LF2C

24 minutes ago, P&O SUE said:

My Ventura cruise should have finished on 3rd October (obviously cancelled now) I was looking out of interest and see it’s going to the Canaries on the 3rd. It was definitely going to the Baltic originally, my point is it must have changed in the last couple of months so perhaps that’s why there’s no roll call.

The only reason I wanted to find the RC for this sailing was to find out if anyone was having issues with the lack of availability of reasonably priced trips so that we can at least get off the ship and if anyone was having issues with P&Os email.

Travelling with friends and have been to all the ports more than once before, so ordinarily I wouldn’t bother with the RC for this one.

34 minutes ago, Jennizor said:

We are on the 25th September Britannia cruise. All the shore excursions are available to purchase. I would have thought it would be the same with Ventura. I am sure you know that currently you can only get off if you are on a P&O excursion. As has already been said, the sailing experience with P&O is much better than the land service. 

That’s the real issue I have. Knowing that unless the rules regarding shore excursions is relaxed on 25th September, and there’s no reason why it shouldn’t, the availability of reasonable low priced excursions is somewhat limited. We’ve been to all the ports before and are really only doing the cruise just to get away, but nevertheless, want to be able to go ashore without being blackmailed into booking excursions we don’t want to do that entails sitting on a coach all day.

45 minutes ago, wowzz said:

Sorry to repeat the same old mantra, but you should have booked through a TA.

I did, which is something I never usually do and generally, they’re about as much use as a chocolate fire guard! Having said that, without going into boring detail, it’s not something a TA could answer anyway.

1st time with P&O and only booked a couple of weeks ago. There’s no roll call that I can find for this cruise. I have tried and tried and tried to contact P&O as I need to ask some very pertinent questions about shore excursions. Their customer service is pathetic, actually it’s nonexistent and their email seems to have a problem (why am I not surprised).

Ive been on many cruises, mainly Celebrity so I know what I’m doing. Just want to know if anyone out there has similar experience of P&Os appalling customer service. Unless you want to book a cruise, all the other options just go dead.

I sincerely hope the onboard experience is better than the precruise experience!

Can anyone tell me if there are any flavoured gins that are part of the inclusive drinks package without upgrading.

Thanks

Celebrity has a few routes including cruises around the horn.

We are looking at S America for Feb 2020. Wanted to do Santiago to BA and then on to Iguazu and back to BA to experience Argentine Tango. Haven’t booked it yet but Princess have the exact cruise and itinerary using Iglu Cruises

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FC CINCINNATI baby 🧡[emoji170] - We're shattering attendance records (well... for America anyway), season tickets sold out and MLS's newest expansion team is taking it by STORM people!

 

 

 

(Getting your message loud and clear in my town LF2C ;);)!)

That’s great news, let’s hope it keeps on growing [emoji106]⚽️

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With all due respect football - as we call it - is a global game loved by countries not just in Europe but throughout the world (hence World Cup ;)). Many of the crew members onboard are passionate about football - it's a global sport. American football (as well call it) together with the other games mentioned are niche sports which are barely watched outside the US

If you only knew how long I’ve been having this “discussion” with very dear American friends who really do believe that their minority sports are important, and don’t even understand that compared to Rugby, their “football” isn’t a game and baseball is called rounders everywhere else and played by girls.

I do hope that people reading this have a sense of humour (spelt with a u) [emoji23][emoji23][emoji23]

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Keep in mind that the extra money you pay for Britannia Club is basically for the separate dining room. The staterooms are exactly like regular Britannia ones.

I assumed that the main benefit was to have “anytime” dining, as with regular cabins you are on fixed dining. That was the reason we originally booked a Britannia Club cabin for our upcoming TA. We want to eat when it’s convenient for us and not the cruise line!

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Complimentary bottled water used to be available in Grill Class cabins, perhaps someone who has travelled recently can confirm that this is still the case.

I did hear that, but also you have to be careful as bottles left out on the table are comp., but if you take one from the fridge it’s charged for! So I was told to get the cabin steward to empty the fridge so there’s no confusion?

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I agree about taking advantage of the Concierge lounge, the services, the snacks and coffee/juice, and the peaceful space. I recommend spending time in the Grills Lounge (just outside the Queens Grill restaurant). It's a lovely space and under-utilized. We go during the morning before they set it up just to hang out and get a coffee service when they open at 11:00. We are all alone with windows looking out to sea.

Thank you, and to others who’ve taken time to answer.

Looking forward to my Cunard experience.

I said some years ago, when we started serious cruising that the only way I’d do a TA would be on QM2, and now it’s just a few weeks away, preceded by a weekend seeing family in NJ and 4 days in NY (5th time)....just love the place!

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We have our first Princess Grill experience coming up on the QM2 in 12 days.

 

 

 

I have found the concierge services to be extremely helpful booking pre-cruise spa appointments and making reservations at the Verandah Restaurant.

 

 

 

They will reply promptly and help you with excursions, reservations or any questions you might have.

 

 

 

You can reach them at:

 

 

 

cunardonboardservices@cunard.com

 

 

 

Jonathan

Thanks.

However, we won’t need them for excursions, just doing TA from NY to Southampton.

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Queen Mary or queen Victoria/Elizabeth?. They are different.

QM2

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A few things I can think of (probably more) [edit: This applies to the QM2]:

 

- Lunch in the PG restaurant on embarkation day

 

- Tea in the Grills lounge in the afternoon

 

- Consierge service (deck 9), including checking your onboard account there rather than at the Purser’s desk

 

- Grills deck (just a small place with deck chairs and a hot tub - but gives a nice view of the stern and allows you to be outside when it is pouring down)

 

- “Private” concerts in the Grills lounge (see invitation on the table in the restaurant)

 

- Tour of the Grills kitchen (at least on Transatlantics) - ask the maitre’d when

 

- Ordering off-menu deserts such as crêpes suzette, bananas foster, and strawberries jubilee

Thank you. Theses are the “snippets” I’ve been looking for. Anything to help our enjoyment.

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It's impossible to advise you without knowing what is important to you. Size compared to "regular" staterooms? Amenities and access to private areas? Comparison to similar accommodations on other ships? What pieces of information do you want to know?

Not really bothered about cabin dimensions. We know the cabins/suites are a good size and whilst there’s a lot of information available on Cunard website, Utube and other sources, I just wondered if there was anything that others who’ve sailed on the ship in PG suites might be able to offer additional information on

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We’ve not sailed with Cunard before and just wondered if those who have and have booked PG suites have any tips or useful snippets of information.

I’ve looked at all the stuff issued by Cunard, but it’s often better to get information from those who have experience

Thanks

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On last weeks TA I did dressed in red for the Royal Ball and hardly any other lady was in red. A few red or gold bow ties on the men. The roaring 20's was a big surprise though. I did not wear anything related to the twenties but I'd guess 50% of the ladies were in flapper dresses or had a feather bower, headbands and beads. I did not feel out of place and no comments were made about me not taking part. People are to busy having fun to care what you are wearing so if you want to join in then do if not just enjoy the evening looking at those that do.

Thanks, have relayed information to the boss. I’ll be wearing my DJ whatever 🤣

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We have been on 2 QM2 cruises so far that had 20s night, there were many dressed in flapper dresses and garb...not so much different for men, tux is a tux, difference sometimes is that the vest becomes a white one with tie vs black. It’s fun to see everyone dressed up in the past, kind of romanticizes Days gone by when cruising started to get to and from US to Britain and vice versa..the cruise is what you make it to be, regardless of dress, it a great time and why we keep coming back to cunard...

 

 

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Thanks for the insight. Not sure my wife has flapper dresses! We are ballroom & Latin dancers but haven’t ever done Charleston or black bottom!

Really looking forward to this TA voyage. It’s been on the bucket list for some time, and this year the planets were aligned for us.

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We are on the August 3 crossing, as well. You don’t have to follow the theme and, as I’ve read (and noted on YouTube) most people dress formally but do not dress up for the Roaring 20s.

Thanks

Sounds like our cruise ,,are you in the August 3rd crossing?

 

 

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We are!

Just been trawling through posts relating to the 3 formal nights. I’m assuming that you don’t have to follow the theme as long as you are wearing formal evening wear (ie roaring twenties night)?

If you liked the Solstice, you will like the other S Class ships - I haven't been on M class (yet) so can't compare.

 

I have found that which S class is the 'best' now, may not have been the 'best' last year (with the word 'best' being an opinion of course). I've always had a positive experience on the S class ships.

 

I will say that the Reflection 'felt' busier to me everywhere, due to its increased size and #pax.

 

I would suggest, that if you decide S class, also consider the ports that are important to you (for example, the ABC Islands are great IMO).

 

My final comments, in recent years, I've found the service about Eclipse the best, then Silhouette, then Equinox. Again, this is totally an opinion which could have changed if I took a cruise a different week with different crew.

Sailed on Eclipse and Solstice. Both lovely in terms of food, service and general ambience. Also sailed on Connie, Infinity and Millennium. Smaller and older that S Class but just as good in other respects. Only Millie was a bit of a disappointment. She’s the oldest and showing her age. Understand she’s due a major refit later this year, and much needed

Sailing on the Edge next February and really looking forward to experiencing a brand new ship.

BTW, got nothing against RCI and sailing on Jewel this September. It’s just the idea of the Gargantuan of the seas and 6000 people that I think is a big big turn off.

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Having sailed on Anthem of the Seas, I think Edge will share some design features with it. But the beautiful Anthem will still have more family/kid areas like bumper cars, etc. Edge will be a bit more refined. If you enjoyed Solstice than try another S-Class ship.

How can you make a comparison with a RCI monster funfair at sea with Celebrity. Brash vs Class (just my opinion)

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We received our email back in March about the changes to data regulations. Did you not? Just a thought, perhaps the one you received is more of a reminder for those that didn’t action the initial one as the date is imminent :confused:?

Never been on a Princess ship so wouldn’t know what they are up to! Come to that, never been on any ship owned by their parent Company, so can’t comment on what individual lines may or may not choose to do.

Been replying to so many requests from suppliers and organisations, it’s all a bit of a fog. [emoji35]

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No not a scam, new data protection rules comes into effect in UK and EU from 25.05.18. I have been filling forms in all May.:evilsmile:

I just wondered how they can take us out of the loyalty scheme, if we don’t opt in again ( which I have done as I think Princess’ internet allowance for Platinum and above is second to none)

It’s not about a loyalty programme, it’s about data protection. As the previous post stated, it comes into force 25 May and all of us in the U.K. and EU have to positively opt into anything where personal data is stored, so just do as requested. I can tell you that as a business owner it’s causing incredible issues in ways you couldn’t imagine!

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I've noticed less participation on European cruises, as well.

As a Brit who has cruised on both sides of the pond and Asia, I have noticed that generally speaking, RCs are far more active for cruises where there are a lot of Americans and Canadians. The Europeans(incl Brits) don’t seem to bother with CC in the way Americans and Canadians do. Perhaps they don’t know about it, perhaps it’s because we aren’t as gregarious. I’ve done Med, Canaries and Baltics cruises that have had very lively RCs, and very well attended M&G get together, and others that haven’t. Doing Med on RCI Jewel late September and Celebrity Edge Caribbean next Feb, both RCs are deathly quiet........and don’t even think about the RC for our QM2 TA in August! Maybe that has an excuse as no-ones getting off to do trips 🤣🤣🤣

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