Winifred 22

They often don’t let you chose when there is little availability. People still opt for the select fare because of the extras that are offered eg OBC free shuttles choice of dining. If you booked for 3 adults your cabin will definitely accommodate 3 adults. There is never a proper bed for the 3 or 4  person in a cabin it will always be a sofa bed or pull down bed. When pull down bed(s) are used, there can only twin beds available. As others have said a GC cabin is a better cabin than an GF and would have cost more. Cove balcony’s are lovely as they are so near the sea. Hope you have a great time. 

Oh definitely don’t want to be near there. I think it’s starboard so I will go port if there is no difference. 

Thank you I have zoned in on midships deck 7 but wasn’t sure what side to chose. I will just see what is available if it doesn’t make a difference. 

Looking to book a Canaries cruise on Queen Anne . Any recommendations thoughts on port or starboard particularly for Madeira . Thank you. 

Just now, AndyMichelle said:

We chose G407 as have stayed in it before, there is no obstruction, despite being classed as obstructed... 

Mid ship, low down, large room at a bargain price, what more can you ask for... 

We are just hoping they don't commandeer it for isolation as they have done previously. 

Andy 

Just now, Megabear2 said:

I'm sure you will love it.  Come back and tell us all about it when you return. It's refreshing to hear views from new people. Some of us have been around a long time and the thrill of that first cruise is in the distant past.  Have a great time.

That’s good to know I think that was near mine. Perfect spot for getting to Oriental to eat. Think mine was G614. 

18 minutes ago, Megabear2 said:

I've just read all this with great interest after being bitten on the rear end by the cheap fare fly.  In no way taking sides but I followed the link out of interest and the saver fare is currently at £1698 and is a fully obstructed balcony while the clear one is £1958.  The select fare would take it to £3084 with £480 obc.

 

Knowing Britannia very well the obstructed balconies are as described fully obstructed and of course they are very narrow so you might as well be inside.

 

I also note that most of these extremely reduced fares are on what I would call "cold weather" itineraries and we go back to what I said many months ago, all the cruise lines are offering a vast number of cruises up that way from the UK so there may well be an over supply.

 

Up until two weeks ago (not been checking since as I've been away) the average difference between a saver and select fare balcony has been hovering around the £1,000 to £1,200 mark.

I had an obscured balcony a few weeks ago  on Britannia and the centre view was completely clear. Took some wonderful photos in the fjords just had to capture the right angle. Fabulous late deal and so worth it. 

10 minutes ago, Lucysnan said:

We have booked our first cruise at the end of June to the Norwegian Fjords on Britannia and were so excited and looking forward to it, but now, having read all the posts recently, we are extremely worried and not so sure we have done the right thing booking this cruise as everything seems so negative.

I had a week on Britannia to the Fjords and a few weeks ago and loved it. I booked last minute and had a obscured balcony but wasn’t that blocked. Food was served hot and more than enough for me. If you want bigger potion just ask for more. I found plenty of choice from restaurants, buffet to grill and pizza bar. I had fixed dining table for one,  my choice. I never felt second class as I was on my own as I have heard others say.Plenty to do around the ship. My cabin was clean and spacious. I would book again on Britannia no problem. 

I agreed.I started with P &O took a Cunard cruise and that was it. Smitten . First choice for me now. Having said that I was booked on the cancelled QM2 in April, all I could get on  was P&O Britannia and I must admit I had a good time. Of course it wasn’t the same but it was a good second. Couldn’t fault the value and to be honest the food was as good as Britannia restaurant. Few differences.

On 5/9/2023 at 4:43 PM, Vampiress88 said:

Haugesund- I’d like to know if there was a shuttle bus there as I paid select fare and there was a bus but they kept telling me that it was chargeable in NOK and that I don’t get it included. I ended up walking 

It was being operated by a private company , nothing to do with P &O hence the charge. I used it a couple of weeks ago. 

10 hours ago, exlondoner said:

No postcards last year. Have they reappeared?

I got mine from the Purser’s Desk in December. I had to ask. 

9 minutes ago, D&N said:

The lady in this video taste tests several dishes in Golden Lion including F&C, pie and curry.

Hopefully she doesn't eat them all as going by the backgrounds the video has been filmed in one session:

I remember seeing this on You Tube 😂😂 Hope she didn’t eat it all. 

10 minutes ago, Jack E Dawson said:

I found this on the Cunard website under FAQ's. I thought it was interesting that Cunard states that the assigned boarding time is a "guideline only". I think the question assumes that one is arriving by Cunard coach and not just any public coach.

Jack

That’s for Cunard coach transfer passengers only. 

I am Platinum  and have never tried . Once you are in the terminal there is a priority queue to check in for Grills Diamond and Platinum guests and then a separate area to wait and then they call you after the Grills have gone through. Diamond first then Platinum. I used to get there about 30 mins earlier. Your boarding pass is also stamped priority too which they check when you are called to security. 

46 minutes ago, BklynBoy8 said:

 

I always go for F&C but very rarely change.

 

Chicken Tikka sounds interesting but is it spicy or hot? Steak and Mushroom Pie was my alternative never tried. Have think what to try this coming sailing.

 

 

No the curry is not too hot or spicy and comes with Nan Bread and Popadom and onion Bargee. It’s not an overly large portion but just enough for lunch then afterwards depending which Queen I am on it’s up but Kings Court for dessert or a cake from Carinthia  lounge😀

38 minutes ago, techteach said:

I hope Cunard is printing in bold, “Do not arrive early,” on boarding passes so people are aware of this now enforced boarding policy. Does anyone know if this is happening in New York or San Francisco or is it only at Southampton.

My knowledge is only of Southampton as other posters have said Intercruises manage the Terminals and provide the staff, so I guess it is only a Southampton issue and at the end of the day us, cruisers are at the mercy of how they chose to manage embarkation on a particular day. 

43 minutes ago, techteach said:

@Winifred 22 Congratulations on your loyalty status, I only have one cruise to my name. But, I’m going to drop my bags and run to the Golden Lion on embarkation in June. Perhaps I’ll run into @BklynBoy8 since we’ll be on the same cruise!

All the choices I think are good my favourite is the Chicken Tikka curry then the Fish and Chips. The burgers can be a bit hit and miss. Sometimes they are very tasty and other times they are like the frozen ones they serve at outdoor grill. The same with the pies. Enjoy though and for all included it’s good value. 

11 minutes ago, Victoria2 said:

Winifred 22 any update from your daughter re embarkation timings/ deferred terminal

entry for early birds?

Sorry forgot to get back. Their boarding time was 12 30 for Q G. She said they  got in and went to priority check in straight away. They were allowing early arrivals in the terminal to wait but would not let them check in until their arrival time.  There were a lot of people waiting so probably if more continued to arrive early they would have to wait outside as there is a limit to how many people can wait. I know from other forums people do get annoyed and there is bad feeling when early arrivals take priority over people who have arrived on time for  their time slot. To be honest it annoys me. Just because I live nearby I should not miss out on my early arrival slot and have to wait unnecessarily in a queue because people with more complicated travel plans turn up early and are allowed to board.  It also must be frustrating for the car parking service who will have their workflow compromised if people don’t keep to their allocated arrival times. Very controversial I know and I expect to receive some negative backlash. 

I always eat at Golden Lion on embarkation day and never have a problem getting a table. Have priority boarding because of loyalty status. I guess all the Grills folk getting on before me don’t want to eat there. Sometimes I have to wait until they start serving food as I am too early. Eat there probably every couple of days too. 

All staterooms have tea and coffee making facilities including a kettle. 

On 4/28/2023 at 5:12 PM, MylesS said:

I'm seeing the same.. wow! I wonder how many times I may have, without notice, paid £50-100 more going solo..

Have you checked the cabins are the definitely same grade ? They may be different so the single is a better cabin because of its position so costs more. Another option is book second guest who becomes a no show on the day. I have heard of people doing that. 

On 4/15/2023 at 7:13 AM, PurpleMoonlight said:

I get that the cabins are priced for two people (except single cabins of course) and that as a single traveller I would pay the price for two occupiers. I'm fine with this.

 

But I don't get why I don't get twice the pre-paid onboard credit? After all, I have actually paid for it.

Cunard don’t charge the full price for the solo supplement,  it’s 175% hence why you only get one onboard credit allowance. There are occasional no surcharge deals to be had. 

14 minutes ago, Victoria2 said:

Oh don’t get me wrong. As an early boarder, I’m all for a less crowded environment especially as I felt the terminal last August was claustrophobically crowded but I feel for those who have no choice as to their arrival times and have to wait outside and slightly sorry for those who ignore times because historically, they have been allowed in the terminal.

If this is a new policy, then I think it should be highlighted on Cunard's web site.

Yes it’s a tricky one. I have priority boarding too but must admit I am annoyed when there are huge queues and crowds which are caused by the amount of people not adhering to their time. I suppose it will

eventually sort itself out when people realise they need to be on time and not arrive early and expect to be prioritised. They allocate times according to decks so it’s not helpful to the staff if people all arrive at the same time and then create issues form a H and S point of view . My daughter is boarding Q V tomorrow so will be interesting to see what happens. She is Grills so can arrive early but I will be asking her to see what’s what ready for my next trip in August. 

1 hour ago, Victoria2 said:

Goodness me, that's going to cause chronic congestion outside the terminal. Could be a bit of a H&S issue if hundreds turn up too early.

I have heard of people waiting 2 hours plus outside. They are being really strict now . I should image if there are too many they will just tell you to come back at your allocated time. They do tell you not to arrive before your arrival time. 

10 minutes ago, Victoria2 said:

OK if you can walk that far. I would imagine many Cunard passengers wouldn't be able to do that or wouldn't be dressed appropriately if the weather is inclement.

Taxi to West Quay would be about £8 each way. 

15 minutes ago, exlondoner said:

West Quay. The café in John Lewis does excellent brownies.

Yes definitely worth a visit. I love their cafe. Lemon meringue pie very good too and you can watch the ships in the terminal from the windows as it’s on the top floor of the store. 

The terminal was not busy once I was allowed inside. I arrived at 12 15 for  13:00 arrival time. It was quick once I was allowed inside and when straight through but did check my boarding pass twice that I had not sneaked in. There were people waiting in the seats who had managed to get in the terminal early but were not being allowed to go to check in as it wasn’t their time. I understand you can drop your luggage off from 11.00