PORT ROYAL

May one assist and give advice. To original request Cataño Ferry / Old San Juan Ferry For visitors in the San Juan area, the ferry offers the most convenient way to visit the Bacardi Rum Distillery. You can catch the ferry in Old San Juan at Pier #2. Look for the AcuaExpreso sign. At the ticket window, request a ticket to Cataño. On arrival take a taxi to the Distillery about $4 each way. Thoughts However, the Bacardi Rum experience is not a patch on a real Rhum distillery on Martinique (La Favorite or Depaz). Barcadi is a sterilised clinical factory, where everything is computer controlled but praised highly by guides, this to encourage spending in their shop. One only gets to taste (thimble full) of their cheap end commercial offerings. Advice Save the wish list for Martinique where, as in La Favorite, giant steam driven boilers activate ancient megalithic machinery, that huff, puff, hiss and clank. The smells and heat have not changed for 100 years plus. Get really close to the real action and not look at boring lumps of shiny, soulless stainless steel. At La Favorite and Depaz the pours are very generous and bottled Rhum purchase prices are better than duty free. Drink real Rum/Rhum……

Umbrellas for below Grills are available from a stand at exit and collected on return. Sometimes the Grill Steward will forget, so a gentle reminder. The gate police will not let an umbrella be retained on return. Obviously, the availability is small, so best to bring a couple of umbrellas with. Also, a supply of cheap disposable hooded ponchos are easy to carry and store. If not used, then one has them for next cruise.

Note: There is always the Mezzanine’s “happy hour” between 4 and 8 pm……

If, and it’s a big if, late sitting is a freestyle mayhem, then have a private word with the Md’H to “Fix” one a table (may ask one to select) for a specific time each evening. After all, the Md’H really does wish one to have the best dining experience. A small gratuity is appreciated.

No concerns…. The security for all guests is top notch…. It’s a place where one will want to return. A long way away from T’erds. Think genteel English country club with an American twist.

Googled and 5ths came up https://www.ebay.com/itm/224598416552

Consider online sales sites?

Feel this event has reached it’s sell-by date as it’s no longer fair to all Ds. In it’s place should be a voucher/OBC to the value of, for use in the Restaurant/Bars, leaving every D free to select their preferred beverage, because some Ds do not drink alcohol.

Design is in direct opposition to quest required reality. Limited deck space, no proper promenade deck, limited seats in theatre, and so on. Aka mongrel.

Have never actually fully attended. In support of the MD, checked in and immediately left. Just too busy, and there would have been nothing presented that our Sommelier could not advise on, in particular Bin Ends.

Wow….. just a thought- How about a special “Dance” meet and greet of CC members, not just in Cunard but across all lines, where novices, in need of confidence, and above, can get together and “break the ice”. As one believes, it’s the first gentle step into the World of Dance is always the most difficult. Knowing CC members would be most welcoming and generous with their pre-cruise exchanges. Think CC would be the ideal platform for breaking the ice….. So it’s now over to the Mods…..

Not strangely, but deliberately, to save the cost of a few short measures, by clashing with afternoon tea, getting ready for first sitting and packing.

100% casual, fast food outlets, dogems and water slides, etc., etc..

Umpteen Cunard cruises, never happened. 99% wish to “hit the road jack” asap. Also, a nice additional gratuity to stateroom attendant, extends one’s unofficial stay in stateroom, to arrive at the buffet when the table hogging lemmings are evacuating. 😉

Those men and women who did continue to dress formal every night were stunning. It’s an unofficial tradition for crossings. As an American couple at our table mentioned, (their first crossing), “It’s clearly a them and us situation and I love it”.

Let Ds have a choice from both. Used the lounge once, now we take a long breakfast in buffet and disembark when ready. Usually just before last call is announced. Thereby missing all the pre/post luggage hall mayhem. Lift (empty), card, luggage, porter, point, load, exit, car, load, gone.

Cunard are very fair, one can upgrade for the price it would have been on the date of original booking. Complete with any benefits enjoyed.

Peace of mind…..No playing the games of - will they, where are they.

Best to ask the agent to to place one in the “waiting list”. Because if one waits until boarding, and joining the queue, the list will be very long. The wait list may already be long

For a party of three or more, would suggest one contacts the Hotel’s Concierge to arrange transport. It’s what they are there to do, among other things.

Here’s a thought. Throughout the World, how many people are looking (with spreadsheets and notes) at this particular cruise, waiting for a price drop exactly like one? Then consider the variables Exactly when will it drop? When one is asleep or doing other things? Will a friend and family of employees get a tip off? Take Canuker’s advice.

One should consider the availability of the required stateroom, rather than price. This is a popular cruise so the choice is book a stateroom of choice, or wait, but the voyage may sell out. Example. Booked on opening Club QM Caribbean November 2023. Paid about £4800.00, choice of stateroom. Now £6500 and limited choice.

The OP is returning home to UK after a long trip to Canada and probably looking to make it a memorable homecoming, therefore a cruise (sorry a crossing) on the QM.

My bad…Try https://www.chantal-marie.com/en/contact.php

Hope this assists….. https://www.artbychantellemarie.com