Seeking Civility

My wife and I are four or five star cruisers on various cruise lines. Without any intent of casting negative judgements upon other cruisers and/or cruise lines, we are not comfortable with some of the changing standards or rules of many of the cruise lines which we have experienced. We both enjoy dressing up in formal wear on special evenings, meeting people, engaging in discussion on a variety of topics, When the topic of changing standards is posted on cruise critic as relates to a specific cruise line, on more than one occasion, some participants identify Cunard as one of the few remaining cruise lines maintaing formal standards of dress and other behaviors which still adhere to the so-called "good old days". As former cruisers on the old Rotterdam who danced to the music of a full orchestra in the ship's Ritz Carlton Ballroom and enjoyed the brilliance of brass and teak of this ship, we would appreciate any responses which confirm or deny Cunard's reputation for maintaining the "old standards". Or are we out of touch with reality? Also, other than trans Atlantic crossings, does Cunard offer a wide variety of itineraries? Any comments would be appreciated.

My wife and I have only ever taken one cruise and that was 3 months ago on a Queen Mary 2 trans-Atlantic crossing.

Like you, we were looking forward to "the good ole days" of grand ocean liners. We were not disappointed!

Probably close to 90%-95% of the passengers adhered to the Cunard dress code on both casual and formal nights. We also found that 100% of the passengers conducted themselves as true ladies and gentlemen, were most interesting company and just down right fun to be with.

Most importantly, the ship exudes elegance and style while the crew provides the highest level of service and personal support. All of our expectations were exceeded. And of course, the North Atlantic Ocean was amazing.

All in all, it was pretty much like the movie Titanic except with a better ending.

I'd say Cunard are something of a pastiche of what you are looking for.

Cunard is not what it was, but I think it's your best bet for a taste of the cruising as it used to be.

No OP it is nothing like how it was even at the time the ship (QM2) was introduced, standards are lower, the crew lack the pride they had with serving aboard then and sadly even the passenger demographic has changed: conversation is a dying art.

David.

Cunard certainly gives us a feeling of past glories. Apart from the professional staff, for us it's the elegant ambience we experience in many parts of the ship, especially the main reception halls. The cabins have a lovely light wood used for most of the fixed furniture that gives it a special feel. Indeed the main Britannia restaurant on the QM2 still gives us the wow feeling when we walk through especially on formal nights when most are in tux, suits and long dresses and most men still wear Jackets on informal evenings. Whilst I'm told large wood panels are no longer fitted on large modern passenger ships I think Cunard go a long way to making many rooms and the main pillars in the dining room to look like dark wood and that is fine with me. I'm also a stickler for manners. Treating other people well may be a lost art on some liners but with Cunard you will still find occasions when a table rises if a lady arrives or leaves out of respect, indeed I prefer to adhere to such civilities. We also find so many fascinating passengers travelling on board. That is why we only now travel with Cunard.

It sounds as if Cunard might be a good fit, there is still plenty of dressing up and ballroom dancing.

Dinner is still fixed seating for most of the ship so there should be ample opportunity for good conversation, we have certainly found that to be the case.

Itineraries are probably a weakness, only 3 ships and based in Europe for most of the year.

Hi,

I am a big fan of Cunard and have sailed with them 17 times since 1984. Most recently, I did a seven-day Canada/New England cruise on the QM2 (late September 2016) and a seven-day World Cruise segment from Hong Kong to Singapore on the QM2 (April 2017). The QM2 is better than ever following its major "remastering" last year. The public rooms are elegant and stunning.

I began cruising (as a child) in 1967 and certainly appreciate the "good old days." I sailed aboard the QE2 seven times as well as the Rotterdam (of 1959), Sagafjord, Vistafjord, Crystal Harmony and Crystal Symphony. Thus, I greatly enjoy the classic and traditional ships.

Cunard is much more traditional than the other cruise lines and most people follow the formal dress code in the evening. On sea days, Cunard offers excellent activities and lectures. In my experience, the other passengers are usually well-traveled and interesting. I have met many wonderful people during Cunard voyages. Also, I like the sense of history and tradition on Cunard. The QM2 is my favorite ship, but I also have enjoyed cruises on the Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth.

I appreciate Cunard even more following a recent cruise on the Independence of the Seas to northern Spain and France. The ship was extremely crowded and the menu choices in the dining room were limited. My recent experiences on the QM2 were vastly better.

Chuck

zlato,

I concur that Cunard would probably be a good fit for what you are looking for. Don't get too caught up in the marketing hype about returning to the "golden age of ocean travel" or the "renowned white star service" on Cunard. But in my experience, Cunard does a reasonable job of offering that "good old days" ambiance of formality and civility you mention.

Regards,

John

There is ballroom dancing in the Queens Room pretty much every night (there is the occasional 'party night' when ballroom dancing usually moves to the night club). There is a live dance band playing every night with recorded ballroom dance music played whilst the band have their breaks. We love dancing to the band, there are so few opportunities to do that now. That and the formality of the ships is why we keep cruising with Cunard.

Just returned from a week on the Queen Victoria, cruising from Trieste to Athens. I think they are traveling around the world. We spoke to people who boarded at all different ports and days of the week. We found standards on board impeccable. White glove service and smiles from all the staff. Plus, the ship was recently renovated. Other than the imitation wood promenade, she is all real wood and brass. There are teak deck chairs to enjoy on the promenade deck, ballroom dancing to a full orchestra in the Queens Room at night, and balconies in the Royal Court theater you can rent with champagne and chocolates. Mostly everyone was in gowns and tuxedos on the two formal nights. There are no zip lines or pool slides. Instead there's a string quartet, compact casino, and French restaurant. While not small, the Queen Victoria is not behemoth sized. Best of all, there's no smoking anywhere, even on balconies. But there is a cigar lounge for that.

Unless you are staying in one of the Grills, you will have fixed dining every evening sitting with the same people (you can change tables if you really don't like your companions!) and we have met some fascinating people on our travels.

A Canadian couple were delightful and telling us about the wine industry - I didn't even know they grew grapes in Canada let alone make them into wine. Another gentleman was a teacher at one of the toughest mens prisons in the UK - his subject was Shakespeare and the classes were always oversubscribed!! Wonderful stories that sometimes meant we were among the last tables to leave.

That's one reason we love cruising with Cunard.

We have just returned from two weeks on Queen Elizabeth. We certainly found the standards to be higher and more traditional compared to other cruise lines we have travelled with.

I would also agree with the comments above regarding ballroom dancing. The ballroom on QE is superb, with lots of people dancing every night.

Don't forget the formal afternoon teas! The whole charming ritual is a must at least once in every Cunard cruise. Immaculate, white gloved staff parade into the ballroom bearing trays of finger sandwiches, mini patisserie and the obligatory scones. Pots of tea circulate and champagne may be bought. Background music is usually provided by a harpist or string quartet. I love the ceremony of the event even though I pass on the scones! Lol!

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