QE Cruise to nowhere

[English Voyager]

no room apparently

 

we were on that QE cruise last year

 

The reason I asked about Rotterdam was that according to the Cruise Port's website there were only two cruise ships due to berth.

One on the 18th December, and one on the 21st.

 

http://www.cruiseportrotterdam.com/

[Austcruiser84]

The reason I asked about Rotterdam was that according to the Cruise Port's website there were only two cruise ships due to berth.

One on the 18th December, and one on the 21st.

 

http://www.cruiseportrotterdam.com/

 

That might have changed when the weather altered for the worse.

[Austcruiser84]

 

Austcruiser, I wasn't on board either. So neither you nor I know what it was like on board for this particular cruise. Our past experiences are interesting, but do not relate to the cruise in question.

 

Various comments made by previous posters regarding passengers being riff raff, liars and compensations seekers are nasty and inappropriate, in my opinion. Frankly, I have to wonder where such vitriol comes from - it does nothing to enhance the reputation of Cunard.

 

Salacia

I am not Cunard, but I am a frequent passenger.

 

Anyone claiming to have experienced the 'worst cruise ever' as was reported verbatim from a passenger's mouth in the papers is undeserving of any leeway. Such hyperbole warrants derision.

 

People who carry on in front of customer service agents deserve ridicule. Riff raff is appropriate because their behaviour was of that sort.

 

As for a mutiny...well, I don't believe the ship was overthrown. Pirate jargon really is laughable given it's Cunard.

 

So, I wasn't there Salacia. But I'm not willing to trust those who thrown tantrums when things don't go their way.

 

What's that quote? Oh yes...'the worst are full of passionate intensity.'

[themanwithahat]

If I understand correctly, voyages such as this should have no expectation of actually reaching the port specified in the itinerary due to well-documented weather conditions. I accept that.

 

What I'm having a problem understanding is why Cunard didn't have a Plan B in place. There could have been on board activities prepared in advance. You wrote "Entertainment ; they did the best they could" Did they really?

 

Well, I suppose it could have always improved a bit. But the Days which became sea days were pretty much comparable to normal sea days.

 

I think though you do have a point when you write that if there is a significant risk, which there was in this case, more could be done in advance. I also agree with those who question the general plausibility of the Cruise itself.

 

Most of the complaints about what actually (supposedly) happened are nonsense, though.

[themanwithahat]

 

Austcruiser, I wasn't on board either. So neither you nor I know what it was like on board for this particular cruise. Our past experiences are interesting, but do not relate to the cruise in question.

 

Various comments made by previous posters regarding passengers being riff raff, liars and compensations seekers are nasty and inappropriate, in my opinion. Frankly, I have to wonder where such vitriol comes from - it does nothing to enhance the reputation of Cunard.

 

Salacia

I am not Cunard, but I am a frequent passenger.

 

Well, I actually was on board, I saw the 'mutiny', I smelt the 'diesel', I talked to quite a few passengers, and I partook in the additional activities which supposedly weren't bothered with etc etc etc.

 

Am I completely happy with it, no, I'm not. Do I remotely recognise even slightly the descriptions by some posters and the Daily Wail, no, I do not.

 

Most of the passengers had a sort of 'meh' approach to the $75 OBC. It's the price of a couple of bottles of restaurant wine (not one as one Mail commenter said !). Some people, IMO, are on the compo march though.

[Salacia]

Anyone claiming to have experienced the 'worst cruise ever' as was reported verbatim from a passenger's mouth in the papers is undeserving of any leeway. Such hyperbole warrants derision.

 

People who carry on in front of customer service agents deserve ridicule. Riff raff is appropriate because their behaviour was of that sort.

 

As for a mutiny...well, I don't believe the ship was overthrown. Pirate jargon really is laughable given it's Cunard.

 

So, I wasn't there Salacia. But I'm not willing to trust those who thrown tantrums when things don't go their way.

 

What's that quote? Oh yes...'the worst are full of passionate intensity.'

 

 

Austcruiser, perhaps I haven't been clear. Press reports are not what I'm discussing. I'm talking about passengers who were actually on board, posting their first hand account of what transpired in their own words. On this forum, I didn't see any tantrums, but I did notice a hyper-defensive and highly critical response to those voiced their dissatisfaction with this cruise.

Edited December 24, 2014 by Salacia

[themanwithahat]

..and the casino?

 

And on the last sea day, they docked in the evening rather than the next morning as scheduled.

 

The Casino was open, save for the last night, because as you state we were docked at that point and I think that they can't operate in dock. The main loss on the trip was the Duty Free was closed (Mrs Hat wondered if some people might have run short of smokes, expecting to purchase in DF or Amsterdam ?) because we may legally never have left England.

 

There was a big chunk of down time on the cruise entertainments when people were due to be in Amsterdam, presumably because they assumed everyone pretty much would leave the ship. The original Day 3 was pretty much empty. Once it became clear that Day 3 was going to become a sea day, they rewrote the Daily Newsletter, added the usual sorts of things, added the 'market', three lectures (one by Bell, one by an RAF chap and one by the Ent Mgr on Astronomy which he knew a heck of a lot about), and reopened the facilities that were on hold like the Spa and Bridge lessons. I presume but don't know that they uprated the waiting, serving, catering and so on to cope with the enhanced numbers. Apart from Duty Free, there was nothing shut that would have been open after about 10:00 ish. It was pretty rough on the staff who both lost their time off and (apparently) their tips. We left the tips on, I never considered it the responsibility of the crew.

 

We docked slightly before 9:00 (to much amusement amongst the Beatles and their audience) and I think originally we would have docked early morning, so about 7 hours early and some people, quite a few I think, did get off early rather than spend the night on board and depart after breakfast. We did consider it - I can see advantages if you live on the doorstep or you have a long way to travel. Disembarkation was noticeably quicker because of this.

 

I presume, but don't know, that they went into Soton Dock at the earliest time they could for the repairs that should have been done in Amsterdam, but not so early as to incur extra berth charges, though as I say this is pure hypothesis.

 

One thing about this cruise is was a very slow one anyway. As it was a four night cruise with about 18 hours in Amsterdam there was never any rush. We went a long way west before doubling back.

Edited December 24, 2014 by themanwithahat

[themanwithahat]

On this forum, I didn't see any tantrums, but I did notice a hyper-defensive and highly critical response to those voiced their dissatisfaction with this cruise.

 

I have no problem with this at all, but much of what is stated as 'what happened' simply is not true, both by some posters, in the paper articles, and the associated comments. It is one thing to say you are very upset because the stop, the only stop was lost. I have no problem with that.

 

It is another to say no attempt was made to do anything, everyone was cross, the crew didn't care, the crew didn't tell us what was happening, people were staring into space as there was nothing happening and so on. Or that there was some sort of mutiny. I find it extremely irritating. With maybe three exceptions, everyone I spoke to had an attitude of "pragmatic disappointment". The only person who I heard of being genuinely angry I heard second hand from one of the Entertainment staff who was clearly shook up by it.

 

It's my first Cunard cruise, we've previously only done P&O - it was just a very good deal.

[balf]

Don't you think that if the ship is in bad weather that he has other things to think about making sure that the ship is safe and also checking weather reports and conditions of ports. I .

 

A Cunard captain has a dual role. Why do you think he has to go through the nightly ritual that is "the captain's table"? Obviously he has officers who are more than competent to handle the ship in his absence from the bridge.

 

I recall a Pan Am flight back to UK years ago from SF which was delayed until next day due to engine problems. A group of angry passengers were shoutng at staff and things were getting ugly when the pilot appeared. He explained the situation apologised and said he had arraigned hotels for every passenger. Instant calm.

 

What really winds people up is the remote message. No one can ask a question if the captain remains on the bridge.

 

But this a failing on Cunard ships generally. Unless you go to one of the "parties" you can go a full cruise and never set eyes on him. Everyone who ever sailed with P&O captain Hamish Reid would remember his daily morning walk around the ship, chatting to passengers on the way. A remote "this is the captain speaking from the bridge" message is sometimes not good enough.

 

David.

[cunardaddict]

Balf, how will you make a Cunard Captain available for fair discussion simultanious with 2.100 passengers?

 

Btw: PanAm doesn't exist anymore - and certsinly not the flight captain arrange fir an accomodation.

[capnpugwash]

A Cunard captain has a dual role. Why do you think he has to go through the nightly ritual that is "the captain's table"? Obviously he has officers who are more than competent to handle the ship in his absence from the bridge.

 

I recall a Pan Am flight back to UK years ago from SF which was delayed until next day due to engine problems. A group of angry passengers were shoutng at staff and things were getting ugly when the pilot appeared. He explained the situation apologised and said he had arraigned hotels for every passenger. Instant calm.

 

What really winds people up is the remote message. No one can ask a question if the captain remains on the bridge.

 

But this a failing on Cunard ships generally. Unless you go to one of the "parties" you can go a full cruise and never set eyes on him. Everyone who ever sailed with P&O captain Hamish Reid would remember his daily morning walk around the ship, chatting to passengers on the way. A remote "this is the captain speaking from the bridge" message is sometimes not good enough.

 

David.

 

I don't know whether you have ever sailed with Christopher Rynd in command, he takes breakfast most mornings in the buffet and then wanders around the bulk of the ship talking to passengers. He is always approachable and very communicative.

[cunardaddict]

I don't know whether you have ever sailed with Christopher Rynd in command, he takes breakfast most mornings in the buffet and then wanders around the bulk of the ship talking to passengers. He is always approachable and very communicative.

 

But not for 2.100 passengers at the same time.

Edited December 24, 2014 by cunardaddict

[balf]

I don't know whether you have ever sailed with Christopher Rynd in command, he takes breakfast most mornings in the buffet and then wanders around the bulk of the ship talking to passengers. He is always approachable and very communicative.

 

Thanks for that Captain. No, unfortunately I've not had the pleasure, but that seems to be a move in the right direction.

 

Maybe management should have a word.

 

David.

[balf]

Balf, how will you make a Cunard Captain available for fair discussion simultanious with 2.100 passengers?

 

.

 

I suspect there would be far less agro than you imagine.

 

David.

[RJChatsworth]

I don't know whether you have ever sailed with Christopher Rynd in command, he takes breakfast most mornings in the buffet and then wanders around the bulk of the ship talking to passengers. He is always approachable and very communicative.

 

Perhaps Capnpugwash has hit the nail on the head. Someone promoted to Captain has come up through the bridge promotion ladder and is suddenly thrown in to the management of a large number of functions including PR and passengers for which he has previously had little experience. Until he becomes Captain it would'nt be too easy to assess whether he had the aptitude to take on these functions. Some seem to take on the additional responsibilities with ease, like Captain Rynd, but others may shy away from them to the point of not being seen or even equipped to handle a new situation. The management of like minded officers on the bridge is a far cry from managing hotels, finance, passengers and staff/unions.

[Pennbank]

Cunards Response

Statement from Angus Struthers, Cunard Marketing Director:

'We are very sorry that due to terrible weather conditions Queen Elizabeth was unable to dock in Amsterdam this weekend during her four night cruise. The captain looked at two alternative ports of call which were both unsuitable due to similar weather conditions. Whilst we are so sorry not to have called in Amsterdam the safety of our passengers and ship will not be compromised under any circumstances. We have given guests a gesture of goodwill in the form of on board spend as well as all the usual activities and fine dining as you would expect from Cunard.'

[bobby1119]

A Cunard captain has a dual role. Why do you think he has to go through the nightly ritual that is "the captain's table"? Obviously he has officers who are more than competent to handle the ship in his absence from the bridge.

 

I recall a Pan Am flight back to UK years ago from SF which was delayed until next day due to engine problems. A group of angry passengers were shoutng at staff and things were getting ugly when the pilot appeared. He explained the situation apologised and said he had arraigned hotels for every passenger. Instant calm.

 

What really winds people up is the remote message. No one can ask a question if the captain remains on the bridge.

 

But this a failing on Cunard ships generally. Unless you go to one of the "parties" you can go a full cruise and never set eyes on him. Everyone who ever sailed with P&O captain Hamish Reid would remember his daily morning walk around the ship, chatting to passengers on the way. A remote "this is the captain speaking from the bridge" message is sometimes not good enough.

 

David.

 

Who was the Captain on this cruise, and who was the Hotel Manager? Perhaps I missed the names in this very long thread.

 

I agree with Capnpugwash...Many Cunard captains I've sailed with over the years were always visible, out and about, chatting with passengers and crew...especially Captain Christopher Rynd, Captain Paul Wright, Captain Bernie Warner, Captain Robert Camby.

[Solent Richard]

We have parents on board and they're absolutely livid as they have never been to Amsterdam before and were really looking forward to it. They love cruising with Cunard but not so much that they didn't want to go anywhere. If they'd have wanted ship time alone, they'd have done a transatlantic.

 

They were really looking forward to this and going to Anne Franks' house.

 

Apparently there's going to be another announcement at 4pm ship time, so let's wait and see.

 

There have been a lot of complaints about this - apparently 4 pages long. They're in PG and are gutted that they've pad this sort of money to go on a "ship to nowhere".

 

If anyone hears any more, please post here.

 

And how 'livid' would you have been had there been an 'incident' during the Amsterdam Canal transit?

 

Irrespective of which ship or who the captain is Queen Elizabeth could not get into Amsterdam. The issue was navigating the canal up to Amsterdam.

 

With strong cross winds it's quite easy for a ship to be blown sideways into the side of the canal. As I said earlier on the 'We Are Cunard fanzine, the decision was probably taken out of the Captain's hands by the Port authorities or, had he been on board, the pilot.

 

Incidentally, P&O's Oceana and Adonia were also unable to enter the canal in the last two weeks and they are considerably smaller than Queen Elizabeth.

Meanwhile, its not always easy to arrange an alternative at such short notice.

 

This was, after all, only a 4 day voyage.

[Solent Richard]

Cunards Response

Statement from Angus Struthers, Cunard Marketing Director:

'We are very sorry that due to terrible weather conditions Queen Elizabeth was unable to dock in Amsterdam this weekend during her four night cruise. The captain looked at two alternative ports of call which were both unsuitable due to similar weather conditions. Whilst we are so sorry not to have called in Amsterdam the safety of our passengers and ship will not be compromised under any circumstances. We have given guests a gesture of goodwill in the form of on board spend as well as all the usual activities and fine dining as you would expect from Cunard.'

 

Good afternoon John. I'm one of your 'Rose tinted glasses' Cunarders.

 

See my comment above.

[Solent Richard]

Who was the Captain on this cruise, and who was the Hotel Manager? Perhaps I missed the names in this very long thread.

 

I agree with Capnpugwash...Many Cunard captains I've sailed with over the years were always visible, out and about, chatting with passengers and crew...especially Captain Christopher Rynd, Captain Paul Wright, Captain Bernie Warner, Captain Robert Camby.

 

Captain Alistair Clark.

[DreamingOfSunnyDays]

Who was the Captain on this cruise, and who was the Hotel Manager? Perhaps I missed the names in this very long thread.

 

I agree with Capnpugwash...Many Cunard captains I've sailed with over the years were always visible, out and about, chatting with passengers and crew...especially Captain Christopher Rynd, Captain Paul Wright, Captain Bernie Warner, Captain Robert Camby.

 

Captain Clark.

 

Just my two cents having been on the actual cruise itself.

 

There was no mob mentality but there were a lot of unhappy passengers.

 

Myself and my partner have sent a letter of complaint detailing what we were unhappy about. At NO point were we annoyed about the fact that we couldn't dock, it was how Cunard delt with it.

 

To be honest this was my partners first cruise and I think I might have lost any chance of convincing her to another.

 

A small except of the points we were dissatisfied with were:

 

 

I had booked tickets for 2 people to visit Anne Frank’s house at a cost of £26.78 inc vat that we were therefore unable to use. This is a direct cost to me as a result of not docking

2. As we had already withdrawn Euros for the visit to Amsterdam we paid our card balance with this currency as otherwise it (like the tickets) would be rendered useless. Unfortunately you scandalously have an exchange rate of 0.9 instead of the current rate of 1.22. Again this loss of money is a direct result of being unable to dock and so is an additional cost to us

3. On the 3rd night when we were due to be in Amsterdam there were not enough staff meaning we were waiting 30 minutes at times to be served for a drink – not what we expect from a luxury liner and even more disappointing on a night we were looking forward to so much

4. There was a consistent smell of diesel within the lifts by the front of ship (the closest to our cabin) and at times in the Golden Lion pub making it impossible to stay whether we liked the entertainment or not

5. You docked in Southampton a day early meaning the pre-paid meal in Verandah was subjected to a view of the Southampton ferry terminal and workers with fluorescent jackets and flashing lights. Not what we had in mind for the final night of our cruise and it made a significant impact on our enjoyment

6. We were planning to spend the final evening in the casino, again this was not available due to your decision to dock early for the benefit of the boat rather than your current passengers

7. Your final night entertainment which was supposed to be “enhanced” was in fact a show we had already watched 2 days earlier and quiz in the pub that was so oversubscribed people were sat on the floor

8. Staff by the final day seemed to have lost interest and toilets were left blocked and over flowing – perhaps the passengers frustration led to your team being unwilling to offer the service we had paid for

9. Overall your lack of communication was astounding. We were not kept informed of what you were doing, what to expect or how we should plan our time

[Solent Richard]

A Cunard captain has a dual role. Why do you think he has to go through the nightly ritual that is "the captain's table"? Obviously he has officers who are more than competent to handle the ship in his absence from the bridge.

 

I recall a Pan Am flight back to UK years ago from SF which was delayed until next day due to engine problems. A group of angry passengers were shoutng at staff and things were getting ugly when the pilot appeared. He explained the situation apologised and said he had arraigned hotels for every passenger. Instant calm.

 

What really winds people up is the remote message. No one can ask a question if the captain remains on the bridge.

 

But this a failing on Cunard ships generally. Unless you go to one of the "parties" you can go a full cruise and never set eyes on him. Everyone who ever sailed with P&O captain Hamish Reid would remember his daily morning walk around the ship, chatting to passengers on the way. A remote "this is the captain speaking from the bridge" message is sometimes not good enough.

 

David.

 

LOL.

 

It may be of interest to you that the current Captain of Queen Elizabeth is Captain Alistair Clark who came across to Cunard from P&O where his last appointment was I believe Ventura. Like any other captain he would only miss a port for safety reasons. It should be remembered he has the responsibility for a multi million pound (GBP), or dollars if you prefer, ship and over 2,000 passengers safety.

[Solent Richard]

I have no problem with this at all, but much of what is stated as 'what happened' simply is not true, both by some posters, in the paper articles, and the associated comments. It is one thing to say you are very upset because the stop, the only stop was lost. I have no problem with that.

 

It is another to say no attempt was made to do anything, everyone was cross, the crew didn't care, the crew didn't tell us what was happening, people were staring into space as there was nothing happening and so on. Or that there was some sort of mutiny. I find it extremely irritating. With maybe three exceptions, everyone I spoke to had an attitude of "pragmatic disappointment". The only person who I heard of being genuinely angry I heard second hand from one of the Entertainment staff who was clearly shook up by it.

 

It's my first Cunard cruise, we've previously only done P&O - it was just a very good deal.

 

Well said 'TheManWithTheHat. I agree entirely.

 

Two of my three port cancellations have been with Cunard and each and every time they have been clearly made under safety considerations.

 

The first was at St. Helena in December 2002 0n QE2 and the second on Queen Mary 2 in September 2013 at Elsinore.

[Solent Richard]

From what I know, the whole situation has been badly mis managed by Cunard and the Officers of QE.

No real apology was issued by the Captain until 4pm on Monday, when he mentioned the offer of $75 obc (£49) .The noon broadcast was not even given by the Captain on that day. No Captains Cocktail parties had been held through out the cruise, No offer of a courtesy beverage was offered. The strong smell of fuel on Deck 2 forward was lingering for the cruise. (Was this work cleaning the fuel tanks for 1st January ? ) Many 1st time Cunarders on board will now never use the line again, Ok perhaps some they may not want back.

Some people like sea days others do not.

For some missing a port when on a cruise is no big deal, however not getting into any Port whilst on a cruise and just bobbing along the Channel is different. For all the rose tinted Cunarders , where Cunard can do nothing wrong, wake up! I believe they mucked up this cruise.:eek:

 

A four night cruise with one scheduled port?

 

You need a reality check Johnny boy.

[Solent Richard]

Sensationalist drivel as usual. My goodness people really need to work out priorities!

 

So the ship didn't get to dock in Amsterdam. There are worse things in the world.

 

Obviously I wasn't on board, but I have found Cunard to be pretty good at providing information in the past.

 

When we couldn't dock at Rhodes on my June/July cruise, the Captain informed us over the speakers that she would try a second time but that she couldn't promise we would get in. After the second attempt failed we were informed that alternative arrangements were being considered and that we would be informed within a short while. Within 30 minutes we were told we were going to visit Marmaris in Turkey (about 45 minutes sailing) and that a shore excursion had been arranged.

 

Perhaps it comes down to the PR skills of the Captain? I feel sorry for the Purser's Desk clerks as they have no power whatsoever. It's a shame that some passengers (although the Telegraph made out that it was the Bounty revisited) took it upon themselves to abuse the ordinary crew - its a bit like swearing and carrying on at checkout operators about the prices set by supermarkets!

 

Interestingly, the point was made about people paying 400 GBP for their holiday - what a bargain for 4 days! Maybe that's part of the problem, the riff raft invaded the ship and brought their classlessness with them.

 

Interesting points Austcruiser.

 

The story I liked most was from the couple who claimed to have chosen this 4 night cruise for their honeymoon.

 

So, rather than spending any 'wasted' time window shopping in Amsterdam's Red Light district they could have been tucked up for the afternoon in a lovely Cunard stateroom doing the real thing: and with 'Room Service' just a telephone call away.