foodsvcmgr

Bill’s informational site is billmillercruiseseverywhere.com

So am I understanding correctly that the classic dish is available to all in the MDR, the Club Orange dish obviously being exclusive to that venue?

Glad to see that they are being more transparent upfront by clearly stating it is NOT combinable with Onboard Sales Programs. Will recheck my booking on the 16th, but it has currently increased from the original Labor Day rate. Thanks for pointing this out.

Based on how we handled hotel restaurant menus for many years, I believe these “specials” are ideas for the new enhanced menus that are being tested for guest reactions, prep time/difficulty, etc. Those that are popular and get positive reviews will likely be incorporated into the new rotations on a permanent basis

First day will be fine.

Has anyone onboard seen any evidence of the expanded menus yet, or not for a few more weeks?

Deployments change, driven by revenue, surveys, geopolitical issues, etc. This move is not designed as an affront to anyone in the region being vacated. Next year Celebrity is dropping South America after sailing many winters there in favor of shorter Caribbean itineraries from Florida, so Cunard is not alone in this thought process.

Post #92 - Curious as to the function of the large truck which appears to be suspended next to the ship with lines or hoses connecting it to a small shell door in the hull?

Victoria - on the QV - British Isles - 20 August this year Britannia was also almost completely black tie on formal nights, so pretty much universal compliance. Merely speculating about QE, not worried as I will be booking as soon as schedules are released. The next speculation is cruise lengths, departure port(s), and itineraries……

As I stated, I am not really expecting that much change in actual evening dress regardless of Cunard loosening the code for the Caribbean or not. Hopefully the mix of experienced and new passengers are all interested in and respectful of Cunard traditions. Travel agents need to be proactive and be sure new cruisers understand the product.

With the regional temperature justification/excuse, clearly the Caribbean will be a lax dress code on casual nights. What the passengers actually wear will remain to be seen. I suspect it won’t be much different in reality, with so much competition in the Caribbean market hopefully those choosing Cunard will be fully informed about its traditions and interested in maintaining them.

Yes, she is the maximum ship width of 106’ for transiting the old locks that are 110’ wide.

WantedonVoyage - here’s Cunard Countess in St. Thomas, early 80’s.

Agree that besides the US market this move offers a nice opportunity for winter fly/cruises in the British sector as an upscale alternative to P&O. I for one hope to see a strong UK and international presence onboard these cruises, adds to the overall atmosphere and serves as a further differentiator compared to HAL and Celebrity sailings from Florida. Should also help to make sure the British style food doesn’t get diluted too much as well. Anxiously awaiting specific itineraries, should also include seasonal trans canal positioning voyages.

I highly doubt QE is being relocated due to the dress code. Ships follow the (anticipated) money. Cunard once ran a lot of US based Caribbean sailings, particularly in the 70’s and 80’s. The world situation will be causing many Americans to want to sail closer, perceived safer, destinations. I’m sure Cunard has studied the market and believes this deployment will be successful. If not, QE will be relocated to Australia or whatever market will deliver higher sales.

Would like to see a mix of 10,11, and 14 night itineraries ideally with at least a few from NYC even if most are ex-Port Everglades. Regarding the decline of HAL, curiously when they eliminated the dress code some of the worst offenders are the so called “old guard”, many not even changing out of their daytime attire for dinner. The younger clientele on the other hand made an effort to dress quite well in my observations.

Ex Londoner - this ship was originally Costa’s “Federico C.” built in 1958, so she was around 27 years old at the time. As I recall this was not typical of the entire cruise but nonetheless an example of something we don’t see anymore.

Far more recent than Lusitania, here’s a rather horrifying shot I took aboard SS Royale around 1984-85.

No doom and gloom for me with this, I’ve been hoping for years now that Cunard would make a substantial return to the Caribbean in winter. QE2 did it extensively for many years. I sailed QM2 in 2009 and 2010 when they operated a series from NY in November and December those years. Great news!

Customers typically want to talk to a Sr. Management figure who is relatable and relaxed, not stiff or pompous. Clearly these ladies in this situation are damned if they do, damned if they don’t……

Having worked 40 years in the F&B industry, trust me no entity will ever admit to a low quality product. The most you will hear will be to the effect of “sorry you didn’t care for the presentation of this dish” or “would you care for something different”. Or in Celebrity’s case specifically, “we will be reimplementing prior menus and adding more choices”. And if old favorites are coming back I’d give them the benefit of the doubt that they will be prepared with the original recipes, otherwise what’s the point?

Is there a typical range or percentage above the minimum that tends to get upgraded?

Received my three points webinar credit today. That brings me to 231, so with 14 nights Concierge Class upcoming, that bonus will help me crawl over to the next level.

I for one will be going in with an open mind on Eclipse in January. The fact that they made this video makes me think the effort to improve will be substantial. Although Antarctica is the draw, I had been somewhat dreading the food, especially after the impressive quality I experienced in Cunard MDR in August. Now I am feeling very hopeful.

Excellent photos, thanks for posting. The total removal of cabins is curious. I’m not aware of something so drastic being done in other ships if the plan is simply to replace them with the same type. Colin Cameron may have a point, perhaps severe issue or damage in the section necessitates it.