Windsurfboy

I think our experience in April was similiar to yours, glad Cheese has risen from ABYSMAL to OK. Apart from that happy with food , but the Dover sole and rack of lamb relied on heavily . Agree wandering round ship on smart nights , things weren't as expected much more casual verging on scruffy than smart. Off on QM2 on Friday, may be our last Cunard except to use as plane alternative back from Capetown unless it improves. As we found Saga better and once outside grills a less mass market more refined experience.

The problem Cunard have is with QG , PG, BC, Diamond and Platinium all being told they are PRIORITY , and wanting to turn up at 12.30 thinking priority means one of first on board. That's half the ship , passengers that should be spread out over first 2 hours of the 4 hour boarding window, all thinking they can get on first. A recipe for certainly frustration and potential chaos.

Thank you very informative, very happy with Saga, but also now very much looking forward to trying SS when the right intinerary comes up. Ideally we'd like a 3 or 4 week cruise out of the UK, happy to fly back. Keeping eye open. One question what is SS pricing time line like, do you have to book on launch or is it pretty constant. In the same context of helping with comparisons. Price wise Saga compares to Cunard, suite same price as queens grill, deluxe cabin same price as princess grill, standard cabin same price as Brittania Club. The food on Saga matches Cunard grills , even better if you take speciality restaurants into account. However the ambience , service and on Saga all across the ship is just a level above hate to say it more refined. Some how Saga feels friendlier both staff and passengers, perhaps we have more in common with Saga clientele. Cunard feels like mass market product. Yes mid 70s is average Saga age, but age for age seem younger than Cunard.

That's the problem

P Formal suits are only required on board a Transatlantic cruise on Gala Evenings and, even then, there’s no pressure to dress-up if you don’t want to. Most of our guests, however, relish the opportunity to put on a Tuxedo for one night and channel their James Bond alter-ego.A formal suit, shirt, and tie of any colour will also do just fine for Gala Evening. And if you want to embrace the theme in your outfit choice, well you’re more than welcome to do that too. We’ve had many gentlemen on board who’ve given their partners a run for their money when it comes to their Gala Evening attire. So feel free to be as lavish as you like. it's the unnecessary addition of transatlantic that causes confusion. Making people think it only applies to transatlantic cruises

It's too late to have correct wording to daily programme, if ambiguity in website results in people bringing wrong clothes can't pop home to get it. Clearly (I hope) DJ or suits are still required on formal nights. Why does the Cunard website make such a mess of something so simple.

Thus the big problem is promising everyone priority (OK I exagerate) and that just causes frustration

The table on page 146 of my good old paper brochure, Aug 22 to May 24, (relatively new ), showing what each stateroom class gets, has BC having priority embarkation and disembarkation

My error

What is needed is simple honest open approach. If they say boarding times are in order, for example QG PG BC Platinum Diamond Others. Everyone would understand. But to say everyone is priority just leads to frustration

Thanks for the review. Agree with most of what you say Saga is the best option for no fly cruises from UK. SS from London is inconvenient for many One thing I don't understand is the fixation of many people with the included car to the airport it's not free, and upgrading to a private car costs as much as booking one yourself . All one needs to do is find a good local chauffeur /taxi company. Yes you may need to add in a bit more leeway.

The safety video stays on repeating until you have been to muster station

On our cruise the Brittania band played music that you could either disco or ballroom to. You had couples doing both. It is not a huge space so no strictly competitors or wild jivers. Their objective was to get people on the floor , not just sitting and talking. Started off quiet but more and more people eventually got going.

Clearly neither of your sons are opticians , as they advise you to always wear sunglasses in bright sun, to avoid cataracts

Agree with both these comments. Love to try SS if they did more return cruises out of Southampton. Living in Cornwall Southampton is 4 hours way. Airports further. So after a long flight, we just want to unwind. We love cruises but they are busy holidays.

Never mind , think of all the champagne you can buy with money saved

I would say good luck but that would be wishing bad luck on someone else.

Doesn't work , especially if you have sun glasses on

As the cruise is showing sold out , do you think upgrades are possible

What is wrong with opening two tabs on your computer, making two bookings for adjoining cabins and completeting them simultaneously . However why not use Phone or friendly TA

I've plenty of old wet suits to spare.

Oops , Valet on holiday , having to press my own clothes ready to pack in a few days.

Have to have a real book in the sun , otherwise happy with electronic

Agree but does it matter, practicality we very rarely have even 4 courses and who needs big portions when you have 3 meals a day plus afternoon tea and ice cream by pool . Just wait till they have to put calories on menu. is there time for 5 courses if they want 2 sittings, even in freedom want to use table twice.

Do you have a copy of the original agreement. Anything in small print.