Is Cunard going to be mass market?

[Chuck & Phyllis]

We booked her (QM2) for a Caribbean 8 night. Since then, they are running specials at $999 inside, $1299 outside, $1499 balcony (7 night). Today we received a coupon in a brochure for an upgrade from an outside to a balcony, which if it included our cruise, would have saved us $275. All Caribbean cruises (8 night), except our cruise, as it would happen, were included. We've paid more on Carnival for a similar itinerary in balcony cabins than the prices of these specials being offered now. Opinions?

[lknick]

Mass market? It's a done deal!

[JDMOR]

Was on the 9/29 Splendors of the Fall QM2 cruise and would like to advise that QM2 Britannia Restaurant class is already very "Mass Market". Also, in comparing it to our July transatlantic on HAL Rotterdam, Cunard has a way to go to achieve the quality of even HAL mass market cruises. QM2 restaurant service was uneven at best and the food medicore to good compared to the HAL experience.

[mtbny7]

Although I have not yet had a "bad" moment on QE 2 (I have not been on QM2) in 15 voyages; I do think Cunard is going "mass market".

 

Several people I know in "the biz" say that Cunard is moving toward attacting new business and trimming back the attention/perks given toward repeaters. Also, in my brief "cruising life" Cunard has moved from big NYC office to small NYC office to FLA to CA... and each time getting more and more "swallowed up" by another company.

 

I really think that they are making money (great for stockholders) and running good prices (great for first-time cruisers & the casual / "Sandals" set) but not good for me. After the QE 2 goes to the scrapyard (which will be WAY before 2010 Solas rules force her to... the "new" Cuanrd will not keep her around) I don't think I'll be a QM 2 / Queen Victoria passenger (aside from the occasional crosssing on QM2 for transportation.

 

Michael

NYC

[seacruise9]

I am a big Cunard fan (six sailings on QE2, one sailing on Vistafjord, one sailing on Sagafjord, and one sailing on QM2), but must admit that the line is becoming mass market. I think it was a mistake to have the QM2 do an entire series of ordinary seven-day Caribbean cruises from Ft. Lauderdale. At least the ship is scheduled to do interesting cruises (around South America, Hawaii, etc.) next winter. During my QM2 cruise in May, the food and service in the dining room were no better than the food and service that I experienced aboard Royal Caribbean in August.

 

Unfortunately, it seems that a large ship like the QM2 must become mass market to achieve high occupancy levels. The days of Cunard operating luxury ships such as the Vistafjord, Sagafjord, and Royal Viking Sun seem to be long gone.

 

Personally, I prefer the QE2 over the QM2. My next cruise will be on the QE2 in May 2005.

[Jeanne S]

Seacruise, last May on QM2 I had similar thoughts about RCCL. Britannia DR seemed identical to that on the Radiance Class ships. Indeed, we found the food on QM2 to be as mediocre as on Serenade of the Seas (but at least this ship when only weeks old had its service act together).

 

Agree with everything you wrote Michael.

[Jeanne S]

Chuck and Phyliss, did you also receive the free upgrade to P class when booking any balcony cabin on a Carib cruise next year?

[carlmm]

On my last cruise I talked to a Cunard representative about some developments that many repeaters found sad: single seating only in Grill Class, no single cabins, less formal nights, acceptance of passengers not following the dress code, worse food, simpler service, less personal attention, charging for some things previously included and so on.

The reply was straight forward: I know. But they are not the customers we go for. We target new customers, a new market.

[Chuck & Phyllis]

Chuck and Phyliss, did you also receive the free upgrade to P class when booking any balcony cabin on a Carib cruise next year?

No, we didn't Jeanne. There was no such promotion for our cruise. All the other 7 & 8 day Caribbean cruises seem to have some kind of promotion going on except ours, the last one for the Spring season:(

[seacruise9]

Hi Jeanne,

 

It is interesting that you feel the same way about the QM2's dining room compared to Royal Caribbean. The Royal Caribbean ship that I cruised aboard in August was the Serenade of the Seas (to Alaska). Actually, the Serenade was much better managed (and maintained) than the QM2. Of course, the prices were much more reasonable on the Serenade (a balcony cabin on the Serenade was priced the same as an inside cabin on my QM2 cruise). Cunard has placed luxury items aboard the QM2 (Wedgwood china, etc.), but fails to deliver a luxury product. The QM2 feels much more like a mass-market cruise ship than a true Cunarder. Oh well, I guess this progress.

[JPEvans]

If the QM2 is "mass market" she's the most wonderful "mass market" thing out there. I sailed on the Tandem Crossing, and I'm still in awe every time I think about that departure on the evening of April 25th. It was just spectactular!!! I fell in love with the Queen Mary 2. I booked the March 9th cruise from NYC. I can't wait to board her again. I'm not sure why some people freak out when they talk about "mass market" Most all of the ships we cruise are "mass market". The one's that are not, from Seabourne, Silversea, Windstar, and a couple others, most of us can't afford them. I know I can't. Is it possible some people think they are superior if they look down on the QM2 or anything that has to do with Carnival. Kinda like some people view of America. There are people who cry with all their might how bad the USA is, but still live here. I think the same thinking (on a smaller scale) takes place in the cruising world.

 

Just a thought

 

J.P.

[Jeanne S]

Seacruise 9 – I did say that the service was good on Serenade of the Seas – that they had their act together. The ship was only in service for about six weeks yet the service was flawless. It was the food that was mediocre though. I loved this ship and found it to be the most beautiful cruise ship I have ever been on. We were in a D Balcony room – larger size and we loved it. Those glass elevators are fantastic; the captain was like Captain Steubing is that he was all over the boat talking up passengers. We had very rough seas off of Halifax and we trying to avoid the wake of Hurricane Juan (a cat 2 hit on Halifax Sept 2003), so he made this announcement no high heels for the ladies and actually went on deck and went up to 2 women in pumps and said” ladies, p—l-e—a-s-e” - had a steward bring them disposable slippers to wear back to their cabin to change shoes.

 

Agree with your assessment of Serenade and RCCL.

 

Chuck and Phyllis:

 

I received the Upgrade to Princess for purchasing a balcony and Queens Grill for purchasing a P cat about 3-4 weeks before the promotion you mention came. I think it was for Cunard Golden and Platinum members. Am going to book a PG cat next year as this will probably be my only opportunity to sail in QG. The deadline is November 30th and they enclose a coupon that you have to give to your travel agent or mail to Cunard with final payment upfront. I take approx five cruises a year and if I booked QG could only be able to sail once per year – not enough. This is for Caribbean sailings January-April 2005. So if one was sailing in say January or Feb – final payment would be due anyway ay this time. I think it is a great deal.

 

Carlmn – was told the same thing by Cunard

 

JP Evans – take a look at Radisson’s two for one offers as well as there very low single supplements. We sailed on the Navigator in a balcony suite with everything included, for what one would pay in the highest Mauretania cabin for the same # of days on QE2. I think you would be pleasantly surprised by what this line has to offer as some sailings are most affordable. We paid $1,900 all inclusive, tax, port fees and insurance also included and were upgraded as first time sailor’s five categories.

[lknick]

I'm not sure why some people freak out when they talk about "mass market" Most all of the ships we cruise are "mass market". The one's that are not, from Seabourne, Silversea, Windstar, and a couple others, most of us can't afford them.

Here we have perceptions at work.

 

My QM2 crossing for 6 days in late June with an inside cabin cost just about the same as my Crystal balcony 10 day cruise. Service levels are not comparable. Actually, my QM2 experience was not even comparable to HAL and about the same as Carnival Legend.

[Jeanne S]

Hi lknick! We sailed on the Carnival Legend two weekends ago out of NYC on a 2 days Cruise to nowhere. What I found interesting was that Lobster was served (and it was tender, succulent) for the Captains Gala Dinner (which was also the Farewell Dinner)! On our QM2 3 day CTNW no lobster was served, nor was it on the 4 day July 4th cruise according to my TA.

 

I must say we were treated well by Carnival (the only problem was embarkation and disembarkation – were in a suite and there was no Skippers Club so we has the usual Ellis Island experience of 4 long lines). Everyone on that ship went out of their way to be personable and helpful. The casino is run as a smaller Vegas one would be – great attention given to those lower rollers. The Golden Fleece alternative dining room was one of the best dinners at sea I can remember.

 

I had a wonderful time on this cruise as we did on a 5 day Canada cruise on the Triumph in 2002. The food was quite good.

[BorderLady]

Is QM2 mass market? Of course it is!

 

Do the math...how can you fill a ship 52 weeks of the year with 2612 "discerning" passengers? There simply aren't that many out there.

 

Those travelers will continue to use the full 6-star lines, content to pay more (most of the time) in order to come home happy with their cruising experience.

[seacruise9]

My QM2 crossing for 6 days in late June with an inside cabin cost just about the same as my Crystal balcony 10 day cruise. Service levels are not comparable. Actually, my QM2 experience was not even comparable to HAL and about the same as Carnival Legend.

 

This is my point. I have done three cruises on the Crystal Harmony that were less expensive per day than my cruise on the QM2 (in an inside cabin). The food, service, entertainment, etc. were much better on Crystal. For the inflated price that I paid for my inside cabin on the QM2, I expected much better food and service in the dining room.

[Jeanne S]

seacruise9 - does Crystal ever sail RT from NYC? My aunt tells me this is in her opinion the very best line as far as service and cuisine go.

[Chuck & Phyllis]

Chuck and Phyllis:

 

I received the Upgrade to Princess for purchasing a balcony and Queens Grill for purchasing a P cat about 3-4 weeks before the promotion you mention came. I think it was for Cunard Golden and Platinum members. Am going to book a PG cat next year as this will probably be my only opportunity to sail in QG. The deadline is November 30th and they enclose a coupon that you have to give to your travel agent or mail to Cunard with final payment upfront. I take approx five cruises a year and if I booked QG could only be able to sail once per year – not enough. This is for Caribbean sailings January-April 2005. So if one was sailing in say January or Feb – final payment would be due anyway ay this time. I think it is a great deal.

Jeanne,

 

We received a coupon for every cruise from January till March of '05, but it did not include our sailing on April 2.:mad: The brochure included April 2, but the coupon omitted it.:rolleyes: It wouild have been a $300 savings for two as it was for our cat B5 booking a C2. Makes us wonder if they knew we were already booked. But then why send us a coupon?:confused:

[seacruise9]

Jeanne S,

 

I agree with your aunt. Crystal is wonderful! I have cruised with most of the major cruise lines (Celebrity, Crystal, Cunard, Holland America, NCL, Princess, and Royal Caribbean) (a total of 44 cruises) and like Crystal the best.

 

For 2005, Crystal has only one cruise that sails roundtrip from New York: The Crystal Symphony departs on a seven-day cruise on October 9 to Boston, Bar Harbor, Halifax, and Newport. Also, the Symphony will do three 11-day cruises in September and October between New York and Montreal.

[mtbny7]

Remember when they were expensive? They were great but it was hard to "fly" all the time.

 

Now airfare is SO CHEAP but the service is "dicey" at best... and I fly all the time.

 

Most crusie lines went this route... and I took advantage and try to cruise/cross all the time... I never would've been able to afford "First Class" i.e. Caronia/Grills on QE 2 in the 1970's but now I can...

 

So, it is a Catch-22.

 

My vote? Raise the prices by $500 per person and make it "better".

 

 

Michael

NYC

[Jeanne S]

Chuck and Phyllis

 

I have with me the same coupon that you are referring to and it does not list 4/2/04, however, the upgrade coupon for the grills promotion does. One would think that the 3/25/04 might be the more popular one and not neeed this promotion as it is at Easter vacation time.

[Jeanne S]

We paid a small fortune to cross and sail first class in the 70's. I remember when the airfare in 1976 dollars RT to Fort Lauderdale was $168 - almost my weekly take home pay for my first job out of college. But that was a great flight - champange flowed freely!

[Chuck & Phyllis]

Chuck and Phyllis

 

I have with me the same coupon that you are referring to and it does not list 4/2/04, however, the upgrade coupon for the grills promotion does. One would think that the 3/25/04 might be the more popular one and not neeed this promotion as it is at Easter vacation time.

Jeanne,

 

We never received that coupon. Maybe as you said, it probably went to past passengers. This is our first Cunard cruise. We booked this last May. It's OK though, we're really excited about sailing her.:p

 

On another note, we could have sailed the Raddison Seven Seas in a balcony suite for an 8 day Bermuda for the same price we're paying on Cunard. :rolleyes: That's why it's kind of disappointing to hear about the specials we can't get.:mad: However, gotta pay if we wanna play and gotta sail her at least once.:)

[marco]

I agree with mtbny7, charge a little more, make it a little "better".

 

Cruise lines don't agree, especially those that have been "Carnivalized". Such a lage percentage of people have never cruised, so lets offer dirt cheap deals, an "addequate" and sometimes "mediocre" product, nickel and dime them once they're on so that their on board spending far exceeds the cruise fare, but the only thing they'll remember was that the 7 day cruise "only" cost $599.

 

The base per diem fare for a cruise on almost any line is the same or less than it was 20 years ago but what you spend ON the ship is WAY more. Most of what you spend on a ship now either used to be included or was considerably less expensive than it is now in relative dollars.

[Jeanne S]

The promotion that you received was for those who had already booked a cruise or been on one. It actually came for my frined Emily whose WC stuff comes to my home as Cunard never got her address right. She only sailed once.

 

What I received (P and Q upgrade) wass for those who have sailed two or more times - Gold Status.

 

And on Radisson you would have been in a suite with a walk in closet and everything included! So when the booze, tips and other stuff one does not to pay for is factored in Radisson is even a better value.