First timer Cunard Questions

[Victoria2]

1 minute ago, seasickphil said:

I totally agree but if was in a Q1 and found out that i had lost my table to someone who had given a hefty or even a small tip/bribe then i would certainly be a bit miffed and would definitely let my displeasure be known to the hotel manager.

 

 

It wouldn't happen.

[beeflyingfree]

1 hour ago, Victoria2 said:

 

 

 I have no idea what negative, awkward confrontations you refer to but  with hundreds of nights in QG under our belts,  I think it insulting to the staff to suggest a bribe will raise service levels.

The staff are eager to please and will almost fall over themselves to help in any way and to reward service after the event is of course up to an individual should they wish to show appreciation.

 

Of course there will be occasional anomalies in levels of service  but to bribe beforehand is almost saying ''I don't think your regular service will be good enough'' which in my book is demeaning.

I have unfortunately witnessed a few having a little moan, some quietly, some not so.  I think dinner for me is the pleasure of sharing a meal with my partner.  Personally I don’t enjoying being so close to others whilst eating where others feel able to engage in our conversation.  So window tables are less important than a stand alone table. 
Tips regardless of timing do improve service rightly or wrongly.  Equally I also feel that making an effort to dress beautifully and be wonderfully polite also improve your experience.

[Victoria2]

Short of getting the Captain to wait on us at the table, I 'm not sure what a bribe could offer in the way or a superior service and I'm not talking table position as one passenger's choice position could very well be another passenger's disaster of a table.

 

Of course, should the Captain, after waiting on us at the table, give a superior service, we would of course reward with an extra gratuity, 🙂

 

To quote an oft used phrase. ''each to their own''.

[BklynBoy8]

7 hours ago, swjumbo said:

Our initial table was too close to people we had absolutely nothing in common with.

Be prepared, first time Queens Grill patrons, that a sweetener, bribe, tip, whatever you want to call it might just make your cruise more palatable!

 

 

Still disagree with others as a practical method to you.,, I have never seen other passengers hand in pockets slip a fin....

[BklynBoy8]

4 hours ago, beeflyingfree said:

To be completely honest, I think if you tip early you get outstanding service as it raises expectations by both customers and the waiting staff.  They are as eager to please as you are exited with expectation.

I think bribery is the wrong term and I do understand the gesture of swjumbo. 
 

It’s a very positive start and I personally don’t like negative, awkward confrontation.

 

Unfortunately I disagree with your theory. On our last sailing two months ago, our staff was very eager to serve us because of our honest to each other and no gesture was necessary.

 

Bribes, tips at the start of a cruise is only seen in movies or tv shows. Our staff never expected it.

[BklynBoy8]

1 hour ago, beeflyingfree said:

 I think dinner for me is the pleasure of sharing a meal with my partner.  

 

Personally I don’t enjoying being so close to others whilst eating where others feel able to engage in our conversation.

 

Tips regardless of timing do improve service rightly or wrongly.  

 

"Equally I also feel that making an effort to dress beautifully and be wonderfully polite also improve your experience."

 

True honest service from the beginning with out gestures show the sign of true and honest service they wish to preform and display which makes it a memorable experience.

 

Some have stated in these forum especially those wishing larger tables (6-8), wish to converse with others as a meeting new passengers experience. Others we have notice and we also wish is to enjoy the entire the dining experience. Courteous greeting to some one in passing is a polite gesture.

 

On a last sailing we had two rows ahead of us 5 tables of two that converse so much it was quite disturbing. We were not going to move as the table we had was great. We just beared with it.

 

No monetary gesture should not be offered during a cruise till the appropriate time at the end if wish to offer.     

[ExArkie]

In the Grills, we have changed tables twice. On the first (PG), we were too near the kitchen exit and the traffic patterns were disruptive. We asked the maitre d’ about getting a different table and he relocated us immediately. Just asked, no money changed hands.
 

On the second time (QG) for the first night, we had been assigned to a table at the interior wall, which required navigating through the tight spaces between tables. The next night, the maitre d’ escorted us to a table in a much better location, which was ours for the rest of the trip. We didn’t even have to ask that time.

 

If a “tip” is necessary to receive decent treatment, I’m pretty sure I would not be a patron of that establishment. 

[bbtablet]

On 12/7/2022 at 10:42 PM, BklynBoy8 said:

 

I always got the type of table and the location in the past without any influence with the M'd. No brides are necessary.

 

from your harem?

[exlondoner]

1 hour ago, ExArkie said:

In the Grills, we have changed tables twice. On the first (PG), we were too near the kitchen exit and the traffic patterns were disruptive. We asked the maitre d’ about getting a different table and he relocated us immediately. Just asked, no money changed hands.
 

On the second time (QG) for the first night, we had been assigned to a table at the interior wall, which required navigating through the tight spaces between tables. The next night, the maitre d’ escorted us to a table in a much better location, which was ours for the rest of the trip. We didn’t even have to ask that time.

 

If a “tip” is necessary to receive decent treatment, I’m pretty sure I would not be a patron of that establishment. 

Organising the tables to people’s satisfaction is the Maître d’h’s job. There is no reason to tip (bribe) him in advance to do it. Now, if it was something really out of the ordinary that he had to organise, say roast suckling pig for a table of ten on the first day, that would be worthy of a big tip, though I would still favour giving it on accomplishment. Tipping in advance is telling a professional person that you think their only motivation to perform their job correctly is extra money. I should find that rather insulting.

Edited December 9, 2022 by exlondoner

[BklynBoy8]

5 hours ago, exlondoner said:

Organising the tables to people’s satisfaction is the Maître d’h’s job. There is no reason to tip (bribe) him in advance to do it. 

 

Tipping in advance is telling a professional person that you think their only motivation to perform their job correctly is extra money. I should find that rather insulting.

 

I know thru conversations coming for a chef's - restaurant family experiences, the M'd does the sitting on the sailing before or maybe even start it before that with advance information forwarded. Any changes which would be strange if they didn't get them is expected from the on set. It's our human nature to feel comfortable where we like. If change is for status or location, I don't agree with that as it will not influence the food being served which is the Star of the Show.

 

This last voyage of ours I could sense from the first arrival for lunch in PG the staff was Genuine. From the onset and continued and develop thru the sailing, we looked forward to our meals and even short talks during and after by the entrance of a build relationship.

 

They would definitely would have been insulted if something was offered. We were to this day blessed with the Dining Room Staff we had. Professional all the way. Even gave me tips on Flambe's for home.

[beeflyingfree]

On 12/8/2022 at 10:37 PM, BklynBoy8 said:

 

Unfortunately I disagree with your theory. On our last sailing two months ago, our staff was very eager to serve us because of our honest to each other and no gesture was necessary.

 

Bribes, tips at the start of a cruise is only seen in movies or tv shows. Our staff never expected it.

Oh I completely agree with you, tips should never be expected.

[beeflyingfree]

20 hours ago, BklynBoy8 said:

 

I know thru conversations coming for a chef's - restaurant family experiences, the M'd does the sitting on the sailing before or maybe even start it before that with advance information forwarded. Any changes which would be strange if they didn't get them is expected from the on set. It's our human nature to feel comfortable where we like. If change is for status or location, I don't agree with that as it will not influence the food being served which is the Star of the Show.

 

This last voyage of ours I could sense from the first arrival for lunch in PG the staff was Genuine. From the onset and continued and develop thru the sailing, we looked forward to our meals and even short talks during and after by the entrance of a build relationship.

 

They would definitely would have been insulted if something was offered. We were to this day blessed with the Dining Room Staff we had. Professional all the way. Even gave me tips on Flambe's for home.

So many points, firstly the food was spectacular - exceptional.

 

I just struggle to sit next to those who feel the need to comment throughout a meal, sitting far too close to me.  My preference is to dine with my partner and meet others on a social level then choose to dine together.  It’s wonderful and far more natural.  

If you’re unhappy with your position in the restaurant to offer a tip or gesture without ‘complaining’ or moaning and causing a difficult  difficult situation doesn’t seem untoward to me.  That’s my view.  I personally feel rather embarrassed to hear others making a scene. But having said that I also feel it’s lovely to tip beforehand. 

[Victoria2]

Strangely enough, I would be very embarrassed if I tried to ''offer a tip or gesture ''  in order to move tables and no table was available to move to.

 

As asking to move tables is  done discreetly at the M'ds desk, I don't see how complaining or moaning comes into it. If tables are there to move to, the move will be facilitated. If not, it won't and ''offering a gesture'' to try and get this done will have no effect whatsoever except cause embarrassment to possibly both parties

 

Now to give a discreet gesture at the end of the holiday as a thank you, well that is a different matter and one I am all in favour  of.

 

 

[exlondoner]

1 minute ago, Victoria2 said:

Strangely enough, I would be very embarrassed if I tried to ''offer a tip or gesture ''  in order to move tables and no table was available to move to.

 

As asking to move tables is  done discreetly at the M'ds desk, I don't see how complaining or moaning comes into it. If tables are there to move to, the move will be facilitated. If not, it won't and ''offering a gesture'' to try and get this done will have no effect whatsoever except cause embarrassment to possibly both parties

 

Now to give a discreet gesture at the end of the holiday as a thank you, well that is a different matter and one I am all in favour  of.

 

 

I can compare this to when I was a teacher. If a parent had come to see me at the start of the year, and said his daughter was not very bright and rather lazy, but they were looking to me to get her through her GCSE, I should have smiled sweetly and and said I would do my best. If when she passed, the family had sent me a thank you card and, say, a nice bottle of wine, I should have been happy and pleased to accept it. On the other hand, if at  the beginning of the year, he had come and pressed some used fivers into my hand and said, ‘Make sure she passes.’, I should have been appalled, insulted, refused the money, reported the matter to the head, and tried not to hold it against the child. Perhaps a maître d’ might feel the same.

[Windsurfboy]

Tipping is a matter of culture.

 

In some countries (eg Japan ) any tipping is not needed at all , 

 

In some other countries (i wont shame) need to tip to get a table of any sort even if you have a reservation. 

 

In UK tipping in advance, is not customary,  and frowned upon, not the thing to do. I would never do it, if that's what it takes avoid the place.

 

Cunard is supposed to be British.  If tipping in advance, or tipping to get a better table, is starting to seen as acceptable on Cunard , then this is another indication of creeping Americanisation. However never seen it on Cunard, it's certainly not to be encouraged. 

[Jerry987654321]

When i started this topic i never intended it to become a discussion on tipping.  I have seen this discussion on other cruise line threads and it is always a vigorous back and forth.  I was really originally asking the procedure to get a queens grill table assignment.  Is it already pre-assigned before you board and they let you know your table at check-in or do you need to go to the restaurant to receive your table assignment?  Also how reservations for specialty restaurants are obtained, since you cannot pre book online before boarding.  As i said at the beginning of this topic, i am new to Azamara, but not cruising in general.  BTW i upgaded to from a Q3 to a Q2 if that makes any difference to the answers.  Thank you again to all those who responded to my questions.

[BigMac1953]

I answered that in #3

[Victoria2]

46 minutes ago, BigMac1953 said:

I answered that in #3

and I answered in #4 🙂 but to be fair, tipping has come into this thread for some unknown reason although this has had an unusual slant wise. When is a tip a gratuity and when is a tip a bribe. Quite interesting.

 

Jerry987654321, first of all, your table will have been pre-assigned and the change we found in August was, no card with your table number waiting for you in your cabin. You will find out when you first dine eg lunch. That table is yours for the duration.

Secondly, in a Q2, if you were to be aboard QE or QV,  I could tell you precisely where your two top table would be.  Obviously, I can’t on QA, [ I refer you to my comment #4].

There are the same number of Q's 1 and 2, just in reverse order but that still means six  ''top''cabins and depending on where the ''best'' area of the restaurant has been deemed, that is where your table will be.

The only thing I can guarantee is, as a Q 2 passenger, you will have a two top by the window.

 

We will be interested to see the table hierarchy on QA. I have my fingers crossed we're away from most of the footfall but as a first timer on Anne, we will go with the flow as I know we'll get a perceived ''good'' table. We'll be well informed and will ask for any specific table for the next trip.

[BklynBoy8]

8 hours ago, Victoria2 said:

and I answered in #4 🙂 but to be fair, tipping has come into this thread for some unknown reason although this has had an unusual slant wise. When is a tip a gratuity and when is a tip a bribe. Quite interesting.

 

Jerry987654321, first of all, your table will have been pre-assigned and the change we found in August was, no card with your table number waiting for you in your cabin. You will find out when you first dine eg lunch. That table is yours for the duration.

Secondly, in a Q2, if you were to be aboard QE or QV,  I could tell you precisely where your two top table would be.  Obviously, I can’t on QA, [ I refer you to my comment #4].

There are the same number of Q's 1 and 2, just in reverse order but that still means six  ''top''cabins and depending on where the ''best'' area of the restaurant has been deemed, that is where your table will be.

The only thing I can guarantee is, as a Q 2 passenger, you will have a two top by the window.

 

We will be interested to see the table hierarchy on QA. I have my fingers crossed we're away from most of the footfall but as a first timer on Anne, we will go with the flow as I know we'll get a perceived ''good'' table. We'll be well informed and will ask for any specific table for the next trip.

 

We always handle it the traditional way and all works out.