rakkor

That's not the impression I've had from talking to the staff on Cunard. My missus had a long chat with one of the waitresses serving the sunbathers on Deck 10 on Victoria last time we were on it, and she was very happy with her job and said she would recommend it to anyone in her position (young, free and single) - And that has been my experience throughout the ship, from the Sports Staff - "Disco Dave" on both Victoria and the Mary to the bar staff, Sheldon in the Commodore Club are examples of people I've chatted to at length, and although I've not asked them directly what they get paid, I wouldn't be so rude, they have intimated that they are very happy with their lot. I don't expect they are on 6 figure salaries, but nor are they on the breadline being exploited by evil Cruise Owners

Not espousing anything - how and who I choose to tip is entirely my own business - my money - my choice

I really hope you're being ironic, sharing your private business with the 650 people that have viewed this thread :)

Do whatever you want to do - who says anyone is automatically entitled to be tipped

I don't think anyone here is suggesting that, and if you've received poor service you could be forgiven for removing the automatic tips. But if you are espousing removing them as your default position then you cannot blame anyone for assuming that you are a cheapskate.

I take what seems to be the majority view here - leave on the automatic tips and then give small cash tips to the staff I feel have made my cruise more enjoyable, on the last evening.

I'm in total agreement with you with regard to Britannia over Buffet, but my missus thinks that lunch time in the Britannia is too soon after breakfast and since we are on the late sitting, would rather eat lunch later. And since what keeps my missus happy, keeps me happy, I do what she wants to do, as long as it isn't buffet - As nice as the buffet can be, my lack of portion control means I will over eat massively if allowed to graze. So if I can get away with it we will eat in the Britannia, if not the pizza station offers a nice change, as does the Golden Lion and the Burger bar.

Hi All, We're sailing on the Elizabeth for the first time in October and was wondering if there was a Pizza bar available in the Lido at luchtimes, I know the Elizabeth is essentially the same layout as Victoria, and one of the things my missus really enjoyed last time on Victoria was the Pizza/Pasta bar in the Lido where you could order freshly made pizza and pasta for lunch - We were dissappointed with the pizza on QM2 although to be honest I'd rather have had lunch in the Britannia than Kings Court.

I've never travelled Grills, but I'm of the same opinion regarding the Britannia Restaurant. I'm very pleased with the quality of food served to me there and have never seen the need to eat elsewhere, and for me that applies to every meal - I have an issue with portion control, so if I eat in the Kings Court, I always over-eat, so I would rather eat in the MDR and eat sensibly and be able to wear the same trousers off the ship as on it :)

Jim

Don't think bad things about the sheltered balcony - We had one in December for the Canaries cruise - It was fine for sitting on when the sun was on it, better than the steamers on the promenade deck at the higher latitudes, because it is sheltered - but I wouldn't expect you to be doing a lot of that on a November TA - and the staterooms are exactly the same be it sheltered or glass fronted balcony. For a lot of people getting upgraded from a sheltered balcony to one of the higher ones is not an upgrade they appreciate.

I've just had a look at the Voyage Personaliser for the Greek Islands cruise in October, on the Queen Elizabeth, and only four of the nights are assigned as Formal, - Cunard Ball, Roaring Twenties, Masquerade Ball and finally Starlight Ball. Is this likely to change ?

My missus loves a good dress-up and won't be too happy if she only gets four goes at it over the seventeen nights we're away :)

I concur with the mark-up being in line with restaurants for the wine, but I find the price of a glass of house in the bars to be a bit expensive - It's cheaper to have a cocktail than a glass of wine

Jim

Shame - I didn't realize that was available - We sail on Thursday, so It's to late to apply for it this time round

How do you qualify for Military OBC ?

Hi All

Does anyone know what the daily activities will be on the Dec 3rd Cruise to the Canaries ? I know of the 4 insights speakers, but was wondering what other things I'd have to schedule in for the sea days ? On our QV cruise last October I did the Fencing Classes which were excellent and the Ballroom Classes (The marriage survived them) as well as several lectures and was wondering if anyone knows what the current QM2 offerings are ?

Jim

The Royal Ascot Ball is all hats and fascinators - There's not as many people dressing up for this as they would for the Black and White (easy) or Masquerade but you will see quite a few ladies who do take part. There's usually a hat making demo before the ball and there will be a parade of hats in the Ballroom post dinner

Jim

You can still use the shuttles, but there is a small charge for them, unless in a port where you are not allowed to walk out of the port for safety reasons or are tendered, then the shuttles/tenders are free.

I can't remember the charge exactly, but I think we paid $6 each in Dubrovnic last year