maggielou362

Hi All, New to cruising and Celebrity. I just purchased the advertised Black Friday reduced price Classic Drinks Package for AUD$74.08. I was expecting that the 20% service charge would be added at checkout, but it wasn't. Does that mean that it's already included or am I going to be hit on board with a service charge? Also, a trivial question, I apologise! I know it's a bit petty, and it's not the primary reason for buying the package, but if we have a pre-purchased drinks package, do we have to sign a receipt for every drink as we receive it? It would kind of dampen my fun if I have to sign a chit every time we get a drink!

Thanks lasekeye, I just saved AUD$574! (well I will have when my credit card is refunded!)

Hi, I am new to Celebrity (and cruising!) We have paid for our shore excursions already. Is it possible to cancel and rebook them at the reduced prices? And if so, how, and are there any penalties for cancelling? Thanks in advance.

I live in Sydney and used this number: 132441 It's only attended Monday to Friday. I paid using a debit card so there was no card fee. I spoke to a very polite and helpful person. Perhaps this information is a bit too late for you though if you have already arranged for credit card payment.

Good for you, @ace2542 I hope I will make it to the 200 years also, but I am a bit older than you so I probably won't be able to dance with you!

It's ok, I found it! As you were.

MylesS can you tell me what that webpage is please? Thanks

Mind you, there is nothing wrong with giant floating RSL clubs and theme parks. The megaships are very popular here and provide a fun and cost-effective means for many people to have a cruising holiday. Not my scene, but whatever floats ya boat 🤣🙄

Not really taking it as an affront, just very disappointed. We are so fortunate to live in Australia, but one of the drawbacks is that it's a LONG way from other regions in the world, thus global travel is difficult and very expensive. I think we Aussies/Kiwis are coping with the Cunard "rejection" by using humour (sometimes self-deprecating) and jokingly suggesting ways we can entice Cunard to stay in our region as an alternative to the gigantic noisy floating RSL Clubs and gargantuan loud sailing theme parks that cruise around here. Anyway, I am so pleased that I have a QM2 voyage from Fremantle to Sydney booked soon, because I don't know whether I will ever have the opportunity again. I might try and squeeze in a QE sailing as well before we are abandoned (me? affronted? 😕)

I will wear my evening gowns to breakfast, in the gym and on laps around the deck if QE Cunard will keep coming to Australasia/Oceania

My thoughts exactly, Jim.

So now I have heard it straight from the horse's mouth. I have just received an email from Cunard stating that: "...However, in 2025/2026, Queen Elizabeth will explore new shores as part of an exciting programme across our four Queens we will be launching next year. Rest assured, Australia and New Zealand will continue being important destinations for Cunard on our World Voyages offering close to home sailings on a Cunard Queen." I was hoping it wasn't so! Looks like we will only be able to join in as "add-ons" to part of any World Tours, which might head to our region, probably relatively infrequently. So disappointed!

🤣classy and tasteful chairs looking smart in their jackets!

Thank you, @LittleFish1976, indeed all locations on the planet have antipodes and using it in the sense that @WantedOnVoyage used is Eurocentric, dated and technically incorrect. When the same contributor mentioned QA being "exiled" to the Asia Pacific region I sense arrogance. Add the inference made by that contributor that dress standards have fallen as a result of passengers from that region being on board is, as @Mareblu stated, myopic, and in my opinion offensive.

That's a tight fit!

How exciting for you, @Mareblu! I hope you will share your experience on the new ship, and yes, reserve judgement until you have sailed on QA. I only hope that Cunard will continue to be accessible for those of us in the Southern Hemisphere, whichever ship visits our beautiful shores.

Getting right back to the original post and the topic title: I am SO disappointed that Cunard has decided to abandon us down here in Australasia/Pacific. I had grand plans of taking a QE voyage every year (just retired, planning on spending the kids' inheritance!). It's way too expensive to fly anywhere much from Australia, and air travel severely restricts what one can pack so an annual or bi-annual QE holiday was going to be just the ticket. Regarding @ratflinger's comment re environmental concerns, I am ashamed to agree with @LittleFish1976, our environmental practices and policies are shameful. Yes there are plenty of other lines cruising around Australasia, but @WantedOnVoyage not all of us wear polo shirts all the time, nor are we all (uncouth) Antipodeans in exile😁, nor can we afford to fly over and back to enjoy a QM2 trans-Atlantic for "quiet solitudes when cruising". I am sad!

Maybe because we colonials DON'T know much about classy and tasteful voyages!

These are fascinating photos, thank you so much for sharing them.

I enjoyed a Short Break 3-night cruise From Melbourne to Sydney via Burnie (Tasmania) on QE in 2017. No gala evenings, but we enjoyed dressing up properly for dinner each night anyway. We felt like the whole voyage was a very special gala occasion.

No, there seem to be no questions being asked or answered either frequently or rarely by any Australians. Does Cunard think we colonials know all the answers perhaps? As Kynance said, no need because all the questions I have had so far have been answered succinctly and expeditiously by the venerable forum members here.

Further to the dress code issues: can someone please clarify the expected standard of dress in MDR for breakfast and lunch? Please excuse my ignorance, just want to know whether shorts ("classy", if there's such a thing!) are acceptable for gentlemen during the day? We ARE Aussies after all, and as our voyage is in February from Fremantle to Sydney it will be quite hot.

Yes, beautiful evening wear and black tie will always be a winner. While they sound like fun, I suspect that the themes could quite easily slide into fancy dress/cheap "costumes". I must remind my husband to remain classy and tasteful, and not dress as a gangster for the Roaring Twenties!

Yes, go in with an open mind and a determination to enjoy it. Choose your own "theme" for the Gala Evening and dress up to the nines! I am very new to cruising, having only been on Royal Carribean 😬 and then a delightful three-night jaunt on QE from Melbourne to Sydney, all pre-COVID. No comparison. I am already a dedicated Cunard fan, seduced by the idea of traditional voyages and dressing up. I am sailing from Fremantle to Sydney on QM2 in Feb 2024. I hope you enjoy your QE voyage!

Certainly does, exlondoner. Should be an available option in life more often!