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Cunard Line. Did I Make A Mistake?


Harley52
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 I just recently booked a 12 Alaska Cruise with Cunard.  Since then I have people inform me that I should have booked with Holland America, Celebrity, Royal Caribbean or Norwegian.  What's your thoughts about Alaska cruise with Cunard?  Did I make the right choice with Cunard?  Thank you for your comments.   Harley

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Cunard is fairly new to Alaska. If your primary reason for the cruise is Alaska rather than Cunard in Alaska you might be happier with one of the lines that's been doing Alaska forever, like Holland America or Princess. I say this as a big fan of Cunard, only 7 nights from Diamond level in their World Club.

 

Two years ago we did Holland America's 14-day Seattle closed-loop itinerary on ms Amsterdam. It was a great itinerary and Amsterdam only carries about 1300 passengers (mostly Americans on our cruise, if that matters) which I thought really improved the experience.

Edited by Underwatr
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26 minutes ago, Harley52 said:

 I just recently booked a 12 Alaska Cruise with Cunard.  Since then I have people inform me that I should have booked with Holland America, Celebrity, Royal Caribbean or Norwegian.  What's your thoughts about Alaska cruise with Cunard?  Did I make the right choice with Cunard?  Thank you for your comments.   Harley

What do "people" know, anyway?

 

Perhaps if you tell us what your decision process in choosing Cunard entailed we can help you feel that your choice was justified. Or not, as the case may be.

 

I have done four Cunard cruises in the early part of this decade, and would happily sail them again even though "people" are saying they have gone far more mainstream than in the past (but are still charging premium fares). My biggest issue with their Alaska itineraries is that they are all round-trip rather than open-jaw making a pre- or post-cruise land tour (or one sandwiched in between a back-to-back as I did on Princess last summer) more difficult to arrange.

Edited by fishywood
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6 minutes ago, fishywood said:

What do "people" know, anyway?

 

Perhaps if you tell us what your decision process in choosing Cunard entailed we can help you feel that your choice was justified. Or not, as the case may be.

 

I have done four Cunard cruises in the early part of this decade, and would happily sail them again even though "people" are saying they have gone far more mainstream than in the past (but are still charging premium fares). My biggest issue with their Alaska itineraries is that they are all round-trip rather than open-jaw making a pre- or post-cruise land tour (or one sandwiched in between a back-to-back as I did on Princess last summer) more difficult to arrange.

Hey fishywood, thank you for the prompt response.  My reasons for choosing Cunard are as follows, 

1.  Round trip from Vancouver.

2.  Reputable cruise line, not to say other cruise companies are bad.

3.  Itinerary fits my liking visiting Kodiac and Anchorage

4.  Never cruised with Cunard before.

5.  Cunard established by a Canadian, Samuel Cunard,,,,,,giggles here.

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If the embarkation port and itinerary fit your needs/wants, and the onboard lifestyle fits your preferences, then no, you haven't made a mistake. Some people balk at Cunard's more formal / classic approach to onboard life and their relatively strict and dressier dining dress codes. I happen to like them. You wont know if you do too unless you try it.

 

Every one has different preferences and priorities with cruises. You can ask which line for which itinerary and get support for every single line and recommendations against every single line. This is where a travel agent who specializes in cruising is invaluable. You can talk with them about what YOU want, and they can offer options based to suit. Really takes a lot of the guess work out, BEFORE you plunk down a chunk of possibly nonrefundable $$$.

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32 minutes ago, Harley52 said:

Hey fishywood, thank you for the prompt response.  My reasons for choosing Cunard are as follows, 

1.  Round trip from Vancouver.

2.  Reputable cruise line, not to say other cruise companies are bad.

3.  Itinerary fits my liking visiting Kodiac and Anchorage

4.  Never cruised with Cunard before.

5.  Cunard established by a Canadian, Samuel Cunard,,,,,,giggles here.

Sounds like you will be fine with your choice. Since you are just looking for a home-nation round trip (which being from Florida I certainly can't criticize) the itinerary on Queen Elizabeth is one of the more interesting available to you. It does sail all the way up to the Gulf of Alaska and back in under two weeks. The twelve night one I assume you have booked includes calls in Sitka, Anchorage proper, Kodiak and Seward--you don't see all four very often even on HAL's 14 night cruises.

 

Just be prepared for some semblance of Cunard's waning evening formalities: there is only fixed dining, and gentlemen are expected to wear some form of jacket at dinner every night. I say "some form" because even a half dozen years ago on a Northern Europe sailing on QM2 men would be admitted in track suits.

Edited by fishywood
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32 minutes ago, Harley52 said:

My reasons for choosing Cunard are as follows, 

1. 

2.

3. 

4. 

5.  Cunard established by a Canadian, Samuel Cunard!

 

And here he is, hanging around in Halifax NS!

That's him!

 

JOTS-390.jpg

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3 minutes ago, Aplmac said:

 

And here he is, hanging around in Halifax NS!

That's him!

 

JOTS-390.jpg

Now that is what I call impressive both by you and Samuel Cunard.

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They are apparently the last holdouts on the dress code/formal night nonsense.  Pack accordingly.  

 

Other lines are less rigid and more reasonable.  On my Princess cruise to Alaska a collared casual shirt, cargo trousers and hiking boots were acceptable even on fancy pants night. 

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36 minutes ago, K32682 said:

They are apparently the last holdouts on the dress code/formal night nonsense.  Pack accordingly.  

 

Other lines are less rigid and more reasonable.  On my Princess cruise to Alaska a collared casual shirt, cargo trousers and hiking boots were acceptable even on fancy pants night. 

Thank you

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Just be prepared for some semblance of Cunard's waning evening formalities: there is only fixed dining, and gentlemen are expected to wear some form of jacket at dinner every night. I say "some form" because even a half dozen years ago on a Northern Europe sailing on QM2 men would be admitted in track suits.

 

NOT our experience

 

Actually saw staff speak to a gentleman wearing a track suit in a lounge when the clock hit 1800 and he was reminded it was time to go but free to come back when properly attired.

 

On our last crossing on QM2: For men formal night means tux or dark suit.  Informal means a jacket but tie is optional.  I don't remember any 'casual' nites.

 

You can dress more casually after 6, but can't use main dining rooms, casino, or most lounges/entertainment areas.

 

Many choose CUNARD BECAUSE they WANT this so don't expect a lot of sympathy if it ain't your thing.  I hope this will not be a SURPRISE to you.

qm2 portrait 2 cropped.jpg

 

I had to buy a suit and a jacket (and ties) for the trip. Had worn neither in 10 years since retiring . . . 

Edited by Capt_BJ
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Although we enjoy an occasional Cunard cruise for its onboard experiences that are 

more like what ocean voyages use to be , Cunard would not be my first choice for an Alaska Cruise .

Alaska itinerary is the draw here , onboard experiences secondary .

Go with the itinerary that best suites you ,cabin type  then price.

 

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