Any signs of changes on QM2

[Jimsgirl]

You are only assigned to the Grills if that's where you book.

 

I guess for you I'm new. I don't consider myself new. Certainly for an Aussie I'm not.

 

And nothing in my posts reflects any naivety if that's what you're implying. Just relating the facts when I've been on QM2.

 

Just wondering how I managed to dine in Britannia on my embarkation day? For people not doing WC then they are closed but for over 3 months of the year Britannia is open every day.

 

And while you've been on 22 cruises, it seems none have been done during a world cruise. So maybe my 3 WC sectors gives me the opportunity to in this case, be "an experienced Cunarder". So please don't put me down and tell me I'm wrong. I'm stating the facts for the 28 days I've been on QM2. You sound like my mother lecturing a naughty child simply because she's older than me.

 

Actually I have done a segment of the World Cruise. Your own statement above "for people not doing WC then they are closed " then in the next few words claim it is "open every day".

 

Even on the segment I did, Britannia was closed for ALL passengers, only a group of Travel agents were allowed in. From a member of the staff I have been told that they have a special "up scale" menu for the Travel Agents meal, just to impress them.

 

It is a dis -service to newbies to give them incorrect information.

 

I hope that someone now on QM2,QE, or QV, will write and inform us of their experience as of present time

[Mack704]

Having been on four other cruise lines, multiple times, I must agree with you Lynn, this time. Boarding the QM2 this coming Friday, I have no first hand knowledge of Cunard's dining policies.

 

But on Holland America, Celebrity, Royal Caribbean, and Carnivai the MDR is NOT open on embarkation day for lunch. Nor is the MDR open on port days for lunch. Since Cunard is now a Carnival product, I would guess the policy is similar.

 

Since my voyage starting Friday is a westbound TA, all days will be sea days. Therefore, I'm anticipating lunch in the MDR every day except embarkation day.

 

Harvey

[Keuka Lake Sailor]

I happened to meet a travel agent from Canada who was helping my travel agency do a cruise promotion in Rochester NY a month ago - she was excited about her invitation from Cunard to vist the QM2 in NYC on May 16th, her first visit to a Cunard ship. She will get a special tour of the ship, luncheon on board and was staying later into the evening to see the ship depart. Guess there will be fireworks in NY harbor also.

[missfrankiecat]

I'm not sure why the discussion about Britannia opening times is getting so tetchy or really what the criticism of Cunard is. Daily opening times are clearly printed on the newsletter and displayed outside the relevant restaurants so 'newbies' won't be misled if they can read. On the day of embarkation newbies won't be on board in time to lunch in the Britannia in any event as they don't have priority embarkation.

Facilities are inevitably less diverse on major embarkation days for fairly obvious reasons if anyone stops and thinks about the logistics - hotel and deck departments have a particularly heavy workload on those days and in addition a reasonable percentage of staff (including wait staff) get some time ashore on those days (on rotation). Given many are on 8-9 month contracts and work a 7 day minimum 12-14 hour rota, I would think that is vital for staff morale, particularly during the more gruelling (staffing wise) TA season.

Equally, given that none of the Cunard ships have any break in service other than periodic dry docking for refurbs, it is obvious that showing potential clients (who will potentially be referring much business their way) is going to happen primarily in the two 'home' ports. The inconvenience to 'in transit' passengers is minimised (since most leave the ship for trips in any event). It isn't as if there is no where else to eat on the ship - no one goes hungry with Lido/King's Court/Pub/Sir Samuels or in cabin service.

[MsDeva]

I'm not sure why the discussion about Britannia opening times is getting so tetchy or really what the criticism of Cunard is. Daily opening times are clearly printed on the newsletter and displayed outside the relevant restaurants so 'newbies' won't be misled if they can read. On the day of embarkation newbies won't be on board in time to lunch in the Britannia in any event as they don't have priority embarkation.

 

Many topics/ threads on this board inevitably become tetchy because of severe difference of opinion and folk making them so when there is absolutely no need to.

 

Daily opening times maybe clearly printed on the newsletter, but on embarkation day? When most pax are finding their way about? In particular the 'newbies'..who has time to read such things.

 

Do 'newbies' only travel in non grills? Are those 'newbies' then unaware that the grills are open for lunch on embarkation day? And are they also unaware that they have priority embarkation? Who knows:confused:

[pepperrn]

I'm not sure why the discussion about Britannia opening times is getting so tetchy or really what the criticism of Cunard is. Daily opening times are clearly printed on the newsletter and displayed outside the relevant restaurants so 'newbies' won't be misled if they can read. On the day of embarkation newbies won't be on board in time to lunch in the Britannia in any event as they don't have priority embarkation.

Facilities are inevitably less diverse on major embarkation days for fairly obvious reasons if anyone stops and thinks about the logistics - hotel and deck departments have a particularly heavy workload on those days and in addition a reasonable percentage of staff (including wait staff) get some time ashore on those days (on rotation). Given many are on 8-9 month contracts and work a 7 day minimum 12-14 hour rota, I would think that is vital for staff morale, particularly during the more gruelling (staffing wise) TA season.

Equally, given that none of the Cunard ships have any break in service other than periodic dry docking for refurbs, it is obvious that showing potential clients (who will potentially be referring much business their way) is going to happen primarily in the two 'home' ports. The inconvenience to 'in transit' passengers is minimised (since most leave the ship for trips in any event). It isn't as if there is no where else to eat on the ship - no one goes hungry with Lido/King's Court/Pub/Sir Samuels or in cabin service.

VERY well said :) .

 

And to add... If a passenger MUST dine in a main dining room on embarkation day... if it is THAT important... (and they don't wish to leave it to chance) then he/she has the opportunity to book accommodation in the Grills (where I have yet to book, before I too am accused of being a Grills passenger with no idea of how the rowers travel) where he/she will find their dining room always open on embarkation days. Simple.

 

I understand (but could be mistaken) that very few cruise lines open their MDR on embarkation days. Some also close them on port days, which Cunard do not.

 

I have also seen the Britannia Restaurant open to ANY passenger... on what was an embarkation day for some passengers (and a port day for others already on board).

 

Certain posters frequently point out that people who were not on his/her voyage cannot know what went on during that cruise; as they "weren't there".

The reverse is also true, just because the dining room has been closed on certain voyages that a poster was on, does not mean that it cannot ever be open... when they were not there to witness it. Certain people seem to think that they know everything there is to know, based on only one cruise a year.

 

Once again, thank you for your excellent post :)

Edited May 5, 2014 by pepperrn

[Pushka]

When in Malaysia, customs and Immigration came onboard to take photos of the closed shops to ensure no customs violations were occurring. The Casino was also closed for several days while it was too close to Australian shores.

 

But no doubt others will state that cannot happen as that's not been their experience. ;)

Edited May 5, 2014 by Pushka

[Pushka]

 

I understand (but could be mistaken) that very few cruise lines open their MDR on embarkation days. Some also close them on port days, which Cunard do not.

 

 

And therein lies the crux of the issue.

 

On a WC, it seems that only on the first embarkation day in Southampton is the MDR likely to be closed. I expect every other port after that is a Port Day, even if 2000 pax disembark as was the case in Sydney for example. The MDR was open that day.

 

I really have no idea why people who dislike most of everything about Cunard continue to journey with them. If policies cause such angst then try some other ship.

Edited May 5, 2014 by Pushka

[bananavan]

This thread has indeed taken an unnecessary turn.

Dining in Britannia on embarkation or in-transit day is not something that should be a bother to anyone.

It seems to me that we are getting a head start on the QM2 10th anniversary celebration. For those who will not be near the Solent, the fireworks have started here. :D

[Salacia]

Just my two cents worth, but this forum isn't a contest. It's an exchange of what we experience on board Cunard ships. Again, to point out that the general consensus on board Cunard ships is that good manners and a congenial atmosphere prevail - based on my personal experience and what I have learned from more experienced Cunard passengers.

 

HOWEVER, as has been stated many times previously by more experienced Cunard passengers (Cunarders, if you like that term), what is reflected on this forum is written by a microscopic percentage of Cunard passengers, and in no way represents the majority of passengers, my posts included.

 

Salacia

Edited May 6, 2014 by Salacia

[Pushka]

That's fine for me as long as people acknowledge that others might experience different things to their own experience.

 

Because comments like this:

I hope that no newbies take your advice Pushka, being turned away from the Britannia just after boarding would be a bad start to their cruise.

 

Impugn my credibility and are tantamount to accuse me of not telling the truth.

 

And I've maintained that the policy on embarkation dining on WC and sectors is different to TAs. That's all I've said.

Edited May 6, 2014 by Pushka