JimDee363636

@Stealthdog I'm enjoying your account greatly! One question: We'll be on the Jade in early January of 2025 for a 15-night Caribbean/ Panama Canal cruise, after which we'll be staying in Panama City, Panama for three more nights. We'll definitely be needing to have laundry done a few times. How expensive is it to have it done onboard? Do you pay by the item, or do they offer a fixed price for an entire bag? Thanks. Jim

@Bell Boy It's more than just Southampton and Brooklyn. Technically, the Club dining room is closed for lunch on any embarkation/ disembarkation day. On our recent 14-night QA Scandinavian/ Baltic cruise, which had stops in Hamburg and Kiel, the Club was closed for lunch on both of those port days because hundreds of German guests were embarking and/or disembarking. I don't know how often that happens, but it definitely did on our sailing. Jim

@AKJonesy For excellent daytime activities, especially guest lectures, try Cunard, a sister line to HAL. We've just completed our third Cunard cruise (on the new Queen Anne), and like the ones on Queen Elizabeth and Queen Mary 2 it offered quite an array of speakers. Although many Cunard lecturers are academics, on our Queen Mary 2 cruise there were three separate sea day presentations by Roger McGuinn, founder of The Byrds and member of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. Cunard isn't for everyone---the dress code is more formal than many people like, and the clientele is heavily British---but those who like the line really like it. Jim

@FlyerTalker I hate to disagree with you because you're usually right, but maybe not so when you imply that "marketing fluff" is legally meaningless. It would certainly be legally meaningless if it promised something vague and unverifiable (such as Oceania's "Finest Cuisine at Sea" slogan). But if it gets closer to a specific promise (e.g., "Take the worry out of getting to the ship on time"), a court (if the matter were to be litigated) would probably say that, despite the terms and conditions, a reasonable person would normally rely on such a statement. Terms and conditions are a perfect example of a "contract of adhesion," i.e., a non-negotiable, take-it-or leave-it contract. Because of their inherent one-sidedness, courts will often disregard them if they conflict with specific marketing claims and implied promises. Jim

@Ukulele girl Simple answer: Yes, or at least it was on our June 30-July 14 QA sailing. Most people apparently didn't know it was open, because we were among the very few there. Jim

@esrs This is encouraging. Just today, I filed a claim with AON for a covid incident that occurred on the QA earlier this month. I had previously dealt with AON for a different type of medical claim (including trip interruption) on a Holland America cruise and got great service and swift results. You're lucky that your meniscus tear doesn't require surgery. It usually does. I'm glad you're feeling optimistic about future cruise plans. Jim

One more comment: We did eat one night at Sir Samuel's, largely because of a promotion (apparently offered only to U.S. guests, for reasons unknown) to dine there without paying the usual $65 pp. "cover charge." It was certainly a good experience, but in my opinion (and that of my culinary school-trained wife) neither the food nor the service was head-and-shoulders above that in the Club dining room. Given that many of the steak entrees incurred additional charges beyond the $65, I'd think twice before using my own money to pay for dinner there. On the other hand, the place was packed that night, so what do I know? Jim

My wife and I just completed a 14-night Baltic/Scandinavian cruise on the Queen Anne. For the first time, we were in a Club cabin (rather than a "regular" Britannia balcony) and we felt it was well worth the higher price. We absolutely loved our waiters, our table location, and the fact that we basically had "anytime dining" for three meals a day. (The only time the Club was closed for lunch was on a "turnaround" day, which we had a couple of on this cruise because many German passengers embarked and/or disembarked at Hamburg and Kiel). But beware: many of the Club tables for two are tightly packed together, so go to the Club maitre 'd as soon as you board the ship. Ours was very accommodating in moving us from a "middle table" to one on a wide aisle. And the fact that the Chart Room was directly across the corridor from the restaurant made it even more convenient. The bar staff there, by the way, was outstanding. The QA Club cabins---exactly the same size as regular Britannia balcony cabins---are quite nice but the closet space would be, for most couples, inadequate for a cruise much longer than the one we took. Twenty-one days maybe, but a world cruise would be out of the question. Somehow or other, I came down with Covid about four days into the cruise. After a day or two or enduring a sore throat and nasal congestion, I went to the onboard medical center where a quick test revealed I had a "mild" case of Covid. The doctor strongly recommended I purchase a five-day supply of Paxlovid, and I'm glad I did. It was a miracle drug. Within 24 hours I was 60% better and by the 48 hour point I was 100%. During that time I was confined to my cabin (although my wife, who somehow never caught Covid from me, was free to come and go). As confinements go, this couldn't have been better. I could order any and all meals I wanted from the Club dining room, I got free laundry service, the medical staff called me frequently to see how my recovery was coming along, etc. No complaints on my part. The Paxlovid was pretty expensive ($600 U.S.) but given how effective it was it was well worth the cost (which will, I expect, eventually be reimbursed by my health insurer). I can't comment on many other aspects of the ship because we didn't get to sample everything, so others will have to tell you about the Bright Lights, Royal Theater shows, and such. We did watch the dancers in the Queen's Room a few times after dinner and it's true what others have said: the dance floor is smaller than on the other Cunard ships. But it seemed perfectly adequate for those dancing, who were able to do fox trots, quick steps, and such without colliding with other dancers (provided they knew what they were doing)! So, all in all, a very nice experience. Not everyone would like the QA, but if you can deal with a 3,000 passenger ship with somewhat cramped cabins, you could do a lot worse. If the itinerary were right, my wife and I would sail the QA again, enthusiastically. Jim

@DrSHF I think you should cancel, and here's why. If you pay the deposit, you'll be torturing yourself every day between now and the final payment date. You'll read every review about Silversea and (if you're like most people) you'll focus more on the negative than the positive. You'll wind up cancelling anyway at some point and losing some or all of your deposit---and for a world cruise even "some" can be a lot of money. Why don't you book a Silversea cruise in the 14-28 night range and see for yourself. If you love the experience, great---book a world cruise; it or a similar one will probably still be available. If you're disappointed, at least you'll be glad it wasn't longer. But full disclosure: I'm someone who hates buyer's remorse more than NON-buyer's remorse. Not everyone feels that way. Good luck, and let us know how this turns out. Jim

@Catlover54 Excellent review! Thanks. You mentioned in passing (more than once, I think) that the so-called luxury lines you've sailed on have often disappointed lately. This is a constant theme on the Silversea board (which I often read, having sailed with them three times). I'm a big HAL fan, and I feel that the gap between lines like HAL and Silversea is shrinking. Yes, Silversea is a nice experience, but is it worth twice the price of HAL (or more)? I think not. Jim

A great French writer once said that a person will remember an insult far longer than an injury. @tnm6217 was not injured in any meaningful sense, but she was insulted by the cavalier treatment she received in response to her rather reasonable requests. I'm sure to some, she's making a mountain out of a molehill, and maybe she is, but I think her complaints are valid. Silversea's response (or lack of same) is unworthy of a so-called luxury line. Jim

I want to apologize for my rather uncalled-for insult to the Scotland national football team. Yes, they lost in embarrassing fashion to Germany, but they showed their character today with a hard-fought 1-1 draw with a much-favored Swiss team. So, congratulations to the "Tartan Army." If any of them are on my QA cruise I'll be happy to buy them a glass or two of their favorite Highland whisky. Jim

My wife and I are avid European football fans, and we'll be on the QA during the entire "knockout" phase of the current tournament (except for the final game, which is on July 14---the day we disembark). Currently, the group stage is in full swing, with two or three matches every day. Are they being shown on TV in the QA, either in public venues or on in-room TVs? And are all the matches being shown, or just those involving England or Scotland? For what it's worth, I predict Germany will win it all. All the other favorites, while registering wins, have underperformed so far. I do love His Majesty's Footballers, but I don't think this is their year. (And as for Scotland, how in God's name did they even qualify?). Jim

@tntornadox My wife and I will be on the QA in less than three weeks, a cruise we're eagerly awaiting---and I'm sure many others are eager to sail on her, too. But keep in mind that QA's debut has in one fell swoop increased Cunard's overall cabin capacity by about 30%. They now have a lot more cabins to sell, and it's not really surprising that---given the "buzz" around QA---there's more awareness of the Cunard line in general and QA in particular. An increased sales volume is to be expected; in fact, the same level of sales as before would be a disappointment. Having said that, though, I hope it continues. I want Cunard to not only survive but to thrive. It's one of the last bastions of sophisticated cruising. Jim

@Laminator For the right person, your information is very helpful. If you're going to spend hours in a cruise ship casino anyway, you're crazy not to get something for it (other than the hope---usually an unrealistic one---of coming out ahead). But I think I'd feel that a "free" cruise was too much like a job. You're basically punching a time clock every time you sit down at a slot machine. If the hours (or money spent) aren't up to what your "bosses" expect, this will probably be the last offer you get from them. For me, it would be too much pressure, but, as I say, for the right person it could be a great deal. Jim

@BklynBoy8 @exlondoner @Host HattieThanks for the quick replies. We'll survive! Jim

I'm in one of those solo OV cabins on the lowest deck of the K-dam for the Oct. 22-26 Vancouver to San Diego repositioning cruise. The cost was $394.00, plus taxes and port charges---a couple hundred dollars less (at the time) than a solo inside would have been. These cabins are under the theater, not the music walk, so most nights there will be nothing going on directly above you after 10:30PM at the latest. I'm looking forward to the experience. Jim

A quick Britannia Club question: We'll be on QA in a Club cabin for the June 30-July 14 sailing. Can we expect the Club restaurant to be open for lunch on embarkation day? Jim

@kelliebiz As I was reading your thoughts about not having to consult with other people before shore excursions, etc., I was reminded of something Thoreau said: "When you travel alone, you go when you're ready. When you travel with someone else, you go when he's ready." I don't always travel solo, but when I do I find it a relief not to have to deal with all the little negotiations you have to go through when you're with a companion. Jim

@nonstopcruz1 Terri: That's quite a recommendation. Thanks! Jim

Is anyone on this sailing in Britannia Club? If so, how is it working out? (My wife and I will be in BC for the first time on the QA June 30-July 14 Baltic sailing).

@MylesS Thank you for an informative and well-written review. My wife and I will be on the QA for 14 nights beginning June 30, and you have whetted our already-keen appetites for sailing on this beautiful-looking ship. We'll be in Britannia Club for the first time, which will make the experience even more special for us. Thanks again for taking the time on a busy disembarkation day to post this. Jim

My guess is @lstone19is a lawyer (or, like me, a retired lawyer) because as soon as I started reading this thread I thought of the same legal term "apparent agency" (sometimes called "implied agency") that he did. I handled a fair number of consumer protection cases in Massachusetts---a state with a strong "unfair and deceptive business practices" statute---and I guarantee you that the conduct of Princess and O.N.E. would make them highly vulnerable to lawsuits brought by the O.P.'s father and other similarly-victimized customers. If this isn't unfair and deceptive, I don't know what is. Jim

I always tip room stewards, too, but when there are two of them I put the total amount I feel is appropriate into an envelope with both peoples' names on it on the last day and let them divide it as they see fit. I don't give double the amount because there are two people. Think of it this way: each one is only doing half the job. Of course, with tipping there are an endless number of opinions, but that's what I feel comfortable doing. Jim

My wife and I are on 14-night QA cruise two months from now (June 30-July 14), in Britannia Club. I sure hope that the dining situation has been rectified by then. The ship looks beautiful, but the ridiculously long delays for food and drinks would be intolerable. I guess that kind of thing is part-and-parcel with a maiden voyage, which is why I'd never do one. Jim