MERGED: 2023 Full Schedule Announcement

[Reggiefan]

I have seen on the Cunard website a few cruises on the QM2 through May 2023. I was wondering when Cunard is likely to announce the rest of its 2023 schedule.

[bluemarble]

That's a timely question since Cunard traditionally announces their Summer/Autumn schedules about now. But that announcement was delayed until November last year and it's possible it will be delayed this year as well. We are also awaiting the announcement of what QM2 will be doing until December 13th for her "initial few voyages to sail closer to home."

 

For reference, here are the dates Cunard has announced their Summer/Autumn schedules the past few years.

 

Summer/Autumn voyage schedule announcement dates
2022: November 5, 2020
2021: September 17, 2019 (except QE Alaska)
2020: September 13, 2018 (except QE Alaska)
2019: September 5, 2017 (except QE Alaska)
2018: September 6, 2016

 

QE Alaska voyage schedule announcement dates
2022: November 5, 2020
2021: December 12, 2019
2020: December 20, 2018
2019: October 23, 2017

[Reggiefan]

Bluemarble, thank you for your very informative response. One can understand in late 2020 the delay in announcing future voyage dates because 2020 was the first year of the Covid pandemic. Based on the historical data, it seems that the full 2023 schedule should be announced very shortly, perhaps in the next week. But I was wondering whether anyone speaking with a travel agent or Cunard representative has any additional information on what the date might be.

[Reggiefan]

Bluemarble nailed it. I was told that the schedule will be released in November.

[sogne]

On 9/13/2021 at 11:35 AM, Reggiefan said:

Bluemarble nailed it. I was told that the schedule will be released in November.

confirmed by WC rep on board yesterday  (15th) as we booked another cruise for this Nov

[majortom10]

Anyone got any latest idea when 2023 summer programme will be released for sale.

[Reggiefan]

I am not sure why the delay, but it appears that the announcing of the 2023 schedule is four to five weeks away. The current status of the Covid pandemic should have little bearing on a 2023 schedule. But for whatever reason, Cunard is waiting to disclose its full 2023 schedule.

 

[Windsurfboy]

I think I remember  a thread when Bluemarble gave the historic times  as Nov 5th for the launch of the year after next cruises. Has anyone heard anything from Cunard or a TA.

[showingdiva]

Nothing, and probably won't be until P&O have opened theirs on the 9th (being the same parent company, same UK call centre and there appears to be people transferring cruises / using up FCC).   Frustrating, as would like to see QM2's itineraries before I commit to a little extra with P&O.

[majortom10]

Very frustrated as was going to book 2 cruises in Princess Grill whilst onboard QE next week so had the benefit of extra OBC but isnt going to happen now.

Edited October 27, 2021 by majortom10

[0493669935]

I just contacted my PCS at Cunard to make enquiries about a 2023 transatlantic voyage and was told the following "The 2023 release is going to be done next year. We have no date at this time......"

[Windsurfboy]

1 hour ago, 0493669935 said:

I just contacted my PCS at Cunard to make enquiries about a 2023 transatlantic voyage and was told the following "The 2023 release is going to be done next year. We have no date at this time......"

 

If they wait till next year then a lot of people will  book on other lines. Only people with FCC and die hard Cunard fans will be left. But that may be enough. 

[majortom10]

With the late release of 2023 programme we shall not be booking any cruises with Cunard at all for that year and I am sure I will not be the only one especially as they have stopped selling FCD's.

Edited October 27, 2021 by majortom10

[SummmerInKefalonia]

2 hours ago, 0493669935 said:

I just contacted my PCS at Cunard to make enquiries about a 2023 transatlantic voyage and was told the following "The 2023 release is going to be done next year. We have no date at this time......"

When was this translatlantic you asked for?

Maybe they release summer 2023 this November and fall/winter 23/24 early next year.

[0493669935]

6 minutes ago, SummmerInKefalonia said:

When was this translatlantic you asked for?

Maybe they release summer 2023 this November and fall/winter 23/24 early next year.

It was a general question  "Could you advise when the 2023 Transatlantic voyages will be available?" I received the above response.

[showingdiva]

I've just had a reply from Cunard to confirm the release of Summer 2023  will "likely now be early next year".  I wonder if it being held to coincide with the new ship?

[PORT ROYAL]

23 minutes ago, showingdiva said:

I've just had a reply from Cunard to confirm the release of Summer 2023  will "likely now be early next year".  I wonder if it being held to coincide with the new ship?

If so, then it could be cost effective for many to take a short QM in January 2022 to book all their 2023/4 cruises.  5% release booking discount, Cunard Fare OBC, Future Cruise book onboard OBC etc.

 

Edited October 28, 2021 by PORT ROYAL
Cunard fare

[Reggiefan]

This should be happening very shortly, perhaps in the next week. Has anyone heard anything?

[Host Hattie]

10 minutes ago, Reggiefan said:

This should be happening very shortly, perhaps in the next week. Has anyone heard anything?

I've merged the threads on this subject, recent posts suggest the announcement has been delayed until next year.

[Windsurfboy]

We can only wait and see. 

 

I wonder how many people are like us. Book cruises well in advance then plan other holidays around cruises, we may end up planning cruises around other holidays.  

 

It seems strange that in response to the pandemic many other cruise lines are tempting people with 2023 or even 2024 schedules before now. However given the rescheduled 2022 cruises Cunard perhaps couldn't handle a 2023 launch at same time. 

[Reggiefan]

Has any reason been offered for the delay? We are talking about a release for the year 2023. Surely, enough time has passed for Cunard to get its 2023 plans in order. 

[majortom10]

I think the delay is due to the fact that by Summer 2023 the new Cunard ship will be built and sailing so Cunard want to make a big announcement of the name of the new ship before they release 2023.

[Windsurfboy]

If it's logistics and call handlers causing blockages,  then perhaps they could restrict telephone  bookings. Online or via TA (Who have their own online systems) only.

[majortom10]

Carnival UK who deal with both Cunard and P&O are very short of call handlers that is why the response by phone for Customer Services is appalling and has been for some time. During Covid Carnival UK made over 400 redundancies from the staff at head office in Southampton. They are apparently currently training new staff to be call handlers as we speak and as the same call handlers deal with P&O and Cunard  bookings and P&O have already announced their release of 2023 Summer they have not got the capacity to do Cunard 2023 Summer release at the same time.

[majortom10]

5 minutes ago, Windsurfboy said:

If it's logistics and call handlers causing blockages,  then perhaps they could restrict telephone  bookings. Online or via TA (Who have their own online systems) only.

That is then punishing people who want to book direct and do not have online capability so have to rely on booking by phone.