stephen@stoneyard.co.uk

Perhaps they manage cabin inventory through an allocation system. Certain cabins and number of cabins could be allocated to different types of sale. For example travel agent, website, direct phone, upgrade and not yet for sale. They could move cabins between allocations to maximise the potential revenue. This can be particularly useful when parts of different voyages are combined to make a longer trip and better sale for Cunard. Who knows really?

On 9/14/2024 at 3:38 PM, Wagtail adventures said:

May I ask what was wrong with your experience of dining at dinner in the MDR? And were you open dining, early or late sitting? With thanks

Before I rant about the Britannia for dinner I will say Britannia other meals, other food, bar service, cabin service, service generally, entertainment, lecturers, and cruise itinerary I generally thought were excellent.  Perhaps better than my previous Cunard pre pandemic experience. 
 

In the Britannia restaurant at dinner (late sitting):

Waiters did not introduce themselves.  Not a problem but a bad omen.

The wrong choices delivered for multiple courses on the same day and for consecutive days.

Items missing of the plate that were described on the menu.  

Inconsistency of the same choice served to different people. 

Random waits of 30 plus minutes between courses. It seemed all food and staff disappeared from our vicinity. 

Obviously incorrectly cooked beef. Not red at all when asked for Medium Rare. 

Very poor meat quality. Beef particularly tough at times. It use to be so good on Cunard. 

Complaints to the stewards and managers were responded to with literally “Yeah Yeah”.  Is that how you respond to a passenger who is complaining

One night I skipped apparently a small amount of food was spilled over a passenger. No offer to dry clean. 

Impossible to have dinner and see the show. We asked the stewards to accommodate us on this but not possible most evenings. Not helped as the show starts at 10.15pm.

It would have been funny if we were not paying for it. Late sitting was quite empty so I do not know what the problem was. I wonder how they coped on a the busy first sitting. 
 

On the whole a really good cruise. If I am being critical I would add:

The welcome bottle of Wine in the cabin was not served in ice with a welcome card. It was placed on top of the hot air outlet on top of the fridge. Undrinkable as very warm.  I really wondered why they were bothering if it was so half hearted. Same with a second bottle later in the cruise. 
 

Very few clothes hangers. When I asked for more then wire hangers were provided. These are not very good for my jackets. 
 

No name card for our room steward. They did introduce themselves but then missed the first turndown. 

I did think of attending the young adults get together. At under 60 I thought I qualified as one of the youngest. 

I have just returned from round the UK on Queen Mary 2. I thought the service was better than ever in all areas with one exception. For information my first Cunard crossing was in 2002.

Even in a full bar I never waited for service. I never waited for a table in the Britannia for breakfast and lunch. I was always served promptly too and never waited long for food or an extra cup of tea. Afternoon tea in the Queens room was served quickly and in order at all my tables. Our cabin was generally services when we were at Breakfast.  Room service took only quarter of an hour. 
 

In the past I have found the service on Cunard to be patchy. Sometimes very good but (if you fall between two waiters or are out of line of sight) it can be difficult.p sometimes. 
 

On this trip everything seemed better organised to make it a more consistent service. Crew seemed to know what they were doing and where they were covering. I think the bar service is improved by the new technology. As soon as you order drinks they are on their way. Not after another five tables have been visited and your steward returns to the bar. Also on the whole our card was scanned for payment without needing to sign. That must save time too.  
 

My one exception was dinner in the Britannia restaurant. I have cruised on some really poor quality (but usually cheap) cruise lines but that was my worst ever dining experience. I tried to not let it ruin an otherwise good cruise but it was awful. Speaking to management in the restaurant seemed to do very little. 
 

Perhaps a short cruise next and book the Verandah for every evenning. 

23 minutes ago, s.s.France said:

I think I never saw it open on any crossing. I thought it would be in use during warm-weather cruising maybe, when the open deck is used with deckchairs

That is what I thought.  I was surprised that all signage had been removed.  If I remember there was a sign and a menu board even when the Broadwalk was closed.

I saw three children on the last QM2 cruise.  One in a stroller and two teenagers.  To be fair the teenager could have been a duplicate.  

A teenager did jump the short queue at the pursors desk late one evenning.  I did wonder who was supervising him at such a time.  It did not seem to bother the pursor.  Queue jumping was quite common though to get on a shuttle bus or off the ship. 

I have never done a cruise (even on Fred Olsen ships) with such an apparently elderly passenger compliment.  So many with those walking frames with wheels.  it did not seem to stop people getting around and off the ship even by tender.

Just back from the round UK cruises on QM2.  We had some good weather days so i might have used the Broadwalk.  In the daily programme it does not exist, or is reported to be closed.  When up on the deck all signage has been removed.  There is nothing to indicated that the space was ever anything.  The kitchen door was unlocked.  It looked very clean bit devoid of any removable kitchen equipment.  Lighting was on though.  I wonder if this is the end for the Broadwalk or perhaps it will be reopened and better.

It is perhaps the wrong venue in the wrong location but some outside food service would be good.  Particulaly nearer the pools and more sheltered.  I remember one crossing where chips/fries were lifting off the plate.

Best wishes, Stephen.

1 hour ago, rakkor said:

Here in the UK Cunard used to charge the OBC bought in GBP using their fixed exchange rate, which was the reason for me buying it, I think they gave $1.54 to the £ when the spot rate was nearer 1.20, but that has changed and the now just charge you in USD if I remember correctly so there would be no advantage and you'd still get the CC charges - Don't the do low/no fee credit cards in AUS, I have a Halifax Clarity and Nationwide Select specifically for foreign exchange which have no commission charges - The Halifax is good for cash withdrawls which the Nationwide doesn't do.

I remember that deal. I wondered if you could purchase a large amount, buy casino chips, cash out at the casino, convert back to sterling at my bank, and use the profit on the currency deal to pay for my cruise. In the end I only

used it to buy more champagne. It was a good deal for UK based passengers. I was sad when it stopped. 

We have had cabins above the shops and Sir Samuel's. Never had a problem.
 

I would probably not want to be above one of the bars. I like Jazz but not that late. 

I have been above the Britannia Dinning Room and again no problem. The upstairs level has very limited hours. 

Most of ports on our Iceland cruise (not Cunard) offered very little unless you booked a day long tour.
 

I enjoy Norway cruises as I can see so much from easily from the ship. I like to be up at 5am for the sail in through the Fjords, and then explore the lovely village by myself. A longish walk up a valley is often nice too.  In the UK or Ireland I am happy to hire a car and get ahead of the tour busses. In the Mediterranean I might try local trains knowing that the next port is often only an hour away if I missed the ship. Islands are always a bit of a risk. So I tend to stay closer to the ship. 

On 8/19/2024 at 9:45 AM, ace2542 said:

On Royal they call him Super Mario. He is the most travelled passenger on Royal and maybe even the most travelled person on any cruise line. He has been onboard since 2000 he runs some kind of consulting/accounting business from onboard to pay for his travel as he is not super rich like the  long term Cunard people might be . He has a roped off area on the pool deck with a little sign saying Mario's office. It is Royal who have a made a celeb of him and he chose Royal because of the speed of the wifi on the ship.

Thank you. An interesting idea to work that way. Probably not for me. Two weeks is enough for me. I leave wanting more. 

8 hours ago, WantedOnVoyage said:

QE2's beautiful real wood veneers in First Class (all of the passageways and cabins) in 4-5 different varieties were wholly compliant with Method One fire resistant standards being very thin veneers bonded to fireproof Marinite core.  

 

And yes... her First Class cabins were superb, spacious and redolent of quality.  We had one in 1993 on our honeymoon with its trunk room.  Nothing on present Cunarders even approaches the workmanship and materials.  You can keep your balcony and USB ports (whatever they are), thanks very much. 

 

"Inch by inch, inside and out, the QUEEN ELIZABETH 2 is probably the most beautiful and efficient passenger ship of all time."

 

John Malcolm Brinnin, The Sway of the Grand Saloon

 

 

I agree with everything you say. For me she was perfect in every way. 
 

I wonder if she had not retired where we would be now. I cannot see that QE2 would have come back from COVID. If she did come back what would a new generation of first time cruisers think of her. Would she be forced to cruise at 20 knots with all the cutback in food and service. I at least have my memories. Everything perfect until the very end when finished with engines was called. 

I read that there was a gentlemen living on a Royal Caribbean ship. He was quite celebrity on the ship. I think he had tshirts and caps advertising his residency. As there ships tend to repeat the same itinerary I would have thought it would be a bit boring. Monday so Cozumel again. 
 

We could mention the World and possibly Vie Villa. Passengers have moved luggage on the latter but cannot sleep on the ship or sail anywhere of course the World has been around for years. An ex Cunard QE2 cruise director was involved. I am not sure if he still is. 

Thank you.  This will be my first post COVID cruise with Carnival PLC. It seems odd as Queen Mary 2 has no more passengers (since remastering) and the terminals are no more smaller. 
 

I think Queen Mary 2 often does not embark that many passengers in Southampton.  There is a lot of single occupancy and passengers from the USA are often doing round trips.

I never thought Cunard had a problem to solve.  Particularly as the solution seems to involve making people queue outside the building. 
 

Thank you again for your help. My cruise after this is Arvia on a short cruise during the school holidays. I am expected crowds and queues but I thought Cunard were a bit more civilised. 
 

Best wishes, Stephen. 

Are staggered arrival times new?  I think I cannot remember them before COVID. I certainly never saw people queued outside the building. 
 

it seemed to work well before. You might wait on a comfortable seat inside the terminal. I always took a book and got a coffee.

Many of us have Bea stories but perhaps better not said. 

Thank you for your advice. Last time I cruised with Cunard I do not think they had these arrival times. Perhaps I just never noticed. From what has been suggested about 2.30pm should give a relatively clear path to board the ship.

We have lunch plans in Southampton so will not want to eat until dinner (late sitting hopefully).  From a missing the ship perspective 3.30pm seemed a bit late as I have been stuck in local traffic outside IKEA for nearly an hour on one occasion.  I would hate to be able to watch my ship sail from my car on West Quay Road.

Thank you, Stephen. 

I going back on Queen Mary 2 for the first time since COVID. Things will have changed I know and there is many thing I cannot remember.

I am booked in a five deck sheltered balcony and as expected been allocated a 3.30PM boarding time. I am Platinum passenger mainly down to earlier cruises on QE2. I need a couple more to reach Diamond though. I am embarking at the Mayflower terminal in Southampton. If I remember last time on QM2 I arrived about 1PM and boarded immediately after the Grill suites. I believe Platinum still offers priority boarding. 
 

Please could I ask.  Can I  just ignore the time on my ticket, turn up at 1pm, and expect priority boarding?  I thought my ticket might have had an earlier Platinum time but it does not. 
 

Thank you in advance, Stephen. 
 

PS I am not trying to queue jump.  I just thought ally boarding was a Platinum benefit.

I believe this pre clearance in Ireland was introduce when early jet aircraft were introduced. Flights from London needed to refuel as they were flying against the jet stream. It seemed a good idea to make use of the refuelling time. As the range of modern aircraft has increased a refuelling stop is no longer required. 
 

Pre clearance is a historical oddity that may continue but unlikely to be extended. 

Imperial Hotels have several hotels around Russell Square.  Very close to the British Museum.  Another option is the St Giles Hotel.  All tourist quality hotels and a reasonable price for London. 

20 hours ago, sucramdi said:

 

Yes, that's how I would envision it. I don't see Cunard tearing out a venue like Illuminations for something like this. Not to mention what a huge undertaking that would be, a multi-deck, sloped theatre isn't as easy to reconfigure. 

I think that is more likely. A remodelling of G32 presumably. A non structural change so presumably cheaper. Perhaps resorting back to a disco later in the evening/morning. Multi purposing of spaces on ships has always been a feature. 
 

Doing anything big to Illuminations sounds very expensive. Also they need the space for lectures and films. Particularly on transatlantic crossings. For most of the time the Royals Court is used shows, rehearsals for shows and staff briefings. They really need two tiered seating theatre/cinema spaces. 
 

Best wishes, Stephen. 

18 hours ago, bluemarble said:

The 2016 remastering of QM2 added 30 Britannia Club Balcony cabins on deck 13 and 15 Single Oceanview cabins on decks 2 and 3. That's an increase of 75 guests to her lower berth capacity.

 

It should be noted that 30 Inside and Oceanview cabins that used to accommodate four passengers were restricted to double occupancy only. So by my calculations the 2016 remastering increased QM2's maximum passenger capacity by 15 guests.

Compared to her introduction quite a lot has been lost for passengers use on Queen Mary 2. Some spaces that were free for passenger use have become pay to use spaces or just disappeared. This includes Todd English/Verandah, part of Sir Samuels, part of the casino, one indoor promenade/gallery, more deck space made over to dog exercising, deck space used for new cabins, an outside pool, two lifts, and public spaces used for weddings. Other facilities seem continually broken at the moment such as the planetarium, and one lift (I have read here).  Other facilities seem rarely to open like the Broadwalk Cafe (perhaps a shortage of crew).  Add this to the extra cabins and you have a more crowded ship.  Saying all that she is fantastic ship just not as spacious as before. 

I have heard that this has been done in the past. A second cabin for storage is the usually quoted reason. 
 

Are you talking directly to Cunard?  I would ring and try again. Eventually you will hopefully get somebody who can help. 
 

You could book two Princess Grill cabins for single occupancy but that seems excessively expensive. 
 

Howether you resolve this make sure both of your chosen cabins are marked not for upgrade or you could end up at different ends of the ship. It would be a long way when you realise your glasses are in the other cabin. 
 

Best wishes, Stephen. 

14 hours ago, Nm hehappysailing said:

Good news - (I’m waiting for it writing ) TA rang me this morning .  She   as another member on here suggested doing, looked at the different legs of the 28 day cruise and is able to book me different cabins . I’ll have to switch a couple of times , but we’ll at least be on it !  Balcony, as paid for the first two and on the waiting list for balcony for the remaining - but we’re going Yay! So just waiting on written confirmation

 

Thank you everyone for your support , empathy and advice 😊

 

I am so pleased for you. I think we were all hoping to hear good news. That must be such a relief. 
 

You should not have had to go through this but at least you will be able to go on your cruise. 

Best wishes, Stephen. 

I really hope this is sorted out for the poster. Hopefully a suitable cabin can be found. Even if it is resolved this is not how you are supposed to get ready for a cruise. The enjoyment they will get from the cruise has been reduced by all the stress.  I am keeping my fingers crossed for good news for the poster. 
 

Did the agent mess up or was it Cunard. That should not be the passengers concern. The one person we can say who did not mess up was the passenger. The fact the passenger had had to be involved, and even discovered the issue, is another mess up.  This should have all been discovered and dealt with between the agency and Cunard administration teams. 
 

The situation is even more difficult because the trip involves other (not formally linked) travel arrangements, they are travelling with friends,  the cruise has also been sold as separate segments, and some of those segments are sold out. None of this is supposed to be a problem but it seems it is in this case. 
 

I wonder legally who is legally responsible in these situation.  You might book with an agent but is your contract with Cunard. Did Cunard appoint the agent to represent them so the agent is acting as Cunard. Is the agent working for and responsible to you, or for Cunard. When we say my travel agent is that correct.  Is it really Cunards  travel agent.  It may be different in different countries. 
 

I discovered an agent had not paid for my cruise when the cruise line went bankrupt. The cruise lines bonding organisation refused to refund me. The travel agent eventually did after many months. It was complicated as the agent and cruise line were in a different country from me and we were leaving the EU. Luckily it was a short cheap cruise so the amount was small. I did wonder if agents did this regularly to boost their cash reserves, or if they knew something was wrong in advance. Of course delaying payment to the cruise line might have contributed to situation that happened.