carlmm

After a day in port, there is barely enough time to get showered and dressed for 7.30 cocktails and music.

On sea days, I might stay at the pool late and again there is barely enough time to get showered and dressed for 7.30 cocktails and music. If ready earlier, there is usually live music already from 7.00 in at least one of the bars. And of course there is always dancing in teh Queens Room.

....

According to this

If they only keep the interior intact.

Does anyone have any knowledge or experience of evening flights and whether transfer was in the morning, or if there were other options such as staying on the ship longer or excursions that drop you at the airport?

In recent years Cunard indeed offered late transfers for people with late flights. In addition to early morning transfers there were transfers at times like 12, 2, 4 pm. One was allowed to stay onboard and use the facilites but of course not the cabin.

No gurarantee for what will happen this year, though.

... if your flight leaves mid-day, you may want to use the Cunard transfer because you will be able to disembark earlier than might otherwise be the case ..

Just do add another advantage: You might also want to use the Cunard tranfer if you have a late fligth, because Cunard does allow you to stay on board until it is time for you to go to the airport. I do not know if this if offered everywhere, yet e.g. in the Mediterranean ports last year there were transfers offered as late as 4 or 5 pm. The luggage was delivered directly to the airport. The extend time on board was only for guests with Cunard transfer; with private transfer you had to leave early.

This way I had a leisurely day at the pool instead of one at the airport.

WAVTAM, JohninDC, MH017, wendychloecruiser,

Thank you for your valuable information, tips and insights!

After arriving with the Equinox in Fort Lauderdale I will fly home the same day from Miami airport.

Yet my flight (to Europe) is in the evening only, at 7 pm.

I assume Celebrity does offer airport transfers.

At what time?

(For example Cunard offers airport transfers in the afternoon for guests with late flights - does Celebrity, too?)

How much do they charge?

On the wine, I don't mind paying the corkage fee... How does it work? Did you hand it to the sommelier on arrival? In many cases I will likely open it and decant myself...

Yes, you can hand it to the sommelier on arrival for dinner, or, maybe better, you bring it the night before or at lunch time to the dining room. This way your sommelier can keep it cool or bring it to temperature or decant it or whatever is appropriate.

Your sommelier will open the bottle and pour the wine.

No.

To elaborate a lttle bit on the answer:

Of course the definition of a shirt in the informal Cunard sense does not include T-Shirts, polo shirts, undershirts etc.

Just picture the optional tie to be worn with a polo shirt ;)

Will you be thrown out? Probably not, recently you can see all kinds of inapprobriate pieces of cothing proudly worn. But if you ask for the right thing to do, go with a "real" shirt.

If I could slightly hi-jack the thread, but in my defence it is related.

Would it be acceptable to wear a polo (collared 't-shirt) with a jacket on non formal nights? As per current style/fashion and not scruffy but a smart 'knitted' shirt.

Thanks.

No.

The small print for both the disembarkation lounge and the Senior Officers party says "where operationally possible".

... which might work as a legal caveat but is a bad excuse from a customer relationship point of view if Cunard constantly does not deliver the benefits expected by repeat customers, and worse, as it looks from the various experiences and answers gotten, has no intention to do so.

My recent Mediterranean cruise on the Queen Victoria was already the third cruise no disembarkation lounge was offered to me - as a diamond member.

I was even told (if correct or not I cannot know) not having one would be the standard procedure now. I personaly didn't mind in these cases due to my arrangements for the day, but I can see that it is a disappointment for someone who wanted to use this promised feature.

What I regard worse, is that this was already my second cruise when they did not offer a senior officers party. Cocktail parties as an occasion for socializing used to be one of the enjoyable aspects Cunard did very well.

Again I was told they would not do the parties anymore on "such short" cruises. Well, I booked a two weeks cruise, others three or more week cruises, the shortest possible time was one week - which is still two days more than the five days they state in the fine print as required cruise duration.

Thus, indeed, the OP is right, "Cunard" does not even deliver what they promise in writing.

Oh, and it gets worse: There was almost no enforcement of the dress code. There were people with t-shirts and jeans on both formal and informal nights, and much more. What did the purser's office say: "We already got a lot of complaints from our repeat guests but we want to please the newcomers." So much about the value of loyality.

Hello everyone, on Queen Victoria for first time on 29 October 2016 for 17 nights. My question is are you able to take your own bottle of wine or champagne to the deck for sailaway parties and the like and if so will I be charged corkage, many thanks

Welcome, I hope you will enjoy the cruise.

Probably you would be able to do so without paying the corkage fee, yet it is not, let's say, in the spirit.

Cunard is more generous than other cruiselines in allowing you to bring alcohol almost unlimited for your INCABIN consumption. If one moves to public spaces, one buys drinks or pays corkage.

My sister and I just disembarked Maasdam on September 12th. My sister has all the "On Location" programs from our cruise at her house, so I am going by memory here:

 

On our cruise there were shows in the main theater, including alternately guest performers (for example, such as comedians and musicians) and there were four shows with the ship's singers and dancers. There were two performances each evening, one at 8pm, and the other at 10pm.

 

The Neptunes played in the Ocean Bar every evening, and there were plenty of people dancing. The times varied somewhat, depending on port days, but if my sister will share the "On Location" programs with us, perhaps she can provide the specifics. (hint, hint sister dear; you said you were going to scan the programs for us on your blog;):D)

 

There is a DJ and dancing in the Crow's Nest, which is where most of the late night dancing/entertainment took place. On our cruise, a 14-day Alaska, most of us were in bed by 11pm, sad but true:eek::D

 

No string quartet, but there was a piano/violin duo, who were extremely good, and who had a large audience every evening. They played two shows, usually, and finished their last number by 10pm, I think.

 

There was also a piano player in the piano bar. Justin somebody; we didn't think he was that good. But piano players come and go, and you will likely have someone else.

 

Very, very few people wear tuxedos and gowns anymore, particularly on an Alaska/South Pacific itinerary. HAL calls the formerly "formal" evenings now "Gala" evenings. Most gentleman in the dining room wear a jacket/tie, or some just jackets, and most ladies wear a nice skirt or nice pants with a pretty blouse/top, although I did see some very pretty dresses, but short not long.

 

Hope this helps until my sister comes along:)

Thank you very much for all the information.

I had hoped for some later music and bar life ...

If the programs give any more details, I will appreciate the input.

Looks like most people enjoyed theor Maasdam cruises.

Great pictures and information!

I would like to add some questions regarding the Maasdam, please:

What kind of evening entertainment is offered now?

Before dinner? After the late show?

Is there still a band playing in the oceans bar? Until when?

Music in the crows nest? Pianist? DJ? Until when?

String quartett?

Other live music?

...

How many people still dress up on these "gala" nights, i.e. tuxedos resp. gowns?

I often wear smart dress very dark blue jeans, the sort that unless you looked closely you wouldn't know they were made of denim. Are these type of jeans acceptable? I am asking as I do not want to break the rules.

Are cocktail dresses OK for formal nights?

Day time wear, as long as smart, no holes(!) is T-shirt and jeans type dress ok.

..

Many thanks in advance for any answers and apologies if anyone is annoyed with the questions being asked, I am just to obey the ship rules and not inadvertently break them.

Great you ask before you go! Welcome. I am currently on board.

To answer some: In the evening denims, black or any other colour, are not acceptable. Only in the buffet area of the Lido they might be worn, but then you are not allowed into the bars etc.

Cocktail dresses are acceptable for formal nights but more suitable for informal nights.

During daytime jeans are fine (even though the minority). If you want to have breakfast or lunch in the restaurant or tea and similiar a collared shirt would be better.

(Caveat: There are a unfortunate number of rule breakers on this cruise. Comments to be heard by passengers and staff were accordingly.)

Laundry, without getting into the, why are you doing you own laundry question, I understand launderettes are free, is complimentary washing powder supplied of do I need to bring my own.

Is supplied!

Bringing alcohol on-board. Is there any limit to the amount (with-in reason) that each passenger can bring on board. Is it just wine that can be brought on board or can spirits be brought to.

No real limit. Cunard treats passengers as responsible adults :)

Enjoy your cruise!

I've sought out professional reviews and articles.

Unfortunately, professional reviews and articles often cannot be trusted these days, either, as they are often biased in the other direction. "Professional" writers are often really just that: paid. At least the cruises, they are writting about, are in most cases paid by the cruises lines.

Now wonder, blogs and articles often sound like advertisements.

In finding this phenomenon for the Koningsdam reviews. They are almost exclusively poor.

Don't you think, maybe HAL should listen to their customers? Don't you think, if the response is almost unisono negative, there might be some truth in it?

Hello to everybody,

there are a few more people on this cruise.

If you like, please join the roll call in the Cunard Roll Calls section of cruisecritic at http://boards.cruisecritic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=2336588

Let's have a great cruise!

Very strange, and disappointing.

No reason to be disappointed. Actually vegetarians get even a preferred treatment as there is (was?) a whole menu just for you. This is in addition to the day-specific menu that also usally includes vegetarian options. And than of course you can ask for all kinds of alterations ...

... whilst it may be complimentary in Queens Grill there has to be a differential between the two brands. I'm afraid I'm with Cunard on this one.

On the subject of "off menu" ordering, I also think there must be differences. Not that I've been in the Grills but, from Cunard's point of view if you can order anything/everything off menu in Princess, why would you pay extra for Queens?

 

As you say, Princess and Queens Grill have to be demonstrably different, or there is no incentive to pay the huge premimum and book Queens Grill.

Why should there be all of the sudden the need to substantially downgrade the Princess Grill experience?

It is not like they have to make up a new business model.

The way it was done until the implementation of the recent downgrades was proven and well appreciated by paying passengers for many years.

Already on the QE2 it was absolutely normal for Princess Grill passengers to order off menu what ever they desired (Yes, including e.g. caviar, which seems to have disappeared already in previous cost cutting rounds.) The current Queens have continued the off-menu offer for many years. Maitre d's encouraged to do so.

The current downgrades help nobody but just diminish the experience of the Princess Grill guests.

We are planning to sail on Queen Victoria in November. We sailed on the Queen Elizabeth before but have not been on Queen Victoria. Could you please tell us if there are two live bands on board? One orchestra in the Queen's Room, and is there another house band in the Hemisphere lounge in the high deck? What type of music do they play? Is there a DJ that play taped music when the band is taking a break?

Usually there is even a third band or better another orchestra - the one playing in the show room. Sometimes they perform together with the Queens Room orchestra e.g. on big band night, sometimes a selection of musicians play in a smaller group e.g. as jazz band in the pub.

In the Queens Rooms its ballroom dancing, in the Hemisphere its "disco", "pop", what ever you like to call it - just like in the Yacht club on the QE. In both venues recorded music is played when the band is not playing.

And of cource there the string quartet, the pianist etc.

Thanks in advance if anyone wants to take a swing at a few of the "rookie" questions I've got. I'm REALLY excited about my first Cunard experience and think i've only scratched the surface when it comes to getting ready for our sailing. I've got a few items below that are probably pretty easy but any help is appreciated.

 

 

1. What time should I intend on arriving at the cruise terminal in NYC? I know "they give you the time" on our boarding documents but I always arrived between 10-11a when I sailed on RCI. I'm thinking it won't be as much of a zoo to embark because they aren't turning an entire ship over. Is that fair?

Embarkation starts probably around 12 with grill guests and past guests with priority first.

2. About what time can I expect to get to my stateroom when on board? Immediately if nobody was in it on the prior cruise? I wouldn't think they shut down the cabin floors because, again, they aren't turning the ship over?

Your stateroom will be ready. You can go there immediately.

 

3. Do I need to carry on my two bottles of wine or can I leave it in my checked bag?

What ever you prefer. It migth be more than two bttles without problems.

 

4. What types draft beer can be found on the ship? Guinness? Do they have sparkling water for purchase?

Beer - no idea. Sparkling water - yes.

 

5. I couldn't believe it that EVERY room gets a welcome half bottle of wine, robes, and a fruit basket (on request). Should I request? :)

You may believe it. It will be there. (Well, maby the robes will arrive only in the evening or the next day.)

 

6. Do they provide pressing service for laundry? Reasonable rates?

 

Yes.

Sorry but what comes first your safety or your wish to visit somewhere?

Sorry, this is not the question. "My safety" is my concern. So far there is no govermental order against visiting Turkey and I would really prefer Cunad to deliver the service I bought from them.

I can understand if somebody changes his individual plans (or just "would not dream of going there at the present") due to his individual concerns but please do not deny others the right to get what they bought a long time ago (e.g. to fulfill one of their "dreams".)

It is very unfair to expect Cunard to allow you to cancel your booking because of this change.

It is not bad weather, is not an official order, it is not a destroyed port, it is not the breakdown of infrastructure or public services - it is a business decision.

PS sorry totally selfish forgot about the poor people of Turkey who are suffering all round.

Indeed our thoughts and prayers may be with the people suffering from the terrorist attacks as well as from business decisions like this.

Just phoned Cunard and Istanbul is definitely replaced by the two mentioned above. While I understand the cancellation, I'm disgusted with the quality of the substitutions. And they won't let me transfer to a different cruise. Not happy at all.

I'am disgusted by the cancellation.

I had choosen my cruise for the stops in Turkey.

To read about how Cunard now treats booked customes is even more disappointing, to say the least.

Thank you all!

The first pictures I saw from both hotels' rooftopy look really nice.

Usually, alcohol bought in the shops will be delivered to your stateroom the last or last but one night. Sometimes you have to pick it up at the shop at that point of time.

Or at least that is the way it used to be but your post is also the first time I hear about it being allowed on the QM2 either.