newbie202020

Is the Verandah dinner worth it? I won't have enough OBC to cover the costs.

But it's Bamboo that shocked me. It's now USD 31.50 pp when it was USD 20 pp before.

Dinner at Verandah is now USD 58.50 pp. It was USD 45pp not too long ago

We're sailing in July and have noticed that the price for alternative dining has increased over 20% when I logged into mycunard today. Is that normal practice closer to sail date or is it that Cunard has increased dining prices across the board?

Have been reading that other lines regularly offer up to 30% off specialty dining a few days into the trip! I guess it's not common practice with Cunard...

I read that may happen on other lines when a guaranteed room is booked. When you choose your room number during booking, isn't it specifically assigned to you so how can this happen?

Thanks very much @NE Johnfor taking the time to provide a detailed response. It's very helpful

Hi, how would you do that? Do you need to tell the waiter to apply the OBC against the extra items? Can I use my OBC to tip them too? Thanks

Thanks to all who replied. I didn't choose the upgrade option when booking as I need to choose side by side cabins with my parents. So I didn't want to risk getting separated from the upgrade bid program. I would prefer to rebook and choose the cabins myself. I guess I will call the travel agent to see. Just wanted to hear other's experiences. Thanks

If I already paid in full for a balcony for departure in 3 months but want to book Princess Grill now with recent sale, can I call my travel agent to rebook? Thanks

Hi, if I book with travel agent, where can I see my OBC from Cunard as confirmation as I only have the travel agent's booking confirmation? Just wanted direct confirmation from Cunard to avoid any confusion once onboard. Thanks

I'm also from Canada and have noticed in months of price comparison that Cunard Alaska cruises, to my delight, are quite a bit cheaper than Celebrity, Princess etc for mid balcony. Not sure why this would be the case? If the Grills are lot cheaper about a month prior to embarkation like David said, can I call in then to try and upgrade my current balcony booking? Thanks

Thanks so much @3rdGenCunarder for your detailed response. Is there an extra service charge (20%?) on top of the $249 full voyage cost? Thanks

Hi, my senior parents need a hot tub to help with arthritis but I think the hot tubs are outdoors on QE. We're going to Alaska in a few months and they said that they don't want to use the hot tub outdoors. Is the temperature in the aqua therapy pool in the spa as hot as hot tubs? What other amenities are included if I buy the spa day pass? I hear that the pricing for the spa pass / aqua therapy pool is better once you buy onboard and if you buy for the entire voyage. What price should I expect for a 10-day voyage? Do I just go to the spa on embarkation day and try to get a deal? I also read that if you buy onboard, the pass is for the full day instead of 2 hours if you buy online beforehand. Any advice is much appreciated. Thanks

Is there a 20% service charge in addition to the meal price? Thanks

Hi, I have never sailed Cunard before and was wondering if it costs less to wait until I board to book Verandah, Bamboo etc? Only sailed with Celebrity before where they offer reduced pricing/sales once onboard. Also, I don't think I see packages for 2 or 3 specialty meals on mycunard but not sure if I'm looking in the right place. Going to Alaska on QE if that matters. Thanks

Thanks for responding. What is NOK?

Hi, I've only cruised on Celebrity before and used their app to upload headshots and passport info I believe during the check in process. What do I need to upload or what info do I need to provide during the Cunard check in process (going on QE from Vancouver to Alaska if that matters). Thanks very much!

Hi again, when and how would I know that I'm confirmed for Early Dining? Today, my dining choice shows up as "Early Dining (register preference)" on mycunard but when I call my travel agent, they said that I'm still waitlisted for Early Dining. How can I tell when I'm confirmed for Early Dining and off the waitlist on mycunard? Thanks

Thank you all so much. I can't tell you how much I appreciate this. I feel so much better that this will be taken care of.

Thanks, I told the travel agent who advised me that Cunard will contact me directly as the allergy is not common and not something they can check off on their system. I also tried looking at the on-board needs through mycunard but the form seems to focus on accessibility needs and not food allergies. I'll wait for Cunard to contact me and will call them directly if I don't hear back soon. Thanks so much for everyone's support and advice. What a great community we have here!

Thanks so much for your help. You're right. I'm stressing out way too much about the dining arrangements. Unfortunately, my parents are 1) crazy picky about when to eat and 2) have some medical issues that requires frequent meals and 3) my kid has anaphylactic allergy to a certain food and I don't want to have to repeat this to every waiter at open dining. But for now, I hope that open dining works and fingers crossed we get early dining. I'm embarking from Vancouver, BC to Alaska. So excited. Thanks again all.

Thanks very much everyone for your advice. Where is the maitre d' located on the QE? I will head straight there when I embark. I guess calling Cunard directly once in a while to check up on the request to move to early dining won't help? Thanks

Thanks very much for the advice. If we have food allergies, how would they accommodate that if we have open sitting? I thought we would order our food the day before with allergies?

Thanks @Pushpit. Am I not defaulted to open dining while on the wait list? Otherwise, how do I know when to go to the dining room? Sorry, I am new to Cunard. Thanks for advising about the start times.