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Thank you for your responses.  If the pictures included in this thread or on the Cunard web site for the Queen's suite are accurate illustrations (QM25), said suites appear to be very similar to the Neptune suites on the older Holland American cruise ships.  Wife and I are booked on the QM2 for a trans Atlantic crossing (NY to Southampton) in a Queen's suite (QM2-5).  I hope the pictures are truly representative of the actual suite.  Our return to U.S. is via Venice, Italy to Tampa on Holland American Veendam in a Neptune suite,  Although we are seasoned cruisers (4 star mariners on HA), this will be our first cruise on a Cunard ship.  Looking forward to the comparison.

What is the difference between a Q5 and a Q6 Queens suite?

Stayed in Neptune suite on Volendam last year.  Small TV on top of cabinets located by windows.  Sorry, did not check out any movies.  Did not have any issues with noise coming from Lido deck.  Had some problems with AC and took some time to correct problem.  We were told by one of concierge staff that part of the problem was that the Volendam was one of the older HA ships. 

Question:  On most of the older HA ships, Neptune suite passengers had the option of enjoying breakfast in the Pinnacle.  Will the section created in the main dinning room for orange club members for breakfast replace the privilege of having breakfast in the Pinnacle or will both options be available to Neptune suite passengers?

Thanks Scottbee for your recommendations.  I did mean Southampton instead of London.l Our plans have changed to include increasing our travel days by taking the 7 day trans Atlantic crossing from New York to Southampton and stay two nights in London and then fly to Venice 2 days prior to embarking on the Venice to Tampa cruise.  Since the cost of one way first class flights is almost equal to the cost of the trans Atlantic crossing,, I have concluded that we will get more “bang for the buck” by opting to take the Queen Martin 2 across the pond  plus take in some additional sights.

Thanks for your responses and advice.  Finally decided to take Queen Mary 2 to London from NY and then fly from London to Venice prior to embarkation for Venice to Tampa cruise on HA, instead of searching for one way, non-stop flights to Venice. 

Researching options for flights for cruise in October 2020.  Are there any direct flights from Florida, Chicago, or any U.S. cities to Venice Italy?

Thanks.  If the upgrade is available, I also doubt that there would be no additional fare; however, I would be glad to ante up the extra several hundred dollars to be in the penthouse,  Since the cruise is 24 days, including some sea days, in my opinion, if the courtesy upgrade is not free,, then I would pay several hundred dollars for the upgrade for this cruise.  I sincerely appreciate all of the responses, but still not certain about the use of the term "courtesy".

Neptune suite is SA level.  I agree that a "courtesy upgrade", if free, to the penthouse is somewhat remote especially since there appears to be a waitlist for the penthouse.  So why offer this type of upgrade?

Booked future cruise in Neptune Suite two staterooms from Neptune Lounge with a "courtesy upgrade" option.  Not sure what would constitute an upgrade.  One statement closer to Neptune Lounge or moved to penthouse suite?  Does the term "courtesy" mean complimentary or is there an upgrade fee?  Would appreciate comments.

Booked future HA cruise (Venice to Venice).  HA offers two choices for pre and post hotel packages (both very pricey).  The two choices are (1) Bauer Palazzo and (2)Hotel Bonvecchiati..  Would appreciate any thoughts or recommendations regarding these two choices.

If a person is booked on a 30 day cruise with 3 pre and 3 post trips AND if a person shaves two times a day ---

how many 7 ounce facial shaving cans :confused: should I pack for the entire trip? (Please do not suggest an electric razor!)

Hooray! I have included the same recommendation on all HA evaluations. Another option is to provide different pricing options for the land/hotel portions of a cruise based upon different levels of land accommodations. I have been told, however, this cannot be done since the cruise lines contracts for a block of rooms which are standard accommodations. I do not buy this argument; however, my wife and I usually ask for upgrades when checking into the cruise package hotel. Sometimes the upgrade is complimentary and sometimes there is an additional fee required.

I have been an Amex member (platinum) since 1976, and have experienced changes in the benefits of membership. The changes, for the most part, have not discouraged my continued membership. One of the recent changes, however, has raised my consciousness about reevaluating the program. Specifically, the elimination of the "2 for 1" international airline program is a cause of concern for me. My wife and I were able to take advantage of this benefit for many years (especially when flying in first class); i.e., it worked for us and are sorry to see that Amex has eliminated this benefit and will cause me to reevaluate continued membership. On the other hand, I must admit that I have been most satisfied by the efficiency, knowledge, and courtesies as demonstrated by the majority of Amex agents with whom I have contacted for a variety of travel related needs. Measure the current benefits against your travel needs in order to make a wise decision.

Also on 30 day Volendam cruise in April. Appreciate if anyone can share exactly the nature of the post dry dock problems. Also, are there any pictures or films on the changes after dry dock?

Thanks for all your responses. We have decided to apply for visas using the concierge service with Travisa. It will cost more; however, should be less hassle.

Wife and I are booked on 30 day trip to Japan which includes two day stop in Shanghai. MY TA and an agent from the HA tour desk tell me that if the day trips in Shanghai are booked with HA that no visas are required; HOWEVER,

---The HA brochure and today's posted HA itinerary still indicate that visas are required

--- Although requested more than once, HA has not sent any waiver of the visa requirement in print!

--- Even if no visa is required during HA tours, what would happen if one of us would require a visit to a hospital in

Shanghai requiring an extended stay. Although this is hopefully unlikely, what documents, other than

passports would be required?

We tend to be cautious travelers and will probably obtain visas; however, would appreciate any advice.

On the Amsterdam 50 day cruise to the South Pacific:

1. Some cabin doors were decorated; most were not decorated
   
2. Some passengers dressed in costume for dinner in main dining room
   
3. Special Halloween party in crow's nest; included games, food, dancing, and contest for best costumes; participants had a good time; no costumes were in bad taste; most costumes very creative.
   

Usually DW and I make our own flight reservations; however, the one time I used Choice Air was for a flight from Miami to London on BA. Choice Air was able to obtain two first class tickets at a reasonable price with seat assignments. All aspects of flight from check in to arrival went smoothly.

My wife and I are four or five star cruisers on various cruise lines. Without any intent of casting negative judgements upon other cruisers and/or cruise lines, we are not comfortable with some of the changing standards or rules of many of the cruise lines which we have experienced. We both enjoy dressing up in formal wear on special evenings, meeting people, engaging in discussion on a variety of topics, When the topic of changing standards is posted on cruise critic as relates to a specific cruise line, on more than one occasion, some participants identify Cunard as one of the few remaining cruise lines maintaing formal standards of dress and other behaviors which still adhere to the so-called "good old days". As former cruisers on the old Rotterdam who danced to the music of a full orchestra in the ship's Ritz Carlton Ballroom and enjoyed the brilliance of brass and teak of this ship, we would appreciate any responses which confirm or deny Cunard's reputation for maintaining the "old standards". Or are we out of touch with reality? Also, other than trans Atlantic crossings, does Cunard offer a wide variety of itineraries? Any comments would be appreciated.

Lets put this tiresome discussion in some perspective. There was a time when most cruises would schedule special evenings of elegance, glitter, and formal civility. It was an opportunity to momentarily leave the challenges of every day life and briefly enter and participate in a world of gracious dining and civil exchanges of a variety of topics that would not include a sharing of each participant's medical challenges. Apparently, most of the main line cruise companies now cater to a changing standard of expectations which are exemplified in this discussion. Frankly, my wife and I would prefer to continue to experience the old standards and are sad that increasingly fewer people want to or care about a moment of elegance and civility in a world characterized by conflict and lack of respect for different thoughts and opinions. With that said and with the realization that good people with different standards and expectations deserve our respect, please do not tell me that I am overdressed if I wear my tux on "gala nights" and although the comment was addressed to a different participant in this discussion, do not tell me "to get over myself". I already did that when I married my bride 57 years ago!

I am simply saying that if there are rules regarding formal or any style of wear, then adhere to the rules or do not eat in the MDR. People have choices, and I respect their choices even though I might not agree or understand. I guess that is my problem but as suggested, I will set that aside and not waste time worrying about it. Good people come in all sizes, colors, and opinions!

Wife and I are 4 star mariners, and we still choose to dress up on Gala nights. I frankly do not understand what is the big deal on wearing formal or other dressy clothing! Most nights are informal so what is the big fuss in getting dressed up a few times? I have worn suits and ties throughout my career, and although I enjoy wearing informal clothing, I have no objection in adhering to guidelines which prohibit informal clothing on the few gala nights. I used to even wear on a tux with tails on some cruises, but I stopped wearing that tux when someone came up to me as I was walking into the MDR and asked me to get him a glass of cabernet since I was obviously a wine steward. Will continue to wear a regular tux on gala nights but I realize that the world is becoming more casual. Very different from former days when we cruised on the old Rotterdam with brass and teak and danced in the ship's grand Ritz Carlton Ballroom with a full orchestra.

I concur that there are other Platinum benefits than the defunct International Air Companion benefit; however, I guess that those of us (for personal reasons) who needed to purchase fully refundable tickets and travel with a companion are in a minority. It is not often that significant discounts are offered for fully refundable FC tickets. In fact, recently I asked an Amex agent to compare the former 2 for 1 FC refundable pricing with the new discount program and the discountable FC nonrefundable tickets were $5,000 more than the former 2 for 1 refundable FC benefit. My wife and I have traveled to over 100 countries and most often were able to use the 2 for 1 to our benefit. I guess we are in the minority in benefiting from this benefit. I just wish that prior notice had been given prior to the termination of the program. With that said, I have always preferred using an Amex Platinum agent to book our flights; they are knowledgeable, efficient, and always courteous.

Unfortunately, Amex has eliminated without prior notice the international companion air benefit; i.e., one passenger pays full price for refundable ticket, and second accompanying passenger pays only the required fees and taxes. The program has been modified in order to expand nonrefundable tickets at discount prices. I had a long talk with customer service at Amex about the wisdom of ending the 2 for 1 benefit. I simply do not understand why they cannot have a two tier pricing schedule which will allow for keeping the 2 for 1 benefit. Interestingly enough, the customer service agent told me that Amex has received multiple calls about this change in benefits and is tracking these phone calls for possible evaluation. If you have benefited by the 2 for 1 program, I suggest you contact Amex to express your thoughts. I have been an Amex card(s) holder for over 30 years, and, sadly, I must now evaluate whether the cost of the card merits retention. Discount pricing can be obtained from a number of sources; the 2 for 1 benefit, in my opinion, was one of the benefits that separated Amex from the other credit cards. It should also be noted that if one booked a previous 2 for 1 package. the reservations are still valid under the old program. The change impacts future bookings.