maggielou362

Pushpit, is there anything you DON'T know about Cunard?

I salute you.

Speaking of which, is it necessary to provide CREDIT card details for onboard accounts, or can one provide a debit card? Would that avoid the credit card surcharge on each transaction?

5 minutes ago, exlondoner said:

I can’t really see any downsides to PAYG. Cunard may do so.

Actually, I suspect you are right, exlondonder. I will have to open a new special bank account for my beverages on Cunard voyages!

33 minutes ago, exlondoner said:

I certainly hope so. Yet bean counting sounds strangely pejorative, I don’t know why. In fact, making good profits for its shareholders is what a company is supposed to do.

Happy for Carnival to make good profits for shareholders (one of which I am not). I am NOT happy as a passenger however to be relegated to the cheapest, least imaginative drinks if I choose to use a drinks package. As I mentioned previously, I will willingly pay an increased and appropriate price in order to enjoy a wide variety of quality beverages, both alcoholic and soft. Perhaps the best approach is to budget ahead of time for drinks and accept that we will be paying the rather steep gratuity charge for every beverage. Still would prefer a pay-ahead quality drinks package at the appropriate (higher) price than the current package. That's just my preference and holiday mentality!

I am treating my two adult daughters to a five-night cruise on QE in January 2025 (Sydney - Hobart - Sydney) They are aged 33 and 29, but one of them is a nocturnal beast who's not really that keen on dressing up and sitting up at the table for dinner every night (still a teenager at heart!) I was wondering whether anyone can enlighten me regarding the Lido Grill. I'm sure she will find something in the Lido buffet, but I am hoping that she might be able get a burger, hot dog or chips at the Lido Grill. When I was on QE in 2016 the Lido Grill was never open. Any thoughts/suggestions/advice?

I have just had a look online at the drinks menus in all the bars and since my last Cunard voyage in February this year many of the drinks on offer have crept up in price to be just above the limit. I like the idea of pre-paying for convenience and a sense of relaxation, but not if the range of drinks available is severely restricted. I would be willing to pay a bit more for a package with more inclusions. It's disappointing to see that many of the drinks we enjoyed on QM2 earlier this year are now priced out of range for the package. I understand that drinks, particularly alcohol, provide a huge chunk of their profits, but why have a package that is so restricted? Perhaps Cunard needs to reconsider whether they do in fact want to offer Drinks Packages at all. I know I can pay as I go, but I enjoy the psychological advantage of pre-paying, and the fact that if I try a new drink and I don't like it I don't feel obliged to finish it. I don't use the package to save money, so I am happy for Cunard to fleece me a little bit as long as I can have a decent selection of drinks and have fun trying them all.

Sadly it's now $US16 per glass, and the upper limit for the Drinks Package is $13.50. Not happy!

Yes, I found Celebrity too loud, too many children running wild. I like children, just not when they are en masse playing races up and down ten flights of stairs with ice creams in their hands! No adult supervision to be seen!

I have just returned from a lovely trip to Japan. The trip included a 12 night cruise with Celebrity. Never again. Not that there was anything particularly terrible with Celebrity, but I can now say with authority that Cunard is FAR superior and that I will not consider any other line! So much so that I have another four Cunard voyages booked over the next two years, spending the kids' inheritance. Even though they are often classed together as "premuim" lines, Celebrity just does not compare with Cunard. But you already knew that.

4 hours ago, sucramdi said:

Has anyone who sailed recently with the drinks package had any trouble getting their favourite cocktails? It seems like Cunard is slowly but surely pricing everything out of what gets covered. The latest commodore club menu for example doesn't list a single martini under $14.50... I suppose you could order a double shot of gin with a splash of vermouth instead? 

I also noticed this. I am disappointed to see that a glass of the very acceptable Gusbourne British sparkling wine has now been priced above the limit on the Drinks Package. Such a shame, as I quite enjoyed it, and I am not a fan of prosecco.

I was wondering about this too. I was looking forward to providing some feedback, and some of the crew members led me to believe that we would have the opportunity to do so via an email or similar. I wanted to give POSITIVE feedback, particularly for some staff. However, when nothing seemed to eventuate, like NE John I used the "contact us" avenue. I have no idea who (if anyone) reads it, but at least I voiced my opinions and would encourage all to do the same. We are, after all, their loyal customers so speak up!

Thank you @chemmo, @bikerunner and @cruisetonowhere10, that is all very helpful information. I knew I could rely on the CruiseCritic community to come up with the goods 😃

Sorry, to clarify my question: just thinking of linen/cotton shirts etc on "Evening Chic" nights. Would prefer NOT to show up to dinner in badly wrinkled clothing!

We have never sailed with Celebrity before and are excited about our upcoming cruise around Japan on Millennium in a couple of weeks. Can anyone tell me whether there are any irons on board Celebrity ships (doesn't look like it!) I know that there are no facilities for washing your own clothes, but I was wondering about ironing. Is there anywhere to iron your clothing or can you have just two or three items pressed (NOT washed) by the staff?

Thanks in advance

OMG I just saw your post, @Clewgarnet

I gasped in horror, now I am speechless.

That's SO ugly! I just googled a front view of Azura, i see what you mean about the struts. I think somebody welded a block of flats onto a barge and soldered on a hospital walkway/airbridge crosswise to the front to serve as the bridge. 

Queen Anne doesn't have a very elegant rear view with Hugh Jarse on board. Not as pretty as her sisters, is she?

What a lucky young lady! I'm sure she will have an unforgettable time like her Mum/Dad? did as a child. She will be enchanted with sailing and as @Sue-B said there is also Starlink for movies. What a wonderful family tradition! I am taking my two adult daughters for a five-night sailing on QE from Sydney to Hobart before Cunard makes their last hurrah in Australia in 2024. I doubt they will ever get the opportunity in the future, so I want them to savour the beautiful Cunard traditions. I hope their behaviour will be "Cunardish" and they don't embarrass me!

16 hours ago, 3rdGenCunarder said:

 

NO!!!! Don't be greedy! You may have one Vista, but please let North America have QE!

 

Spare a thought for your Colonial Cousins in Australia and New Zealand: we are being sold "Bon Voyage" cruises before Cunard deserts us next year. Should be called "Goodbye, nice knowing you" cruises!

Yes, @Jim_P, I'm an Aussie too, and I also keep to the left normally, but find it a bit hard on board to know what is expected. It's tricky because Cunard is owned by an American corporation, but is a British-based line, so I don't know whether to follow the Brits or the Yanks. It's pretty clear which way to go around the promenade deck, though. Don't ask me how I found out.

Not quite bilges, but I am happy to travel in steerage. You will find that you are not treated as mere ballast, wherever your cabin is! It's all lovely.

On 5/13/2024 at 7:45 PM, NE John said:

Good point but note to Cunard newbies that the kennel is available on the QM2 Crossings. Of course the OP will book a Crossing soon after his first Cunard voyage. 

Yes, that's exactly the case, @NE John Two Cunard voyages completed, and guess what? I have another FOUR Cunard voyages booked, one of which is of course a Transatlantic on QM2 in 2026 🛳️🙂

@buchanan101, certainly, I understand. If you do the arithmetic the World of Drinks beer, wine spirits package is definitely NOT a bargain, paying as you go is economically rational unless you can put away an inordinate amount of alcohol (cheers to you if you can!) Liz Truss seems to have had a disproportionate influence for the time she was in charge. For us the drinks package was good for the relaxation and pre-budgeting. Everyone should do their own sums and work out what they are prepared to pay for in material and psychological terms.

Take heed of what @D&N, @Pushpit, @mahasamatman, @BklynBoy8 et al have said. This is YOUR holiday, dance to your heart's content, smile graciously and apologise quietly if you accidentally collide. Good dancers know how to avoid us amateurs, just have a lovely time and enjoy the music, the moment and the movement.

@Liao, you have come to the right place. This forum is the headquarters for a wealth of Cunard information and opinions. I am a new disciple, having only two sailings under my belt, but I have booked another FOUR voyages with Cunard! There are many well-travelled and knowledgeable Cunarders on this site, just keep asking and you will get accurate answers. Please book a Transatlantic on Cunard, I have booked mine for 2026 and I am pretty sure it will be a once in a lifetime experience.