What is White Star service?

[Savoia]

Is their anything specific that P&O/Princess desingates as "White Star Service?" My impression is that it is amarketing tool, a name for the level of service that one can expect from a Cunard experience. I am curious if White Star Service includes something extra depending on how you have booked. For instance can one order pork chops and champagne at 2 AM if you are booked in the Grills? Does White Star service include something extra if you are booked in Britannia?

 

I'm curious what White Star actually delivers..is it P&O/Princess's way of marketing the standards one associates with Cunard or is it something extra? Any special stories associated with White Star service?

[Salacia]

Hi Savoia. I googled (is that an internationally recognized term now?) 'White Star Service' and found this http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=17268

 

From that thread, it would seem that White Star Service has to do with transporting luggage. There is also a White Star training academy. (See http://www.thecunarders.co.uk/cunard%20white%20star%20service.html

 

Of course you know more about Cunard than I (but then again, so do most). The history of White Star Service is interesting, but the contrast between the history and today's reality is quite a huge difference (in my humble opinion).

Note: I have no experience of White Star Service as relates to Grills passengers.

 

Regards,

Salacia

[Cruise Liner Fan]

Is their anything specific that P&O/Princess desingates as "White Star Service?" My impression is that it is amarketing tool, a name for the level of service that one can expect from a Cunard experience. I am curious if White Star Service includes something extra depending on how you have booked. For instance can one order pork chops and champagne at 2 AM if you are booked in the Grills? Does White Star service include something extra if you are booked in Britannia?

 

I'm curious what White Star actually delivers..is it P&O/Princess's way of marketing the standards one associates with Cunard or is it something extra? Any special stories associated with White Star service?

Savoia, You do remember a certain movie and there are several other movies about a true story of a new Luxury Liner that collided with an iceberg on her maiden voyage and sank in 1912.Of course I am referencing the Titanic and she was owned by the White Star Line.After the most recent popular movie about the Titanic was released in 1997,It was not long til Cunard started marketing itself as Cunard-White Star and I do have some Cunard world cruise brochures from about several years that does have the symbol of the White Star Line which is a red burgee with a white star on it.In 1934 both the White Star Line and the Cunard Line merged remember that prior to 1934 both Cunard and White Star were 2 separate transatlantic shipping companies.As a result of the 1934 merger Cunard does own the trademark on the name White Star Line and does use it for marketing purposes.As for the history of the merged company Cunard-White Star Line, the company did use both names Cunard-White Star Line from 1934 to about the late 1940s when the White Star part of the name was dropped and then the company then refered to itself as just the Cunard Line until not long after the 1997 Titanic movie was released that the White Star name was again appearing on Cunard brochures and Cunard also uses the name White Star as the name for the training academy for its newly hired crew hence the name White Star Academy and also for passenger service hence the phrase White Star Service. Regards,Jerry

[Casino Player]

Savoia, You do remember a certain movie and there are several other movies about a true story of a new Luxury Liner that collided with an iceberg on her maiden voyage and sank in 1912.Of course I am referencing the Titanic and she was owned by the White Star Line.After the most recent popular movie about the Titanic was released in 1997,It was not long til Cunard started marketing itself as Cunard-White Star and I do have some Cunard world cruise brochures from about several years that does have the symbol of the White Star Line which is a red burgee with a white star on it.In 1934 both the White Star Line and the Cunard Line merged remember that prior to 1934 both Cunard and White Star were 2 separate transatlantic shipping companies.As a result of the 1934 merger Cunard does own the trademark on the name White Star Line and does use it for marketing purposes.As for the history of the merged company Cunard-White Star Line, the company did use both names Cunard-White Star Line from 1934 to about the late 1940s when the White Star part of the name was dropped and then the company then refered to itself as just the Cunard Line until not long after the 1997 Titanic movie was released that the White Star name was again appearing on Cunard brochures and Cunard also uses the name White Star as the name for the training academy for its newly hired crew hence the name White Star Academy and also for passenger service hence the phrase White Star Service. Regards,Jerry

 

HHHHHEEEEELLLLLLLLLLOOOOO Cruise Liner Fan: Yes, the White Star Line was a competitor of Cunard for quite some time. No one could compete with Cunard for speed, however, the White Star Line had better service. In the '30's both cruise lines appealled to the Royal Crown for financial assistance, the were both going broke. The Crown caused the merger of both lines into each other thinking if they weren't competing against each other they could survive.

On some of the brouchers of the Cunard line circa 1990's I noticed they had a White Star Line near the top of the smoke stack.

[Savoia]

Savoia, You do remember a certain movie and there are several other movies about a true story of a new Luxury Liner that collided with an iceberg on her maiden voyage and sank in 1912.Of course I am referencing the Titanic and she was owned by the White Star Line.

 

Hi Jerry,

Thank you for the history! I am aware of Cunard/White Star's history and the link provided by another poster to the modern "interpertation" of that history by Cunard's marketing leaves out a great deal and is terribly misleading. I wish those who work in the marketing department would employ someone who knows what they are talking about.

 

But, it appears "White Star Service" is just the name of the service one expects from Cunard. You have DHL baggage service, historic tea service and the use of the kennel if you want. But there is no cache or anything that stands out as an exceptional or unique option with White Star service.

 

Not that it is bad..its just the named service of Cunard..am I wrong?

[Savoia]

Hi Savoia. I googled (is that an internationally recognized term now?) 'White Star Service' and found this http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=17268

 

From that thread, it would seem that White Star Service has to do with transporting luggage. There is also a White Star training academy. (See http://www.thecunarders.co.uk/cunard%20white%20star%20service.html

 

Of course you know more about Cunard than I (but then again, so do most). The history of White Star Service is interesting, but the contrast between the history and today's reality is quite a huge difference (in my humble opinion).

Note: I have no experience of White Star Service as relates to Grills passengers.

 

Regards,

Salacia

 

Thank you Salacia!

 

This "White Star Service" hunt has been interesting...but revealing at the same time reading your link and realizing how very little the present marketing of Cunard knows about the brand! Someone in P&O/Princess marketing needs to get a swift kick (or the small marketing department that Cunard actually has) needs a histroy lesson asap!

 

Thnak you for the link, I appreciate it!!

[Cruachan]

Not that it is bad..its just the named service of Cunard..am I wrong?

 

No, I think you're right.

 

J

[Cruise Liner Fan]

HHHHHEEEEELLLLLLLLLLOOOOO Cruise Liner Fan: Yes, the White Star Line was a competitor of Cunard for quite some time. No one could compete with Cunard for speed, however, the White Star Line had better service. In the '30's both cruise lines appealled to the Royal Crown for financial assistance, the were both going broke. The Crown caused the merger of both lines into each other thinking if they weren't competing against each other they could survive.

 

On some of the brouchers of the Cunard line circa 1990's I noticed they had a White Star Line near the top of the smoke stack.

 

Casino Player, Yes you are right about what you wrote concerning the Cunard Line and the White Star Line.I will also write that in the late 1920s the White Star Line wanted to build the first 1,000 foot long Transatlantic Liner and if she was built her name would have been Oceanic.At the same time Cunard was planning its own 1,000 foot long Transatlantic Liner at that time she was known only as Hull 534 but later on Hull 534 become the Queen Mary.Unfortunately the depression that started in 1929 ended White Star Line's plans to build the Oceanic and also delayed the finishing of the Queen Mary.Then came the merger in 1934.And after the 1934 merger Cunard-White Star was able to finish building the Queen Mary and the Queen Mary had her maiden voyage in 1936.I have both the 2004 and 2006 Cunard world cruise brochures.On the back cover of both brochures is the symbol of the White Star Line which is the red burgee with a white star on that red burgee above the name Cunard and under the name Cunard is the name White Star. Regards,Jerry

[bluemarble]

Is their anything specific that P&O/Princess desingates as "White Star Service?" My impression is that it is amarketing tool, a name for the level of service that one can expect from a Cunard experience. I am curious if White Star Service includes something extra depending on how you have booked. For instance can one order pork chops and champagne at 2 AM if you are booked in the Grills? Does White Star service include something extra if you are booked in Britannia?

 

I'm curious what White Star actually delivers..is it P&O/Princess's way of marketing the standards one associates with Cunard or is it something extra? Any special stories associated with White Star service?

 

I offer the following as my modest contribution on the subject "What is White Star Service?" I do not profess to have any detailed knowledge regarding the history of the Cunard and White Star lines, but that has already been covered quite eloquently by those that have already replied.

 

What I did find were a couple references to "White Star Service" which may be of interest.

 

First, here is a page from the cunard.com web site itself:

 

http://www.cunard.com/en-US/About-Cunard-Line/Employment/White-Star-Service/

 

The mention of "twelve service statements" on this page sent me on a search to see if I could find a list of those twelve service statements. Here is what I found:

1. We smile; we are always in the spotlight.

2. We use correct body language.

3. We are immaculate in our appearance.

4. We support and assist colleagues.

5. We respect each other as individuals.

6. We are always positive with guests and colleagues.

7. We are knowledgeable about our ships and services.

8. We exceed guests’ expectations.

9. We maintain formality in our service style.

10. We use proper telephone etiquette.

11. We always speak English in guest areas.

12. We never say no; we offer alternatives.

[Oahucruiser]

Go to http://www.wearecunard and scroll down past the first two posts to the blog and you'll come to a section called White Star Service. It explains about the training that goes on at the "White Star Academy." A trainer explains what it entails.

[wripro]

Anyone wanna buy a bridge to Brooklyn?

[Cruachan]

Anyone wanna buy a bridge to Brooklyn?

 

You're way too late. Sir Martin already sold it. He'll be along in a second to tell you how much he made on the deal. :D

 

J

[MCC retired]

The 12 Service Statements mentioned in previous post are exactly the same (word for word) as the 12 Points of Light ***** that Princess employees have drumbed into their heads.

 

"White Star Service" is merely a phrase to emphasis the level of service to expect , actually equal to most other premium cruise products I believe.;)

[Norfolk Brit]

You're way too late. Sir Martin already sold it. He'll be along in a second to tell you how much he made on the deal. :D

 

J

 

Ask wripro. I sold it to him.

 

Sir Martin

[Cruachan]

Ask wripro. I sold it to him.

 

Sir Martin

 

Ah - so he is trying to recoup his stupendous losses by selling it on.

 

:eek:

 

J

[guernseyguy]

9. We maintain formality in our service style.

 

I suspect this is a significant differentiator vs other cruise lines.

 

I for one am happy not to be regaled with tales of wives, girlfriends and families a la 'Love Boat' Princess Cruise Lines.....

 

And of course, everyone knows that the White Star Line was owned by an American conglomerate in 1912......

[Salacia]

What I did find were a couple references to "White Star Service" which may be of interest.

 

First, here is a page from the cunard.com web site itself:

 

http://www.cunard.com/en-US/About-Cunard-Line/Employment/White-Star-Service/

 

The mention of "twelve service statements" on this page sent me on a search to see if I could find a list of those twelve service statements. Here is what I found:

.

9. We maintain formality in our service style.

 

When I got to point #9, I remembered a conversation I had with a dealer in the QM2 Casino one night after we sailed away from New York. The dealer said he had the day off to go ashore. I asked him what he thought of the city after telling him it is my hometown.

 

He replied "It is a dirty, filthy city. It is just like my city."

"Oh sorry. Where are you from?" I asked.

"Vladivostok" he replied.

:eek:

 

This thread has me wondering if all Cunard staff gets the same "White Star" training? :)

 

Salacia

[Norfolk Brit]

I suspect this is a significant differentiator vs other cruise lines.

 

I for one am happy not to be regaled with tales of wives, girlfriends and families a la 'Love Boat' Princess Cruise Lines.....

 

And of course, everyone knows that the White Star Line was owned by an American conglomerate in 1912......

 

We had a nightly update about his boil (in a rather strange place) from one of the staff in the Commodore Club on QV.:D

 

Sometimes, I worry that I have the kind of face that looks as if it wants to hear about boils in strange places...

 

Mary

[Savoia]

The 12 Service Statements mentioned in previous post are exactly the same (word for word) as the 12 Points of Light ***** that Princess employees have drumbed into their heads.

 

"White Star Service" is merely a phrase to emphasis the level of service to expect , actually equal to most other premium cruise products I believe.;)

 

Oh gawd...I wish I was surprised..

 

Then again its not like P&O/Princess and Cunard don't share just about everything else.

[The Real PM]

I offer the following as my modest contribution on the subject "What is White Star Service?" I do not profess to have any detailed knowledge regarding the history of the Cunard and White Star lines, but that has already been covered quite eloquently by those that have already replied.

 

What I did find were a couple references to "White Star Service" which may be of interest.

 

First, here is a page from the cunard.com web site itself:

 

http://www.cunard.com/en-US/About-Cunard-Line/Employment/White-Star-Service/

 

The mention of "twelve service statements" on this page sent me on a search to see if I could find a list of those twelve service statements. Here is what I found:

1. We smile; we are always in the spotlight.

2. We use correct body language.

3. We are immaculate in our appearance.

4. We support and assist colleagues.

5. We respect each other as individuals.

6. We are always positive with guests and colleagues.

7. We are knowledgeable about our ships and services.

8. We exceed guests’ expectations.

9. We maintain formality in our service style.

10. We use proper telephone etiquette.

11. We always speak English in guest areas.

12. We never say no; we offer alternatives.

The "twelve service statements" very strongly resemble the Girl Scout Laws, if I remember correctly. There are a few variations, but they are pretty darn close, I'd say!!!

 

No wonder I find Cunard service so very recognizable and welcoming!:)

[keithm]

HHHHHEEEEELLLLLLLLLLOOOOO Cruise Liner Fan: Yes, the White Star Line was a competitor of Cunard for quite some time. No one could compete with Cunard for speed, however, the White Star Line had better service. In the '30's both cruise lines appealled to the Royal Crown for financial assistance, the were both going broke. The Crown caused the merger of both lines into each other thinking if they weren't competing against each other they could survive.

On some of the brouchers of the Cunard line circa 1990's I noticed they had a White Star Line near the top of the smoke stack.

Hey.. Good to see you over here. I think you're right about white star service. Bluemarble also did a great job showing the "12 Points" of Whitestar service. I think it would be difficult to say the least for any cruiseline to be able to follow all 12 points. In past time when cruising was more intimate, you probably had much more 1 on 1 between passengers & crew. Probably the Europa would come pretty darn close these days..but then for that kind of money, I would expect it to.

[guernseyguy]

The 12 Service Statements mentioned in previous post are exactly the same (word for word) as the 12 Points of Light ***** that Princess employees have drumbed into their heads.

 

Including:

 

"9.We maintain formality in our service style" ????

 

Doesn't sound like 'Princess' to me!

[Cruachan]

Including:

 

"9.We maintain formality in our service style" ????

 

Doesn't sound like 'Princess' to me!

 

Purely out of academic interest and nothing more - does anyone know what the word that got asterisked out after "points of light" was? (Bowdlerised versions acceptable!)

 

J

[guernseyguy]

The "twelve service statements" very strongly resemble the Girl Scout Laws, if I remember correctly.

 

Not really.

 

They are however, pretty generic and would be appropriate on any cruise line.....except for point 9.......

[The Real PM]

Purely out of academic interest and nothing more - does anyone know what the word that got asterisked out after "points of light" was? (Bowdlerised versions acceptable!)

 

J

Could it have been "On my Honor" by any chance?