QM-2 Re-Fit 2016: Single Cabins

With the QM-2 re-fit next May, I think I heard somewhere that they were to install single cabins. If true does anyone have any details i.e. where on the ship, inside/outside/balcony, how many, Britannia restaurant only etc?

It doesn't really seem like there are many places where they could put them. Take away space from the casino like on QE and QV? Put some with the A2 Club staterooms on deck 13? Take away some crew areas?

There are two grades of single oceanview cabins listed in the itineraries in the second half of 2016 (Category KB (Standard Outside Single Mid) and KC (Standard Outside Single Mid-Aft)). No info on their location that I could see.

Although currently showing Sold Out on the sailings that I searched in POLAR , the rates appear about 180 percent of a Oceanview double occ. rate .

A couple of years ago I suggested this for QM2 single cabins.

Old July 30th, 2013, 12:30 PM

Win-win single cabins for QM2 Grills passengers.

During its next refit single Queens Grill cabins could be added to Queen Mary 2 by replacing a few Q5 cabin modules (each 18 by 22 ft) with pairs of Balcony cabin modules (each 9 by 22 ft). There would be no change in passenger count because each double cabin would be replaced by two singles; no change either in the restaurant because the singles would be assigned to tables for two, or more. Cunard could charge each of these solo passengers two thirds of the per passenger Q5 Grills fare and come out ahead on fares.

To add Princess Grill singles two adjacent P2 cabin modules (27 by 22 ft for the pair) could be replaced with three Balcony cabin modules (each 9 by 22 ft). Three solo passengers would replace two couples so Cunard would charge each solo four thirds the per passenger P2 fare and come out even.

This proposal would let Cunard expand its pool of potential passengers by offering something to solo travelers besides exorbitant surcharges. Do you think solo travelers would be interested in Grills cabins this size at these fares? Would you?

A couple of years ago I suggested this for QM2 single cabins.

Old July 30th, 2013, 12:30 PM

Win-win single cabins for QM2 Grills passengers.

 

During its next refit single Queens Grill cabins could be added to Queen Mary 2 by replacing a few Q5 cabin modules (each 18 by 22 ft) with pairs of Balcony cabin modules (each 9 by 22 ft). There would be no change in passenger count because each double cabin would be replaced by two singles; no change either in the restaurant because the singles would be assigned to tables for two, or more. Cunard could charge each of these solo passengers two thirds of the per passenger Q5 Grills fare and come out ahead on fares.

 

To add Princess Grill singles two adjacent P2 cabin modules (27 by 22 ft for the pair) could be replaced with three Balcony cabin modules (each 9 by 22 ft). Three solo passengers would replace two couples so Cunard would charge each solo four thirds the per passenger P2 fare and come out even.

 

This proposal would let Cunard expand its pool of potential passengers by offering something to solo travelers besides exorbitant surcharges. Do you think solo travelers would be interested in Grills cabins this size at these fares? Would you?

As somebody who sails solo, for me the Grills single supplement would have to be very substantially reduced to account for the smaller stateroom size. One of the reasons one books Grills is for more cabin, storage, and balcony space. If I have to sit in an upright balcony chair, instead of lying on a lounger, that's a step back.

Interesting concept but sliding our two doubles to put in three singles has a complication - plumbing. If memory serves QM2's utility spaces are very tight and deliberately so in order to maximize interior passenger space.

It doesn't really seem like there are many places where they could put them. Take away space from the casino like on QE and QV? Put some with the A2 Club staterooms on deck 13? Take away some crew areas?

The single ocean views will likely be installed alongside the port side of the Deck 2 Atrium space. This is currently occupied by the Casino. Even by removing this part of the space for accommodation the Casino would still be ample size.

Given that this is what has happened on QE I would say this is what is to be expected on QM2.

As somebody who sails solo, for me the Grills single supplement would have to be very substantially reduced to account for the smaller stateroom size. One of the reasons one books Grills is for more cabin, storage, and balcony space. If I have to sit in an upright balcony chair, instead of lying on a lounger, that's a step back.

 

Interesting concept but sliding our two doubles to put in three singles has a complication - plumbing. If memory serves QM2's utility spaces are very tight and deliberately so in order to maximize interior passenger space.

I completely agree. I'm happy to pay the high solo fare in Grills because it gives me lots of extra space.

That said, rather than losing larger suites to smaller 'suites' wouldn't it make more sense to change over some balcony staterooms and renovate them a little to make them suitable for Grills? Yes, it would mean smaller bathrooms, but it would guarantee those who desired Grills dining but less space the chance to book at a less hefty price.

Yes. It is true. http://www.cunard.co.uk/cunard-experience/media-centre/press-releases/qm2-refit-2016/

Although currently showing Sold Out on the sailings that I searched in POLAR , the rates appear about 180 percent of a Oceanview double occ. rate .

This does not sound like much of a deal. OV staterooms are normally 175% for solos. So, at 180%, you are paying more for less space.

Does anyone know if the re-fit includes the "make over" of King's Court? I had heard that was in the mix as well.

Thanks

Does anyone know if the re-fit includes the "make over" of King's Court? I had heard that was in the mix as well.

 

Thanks

I've heard that rumor every time she's gone into dry-dock.

It's desperately needed, but I don't think they'll do much. The basic layout is so bad that they'd have to gut it. We're just off the westbound TA, and having heard the rumor, I looked closely at that deck. No matter what they do, there will always be the issue of walkways through it, which can't be avoided because it's the open boat deck and there have to be doors and access.

I'd like to see the serving area more central, and the tables all toward the outside of the serving area (even with the walkway/access). As it is now, there are side tables, the serving areas, and the central tables. But that probably wouldn't work because KC already doesn't have enough "back of the house," and my plan would remove too much of it. Because the "back of the house" spaces aren't connected, we get treated to an endless parade of carts loaded with dishes--and the clatter that goes with it.

One simple thing they could do to help passengers is standardize the layouts. They're all different, so people never seem to know where to find what they want. This leads to a lot of wandering around, adding to the chaos.

It's hard to believe that anyone with more than 5 minutes of experience in the food service industry had anything to do with this mess, but the layout was supposedly designed by Cunard's food and beverage department.

Looks like 8 kb and 6 kc outside cabins. As i do a lot of single cruise probably not book single, I can get a larger double for about the same price. If it was really single price then i would.

Hi,

I am currently booked (as a solo) on the QM2's 7-day Canada / New England cruise that departs from New York on September 27, 2016. For this sailing, I just compared the price of the new outside singles to the standard outside double staterooms (with the single supplement). The new single staterooms are nearly the same price as paying the single supplement for a larger standard outside stateroom. Thus, at least for this particular cruise, there is not much incentive to book one of the new single staterooms (other than having a new cabin).

In comparison, Holland America's upcoming Koningsdam also will have some outside single staterooms. These seem to be more reasonably priced. The price of an outside single on the Koningsdam is slightly more than an inside double stateroom (with the single supplement) and substantially less than an outside double (with the single supplement). This seems to be a better pricing structure for solo cruisers.

Thus, I decided to stay with a double stateroom on the QM2, but I booked an outside single on the Koningsdam.

Chuck

Hi,

 

I am currently booked (as a solo) on the QM2's 7-day Canada / New England cruise that departs from New York on September 27, 2016. For this sailing, I just compared the price of the new outside singles to the standard outside double staterooms (with the single supplement). The new single staterooms are nearly the same price as paying the single supplement for a larger standard outside stateroom. Thus, at least for this particular cruise, there is not much incentive to book one of the new single staterooms (other than having a new cabin).

 

In comparison, Holland America's upcoming Koningsdam also will have some outside single staterooms. These seem to be more reasonably priced. The price of an outside single on the Koningsdam is slightly more than an inside double stateroom (with the single supplement) and substantially less than an outside double (with the single supplement). This seems to be a better pricing structure for solo cruisers.

 

Thus, I decided to stay with a double stateroom on the QM2, but I booked an outside single on the Koningsdam.

 

Chuck

Looking at a number of dummy bookings, the single cabins are going at about 125%. Cunard's singles are usually 165% or more (sometimes much more). As you say, there is not much incentive for us to book those smaller single staterooms on Cunard.

Hi,

 

I am currently booked (as a solo) on the QM2's 7-day Canada / New England cruise that departs from New York on September 27, 2016. For this sailing, I just compared the price of the new outside singles to the standard outside double staterooms (with the single supplement). The new single staterooms are nearly the same price as paying the single supplement for a larger standard outside stateroom. Thus, at least for this particular cruise, there is not much incentive to book one of the new single staterooms (other than having a new cabin).

 

In comparison, Holland America's upcoming Koningsdam also will have some outside single staterooms. These seem to be more reasonably priced. The price of an outside single on the Koningsdam is slightly more than an inside double stateroom (with the single supplement) and substantially less than an outside double (with the single supplement). This seems to be a better pricing structure for solo cruisers.

 

Thus, I decided to stay with a double stateroom on the QM2, but I booked an outside single on the Koningsdam.

 

Chuck

Chuck, The ride could be quite rough in one of the new KONINGSDAM single rooms. They are as far forward as passenger rooms can be on the ship. I'm not sure that I would want one particularly in a sea that is known for being boisterous!

What trip on the KONINGSDAM did you book? C & I have reservations on her next year too, but I will probably cancel them if the DELTA QUEEN comes out again.

It doesn't really seem like there are many places where they could put them. Take away space from the casino like on QE and QV? Put some with the A2 Club staterooms on deck 13? Take away some crew areas?

Good morning Scrapnana.

Having just disembarked QM2 in New York I get the feeling you have the same 'insider' information as myself.

Mum's the word. :)

Good morning Scrapnana.

 

Having just disembarked QM2 in New York I get the feeling you have the same 'insider' information as myself.

 

Mum's the word. :)

you don't mean putting the single staterooms where the photoshop is do you????

;)

The re-invention of the single cabin amuses me. Not just Cunard, but many cruise lines give the impression that single cabins are something new when they existed on almost all ships until near the end of the 20th century. The QE2 had over a hundred singles - and they were in all classes from tiny Britannia/Mauretania inside to Queen's Grill outside. In most categories the fares were reasonable. About 25 years ago I had an inside single on a QE2 Atlantic crossing which cost barely $100 more than the per person rate for a double.

P&O was particularly amusing when they made a big deal about adding single cabins to the Oriana a few years ago. When that ship was new in 1995 they had many singles, which had a double bed. After a few years they were re-branded as doubles and sold at a stiff supplement.

As the old cliché says: Everything old is new again.

....The QE2 had over a hundred singles - and they were in all classes from tiny Britannia/Mauretania inside to Queen's Grill outside....

It's also why I never booked QE2 years ago - only insides were available for solos. Many people love the value an inside offers but for me it would be too claustrophobic. I was very naive about sailing at the time and didn't realize that one could even sail in a two person room as long as one paid up.

Chuck, The ride could be quite rough in one of the new KONINGSDAM single rooms. They are as far forward as passenger rooms can be on the ship. I'm not sure that I would want one particularly in a sea that is known for being boisterous!

 

What trip on the KONINGSDAM did you book? C & I have reservations on her next year too, but I will probably cancel them if the DELTA QUEEN comes out again.

Hi,

You have a good point about the location of the Koningdam's single cabins. However, I am booked on the seven-day Eastern Caribbean cruise that departs on January 29, 2017. Hopefully, the seas won't be too bad. Based on the renderings that I have seen, I will like the ship's interiors.

Chuck

The re-invention of the single cabin amuses me. Not just Cunard, but many cruise lines give the impression that single cabins are something new when they existed on almost all ships until near the end of the 20th century. The QE2 had over a hundred singles - and they were in all classes from tiny Britannia/Mauretania inside to Queen's Grill outside. In most categories the fares were reasonable. About 25 years ago I had an inside single on a QE2 Atlantic crossing which cost barely $100 more than the per person rate for a double.

 

P&O was particularly amusing when they made a big deal about adding single cabins to the Oriana a few years ago. When that ship was new in 1995 they had many singles, which had a double bed. After a few years they were re-branded as doubles and sold at a stiff supplement.

 

As the old cliché says: Everything old is new again.

Hi,

Yes, I had reasonably priced single cabins on the QE2 for five different sailings. For four of the sailings, I had Mauretania inside singles. These cabins were very small, but they were a great bargain. Also, some of these cabins had excellent locations. For one of the sailings, I had an outside Caronia single on One Deck. The cabin was the seem depth as the One Deck large double cabins, but it was very narrow.

Chuck

It's also why I never booked QE2 years ago - only insides were available for solos. Many people love the value an inside offers but for me it would be too claustrophobic. I was very naive about sailing at the time and didn't realize that one could even sail in a two person room as long as one paid up.

There were outside staterooms available in Caronia, Princess and Queen's Grills. (I have a friend who has travelled in both Grills in an outside single.) I can't be sure about Britannia/Mauritania. If there were outside cabins I chose an inside as I was being cheap. I wouldn't do it again, though. It was small and far too warm - even though it was a cool crossing.

There were outside staterooms available in Caronia, Princess and Queen's Grills. (I have a friend who has travelled in both Grills in an outside single.) I can't be sure about Britannia/Mauritania. If there were outside cabins I chose an inside as I was being cheap. I wouldn't do it again, though. It was small and far too warm - even though it was a cool crossing.

I believe there were outside Mauretania cabins on QE2. When my father traveled with us as a solo, we looked into them, but IIRC, they were way forward and he decided a midships inside would be better.

I believe there were outside Mauretania cabins on QE2. When my father traveled with us as a solo, we looked into them, but IIRC, they were way forward and he decided a midships inside would be better.

Thanks for refreshing my memory. I found a brochure with a fare chart and deck plan for two years after my only solo trip. Indeed there were some outside Mauretania cabins: just five on Two, Three and Four Decks. As indicated by 3rdGenCunarder, they were all very much forward. There were lots of insides. I gave up counting at 60. The fare difference between inside and outside that year (1991) was $500. It would probably have been a little less two years before, but the availability of a mid-ships cabin and a significant saving is no doubt why I chose an inside.