JimDee363636

My wife and I are avid European football fans, and we'll be on the QA during the entire "knockout" phase of the current tournament (except for the final game, which is on July 14---the day we disembark). Currently, the group stage is in full swing, with two or three matches every day. Are they being shown on TV in the QA, either in public venues or on in-room TVs? And are all the matches being shown, or just those involving England or Scotland? For what it's worth, I predict Germany will win it all. All the other favorites, while registering wins, have underperformed so far. I do love His Majesty's Footballers, but I don't think this is their year. (And as for Scotland, how in God's name did they even qualify?). Jim

@tntornadox My wife and I will be on the QA in less than three weeks, a cruise we're eagerly awaiting---and I'm sure many others are eager to sail on her, too. But keep in mind that QA's debut has in one fell swoop increased Cunard's overall cabin capacity by about 30%. They now have a lot more cabins to sell, and it's not really surprising that---given the "buzz" around QA---there's more awareness of the Cunard line in general and QA in particular. An increased sales volume is to be expected; in fact, the same level of sales as before would be a disappointment. Having said that, though, I hope it continues. I want Cunard to not only survive but to thrive. It's one of the last bastions of sophisticated cruising. Jim

@Laminator For the right person, your information is very helpful. If you're going to spend hours in a cruise ship casino anyway, you're crazy not to get something for it (other than the hope---usually an unrealistic one---of coming out ahead). But I think I'd feel that a "free" cruise was too much like a job. You're basically punching a time clock every time you sit down at a slot machine. If the hours (or money spent) aren't up to what your "bosses" expect, this will probably be the last offer you get from them. For me, it would be too much pressure, but, as I say, for the right person it could be a great deal. Jim

@BklynBoy8 @exlondoner @Host HattieThanks for the quick replies. We'll survive! Jim

I'm in one of those solo OV cabins on the lowest deck of the K-dam for the Oct. 22-26 Vancouver to San Diego repositioning cruise. The cost was $394.00, plus taxes and port charges---a couple hundred dollars less (at the time) than a solo inside would have been. These cabins are under the theater, not the music walk, so most nights there will be nothing going on directly above you after 10:30PM at the latest. I'm looking forward to the experience. Jim

A quick Britannia Club question: We'll be on QA in a Club cabin for the June 30-July 14 sailing. Can we expect the Club restaurant to be open for lunch on embarkation day? Jim

@kelliebiz As I was reading your thoughts about not having to consult with other people before shore excursions, etc., I was reminded of something Thoreau said: "When you travel alone, you go when you're ready. When you travel with someone else, you go when he's ready." I don't always travel solo, but when I do I find it a relief not to have to deal with all the little negotiations you have to go through when you're with a companion. Jim

@nonstopcruz1 Terri: That's quite a recommendation. Thanks! Jim

Is anyone on this sailing in Britannia Club? If so, how is it working out? (My wife and I will be in BC for the first time on the QA June 30-July 14 Baltic sailing).

@MylesS Thank you for an informative and well-written review. My wife and I will be on the QA for 14 nights beginning June 30, and you have whetted our already-keen appetites for sailing on this beautiful-looking ship. We'll be in Britannia Club for the first time, which will make the experience even more special for us. Thanks again for taking the time on a busy disembarkation day to post this. Jim

My guess is @lstone19is a lawyer (or, like me, a retired lawyer) because as soon as I started reading this thread I thought of the same legal term "apparent agency" (sometimes called "implied agency") that he did. I handled a fair number of consumer protection cases in Massachusetts---a state with a strong "unfair and deceptive business practices" statute---and I guarantee you that the conduct of Princess and O.N.E. would make them highly vulnerable to lawsuits brought by the O.P.'s father and other similarly-victimized customers. If this isn't unfair and deceptive, I don't know what is. Jim

I always tip room stewards, too, but when there are two of them I put the total amount I feel is appropriate into an envelope with both peoples' names on it on the last day and let them divide it as they see fit. I don't give double the amount because there are two people. Think of it this way: each one is only doing half the job. Of course, with tipping there are an endless number of opinions, but that's what I feel comfortable doing. Jim

My wife and I are on 14-night QA cruise two months from now (June 30-July 14), in Britannia Club. I sure hope that the dining situation has been rectified by then. The ship looks beautiful, but the ridiculously long delays for food and drinks would be intolerable. I guess that kind of thing is part-and-parcel with a maiden voyage, which is why I'd never do one. Jim