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This is good enough reason to stop in St Helena

https://people.com/prince-edward-meets-192-year-old-tortoise-who-met-queen-elizabeth-1947-8548335

The UK to South Africa (or vice versa) would be a great itinerary to more people if Cunard could add one or two more port calls. Too bad the political situation and limited port facilities keep this from happening. But Cape Verde seems like a no brainer.

As I recall, there was some disagreement that caused the Capn to quit posting. I enjoyed his posts very much.

2 hours ago, BeachTunes said:

This is a very sad and stressful situation for all involved. Thinking of everyone affected by this. 

 

I know clothes and belongings are just "things" but my husband and I empathize as we have a very specific cruise/travel wardrobe that we've curated over the years. Many are vintage finds and unique pieces. On a sailing with Cunard, most cruisers won't be losing easily replaceable T-Shirts and casual items but formal wear, gowns and other cherished attire. 😞

 

I'm gutted for everyone who will lose some prized possessions. Also praying for New Yorkers during the floods. Belongings aside, life itself is the most precious treasure and I hope everyone gets through this safely.

 

 

Agree with your assessment and feelings. We take our best clothes on Cunard so can empathize with those unfortunate souls today who lost their things.

Looking forward to reading your posts. Hope boarding goes smoothly and the rain doesn't cause problems. Bon voyage!

Me too

1 hour ago, richard_london said:

I don't think anyone has metioned this, apologies if repeating.   Seems strange to me the steakhouse on the QA will be called Sir Samuel's as Sir Samuel's exists on the QM2 but that does pastries, cakes and chocolates, but on the existing Queens the steakhouse is the Verandah.  All the other restaraunts are named consistently across the fleet.  I wonder if they will do some renaming on the current fleet to match the QA.

I think your hunch is right on. Changing Sir Samuel's to a extra-charge steak restaurant gives Cunard revenue growth on their existing ships.

On 8/9/2023 at 8:16 AM, NE John said:

I agree, it looks like Cunard is looking for a different QA demographic: couples in 30’s/40’s looking for “wellness” experiences with a more “relaxed” attire environment vs a classic QM2 TA. 

Cunard has to be careful by not differing the Cunard experience from ship to ship but that’s what it looks like what’s happening. That’s a good way to water down and send a confusing message about the Cunard brand. Within the overall Carnival ecosystem, there is already enough choices for a non-Cunard experience. What’s going to make QA different vs HAL, Princess, or even non-Carnival brand Celebrity if QA veers too far from the Cunard experience and joins in those lines offering a ship full of khakis and polo shirts in a relaxed environment?

The essence of this is that in order to grow the fleet the demographic 'tent' needs to grow too. And unfortunately for the current culture that means downgrading the classic Cunard experience to a casual, dress any-way-you like mentality. This is exactly what happened to Celebrity as they introduced the large Solstice class ships and more so with the even larger Edge class. 

Thank you for sharing. Good to know about Vietnamese tailors exist and are reasonable. 

How did you decide on the one you chose?

Here's a discussion of Bright Lights in another thread about the new ship

If the Koningsdam is any guide, the showers are glass enclosed.

Thanks, but cannot view it from US using the link

Captain Pugwash is English

5 hours ago, jimdee3636 said:

I can tell you that he was on a 21-night QM2 round trip from New York in July of 2019. He had a table to himself near ours on the second level of the Britannia dining room (8:30 PM seating), and we'd sometimes see him---also at his own table---at the Chart Room before dinner. He seemed perfectly happy and self-contained, and I got the impression he was a QM2 regular (all the waiters and bar staff seemed to know him well). I expect you'll see him again once crossings resume.

You're not referring to Captain Pugwash (Jim) by any chance? 

Does anyone know how those living across the pond can view this program?

Regarding your previous unpleasant cruise, we too did the Hawaiian Isles on NCL in 2002. We were so disappointed by it  - including the dining experience - that it put us off cruising for 6 years. 

Luckily we found Celebrity then Cunard and have enjoyed every experience since then.  I much prefer Cunard's fixed seating (in Britannia class) because we, like you, recognize that the dining experience is a integral part of the cruise.  

To each his own, of course, but I'm thankful we found our niche with Cunard. 

Thanks for the clarification. 

Thanks but not sure I understand. So the status match is once, but if you sail again within 3 years you'll still have the matched status?

Does anyone know if MSC offer the status match only on a one-time basis?

19 hours ago, Germancruiser said:

From Cunards renderings it does no look like we get a propper Prommenade Deck- almost a Trademarkt for Cunard ships.

Same as it was for HAL- but the new ships like Koningdam and Niuew Amsterdam lack a Prommenade Deck- more´s the pity!

Let´s not drown the cat before it is even born and cross fingers- Cunard does a better job than HAL.

I've not been on the Holland America Koningsdam yet, but from the deck plan the ship appears to indeed have a full promenade deck.  And it already has a "Queen's Lounge"!

Was on QV a few weeks ago and one of our tablemates would order it. So yes they stock it. I think she always had vanilla so don't know how many flavors are available.

On 4/18/2018 at 11:06 AM, 39august said:

Favorites:Liberty because she is closer to us and has the lovely suite/Pinnacle lounge and because we now know so many of her crew; Jewel because she is so beautiful and when we sailed her, the WJ food was great; Navigator because she is beautiful and because of concierge Nadja. Least: the Oasis class ships.

Hi 39August:

We've just booked the Jewel for a Baltic cruise next year after a long absence from RCL. I have a few questions for you -

• What makes the Jewel of the Seas so beautiful? 
• What made the Windjammer food good?
• When were you last on the Jewel?
• Can you compare the Radiance class ships with the Vision class? (We honeymooned on the Splendour of the Seas when she was new and it was our first cruise together)
• What lounge on Jewel is available for Celebrity Elite Plus pax? (I think that translates to Diamond on RCL) 

Thanks so much!

They served hors d'oeuvres in the Queen Victoria's Commodore Club before dinner on the just completed British Isles cruise.

We flew out of Dubai at 2 am so we stayed at the Holiday Inn Express near both airport and metro line. Free breakfast and shuttle, short walk to metro. Functionally appropriate for us and priced right.

Not sure if anyone else noticed this, but WonderMan3 has started a thread on his current cruise and has posted a copy of the first day's daily. The dress code is clearly indicated there and is NOT the same as what is on Celebrity's website in relation to evening chic - for men it is much more restrictive. I didn't want to put this on WonderMan3 thread so as to not take away from his narrative. I wonder if things are starting to slip back to the old dress code, or am I missing something?

They might get our business back if X comes to their senses and re-establishes this important cruise tradition.