Spa Reservation vs. Confirmation on QM2

[MalibuCA]

My husband and I are taking a transatlantic on the QM2 in May.  This is our first Cunard sailing.  We are extremely experienced cruisers most of which have been with Crystal.  I have made my advance spa reservations for our cruise, but I was quite surprised when Canyon Ranch informed me that the reservation/"request" is not confirmed until I embark the ship because "there may not be a technician available at the time you are requesting," and Canyon Ranch "does not want to be liable for that situation."  Whenever I have booked an advanced online spa appointment on other cruise ships, the reservation is immediately confirmed and secured for me when I arrive on the ship.  For those of you very savvy and experienced Cunard passengers, what is your experience with spa reservations vs. confirmations on board?  Are reservations honored and confirmed accordingly on board?  Or have you found that when you embark the ship you have either no confirmed reservation or a different substitute time for your reservation?  Can I depend on the reservation that I made to be confirmed?

Thanks,

Shelley

[Bigmike911]

I have found the best way to deal with Canyon Ranch, is to visit their desk on embarkation day (7 deck forward port side)and make the spa bookings you want for the balance of the voyage. Canyon Ranch tends to be one of the less friendly parts of the ship and as they are not part of Cunard but are a 'leased' operation there is apparently little control by Cunard. Some of the techs are excellent others not so much. Please don't let their attitude put you off on the voyage as everything else is excellent. 

Edited March 28, 2019 by Bigmike911

[MalibuCA]

Thank you, Bigmike911.  Not a great endorsement for Canyon Ranch, but my phone calls with them left me without a warm cozy feeling as well.  I guess I've been grandly initiated to what you describe.  If the passengers visit the Spa on embarkation, does that create a long line of people waiting to make appointments, or does it move quickly?  The only appointments that I am trying to secure during the crossing are a manicure and pedicure.  Any particular techs that you could recommend?  Thanks again for your advice.

Shelley

 

[Bigmike911]

1 hour ago, MalibuCA said:

Thank you, Bigmike911.  Not a great endorsement for Canyon Ranch, but my phone calls with them left me without a warm cozy feeling as well.  I guess I've been grandly initiated to what you describe.  If the passengers visit the Spa on embarkation, does that create a long line of people waiting to make appointments, or does it move quickly?  The only appointments that I am trying to secure during the crossing are a manicure and pedicure.  Any particular techs that you could recommend?  Thanks again for your advice.

Shelley

 

Shelley, There generally isn't a long line at the reception area if you get there early, If you are a Grills customer, you will board early, and once settled into your suite, you can drop by before lunch. I generally get only the gentlemen' manicure, and every time I have sailed there is a whole new crew, so there is no one I could recommend. The manicurists have all seemed competent and follow the same procedures. I got a men's haircut one crossing and it was just o.k.  Another time I had a men's facial which was o.k, except it finished with a sales pitch for their skin products which I had no interest in. 

[MalibuCA]

Thanks again, Bigmike 911, for your helpful information.  We are in Queens Grill, so I will head to the spa asap when we board.  I must say that you impress me with your daring to get a haircut on the ship.  I've had hair color (that I bring from my hairdresser at home!) applied in the spa on the Crystal ships, and they've done a fine job, but I don't think I'd have the courage for a haircut.  I usually ask for my bangs to be trimmed, but the last time . . . let's just say it took about two months for them to grow back properly!  I think, however, that a mani/pedi is very safe.  I couldn't agree with you more on the "push" to purchase products.  Totally turns me off.  I'm packing everything I need in the way of products!

 

I have another question for you regarding boarding time.  We have been given an embarkation time of 12:30 pm, which is the earliest they are allowing anyone onto the ship (according to our paperwork).  In your experience, does Cunard begin embarkation close to the designated paperwork time?  Should we arrive earlier?   Any chance of embarking earlier?

 

Thanks so much for your help.  It's very much appreciated!

Shelley

[Bell Boy]

Shelly, Check-in and Embarkation are two separate procedures, yes you can arrive early and as soon as the desks are open you could probably get your check-in procedures completed, However, you'll then be directed to the Grills & Diamond waiting area/lounge (Brooklyn only)  and await the call for embarkation.

 

For Spa treatments;  do check out the 'embarkation day specials and deals.'   

Edited March 29, 2019 by Bell Boy

[Bigmike911]

12 hours ago, MalibuCA said:

Thanks again, Bigmike 911, for your helpful information.  We are in Queens Grill, so I will head to the spa asap when we board.  I must say that you impress me with your daring to get a haircut on the ship.  I've had hair color (that I bring from my hairdresser at home!) applied in the spa on the Crystal ships, and they've done a fine job, but I don't think I'd have the courage for a haircut.  I usually ask for my bangs to be trimmed, but the last time . . . let's just say it took about two months for them to grow back properly!  I think, however, that a mani/pedi is very safe.  I couldn't agree with you more on the "push" to purchase products.  Totally turns me off.  I'm packing everything I need in the way of products!

 

I have another question for you regarding boarding time.  We have been given an embarkation time of 12:30 pm, which is the earliest they are allowing anyone onto the ship (according to our paperwork).  In your experience, does Cunard begin embarkation close to the designated paperwork time?  Should we arrive earlier?   Any chance of embarking earlier?

 

Thanks so much for your help.  It's very much appreciated!

Shelley

I usually travel westbound. I take the 9 am train from Waterloo getting into Southampton Central at about 10:30 go to the terminal, check in, get my boarding card and documents, and wait for what seems a few minutes. Then I proceed through security, and board. I am usually aboard before noon. If you are in a Q4 or above, you will be escorted aboard by a lad wearing a bell boy uniform and you will board with the very first group. 

 

My practice is to unload my roll aboard, and then go to lunch in the QG which opens at 1 pm. I usually have time for a bloody mary in the QG lounge opposite before. The QG is on deck 7 mid/aft. You can stroll through the Kings Court, and the Carinthina Lounge forward and you will be at the Canyon Ranch Reception. After lunch the rest of your bags will have been delivered to the suite and you can go about organizing yourself for the voyage. Next event is the muster drill about 4 pm, and then sail away to dream land. Enjoy. 

[MalibuCA]

Thank you, Bigmike911.  You have provided me with really valuable information.  I feel that I know what we can expect in both the spa and embarkation.  You sure have this cruise line figured out!  Thank you!

Shelley

[Bigmike911]

6 hours ago, MalibuCA said:

Thank you, Bigmike911.  You have provided me with really valuable information.  I feel that I know what we can expect in both the spa and embarkation.  You sure have this cruise line figured out!  Thank you!

Shelley

Well after 16 voyages, most of them QM2 I should have, but from time to time posters on this forum up date me. I love QM2, she is an ocean liner from the old school, and I think that is grand. I try to do a crossing every other year, I am retired and it takes a lot of dividends and oil royalty income to allow me to afford a solo Q4 with out cheating my offspring of their inheritance. On the off years I do an advance First BA RT to London to shop and see friends.

[MalibuCA]

Sounds like you're treating yourself well in retirement, Bigmike911!  That's so important.  We, too, are retired, and our policy has been to do all we can before we can't.  So far, it's working for us.  We have cruised many times, also, and if you have any questions about Crystal, I can probably give you plenty of answers.  We are really looking forward to our first Cunard cruise.  We chose the crossing because it easily transports us to Great Britain without the long, long, long red-eye flights from Los Angeles to London.  I'm definitely over those!  New York and London are two of our very favorite cities, so it makes sense to spend a week in NY, cruise the QM2 for a week, and then, complete our "favorites" with nine days in London.  I'm really looking forward to cross the sea on the QM2!!!  It can't come soon enough!