What is White Star service?

[Savoia]

Ah......but you'll never know, will you?:rolleyes:

 

 

You mean High Tea as brought to you by P&O/Princess? No..I wouldn't and lord knows with Mr. Shanks..he might send me a bill afterwards. For the tea AND the Girl Scout cookies!:p

[oldsilverfox]

what have we all learned from this thread ??

 

the OP doesn't like White Star service and doesn't want to experience it, but this is hardly a "quelle supris" moment given that he has told us that ;-

 

He has never cruised with Cunard

 

He doesn't like Carnival's overall management strategy

 

He doesn't like Cunard's marketing

 

He doesn't like Vista class ships

 

He doesn't like the light fittings on the Queen Victoria

 

etc, etc

 

This (literally) sad litany leaves only one last question unanswered . . . . . .

[Savoia]

the OP doesn't like White Star service and doesn't want to experience it, but this is hardly a "quelle supris" moment given that he has told us that ;-

 

 

-Actually the question was a honest one which nobody seems able to provide specific examples of. Great concept P&O created but nobody seems to know what it means.

 

He has never cruised with Cunard

 

-Not true, I cruised Cunard before it became Cunardival. it had its issues then but better than the bland image of mediochrity we have today.

 

He doesn't like Carnival's overall management strategy

 

-P&O's management style..P&O/Princess manages, markets and operates Cunard, hard for many to believe but true.

 

He doesn't like Cunard's marketing

 

-Again P&O/Princess markets Cunard.

 

He doesn't like Vista class ships

 

-Never said that, Vista was an attractive design but one can find it everywhere. Thankfully each brand paints them differently.

 

He doesn't like the light fittings on the Queen Victoria

 

-Only the ones found on the "Love Boat" brand as well..

[Savoia]

the OP doesn't like White Star service and doesn't want to experience it, but this is hardly a "quelle supris" moment given that he has told us that ;-

 

How can I not like it when nobody gives a straight answer as to what it is? It appears somebody thought at P&O that "White Star Service" sounded interesting to name the Cunard brand's Customer Service and adopted much of the ***** that was originally established by the Girl Scouts (its almost laughable that P&O would do that..) in order to implement it.

[The Real PM]

How can I not like it when nobody gives a straight answer as to what it is? It appears somebody thought at P&O that "White Star Service" sounded interesting to name the Cunard brand's Customer Service and adopted much of the ***** that was originally established by the Girl Scouts (its almost laughable that P&O would do that..) in order to implement it.

Well, all I can say, if in fact P&O adopted some of the Girl Scout Laws, then that is not really laughable, especially since the Girl Scouts have been very successful for nearly a century.

So Savoia, you must admit after eighty years of success, that the Girl Scouts are pretty smart cookies! :)

[Savoia]

Well, all I can say, if in fact P&O adopted some of the Girl Scout Laws, then that is not really laughable, especially since the Girl Scouts have been very successful for nearly a century.

So Savoia, you must admit after eighty years of success, that the Girl Scouts are pretty smart cookies! :)

 

As we discussed before PM the slight is not in any way towards the Girl Scouts. With all the resources Carnival has available to its brands to simply lift and modify another brand's direction is sheer lazyness, nothing more.

[MadScientist_01]

As we discussed before PM the slight is not in any way towards the Girl Scouts. With all the resources Carnival has available to its brands to simply lift and modify another brand's direction is sheer lazyness, nothing more.

 

Alright, I'll bite :p

 

Is the Cunard c r e d o based on the Girl Scouts guides? Of course not! They are lined up next to each other on the previous page and it is as clear as daylight that they are not!

 

However, both are based on a notion of the expectations of British society - it could be argued whether that society exists any more, or whether it even existed back when these 'rules' were created, but that is for another thread in another place.

Quite simply, they are aspirations aimed at the perceived (potential) passenger and the expected perceptions of that passenger - in exactly the same way that most companies have been doing business for many years.

It's not exactly difficult :eek:

[oldsilverfox]

The OP has not cruised on a Cunard ship since at least 1998.

 

Also it is fair to assume that, given his continuing and unrelenting criticsm of every aspect of the Cunard brand, that he is highly unlikely to do so in the foreseeable future.

 

That leaves only one unanswered question . . . . . . . . . .

[Ray66]

Not true, I cruised Cunard before it became Cunardival. it had its issues then but better than the bland image of mediochrity we have today.

 

May we ask which Cunard ship you have sailed on?

[Savoia]

The OP has not cruised on a Cunard ship since at least 1998.

 

Also it is fair to assume that, given his continuing and unrelenting criticsm of every aspect of the Cunard brand, that he is highly unlikely to do so in the foreseeable future.

 

That leaves only one unanswered question . . . . . . . . . .

 

At least you admit Cunard is a brand and not a company...

 

So every post has to be in favor of the status quo?

[oldsilverfox]

Quite frankly Old Sport, I don't think that the folk on this forum really give a toss either way about the status quo, as you somewhat quaintly put it.

 

Have another look at the topics. CC-ers are far more concerned with Ballroom Dancing, smoking bans, cabin selection, port transfers etc etc. than any real or imagined management hierarchy.

[Jimsgirl]

Perhaps I am too simplistic, surely the original idea was to assure passengers that their gratification in all things was the company's sole aim, that passengers would get the "very best of excellence in service in every way"

 

Now of course it is just a marketing slogan, because the HO of the company seeks only to make the maximum profit for minimum expenditure, and for the staff it is just another job, it does not matter what ship or what line, as long as the pay is the same.

 

Yes I like Cunard, I have cruised with the line for years, and have several cruises booked, but Cunard is no longer providing its guests with "the very best of excellence"

[MCC retired]

Cunards idea of what it should be .;)

 

[keithm]

Cunards idea of what it should be .;)

 

Great video! We've been 4(soon to be 5)times. The only thing I have not seen(personally) is to be escorted to your stateroom. We did a Princess Grill Suit last year & are doing a Queens Grill Suite this Nov. We are expecting to be escorted up to our stateroom. For the amount you pay, it should be one of the perks you get(I hope)

[bkecky]

Great video! We've been 4(soon to be 5)times. The only thing I have not seen(personally) is to be escorted to your stateroom. We did a Princess Grill Suit last year & are doing a Queens Grill Suite this Nov. We are expecting to be escorted up to our stateroom. For the amount you pay, it should be one of the perks you get(I hope)

 

We used to be escorted every year in QG on QE2 and we were escorted in a Q1 last year (they called the butler from shoreside check in desk) but this year we had to make our own way in a Q4. Perhaps it is only the Q1s these days.

[Jimsgirl]

We used to be escorted every year in QG on QE2 and we were escorted in a Q1 last year (they called the butler from shoreside check in desk) but this year we had to make our own way in a Q4. Perhaps it is only the Q1s these days.

 

This is a clear example of "throwing the baby out with the bath water" , ideas to "streamline" , invariably result in less service for the customer.

 

Examples I have noticed. Paper packets of sugar instead of sugar cubes in bowls, even at "elegant tea in the Queens Room" Only one type of Tea served from a jug or asking total strangers to "share a pot" instead of a "small individual pot of tea of passengers choice". Tiny pots of tasteless "jelly" in place or "real jam /marmalade"

Closing Britannia for lunch on "turnaround " days, no room service on "turnaround" days No beverages not even a glass of water available for passengers waiting to disembark.

 

All these may meet the aims of "time and motion studies" but they do nothing to meet the standards of "White Star Service"

[Ray66]

No beverages not even a glass of water available for passengers waiting to disembark.

 

I'm surprised you say this because on both the QM2 and the QV there's always been a table with drinks on near the waiting areas on all the voyages I've been on.

[Savoia]

This is a clear example of "throwing the baby out with the bath water" , ideas to "streamline" , invariably result in less service for the customer.

 

Examples I have noticed. Paper packets of sugar instead of sugar cubes in bowls, even at "elegant tea in the Queens Room" Only one type of Tea served from a jug or asking total strangers to "share a pot" instead of a "small individual pot of tea of passengers choice". Tiny pots of tasteless "jelly" in place or "real jam /marmalade"

Closing Britannia for lunch on "turnaround " days, no room service on "turnaround" days No beverages not even a glass of water available for passengers waiting to disembark.

 

All these may meet the aims of "time and motion studies" but they do nothing to meet the standards of "White Star Service"

 

This is what I expect from Princess as they are the ones who would be in charge of this on the Cunard themed vessels. When one cuts so many of the small details it is bound to start showing evetually. In the end "White Star Service" is lip serivce..a title to describe nothing more than the very basic experience..nothing special or that stands out.

[Ray66]

Examples I have noticed. Paper packets of sugar instead of sugar cubes in bowls.

 

Maybe for hygiene reasons?

 

Tiny pots of tasteless "jelly" in place or "real jam /marmalade"

 

You get real jam in a pot to help yourself from for afternoon tea in Kings Court and the Lido.

 

Closing Britannia for lunch on "turnaround " days, no room service on "turnaround" days

 

The crew and staff have a lot to do on disembarkation/embarkation day, I wouldn't expect it.

 

No beverages not even a glass of water available for passengers waiting to disembark.

 

See above

[heywood]

I have to say that I am always a bit disappointed when we first board and are met with a 'good afternoon', a quick check of our room number and then a wave towards the lifts. Everyone is friendly but I feel it does lack style.

Our first experience of a cruise was with Celebrity and we were greeted with a glass of bubbly, a warm welcome and a young man who took our hand luggage and escorted us to our room, which was one of the cheapest available, I might add. We felt so special.

I don't know if Celebrity still do that but there were several touches of customer care, which I have not seen with Cunard but for other reasons, Cunard is now our preferred choice.

[Savoia]

Maybe for hygiene reasons?

 

You get real jam in a pot to help yourself from for afternoon tea in Kings Court and the Lido.

 

The crew and staff have a lot to do on disembarkation/embarkation day, I wouldn't expect it. See above

 

Then the Princess/P&O version of Cunard is just like any other cruise experience but at a higher price. What customers remember are the small things and when you nickel and dime and outright cut them out that is what they'll tell their friends about.

[juliecat]

Our first experience of a cruise was with Celebrity and we were greeted with a glass of bubbly, a warm welcome and a young man who took our hand luggage and escorted us to our room, which was one of the cheapest available, I might add. We felt so special.

I don't know if Celebrity still do that but there were several touches of customer care, which I have not seen with Cunard but for other reasons, Cunard is now our preferred choice.

 

This was my experience on QE2 when I first started cruising/crossing (then in an inside M level cabin). Of course, on that ship, they worried that you would get lost in the labyrinthine lower decks and never find your way to your cabin! :p

[KarenR_UK]

This was my experience on QE2 when I first started cruising/crossing (then in an inside M level cabin). Of course, on that ship, they worried that you would get lost in the labyrinthine lower decks and never find your way to your cabin! :p

 

Hey- half the time the staff couldn't find the cabin:D

On at least a couple of occasions I was able to redirect them when they went wrong - though it didn't help that when we had the 'converted store cupboard' (2153?) it was given a number completely out of sequence between 2029 and 2035:D

 

It WAS nice to have the hand luggage carried for you (what with the camera, laptop, binoculars, 'Jewels', book to read while waiting, change of clothes incase mine was the case that ended up in the water - it sometimes got quite heavy:p)