Windsurfboy

Gratuities should be incorporated into the fare. Opting out either increases prices or hurts staff. There are only two possibilities A) if Cunard make up difference (as some say) Cunard have all the figures , they can anticipate the cost to them of paying for opt outs. Their only source of money is ultimately fares, to maintain profit margin they will increase fares. Thus under current system those who pay gratuities are paying gratuities plus hidden surcharge to cover opt outs. B) if Cunard don't make up difference Staff Suffer Neither of these two alternatives are a good outcome.

If Cunard really cared about giving guests choice to tip or not, we would all be asked to opt in , as they were forced to do in Germany by the courts. Not to go through effort needed to opt out. Not adding gratuities to fares is simply a way of keeping headline fare low. Of course for QG it's a very small percentage, but for the cheapest cabins it's more like 10%.

A fair policy and clear. What is not clear is their answer to : "why this isn't included in my fare?" in the FAQ shown just below. That is just pure waffle.

Perhaps things have changed, nowadays do not want to explicitly encourage new off menu orders, but off course do not want to upset loyal customers. Fits in with the fact Cunard no longer advertises off menu ordering. Off course logically wrong thing to do , as want to set a outstanding first impression to entice people back.

We've never heard or experienced an M'D saying or explaining in simple words to ourselves or to any new Cunarders, " the chef will prepare what ever you want if there's nothing you fancy on the menu, just tell me in the morning or at lunch time" Exlonders idea of a simple one page note as you arrive, guide to Cunard QG for new guuests is a simple but excellent idea

Forgot to say, looks like you wil be there in January. If going to Robben island go as early as possible. The cape doctor often get up in afternoon , 40 knot winds make boat fun

Depends, if you are City people then stay in either camps bay or waterfront. The red hop on off bus that does the long route via Kistenbosch is good day out. You can spend a day in city centre , castle , company gardens and just taking in atmosphere. Robben island of course. You could arrange a day out private tour to vineyards , very reasonable any good hotel will sort it out. If you want to get out of city, the coastal drive from Gordon's bay to Pringle bay is in top 5 world wide coastal drives, carry on to see penguins at Bettys bay , far less crowded than boulders beach. If you like food and wine then head up Hemel and Aarde valley stay overnight in vinyard. Alternative Frankshoek a bit touristy, but the wine tram that stops at 10 vineyards, is a full day of eatingand drinking. If you head north, Langebaan is one of the best kite and windsuring spots in world. Paternoster is a fishing village come foodie town. Head inland to Reibeck Kastel and Tulbach

The one thing I will say is most NEW QG passengers, often new Cunard Passengers know absolutely nothing about ordering off menu. On our last Cunard cruise in June, the people both sides were newbies , no one told them anything about ordering off menu. Osman's " is there anything you want for tonight" went straight over their heads. We had to explain it all to them about ordering off menu. If we had also been newbies, no one would have ordered off menu all cruise. There is nothing anymore in any of Cunards literature or website about off menu. Cunard should do a better job, newbies have paid the same as regulars, and deserve the same service. As people have said ask and you will get. Newbies don't know they can ask. Between the butler and M'D they should talk to all newbies, they need more tinme than regulars. Passengers shouldn't have to rely on CD to tell them of their entitlements.

Once you've paid you money , it should be fixed

It varies be careful this April they used the mount Nelson as they couldn't check people in at cruise terminal as it only has capacity for one ship at a time, it was occupied by MSC which operates out of cape town., In 2020 it was supposed to use the convention centre but we all know what happened. If only one ship is in can simply use the cruise terminal. So choose your hotel according to what you want to do, then get taxi to wherever they are checking you in, you will hear at least a month before you sail

Firstly ,If this MD favoured US passengers , multiple reasons, but the fact that the US tipping culture encompasses tipping the MD not only waiters, is what springs to mind. Some may say cynical . As I've said before, the best service is always in those countries and hotels that dont expect a tip. Or those hotels that make it clear that, we are a team , service above and beyond what you should expect, individual members of staff do not expect tips . Secondly, I don't think there is a Q5 ghetto in QG. Standard sized rooms Q5 and Q6 make up 85% of QG. There are not that many Q1 to Q4. Q4 and above have paid well over the odds so I don't begrudge them a bit of pampering. In the same way all of QG expects more attention than Brittania.

I can't believe they'd do this. Crazy. It is clearly breaking every child protection rule to separate a 9 year old from parents. I presume you will all go at 12.15. Clearly there is something seriously wrong with P&O IT if it can't recognise a family travelling in one cabin.

The most important thing is not how early you are given but that you can turn up at allotted time and not have to queue

One would have thought if you are told to turn up at 12.00, you should be able to check in and security should be open .

...... Paul Ludlow has been practising for since joining P&O ...... (Peter Principle promoted to level of incompetence now updated by Dilbert principle promoted because of incompetence )

Changing subject slightly. Given that Iona rarely boards before1pm why are P&O giving 12.00 boarding times to Suites and Liguirian. This doesn't seem to match promise to "wisk suites straight on board" . Given also I think I saw on another thread that P&O have closed hospitality lounge in terminal. Molechip any insight from P&O

This is something I can't understand, surely P&O know you are Carribean and should put right boarding time on pass. Logically Caribbean should just mean you board after , Suites, Baltic and Liguirian and before everyone else. Theoretically this could be 12.00 if very few of above, but it could Theoretically be later than 13.00 if 2000 Liguirian members all decided to be on same cruise. If P&O gave everyone a meaningful time then they could smooth flow of arrivals and speed up embarkation.

I'd thought 12.00 was earliest boarding time, if they have earlier times then that's different. Anyone given earlier time?

Just read Selbourne's question about Iona boarding and CPS , in his new thread. His question confirms that Carribean are given 12pm arrival times, along with Baltic, Liguirian, Suites and mini suites. Giving this amount of people the same early arrival time seems a recipe for chaos and queues to get it, even if no one else turns up early

Excluding shops and excursions the only thing left is really premium wine. The Saga included wine is fine. But you can upgrade wine , it's very reasonable price. You pay roughly the same as in a wine merchants in UK. Not the mark up on most other lines. There is a recent thread on Saga CC forum, with drinks menu prices. In general don't expect price match to kick in, for example on my forthcoming Caribean cruise which must be a bit of a slow seller. They have introduced guarantee fares at £6712, compared with current select at £7607 (15% discount to "full fare"). However at launch 35% off (£5817) was still cheaper than guarantee fare. No one who bought select fare benefits from price promise as guarantee is on different terms. Saga don't ever seem to undercut initial launch fares even when they introduce last minute offers e.g guarantee. Don't want to upset loyal customers who pre register and book early. My refund which was cash not OBC, was due to a general drop in price, due to some savings, not specified, but likely a reduction in fuel surcharge.

I recieved £300 back from Saga 2 months ago following a reduction in prices across the board for our forthcoming cruise. This might of been unusual. OBC is far better than nothing

Have you used your Butler to reserve any speciality restaurants. Could they get you in.? Thanks

Saga have a price drop guarantee. Early buyers are always cheapest so it's not all UK cruise lines

Saga make it clear that tips are not necessary. Going above and beyond is actually what service is about. As long as Saga pays it's staff well there should be no need to tip. If you think that is not the case then why cruise with a bad employer.

Time is the key factor in Saga price earlier the better. I understand why you want to test them out first very sensible. If answer is yes and you want to book, you won't get any better terms on board than on land at that exact moment in time. However if you wait till you get back prices may have gone up. If you are not looking till a few years ahead the advice above to preregister is best. Pre registered guests are contacted on first registered first talked too system. So again first in queue gets best offer, so no harm in doing it on board. The key to cheaper with Saga is earlier