exlondoner

I wouldn’t worry about it being the school holidays. Any children aboard will be well-behaved and fairly invisible.

Obc.

You’re quite right. I haven’t often witnessed rudeness to staff, but when it happens it is deeply embarrassing to see. Mind you,when people are stupid enough to be rude to waiting staff, I am sure they are able to find subtle means of revenge. As to the goose, I think our waitress was actually more vexed than we were. 😀 And, of course, she offered us something else.

Sorry, I adore Cunard, but there are occasional things worthy of a (mild) complaint, like the awfulness of their IT, rudeness from the Purser’s office, which seems to be widely experienced, though not, so far, by me. Last summer, we complained about appallingly and disappointingly tough roast goose, which meant our waitress saved anyone else from ordering it. It is important to complain about things that aren’t right and can be changed, but not to let it ruin a wonderful holiday on a wonderful ship.

Not sure the substitution of Haugesund counts as an injury, more a relief perhaps. And I’m sure the shore excursions will appear eventually. After all, it’s a while before June.

I think you have misunderstood. These were comments on their blog, not made out loud. They simply changed their behaviour so they were no longer irked. No public complaints. I think the difference is fairly clear, as is the contradiction between complaining about a holiday and booking another similar one.

Sounds like the best of all possible worlds.

A few years ago there was a blog on here, called, I think, Martin and Jan’s world cruise. It was most interesting, and they had a lovely time. One of the few things they did not enjoy was the attitudes of some of the other world cruisers, who despised and criticised those not doing the whole world cruise, for reasons which were unaccountable. When they weren’t doing that, they were magnifying complaints about minor things, and, again unaccountably, when they weren’t doing that, they were rushing off to book the next world cruise or the one after. The bloggers found this all so depressing that they avoided the room set aside specially for world cruisers.

Quite.

Do you think they always choose the same way round? My impression is that on the whole they like to get any awkward turning done first thing, without too many people watching, and so they can make a stylish departure. But if they are a bit late for some reason, they will leave the manoeuvring until departure. From what I remember Lisbon was port side to, CV was starboard, but not its usual place, Cadiz was starboard, I think, and I’m not sure about Barca.

More than once, I’m sure. 😀😀

In my naive way, I might have thought the comments of somebody who has done a few cruises on Cunard might have more insight than those of someone who has done a single two-nighter, though of course one can have done hundreds of nights and have little insight.

I always adhere to the dress code, and especially enjoy the sight of some of the splendid outfits people wear, but must say the dress code is not the prime reason I choose Cunard: the sense of calm (inside the ship, not on the sea) is.

I think he should wear whatever he feels more comfortable in. The majority will be in black tie, but if you fear you may spend the evening feeling yours is a little tight, for instance, join those in suits. It really doesn’t matter either way.

Ignore all disdainful comments. You will have a great time and meet engaging people.

I didn’t entirely, either, but the tone was fairly obvious. Not a fan of the new ship. 😀

But I remember pages of similar comments when QV came into service, somewhat exacerbated by the first attempt turning into Arcadia and them having a second attempt. After she came into service, most people felt that, although she wasn’t QE2, she was pretty nice, and had advantages, like lots of balconies, so were happy to continue cruising, though I’m sure there were some who abandoned Cunard.

How does one become a true Cunard voyager? I’ve been on quite a lot of Cunard sailings, but none of them terribly long, so I doubt I’ve yet become one. And I wonder if I’d want to be.

I don’t think you should worry yet. On both my cruises last year, the vast majority dressed appropriately for Gala Mights.

I would characterise Cunard as serene. The ships are glamorous but never garish, and never seem crowded, but always spacious and relaxing. Obviously don’t yet know about the new ship.

Shouldn’t that make your opinion more worth hearing?

The website says: ‘For voyages departing on or aster 23 April on QM2 vaccination and testing will no longer be mandatory.’ So I think you can stop worrying.

But if it is not on the list of voyages requiring tests, it won’t affect you.

I’ve just remembered. When we were in quarantine on QM2, we were absolutely the last off the ship, at 10.30. Ours cases were looking very lonely in the arrivals hall. That might get you to Heathrow not long before midday. So there isn’t that much extra time. Sorry I didn’t say this earlier.

I can’t imagine they’d be off the ship until well after 9. Yes, the trains are pretty reliable, unless there is a strike, which is not unknown at the moment. Also there is the wondrous new Elizabeth Line. Even so I wouldn’t risk it unnecessarily if I had a plane at 4.