Cunard Charter Flights

[SALAD MUNCHER]

Hope this does not sound too pretentious as it is a genuine query. If you travel on a BA charter booked through Cunard do they also operate the Priority Boarding for those guests who would receive priority boarding on the ship?

Just wondered as I have heard you cannot check in on line and you are not given a seat number prior to check in, therefore is it likely to be a free for all (like Ryan Air / Easy Jet). Anyone with experience of these flights? :( Many thanks,

[laktex]

You will get seat assignment at check-in (unlike Ryanair) but as far as I know there will not be priority boarding - more sensibly & hopefully it will board by row number, although they did not do that in Rome the other week. On Ryanair of course you can pay extra for priority boarding!

[JuditSZ-M]

After checkin with the Cunard charter airline (and with our Cunard Baggage labels clearly visible) - when does Cunard take over our baggage?

 

I assume that this can only be at the destination airport?

 

But does Cunard pick up all bags in the arrival hall pre-customs, or does each passenger collect his/her bags, go through customs, and then hand the bags to Cunard for delivery to the ship?

 

J

[laktex]

After checkin with the Cunard charter airline (and with our Cunard Baggage labels clearly visible) - when does Cunard take over our baggage?

 

I assume that this can only be at the destination airport?

 

But does Cunard pick up all bags in the arrival hall pre-customs, or does each passenger collect his/her bags, go through customs, and then hand the bags to Cunard for delivery to the ship?

 

J

 

Its the latter - you inevitably have to clear your own bags through customs at the destination airport - then hand them over to Cunard and with a bit of luck they join you in your cabin after you have checked-in at the cruise terminal.

[cruiser1955]

I've just returned from a Cunard charter with British Airways (Heathrow/Rome/Heathrow) which included transfers to and from the ship.

 

Outgoing:

 

At Heathrow, check in as a normal passenger and you are given a seat number. Boarding the plane was by row order.

 

On arrival at Rome, collect luggage from the conveyor belt and hand it to Cunard who were at the next belt. You do not take luggage through customs. It will be taken separately to the ship and delivered to your cabin.

 

I think there was a priority channel for boarding the ship, but the normal channel was very fast - less than 5 minutes:)

 

Return:

 

Rome: Collect your luggage from the quay side and take it to the coach. On arrival at the airport collect your luggage and check in as normal. Seat is allocated but boarding was not done by row, just one chaotic line of passengers.

 

At: Heathrow, just as with any other flight.

 

Inflight service: Plenty of drink available. Food was a large roll in both directions (Chicken out, Ham & Cheese on return). Have to say that I thought the roll was better than the usual food that is served.

[Bell Boy]

And a complimentary 'Bar service' too ;)

 

 

Bell Boy:)

[fastnloose]

Does anyone know what time check-in opens at Bournemouth?

[JuditSZ-M]

Does anyone have experience of Cunard Jet 2 charters from Gatwick?

 

Do they serve complimentary alcoholic drinks too?

 

J

And a complimentary 'Bar service' too ;)

 

Bell Boy:)

[T5LHR]

Return:

 

>SNIP< Seat is allocated but boarding was not done by row, just one chaotic line of passengers >SNIP<

 

I must interject at this point... This specialist service, provided by our handling agent in Rome is not only reserved for Cunard charter passengers, but for our scheduled passengers also... A regular day, every day, at Rome, FCO airport! :D

 

Inflight service: Plenty of drink available. Food was a large roll in both directions (Chicken out, Ham & Cheese on return). Have to say that I thought the roll was better than the usual food that is served.

 

That is good to hear. We have changed catering supplier recently, and the catering is now provided by Northern Foods, who supply Marks and Spencer...

 

I hope you enjoyed your flight with us. :)

[T5LHR]

Does anyone have experience of Cunard Jet 2 charters from Gatwick?

 

Do they serve complimentary alcoholic drinks too?

 

J

 

I believe, Cunard charter the airline to provide their regular service that they would on any other flight. I stand to be corrected, and apologise if I am wrong, but believe that the Jet2 flights will be a pay bar onboard.

[cruiser1955]

I must interject at this point... This specialist service, provided by our handling agent in Rome is not only reserved for Cunard charter passengers, but for our scheduled passengers also... A regular day, every day, at Rome, FCO airport! :D

 

That is good to hear. We have changed catering supplier recently, and the catering is now provided by Northern Foods, who supply Marks and Spencer...

 

I hope you enjoyed your flight with us. :)

 

T5LHR - no complaints about either flight or service at LHR. Rome FCO gate service was poor (guess that is common by your comment) and there was little seating space at the gate given that many pax arrived at the gate over two hours before departure. BA legroom was much better for me that that provided in Thomas Cook premium seating.

[Mysticalmother]

 

That is good to hear. We have changed catering supplier recently, and the catering is now provided by Northern Foods, who supply Marks and Spencer...

 

I hope you enjoyed your flight with us. :)

 

I flew back with "you" from Toronto recently after my QM2 voyage. I am terrified of flying (that's why I normally don't!) and I have nothing but praise for the cabin staff who had to look after me! They were absolutely brilliant! But the hot food (evening meal) was not very good. The glass of champagne was a nice touch - and no, I didn't fly First or Business class, but they took pity on my nerves!

 

Did I enjoy my flight? Well I don't think I will EVER enjoy flying! But a big pat on the back for my favourite airline!

[moniquet]

I always fly with BA if possible but not to the USA as other airlines have better food/ We flew to Naples Italy with them on the 1st of this month. Outward flight a Danish pastry was like carboard. Return was 2 dry square slices of bread with cheap ham and processed cheese. Don't mind for a 2 hour flight but no way has their food improved. For long flights to Florida has to be the red ensign for us:D

[sunshinesdad]

I believe, Cunard charter the airline to provide their regular service that they would on any other flight. I stand to be corrected, and apologise if I am wrong, but believe that the Jet2 flights will be a pay bar onboard.

 

We found Jet 2 provided free cold meal outbound, warm meal inbound, and one small bottle of wine per person.

 

Requests for an additional free bottle were rejected out of hand

 

Seats were very tight together (elbow to elbow) - and in pitch, width and legroom were not as good as, say Easyjet.

 

Additionally, since JET 2 is not Gatwick oriented, few of the Gatwick staff knew of the airline and from which departure area checkin would take place.

 

Next time I shall push for a BA option

 

Having said all that, Jet 2 were not that bad

 

D

[paulhants]

Have just returned from QV via Jet2 charter.

Have to agree that 'elbow room' was limited, but found leg room reasonable - although I am only 5'6"!

 

Aircraft seemed a little 'basic'

- plastic moulded seats with 'leather' covering, that didn't recline

- very small tray table

- no real seat pocket for books/newspapers, just a narrow slot that only accommodated safety card and in-flight magazine

- no window blinds

 

Food was OK - cold 'chicken Waldorf salad' outbound and sausage & mash inbound, both with dessert and cheese and biscuits.

 

Heaviest landing I've ever experienced at Bournemouth! ...we literally 'hit' the ground, to gasps from all onboard

 

Ground arrangements a little chaotic - both on arrival in Venice, and departing Athens.

 

Our early arrival into Venice coincided with late arrival of a London charter, so twice the number of passengers they were expecting lead to long queues after collecting your bags from luggage carousel, through to boarding the coach.

 

On disembarkation in Athens, we had to 'identify' our bags in the 'luggage hall' (tent), and the porters then loaded them onto the coaches - although not necessarily the coach you travelled on! On arrival at Athens airport, people were having to look for their bags as they were unloaded from 3 or 4 different coaches.

 

Just my observations and opinions, that may be informative for some. Still had a great time though!

[fastnloose]

Agree entirely with the last 2 comments, Jet 2 were in my opinion, just OK. Don't think I would choose Jet 2 if there was another option though.