Wagtail adventures

I see from their email today that as expected the Queen Anne World Cruise in 2025 has been re-routed to avoid the Red Sea. I was due to go from Dubai to Southampton over 20 nights. Cunard have offered a re-route from Cape Town to Southampton instead, calling at Walvis Bay Namibia, Dakar Senegal and Las Palmas de Gran Canarias over 16 nights. They have offered a pro-rata fare reduction of the missing 4 nights, and $200 per person onboard credit. In my view this is understandable and a reasonable offer, however I've decided to cancel and get a refund of our deposit.

Was that before the refit in November 23? I know from videos I've seen it was very run down then, however I think it got freshened up in the refit. Maybe others who have used it since could clarify? Good point re windows.

Could be, although the prices don't suggest that, with winter crossings being the cheapest (something I have taken advantage of!)

I recently booked a winter transatlantic crossing on QM2 in a Q5 direct through Cunard. The booking consultant suggested marking our booking as upgradable in case the upgrade gods smile on us, and we agreed, although we are happy with what we booked and not expecting anything. It did get me thinking though, about the Q3s, which have no balcony and are far forward which is worse for motion. In this case we would think ourselves very lucky for any upgrade, including Q3 because we could sacrifice the balcony (reluctantly) on a cold winter crossing for the other benefits of these suites. However, what about for fair weather voyages? It strikes me that losing the balcony would be most undesirable, so in effect it makes marking a Q4/5/6/7 booking as upgradable would be risky. If the choice is this stark - and if you are upgraded to Q3 you have no choice but to accept - I personally would not mark my booking as upgradable. Does anyone have any thoughts about this? Or indeed has it happened to anyone? Is there anything that can be done if you are 'lucky' enough to be upgraded to Q3 or is that the risk one takes? I imagine I am not the only one to have had this conundrum. Thanks all.

Thank you, but no, I don't get that screen - this is what I get (unless I am looking in the wrong place?):

I would have no hesitation taking my nephews who are teenagers, I am sure they would love it 👍

Under my Manage my Booking it says 28% - however it seems I can't prebook as a Gold so it looks like I will end up paying more despite my $45 discount - this seems weird and I'm not sure Cunard intended to devalue a loyalty perk.

Yes, UK booking. Thank you both, most helpful.

I am experiencing something a little different - I have booked a Cunard fare (instead of saver), and I see now with the latest Valentine offer it is 10% cheaper. When I rang Cunard to refund my deposit and rebook at the lower fare they said they could only do this if the new booking was the same price or more expensive. So basically people are stopped from taking advantage of better deals which may arise after booking without losing their deposit. So I am confused when I hear about refundable fares. Is this the US vs UK market? Or travel agent vs booking direct? Please enlighten me!

I think the exterior staterooms are bigger than the interior ones, so it isn't quite a like for like comparison. Also, you will have outside space, and some sky at least, as well as natural daylight. So I hope you find it better than an inside. Best of luck and I hope you enjoy it.

I am not sure about noise, but you can find the obstructed stateroom views here:

Weird as $72 per night is the advance price for 5-14 nights, and $67.50 for 15-84 nights. Maybe a Cunard website glitch, or cookie complication?

We also had a lot of vibration at the back of Britannia (lower level) in September 23. No smells.

Is bottled water delivered to your stateroom is included in the 'beer, wines and spirits' package? Thank you

Excellent idea! Thanks