13th Cunard voyage? Lucky or Unlucky?

My husband and I just returned from our 12th Cunard voyage—the “Short Break” (5 nights) on the QM2—NY to Halifax and back.

We choose to travel with Cunard for many reasons, and have always thought it magical in so many ways. Most of you on this forum feel the same way, so no need to get into details on why we have loved the ships. But, boy, was this not the case a couple of weeks ago.

Traveling in Queens Grill, as we have many times on all three ships, was a disappointment—from unimaginative—and just plain unappetizing--dining (including cold food, forgotten food, undercooked food), to hurried waitstaff, to a nearly invisible butler, to paired down amenities at every turn, to a ship badly in need of refurbishment (which I know is coming next year).

You know that pit you get in your stomach the night you get back to your room and the luggage “mat” is on the bed? This time, that mat was our friend—it meant we were heading home.

So now we have a great dilemma. We are booked on the QE next summer for 14 days--our 13th Cunard voyage. In QG, that’s really a lot of money. Would you give Cunard another chance, or jump ship? We both work very hard to be able to afford our Cunard vacations (yes, we are not retired folk). I can’t imagine spending so much time and money on another dud.

Sorry to hear your Cunard experience included so many major flaws!

We (cheerfully) travel in steerage and typically are very satisfied with the value and service for costs. I can understand that one has greater expectations in a QG stateroom. I sympathize with your feelings of disappointment…

I do not mean to imply that you are overly fussy or that your disappointment isn't well founded. But, could you focus more on the travel aspect of your next voyage or on the interesting people you have the opportunity to meet or the adventure of seeing distant ports?

Life doesn't always give us guarantees. And, sometimes we do have to (nicely) ask for corrections or send food back to the kitchen. If these things ruin the experience for you, maybe you should reconsider your booking… It would be a shame for you to come home disappointed, again.

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To be able to travel on a Cunard ship for your 13th cruise should make you feel lucky. I have lost count of how many Cunard cruises that I have been on. I just know that I am Diamond, which is over 150 days.

Each of those days has been a memorable day. Wake up to see the sea (sometimes it is a new port), I have just had a comfortable sleep with nice linen. Off to a nice breakfast to start the day. Many enjoyable things to do during the day. Then after a fun day, maybe I just sat on deck all day relaxing or was busy around or off the ship, I can shower and get dressed up for dinner. There is always a show, or music or something going on around the ship.

I know this is not what you asked, but this is what a day on a Cunard ship means to me.

I was recently on Queen Victoria (regular balcony) and when my entre was delivered to the table, the waiter would always use napkin to handle the plate and let me know that it was hot. Which it always was. The food was always delicious. The table mates were fun to talk to. Every day was enjoyable.

I am not sure why people want to travel in the Grills. When the majority of people are on a Cunard ship, they do not even think of the Grills. The regular passengers are treated very well in my opinion. Maybe you should try being a regular passenger on a Cunard ship. You might like it. The cabins might be a bit smaller, but during a few days holiday, you should be able to manage.

Maybe you will be my table mate the next cruise. Oh, by the way, the best table mates are not those who repeatedly talk and brag about the places that they have been.

Maybe that does not answer your question OP, but I just had to vent.

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My husband and I just returned from our 12th Cunard voyage—the “Short Break” (5 nights) on the QM2—NY to Halifax and back. ... So now we have a great dilemma. We are booked on the QE next summer for 14 days--our 13th Cunard voyage. ... Would you give Cunard another chance, or jump ship? ... I can’t imagine spending so much time and money on another dud.

Go for it, don't change a thing :)

You've had eleven "magical" voyages with Cunard, but sadly, unfortunately, number 12, a short five-day trip, was below standard in some areas.

That doesn't mean that cruise number thirteen will be! Don't let one poor experience put you off something you clearly enjoy, remember all the previous great times and be positive about next summer and QE (a lovely ship IMHO, I'm sure you agree?).

Have the most wonderful time, a huge Bon Voyage from me! :)

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To be able to travel on a Cunard ship for your 13th cruise should make you feel lucky. I have lost count of how many Cunard cruises that I have been on. I just know that I am Diamond, which is over 150 days.

 

Each of those days has been a memorable day. Wake up to see the sea (sometimes it is a new port), I have just had a comfortable sleep with nice linen. Off to a nice breakfast to start the day. Many enjoyable things to do during the day. Then after a fun day, maybe I just sat on deck all day relaxing or was busy around or off the ship, I can shower and get dressed up for dinner. There is always a show, or music or something going on around the ship.

 

I know this is not what you asked, but this is what a day on a Cunard ship means to me.

 

I was recently on Queen Victoria (regular balcony) and when my entre was delivered to the table, the waiter would always use napkin to handle the plate and let me know that it was hot. Which it always was. The food was always delicious. The table mates were fun to talk to. Every day was enjoyable.

 

I am not sure why people want to travel in the Grills. When the majority of people are on a Cunard ship, they do not even think of the Grills. The regular passengers are treated very well in my opinion. Maybe you should try being a regular passenger on a Cunard ship. You might like it. The cabins might be a bit smaller, but during a few days holiday, you should be able to manage.

 

Maybe you will be my table mate the next cruise. Oh, by the way, the best table mates are not those who repeatedly talk and brag about the places that they have been.

 

Maybe that does not answer your question OP, but I just had to vent.

 

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oceansandseas---I would consider myself fortunate to have you as a tablemate! You have summed up a number of the joys DH and have have experienced, at sea, with Cunard! What pleasant dinner-time conversations we could have!

Hi Ballater,

 

Go for it, don't change a thing :)

 

You've had eleven "magical" voyages with Cunard, but sadly, unfortunately, number 12, a short five-day trip, was below standard in some areas.

 

That doesn't mean that cruise number thirteen will be! Don't let one poor experience put you off something you clearly enjoy, remember all the previous great times and be positive about next summer and QE (a lovely ship IMHO, I'm sure you agree?).

 

Have the most wonderful time, a huge Bon Voyage from me! :)

Thank you, Pepper, for answering in the manner in which the question was asked. Very much appreciated, and I hope to meet you on one of our next voyages. Your rational response has made a difference.

I don't know what the magic number is, but often shorter voyages leave the staff feeling rushed and the experience suffers. 5 days may not be enough to expect that, but it is a possibility. It could also be the luck of the draw with the individuals who served you that time. I've had a bad FIRST voyage which has put me off from cruising with a line again but with 11 good ones I'd give the line another chance.

I'm expecting a bit of bad luck with my 13th as it will be my first January crossing. Still, I'll be on board QV the same day for number 14.

Roy

I don't know what the magic number is, but often shorter voyages leave the staff feeling rushed and the experience suffers. 5 days may not be enough to expect that, but it is a possibility. It could also be the luck of the draw with the individuals who served you that time. I've had a bad FIRST voyage which has put me off from cruising with a line again but with 11 good ones I'd give the line another chance.

 

I'm expecting a bit of bad luck with my 13th as it will be my first January crossing. Still, I'll be on board QV the same day for number 14.

 

Roy

Thank you, Roy. I think you are right about the shorter voyages. I'm going to chalk it up to that. Good luck with the January crossing. I love the QV--so cozy and intimate.

Thank you, Pepper, for answering in the manner in which the question was asked. Very much appreciated, and I hope to meet you on one of our next voyages. Your rational response has made a difference.

Do have the most superb time onboard QE, and bring back only happy memories of another magical cruise.

After reading your question I felt compelled to write a short note. Both of us took the QE2 at least 15 times and loved it (back in the day). We are seniors and both work and my DH works 2 jobs as a MD...

We were on the Queen Mary2 arournd 3 times when it was first launched. We went on the last July 4th sailing like you just did (2014).

While my DH was in different activities I waited in lounges for her. I heard so many complaints from other passengers on just about everything. The service and Lido was first. To many others to list. I heard one passenger say he paid around $12,000 for the trip and hated it. Coundn't believe how he was treated.

I try to go as cheap as I can like flash rates on all Cunard trips as someone above mentioned.

I found one way to head off a disappearing butler is to have a talk with the butler on day one. Talk about your expectations and how it will make or break your voyage to have their assistance regarding your needs. Be up front with them. They are usually schooled in a British Format Butler Training academy or some sort of place. The butler will need that information to help assist you to the fullest extent.

As an example, I tell the butler every day what my general plans are. I let them know if I have excursions planned and if I want planetarium tickets or plan to attend a special occasion invite to a party and such. I usually let them know if I plan on going to the casino after Dinner or after the show. This lets them plan how to prepare your cabin and time frames for their work also. I also either call them each day at least once and check to see if they can do something for me like bring coffee at 2 pm to me in the cabin or I let them know I was thinking of using the spa for a massage and could they set up the appointment.

My point with butlers is planning is the key and communicating that plan with them.

That could be the difference between a great voyage and a blah one. Esp in the Queens Grill level.

On Dinners in the Queens Grill Dining Room. If my food is awful, I just sit there a few moments not eating it, give the waiter or assistant waiter a look, and they will know to come over and ask how the food is. I just say I can't eat it because it is not to my liking. They will get you what ever you want. My back up is a Filet and baked potato. Never fails to get the M'D's attention when you order it and it is not on the menu also. Don't be afraid to speak up.