Windsurfboy

Had same, in trying to please early arrivals and not leave them outside, staff forget they are actually making it worse for those who have a genuine early arrival time and arrive on time. I think although a bit harsh, the system adopted by P&O because of it's mega ships, that of not letting early arrivals in terminal is best. But lots disagree.

I agree, but the move over , ever increasing inducement takes time, this seems last minute, but given right wording shouldn't take more than a few days if inducement was enough. But nothing stopping Cunard emailing everyone with balcony, offering healthy inducement and asking for volunteers. I'm sure if they emailed what must be hundreds, they would get enough willing to have a refund and OBC. This would be easier for those they can email to directly not via TA.

Nowt you can do but concentrate on own hygiene, and remember Covid lessons keep hands away from face. Avoid buffet

They have limited resources to check on washing, but I'd concentrate them on the buffet, most risk of cross contamination. For other restaurants it's more important for supervisors to check on staff.

We'll put YC on our list, but we like to sail out of UK.

Luckily I have got dinning booked. It is a one off experiment so far Sagabis our go to line. Never tried Yacht club, much of what you quote , mini bar etc can be paid for . My one reservation is plan to use own balcony, I think my wife may miss the YC sun deck , she always ends up chaaway to neighbours.

Sorry you can get much better hotels in UK than premier Inn, or holiday in express for £200 a night. Stayed in a great 4 star hotel outside Worcester on way up to northwest for that money. But I'm not arguing that Cruises can not be great value. It depends on what you book. Very hard to beat the quality you get on P&O for the money on a inside cabin. But once you are spending £500 a night on a P&O suite or £1000 night on a Cunard or Saga suite, can get exceptional land holidays for that money. It is then a matter of personal preference to cruise or UK or fly.

I think suites on P&O are great value . Physically as good as any other. Price wise half the price of say Cunard QG or a Saga midship suite. Yes you don't get much as other lines in extras , but even with the cost of speciality restaurants every night, plus excellent wine and champagne. You can create everything you get on others for less. Anyway that's the experiment I'm trying. The only negative is gamble in hoping to book restaurants. With the huge rear balcony on aft suites you can avoid sunbed wars

A lot of people are saying they will leave P&O, some quote Saga. Saga just published latest 6 months. Average per deim was £331 per passenger. OK this includes suites, singles. When you take into account the numbers of each type of cabin, average for standard balcony cabin in last 6 months is £285pppn . Many including myself still think Saga is worth it. But it's a huge step up in cost to P&O. P&O is still value, but its a different line to what it was.

Good news Get your TA to create hell. Let the TA know you wonder if you'd have been better to book direct , but given the stress you expect Cunard to make up fot it , and sorting this out is why you use a TA in the future and not book direct

See comments above

I thought a shuttle bus was included in Select fare. 950 meters is enough to justify a shuttle bus.

Under normal circumstances no , but this is not normal.

Talk to cunard directly as well as getting TA to, let them know it's your honeymoon and how let down you feel. As well as the refund there is a lot Cunard can do to make you feel extra special on board. Explain you specifically wanted a balcony because your wife doesn't like crowded spaces. I'd push for access to the grills deck. Start off nice , always be polite, but if push comes to shove explain it would be a PR disaster if this spread across media and social media. Cunard ruins honeymoon by selling balcony cabin twice (doesn't have to be true but sounds gòd)

More seriously, say OK I'll accept cabin downgrade, only if I am upgraded to the QG dining room , allowed to use grills deck etc, plus what ever perks other people here could suggest , premium drinks packages... PS still insist on full compensation, which by the way if it was airline by law you should get 75% of fare

The Captain has a very nice Cabin, tell Cunard that if they truly believe in customer service then perhaps he/she would like to try out a sea view Cabin.

The silly thing is if P&O had increased prices by even just £2pppn no one would have noticed, no fuss , yet it would cost you more than the impact of 1 bottle per person vs room service cost

Given P&O and Cunard were the last few lines to let you take drink on board, it's surprising it's taken so long for this to be tightened up. It was a benefit not a right. The only complaint is the short notice. Yes prices on older all adults ships have gone up, but that's market forces, if the demand wasn't there, they wouldn't have.

If you look at Saga latest results as highlighted in thread on strategic partners. Ocean cruises made average of £331 per deim per passenger. This of course includes solos, deluxe, and suites. Who pay more per head. However standard double cabins are nearly 80%. When you take into account the numbers of each type of cabin and higher cost ,eg a midship Suite pays 190%. Then the average per deim is 117% of the average for a standard cabin. So Saga averaged £285 ppn for it's standard cabins. Of course an E deck on launch would be less and a late booking for A deck more. Still a healthy price putting Saga towards luxury lines and well above likes of Cunard. We must think its value as have booked again

Looks healthy if investors have patience. They will escape the trap and costs of the fixed price 3 year insurance deals by end of this financial year. Debt on ships is being paid off. Unless the unexpected happens, which is always possible, will be a very profitable company by 2026. So not desperate for a partnership at any terms. But one that is win win

It must be a coincidence that vegetables are cheaper than meat or fish.

The comparison to what you do at home is irrelevant. I think once a week is the norm home. A cruise is about luxury. The feel of clean bedding is a luxury. Once a week is not a luxury. At least twice a week is minimum.

I note 40% ie 2 out of 5 of the main courses are vegan or vegetarian. So for the 89% of the population who are not vegan/vegetarian (maybe a higher % in cruising age group) there is only a choice of 3 main courses. Hardly an extensive menu. But this is not unique to QA. PS I know everyone will say there is the a la carte but that doesn't change

Once sailed on it predecessor CMV from Cape Town to London, only ship going when we wanted to return. It was fine, basic edible English food at dinner (buffet exactly same food as MDR), breakfast buffet like a premier inn, OK service, good singers in entertainment all in house. Very basic, but very nice crowd of Aussies going home to see family, so some fun evenings. Made up for lack of anything like luxury. Good value for money, if low price is your criteria.

Thanks might make it first port of call