Wait Lists for Dining

[akmday10]

I am pleased that you got what you wanted, but it doesn’t change the facts. This is what happened to us. We booked a last minute cruise on a saver fare and were waitlisted for dining. We had a cabin on deck 5. Boarding is done by deck number, the lower your deck, the later you board. Our boarding time was 3.30pm and we were in our cabin before 4pm. We had been allocated second sitting and wanted to move to first so headed straight to the dining room. By the time we got there, the maitre d had been dealing with table requests for almost a hour, so of course first sitting was full. So we asked to be waitlisted and were told that the waitlist is run according to date you booked and the fare paid. Needless to say we didn’t get on to first sitting.

 

Just because you have been lucky doesn’t mean that the system doesn’t exist, many factors come in to play.

 

 

 

As far as I am aware, boarding is done with which Stateroom grade you booked, rather than the deck? Could be wrong!

 

I’m sorry you have had this experience. Obviously first sitting and tables of two are always in high demand!

 

In regards to my experience with the maitre d is that he has a list and once I had put the request in we did not find out straight away, a note was left outside the stateroom by around 5.30pm the day of departure, we have never found out there and then. Could be where the system you have mentioned come into play. Although I am sure they also factor in medical reasons etc.

 

 

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[cruiseluvva]

If booking directly with a cruise line, the person with whom you are dealing works for the company. Your travel agent is working for you. When the cruise line says: "it can't be done" an agent with vast experience and contacts can work wonders. If you shop around for an agency and the most important factor is getting a slightly reduced fare or some OBC this may not matter. But that is not what I value in a travel agent.

 

 

In the 44 years since our first Atlantic crossing we have had only had two travel agents. In addition, it is re-assuring to have a knowledgeable agent to rely on in case of an emergency, especially when abroad. That has never happened, but it does provide peace of mind.

I couldn’t agree more. Our TA is actually a Cruise Specialist, has been cruising herself all her life and has managed to arrange things for us that Cunard claimed to be completely impossible. Not so!

 

We do not get an additional discount, however, what she has done for us over the years overrides a discount and her knowledge of the cruise lines, ships and us is worth far more.

[luckymal]

I am pleased that you got what you wanted, but it doesn’t change the facts. This is what happened to us. We booked a last minute cruise on a saver fare and were waitlisted for dining. We had a cabin on deck 5. Boarding is done by deck number, the lower your deck, the later you board. Our boarding time was 3.30pm and we were in our cabin before 4pm. We had been allocated second sitting and wanted to move to first so headed straight to the dining room. By the time we got there, the maitre d had been dealing with table requests for almost a hour, so of course first sitting was full. So we asked to be waitlisted and were told that the waitlist is run according to date you booked and the fare paid. Needless to say we didn’t get on to first sitting.

Just because you have been lucky doesn’t mean that the system doesn’t exist, many factors come in to play.

 

Why should people who pay the SAVER FARE be given the chance to dine at the time, they would like. They have chosen to pay the SAVER FARE which is many ££££ less than the CUNARD FARE. Which was their choice.😡

[ricki]

I would ask your travel agent to call Cunard and explain that it is medically necessary for you to have a table for 2, early seating. They may require a letter from your physician, but they will honor your request if it is a medical necessity.

 

I am a travel agent and see this type of service as part of my responsibility to my clients.

 

Ricki

[VintageCCG]

If booking directly with a cruise line, the person with whom you are dealing works for the company. Your travel agent is working for you. When the cruise line says: "it can't be done" an agent with vast experience and contacts can work wonders. .

 

I guess David that your statement does not answer my question. All I ever hear is this type of vague cliché rather than actually describing what value they add.

Clearly it works for you, which is fine ... and I have no wish to argue the toss with you. But whenever I have approached a travel agent they have invariably offered me canned packages, and I can find better / more convenient / less expensive arrangements myself with a few hours effort.

At the end of the day, travel agents don't work for free; they work for their commission which comes from the travel industry. They are likely of great aid to folks who are less savvy in researching and booking travel à la carte. But only the company - in this case Cunard - can find a cabin or a table where none was previously available.

What originally prompted my comment was folks asking about services that clearly can be best answered with most authority by the carrier itself; meanwhile many people suggest they ask through their travel agent!

Discussion boards such as cruisecritic (with btw is owned and operated by Expedia in support of their commercial endeavours!) can yield great insights into subtleties as to how policies are applied in real life, and can provide details about "unwritten" protocols beyond what is, well, written. That's why I am here: to learn in advance of my first commercial passenger experience afloat.

But if I want to ask about certain policies or personal accommodations (such as requirements based upon health issues etc), then why would I not start by asking directly from the horse's mouth?? Why ever would I ask through a third party who has no authority from which to speak??

Absolutely no disrespect to yourself or to anybody on this discussion board ... I simply don't understand the logic and I was seeking some enlightenment.

Maybe it is I who is missing some aspect here.

Cheers

[resordanis]

I would ask your travel agent to call Cunard and explain that it is medically necessary for you to have a table for 2, early seating. They may require a letter from your physician, but they will honor your request if it is a medical necessity.

 

I am a travel agent and see this type of service as part of my responsibility to my clients.

 

Ricki

Thank you

[akmday10]

I am pleased that you got what you wanted, but it doesn’t change the facts. This is what happened to us. We booked a last minute cruise on a saver fare and were waitlisted for dining. We had a cabin on deck 5. Boarding is done by deck number, the lower your deck, the later you board. Our boarding time was 3.30pm and we were in our cabin before 4pm. We had been allocated second sitting and wanted to move to first so headed straight to the dining room. By the time we got there, the maitre d had been dealing with table requests for almost a hour, so of course first sitting was full. So we asked to be waitlisted and were told that the waitlist is run according to date you booked and the fare paid. Needless to say we didn’t get on to first sitting.

 

Just because you have been lucky doesn’t mean that the system doesn’t exist, many factors come in to play.

 

 

 

Why should people who pay the SAVER FARE be given the chance to dine at the time, they would like. They have chosen to pay the SAVER FARE which is many ££££ less than the CUNARD FARE. Which was their choice.[emoji35]

 

 

I see it as why should I pay the Cunard Fare when I can pay significantly less with the Saver fare and always get what I want in regards to dining. I see it as a waste to spend on the Cunard Fare if the Saver fare is available. That is my personal opinion linked to my experience. If I was unable to get my dining choice, it’s not the end of the world.

 

 

 

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[resordanis]

 

 

I see it as why should I pay the Cunard Fare when I can pay significantly less with the Saver fare and always get what I want in regards to dining. I see it as a waste to spend on the Cunard Fare if the Saver fare is available. That is my personal opinion linked to my experience. If I was unable to get my dining choice, it’s not the end of the world.

 

 

 

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We only have one fare structure in Australia and unfortunately on a long voyage a particular dining time is important to us.

[akmday10]

 

We only have one fare structure in Australia and unfortunately on a long voyage a particular dining time is important to us.

 

 

 

Yes in the UK we are lucky to have to two options. And I am lucky that the dining options are not a make or break for us. I do hope that you managed to get what you want, I’m sure Cunard will be accommodating.

 

 

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[resordanis]

 

 

 

Yes in the UK we are lucky to have to two options. And I am lucky that the dining options are not a make or break for us. I do hope that you managed to get what you want, I’m sure Cunard will be accommodating.

 

 

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Thank you I am confident it will work out, hopefully shortly!

Edited July 29, 2018 by resordanis
spelling

[warringtonian]

Thank you I am confident it will work out, hopefully shortly!

Like your husband I have hearing problems as I can only hear in one ear. My first time on QM2 was a three week voyage and they put us on a table for 6 in the middle of the Britannia restaurant and refused to move us so I had to stop dining there. Since then we have used Britannia Club where you can dine when you like but more importantly it is much quieter.

[resordanis]

Like your husband I have hearing problems as I can only hear in one ear. My first time on QM2 was a three week voyage and they put us on a table for 6 in the middle of the Britannia restaurant and refused to move us so I had to stop dining there. Since then we have used Britannia Club where you can dine when you like but more importantly it is much quieter.

I guess Brittanna Club is an option, but one I do not feel we will do. A table of 6 is not an option as you have found because I have seen my husband just sit there and look at me for answers. For 18 nights, it will not be a pleasant voyage. Thank you for sharing your views.

[laktex]

I know this is somewhat stating the obvious but if one has specific requirements such as a particular cabin / dining time & location then it is wise to book as early as possible. This applies to whatever grade of travel you are booking especially when it comes to cabin choice.

I guess if the anytime dining appears in the MDR (I really hope not) then the opportunity of tables for two may become more limited.

[resordanis]

I know this is somewhat stating the obvious but if one has specific requirements such as a particular cabin / dining time & location then it is wise to book as early as possible. This applies to whatever grade of travel you are booking especially when it comes to cabin choice.

I guess if the anytime dining appears in the MDR (I really hope not) then the opportunity of tables for two may become more limited.

The voyage is not until April 2019. I do consider that is a while away. I had booked our last cruise 3 weeks out and had no issues. We also hope anytime dining does not happen anytime soon on Cunard as we feel this spoils the dining experience.

[Bedruthen]

I am pleased that you got what you wanted, but it doesn’t change the facts. This is what happened to us. We booked a last minute cruise on a saver fare and were waitlisted for dining. We had a cabin on deck 5. Boarding is done by deck number, the lower your deck, the later you board. Our boarding time was 3.30pm and we were in our cabin before 4pm. We had been allocated second sitting and wanted to move to first so headed straight to the dining room. By the time we got there, the maitre d had been dealing with table requests for almost a hour, so of course first sitting was full. So we asked to be waitlisted and were told that the waitlist is run according to date you booked and the fare paid. Needless to say we didn’t get on to first sitting.

Just because you have been lucky doesn’t mean that the system doesn’t exist, many factors come in to play.

 

Why should people who pay the SAVER FARE be given the chance to dine at the time, they would like. They have chosen to pay the SAVER FARE which is many ££££ less than the CUNARD FARE. Which was their choice.😡

 

 

Not always their choice. Sometimes saver fare is the only one available if you book last minute. But I actually agree with you. If we book saver, we know dining will inevitably be on second sitting and we accept that. On this occasion we tried to switch because we had friends onboard who were on first sitting and they did not want to move to second. My only gripe is that by boarding by deck, some passengers will have no chance of getting moved as they will be onboard too late. And that is unfair.

[MarkBearSF]

Thecontact info is always on the company website.

https://www.cunard.com/contact-us/

 

I don't really understand why people book through travel agents, unless there is a hidden benefit I'm missing. Booking travel directly is typically less expensive and more reliable, albeit sometimesone has to do their own homework rather than paying a third party to do the most fundamental research for them.

Maybe somebody could enlighten me as to what value a travel agent actually offers in making straightforward bookings ...

Best of luck with your enquiries!

Actually, if you did your research on cruise travel agents and pricing you would already know the answer to that question.

 

 

• There is NO promotion that a line offers through its reps that a TA cannot also provide. Period.
  
• TAs can offer benefits that the line does not
  
• Often the phone reps on the other end of the line have never even been on a cruise and are almost always less knowledgeable than a skilled TA
  
• They provide personalized service often at odd hours.
  
• Most importantly - they can stand up for you with a dispute with the line and can use the clout of the agency to be far more effective than you can yourself.
  

Now, if we're talking about an internet discount cruise broker, the picture is different. In that case, the third and fourth factors are not an issue and the final one is perhaps messier. Still, however, there can be savings, so there IS an advantage for many.

 

(Note this is for US passengers - I know the economics and pricing is different in the UK)

[brian1]

The voyage is not until April 2019. I do consider that is a while away. I had booked our last cruise 3 weeks out and had no issues. We also hope anytime dining does not happen anytime soon on Cunard as we feel this spoils the dining experience.

The irony is,that if it did,it would solve your problem.