intel

I thought the selection wasn't great. The steward was able on a couple of occasions to obtain off the list for us. There is a saving of course. Our next is a 30 night cruise will buy off the menu.

Concerned about booking the above whether the Ocean Bar detracts from view and privacy, Cabin A420. Found pictures on the Starboard side and wasn't happy with the outlook

Any pictures and advice would be appreciated

I really enjoyed your post and especially the photos. It would answer a lot of questions raised on this site at times. Our last cruise on QM2 was 65 nights that was many years ago and it bought it all back what a great ship it is and appears to be in very excellent condition.

Really appreciated and look forward to your further posts.

Received yesterday "Sail of the Year" brochure. Expired 29 February in Au $. Liked the look of one went onto their site. As advised above prices up. Brochure price Au$9k+ web price AU$13k+ for 17 days.

The lateness of receipt and the price increase does not impress me.

Another day another dollar but they won't get mine.

Cannot see any reason to change dates 

I told in my post exactly what happened. Our cab was turned away by the port person in charge. The baggage drop was to the left of the port security barrier. Also saw several cabs and cars turned away.

The information on disembarking came from the Concierge and Tour desk on board. The private car cost was I think was over $100. Both prices quoted were in US Dollars

We have joined a ship in a number of ports none are a breeze but certainly stand by my comment on Melbourne 

On QE at present ex Melbourne returning Friday We are Diamond members and Grills passengers and have priority with 1pm boarding time. We arrived by cab at 11.45 am having to be out of our hotel by 11.00am. The closest the cab could drop us still entail a walk to the baggage drop.

They started to board just after midday. No check of the times for boarding. We then had a very long walk along the pier to check in (no cars are allowed on the pier) After queuing for a short time we went into a priority queue. In our cabin by 12.45 in time for lunch at 1.00pm

We were facing the long walk with baggage on disembarking as no cars allowed on pier to pick up a cab. Have arranged coach travel to the airport $25 each 

We have enjoyed the trip, the ship really good and the staff fantastic.

We will not join out of Melbourne again too much of a hassle. Can understand why Cunard and Princess have withdrawn home port Melbourne 

Hope the above helps

Never had a problem the crew took care of everything. We packed as you are looking at some our items and they shifted the lot. We changed decks and no problems were encountered. We have done it twice all over in a short time. From memory we had to clear immigration not sure now when it took place but we were there when the transfer took place. Have a good trip

Thanks Barbara looking good We are on for the Christmas cruise

Brian

We are booked on QE/PG on a Christmas voyage While it does not apply to us it shows a sample menu for alternate dining for Alaska Can't help with advice on every day dining

https://my.cunard.com/content/dam/cunard/my-cruise/dining/alternative-dining/frontier/frontier-sample-menu.pdf

Can any one advise the current costs of the 2 wine packages and what is the selection

3 hours ago, roscoe39 said:

received nothing Down here Downunder. I don't think we have ever received the surveys..... I guess our opinion doesn't matter.

 

Im trusting you guys speak up for us!

We are Diamond members also from Aust. Agree with above. We do not receive any promotional advices and the one time I contacted the World desk recently (probably not here) never received a reply. Looking to book a cruise now, first since Covid and we were offered one P2 and alternate one A2. Looking at TAs' they multiple selection in both classes.

46 minutes ago, wowzz said:

We booked a club class mini suite to celebrate our 40th Wedding Anniversary.  We wanted a good minisuite, and, most importantly, we wanted a premium dining option. And we thoroughly enjoyed our experience.

Once you start letting anyone buy their way into the club class dining room option,  you lose that exclusivity.

I think the OP is just being cheap.  

I am with you. Even cabins next door to one another have different prices. Cabin Class isn't only the dining there ia also the setup. Also I wouldn't be happy paying a lot extra and then queing for dining caused by extra cabins being included.      

50 minutes ago, Jim9310 said:

NEWS REGARDING AUSTRALIAN PORTS----

Australia may not reopen to international travel until mid to late 2022

 

For Cunard's 2022 World Cruises, has anyone heard what kinds of revised plans might be implemented, if Australian ports have to be eliminated? 

This article is based on pure conjecture by Coyle who is a features editor who lives in Yorkshire. Our Chief Medical Officer indicated by the end od 2021 borders will be opened again. The PM has announced when vaccinations are completed it will be reviewed in October. These announcements where made in April. The opening of the borders will be a medical decision by the States and Federal.

However the decision by Cunard is another matter and Australia is not the only country the ships will call at. I hope they will sail. 

Q5 cabin showing the external balcony. It was very comfortable. Queen Elizabeth deck 4

Thank you all for the information and a reminder about a favourite  Caeser Salad with Anchovies 

Our decision to come back to Cunard for this aspect was the right one. We have never had a problem in the past just updating.

Previously the Dinner Menu included standard items of Fish, Chicken and steak if the offerings for the day were not to your liking. They were dropped from the menu but were still available with the approval of the Head that the waiter had to seek. We haven't cruised Cunard for a few years and wish to know if this alternative still available

On 5/10/2020 at 3:28 AM, reedprincess said:

I'm going to presume you haven't actually read the info Princess has out out? It addresses many of your comments including buffet, santizing, menus, furniture, cleaning, screening and so on..  maybe give it a read?  

https://www.princess.com/news/notices_and_advisories/notices/coronavirus-update.html.   The link to the PDF is there, 6-7 pages long with details, etc 

 

Thanks for that had not received those advices from Princess. Whilst addressing a number of areas I raised it lacked any detail of how they were going to address them. The number of replies to this topic  and others regarding refunds is an example. Really not a money thing of refunds we want to feel safe and not experience what those poor souls on Ruby Princess with hundreds getting Coronavirus and 20 died. Whose worried about refunds.

A couple of good videos on follow up to the above, one that is updated where the ships are and their movements

I would consider That Princess should be telling us what they have changed to attract us back. From our view we would like the following answers before booking again or for that matter any other line. 

1. What changes have been put place to address our safety should this or other causes arise. Included would be during a cruise, return to home port or cancellation prior to cruise refund of fares paid.

2. What changes being made to ensure the ship from a third party the ship is clear to sail. 

3. At present cabin stewards (in mini suites) are responsible for cleaning 20 cabins not possible in the time, the standard is continuely slipping

4. What changes in the buffet/self service areas of the ship

5. What changes in seating/times for meals etc

These are some things I would feel would entice me cruise again my wife I am not sure. The present model looks broken to me and I think they need to look the whole aspect. Our cruise history is 700+ nights and enjoy longer cruises and sea days. Costs would rise with some of the suggestions above that is why I  the model needs to be looked at. Looking at some of the prices being put out at the moment don't look much different from before. I would thought there would have been some big savings with the drop of the oil price  by buying forward

On 2/2/2019 at 11:08 PM, PekingeseLady said:

My next cruise 4/23/2019 Ruby Princess. It is 999 for a inside then when I log in its 1249 with benefits that make it the same price.  I check daily for a price decrease, I picked it up a month ago for 899.

Australian price for above AU$2309 and no reduction for (elite) PP. + $100 OBC. You can see why we don't tip auto. When allowing for the currency difference (AU$1 = US$0.72475) what a rip off for us.

No, normally start boarding at 12 Noon

Considering March 10, 2019 Singapore to Rome or Southampton. Would appreciate feedback on itinerary/excursions. There appears to be a large number of "sea" days which would appeal to us as well.

Go to the "roll call" Sapphire Princess for this cruise it will eventually address your requests

On her now, sailing to Rome and loving it. Ship is sparkling and staff are fantastic. Though with some people taking their gratuities off this may change....

Surely we are not going to start again the removal of GRATUITIES.

How you would know this defies logic except for the odd person that may have told you. Also bear in mind that fare structures are different in each country and also conditions. Australian based ships are not levied a OPTIONAL charge and fares are higher and conditions are different.

I am interested to know impressions of the ship since it was refurbished. We are travelling next year on the same trip to Southampton. Part of the deal includes gratuities (US$670.63 each)..

We have sailed on 5 lines (670+ nights)and have not paid auto gratuities and have tipped the staff directly in many cases in excess.

The staff have always been great and cannot speak too highly of them all.

Hasn't enough been said on this subject before. Do what you wish. I would suggest you read the following from the Cunard Board

https://boards.cruisecritic.com.au/showthread.php?t=2413808

It would be against the law in many counties "Privacy". Tipping it started out a number of years ago as a guide of how much to tip individual staff. Then to save you time it became automatic. If it makes you feel better tip to your hearts content, I wont know concern myself or worry about it.

Let us get on with enjoying cruising