The single's experience on Cunard?

[Leucothea]

 

Cunard could but do not arrange groups for singles. There may be one coffee morning where a staffer, will come and say, "turn to the persons next to you and introduce yourselves" or ask you to stand and deliver a bio , but said staffer often leaves after staying only 15-20 mins. and after that the any "meeting" is unhosted

 

On Port days the daily news sheet often says something like "Singles should gather at the gangway at 10.30a.m to plan their day ashore.(unhosted)" That is downright discouraging.

 

In view of the supplement they make us pay, Cunard could pay more attention to us. but they do not , so we "smile" and pretend we are having a "super time" .

 

 

Perhaps some kind of "meet-up" or activity for singles in the evening would help break the ice. Not everyone is good at meeting strangers, and some are just a bit shy or awkward at first, and there's nothing wrong with that. Once you break the ice it's fine. I do feel awkward approaching strangers as a solo traveler; I don't want to stand out like a sore thumb, the poor pathetic person on her own. I don't feel pathetic; I love my independence, but when surrounded by groups in a group oriented world, one can feel uncomfortable. I don't want the spotlight on my solo status; just want to meet people comfortably.

 

I admit I find solo meet-ups a bit awkward too---I feel put on the spot. But I think activities designed for solo travelers would include them, but would take the pressure off feeling you have to immediately be compatible with the other solo travelers. It would be nice if we had somewhere to go in the evening that would take the awkwardness away from our being on our own---groups for the theatre, dance groups or something...

[Host Sharon]

I have been signed up for E mails on the Cunard page for years, I have checked that I am on the list, but I have never, and I do mean NEVER received even one E mail /deal from Cunard.

 

I am a Diamond member, so no one can say that I never travel with Cunard.

 

Just when does one have to do to get these E mails?

 

I do agree table companions are very much the luck of the draw, at one time I was been the only "English" speaking person at a table for 8.Presumably the seating was done by a badly programmed computer!

 

It is very true, that even though who are really nice and friendly at the table do not ask solo travellers to join them at the theatre, or in the Queens Room.

 

A solo passenger could I suppose impose on them, by asking, "If you are going to the theatre, may I join you" but I think that would be unacceptable behaviour on the part of the solo passenger. I go to after dinner events alone .

 

My atitude is that I smile, chat and generally behave in a friendly manner, but always remembering that couples are not there to entertain or cater to me .

 

Cunard could but do not arrange groups for singles. There may be one coffee morning where a staffer, will come and say, "turn to the persons next to you and introduce yourselves" or ask you to stand and deliver a bio , but said staffer often leaves after staying only 15-20 mins. and after that the any "meeting" is unhosted

 

On Port days the daily news sheet often says something like "Singles should gather at the gangway at 10.30a.m to plan their day ashore.(unhosted)" That is downright discouraging.

 

In view of the supplement they make us pay, Cunard could pay more attention to us. but they do not , so we "smile" and pretend we are having a "super time" .

 

These are all reasons I prefer to travel with P&O when on my own as they usually seat solos together on a dinner table, have a hosted meet every sea day. An entertainment officer will escort all solo ladies into the welcome aboard party (if you wish) and generally I feel pax are friendlier towards you on your own. OK, Cunard are better at other things and the ships are superb but it's horses for courses.

Edited October 10, 2011 by Host Sharon

[Dancer Bob]

On Queen Victoria, there is "Singles Coffee" every sea day. I don't think the staff person should be anything more than a facilitator. And I have seen the staff person ask how many would be interested in a singles' luncheon, theatre group, etc, with not much interest.

If you're a single person and are not a) comfortable being on your own in a strange port or b) have planned your day long before the ship docked, then a ship's tour would be best for you.

[Louise D]

On Cunard ships I have been on tables with singles and couples and have always found congenial company with the other ladies on the table (married and single) to go to the theatre, afternoon tea, trivia etc. Most of the ladies who are married actually enjoy getting away from their husbands from time to time and spending time with other ladies.

 

Also, on Cunard ships it is not hard to be anonymous if you want time alone.

 

But, if you do not like time alone, I would recommend smaller ships such as Silversea ships. Even though sometimes on Silverseas ships I have planned to dine alone for a change, or go to afternoon tea alone, usually I get spotted by one of the other passengers or a couple and asked to join them. On tour buses, I always find I know some of the other passengers on the bus. This does not really happen on Cunard. On smaller ships you do get well known by many passengers, especially if you are on board a fortnight or so.

[Salacia]

PARTIAL QUOTE

I have been signed up for E mails on the Cunard page for years, I have checked that I am on the list, but I have never, and I do mean NEVER received even one E mail /deal from Cunard.

 

I am a Diamond member, so no one can say that I never travel with Cunard.

 

Just when does one have to do to get these E mails?...

 

.

 

Hi Mrs. Jimsgirl. Perhaps you have very good security on your e-mail, and only 'accepted' e-mails reach your in-box? If not, Cunard e-mail might be read as spam by the filter and be automatically deleted? Just a suggestion, but if you phone Cunard and ask what e-address you need to add to your 'accepted' or 'known sender' e-mail account, perhaps that might work?

 

cunard@email.cunard.com <---that is the address that I have added to my accepted sender list: it is the sender address for e-mails I have received from Cunard regarding "specials". Others might verify this address before you add it to "accepted senders"

 

Best Wishes,

Salacia

[Jimsgirl]

Salacia

 

I am going to try your suggestion, nomally my e mail will tell me if I have a suspect e mail but does not print it out unless I confirm that I wish to receive it.

 

I really would like to know about deals, even though my ability to go is limited as regards long flights.

 

Must confess that my day does not really seem started until I have had my fix of CC.

[Whitemarsh]

Salacia

 

I am going to try your suggestion, nomally my e mail will tell me if I have a suspect e mail but does not print it out unless I confirm that I wish to receive it.

 

I really would like to know about deals, even though my ability to go is limited as regards long flights.

 

Must confess that my day does not really seem started until I have had my fix of CC.

 

Have you checked your Cunard World Club profile? I never received emails either until I updated my profile and ticked yes when asked if I wished to be contacted via email. Log in and check your preferences.

[Mysticalmother]

Wasn't there a recent blog on here by a single traveller where she was left dining alone, some tablemates having moved and others not turned up for dinner:confused: I remember reading something about it which didn't sound great.

 

That wasn't me either - but I have met the person who posted at a cc get together and had some interesting & stimulating conversation. It is a real shame that sometimes a single/solo female traveller is actually seen as a threat to "couples" and thus they don't want to be joined by a solo traveller. I don't think it helped that the OP was in the grills and so dining companions and options were more limited than if in the much bigger Brittania dining room. But if you are a couple, on a table of 4 or more and asked by the maitre D if a solo traveller can join you - why not say yes - at least for one evening - you may just be pleasantly surprised! And remember, one day that possibly slightly lonely solo traveller could be you.....

[Whitemarsh]

It is a real shame that sometimes a single/solo female traveller is actually seen as a threat to "couples" and thus they don't want to be joined by a solo traveller.

 

That's interesting. I would thought that a single male would be more likely to be viewed as a 'threat' or suspicious.

[dancinman66]

I would agree I. Both fronts

A lot of people are insecure in their relationships

Very sad really

:)

Greg

 

 

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[dancinman66]

It is amazing as a solo traveller the stereotype you quite often get placed in

Guy or lady

Oh well

Such is life

 

 

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[vtgal]

Agree that a table for 8 is best. Only once have I had to ask to change tables because of a person who dominated all conversation. Many people make friends they keep.

Try to join in trivia and other activities.

Choose westbound for a TA.

and choose QM2 if you want to be on an ocean liner as the other ships don't really qualify.

[vtgal]

Ask Cunard for their opportunities for one way flights. It can offer quite a savings.

[SantaAna,CA]

Hi, I have a question. After reading all the posts about dancing. I have never done a Cunard cruise, but I'm really interested. I love the formality of the ship, dressing for dinner and all. Anyway, I haven't danced in maybe 20 years and when I did, I didn't know what I was doing then. If you like to dance but are beyond rusty, what are your suggestions before getting on a cruise? Lessons? I'm 62. Slower than I used to be *lol*....but still interested in fun.

 

Jane :)

Edited January 31, 2014 by SantaAna,CA

[BobBranst]

If you like to dance but are beyond rusty, what are your suggestions before getting on a cruise? Lessons? I'm 62. Slower than I used to be *lol*....but still interested in fun.

 

Hi Jane,

 

You are never too old to learn (or relearn) ballroom dancing. My wife and I took our first dance lesson a few months before our first crossing on the QM2. We were both over 70 when we started. A couple of lessons in Foxtrot and Waltz is a good way to start.

 

Bob

[dancinman66]

They have lessons on the ships and Cunard have male dance host also

I like Cunard for dancing

Greg

 

 

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[fantasy51]

Hi Jane. I hadn't danced for 25 years and then went on a Cunard cruise where table mates were dancing each night. I joined them and have been hooked on dancing on cruises ever since.

 

The first thing I had to learn was that it is SOCIAL dancing. I had done all my ballroom dancing medals years earlier, dancing routines with my dance partner. On the ballroom floor I soon learnt that I knew nothing about following a partner through ad hoc steps. Furthermore, I learnt that it was not appropriate to stand straight and tall, but instead I had to develop the social slouch. By my second cruise, the Dance Hosts started telling me how well I follow a lead. After that I started going to Argentine Tango lessons (a dance I'd never learnt before) and learnt even more about following a partner. It helps.

 

I was fortunate on the next cruise to find a Dance Host who was a dance teacher and used to competing, so he helped me drag my standard of dancing back up towards where it used to be. That was challenging and fun and exhilarating, but on the next cruise I came down to earth with a bang and returned to the social slouch.

 

My advice from all of this is, go on the cruise prepared for the dancing to be fun but don't expect a high standard or you could spoil the fun of your partners, who are there with the expectation of social dancing. Second, if you choose to have lessons, go the route of social dancing rather than one-to-one with a teacher. You really need to learn how to follow a variety of different styles of leading, not just one.

 

I would highly recommend a couple of terms of Argentine Tango lessons, going to a good school where you change partners each dance. I think it's a fantastic way of learning how to follow someone's lead. (The stance is different from ballroom dancing, but you should be able to adjust quite quickly.)

 

Have fun! You meet some lovely people in the ballroom. I've only met two people who I would really want to avoid.

[BobBranst]

One of the first things I observed on my first QM2 crossing was that there are two distinctly different styles of dancing that frequently coexist on the Cunard ballroom dance floor. Europeans are taught the International Style and Americans are usually taught the American Smooth Style of ballroom dances. While it is possible to find dance teachers in the USA that can teach International Style, you seldom see anyone dancing International Style at the typlcal American ballroom dance other than professionals pairs demonstrating "Dancing With The Stars" type (International) routines as entertainment.

 

On a transatlantic crossing, the dance hosts may be European or American or both. However, that should not be a serious problem given that the dance floor is usually full and frequently there isn't room to dance anything other than the basic dance steps without bumping into other dancers.

 

Bob

[Dancer Bob]

Interesting comment from fantasy51 about slouch. I'm currently with Stardust on Costa Luminosa with 4 lady friends from Toronto. They say Stardust's hosts, who are all American style, compliment them on how well they follow. My friends are all International and definitely do not slouch.

Also, most of the Stardust group are very competent American style dancers. The floor gets very crowded, but it's generally understood that open work has to be minimal and no arm-flailing in those circumstances.

PS. Two of my friends were on QV, they weren't very impressed by the Cunard hosts.

Edited January 31, 2014 by Dancer Bob

[orvil]

While onboard the QM2 on a TA, my husband and I went to the lessons they offered. We took lessons years ago and have forgotten all we had learned. We were trying to learn the quick step. It was a total disaster. We were laughing so hard and were pretty much an embarrassment to ourselves.

 

Fortunately on of the dance hosts took pity on us and took me around the floor for a few spins. He gave me some quick instruction. He was a very nice British gentleman. I was able to impart his tips to my husband. We still weren't any good, but we had such a good time, we came back the next day for the tango.

 

I watched the dance hosts in action one evening. If you want to dance, I wouldn't hesitate to go ask them to dance. They were most convivial. Most of the single ladies who wanted to dance were seated in the front row of tables next to the dance floor. Just make yourself known and I think a dance partner will appear. Everyone seemed to be having a whale of a good time.

[fantasy51]

Interesting comment from fantasy51 about slouch.

 

Bob, there's a definite difference! On my October cruise I danced with one Host and we both knew straight away that the other was a dancer. He took me to the floor, stood there and stood straight. I immediately stood straight and stretched up. Message given: I expected a good dance and received it! He was Canadian but had been trained in International Style.

 

If I tried the same stance with just about any other Dance Host, it would be inappropriate. In fact, I think that's partly why I had trouble on my first cruise - the Hosts there just did not know how to dance with someone who stood properly. On my second cruise there was a great Host who would sometimes say: It's just social dancing, relax.

 

So perhaps it's not really a slouch, but it's the same posture I'd use for walking down the street, not for dancing.

 

Then, of course, there was the Host on my first cruise who held me so close and so tightly that I could hardly move, and so I used my left arm to push against his arm, in the hope of gaining some distance. Result? rotator cuff injury in my shoulder that has been sore now for over a year!

Edited January 31, 2014 by fantasy51
Added last paragraph

[Dancer Bob]

I was thinking partly about Strictly Ballroom worrying about frame.

I must agree Canadians are exquisite dancers, not to mention devilishly handsome and brilliant personalities, as well as modest and unassuming.

[Slow Foxtrot]

....Two of my friends were on QV, they weren't very impressed by the Cunard hosts.

 

Recently returned from 22 nights aboard Queen Victoria. Some of the dance hosts obviously lacked the ability to dance to any reasonable degree of competence but with a couple of others it was hard to tell because they were often saddled with ladies whose knowledge of ballroom dancing was minimal. Couple this with a busy floor, a dance band not always blessed with a broad knowledge of dancers' tempo requirements, a vocalist with a nice personality but not aware that she should sing in the tempo of the dance - and one cannot help but have some sympathy with a couple of the dance hosts. And the reality was that, for good dancers, the dance floor held little appeal.

However, it was a popular place for the plodders and those who get round in some sort of fashion once a blue moon. But that's the story on most ships' dance floors - a bit of good social fun but never to be taken seriously.

Edited February 3, 2014 by Slow Foxtrot

[Olliesmum]

Recently returned from 22 nights aboard Queen Victoria. Some of the dance hosts obviously lacked the ability to dance to any reasonable degree of competence but with a couple of others it was hard to tell because they were often saddled with ladies whose knowledge of ballroom dancing was minimal. Couple this with a busy floor, a dance band not always blessed with a broad knowledge of dancers' tempo requirements, a vocalist with a nice personality but not aware that she should sing in the tempo of the dance - and one cannot help but have some sympathy with a couple of the dance hosts. And the reality was that, for good dancers, the dance floor held little appeal.

However, it was a popular place for the plodders and those who get round in some sort of fashion once a blue moon. But that's the story on most ships' dance floors - a bit of good social fun but never to be taken seriously.

 

Dance hosts "saddled" with ladies? The hosts are there so the ladies have partners to dance with, not the other way round.

[Pushka]

I think that the dance floor on any ship is just a place of leisure for people on holidays and enjoying themselves. It surely isn't a place where people who aren't particularly competent, must be banished from?