frankp01

And it is great. It's a game changer for getting to the QM2. As an earlier post pointed out, check the schedules online (or on the app) as they do change seasonally. The spring schedule just went into effect, and there will probably be another change by August. If you're leaving Red Hook after the QM2 docks I'd recommend using the app for buying tickets (because there's usually a mob descending on the ticket machine). But leaving Wall Street you won't encounter the same crowd, so you can just buy your tickets from the ticket office or machine.

Looking at my calendar, it was Jan 25th. And it looks like there were two gala nights that week, so it was "just" a smart attire evening.

We had one on Queen Victoria last year. We had Scottish tartan pocket squares for our nod to the theme. There was the presentation of the haggis, and some Burns readings. It was held on one of the outer aft decks.

I have, once or twice. In the Novotel case, it wasn't that it wasn't working, it just didn't exist. A portable radiator was delivered when needed. And, in the summer, the aircon consisted of a fan brought to the room.

That may be a function of it being a British hotel. We encountered the same, in December, at the Novotel in Southampton. Only the executive rooms had heat.

FWIW, I finally remembered to email Cunard about my question re: OBC when using an FCC. Here's the reply. I think the conditions must have been tightened, because I'm virtually certain I've used FCCs against the types of (now prohibited) fares and received the OBC. Thank you for your inquiry about the benefits of our onboard sales program. I am sorry to advise that not all of our promotions combine with the onboard sales program due to the discounts that certain promotions provide. In general, the program will not combine with holiday promotions, last-minute fares, or other fares within the final payment period. You did receive the benefit on your voyage with us this past January as it was booked on a standard public fare. I apologize for the disappointing answer and wish you both the very best,

Yes, I'm expecting a flurry of photos, beginning around 8-9AM (eastern US time)!

It doesn't appear to be on Cunard's YouTube channel. It appears to only be embedded in the tweet. (Are they still called tweets if it's no longer twitter?)

Perhaps not. But, at about once a year, more than many.

NO! They don't bother me at all.

I can confirm that, on the QM2, there are two outlets at either side of the head of the bed. Each is a single outlet, so unless you want to do without the bedside lamp, you'd need an adapter similar to the following (you'd then also need a UK-to-North American adapter, obviously)

It looks like you're missing 9-15 June 2024 QM2 westbound transAtlantic (it may be M416? The voyage number doesn't appear in My Cunard or on our agent's booking confirmation). The two gala evenings are: 10 June - Red & Gold 13 June - Masquerade

You can try this stuff. It works. But, as was pointed out, the stain may now be set. I don't think you'll find this in the grocery. I usually find it in hardware stores.

Actually, I think I purchased my shares subsequent to the booking. You simply need to be holding the shares at the time you claim the benefit (obviously).

I understand the difference. My point was that the shareholder benefit seems to have been tightened the same way FCD benefit has been.

I could in January. What good it did me is another matter.

I haven't been denied Shareholder OBC, but I have been denied (twice) credit for using a Future Cruise Deposit certificate.

There are quite a few sites worth seeing in Halifax (Titanic gravesites, Immigration Museum, Maritime museum), not to mention the great view out over the city, and of the QM2, from the rooftop cafe at the public library. The other ports on that itinerary have alternated over time: Bar Harbor or Newport. I think Newport is the more interesting of the two, and it's on the 2025 itinerary. You tender in Newport, so you also have the chance to get some great views of the QM2 from the water. If you have access to it, watch "The Gilded Age" (by Julian Fellowes) as preparation for your Newport visit. While you (probably) won't be able to see the Boston fireworks up close and personal, the years we've done that trip Cunard has set up large-screen televisions on deck, so that you can "picnic" and watch the broadcast of the Boston Pops followed by the fireworks. There are also some nice (though distant) views of the fireworks from all of the surrounding towns from the Observation deck on 11. It was blazing hot both visits to Boston, and many points of interest are closed due to the holiday. So, having been to Boston lots of times, we've just spent those days on board relaxing by the pool. All in all, the return trip from New York is a nice mix of sea days and port calls.

Sticky Toffee Pudding. Only because it's one of my favorite deserts and it's not seen very often at home. It's almost always available in the Golden Lion, and it shows up on the MDR menus sometimes, too.

They worked well for me till now. That's why I wondered if this was a recent, common development.

When I called I believe she mumbled something about both being discount fares. For one, I remember, she said "oh. That's a Memorial day fare". And I only called because there were two travel agents involved (one for each of the bookings) and the agents were both surprised that the obc didn't appear automatically when they entered the FCD info.

Not necessarily. I booked one trip 13 months in advance. The request for OBC was denied.

Thanks for the additional confirmation. One of our fares is a Memorial Day sale and I'm not sure what the other one is, but it was a sale. If I were a lawyer I think there'd be a suit here. There's a bit of bait and switch.

I fully understand that. But the FCDs I've purchased recently were in January '23, and there's no mention of them not being valid on conventional sale fares. I think that's my complaint is that there's no explanation of on which fares they are, or are not, valid.

Precisely. Are they no longer valid with any sale fare? If so, there's not a whole lot of reason to invest in them. When I'm on board in December I'll have to see if I can get clarification on just which fares they're valid. Further thought: I was able to get my shareholder benefit on the December trip. But I think the only fares the shareholder benefit is not valid on is *deeply* discounted fares, like travel agent and tour conductors. I wish there were some consistency.