QM2 World tour, Rudeness of guests

Just back after 35 nights Singapore to Southampton. Great ship. Wonderful service and staff seemed a lot happier than P&O. MDR food excellent, the quality of ingredients first class. Great itinerary with Mpetra being a brilliant destination. Amazing trip.

But some guests, mainly all the wayers, were just so rude to the staff. You got the feeling some are so well off and pampered they do not know how to behave in a civil manner anymore and we were shocked by their rudeness. But I honestly believe that have no idea that their behaviour would not be tolerated in everyday society.

Maybe I am wrong, being 15 years younger than most. But to watch someone braying BOY across the Commodore Club to call a waiter was not a pleasant thing to see. And I could give a lot more examples.

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I'm afraid that you are so right in what you say. Regretfully we have become a nation of haves and have nots with both sides trying desperately to exert their influence over the others. We recently had to tolerate a business owner from the north of england lecturing at length how his workers were idle money grabbers who only had one interest in life and that was taking his money! Though it wasn't on Cunard but on Silver Sea but it could just a easily have been.

I love you new descriptive noun, "All the wayers".... that should go in the OED along with other modern English words such as "Doable"

Peter and Jenny

This actually worries me as I am sailing in June. Did anyone say anything to the idiot? [i don't mean the waiter either] I'm just not the type to sit and watch that in silence, I would feel compelled to say something and probably regret it later. No one is better than anyone else and with out people working in the service industry Cunard would not exist and you would be paddling in a dinghy!

Glad to hear the trip was amazing, sorry to hear about the behaviour of some of your fellow guests.

Sadly, over the years, I've also seen some people treat the stewards/crew/staff with appalling rudeness; almost as if the passenger considers them to be some sort of subhuman slave.

They even speak to/treat fellow passengers in the same way in lifts, entering the theatre, or at the buffet for example.

The stewards and crew are working hard so that passengers don't have to; civility and respect costs nothing. (These ill-mannered people don't confine themselves to ships of course, you see them on land as well).

Age has little to do with it, before someone blames "the younger generation". In my observation, both the young and older generations can be equally rude. Indeed given the demographic, on ships it is often the older lot (my age(+)) who seem the worst offenders, the most intolerant and aggressive, sadly.

I agree completely, the older we get I find that there are people of my age and above who are less tolerant towards others. I have seen it from people who hail from all parts of the UK. It is a shame as we are all lucky to be able to sail on Cunards wonderful ships and looked after by amazing staff.

"I paid a lot of money for this cruise and I expect to be waited on hand and foot!" I've seen it, and the finger-snap attitude that comes with it.

We did the first circumnavigation of Australia on QM2. We had a great roll call, and I learned that Australians could book a variety of segments, while from the US I could book only the full circle (which is what I wanted, so no problem). I joked to my husband that it would be like a bus, with people getting on and off in each port. I meant it in a good way--how great for people who didn't have 3 weeks to spend on a cruise to still get a taste of Cunard.

Then one morning, I met a couple from the US who were all the wayers. It was the buffet, so I doubt they were in the grills. She was horrified that so many passengers were not on the full world cruise. And Australia? OMG, it was like a bus with people getting on and off in every port! Clearly, in her mind, these short-segment passengers were riff-raff who should never have been allowed to get on the ship with the Important and Exalted world cruise passengers.

Fortunately, she was a rarity.

Quite a sad reflection on some of the types of people you encounter on World Cruises. Boorish behavior should never be tolerated. Martin, in his blog of the QM2 World cruise at https://martinandjansjourney.com/ refers in his final reflections of the cruise to witnessing unconscionable rudeness to one of the waiters in the MDR which prompted him to take it up with the Maitre'D. His entire blog, despite his position, reflects a down-to-earth perspective and respect of all people and places and was an absolute pleasure to read.

Sadly, there are people for whom their money or sense of personal status renders them numb to the humanity and worth of others. It is unfortunate, but folks in service jobs are obliged to “grin and bear it”; I’m glad they intervened with the Maitre’D. A few years ago a passenger actually hurled a plate at a waiter in Britannia-she was not seen again in that room and was apparently spoken to by the Captain. As a wise old man once said , there are two kinds of people, thoroughbreds and plugs-alas many plugs have lot’s of money.

I've seen this behavior on many different cruise lines, and thankfully less on Cunard than most others. The worst behavior I've witnessed to staff is probably on Carnival. Some really trashy people who probably paid $199 for a 7-day cruise treating staff like servants ... because they paid their $199 after all. Excessive alcohol doesn't help matters. These are people who should not be traveling to begin with and it kills me that the staff have to take abuse from them. These are probably the same people that try to get out of tipping after working the staff like dogs. Infuriating.

Statistically speaking: A sample of 2000 pax should get you about the same number of rude idiots as on dry land - with an error margin of about 3%.

Nevertheless: I experienced rude guests in the CC too. When one of the waitresses served us a drink, I had a few words with her, as I would do in every bar where I'm a regular. This was enough delay for an elderly fellow, to make him walk over and tell the waitress that she should get his orders immediately. Mind you, this happened at about 11pm and the CC was half empty!

I've seen this behavior on many different cruise lines, and thankfully less on Cunard than most others. The worst behavior I've witnessed to staff is probably on Carnival. Some really trashy people who probably paid $199 for a 7-day cruise treating staff like servants ... because they paid their $199 after all. Excessive alcohol doesn't help matters. These are people who should not be traveling to begin with and it kills me that the staff have to take abuse from them. These are probably the same people that try to get out of tipping after working the staff like dogs. Infuriating.

Reminds me of years ago when I worked summers in the housing for UofM Business School programs. It was always true that the lower level the "executives" (the worst were always the young banking VPs in a 2 week program) were real demanding jerks, while the senior level international executives were more gracious and were pleasant to serve. (In general)

Reminds me of years ago when I worked summers in the housing for UofM Business School programs. It was always true that the lower level the "executives" (the worst were always the young banking VPs in a 2 week program) were real demanding jerks, while the senior level international executives were more gracious and were pleasant to serve. (In general)

Yes it seems this kind of behavior knows no social or economic bounds. I did find it worse on Carnival though, just like you with your junior executives.

I wonder what would happen if one well mannered guest were to confront the rude guest. Would the security staff warn the well mannered guest??

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No, I can't respect rude people. Good manners are not a question of status or money and not of education either, they are rather a question of tactfulness and sensitivity. Some have it, others don't.

Bad manners can be found in any social class or age. If possible, it is better to stay apart from rude people. Discussions with them can make things worse. If it becomes unbearable the staff should inform the Maître D. Passengers can address themselves to those in charge.

No, I can't respect rude people. Good manners are not a question of status or money and not of education either, they are rather a question of tactfulness and sensitivity. Some have it, others don't.

Bad manners can be found in any social class or age. If possible, it is better to stay apart from rude people. Discussions with them can make things worse. If it becomes unbearable the staff should inform the Maître D. Passengers can address themselves to those in charge.

I agree with all of this. Don't confront a rude person (or the parent of a misbehaving child). Whatever you saw happen to the waiter or other staff is going to be worse when it's turned on you.

I wonder what would happen if one well mannered guest were to confront the rude guest. Would the security staff warn the well mannered guest??

 

 

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I encountered such a swine on Celebrity a few years back. He was doing the "Boney Finger"(hitting his finger into the chest)of who turned out to be the head of the Captain's club(same as World Club)I told him to knock it off. It got a bit physical(my having to push the clod away several times as he came at me)The clod was banished for life from RCCL & it's divisions. They also notify other lines as well. This likely banned him from cruising anywhere. The Captains Club mgr.

"rewarded" me with a nice bottle of wine & lunch in a specialty rest.. The next year we wound up getting 5 fantastic complimentary shore excursions on Celebrity. Reward or not, I do not hesitate to publically shame pax who treat staff like garbage. I'm in the hospitality industry, so you're messing with "family" if you treat staff like that!

Hmmm. We’ve been on 5 Transatlantics and never come across any of this.

Maybe we’ve been lucky?

Hmmm. We’ve been on 5 Transatlantics and never come across any of this.

Maybe we’ve been lucky?

You are lucky. I don't think it happens often on Cunard (not compared to other lines I've sailed), but it does unfortunately occur.

Sadly, there are people for whom their money or sense of personal status renders them numb to the humanity and worth of others. It is unfortunate, but folks in service jobs are obliged to “grin and bear it”

I run a casino for a living, I deal with the general public all day long, what I have noticed over the years is the more companies try and provide great customer service, a section of the population sees that as the employees are there to be abused, it's not something I stand for at my place, but sadly I see it all to often.

On the roll call for our voyage, one member let he be known that he had decided to cancel the his trip because he felt Cunard had lowered the standards of the dress code during the day......I couldn't help but think what a joy this person must be to be around and how much I was going to miss him..........:')

I have learned that even when I am having a bad day (not feeling well for example) to always be respectful to the staff and they will return the compliment many times over.

Thats exactly what always tell myself- what goes around comes around...! Always- ever! This sentiment from this " All the way Lady" was the top - one should have mentioned that with that behavior she will be rather seen as bottom of the bottle- not the top!

Sadly, there are people for whom their money or sense of personal status renders them numb to the humanity and worth of others. It is unfortunate, but folks in service jobs are obliged to “grin and bear it”; I’m glad they intervened with the Maitre’D. A few years ago a passenger actually hurled a plate at a waiter in Britannia-she was not seen again in that room and was apparently spoken to by the Captain. As a wise old man once said , there are two kinds of people, thoroughbreds and plugs-alas many plugs have lot’s of money.

I think she should have been sent to the brig and then disembarked at the next port!!!

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I think she should have been sent to the brig and then disembarked at the next port!!!

And what’s wrong with walking the plank - or keel-hauling? ;)

Stuart

It is extremely sad in this day and age to hear of totally unacceptable behaviour towards fellow human beings who are just doing a job. Many of the crew make a lot of sacrifices from being away from friends and family for extended periods of time and most of them will likely never find themselves being in the privileged position of being a passenger on a cruise ship, especially on a world cruise. Those people who are privileged enough to be such passengers would bewise to bear that in mind.

Sadly I have seen the effects of such abuse first hand when I was very young. My Father worked for Cunard for many years. He worked on the Queen Mary until its retirement in the late 1960s and then he worked on the RMS Carmania and then on the QEII briefly. I was once able to go on a journey on the Carmania as a crew family member which was interesting to say the least. The reports of some of the abuse that members of the crew suffered almost on a daily basis were quite alarming to a ten year old. That said I also heard how they responded to the offending passengers and although standards may well have improved over the fifty years since I would strongly advise the boorish individuals who cannot hold a civil tongue to be mindful that queues can be manipulated and they may not get the best cuts of steak for the rest of the journey ! Offending individuals were well known to the crew within minutes. Other reprisals were of course known to have occurred.

It was many years later that I came to hear of a Latin phrase that summed up the attitude of the crew – Nemo me lacessit impune – so be warned if you feel like behaving like an idiot on board.

Luckily behaviours have improved greatly I think, to the extent that unacceptable behaviour is so blatantly obvious and repellent to us. It would be nice to think that this trend will continue.