capnpugwash

Thanks a lot for your quick answer, I feel better for booking this cruise.

Kind regards,

Al54

 

 

 

Envoyé de mon iPad à l'aide de Forums

Pas de problème!

The balls are just a dance, Cunard hype them up but that is all that they are. As advised, follow the dress code and you will be fine.

Hi,

Yesterday, I tried to book a QV 16 days cruise, and my travel agent told me (according to Cunard) that this cruise was also sold in two segments and I might be obliged to change stateroom when the second segment will begin. On this cruise, cabins seem to be only available on a guarantee basis and the category I want to book is sold out for the second segment, as are higher categories. Any experience about it? Is it possible to be downgraded? I'm not happy having to pack and unpack again and I'm hesitating to book.

Thanks for sharing your experiences about it.( Sorry for my bad english, it's not my mother language)

Al54

It does happen sometimes and I have had it happen to me, it is a painless operation. All you need do is pack your bathroom bits and valuables and the stewards do the hanging and drawer stuff. If you are on a guarantee, the chances are that you will be assigned the same cabin throughout, if not then don't worry about it. Your cabin grade is guaranteed, you won't be downgraded below whatever you booked.

I know it's a bit of a pain to look in the FAQs on Cunard's site but had the OP done so she would have found the following;

What can on board credit be used against?

When on board credit (either received as part of a promotion or purchased via our Gift Collection is applied to your on board account, you may use this against most purchases on board. This includes:

•Items purchased from any of the shops

•Spa, & salon treatments and services (when booked on board and not prior to embarkation via Voyage Personaliser)

•Photography services

•Laundry & dry cleaning

•Internet and telephone charges

•Shore excursions (when booked on board and not prior to embarkation via Voyage Personaliser)

•Beverages from the bar and restaurants (where applicable)

•Restaurant cover charges (when booked on board and not prior to embarkation via Voyage Personaliser)

•Automatic tips (gratuities).

On board credit may not be used against:

•Purchasing shore excursions prior to embarkation via Voyage Personaliser

•Purchasing restaurant cover charges prior to embarkation via Voyage Personaliser

•Purchasing Spa treatments and services prior to embarkation via Voyage Personaliser

•Visas that require payment

•Medical facilities

•Future Cruise Downpayments

•Artwork

•Ad hoc gratuities

•Foreign currency

•Casino chips, credits or any other kind of gambling

•Charitable donations

Please note on board credit is non refundable and no cash alternative available. It may not be spent prior to embarkation.

Thanks for your quick response. Very helpful. We usually like to go out on our own, but doing that requires visas, and am not inclined, at present, to do that.

 

Again, thanks.

If you use a tour company such as Red October or similar, the visa requirement disappears. Cunard don't tell you this of course.

Instead of removing the trays they should remove the entire venue. It's disgrace.

I hardly think that it is a disgrace, perhaps a challenge.

It is a trial in response to passenger comments on the questionnaire regarding lengthy lines at the various stations, it will continue for a while and management are monitoring it apparently.

We've booked cabin 11089 on Cunard's Queen Mary 2, travelling east to west. However, I've now noticed that it's directly below the pool area on the deck above, which extends further outward than other decks. I'd welcome your information on how much extra shade a cabin in this area of deck 11 is likely to receive and also whether there are likely to be particularly noisy times each day/night from pool use, deck games, deckchair movement, partying, etc.

You are on the starboard side of the ship so will be in constant shade as the sun will shine on the other side, the pool is an indoor pool and isn't subject to those noise issues. Most of the occupants will be asleep, relax and enjoy yourselves.

A Cunard captain has a dual role. Why do you think he has to go through the nightly ritual that is "the captain's table"? Obviously he has officers who are more than competent to handle the ship in his absence from the bridge.

 

I recall a Pan Am flight back to UK years ago from SF which was delayed until next day due to engine problems. A group of angry passengers were shoutng at staff and things were getting ugly when the pilot appeared. He explained the situation apologised and said he had arraigned hotels for every passenger. Instant calm.

 

What really winds people up is the remote message. No one can ask a question if the captain remains on the bridge.

 

But this a failing on Cunard ships generally. Unless you go to one of the "parties" you can go a full cruise and never set eyes on him. Everyone who ever sailed with P&O captain Hamish Reid would remember his daily morning walk around the ship, chatting to passengers on the way. A remote "this is the captain speaking from the bridge" message is sometimes not good enough.

 

David.

I don't know whether you have ever sailed with Christopher Rynd in command, he takes breakfast most mornings in the buffet and then wanders around the bulk of the ship talking to passengers. He is always approachable and very communicative.

So what is the wording in your contract?

And if you don't have one, what did the advertised rate all include?

 

I for my part would check at least the inclusive parts (such as fare, meals, transfers and airfare) and if I'd be missing out one of the promised components ( such as a transfer) - the people at the purser's desk could not brush me off with "I don't know".

 

I would make sure that he'd find out and then complain about a poor service.

Transfers are arranged by the Tours office and the details are sent to the individuals and published in the daily programme, if the OP didn't have the sense to check the perhaps his carer should have.

So if I'm reading this correctly you had your flight information and probably the tickets and you knew which airport you were flying from. I've always found that if I get into a taxi the driver knows where the airport is so I would have done that probably. It isn't surprising that the Purser's staff didn't know what was included in your fare, they stopped hiring psychics quite a while ago.[/QUOTE]

 

Darn those cutbacks! Full employment for psychics I say!

 

I don't blame the cutbacks, they should have seen it coming!!

Have they also stopped hiring people who could tap a room number into a computer and tell me?

 

Are you not surprised that when I asked how to get to the airport, they said "I don't know"

I'm surprised that you would even ask, your onward transportation is not their responsibility; it is yours! If you had a transfer arranged with them you should have been aware of that quite important fact and if you didn't then how the hell do you think that you will get to the airport.

So if I'm reading this correctly you had your flight information and probably the tickets and you knew which airport you were flying from. I've always found that if I get into a taxi the driver knows where the airport is so I would have done that probably. It isn't surprising that the Purser's staff didn't know what was included in your fare, they stopped hiring psychics quite a while ago.

We are regular cruisers but are cruising on Cunard/Queen Victoria for the 1st time in the New Year.

 

Can I just check with regulars about the dress code for Ladies on formal nights?

We have 4 formals on the cruise. Will I be out of place if I don't wear a full length gown on these nights? Will a shorter cocktail dress be acceptable?

 

Also whilst I am looking for advice can anyone confirm the times of the shows in the evenings?

We have been allocated 8.30 dinner, will we need to go to the Shows before we eat?

 

Many thanks in advance for any advice

You'll be fine. The shows are usually twice a night but sometimes as you have been told, there is one. It is all detailed in the daily programme.

Hi All!!

 

Just question in regards to Visas for Bitung & Bandar Seri Begawan on my upcoming trip on the QM2 in Feb.. As an Australian citizen I do require a Visa to visit each of these ports, but having never had to organise a Visa before for a cruise port in my life, I'm just after some advice. I've checked the Visa Direct website and I see that i can pre obtain the visas through them but I am wondering if i would be able to purchase a Visa upon arrival at these ports? I find it strange that If I am to pre purchase a Visa I need to provide photo graph, proof of finances (with minimum balance of $2000) and a lot of other documents etc. When I have purchased visas in the past upon arrival at airports these things aren't required, other than passport.. I've never needed to have my financial situation checked? forgive me if this is all the standard procedure but it is relatively new to me. Any help/info/advice would be great, thank you all :)

 

:)

It seems that you may get a visa on arrival without the financial nonsense, the visa company probably say that so they appear to working hard for you, see http://www.borneo.com.au/general/visas/bvisas

The same goes for Bitung http://indonesiskaambassaden.se/visa/visa-on-arrival/

Thought Black Pudding and Tinned Tomatoes were no longer on the breakfast menu on QM2. :confused:

Can't talk about the tomatoes but black pudding was on the menu in November.

Our overnight passage from Cadiz to Lisbon exceeded the Captain's expectations by way of storms. He announced from the bridge this morning that the QV had to slow down and we will be arriving in Lisbon 1hour and 45 minutes late. I slept very well through this. Needless to say, we have heard of many sick people: the MDR was almost empty when arrived for breakfast.

 

We are just about to enter the mouth of the River Tagus and fortunately we will be birthed in the city today. Although the sun is shining at the moment we have been warned of showers, but it at least it is mild.

 

So now I shall enjoy the approach from the Commodore Club, with the vista of this wonderful city.

 

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I always enjoy my breakfast more knowing why the room is empty. I have also found that if you order black pudding for breakfast after a stormy night, some people on neighbouring tables turn a little green and depart rapidly. :0

I think it's engrained in people's heads from the days when duty free in airports was very cheap compared to UK prices so people liked to save a few quid (which was actually a fair amount). But now the price differences are minimal, so to me it's just not worth the bother of carting the bottles (especially on a plane).

 

And here's one to the think about: You can't take your own liquids, or anything remotely sharp on to a plane for "security reasons", and yet you can buy a bottle of scotch from the airport's duty free shop and take that on board. So you can take a large glass bottle, full of liquid, on board. And then you could quite easily kill someone by either smashing it over their head or smashing it and using the broken bottle as a weapon. Funny how suddenly those "security reasons" don't apply any more. Anyone would think a large loss of revenue was involved.

Very true and when you look at a lot of airports, the only way to get to the gates is to physically walk through the labyrinthine "duty free" section.

I think Gillette might be in discussions. :)

That was someone who took it on board with them then...glad you have still had a great cruise,,hope the seas aren't too rough the last couple of days!

Doesn't someone always take it on with them?

Its just i've heard no reports of it on the current cruise and you usually read at least 3 or 4 articles when NV is on a ship!

So are you suggesting that there is no outbreak and that they are doing all the extra duties cleaning because they want to?

We got the same text :( such a shame as its only a short cruise on Friday..no doubt they want to make sure its all gone by the time the xmas and new year passengers board when we disembark....me cynical? :rolleyes:

Cynical? Would you rather they didn't treat the outbreak and let you on an hour earlier. They want it all gone as soon as possible and that desire is nothing to do with the Christmas cruise. I do see where the madness in your name comes from.

The delay in boarding will be to allow time for a deep cleaning operation prior to you getting on. It happens when there is a noro outbreak. I imagine that the ultra strict cleansing routine will be observed for a good few days. Probably no self serve in the buffet and packets of salt and pepper on the counter. Naturally they take these things very seriously.

We have a 3pm check in time. We're going from Southampton on Friday. It's our first cruise so didn't think about it being a problem. Do you think we should get there early as the whole queuing situation doesn't sound great.

If you arrive at 3, you will be fine. There won't be long queues as most passengers will already be on board. If you want to arrive earlier, do so but there might be a queue. In my experience they move fairly quickly anyway. So don't worry and have fun.

I would certainly like a return to 5 day Transats but agree that is unlikely to happen. The masses have proven to be ok with 7/8 day crossings so there is no need to please me for my one or two (as in the olden days) crossings per year. Glad I had the opportunities I did. On a side note, the slowdown has affected World Cruises as well. Some have been extended to 120 days or so with only 35-40 ports. I have to say, that's a lot of sea days.

I think the extra days being all at sea is the biggest con that Cunard are doing, I love sea days and in lots of cases prefer them to visiting some dump of a port that I've visited plenty of times; but a world cruise should be exotic port after exotic port but each visit costs Cunard a lot of money. I often wonder quite how much that amount is when we leave early from somewhere exciting. Anyone here have any knowledge?