$10p.p to eat at night Kings Court area

[Gugi]

You may be right in quoting from Cunards latest brochure but my booking was made early Jan 2010 and at that time there was no question of a supplement for dining at King's court. I have e-mailed Cunard about this but to no avail. I feel quite strongly that they are in breach of contract about this - but they don't:p

[MarySpi]

Hi

 

What about the pizza for the little ones?

 

I am on the December 8 sailing from New York. Anyone on that cruise would like to play euchre. Not sure this where I should be asking for that here?

[keithm]

I wonder if the past practice of one of the four Kings Court venues being informal buffet each night has changed. If they are charging for a quick buffet meal for those who, on any given night, don't want to sit through 2 hours in the main dining room, there will probably be a backlash (particulary from families with children) who have paid fora cruise which includes meals.

 

The sampler dinner in the Lotus is excellent and should not be missed, but charging extra is questionable.

 

The wording on our documents states (as you have mentioned) - meals in Kings Court will be $10 pp. I would think that it would cost Cunard less for a passenger/guest/customer to go through a buffet in Kings Court than have servers provide a meal in the diing room.

Most definately recommend the Lotus Tasting. We've done it 4 times. With a $10 charge, I doubt we'll try it again. The tasting menu hasn't changed. If it does, perhaps we'll give it another try.

[keithm]

We pay a big upcharge to be in Brittania Club for the world cruise, so I consider going to King's Court a step down--and then pay extra to do so--no way. I should ask them for a credit if I had to eat at King's Court, not pay for it.

When we sail on Crystal, the alternative restaurants are definitely worth the extra charge, as they are very well decorated and the food is definitely of great quality. Cunard is fooling themselves that sitting in King's Court merits a higher surcharge than Crystal charges for their alternative restaurants.

I like the suggestion that if no one pays to go there, things will change.

Being the "luxury" line that Crystal is, I'm surprised they charge in the alternate restaurants. That's one of the things I really judge a "luxury" line by.

[Ray66]

From Cunard's online brochure page 256:

 

Included in your fare:

 

Accommodation, all onboard meals* and entertainment

 

*There is a cover charge payable in the Todd English restaurant on the Queen Mary 2 and Queen Victoria, The Verandah Restaurant on the Queen Elizabeth and in the speciality dining options offered in Kings Court on Queen Mary 2 and the Lido restaurants on Queen Elizabeth and Queen Victoria, applicable from October 2010 on Queen Elizabeth and from January 2011 on Queen Mary 2 and Queen Victoria.

[TheOldBear]

I usually eat dinner in the dining room (or for a special occasion, Todd English), but I've never eaten dinner in Kings Court so I really have no idea how it is "transformed" for dinner. Are there 4 seperate dining venues plus the buffet---or does the buffet disappear?

 

At dinner time, The Chef's Gallery is always a single seating, table service only dining room [7 PM seating]. It is much too small [20 seats] to be used as a buffet.

 

One of the other three sectors [Carvery, Lotus, La Piazza] is open as the buffet [with the buffet offerings slanted toward the sector's specialty]. The other two sectors have their lights dimmed, tablecloths and candles on the table. On our last trip, the Chef's Gallery was fully booked almost instantly, the KC dinner venues often had a 'fully booked' notice by about 5.

[rrunner]

The fee for dining at the Chef's Galley was removed a few years ago. We have always found it difficult to get a reservation since - maybe now with the $10.00 fee reinstated we will be able to eat there again. On a long cruise it makes a change -the food is very good. The atmosphere of the Britannia restaurant is lacking - but still worth a visit.

[Salacia]

Hi

 

What about the pizza for the little ones?

 

I am on the December 8 sailing from New York. Anyone on that cruise would like to play euchre. Not sure this where I should be asking for that here?

 

Pizza?:eek: Did someone mention pizza??? I didn't know pizza was available on QM2...how is it (for example, compared to NYC pizza?) and where is it???. Himself is a pizza aficionado so any info would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

Sorry MarySpi, I had to google euchre just to see what it meant (needless to say, I don't know how to play.)

 

QM2 8Dec Caribbean voyage...wonderful timing, great weather. Please have a wonderful time :)

 

 

Regards,

Salacia

[Salacia]

The fee for dining at the Chef's Galley was removed a few years ago. We have always found it difficult to get a reservation since - maybe now with the $10.00 fee reinstated we will be able to eat there again. On a long cruise it makes a change -the food is very good. The atmosphere of the Britannia restaurant is lacking - but still worth a visit.

 

Rrunner, I have a feeling you will have no problem getting a seat once the $10. surcharge is imposed.

 

Question: I've never had dinner in King's Court Alternative Dining Venues...is it customary to leave a gratuity?-especially once the surcharge is imposed?

 

Regards,

Salacia

[Salacia]

You may be right in quoting from Cunards latest brochure but my booking was made early Jan 2010 and at that time there was no question of a supplement for dining at King's court. I have e-mailed Cunard about this but to no avail. I feel quite strongly that they are in breach of contract about this - but they don't:p

 

Gugi, I also booked two upcoming QM2 voyages 12+ months in advance. Not only has the fare been reduced dramatically since I made my final payment, but the terms and conditions have also changed without prior notice. So what I thought I was paying for, I'm not getting. Plus I over-paid for the lack of privilege. I don't know if it amounts to a breach of contract, but---to me, at least---it is a breach of trust.

 

Nevertheless, I'm sure I will enjoy my upcoming voyages in pleasant company. Parenthetically, I'm not planning on booking a future cruise while on board.

 

Regards,

Salacai

[Francophile]

In my opinion, this kind of thing just damages the Cunard brand. It's so wrong-headed. Penny-wise and pound-foolish, don't you think? I wouldn't pay to eat in King's Court, period. One pays enough for Cunard as it is.

[Salacia]

... Penny-wise and pound-foolish, don't you think? ''...

 

Yes.

[Whitemarsh]

They'd have to pay me $10 to go anywhere near King's Court.

 

We pretend it's not there :)

[AAAAmerican]

 

 

Whats not there ..;)

 

 

 

 

 

 

We pretend it's not there :)

[Whitemarsh]

Whats not there ..;)

 

Kings Court

[AAAAmerican]

 

Telling your assigned wait staff is only proper if your plans do not include being served by them.

 

Yes in that discussion with the Professionals, quite a few are often perplexed why not many cruisers communicate this.

 

I believe not many people feel and/or think they should or do not know how.

 

 

Maybe CCL/CUK :NYSE/LSE will see to it on the In Cabin Video System a way for passengers to do this as it will save the ships a lot!:cool:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Another thought, might the new dinner charges in the Kings Court be an attempt to recover the cost of food wastage? How many people allocated to the Britannia Restaurant ever tell their waiter they will be eating in the Kings Court rather than the Britannia?

[AAAAmerican]

 

Yes Maam I was jesting with youall.:D

 

 

( When will they have a Queens Court aboard too? )

 

 

Kings Court

[laktex]

Some time ago we used the speciality Fondue evening on the Queen Victoria - it truly was a lovely meal and quite different & special - no rushed service and good food. It was not very busy - and free! - so I wonder how they can work it if they start to charge. In fairness however I would not have been unhappy at a £6.25 surcharge - it was worth it.

 

Obviously, I would prefer it if they maintained a no surcharge.

 

Trevor

[david,Mississauga]

My goodness, what a lot of bother over $10. Personally, I see all these alternate dining venues as a waste of space. My favourite ship of all time, Union-Castle's RMS Windsor Castle, had only the main Tourist and First Class dining saloons and I never had more enjoyable evenings than in the latter. I am also reminded of my many stays at the Canadian Pacific Railway resorts (now called Fairmont) in the Canadian Rockies when they had a full meal plan. The "included" meals were served in the main dining room and if a guest wanted to have dinner in one of the alternate dining rooms there would be a $10 to $15 surcharge. That seems reasonable to me.

 

I realise times have changed and Cunard must keep up with the competition, so the buffet/lido is a necessity. But as far as alternate sit-down restaurants at dinner - well, every passenger has an assigned seat in their dining room and there is staff and food waiting for them. If they want something else, they should pay for it. When you're paying thousands of dollars for a holiday I don't think a $10 charge for something extra is unreasonable.

[Jimsgirl]

David the charge is "per person" so for a family of 4 that is $40 per meal. even for most passengers it is $20.

 

The brochures, and the so called contract does say that the "fare" includes all meals,now suddenly it does not include "all" meals only some meals and only if you eat in certain areas. (I personally do not eat in Kings Court or any of its "subsiduaries" but the right of those who wish to do so should be maintained and respected)

 

I think this charge is simply the thin end of the wedge, if this is accepted then next it will be "an additional charge for xxxxxxx" and "an additional charge for yyy" .

 

This is not the only hidden charge (and not only Cunard is involved , so are other lines and travel agents) I refer to the "advertised" fare (whether in brochure or ads) as $XXXX , then "per person " , if you are a solo suddenly you find "oh solo then you have to pay twice the advertised fare", then read the small print , yes there is a charge for "fuel" again "per person" so again it is at least twice if not more than the charge listed.

 

Then try booking and you will be told that there are "other taxes and charges not listed" which can come to several hundred $, so the advertised price ballons to three or even four times the so called "fare."

 

What happened to honesty?

 

We do not need extra charges tacked on once we board, because we choose to sit and eat in a certain space.

 

Lynn

[Casino Player]

:confused:I wonder what makes Cunard think the $10 surcharge will sell...will the hours for dining there be different from the MDR? Is wine included in the charge? Is there some variation in the dress code that might be attractive to those who don't wish to follow the dress code in the main dining rooms?

 

While I don't think I'd be willing to spend ten bucks to find out, I'll be happy to read the reviews of those who do so. :)

 

It's not nickels and dimes anymore...it's ten or thirty dollars (for Todd English) :eek:

 

HHHHHEEEEELLLLLLLLLLOOOOO Salacia: Why are people complaining so much about a surcharge on a luxury cruise line? There are lots of reasons people would want to eat there: It is made differently than in the MDR, and or different choices, plus the time factor (doing something and don't want to change). A $10 surcharge for a service charge is not unreasonable. Todd English charges $30, other cruise lines charge $30 to $40 to eat in the specialty resturant.

[Salacia]

HHHHHEEEEELLLLLLLLLLOOOOO Salacia: Why are people complaining so much about a surcharge on a luxury cruise line? There are lots of reasons people would want to eat there: It is made differently than in the MDR, and or different choices, plus the time factor (doing something and don't want to change). A $10 surcharge for a service charge is not unreasonable. Todd English charges $30, other cruise lines charge $30 to $40 to eat in the specialty resturant.

 

Casino Player, perhaps people are complaining exactly because it is a luxury cruise line---meaning the fare is higher than most even before adding the surcharges for fuel, daily hotel and dining charge, beverage charges +15% auto gratuity (soda, bottled water and adult beverages). One more surcharge is one more too many.

 

As Jimsgirl wrote, a family of four would pay $40 dollars plus beverage costs to eat in one of the alternative restaurants that previously carried no surcharge. Faced with additional costs, no doubt many will eat in the main dining room instead. While I personally prefer the MDR, I'm sorry for those who will have to "settle" by eating there, especially if it makes them and those around them unhappy.

 

Lastly, fares have increased for those who book well in advance, on-board prices have increased, surcharges have been added---yet neither the service or quality has increased IMHO. And I wonder what the next surcharge will be if this newest one is not met with resistance.

 

Regards,

Salacia

[rrunner]

Rrunner, I have a feeling you will have no problem getting a seat once the $10. surcharge is imposed.

 

Question: I've never had dinner in King's Court Alternative Dining Venues...is it customary to leave a gratuity?-especially once the surcharge is imposed?

 

Regards,

Salacia

 

In the past we have not left a tip in any of the alternative venues. Personally I find the food really good in these restaurants. The Carvery superior to the Britannia - not mass produced. I enjoy salmon - it is so much better there than the main restaurant . We ask for a window table so no problems with passengers walking past. I really enjoy The Britiannia - we have some lovely social evenings there but the entrees are a bit mediocre at times. Good desserts though.

[Salacia]

In the past we have not left a tip in any of the alternative venues. Personally I find the food really good in these restaurants. The Carvery superior to the Britannia - not mass produced. I enjoy salmon - it is so much better there than the main restaurant . We ask for a window table so no problems with passengers walking past. I really enjoy The Britiannia - we have some lovely social evenings there but the entrees are a bit mediocre at times. Good desserts though.

 

Hi rrunner. Thanks for that info. BTW, I agree the desserts are good (too good in fact ;)). Cheers, Salacia

[southwestie]

I know that Cunard is a luxury liner, but these days the prices are cut to the bone or so im told by Cunard, the crossing this week is down to $449 for an inside, I imagine this is one of the reasons behind the fee of $10

 

I have eaten many time is the restaurants and would I pay the extra $10, well I have said no before now but if I really think about the cost, $10 is not a lot for the fantastic food in la Piazza and Lotus £6 uk.

 

well to be honest I think I might pay $10, not more as we have paid for a cruise inc food, most other cruise lines do charge for this.

 

 

as for the tip, well from I see when standing close to the lines at the pursars office , many people remove the auto tip and I feel may not leave a tip at all, the waiters we had at La Piazza had from out table a box of chocolates sent up the next day, they were wonderful

you have to think $10 for an outstanding meal or not??????????