Ditchcrawler

Cunard have backed down. Quote from my TA's email: "You have your balcony cabin as originally booked, they have apologised for the attempt to downgrade and admitted it was an unusual situation" Thank you all for your help. Frankly, I suspect the outcome would have been more unfavourable without it. You have your balcony cabin as originally booked, they have apologised for the attempt to downgrade and admitted it was an unusual situation You have your balcony cabin as originally booked, they have apologised for the attempt to downgrade and admitted it was an unusual situation

My TA has told them that I am expecting them to contact me. He has even furnished them with my number. The rep he was dealing with waited until 16:55 yesterday to tell him I had until close of business today to come to a decision, and conveniently passed him on to a colleague as they were taking today off. There is not a single instance of the word "sorry" from Cunards correspondence.

Thank you kindly. I honestly wish we went with the first MSC cruise I found when starting out, rather than researching further. At least that way my wife would have been guaranteed a private outdoor space when she wanted to avoid the crowds which overwhelm her. Frankly, I've let her down. A balcony was her only big ask from me when going on our first cruise. We've accomadation and flights booked from Istanbul where the cruise ends, so we have to go. I feel like a damned failure.

I have just one cabin booked. 6017. As of February

Here is the start of a redacted conversation between my TA and Cunard which I have specific permission from my TA to post here. (Why did they not email my TA or myself such important information after being unsuccessful on the first attempt?) Any personal details I share are of my own. My name is Lee Hughes. I am happy to share this openly. It is no secret.

We've been to dinner, I've had a few glasses of wine and have calmed down somewhat. With that in mind I do realise I need to demonstrate that what is happening to me may happen to another couple on their honeymoon. Here are our baggage tags which I laminated and punched.

Host Hattie I shall share nothing that can identify anyone. Editing out personal details will take some time as I am mobile, hence why I'm waiting until she goes to bed. I have my TA's consent to share the redacted thread here. He says he has seen nothing like this in his professional career.

My TA has shared his email correspondence with me. Cunard say they do not have a balcony cabin to allocate me. I have until tomorrow to cancel or accept the downgrade. I'm literally in the middle of my honeymoon. My wife as of five days was the one who asked to book Cunard over Azamara because of the atmosphere. I literally bought my tuxedo today. I will share the email thread between my TA and Cunard when she has gone to bed. I am utterly speechless.

Hi folks, I am due to embark Queen Victoria on the 13th for our honeymoon. I have booked the cunard fare and a specific cabin. I have checked in. I have just received a call from my travel agent to inform me that Cunard have oversold their balcony cabins and wish to downgrade me to an ocean view with a 50% refund. This is simply not acceptable. I am bloody furious. This is my first cruise with Cunard. Is this normal behaviour on their part? Is this how they conduct business? Has anyone else experienced such behaviour from Cunard? I shall report back after my TA has spoken to Cunard. Should they back down I would be happy forgive, forget and move on. Thank you for any advice you might be able to give.

Good Evening @Solent Richard Thank you very much.

To be honest, I'll make any starch work with a bit of testing on the bottom rear of the shirt. I'm picking the shirt/s up in Rome from a low cost place that just happens to fit me well off the peg.so I'm not precious about them. Still, I suppose it just makes sense to bring something you consider essential.

Hi, I'm personally a staunch shirt starcher when things start to get a little formal. For me it's a nice little ritual, up there with putting a nice finish on your shoes before stepping into them. Is spray starch something one needs to bring aboard themselves? Or, might one expect to find it in the laundry room or via one's room attendant?

Thank you all. Waistcoat it is.

I won't manage any such feat myself, but I might be able to match my haberdashery to her frock. That would be fun!

I've been reliably informed that white tie is now considered gauche (I honestly would if others were). My intention is to have a bit of fun with this, overdressed is fine. I just want to avoid "comically overdressed". And we all know it when we see it!

I'm usually never spied out of my usual uniform of tweed jacket, brown trousers and brown brogues but a honeymoon is a honeymoon, and to be perfectly honest I'm quite looking forward dressing up a little. To whit I shall be making my last visit this weekend to the Big Smoke before embarking. What to choose, what to choose? Would any gents or ladies care to give their opinion on which way to swing? I understand the bare minimum is a dark sit and tie, but I have no interest in that. I've spent quite enough time selling used cars in that particular uniform, thank you very much.

Thank you! Mine are very similar to post #4, so good to hear. I do have to agree with you on the subject of oxfords v derbys for fitment, but being a Country Mouse they're the only pair of black shoes I own! Not being a dancer myself, what's the advantage of thin leather over rubber for dancing? Mine will be going for a resole before the year is out so I'd say they're plenty thin enough!

Hi all, short time reader, first time poster. The attitude here is one of the main reasons I boked Cunard. We'll be travelling Britannia Class. The gala themes will be black and white and masquerade. A question about my shoes, Would a brogued oxford in black sneak past the formal threshold? Am I to understand that one may take a sensible amount of beverages aboard for consumption in one's stateroom or balcony? How do you guys tip?