Windsurfboy

I was lucky then.

Tipping is a matter of culture. In some countries (eg Japan ) any tipping is not needed at all , In some other countries (i wont shame) need to tip to get a table of any sort even if you have a reservation. In UK tipping in advance, is not customary, and frowned upon, not the thing to do. I would never do it, if that's what it takes avoid the place. Cunard is supposed to be British. If tipping in advance, or tipping to get a better table, is starting to seen as acceptable on Cunard , then this is another indication of creeping Americanisation. However never seen it on Cunard, it's certainly not to be encouraged.

Never had that happen, but perhaps I haven't noticed as you would only see it if it made you hit your credit limit.

Cunard , which is same email address and same office as P&O , sent on Monday got response and confirmations today, for cruises in April and June .

Yes

We self disembarked at Capetown, it was overnighting and as we live there Didn't want to stay on board , even though we'd paid for it. Had to clear customs, then return to ship and collect luggage. The bid problem was carrying cases down a narrow gangplank, with other people coming opposite way.

Are the world cruises announced at different times.

Yes but the space per person varies considerabl

Went to Butlins in 80s with kids, I wanted to go home but kids absolutely loved it. It was cheap, kids had a great time, and it was all we could afford then. Happy kids good holiday. Kids now like taking theirs to POSH center parks. Meanwhile we're stuck with P&O , Saga and Cunard.

It doesn't remain the same, there can only be equivalent to 1 decks worth of area open to sun at the top of ship. (This is often spread over a few decks) So an old ship with say 5 accommodation decks had 1 decks worth of open space to share with 5 accommodation decks of passengers A mega ship with 10 accommodation decks has 1 decks worth open sun to share with twice as many people . So the taller the ship , ie more accommodation decks, the less space per passenger. Mega ships (not P&O) with amusement parks , go karting... on top will have even less sunbathing space per passenger I have ingnored balconies as they will only be in sun for half day at most.

Unless there are exchange rate benefits, or you want to gift someone else, then I can see no advantage in pre purchasing OBC. There is a risk that if you don't use it you loose it.

Another great bargain for PE

I'm sure you'll enjoy it. Whether you'll find it value for money compared to P&O only you can decide. We are still experimenting. First cruise was Aurora years ago , which got us into cruising. Next cruises were Cunard, I found the atmosphere to be very similiar to Aurora, but enjoyed the fixed dining and wider menu and grills deck, but P&O entertainment better. Then came covid and cancelled Arcadia and QM2 and QV. Tried Saga and loved it, rooms food and service outstanding, have booked again for next year along with another couple of Cunards (FCC). I think if it wasnt for FCC Saga would definitely have the edge. For 2024 have booked and aft suite on Arvia with huge balcony , which will be far cheaper than your Brittania club on Cunard, plan is for extensive use of speciality restaurants every night . Still a very significant saving relative to Cunard. If this doesnt work out may be by by P&O.

Thanks for this

PR, could simply been saying lucky that wasn't stopped, even if you are perfectly innocent it's still a hassle and waste of time whilst they open your cases .

I would expect every cruise line to treat its passengers as sensible adults. Forgot to say in May Saga announced covid cases every day on our 4 week not Black sea cruise.

Just because no cruise line has been open with its guests about covid infections , that doesn't mean it's not a good idea. One wonders why they are reluctant to be open. As to trusting captain to make decisions that are best interests of passengers. Captains are exceptionally well qualified in terms of ship safety and management. I don't think any of then are experts in public health, they rely on advice from experts on land, who develop protocols in advance which Captains follow. Again there is no reason not to be open about these. Of course, being open is not in the mindset of cruise companies. It might not be likely, but that doesn't make it wrong. It's sad to hear of anyone dieing from covid following a cruise, but cases are very rare so mustn't be the excuse for excessive restrictions. As you say a cruise may not be for everyone. Even those of us who are fit and healthy and fully vaccinated accept there is a risk in living with Covid. It's a risk we have chosen to take.

We hopefully will all wear masks if mandatory The real question we want answers too is "At what threshold infection level will Cunard make masks mandatory " Currently infection rates in England are at 2% , a low figure for which there are no recommendations to wear masks anywhere . There have been two peaks in 2022 at 8% , and 6%. Neither of which resulted in general mask wearing , but people were asked to wear masks in specific situations, e.g. hospitals, GP's surgery, crowded transport. I would like Cunard to be open, To tell passengers infection rates on board, publish the numbers so passengers can take informed decisions And let us know the rules , for example. To say below X percentage no protocols, masks voluntary X to Y percentage, this will happen e.g masks mandatory Above Y percentage extra protocols, e.g. daily testing

I think both these posts summarise the alternative approaches. I think it is up to cruise lines to say which side of the fence they are on. A) The precautionary principle. If in doubt mask up, etc. OR B) we will live with it as we do every day on land. Customers will know what to expect and book accordingly. If A then not my cup of tea and I won't book, if B then others will choose not to cruise PS I'm fully in favour of vaccine requirements, that is how we live with covid on land

As you say everyone has the option of not cruising. Therefore I would have thought the very act of booking a cruise , would tell Cunard you are willing to take a risk and live with it and do not want excessive restrictions and compulsory mask wearing.

Thanks We live about 200 miles away and our local chauffeur company charges £400 to Southampton each way, they are company that Saga used in May. If the £3.75 per mile is the return journey not as bad as I thought as it would be £3.75 times 125 miles £469. I suppose nearer time ring Saga to check.

Got one this morning. What took my interest . They asked about dress code in about 4 different ways. Also about all inclusive in various ways. Depending upon the answers they get , could be excuse for casual all inclusive booze cruises. Or if they listen to me , more formal nights and not all inclusive.

Can you get a reduction if you don't want a car, or parking. You want to arrange own transport. Reason would like private , but I know company they use for my area we use them regularly. They will charge me less than £3.70 per mile if I organise myself circa £2 per mile. . So 3.70 per mile extra on top of free shared car is a rip off. I don't like being ripped off.

The world cruise starts in January, if covid is allowed on board in significant numbers will grow and groe I wonder what the protocols for the beginning of that will be. Covid is transmitted, by crew and by the passengers who will all be new. Will they insist on tests for all passengers, would make sense . Will they test and quarantine crew. Perhaps for such a long cruise a few days of daily testing at start makes sense.

Covid is still slowly rising in Australia and New Zealand so don't expect any relaxation until cases go down on land. Hopefully as summer really sets in.