Security ) were not the culprits.

 

As my review (on the review page) shows the administration on that particular cruise was clearly in a state of chaos. Simple things like the TV guide to programs which was not issued until the 4th day, daily new sheet not delivered until the middle of the night.

 

For several days we had dead flowers on table in Britannia dining room, and in café, then they took away the dead flowers leaving only the green leaves. Never known that to happen on any other cruise.

 

Of course these events do not "ruin" the entire cruise, but they do show a lack of commitment to providing a "quality" product.

[Chelsea1]

We saw a similar situation embarking the QM2 in Sydney. We arrived early at the terminal (9.00AM) after an overnight flight and there were desks set up with canopies, travel agents, tours and lot of staff around. We had priory embarkation with a 1.00PM boarding time on the ticket. Asked if we could board early and were told to wait or "look around circular quay" (not allowed in the terminal building so no indoor facilities to sit or store luggage). We found a tree with a bench in the shade nearby and sat there with luggage and a coffee for 2 hours. Went and asked again if we could board and were told no and to move away from the terminal building as we could not wait with luggage near the entrance due to health and safety. Others who were in transit and had disemabarked were also told to wait away from the entrance and security started putting up crowd barriers and ushering anyone waiting back - so we took our place at the front of the barriers in the sun with our luggage to wait! Suddenly at 12.00PM the waved us through to the building along with the in-transit passengers where we checked in and were herded to seats where we waited to board.

 

Learned later that Peter Shanks was presenting to travel agents from the QM2 that morning and Cunard did not want anyone "hanging around" outside the terminal or trapsing back onto the ship!

 

Fair enough we arrived early, but it would have been decent to provide a facility to sit inside away from the sun as many passengers were embarking from long overnight flights or in transit.

[Jim Avery]

We saw a similar situation embarking the QM2 in Sydney. We arrived early at the terminal (9.00AM) after an overnight flight and there were desks set up with canopies, travel agents, tours and lot of staff around. We had priory embarkation with a 1.00PM boarding time on the ticket. Asked if we could board early and were told to wait or "look around circular quay" (not allowed in the terminal building so no indoor facilities to sit or store luggage). We found a tree with a bench in the shade nearby and sat there with luggage and a coffee for 2 hours. Went and asked again if we could board and were told no and to move away from the terminal building as we could not wait with luggage near the entrance due to health and safety. Others who were in transit and had disemabarked were also told to wait away from the entrance and security started putting up crowd barriers and ushering anyone waiting back - so we took our place at the front of the barriers in the sun with our luggage to wait! Suddenly at 12.00PM the waved us through to the building along with the in-transit passengers where we checked in and were herded to seats where we waited to board.

 

Learned later that Peter Shanks was presenting to travel agents from the QM2 that morning and Cunard did not want anyone "hanging around" outside the terminal or trapsing back onto the ship!

 

Fair enough we arrived early, but it would have been decent to provide a facility to sit inside away from the sun as many passengers were embarking from long overnight flights or in transit.

 

Sounds similar to our experience waiting to disembark QM2 on the Maiden Voyage. no one was allowed off for approx. 3 hours while we waited for Mickey Arison and then Florida Governor Jeb Bush. They finally arrived and we were finally allowed to grace the gangway. Must not have the riff raff clogging the gangway when royalty arrives, don't you know. Maureen Ryan was most apologetic about the situation but not so much Cunard and Mr. Arison. Sometimes one just feels like some sort of fodder.:eek:

[Seago2]

Well.

 

Where is the slot for the educated, professional, comfortable-but-less-than-affluent class who have no desire to talk about affluence and cruise ships?

 

What is wrong with you people?

 

Every time I want to come back to Cunard I come to this board and I realize it's not an option. DH is English and we would love a crossing but honestly- you do realize the way you sound, correct?

[MsDeva]

Well.

 

Where is the slot for the educated, professional, comfortable-but-less-than-affluent class who have no desire to talk about affluence and cruise ships?

 

What is wrong with you people?

 

Every time I want to come back to Cunard I come to this board and I realize it's not an option. DH is English and we would love a crossing but honestly- you do realize the way you sound, correct?

 

Good point Seago2.....my thoughts also.....but trust me, you will never win on this board.

Cunard quite simply do not come up to muster these days whatever category one chooses.

I am afraid it's the same old story every time.....

 

Best, Judy

[Salacia]

Well.

 

Where is the slot for the educated, professional, comfortable-but-less-than-affluent class who have no desire to talk about affluence and cruise ships?

 

What is wrong with you people?

 

Every time I want to come back to Cunard I come to this board and I realize it's not an option. DH is English and we would love a crossing but honestly- you do realize the way you sound, correct?

 

Hi Seago2. Since you have no desire to "talk about affluence and cruise ships" then you perhaps you might wish to avoid clicking on a thread that has the word "affluence" in its title? To turn your question around: "what is wrong with you people" who read threads on a topic they have no interest in, and then complain about the quality of previous responses?

 

As the poet wrote:"O would some power the giftie gie us to see ourselves as others see us." - Robert Burns, Poem "To a Louse" - verse 8

 

At any rate, we often remind ourselves and others that this board is not representative of Cunard passengers; comments herein are those expressed by a very small minority. That anyone should make a decision about whether or not to sail with any particular cruise line based on the comments of a statistically insignificant number of people seems to me to be ill-advised. I don't know how that sounds, but it's just my opinion anyway :D Best wishes for your next voyage -S.

[Seago2]

Hi Seago2. Since you have no desire to "talk about affluence and cruise ships" then you perhaps you might wish to avoid clicking on a thread that has the word "affluence" in its title? To turn your question around: "what is wrong with you people" who read threads on a topic they have no interest in, and then complain about the quality of previous responses?

 

As the poet wrote:"O would some power the giftie gie us to see ourselves as others see us." - Robert Burns, Poem "To a Louse" - verse 8

 

At any rate, we often remind ourselves and others that this board is not representative of Cunard passengers; comments herein are those expressed by a very small minority. That anyone should make a decision about whether or not to sail with any particular cruise line based on the comments of a statistically insignificant number of people seems to me to be ill-advised. I don't know how that sounds, but it's just my opinion anyway :D Best wishes for your next voyage -S.

 

I can't help but sail by here now and again. I fell in love with cruising on Cunard. Spouse is from Devon. There are a multitude of reasons, actually, why I would want to reach deep into my pocketbook and spring for a Cunard crossing. So I troll here on rainy days every so often. I didn't jump on this thread because of the title, I jumped on it because it only had 30 responses. I never click on a thread that has devolved and takes too long to navigate.

 

Honestly- it's a damn shame.

[bobg529]

I can't help but sail by here now and again. I fell in love with cruising on Cunard. Spouse is from Devon. There are a multitude of reasons, actually, why I would want to reach deep into my pocketbook and spring for a Cunard crossing. So I troll here on rainy days every so often. I didn't jump on this thread because of the title, I jumped on it because it only had 30 responses. I never click on a thread that has devolved and takes too long to navigate.

 

Honestly- it's a damn shame.

 

 

I can understand your feelings. I was a bit put off too by some of the comments, (see my earlier post on this thread), but I certainly wouldn't let a few snobs stop me from sailing on a great ship. I think you'll find that in the end, you will enjoy the company of people you like, and avoid the company of people you don't. Just like in "real life". ;). Personally, I'm looking forward to putting on a tux and pretending I'm in an old movie. Maybe I'm just an incurable romantic...

[Louise D]

I can understand your feelings. I was a bit put off too by some of the comments, (see my earlier post on this thread), but I certainly wouldn't let a few snobs stop me from sailing on a great ship. I think you'll find that in the end, you will enjoy the company of people you like, and avoid the company of people you don't. Just like in "real life". ;). Personally, I'm looking forward to putting on a tux and pretending I'm in an old movie. Maybe I'm just an incurable romantic...[/quote]

 

No, you're right. But any more of such comments and you are in danger of being co-opted into the Fashion Police. :)

[Salacia]

I can understand your feelings. I was a bit put off too by some of the comments, (see my earlier post on this thread), but I certainly wouldn't let a few snobs stop me from sailing on a great ship. I think you'll find that in the end, you will enjoy the company of people you like, and avoid the company of people you don't. Just like in "real life". ;). Personally, I'm looking forward to putting on a tux and pretending I'm in an old movie. Maybe I'm just an incurable romantic...

 

 

References to "real life," while pretending about being in an old movie is a oddly conflicting.

 

My personal experience is that Cunard passengers dress for the occasion, in real time and in consideration of the ambiance of the evening. But I'm just an incurable realist ;)

[turquoise 6]

An interesting article regarding a cruising trend among the US “affluent” population. Could this be a reason for the “watering down” of the dress code? Also are more changes to come to attract a new Cunard demographic?

http://www.seatrade-insider.com/news/news-headlines/study-finds-affluent-less-likely-to-cruise-during-next-12-months.html

I love your term"WATERING DOWN" This is your editorial and not of the articles' intent .You are making this your own thesis and editorializing the article. Therefore I find your editorial invalid

[turquoise 6]

I am so glad Cunard still have steerage (britannia) and I am proud to take my place and enjoy myself, in my M&S tux , sipping gently at the house wine.

Hello!! hello!! Britannia Dinning is not steerage. Keep on watching the Titanic,(All The Movies) you are in nice world.

[Louise D]

References to "real life," while pretending about being in an old movie is a oddly conflicting.

 

My personal experience is that Cunard passengers dress for the occasion, in real time and in consideration of the ambiance of the evening. But I'm just an incurable realist ;)

 

Salacia, I see it might be oddly conflicting to you but I can assure you that many of the advances in science and technology surrounding you today have been developed by people whose minds work by combining realism and imagination. (Britain also harnessed them at Bletchley Park as code breakers).

 

I don't know if bob529 is such a person, but it is necessary to keep an open mind about the different kinds of people you might meet on board ship and I can well understand his comments.

[turquoise 6]

Salacia, I see it might be oddly conflicting to you but I can assure you that many of the advances in science and technology surrounding you today have been developed by people whose minds work by combining realism and imagination. (Britain also harnessed them at Bletchley Park as code breakers).

 

I don't know if bob529 is such a person, but it is necessary to keep an open mind about the different kinds of people you might meet on board ship and I can well understand his comments.

YES YES YES....But does it get to the question? Does it pertain to the question? What are we talking about here? TransAtlantic crossings are not cruises. The dress code,where one is affluent or middle,lower class,will always adhere to the dress code.. this is the tradition of a transatlantic crossing

[Louise D]

YES YES YES....But does it get to the question? Does it pertain to the question? Where is QM2?

 

If it helps you at all, I have 13 of the QM2's used gas turbine blades sitting on my desk here at the moment. (i.e proof that the gas turbines are actually put into service from time to time). I believe the rest of the ship is presently on its way from Southampton to New York.

[turquoise 6]

If it helps you at all, I have 13 of the QM2's used gas turbine blades sitting on my desk here at the moment. (i.e proof that the gas turbines are actually put into service from time to time). I believe the rest of the ship is presently on its way from Southampton to New York.

Does what help me? Who are you?, who ,why would you have used gas turbine blades sitting on your desk,now? (bizarre) who ,ha ,who,ha,who are you?

where is the QM2?

[Salacia]

Salacia, I see it might be oddly conflicting to you but I can assure you that many of the advances in science and technology surrounding you today have been developed by people whose minds work by combining realism and imagination. (Britain also harnessed them at Bletchley Park as code breakers)....

 

Louise D, the statement was oddly conflicting because it was a contrapostive*: real life vs imagination. Simple logic -the framework of code breakers. I can only comment on what people write, not what they think. I'm fairly certain you don't want me to go into the patterns that reveal thoughts behind the posting, but thanks very much for your input. Always interesting. Regards, -S.

 

*Or contraposition, depending on your viewpoint perhaps.