DaisyUK

Just now, Roland4 said:

It is a very manual process now, but apparently they are working to improve the booking system. Even TAs have to phone in to get pricing, or to book, rather than being able to book online. From what we have been able to see "Request a Quote" does mean there is inventory available.

That's very helpful, thank you and good to know that 'request a quote' means there is probably availability. Hopefully their systems will improve as time goes by. These days, I think expectations are somewhat higher than having to call across the world and time zones! 

Hello and thank you for your help. That seems a long-winded process. However... if it says 'request a quote' I assume it means the suite is available? We enjoyed Crystal previously, but have since moved on to other lines. Thought we might try a short-ish cruise to see if it lives up to our new expectations!

Apologies if this has been asked and answered and I have missed it. We are considering whether to book a Crystal cruise for later this year, and on checking availability and pricing, see a price followed by 'request a quote'. Does this mean a suite is available, or not, or maybe? And (if available) does it mean the price shown is the price (in which case why would I need to request a quote)?, or that a different price may be quoted (in which case, why quote a price)?

Yes, I'm sure we'll love it. Thanks again for the advice/observations. This will be our first sailing on the QV, and then we will have done all 3 Queens, and have QA coming up in 2024. Happy days! 😊

Thanks for these observations Victoria2. Sounds like it's swings and roundabouts between the deck 6 and 7 aft suites. We're on deck 7 for our upcoming cruise and I hadn't noticed that rather strange bedroom layout until just now when I went back and checked it on a youtube video. As you say very strange that Cunard would install usb ports on one deck and not the other in the same category of suite.  

Hoping the seas won't be quite so rough when we sail!

Stupidly I didn't keep a copy, but I will rewrite and see what happens.

I can't answer your question about the July cruise, but I do wonder if some reviews slip through the net as I submitted a review several weeks ago (not lukewarm) and it hasn't appeared, at least not yet.

Sounds like you've had a great cruise despite the eczema and bumpy ride.  Look forward to reading any further thoughts once you're home. As for the extra lbs - they'll soon disappear, ready for next time!!

On each of the lines we've sailed (Regent, Oceania, Crystal and now Cunard) the question of tipping has come up on CC. I've always sought out these posts, wondering what the 'norm' is in terms of who to tip, when to do it, how much to give, but nowhere have I managed to find a conclusive answer, presumably because there isn't one. We pay the automatic gratuities and then tip for excellent service where we have received it, usually in the restaurant and bars plus the butler and cabin staff, but have no idea whether we tip too much, too little or just right. One of life's mysteries!

Sorry to hear about the hand problem and hope it doesn't impact on your enjoyment of the QV too much. Great that the weather has improved 😊 

2 hours ago, Victoria2 said:

We stayed in 7171, the mirror image of 7051, earlier on in the year. As you say, wonderful.🙂

Do you mean the mirror image of 7050? Hope the seas have calmed down!

2 hours ago, ajpeter said:

That is a wonderful suite you choose. Have fun and enjoy. When are you sailing? we are leaving on the 3th of August in cabin 7051

Thank you. Hope you have a fabulous time. We have to wait until November

15 minutes ago, Victoria2 said:

I thought of you and although not knowing precisely which grade you’ve booked, I have a couple of observations  to make, cabin wise, which hopefully will help you later in the year.

Sea is quite lively this morning, especially at the back here. Whatever, the rocking and rolling helped to a great night's sleep. I slept like a log but according to our lovely butler 'this is nothing'. Hmmm. That’s the Magellan Straits out then!

Apparently, seven hundred passengers embarked yesterday and we are sailing full. It’s the easiest of Gala 'themes' tonight if anyone wishes to follow.  Black and white. Hopefully, some of  those who were less than 'smartly attired', and there were quite a few more last night, will join in.

Great, thank you. We will be in 7150. Will be following along vicariously and looking forward to your reports/comments.

This was a nice surprise. Will look forward to your updates as and when. Am looking forward to our first sailing on QV later this year so will be very interested in your comments. Hope you have a great time!

Brilliant, thank you Hattie 😊

Thank you Host Hattie. Yes, I wondered whether CC was waiting for the maiden voyage, but still think it might be useful to be able to easily search for info specifically related to QA before that happy day.

I am looking for info on Queen Anne prior to making a booking, so thought I'd use the drop down menu at the top of the Cunard Forums page, but only QM2, QE and QV are included. Wondering if it might be possible to add QA to make it easier to find relevant posts?

9 hours ago, Germancruiser said:

I don´t know it it has anything to do with starlink but Internet / wifi worked like a charm- the best I ever had ony any ship on the voyage June 9th to June 23th.

Agreed, we were on at the same time and it was the best we've ever experienced (on any cruise ship) also.

That would certainly be interesting information to have Victoria2 - perhaps we will be onboard at the same time at some point in the future😊

Since my original post, I have experimented and booked one cruise direct, another with our UK travel agent (not specialist Cunard) and another with a US agent. I liked booking direct because I could call direct with any queries but having said that it meant a long and frustrating wait while waiting to get through. The UK travel agent booking was fine, but it was long-winded/slow to get answers to queries. The US travel agent booking was our best experience but by then I didn't really have any queries so getting answers didn't apply. Generally, though, the US agent has been proactive, quick to respond and, best of all, they threw in a drinks package, gratuities and some OBC.  

We're just back from the QM2. We had Peking Duck (2 day's notice in our case) and a chicken curry another evening. We also had some of Osman's signature dishes - 2 lobster dishes and veal masala. All were excellent. As Techteach mentioned, I think he said he had one more month to go and then would be on vacation.

Thank you again - and, sorry, I mistyped your CC name in my last post. I would ask you to email your essay (if you are willing to do so) as I'm sure I'd find it useful, but not sure whether I can do that on CC? In any event, we did make the switch so I guess we'll find out soon enough!

Thank you so much Victoria1 - this is fantastic information, and I am so grateful to you for taking the time and trouble😊

30 minutes ago, exlondoner said:

It will be very nice to read some reviews of QM2 that aren’t gloomy and negative.

I have posted a review, but I think it takes a few days to appear. Rest assured, it isn't gloomy or negative😊

1 hour ago, Host Hattie said:

And just a thank you to everyone who contributed your own experiences of the cruise. It sounds like you all had a good time.

Please write a review 

Hi Host Hattie, yes I will make sure to post a review in the review section. I did look out for you (using your  CC tiny pic!!) but didn't see you around the ship. Hope you enjoyed your cruise, despite (some of) your dining companions...