Cunard Queen Victoria Review - Greek Isles July 2017

[SonofTertius]

thanks Hattie - exactly what i was thinking as i reached not just for a grain of salt but rather the whole cellar.

 

 

 

Unless Cunard makes some long overdue changes, you'd probably have to take that cellar of salt with you for the next journey.

[ToadOfToadHall]

All SoT has done is highlight some of the areas that could be improved and point out the faux sophistication that the adverts of Cunard like to suggest.

 

This is spot on.

 

Having been 5 times now on Cunard I've come to the conclusion that it is faux, not real somehow, and all a bit of an act, a pretense.

 

Now I don't know whether it's always been like that, and it's changed recently, or if I've only just clocked it.

[SonofTertius]

This is spot on.

 

 

 

Having been 5 times now on Cunard I've come to the conclusion that it is faux, not real somehow, and all a bit of an act, a pretense.

 

 

 

Now I don't know whether it's always been like that, and it's changed recently, or if I've only just clocked it.

 

 

 

A Disney Line. Almost identical [emoji6] Although, you'd be certain to get better service on Disney.

 

[Trevor Fountain]

A Disney Line. Almost identical [emoji6] Although, you'd be certain to get better service on Disney.

 

The only thing that is almost identical is the direction they are travelling.

[Host Hattie]

Maybe he is just calling a spade a spade and telling it like he saw it.

 

Possibly, but when this single comment

 

To be honest it's beyond me why they even put TV's in cabins. I'd be pretty sad going away and spending time watching tv.

 

is reimagined as this

 

When I mentioned it in a Cunard thread some of the diehard Cunarders lost it - some of them even suggested that they should petition to have TV's completely removed from the cabins

 

I have some difficulty taking all his comments too seriously. There are some valid comments in there but it all gets a bit lost in the mix.

Edited July 30, 2017 by Host Hattie

[sogne]

thanks Hattie - exactly what i was thinking as i reached not just for a grain of salt but rather the whole cellar.

 

 

perhaps the OP could a brief description of the style of cruise ship he would prefer, their ambience, daily activities , entertainment food etc, for what its worth the Cunard brand suits us fine, recently been on a competitor inundated with non stop canned loud music in public areas, constant announcements encouraging you to attend this or that event aimed at parting you from your money etc I go cruising for relaxation I do not drink alcohol or wine ( my recent retired employment would have resulted in instant dismissal if I failed a stringent breath test before going on duty, this weaned off my wilder younger days) so that particular moan does not apply, neither do I bother with the shows, prefer a walk round deck after dinner

[cruiseluvva]

A Disney Line. Almost identical [emoji6] Although, you'd be certain to get better service on Disney.

 

I find that hard to believe. The service we have had on all of our Cunard cruises, has been exceptionally good. Or maybe we have just been lucky - every time!

[SonofTertius]

[emoji52]

[SonofTertius]

Possibly, but when this single comment

 

 

 

is reimagined as this

 

 

 

I have some difficulty taking all his comments too seriously. There are some valid comments in there but it all gets a bit lost in the mix.

 

 

 

Hattie please check again. The 2 comments you have quoted are from 2 different people; I'm not Trevor Fountain. I am Son of Tertius - all FOR TV's and, would even say that I'm a bit of a TV addict.

[Glenndale]

Possibly, but when this comment

 

Originally posted by Trevor Fountain To be honest it's beyond me why they even put TV's in cabins. I'd be pretty sad going away and spending time watching tv.

 

 

is reimagined as this

When I mentioned it in a Cunard thread some of the diehard Cunarders lost it - some of them even suggested that they should petition to have TV's completely removed from the cabins

 

 

I have some difficulty taking all his comments too seriously. There are some valid comments in there but it all gets a bit lost in the mix.

Hattie, to single out one comment, which could be interpreted as 'tongue in cheek', is maybe missing the point, although you did concede there are some 'valid comments'. The OP has made many valid observations.

Cunard is not a premium line (maybe in the past it was), it is a mass market line and on a downward trend, observed, by myself, over 19 years.

It is just just such a shame that many Cunard diehards see it as a personal attack.

I know what to expect from Cunard and will no doubt still take the occasional cruise with them, but with eyes open and not looking through 'rose tinted spectacles'.

[Host Hattie]

Hattie please check again. The 2 comments you have quoted are from 2 different people; I'm not Trevor Fountain. I am Son of Tertius - all FOR TV's and, would even say that I'm a bit of a TV addict.

I'll refresh your memory, your quote is in this thread on the Carnival board

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2525170

 

Trevor's was the closest I could find to your memory of what had happened on this board. Please help me find the comments about petitions for removing of televisions.

[SonofTertius]

I'll refresh your memory, your quote is in this thread on the Carnival board

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2525170

 

Trevor's was the closest I could find to your memory of what had happened on this board. Please help me find the comments about petitions for removing of televisions.

 

 

 

I have never petitioned to remove televisions Hattie. If you have proof, please produce it. I feel you are actively attempting to discredit my review. Let the people decide for themselves please. This is not North Korea.

[Host Hattie]

I have never petitioned to remove televisions Hattie. If you have proof, please produce it. I feel you are actively attempting to discredit my review. Let the people decide for themselves please. This is not North Korea.

OK, I'll try again. This is what you posted on a Carnival thread, link above

 

"When I mentioned it in a Cunard thread some of the diehard Cunarders lost it - some of them even suggested that they should petition to have TV's completely removed from the cabins"

 

Please tell me which Cunard thread this happened ? I have not been able to find it.

[SonofTertius]

Ah now is see. I misunderstood. Reimagined! Sorry I'm a littler slow this morning after the receiving threats from fellow passengers via Twitter.

 

Yes Hattie. I twisted the sentence and added a bit of colour for dramatic effect but, the essence of the meaning is that Trevor doesn't want a TV in the cabin.

 

If people will feel better about themselves I'd happily say that my review is all based on lies and that you'll all have a fabulous time.

[SonofTertius]

OK, I'll try again. This is what you posted on a Carnival thread, link above

 

"When I mentioned it in a Cunard thread some of the diehard Cunarders lost it - some of them even suggested that they should petition to have TV's completely removed from the cabins"

 

Please tell me which Cunard thread this happened ? I have not been able to find it.

 

 

 

It didn't happen. I reimagined someone's comment who said he didn't understand why cabins have TV's in. Hands up, I added colour for dramatic effect but, the bottom line of the comment is still true.

[SonofTertius]

Hattie, to single out one comment, which could be interpreted as 'tongue in cheek', is maybe missing the point, although you did concede there are some 'valid comments'. The OP has made many valid observations.

 

Cunard is not a premium line (maybe in the past it was), it is a mass market line and on a downward trend, observed, by myself, over 19 years.

 

It is just just such a shame that many Cunard diehards see it as a personal attack.

 

I know what to expect from Cunard and will no doubt still take the occasional cruise with them, but with eyes open and not looking through 'rose tinted spectacles'.

 

 

 

Thank you Glenndale. Yes, it was tongue in cheek. My observations might have added colour and hopefully people are able to see that in essence, Cunard is a product which is in decline based on the serious failings in their service and attitude towards Cruisers who are perhaps not emotionally involved with the brand in such a way that they'll protect it no matter what.

Edited July 30, 2017 by SonofTertius

[Host Hattie]

Glad we cleared that up and I'm sorry to hear about the Twitter threats. That seems very bizarre.

 

I hope it doesn't stop you posting your final installment.

[SonofTertius]

If you have enjoyed reading MY observations, please stay tuned for the final instalment of my QV Cunard 7 day cruise review. It will cover the following subjects:

Pool Decks

Ship Shops

Greek & Albanian Ports

The Overall Ambiance (through MY eyes)

My Overall Conclusion of The QV & Cunard

 

 

 

Many thanks for reading so far.

[SonofTertius]

Glad we cleared that up and I'm sorry to hear about the Twitter threats. That seems very bizarre.

 

I hope it doesn't stop you posting your final installment.

 

 

 

What and miss all this excitement?! Never. I now only wish that y'all were on this boring cruise with me. It would have been anarchy [emoji6]

[2irisheyes]

I've never been to a show or talk on Cunard which lasted two hours. Shows are usually around 45 minutes and the talks much the same. I can only assume I didn't attend the same venues but then the Cunard ships are quite large - I must have missed them.

 

Having recently travelled on a RCI ship I think that line might be more your cup of tea.

 

I found your thread amusing in the beginning but now it has become rather repetitive and boring - a trait I thought you didn't like. Happy cruising.

[SonofTertius]

I've never been to a show or talk on Cunard which lasted two hours. Shows are usually around 45 minutes and the talks much the same. I can only assume I didn't attend the same venues but then the Cunard ships are quite large - I must have missed them.

 

 

 

Having recently travelled on a RCI ship I think that line might be more your cup of tea.

 

 

 

I found your thread amusing in the beginning but now it has become rather repetitive and boring - a trait I thought you didn't like. Happy cruising.

 

 

 

Thank you for your comments. Enjoy Cunard.

[SonofTertius]

perhaps the OP could a brief description of the style of cruise ship he would prefer, their ambience, daily activities , entertainment food etc, for what its worth the Cunard brand suits us fine, recently been on a competitor inundated with non stop canned loud music in public areas, constant announcements encouraging you to attend this or that event aimed at parting you from your money etc I go cruising for relaxation I do not drink alcohol or wine ( my recent retired employment would have resulted in instant dismissal if I failed a stringent breath test before going on duty, this weaned off my wilder younger days) so that particular moan does not apply, neither do I bother with the shows, prefer a walk round deck after dinner

 

 

 

Each to his own. Enjoy Cunard. I didn't.

[nellydean]

SoT, as we have already 'touched based' (HATE that expression, but seems appropriate :)) in the Roll Call, I hope you don't mind me putting my thoughts into your thread, rather than starting one of my own.

 

Husband and I sailed on this ship for two weeks, July 8-22nd, so were onboard same time as you.

 

I won't go into as much detail as you have - and in such a witty, well-written way - but just set out our experience of the QV.

 

1/ Fully agree with you on the dining in the Britannia, except the bit where you say service was good. Well, it was good in a way, that is, efficient, but not in terms of interaction and friendliness, which are just as important to us.

 

Our head waiter was the most unfriendly of any of the wait teams we have met on our 14 or 15 cruises to date. We obviously got off to a bad start with him on the first evening, as we dared to request when we could expect our starter 45 minutes after arriving. It wouldn't have been so bad, but the huge table of 12 next to us had arrived after us, and had all been served.

 

The next evening, we asked if we could be served first (we arrived first again so were not asking to queue jump), as we wanted to go to the show (we were so late the previous night we missed it - at 10.30pm). I also had cause to send back a fish dish another evening, as it smelled and tasted off, but he tried to persuade me to have something completely different, as he didn't think I would like it if I hadn't liked the previous one! I insisted it was the state of the fish, not the dish, that was at fault, and insisted on having the same dish and it was fine. But he treated me as if I didn't know what I was talking about.

 

Thereafter, service was efficient, but there was no interaction with him, he refused to call us by our first names, as he did the couple sitting less than 2 feet away from us, and spent far more time laughing and joking with them, it made us feel uncomfortable, to be honest. Despite this, at the end of the cruise, we shook his hand and thanked him, but there was nothing there, just the cold eyes of a shark.

 

We ate dinner in the Lido a few times, mainly because of being tired after long days, as I had bought a lot of new clothes for the restaurant and was determined to wear them but, to be honest, that head waiter spoiled our dining experience to large degree, and we did complain about him in our questionnaire.

 

We made the best of it, but his coldness towards us, and marked interaction with the other couple, and other diners, made us feel less valued as customers (don't know if it also had something to do with the fact the other couple were gold members and this was classed as our first - even though we've sailed Cunard before), but it was shameful.

 

The food in the dining room was OK, but not a patch on that in the Lido.

 

 

2/ Drinks ultra expensive, tours expensive and not all good value, internet very expensive, as expected, and not very good.

 

 

3/ We don't like kids running up and down corridors late at night and, admittedly, it was just before the UK schools broke up, but it would have been nice to see a few more in evidence, to counter the deathly hallows atmosphere of evenings. We ate late and would finish off each evening (after a show, drink or casino) with a short stroll/sit down on the prom deck, but we were always the only ones there - apart from one night when a female security guard eyed us suspiciously (probably because it was after midnight and we should have been in bed, and probably also to stop people leaping off the side, because they could take no more! :D).

 

 

4/ The ship is very beautiful, with a lot of potential, but under used, in my opinion. The atrium area, normally a hub of activity and/or eating places on other cruise ships, housed only the tour info and pursers' desks, so there was never anything happening there and seemed like a wasted space.

 

 

5/ The new alfresco dining didn't seem to work either, it took the couple next to us almost a fortnight to be able to eat there, as there was not enough take-up in interest, most likely due to the cost, while the extended Lido pool area looked very nice, but the shades over it kept very little of the hot sun off it, so it wasn't the nice shady area I thought it would be for me, as a pale-skinned redheaded Northern lass now living in exile in the Midlands.

 

6/ Dressing up: A lot of the (almost exclusively black, be warned) dresses worn by the ladies on formal nights were absolutely beautiful, but also I have absolutely no idea where they bought them from, as they were not in any of the High Street stores or internet sites that I saw, which led me to believe they were wearing custom-made, high-end couture designer gowns (the table of 12 next to us were all immaculately synchronised in their dresser every one of the four formals we endured, which was a bit alarming and took me right back to those glorious Downton Abbey occasions we all saw and loved, but never dreamed we would be party to!).

 

7/ Evening life onboard was generally dull for us, as we didn't do ballroom dancing or enjoy listening to classical music every night (we always escaped to the Yacht Club for some disco music late at night), however, I can see the appeal for those who do enjoy those activities, and also painting etc. I attended one talk, on tv medical dramas, which was a nightmare for the presenter as he couldn't get Cunard's equipment to work but, give him his due, he was entertaining and droll enough to carry it though (no-one walked!).

 

8/ The snobbery level surprised us, given that the ship was sailing the Med and, that, apart from the two upper tiers of suites, which had their own decks, so we never saw them (proper Titanic stuff) most of them were in the same level as us (balcony) or lower. The Brits were the largest group, but the second largest, the Aussies, surprised us even more, as they were some of the worst snobbery and one-upmanship offenders. Not just the Antipodeans, though, in Athens airport, going home, one Londoner, when we were talking about the dearth of young people onboard, reassured me that there would be more from now on but, no worry for passengers, as they would be public school children!

 

 

Still, you live and learn, and we've learned we shan't be cruising with Cunard again. Which is a shame, and should also be a worry for Cunard, because what happens when the older generation (we are low 60s so not as old as most of the cruisers onboard) have gone? Are they not going to adapt to a younger generation, persisting in trying to attract a certain type of cruiser happy to adhere to their stringent, archaic, rules?

 

 

Anyway, that's for Cunard to solve.

 

We still enjoyed our holiday, as we picked QV for the itinerary, and we spent a LOT of money, but Cunard will be getting no more.

[luckymal]

:')

They can enforce away Hattie. I've enforced my business to another line. I wouldn't have minded if the service fell into place with the dress code - it didn't. They are trying for Downton Abbey but all they achieve is Keeping Up Appearances.

 

I feel sorry for the company you will be cruising with, Cunard can not be that bad, they have a lot of sold out cruises.:')

[nellydean]

:')

 

I feel sorry for the company you will be cruising with, Cunard can not be that bad, they have a lot of sold out cruises.:')

 

Maybe we were both just unlucky in our timing to sail but, I can assure you, it was that bad.

 

Cruises are subjective, and I have already said in my post that the ship WILL suit some people but, in terms of service, friendliness, quality of food (dining room) and value for money, it's the worst we've experienced. We sailed on QM2 in her inaugural year and, although there was an element of snobbery among the passengers, everything about the ship was top-notch.

Edited July 30, 2017 by nellydean