Mareblu

Well, there you are:  it may be a storm in a teacup

On 3/24/2022 at 7:15 AM, lissie said:

Well its better than being randomly assigned to a table and finding you don't like the group and then having to ask the matre'd to move you and then have to explain why you disappeared if you bump into someone else from that table later in the cruise... 

 

For a s shorter  cruise you'd do it exactly once on the first night - that is kinda the point. Depending on the cruise though there would be turnover as people left and joined a longer cruise 

Absolutely correct.  We have enjoyed the company of some delightful dinner companions over our years of cruising (where, incidentally, while not Cunard, we have never, ever witnessed fellow passengers not suitably attired for dinner).  Conversely, there have been one or two occasions where people at the table didn't exactly agree on various topics, and the atmosphere became distinctly tense.  For our first Cunard cruise, which we are eagerly anticipating, we have requested a table for two to begin with.  We're quite sure we'll meet future dinner companions over a pre-dinner drink in the bar, and make ongoing arrangements if we all agree.  The only other contribution I have on the subject is that having several friends who've cruised with Cunard who disliked the set dining times, and the restrictions on relaxation time or extended waiting time before dinner, we have always avoided looking into a "Queen" cruise.  I was delighted to discover, purely by chance,  that in Grills, dining time is quite liberal.  I have an aversion to being told exactly which time I may consume my evening meal, if only because some evenings I may want to linger longer over drinks, or simply spend a little more time finishing a book before changing for the evening.  I'm very happy though, with the idea of the same table allocation, and with the prospect of meeting the same restaurant professionals each evening, and I'm sure that after a few evenings, we'll be enjoying the company of fellow diners.  I'm led to believe that the maitre d' will accommodate any such arrangement.  Having read all comments here, though, I do understand the frustration and annoyance of the removal of a long-standing tradition.  

I should add, though, that the same table is reserved for QG guests for the duration of the voyage, but the time of dining is anywhere within an approximately three-hour window.

15 hours ago, carlmm said:

No, this is not what Cunard is doing. According to all the reports, it is not an option. One cannot book fixed second seating.

 

Thus Cunard did not only drop down to the likes of less traditional lines they even went lower.

 

While some might not see this as a problem, it is for many.

 

Then I'm assuming you would decline a free upgrade to QG:  open sitting all evening.

Linda

On 3/16/2022 at 6:35 AM, NSWP said:

I think Honey might be mistaken there. 'We did this?' Come in spinner.lol.

Couldn't agree more, Les.  Of course we all desperately wanted cruising to our waters to resume.  We are booked on Queen Elizabeth Barcelona-Sydney, scheduled to arrive in November.  The desire to be aboard, though, pales into insignificance and smacks of self-indulgence when compared to the suffering in the Ukraine, the people left grieving and homeless in our own flood zones, and those still enduring hardship after our own devastating coastal bushfires.  The very last thing I would do is parade around cruise terminals shouting to the world that I'm deprived.  Other comments on here are correct;  the decision had already been made, and we are grateful that cruising can resume.  Now, speaking of protests, if only we could rid Canberra and region of the nutters wanting to eradicate life-saving vaccinations.  I notice there's a great contingent of them camped by the river this side of Braidwood.  I'm happy to be part of the silent majority feeling gratitude for the tireless work of our frontline medical workers, and yes, the government, and all who've contributed to keep us safe.  And......I'm delighted that, as expected, Dan Tehan announced during this last week that cruising will indeed resume.

Linda

52 minutes ago, NSWP said:

Faithful one? Surely you mean Fateful one? 😁

Actually Michael's quote, but I'm sure he meant fateful one.  I just didn't correct him.

9 hours ago, eamondzhang said:

The only three-night sampler on Ruby during the 2019-2020 season between 08 and 11 Feb 20..... Got off the ship three cruises before the faithful one.

 

Michael

Phew!!!

On 3/13/2022 at 7:07 PM, NSWP said:

I had a cruise last week, done it 6 times in the past 17 years. .Up ye olde Clyde Rver from Batemans Bay, highly recommended. No tipping, lol.

October 2019:  Viking Orion Vancouver to Tokyo, then stayed aboard for Tokyo to Hong Kong.  2020 cruise on Oceania cancelled for the common reason....but delighted with yesterday's announcement.  After the Ruby Princess fiasco, I guess the govt. had no choice.  Just got back home from down and back to Batehaven today PM.  Small world.  Scomo and crew have done the best job possible in the most difficult and dire circumstances over the past few years.  Walk a mile, as they say...

Linda

On 11/19/2021 at 7:39 AM, bluemarble said:

I have updated the "QE 2021-22 Dress Code and Theme Schedule" document above to show the newly-released QE replacement itineraries for 20 Feb through 3 Jun 2022. Naturally I don't yet have any information about the dress code/theme schedules for those new voyages.

 

If you happen to book any of those replacement voyages and find the dress code/theme schedule listed within the day-by-day Calendar in "My Cunard", please post the schedule here.

 

The same applies if you are on any other voyages still missing from the master documents above for either QM2 or QE.

 

As a reminder, to keep things simple all I really need is the ship you will be on, the dates of your voyage, the dates which will be "Gala" evenings and the themes (if any) for those gala evenings.

Tremendous work, bluemarble.  Thank you.  Only one missing from our QE voyage embarking 10 October, 2022 (Barcelona-Sydney) is 12 November:  Gala (Roaring Twenties).

Linda

7 hours ago, longton said:

We are hoping to do a Baltic cruise on Queen Victoria in June.

 

One of the scheduled ports of call was St Petersburg.

 

We received the following email from Cunard today:

 

    We understand that the current evolving situation with Ukraine may raise some questons about your upcoming voyage. 

   We are monitoring this very closely and please be assured we will amend itineraries as necessary, as the safety and welbeing of guests and crew is of the highest priority. 

   Please do bear with us and visit our social media channels and website for the latest information, rather than contacting our Customer Contact Centre. 

 

For us, St Petersburg was the highlight but we'll still make the most of the other ports.

 

Cunard deserves credit for its speedy contact following the invasion of Ukraine.
 

 

Hi to you both,

We are booked on QE Barcelona-Sydney in October, but prior to that we are sailing on Oceania Sirena on a Baltic cruise in September, to use credits from a Covid-cancelled Oceania cruise in 2020.  We received an email from Oceania very early this morning to advise that the fleet has cancelled all ports in Russia and Ukraine, and management is currently re-organising itineraries for Baltic cruises.  We have previously visited St. Petersburg on a Seabourn cruise, so while I'm delighted Oceania has acted so swiftly and decisively, I'm disappointed for fellow passengers, because I know that for many on these cruises, St. Petersburg is an anticipated highlight.  Having said that, I'm so deeply saddened and appalled by the invasion, and my heart goes out to all those suffering loss and trauma in this truly terrible time.  Time will tell, I guess, whether cruises to all Baltic ports will be re-routed, but I imagine there would be one heck of a scramble at the moment.

Linda