Winifred 22

25 minutes ago, Megabear2 said:

I tried that and it rang and I held gor 1 hrs 50 mins and it cut me off!

Oh no and it’s gone 8 now.

21 minutes ago, RK-NC said:

It is my opinion that a true working service dog would not need to be carried by the human it is working and serving. We spoke with the Administrative Manager of QM2 today and were told that it was our responsibility to avoid the dog. We have decided to stay in our stateroom as much as possible for the rest of the voyage. 

I too have never heard of of seen true working dogs needed to be carried. Doesn’t seem a satisfactory response at all. They must have  got on in Southampton as I didn’t notice them last week myself. There was a working dog onboard QA in the summer and there used to be a note in the Daily Programme every day reminding people not to distract him. Saw them a couple of times round  the ship and he always had a jacket on. 

50 minutes ago, Megabear2 said:

Which option did you choose please? I've been trying since 9.00am and just keep getting the since we are too busy message and cut off.  I've just tried again - my phone tells me I've called the number 32 times today! I get through but all options bar book a new cruise give this message and I held gor 1 hour 50 minutes on new booking before giving up.

1 hour ago, Megabear2 said:

Which option did you choose please? I've been trying since 9.00am and just keep getting the since we are too busy message and cut off.  I've just tried again - my phone tells me I've called the number 32 times today! I get through but all options bar book a new cruise give this message and I held gor 1 hour 50 minutes on new booking before giving up.

I rang and pressed 2 but I have just tried and like you told to try again later. How frustrating. Have you tried pressing 1. If you are trying to move it wouldn’t it class as a new booking  ? 

They are open until 8 today. I got through today around 2 in 15 mins and got called back when we were cut off. Wasn’t a new booking either. 

3 hours ago, spikemom said:

We are booked on a QM transatlantic cruise in December and I just received an offer to bid on an upgrade. We are booked in Princess and I am offered four versions of Queens Grille ranging from basic (LOL)  Queens up to Grand Duplex suite, which has a minimum offer of $3410. per person.  My financial caution is exceeded only by my inability to climb the stairs in the two duplex suites on offer.  However, I am considering bidding on the Queens Grille suite. What experiences have others have in bidding? The bids start at $395 and go to $855 per person. What do I have to bid to get the upgrade, without bidding too much? Any insight would be most appreciated.

First thing you need to do is contact your TA or Cunard and find out how much it would cost you to upgrade to the suites you are interested in. That will give you an idea if it’s worth it. If it’s more than the minimum bid you need to decide how much you want to spend above the minimum to secure a possible change. Only you know what’s a good deal for you . But do check first as there have been examples of bids being more than an original booking quote. Your quote from Cunard TA will be the applicable price at the time of booking in U K anyway. 

I for one am happy to accept the post pandemic offerings. Very little in life is the same or better.I have lost count of the food items that are subject to shrinkflation. Latest was butter sold in 200g pack instead of 250g. I would rather cruise with the product on offer than not. 

Currently on QM2 and have enjoyed meals in Britannia. A couple of new menu choices too. Found the entertainment enjoyable.i have several further cruises booked and looking with  anticipation at some 2027 options. I see no reason not to sail with her again. All buffer stations seemed to be open as I passed through and judging how busy it was there were plenty of folk choosing to eat there. My personal preference is The Golden Lion or Britannia. 

1 minute ago, NowVoyager2 said:

As far as reasoning behind business plans & the cause of cutbacks onboard - after covid Cunard / Carnivore Corp could of restarted the QM2 and queen Victoria at full staffing levels w a good quality experience all around.  The Queen Anne would be launched w a full staff and  quality onboard experience.  And finally Queen Elizabeth restart when capital & cash on hand would ensure the same quality.

 

But instead  the corporate decision was made  to make cutbacks all around  & deliver a less than promoted levels of food & service( including onboard maintenance).

remember these corporations are held to stock holders expectations / demand of higher earnings.

I always say look at the balance sheet & bonuses of these corporations & that is what tells the true story of a Corporation.

 

One recent example is the BOEING CORPORATION.  It just hired a new CEO at $30,000,000 a year while the union workers haven't had a raise since 2014!!!

1 minute ago, NowVoyager2 said:

As far as reasoning behind business plans & the cause of cutbacks onboard - after covid Cunard / Carnivore Corp could of restarted the QM2 and queen Victoria at full staffing levels w a good quality experience all around.  The Queen Anne would be launched w a full staff and  quality onboard experience.  And finally Queen Elizabeth restart when capital & cash on hand would ensure the same quality.

 

But instead  the corporate decision was made  to make cutbacks all around  & deliver a less than promoted levels of food & service( including onboard maintenance).

remember these corporations are held to stock holders expectations / demand of higher earnings.

I always say look at the balance sheet & bonuses of these corporations & that is what tells the true story of a Corporation.

 

One recent example is the BOEING CORPORATION.  It just hired a new CEO at $30,000,000 a year while the union workers haven't had a raise since 2014!!!

As has been frequently mentioned there was not enough crew available. Many had left the industry for good as like

many in other businesses when they shut down. It takes a long time for a crew member to become

compliant before they can set foot onboard.

you can’t just magic up crew across all grades. It just doesn’t work like that and rather naive to think otherwise. The balance sheet needs to be healthy to pay down the enormous debt that accrued and hats off to Carnival for the inroads they are making in reducing it.

15 minutes ago, chengkp75 said:

I'll just throw this out.  The maximum hours per day, and per week that a crew member can work is mandated by international convention to 14 hours/day of work or 91 hours/week (so actually limited to 13 hours, average, per day due to the week limitation).  Hours of the day that are not allowable work hours are considered "mandated rest periods".  Crew who are required to work during their mandated rest periods, must be given a "compensatory" rest period the next day.  So if a crew member works 15 hours one day, they must be given 1 or 2 hours extra time off the next day.

 

This is all tracked and recorded for each crew member, and these records are reviewed by port state officials, like the USCG, UK MCA, or Dutch Maritime Authority, when they inspect the ships in their ports, and non-compliance (working crew too much) can result in fines or detention of the ship.  About 6 years ago, Brazil (not noted for their worker safety culture) detained a cruise ship for a couple days while investigating these work/rest hour violations.

Spot on. 

34 minutes ago, MylesS said:

She's still looking very clean considering she's been in service for nearly 6 months!

What no rust. Shocking !! 

2 hours ago, PORT ROYAL said:

Yes, I know… my bad… sorry…. Red Lion is my excellent local (Margatetting) where food is exceptional for a “pub”.

Funny. There is a hotel/restaurant near where I live called the Red Lion but sadly trades on its past glories. It the food currently offered was a patch on the Golden Lion, Queen’s room afternoon tea or Britannia for big events I would be more than happy. 

Two absolutely take my eye QV Tangier and QM including Dakar. Definitely ones to watch out for when bookings open. Some great short breaks too which I love.

19 minutes ago, ernnnn said:

I find that so surprising because I have sailed with Holland America Line, Celebrity, Princess and MSC, and none of them had problems with that attire during non formal nights. And yes, there are venues with formal dress codes in Spain, but, if not necessary, I try to avoid them 😂.

Why is it surprising? Cunard is not HAL, Celebrity, Princess or MSC and has its own dress code. Sounds like this may not be the line for you. MSC and Celebrity are not even part of Carnival Corp whereas even though Cunard HAL and Princess are,

each brand  retains its own identity and in Cunard’s case that is a more formal, less casual dress code around the ship

particularly in the evening after 6.

Definitely no requirement to zero out with UK immigration. Not sure how the cabin switch will work but others on here will

be more informative. You will need to sort out your new cruise card and your previous account will be settled. Bonus if you have any loyalty internet allowance, it will

be re-set. 

8 hours ago, ernnnn said:

Is it also complimentary?

Golden Lion is included therefore at no extra charge.( Queen Anne only has some extra charge items on the menu.)

8 hours ago, PORT ROYAL said:

@D&N gave excellent advice, but treat the suggested dress code as a minimum requirement, and go big.  Others do…..  Embrace the Cunard dress code to be part of the Cunard ambience experience.

 

With regard to children.  There will be some, but only on a few occasions have they appeared to be feral.  But, heard that Cunard “spoke” with the parents, with a polite offer of disembarkation.  Solved.
Adults can often appear more feral than children.

 

There are two more complimentary dining options… The Red Lion Pub and stateroom service.  Both options are good.

 

Cunard in the Med., and weather dependent, can offer Alfresco dining on the stern open deck, for a small nominal fee.  
 

Also, there is the Lido Alternative, this attracts a small cover charge for dinner.  Then there is the Verandah to consider for both Lunch and Dinner, for which there is a charge.

Pub is called Golden Lion. 

11 minutes ago, ernnnn said:

So, you mean I cannot wear juans and a polo shirt any night (not formal) at the Main Dining Room? Really? 😳

No as D and N explained. Cunard has a stricter dress code than many other lines so may not be to everyone’s liking. Other included options would be the Golden Lion for lunch. 

On 5/5/2024 at 12:30 PM, LEESRE said:

For those who are on the Queen Anne cruise at the moment. Could you please look in the Ladies or Gents changing rooms and see if they have done away with the Free Sauna, which is on both the Queen Victoria and Elizabeth. Or do you now have to pay to go to the Spa.

 

Thank you.

Sorty I never went to the spa.It’s not an upsell area that interests me in any way. I don’t even know where it was. 

I wasn’t allowed to transfer to a Cunard cruise recently so lost the deposit. 

No difference 

4 hours ago, Megabear2 said:

In insurance terms there are actually two group definitions of European cover for travel. 

 

Europe including: Cape Verde, Cyprus, Spain, Balearic Islands, Canary Islands, Turkey is the second level of cover and as described offers full cover including the countries listed.  As such any policy covering these "higher " grade states will offer cover in the other European regions not specifically named and France and Portugal will be covered.

 

The "second tier" was introduced at a higher premium level due to problems some years back with higher medical bills in some regions and also a reluctance by a few countries to accept the health cards of other at the time EU member countries.

 

The first level of cover (cheapest) covers European countries except those named in group 2, ie Spain etc.

 

It is also possible to purchase a policy stating worldwide (excluding USA and Caribbean) and again this is based purely on higher medical costs in those excluded regions).

Interesting thank you 

Glad you were able to book for next year and does seem a good deal with all that OBC

Well I was excited today when I got to my fabulous solo cabin on QM2 to find 2 bottles of Pol Acker. Win for me as one of the minority on here who like it.

They are all the same Bears just with the name of the ship on them. There are also different special edition ones wearing different outfits e.g. Prince’s Trust one. They are all one size. You can also get a dog with a QM2 kennel coat on and a generic cruise ship in plush fabric. All cost around 22$ 

2 hours ago, Victoria2 said:

We have spent four weeks on QA so far and haven't seen hide nor tail of any Covid.

 

 A few have obviously been unlucky. That does not equate to 'prevalence'.

4 hours ago, busymumofthree said:

Hmm... the prevalence of Covid on the QA is a little worrying and we're travelling out of Southampton on 11th October - just a short 4 night cruise.

 

Thing is, my husband caught Covid on Celebrity in 2022 when the rules were a strict 10 day isolation - not fun at all.  And in June this year we both caught it on an Alaska cruise with Princess.  Our odds are not good!  (I've also caught it 3 other times - each time on holiday - twice abroad and once in London).  And I've never found it to be mild....

 

But what are we to do?  Stop living our lives and continuing to take lots of precautions and miss years of parties, concerts, sports events, holidays?  I don't know the answer to that and we each make our own choices.

 

But I think if either of us catches it on a cruise again we might have to act differently.

 

I was on the next crossing and was fine. You can’t prevent people bringing it on unfortunately. 

8 hours ago, Pushpit said:

Luggage porters in the ports are not Cunard employees, they are part of the subcontracted agency for that port, so they, and those helping assistance passengers onboard, won't get anything from the Hotel Service Charge. Cunard employees basically will get access to this fund, the exceptions being the most senior crew members (Captain and immediate reports I think).

 

Overall I don't think you will make some terrible mistake if you tip absolutely no-one. But if you want to make someone happy then you'll probably know when to do it. And it's always useful to have some dollar and $5 bills handy. Incidentally if you have a large value note, the Purser's Desk is quite ok to break it down to smaller bills.

It is my understanding  it’s not just the most senior officers its senior officers too.