Itinerary/Port Questions: MERGED

I'd like to ask if Cunard have any plans to use Liverpool as a turnaround port?

[COLOR=black][FONT=Times New Roman][FONT=Arial]Thank you Peter for taking the time for Q&A.[/FONT][/FONT][/COLOR]
[COLOR=black][FONT=Verdana] [/FONT][/COLOR]
[COLOR=black][FONT=Times New Roman][FONT=Arial]Will QM2 ever offering a sailing to Bermuda from NY? Also, would like to see more than one QM2 Caribbean sailing offered. What is the likelihood these sailings added to her schedule in 2014 or 2015?[/FONT][/FONT][/COLOR][COLOR=black][FONT=Times New Roman][/FONT][/COLOR]

Hello,

Is there any chance that the QM2 will again visit Los Angeles. I realize that she has to back up the channel to the terminal. But it would be so nice to get on at "home" and not have the flight to NYC.

I can guarantee that she will receive a royal welcome !

I second that, would love to see a NYC - Bermuda itinerary

[quote name='Cunard Cruiser'][COLOR=black][FONT=Times New Roman][FONT=Arial]Thank you Peter for taking the time for Q&A.[/FONT][/FONT][/COLOR]
[COLOR=black][FONT=Verdana] [/FONT][/COLOR]
[COLOR=black][FONT=Times New Roman][FONT=Arial]Will QM2 ever offering a sailing to Bermuda from NY? Also, would like to see more than one QM2 Caribbean sailing offered. What is the likelihood these sailings added to her schedule in 2014 or 2015?[/FONT][/FONT][/COLOR][COLOR=black][FONT=Times New Roman][/FONT][/COLOR][/QUOTE]

Hello, Mr. Shanks,
Although this may be a similar question to others regarding QM2's World Voyage intinerary, I was wondering if there is a possibility the she would return to a voyage similar to the 2009 World Voyage, which went around Cape Horn? Thanks!

Whilst I am a great fan of gravadlux and similar dishes can you please explain why QM2 keeps returning to Norway rather than performing the transatlantic crossings for which it was designed. You have 2 perfectly acceptable Vista sisters that could co-ordinate with QM2 in Southampton to trudge around the fjords leaving QM2 to dawdle back and forth to New York. Also is it possible to depart NYC during the early hours rather than at 5pm to enable those many passengers on a back to back trip to sample the night life that is on offer in that wonderful city.

I note that Cunard are not visiting the Falkland Islands when the Queen Victoria passes down the coast of South America in 2014 and I was disappointed when I saw that.

Both Cunard and P&O should be commended for their efforts during the conflict over those islands and we must NEVER forget the very sad loss of the master and ELEVEN of the crew from the Cunard flagged Atlantic Conveyor. These brave sailors remain with their ship which now rests on the sea bed so very far away from home and would it not be a gesture of respect for any of your ships that are in the area to pay their respects to these brave men who made that ultimate sacrifice?

I accept the Falklands are not the most attractive of locations and getting passengers ashore is not gauranteed but...

[I][COLOR=blue]They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old:[/COLOR][/I]
[I][COLOR=blue]Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.[/COLOR][/I]
[I][COLOR=blue]At the going down of the sun and in the morning[/COLOR][/I]
[I][COLOR=blue][B][U]We will remember them.[/U][/B][/COLOR][/I]

I do not give one fig about any political issues regarding this gesture, it is all about respect and remembrance, those souls are forever confined to the deep and it would be nice for their fellow shipmates to pay a visit and perhaps say hello.

Those aboard the ship that do not want to take part can simply carry on cruising on perhaps one of the finest cruise ships afloat.

Kind regards
John

++++1

Brilliant post. Probably one of the most worthwhile question being asked out of them all. Even if the ship called for a couple of hours, for the Captain to lay a wreath or flowers, or simply pay his respects and let those men know they have not been forgotten.

Thank you for brining this up John.

KUDOS
I agree

Hello Mr. Shanks

I have sailed with Cunard many times and am looking forward to two transatlantic crossings this Summer. (July 27 and September 2.)

I am very interested in the Queen Victoria's 2014 world cruise most especially the South America segment. I am wondering why the ship is not first stopping in NY to pick up passengers. More importantly, I am also wondering why the ship is not visiting Lima, Peru before heading west. Certainly most of the passengers would value a visit to that City including a tour to Machu Picchu. This is a serious omission to me.

Who designs these cruises? Thanks.

Patrick Carter

Some very good questions on deployment thank you. Let me answer as follows ;
Bermuda - is a lovely place to visit but it is really not on the way to or from anywhere - and that is our challenge - but we will consider for the future.
Queen Mary 2 will I am sure visit Los Angeles again in the futire on one of her World Voyages - on that note we are planning to have Queen Elizabeth visit Long Beach in March to pay tribute to the original Queen Mary.
On Norway - we do like to have Queen Mary 2 do some voyages to Norway - partly as she is so popular with our German guests who embark in Hamburg - but we do look carefully at the balance between that and her fanous Transatlantics for which we would aim to do around 20 crossings each year.
Yes - I think it is quite right for Britain to support the Falklands - one of the challenges with visiting there is the weather and it is a long way to go to miss a call. But we tend not to get drawn into international politics - we will certainly visit the Falklands in the future. - and we remember the very special relationship between The Falklands and QE2.
A good question on South America - the Queen Victoria World Voyage in 2014 has a fantastic itinerary around the best of that region - although we are not picking guests up in New York - we will do from Ft Lauderdale which is just a short hop down the coast for our New York friends to join us.
And finally to the first question in this string on Liverpool - our spiritual home. We have no plans to use Liverpool as a 'turnround' port - they just don't have the facilities at the moment and Southamptonm is our home. But - we do visit Liverpool on our Round Britain cruises - and actually for the upcoming one we do have some guests joining in Liverpool. Liverpool will always be special to Cunard- but for many years Southampton has been our home and they have done a great jon in investing in their port facilities. Southampton is also a lot nearer to London - which is very important for our North American guests. Peter

Hello Mr Shanks,

As a previous guest on the QM2, I wish you'd bring back more departures to the Caribbean from New York city, rather than the current two in December. I'd love to see departures again in January & February.

Also, although I know Cunard does not chase young families as a target market, I would surely like to see at least a *slight* discount for children under 10 years old. It seems a little outrageous to charge a full adult fare for say, a 5 year old guest who will simply not require the same amenities as an adult. Now that we are new parents to a 6 year old, sadly we will not be cruising with Cunard for some time.

There are many young professionals out there who feel the same. Cunard must begin to court this market a little better. Not all of us want to play Bingo on board, or bridge. We are young, appreciate luxury and quality and wish to enjoy a higher standard of cruising- and we have unmet needs in the market. You could easily capture our business.

[quote name='MsMontreal']Hello Mr Shanks,

As a previous guest on the QM2, I wish you'd bring back more departures to the Caribbean from New York city, rather than the current two in December. I'd love to see departures again in January & February.

Also, although I know Cunard does not chase young families as a target market, I would surely like to see at least a *slight* discount for children under 10 years old. It seems a little outrageous to charge a full adult fare for say, a 5 year old guest who will simply not require the same amenities as an adult. Now that we are new parents to a 6 year old, sadly we will not be cruising with Cunard for some time.

There are many young professionals out there who feel the same. Cunard must begin to court this market a little better. Not all of us want to play Bingo on board, or bridge. We are young, appreciate luxury and quality and wish to enjoy a higher standard of cruising- and we have unmet needs in the market. You could easily capture our business.[/quote]

Hi Ms.Montreal. Obiviously, I'm not Peter Shanks, so just take my reply for what it's worth. QM2 has only one Caribbean cruise r/t NY in December, not two.

As to the concept that a five year old guest does not require the same amenites as an adult - have you considered the special amenities offered to children? Those amenities are built to the voyage fare for each passenger, whether or not they are traveling with a child - in other words, child care is subsidied by your fellow passngers. As to whether or not you chose to leave your child in the provided day care facilities on board, that is your choice.

No doubt as a parent, you know that children are joyous yet vulnerable and deserving of extra care. Extra discounts? No, that would not be a good idea, in my opinion. Regards -S.

Everything for everyone on board is subsidised by all passengers paying a fare: from lightbulbs to lobster dinners. If it bothers you so much that part of your personal fare price goes to paying for a playroom on the ship for someone else's child, do stay home.

If you think a child will enjoy the same quantity of food as an adult, play roulette in the casino or smoke cigars in the cigar lounge, have a spa day at Canyon Ranch, take in the evening show, attend a speaking engagement on board each afternoon or participate in an art auction- then I agree: charge an adult fare.

All of those things do not equal utilising a playroom for an hour or two a day, on the ship.

And you are quite correct- I did not ask for your opinion.

[quote name='MsMontreal']Everything for everyone on board is subsidised by all passengers paying a fare: from lightbulbs to lobster dinners. If it bothers you so much that part of your personal fare price goes to paying for a playroom on the ship for someone else's child, do stay home.

If you think a child will enjoy the same quantity of food as an adult, play roulette in the casino or smoke cigars in the cigar lounge, have a spa day at Canyon Ranch, take in the evening show, attend a speaking engagement on board each afternoon or participate in an art auction- then I agree: charge an adult fare.

All of those things do not equal utilising a playroom for an hour or two a day, on the ship.

And you are quite correct- I did not ask for your opinion.[/quote]Ouch..

I think by posting on a public forum we are asking for a response. You should be aware that Mr Shanks has left the building, the threads were closed for further questions and I believe we are now back to shooting the breeze ;)

Don't forget the Cunard ships depart the UK on their World Cruise schedule in January so that might interfere with your suggestion regarding further cruises for that month.

I will probably be in my cabin for most of my cruise but I will certainly not be asking for any type of rebate just because I fail to take advantage of the facilities on offer.

My thoughts on this is that any cruise company wants to maximise their profits and a two berth cabin should be offered at a two berth price, if it has one occupant then I fully understand why a cruise company would want to charge for two passengers. If we take a third person with us and they can be accommodated in that two berth cabin then perhaps the price for that third person can be adjusted accordingly.

If one adult takes a child as the second person then should that child pay a full fare? I personally believe that answer is yes but this is me talking as I am typing, my thoughts, my views. We all have that choice to take our money elsewhere just as Cunard has the right to refuse passage. Each to their own and respect to everyone.

[quote name='MsMontreal']Hello Mr Shanks,

As a previous guest on the QM2, I wish you'd bring back more departures to the Caribbean from New York city, rather than the current two in December. I'd love to see departures again in January & February.

Also, although I know Cunard does not chase young families as a target market, I would surely like to see at least a *slight* discount for children under 10 years old. It seems a little outrageous to charge a full adult fare for say, a 5 year old guest who will simply not require the same amenities as an adult. Now that we are new parents to a 6 year old, sadly we will not be cruising with Cunard for some time.

There are many young professionals out there who feel the same. Cunard must begin to court this market a little better. Not all of us want to play Bingo on board, or bridge. We are young, appreciate luxury and quality and wish to enjoy a higher standard of cruising- and we have unmet needs in the market. You could easily capture our business.[/QUOTE]

Well, on some journeys kids can go for a really big discount if there are two full paying passengers (parents). I remember one or two last year (I think that was Baltics/Norway). I think thats a good idea as otherwise indeed many families are cut-off, but I also think it shouldnt be an incentive that is offered on all Cunard cruises.