QM2 not what it is made out to be

[mljatsea]

Thanks for the many posts on this thread. You did a very good job of convincing me not to do a crossing in October.

[eroller]

Thanks for the many posts on this thread. You did a very good job of convincing me not to do a crossing in October.

 

 

 

Well they are not for everyone. If you don’t like the idea of 7-days at sea on a beautiful ocean liner, with lots of tradition and formality it’s best you didn’t book.

[flag fan]

Make no mistake, I love Cunard (as a scan of my past cruises in my sig will verify) but feel that they are in danger. Not only from the aging of their customer base, but from falling behind the competition. No, not in razzle-dazzle, but in other ways.

 

Internet. More lines are offering high-speed Internet. These have also been accompanied with a variety of plans, many not timed. As we all know, that is not the case with Cunard. Improvements have been mentioned with no specifics and no dates. It's not just millennials who are tied to their phones. (Of course, given this platform, I'm clearly preaching to the choir here). It's becoming more common for cruisers to have expectations for something better than two-generations-old connectivity.

 

Related to this, I think every line exceeds Cunard at providing access to reservations and folios and ability to order and manage excursions and dining, before and during the voyage. Literally. I haven't encountered a website which lacks so much information and is so limited in over a decade. Bottom of the pack. Login? Creaky. Advance reservations for excursions, transfers, and dining? Limited. In cabin online reservations? Nope. They certainly must have a review of charges?? No such luck.

Literally, the worst in the industry.

 

What once had been sufficient or even leading (I remember the original QE2 Computer Learning Centre before they could be connected to the Internet or anything else and I went up to the radio room to enter an email on their equipment) - is now woefully out of date. And these aren't frills. They have become expectations.

 

Likewise the food is missing the boat for many. For years, the cuisine was international "country club fancy" dining, as we'd refer to it in the states. And budgets have been shrinking on all lines. In this case, Cunard Britannia is certainly far from the worst amongst its competitors, but Britannia falls short of the consistently luxurious experience that is sold. Perhaps more often a factor of unrealistic expectations, but a cause for disappointment nonetheless.

 

Additionally, today's new passenger profile has different expectations. They like having different experiences and options. With the explosion of food programming and interest in cooking, there's interest in cuisine that goes beyond the old standards. (Dining in foodie San Francisco, I think many restaurant menus come from a "Chopped" mystery basket.) Personally, I found that Celebrity went too far to the trendy in that the best part of some of my meals was the description in the menu. Adding a "Something different" daily dinner option would be helpful for those growing numbers of foodies. On the other end, I think all the other lines offer a standard list of basic items which are always available. Adding these items explicitly to the Britannia menu would help here. (Especially if a new cruiser is feeling "trapped" by fixed dining and few menu choices) I'd also consider adding a truly good burger with good fixins (not the usual preformed patties with a thin slice of pale tomato). Yeah, it's downmarket - but it's also found at some of the top restaurants in New York. I'd also make the alternative dining option more well known. Not only can you not make reservations before boarding, and again, not from the TV either, but if you want to know the schedule for the week, you must chase down the Maitre d' upstairs.

 

Finally, Cunard REALLY needs to step up its presence and interaction with its customers.

 

Note, these are different from the ever-present difficulty reconciling the expectations of ultimate luxury with the reality of being one of 1500 (?) passengers in Britannia - at a per diem of as little as $150. Also none of these suggestions disturbs Cunard's niche and special traditions of formal dress code and fixed dining assignments.

 

I fear that Cunard is sitting on its laurels and has missed how customers have changed and how the rest of the travel and hospitality industry has moved forward and left them behind.

 

Reading the reviews can be enlightening.

 

This was a very well-written post. I agree that Cunard needs to meet changing needs. All cruise lines do. It need not give up what makes it special--tradition and a greater formality than other lines--but does need to constantly improve. There is no excuse for not using modern technology.

[eroller]

This was a very well-written post. I agree that Cunard needs to meet changing needs. All cruise lines do. It need not give up what makes it special--tradition and a greater formality than other lines--but does need to constantly improve. There is no excuse for not using modern technology.

 

 

 

I agree as well. The internet is inexcusable especially when a massive upgrade could have been accomplished during QM2's and QV's recent refurbishments. Having recently sailed on the newest ships of MSC and Royal Caribbean, the differences in technology are abundantly clear. If Cunard is not investing in this technology because they think their current demographic is not interested, they are making a huge mistake. Fast internet and interactive technology is becoming the norm, not the exception. What is interesting is that QM2 had a great interactive TV system (for the time) when she first made her debut. Cunard decided that it was too expensive to maintain, and that their demographic wasn't interested.

 

Regarding dining, I've enjoyed my meals in every category on Cunard. Queens Grill, Princess Grill, Britannia Club, and Britannia. Where Britannia falls short is selection. Every other cruise line has an "always available" selection of favorites in case nothing on the main menu appeals to you. Cunard doesn't do this in Britannia because they use it as a selling point for the Grills and Britannia Club. When pretty much every other cruise line offers such a selection, even in "steerage", it indicates that Cunard needs to step up its game and come up with other selling points for the Grills and Britannia Club.

 

Lastly regarding the Grills, I think Cunard needs to step it up there as well. Many other cruise lines offer a much more inclusive experience when you book a suite. Beverages all around the ship and often times gratuities included. Cunard doesn't unless you happen to catch a special promotion. Drinks should always be included when you book into the Grills. I was impressed by many small touches on a recent cruise in the Yacht Club on MSC. For instance no waiting in line with everyone else to go through security in the terminal. They met you outside the terminal and escorted you through, to a private check-in area. Even in various ports of call there would be one of the Butler's outside the gangway holding a Yacht Club sign to whisk you back on the ship. On final debarkation, we were able to enjoy breakfast and then when we were ready to debark, a butler escorted us on a direct elevator to the gangway area then off the ship. It was the personal touch I was most impressed with. You could even select your newspaper of choice, which was printed daily onboard and delivered to your suite each morning. Nice touch.

 

So I would love to see Cunard step up its game a bit, but I don't want them to go overboard. I fear to gain market-share they will eventually take drastic measures to appeal to the masses, especially with a new ship on the way. I'm talking about open sitting dining and dumbing down the dress code, the two biggest obstacles why people don't sail Cunard. I'll be very disappointed if they do this, as then Cunard will be no different than the 30 other cruise lines out there. There are plenty of other cruise lines that offer casual dress and open dining. What makes Cunard special is its tradition, formality, and structure. It's an old-school way of cruising. I realize that has limited appeal but I hope there are enough of us out there that enjoy it to keep it going.

[Pavovsky]

Cunard does not have to change much. Just to continue to deliver what it does well and improve a few things it does not.

 

The main dining room was better than azamara and celebrity in my opinion

 

Service was as good - could be better but the maitre d knew his dining room.

 

Drinks were better than the other lines - celebrity refused to make a real line margarita. Cunard not only did this but had limes squeezed and ready for the next evening.

 

The music on Cunard - fantastic pianists - was better than on any other line.

 

The cabin was clean and tidy and the attendant was super polite.

 

Was not a fan of the pub and some of the activities but there were plenty more things we did like.

 

In summary - Yes tweak a few things to make it better but don’t throw the baby out with the bath water trying to dumb down and be all things to all people.

 

 

 

 

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[Underwatr]

I'll toss out some experiences from another line (surprise - it's Holland America - but I mentally took notes comparing the experience with Cunard).

 

Here's what I can do via a phone/computer and WiFi on a HAL ship:

• Review my detailed portfolio for charges
  
• Verify expected onboard credit has been applied
  
• Look at scheduled events for the day and future days
  
• Review main restaurant dinner menu (this wasn't always available as early as I would have liked).
  
• Review and book available shore excursions
  
• Review menus and book alternative dining
  
• Read the complete NY Times online edition (including my crossword subscription)
  
• Send and receive messages to/from other passengers
  

All of the above is available without the clock running on a timed internet package.

[seaventurer]

I haven't see a responsive (mobile) web site / ap from Cunard yet. When you check out the CUNARD web site on your phone, it's a desktop version.

 

Honestly.

 

Don't let this comment fool you. I too hope CUNARD tweaks what's right, and gets rid of what's not (which is very little.)

Just booked QM2 TA 11.04.18. Hoping for rough seas - the only way to cross.

 

SV

[eroller]

I'll toss out some experiences from another line (surprise - it's Holland America - but I mentally took notes comparing the experience with Cunard).

 

Here's what I can do via a phone/computer and WiFi on a HAL ship:

• Review my detailed portfolio for charges
  
• Verify expected onboard credit has been applied
  
• Look at scheduled events for the day and future days
  
• Review main restaurant dinner menu (this wasn't always available as early as I would have liked).
  
• Review and book available shore excursions
  
• Review menus and book alternative dining
  
• Read the complete NY Times online edition (including my crossword subscription)
  
• Send and receive messages to/from other passengers
  

All of the above is available without the clock running on a timed internet package.

 

 

 

Pretty standard stuff to be honest. Princess, Celebrity, Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Azamara, NCL, Disney, MSC, Crystal, etc. all offer similar services through their smartphone apps, dedicated intranet site, or interactive TV/Info screens.

 

 

Cunard is really behind the curve. If pax on HAL appreciate it, surely they will on Cunard as well. I usually consider HAL to have one of the highest age demographics in the cruise industry, even higher than Cunard. I think Cunard would be surprised how just how many of their older demographic would appreciate such services. And fast internet too ... please! The internet on QM2 was like the dial-up I had 20 years ago. Pathetic, even by ship standards.

[Underwatr]

Faster internet would be nice but most of what I accessed on the HAL ship was unaffected by satellite speeds (I'm not sure whether the ship was caching any of the NY Times content locally but some/most of it was served by the satellite connection).

[eroller]

Faster internet would be nice but most of what I accessed on the HAL ship was unaffected by satellite speeds (I'm not sure whether the ship was caching any of the NY Times content locally but some/most of it was served by the satellite connection).

 

 

Yes because all those services use the intranet within the ship and not external internet. But I'm a person who enjoys staying connected even while on a cruise, and reliable and even fast internet is now available at sea and many cruise lines offer it. Not Cunard. Royal Caribbean's VOOM is the best I've experienced. It was like being at home, that fast. I could even sit in bed in my cabin and FaceTime with my husband and friends at home. It was awesome. Many of these cruise lines (including Royal Caribbean) have also gone with unlimited packages that are reasonably priced so you can always stay connected. Talk about a win win. Faster internet and cheaper pricing. None of this watching the minutes tick away on Cunard because of super slow internet and package prices that have not kept up with the times.

[eroller]

 

Drinks were better than the other lines - celebrity refused to make a real line margarita. Cunard not only did this but had limes squeezed and ready for the next evening.

 

 

 

I'm surprised the read this part. I thought drinks on Cunard were weak and overpriced. No free pour like I've experienced on Celebrity, Royal Caribbean, and other lines ... and the only line I've ever sailed that charges separately for the alcohol, then another charge for the mixer. The end result is a higher price for a cocktail than I've paid on probably any other line except Oceania.

[Pavovsky]

I'm surprised the read this part. I thought drinks on Cunard were weak and overpriced. No free pour like I've experienced on Celebrity, Royal Caribbean, and other lines ... and the only line I've ever sailed that charges separately for the alcohol, then another charge for the mixer. The end result is a higher price for a cocktail than I've paid on probably any other line except Oceania.

 

 

 

More alcohol does not make a better drink, in fact the opposite in many cases. But from looking at the boards for the various lines, there are various complaints with alcohol policies and particularly recent changes.

 

Anyway, I thought that the wine packages were decent value. Some drinks more expensive than land, others similar but that comes down to where you live. But the fresh lime for the margarita was a nice surprise - previously this was refused on celebrity - the bartender laughed when asked. Maybe were were lucky on qm2 and unluckily on Celebrity.

 

Best measures and prices we have experienced was on Star Clippers (15 euro a bottle of house wine and 5 euro for a generous measures of good rum) but the cruise fares are more expensive.

 

 

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Edited March 17, 2018 by Pavovsky

[eroller]

More alcohol does not make a better drink, in fact the opposite in many cases.

 

 

 

Perhaps, but for someone who is used to a decent pour of a basic mixed drink, which is generally what I like, I found the pour on Cunard generally insufficient compared to the mixer. In most cases it felt like I was drinking the mixer with no alcohol. I know in Europe things are different than the US, and a measured pour is truly regulated and measured. Not so here where a free pour is generally the norm. On most lines I've sailed, the bartenders will use the measure but then pour a bit extra in. Not so on Cunard, at least not recently. I've been sailing on Cunard many years and the stinginess with pours, as well as the higher drink prices, and the separating of charges for mixers and alcohol is all relatively recent. I would say it started with QM2's major refit. On some other posts it was suggested this is the way it is on P&O, and since they share the same management I can understand some overlap, but I certainly don't want Cunard to become another P&O.

 

Will it stop me from sailing on Cunard? Absolutely not. I love Cunard and especially QM2 but I'm not loyal to them. I sail on all cruise lines and enjoy the variety. It's just one of the those things I have found to be superior on most of the other lines I have sailed. I'm also not a big drinker and rarely drink at home, but on a cruise I find it enjoyable and sociable and do like a decent drink, especially when I'm paying $12-$13 for basic cocktail.

[Pavovsky]

Fair enough on all that.

 

 

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[Kynance]

Regarding some of the recent postings about the selections in the Britannia dining room and Cunard's on board digital services, I completely agree. It was something I mentioned on the questionnaire after my fjords cruise last July and in the subsequent online survey I was sent. In my view, the poor digital offering and reliance on paper based communication channels whilst on Cunard ships, is the one thing I think is truly woeful. I see passengers of all ages using smart phones and tablets so there is certainly no argument to be made that Cunard passengers are not tech savvy. Addressing this issue, is for me, the one area where Cunard definitely needs to improve.

[warringtonian]

I was once in the Grills Lounge and mentioned to the waiter that I fancied a margarita but that they tended to be very weak on cruise ships but he promised me a real one and it was.

[david,Mississauga]

I'll toss out some experiences from another line (surprise - it's Holland America - but I mentally took notes comparing the experience with Cunard).

 

Here's what I can do via a phone/computer and WiFi on a HAL ship:

 

• Review my detailed portfolio for charges
  
• Verify expected onboard credit has been applied
  
• Look at scheduled events for the day and future days
  
• Review main restaurant dinner menu (this wasn't always available as early as I would have liked).
  
• Review and book available shore excursions
  
• Review menus and book alternative dining
  
• Read the complete NY Times online edition (including my crossword subscription)
  
• Send and receive messages to/from other passengers
  

All of the above is available without the clock running on a timed internet package.

No doubt these things are important to a lot of people - and yes, I would avail myself of some of them - but it takes way more than that to impress me about a ship.

 

We found HAL's food was all right at best and inedible at worst, except in the extra-charge Pinnacle Grill. The benefits of a suite (other than no-charge laundry and dry cleaning) were not up to what other lines offer, especially Cunard. The cost of a Neptune Suite is often similar to Cunard's Princess or even Queen's Grill fares. Suite passengers can have breakfast in the Grill on many - but not all - of the ships and that is the only dining benefit. As I mentioned in another post: generally, HAL's entertainment is geared to those who are fond of over-amplified pop/blues. On our Alaska cruise the violin/piano duet was the only exception. There were rumours of a pianist in a small lounge but that was closed for private functions or otherwise closed every time we went to it. Lectures/talks were only about shopping in Alaska except for the day we were in Glacier Bay. As for formal nights (now called gala) baseball caps and T-shirts were acceptable in the main dining room.

 

 

I agree that Cunard should improve their technology to compete with other lines and give passengers what they have come to expect. But there are far more important aspects of the cruise/crossing experience that makes Cunard special.

[Aspidestra99]

No doubt these things are important to a lot of people - and yes, I would avail myself of some of them - but it takes way more than that to impress me about a ship.

 

We found HAL's food was all right at best and inedible at worst, except in the extra-charge Pinnacle Grill. The benefits of a suite (other than no-charge laundry and dry cleaning) were not up to what other lines offer, especially Cunard. The cost of a Neptune Suite is often similar to Cunard's Princess or even Queen's Grill fares. Suite passengers can have breakfast in the Grill on many - but not all - of the ships and that is the only dining benefit. As I mentioned in another post: generally, HAL's entertainment is geared to those who are fond of over-amplified pop/blues. On our Alaska cruise the violin/piano duet was the only exception. There were rumours of a pianist in a small lounge but that was closed for private functions or otherwise closed every time we went to it. Lectures/talks were only about shopping in Alaska except for the day we were in Glacier Bay. As for formal nights (now called gala) baseball caps and T-shirts were acceptable in the main dining room.

 

 

I agree that Cunard should improve their technology to compete with other lines and give passengers what they have come to expect. But there are far more important aspects of the cruise/crossing experience that makes Cunard special.

Our cruise later this year will be our first and we chose carefully.

 

I am looking forward to availing myself of the wonderful library and reading a book on deck with a margarita to hand.

 

Learning to play bridge, hitting the gym with its panoramic ocean view, the spa, visiting places I've never been and meeting fellow travellers, learning things I don't know and enjoying the night life.

 

I am ecstatic that the internet is a bit flaky as it reduces the temptation to stay 'connected' to work.

 

If it's good enough to keep in touch with home that's enough for me.

 

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[Underwatr]

Yeah, just pointing out what's easily accomplished, not arguing one line's total experience over another.

 

We found ourselves ordering from HAL's "always available" options (Caesar salad, French onion soup, salmon or steak) more often than we'd ever need to on Cunard.

[BA001]

The TA we have always enjoyed is the final Eastbound crossing of the year before the World Cruise commences in Soton.

Normally leaving NYC 3rd January, its nicknamed the 'winter crossing club" from the legacy of QE2's Winter Crossing Club days.

On this TA back to the UK we invariably see familiar faces and high proportion of Diamond and Platinum World Club members who have flown out to NYC at the start of the new year to return home on this TA.

I mention this specific TA because it is attached to the Christmas Voyage, with QM2 having returned previously from the Caribbean.

Every time we have joined the ship in NYC we have seen and heard a variety of stories mainly from the crew about the atmosphere on QM2 and how it changes on that last 7 days back to the uk.

Obviously people new to Cunard, family groups, young adult families etc look to book the Christmas Caribbean voyage becasue it allows families to escape the clutches of Winter etc. It also allows people to relax and enjoy themselves, yes a party atmosphere is encouraged apparently.

The 3rd January is normally when the schools in the UK start the new term so a lot of guests fly home to avoid the potential bad weather en-route home (although bizarrely one year we had snow, sea fog, then brilliant warm sunshine for 4 days before returning back to winter conditions in UK waters)

Now the reason I mention this is of course the best gossip can be found in the laundrette and often we hear guest's opinions on the long 26 Soton-NYC-Carribean-NYC-Soton voyage.

Families falling out with each other, arguments in the dinning room and children/young adults (16+) wandering the corridors of the ship desperately bored. Its not uncommon to hear that some of the guests had a wonderful trip but the final 7 days make it too long and they wish they had left the QM2 in NYC.

My thoughts are that the ship really isn't designed for the Caribbean combined with lots of families, young adults, children etc.

The reason Cunard send QM2 down there is that it books out every year and the cost of the basic balcony can be £4,000 per person which essentially means its a very profitable voyage for Cunard.

 

Now getting back to the original thread, we all know that QM2 has made money for Cunard/Carnival and continues to do so at quite a rate. I would just like to see more of this money invested back into the ship, its catering and her onboard facilities which would invariably mean loyal Cunarders booking repeat voyages and not being tempted by the array of new cruise companies who are looking to grab the higher end premium traffic, it might also mean QM2 has another 25+ years of service...who knows ... we can all wish

[LB_NJ]

I'm surprised the read this part. I thought drinks on Cunard were weak and overpriced. No free pour like I've experienced on Celebrity, Royal Caribbean, and other lines ... and the only line I've ever sailed that charges separately for the alcohol, then another charge for the mixer. The end result is a higher price for a cocktail than I've paid on probably any other line except Oceania.

 

 

I have a cruise booked for this summer (July 4) on the QM2 so I hope it is worth it (minimum balcony is $300 pp/day).

 

However I was on Crown Princess in January and tried the margaritas. Price was ok however the worst margarita I ever had. They used sour mix and it was terrible. My wife didn't finish hers. Otherwise the ship was fine at $100pp/day for an inside cabin. After my cruise on the QM2 I'll be able to compare the 2 ships.

[frankp01]

I always agreed with you, Pepper. The QM2 was the best ship I ever sailed upon. My husband and I sailed last Christmas and I have to tell you we were very disappointed. Something has changed. The food was one of the worst I ever experienced on any ship and i have sailed on many cruise ships over the years. As far as the QM2 being a sick ship, at Christmas time a horrible cough and cold seemed to be everywhere. Even the crew was ill. I cannot tell you the exact number of ill passengers, but after the third day I spent the entire cruise in my cabin. i am not certain if it was the flu but everywhere I turned passengers were coughing. I missed many dinners and did not disembark at any time until New York. My husband caught it from me but did not seem as debilitated as I was. We loved the QM2. The crew is the best, the service is wonderful, but it isn't what it used to be.

We were aboard from 8 December to 22 December 2017. I don't recall any illness among our fellow passengers at all. And there was perfect silence during the classical performances (Benjamin Makisi, the Pianist, etc.) Two of the four at our table were new to Cunard. They raved the entire time about the service, food, and entertainment. I do find it fascinating that folks can share the same experience and come away with such disparate impressions!

 

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[BobBranst]

We were aboard from 8 December to 22 December 2017. I don't recall any illness among our fellow passengers at all. And there was perfect silence during the classical performances (Benjamin Makisi, the Pianist, etc.) Two of the four at our table were new to Cunard. They raved the entire time about the service, food, and entertainment. I do find it fascinating that folks can share the same experience and come away with such disparate impressions!

We were also on board QM2 from 8 December until 22 December and had exactly the same experience. However, from what I gather here, it was the next cruise/crossing that most are complaining about rather than the one we were on.

[ElaineKeagy]

Some people just aren’t a good fit for some cruise lines. OP does not fit the Cunard demographic and she needs to move on. I know I’m not a good fit for the demographics of Carnival and some of the mega ships, so I don’t book with them. You have to recognize your shortcomings and limitations.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[Covepointcruiser]

I find it surprising that so many think the missed drinks are too weak on the QM2. We had the various drinks in the Commodore Club, our favorite spot on the ship. The drinks were most often too strong. When asked for a drink with less alcohol I was told they could not reduce the standard pour. I had to leave a few drinks untouched as they were much too strong.