SALAD MUNCHER

On 7/29/2021 at 1:18 PM, ace2542 said:

So those passengers will just what? Spa treatment, drink onboard? Either way they win I am sure.

There is always something to do on board, but maybe it will be reduced to compensate for those going on the Cunard excursions. We will just have to wait and see how their policies evolve and if they change them after 2nd August to fall in line with Government advice.

1 hour ago, ace2542 said:

But Cunard does or did have the monopoly on excursions. This could cost them a bit of money.

Maybe they do but I am sure the price of those excursions, may stop a good many passengers opting to use them. Don't forget this is a UK cruise for UK passengers, and many of those passengers will have already visited many of the ports/towns in the past. 

54 minutes ago, sogne said:

FCO still stipulates that only organised excursions should be allowed and until that changes Cunard have no choice but to follow. 

I cannot find this stipulation, can you give me a link?

This is all I have found: 

"There are no restrictions on travel within England.

Most legal restrictions to control COVID-19 have been lifted at step 4. This means that:

• You do not need to stay 2 metres apart from people you do not live with. There are also no limits on the number of people you can meet.
• The requirement to wear face coverings in law has been lifted. However, the Government expects and recommends that people wear face coverings in crowded areas such as public transport.
• There are no longer limits on the number of people who can attend weddings, civil partnerships, funerals and other life events (including receptions and celebrations). There is no requirement for table service at life events, or restrictions on singing or dancing..." 

Now that the UK is allowing double jabbed visitors to enter the country from EU or USA without quarantine from Monday next (2nd August), surely it is time for Cunard to now allow UK double jabbed passengers to get on and off the ship during their Staycation cruises within the UK without having to book a Cunard excursion, otherwise it is farcical.

Now that the UK is allowing double jabbed visitors to enter the country from EU or USA without quarantine from Monday next (2nd August), surely it is time for Cunard to now allow UK double jabbed passengers to get on and off the ship during their Staycation cruises within the UK without having to book a Cunard excursion.

Just for info I posed the question to Cunard on their Fb page and got this response:

10 minutes ago, Host Hattie said:

These restrictions were part of Cunard's Sailing with Confidence protocols.

They might change again before you sail in October but nobody can be certain now as things are changing very quickly.

https://www.cunard.com/en-gb/the-cunard-experience/sailing-with-confidence

Hattie yes, they were part of the Confience portocols but I was told by the Cunar rep they are NOT changing until the end of the year. This is what Cunard's website also says about Summer Staycation voyages in the UK :   "....From uninterrupted sea days to unwind against the backdrop of ever changing scenery, to time ashore in some of the UK’s best loved cities, a British Isles voyage will give you the freedom to relax and indulge in the things you most enjoy....."   Note it states "TIME ASHORE" not time ashore on an excursion"

10 minutes ago, Host Hattie said:

 

 

You are so right. Who would want to pay $100 to go to Cheshire Oaks! It is truly madness. I will not go on any excursion if this is the case. I have already done this cruise in 2019 on QV so have visited all towns we are stopping at, both on that cruise or whist travelling independently at other times.

As I said, who wants to sit on a bus with groups of other travelling miles to visit a particular "place of interest", when you  are far more safe taking yourself off for a walk in the fresh air, using your own judgement on risks and safety.    

1 hour ago, majortom10 said:

P&O and Princess are doing exactly the same and there is no logic to the reasoning. Princess will not let you off independently in Liverpool because of covid risk but are happy to sell you an excursion at $100 to transfer you to Cheshire Oaks Outlet Centre where you can then shop at your will mixing with more people than you would at Liverpool independently. So the only reason for them to insist on booking excursions or you cant get of the ship is money. It is so they can make loads of money and profit on the expensive excursions and there is no logic behind it. 

Our voyage is the last one, leaving Southampton 1st October. All passengers have to be double jabbed, UK citizens only and pass a Covid test prior to embarkation at the port.

We have just been told whilst talking to a Cunard rep that we cannot get off the ship at the Ports visited unless we are on a Cunard Excursion. This cruise is over 2 months after all restrictions in the UK have ended. Cunard stated originally they would change their policies as Covid restrictions evolved. Why then are they continuing placing this restriction? We can travel anywhere in the UK without problems, why would Cunard think keeping us on board  if we don't pay for their excursions will stop Covid from being brought on board when they will be taking bus loads of folk off the ship themselves and bringing them back too! Covid does not differentiate between those on Cunard excursions and those who want to walk around in the fresh air themselves away from a crowded  Cunard bus!

Just now, SALAD MUNCHER said:

apy should read pay!

On 7/6/2021 at 6:10 PM, Host Hattie said:

New crew joining the ship are quarantined, I would think the cases would be in newly embarked crew members, as happened on Queen Victoria last year.

It's possible to test positive after vaccination of course.

Does Cunard apy privately to have all their staff vaccinated? Surely this would be in everyone's interest,including the crew and Cunard.

8 hours ago, staygulf said:

We’re on the 26July sailing. Not sure whether to cancel. Having spent nearly 18 months being ultra cautious as my wife is on the extremely vulnerable list I’m not sure it’s worth taking the risk. 

Surely if they expect passengers to be double jabbed and take a test pre boarding confirming they are covid free before they are allowed on board this should be at least the minimum they expect from the crew.

In the news today it seems crew members aboard Queen Elizabeth have tested positive for Covid. Do crew memers not get vaccinated? They are due to sail in two weeks time for the first UK Staycation. Here's the link: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-57725455

On 5/20/2021 at 1:43 PM, lindylooellalouise said:

Hi we are booked on this cruise also and can’t wait to be back on board QE and really looking forward to sailing into our home port Newcastle (North Shields) we did this cruise in 2019 on QV and loved it.

Hi I also did this cruise in 2019 on Queen Victoria on my own! However this time hubby is coming with me as I gave it such a good review........

Thanks for that, I'll start planning my wardrobe now!

Has anyone managed to find out if they are going to have 'formal' nights etc. on these sailings. I have not managed to find any information regarding this.We are sailing on the 1st Oct trip. Thanks   

On 3/9/2021 at 8:18 PM, ScotsLady said:

Looking to book Australia/New Zealand cruise on Queen Elizabeth. Has anyone got any pictures of the balcony on Queen Elizabeth Q5. Corner aft suite.  And would you recommend deck 4,5 or 8? 
 

thank you

 

Irene

We have done Q5 on a few occasions. They are all fabulous - we have done both deck 4 and deck 8 so can recommend both!

On 4/3/2021 at 8:19 PM, majortom10 said:

As normal anytime between 6-30pm and 9pm

We have booked in QG for their 1st October cruise - we were told you have to book your time going to the Restaurant either the night before or the next morning in order to control numbers.It is still 6.30 to 9pm though.

On 4/11/2021 at 5:07 PM, Scotjune said:

Hi, husband and I booked on the 12 day round Britain departing on 01 October.  Hope others are joining us! 

Yes, we are!! Sounds like a good trip with quite a few stops at ports.

We have just booked to sail 'around the UK' on 1st October where QE will be stopping at Newcastle, Inver, Glasgow, Belfast, Liverpool and Holyhead. 

They do require passengers to be UK citizens and all have to be double vaccinated. I am quite happy as this 3 months after the alleged 'full opening up' of the UK.

7 hours ago, Bigmike911 said:

I suspect that if the cruise lines paid their employees a 'living wage' as Americans and Europeans understand it, few of us afford to travel by sea. 

Maybe that is true, but the majority of the cruise ship staff are from countries where a living wage is very much lower than USA or UK standards. Even countries in Europe differ vastly when it comes to minimum wage, for example UK vs Poland or Romania. I have seen on many occasions cruise ship staff going ashore wearing the latest fashions and with the latest electronic gadgets and smart phones, far more expensive items than I expected, so I don't think they are as poorly paid as we are led to believe.

16 hours ago, Victoria2 said:

I am all for everyone paying their wack and would be very happy with a non removable service charge but I have no problem with each passenger doing it their way as it’s none of my business what others do.

I'm not pitched against anyone. I do what I do and no one has to know as I don’t tell anyone, unless asked advice by a fellow table mate. In well over two hundred and fifty nights in Queens Grill, I have yet to come across any tension on board caused by gratuities - auto, removed or extra because although  it becomes a bit of an issue between members on Cruise Critic at times, in reality, in my experience, it’s rarely discussed and if it is, it’s in a quiet, one to one  advisory capacity. No tension, no debate, no stress.

Yes on board it is different as people rarely talk about costs etc. It's on these boards that passengers go flat out in commenting on those who do and those who don't tip!

44 minutes ago, Underwatr said:

You may not approve of the situation, but are you fixing it by removing the autograts (I like that term now 🙂 ) and tipping a few of the employees?

 

And if you're saving money in the process... 🤔

Surely though if Cunard became 'all inclusive' everyone would pay in their fare an amount towards wages / tips to all staff whom Cunard currently say receive the autograts, so it wouldn't be tipping just a few employees. For example if someone does presently remove the autograts and decides to tip just those staff such as their own stewards and waiters then that's when the backroom staff get less. In effect what Cunard are doing at present are pitching staff against staff and customers against customers all whom have different views on the issue. It's suppose to be a relaxing holiday, why create tension?

1 hour ago, newjoisey said:

your first statement and your last long statement are polar opposite....sup ?......"the concept of tipping .....ridiculous"......then"no qualms at all in giving a generous tip "   

Yes you're completely correct and it's because although I believe what I wrote, I still tip knowing that the cruise lines do stitch up their workers and convince them their wages will be made up to a good amount through all the tips they will receive. I also leave the autograts on for the same reason. I just wish it was different. I like to travel on a line such as Crystal where everything is paid for within you fare, but I really like the Cunard product so still use them. Such a pity Cunard are behind the times as other Carnival lines such as P&O are moving towards including the tips.