BigMac1953

It should be a tux or dinner suit, but with so many trying to drag down the dress code, they've made concessions. As I have stated previously, the Cunard dress code is the MINIMUM not the target. In QG on a Gala night almost all men are in tux/dinner suit, and on Smart nights it's mostly still jackets. You can never be overdressed but enjoy yourself too!

It can be very much hit and miss. As mentioned above, put it on your Roll Call to establish interest. Traditionally, meets are held on first sea day, either at 11:00am or 2:00pm, in the Commodore Club, port side. You will get no help from anyone. I've been to a few that were quite well attended. Similarly, I've been to a few, when despite many responding on the Roll Call site only two or three turned up. With so much going on, people simply forget. Good luck.

Surely not a Pilot Boat? They're not equipped for MEDEVAC. Not an RNLI lifeboat perhaps? We've watched a Pilot Boat bring out a stranded (late) passenger at a Spanish port. At the time the charge for that was €500.

Thanks, but I was specifically referring to a transatlantic crossing. It's not the evacuation that you have to worry about, it's the on-going and aftercare. Plus the repatriation costs.

Isn't US/Canadian/British Coastguard free of charge?

With three trips booked, I certainly hope it looks better in real life when we get on board. Pics almost look depressing.

White shirts, formal shirts and polos all go to the laundry 3 or 4 at a time. Occasionally trousers/chinos get sent as well but only if her indoors has spilt something on them. The "smalls" get chucked into a wash machine on way to breakfast and get picked up on the way back. No way she's going to wash and iron on holiday.

Actually, I much preferred Cunard's old policy when they used to state that "passengers should drink in moderation at all times". Now that was a green light for the party to start at the breakfast table and continue all day.

as well as a glass of wine with each meal Don't you get funny looks at breakfast?

Strange. I've always been in senior business management. Our H & S people used to tell us never to use that word over the PA system. We had a notice permanently displayed at the microphone which was to be read over the PA in an emergency, viz: "Ladies and gentlemen, your attention please. It is necessary to evacuate the premises for a short period. Please leave by the nearest exit." The 1929 Glen cinema disaster in Paisley, near Glasgow, was always quoted. 71 children died when somebody shouted "FIRE" and there was a stampede to the exits, which were locked. There was no fire.

The only place I've ever seen boisterous children is at the Pavilion Pool. Apart from that, never noticed children about the ships.

The crew fire alert on Cunard ships was always "assessment party to deck...." However, more recently, at 8:15 am one morning whilst at breakfast, the announcement was "fire in electrical cabinet, stairway B deck 2" and it was real! It was quite surprising to actually hear "fire" as it used to be recommended that it should not be mentioned to avoid panic.

Friends of ours swear by Azamara, the main reason is because the trips they go on are always port intensive with almost no sea days. They also tell us the there is little entertainment, but they are happy doing nothing. On the other hand, we like trips that are 50/50 sea days and ports. We enjoy all the activities and entertainment on Cunard and like #Victoria2, we've found a product we like so no intention of switching.

We were a minute later with the same agent.

Point No 1: If tipping individually, don't forget the Maitre d', the Head Waiter, the Chef(s), the KP's, the Hotel Room Supervisor, the Deck Manager. We find it easier just to pay the daily charge. We might even add a bit here and there for excellent service.